Despite decades of compelling evidence from epidemiological and laboratory studies demonstrating the adverse health impacts of particulate matter (PM) exposure, the components of PM responsible for observed health effects remain unclear.

Recent studies have widely suggested that PM oxidative potential (OP), defined as the capability of particles to catalytically produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) with subsequent depletion of antioxidants, is key to determining the health effects of PM exposure. However, accurate quantification of OP has somewhat been hindered by a lack of suitable measurement methods, as many chemical components contributing to OP are short-lived and in low ambient concentrations, posing a significant analytical-chemical challenge.   

To overcome this issue, we have recently developed two online instruments that use a direct-to-reagent sampling approach, impinging particles within seconds into acellular chemical assays for OP quantification, whilst also providing continuous, automated quantification of OP, with a time resolution of 5-10 minutes. This talk will discuss the development of online OP methods,  and their application in laboratory and ambient studies.   

Dr Steven Campbell is a Marie Skłodowska Curie Research Fellow in the Environmental Research Group where he is part of the Aerosol Science Team. His research focuses on developing our understanding of the chemical composition of ambient aerosol particles; in particular, the chemistry of highly reactive particle components, seeking to understand their influence on aerosol particle composition and subsequently their impacts on human health.

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