TagPSCAA(43)

UFPs linked to respiratory effects, cardiovascular disease, and potential central nervous system impacts due to their ability to penetrate deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Major UFP sources near monitoring sites: road traffic, shipping and aviation, and biomass burning. Aviation is specifically identified as a contributing source of ultrafine particles.

EPA size chart: one coarse particle equals 1,000,000 UFPs by mass. UFPs at <100nm are far smaller than PM2.5 (2,500nm) or PM10 (10,000nm); able to penetrate deep into lung tissue.

UFPs (ultrafine particles, <100nm) measured as PNC (particle number concentration) using SMPS instruments. Unlike PM2.5, UFPs are not currently regulated by EPA or WA state.

PSCAA Monitoring Team: Update on ongoing UFP monitoring at 10th & Weller (Seattle) and North Sea-Tac Park (Sunset Park). WA state-funded program launched 2024.

Nov 14, 2024: two SMPS instruments at 10th & Weller show close agreement in measured particle size distributions, validating instrument precision before field separation.

July 18, 2024 monitoring at 10th & Weller: particle size distribution and black carbon time series showing co-varying peaks throughout the day.

Worldwide scatter plot: PM2.5 mass concentration and particle number concentration are not linearly related. Monitoring PM2.5 alone does not capture UFP exposure levels.

SMPS combines DMA (Differential Mobility Analyzer) and CPC (Condensation Particle Counter) to measure particle size distributions from 5 to 1,000 nm.

Planned next steps: relocate second SMPS instrument to North Sea-Tac Park (Sunset Park); establish data analysis partnership with University of Washington.