The Health Effects of Combustion-Generated Particles

JOINT SEMINAR with AME and CEE Speaker:
Ian M. Kennedy
Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
University of California DavisAbstract
The link between exposure to fine particles in the atmosphere and adverse
health effects has been well-established by epidemiological studies. Most of
the fine and ultrafine material of concern derives from combustion sources
and is largely a mixture of elemental and organic carbon, metals, and
inorganic compounds such as sulfates. When inhaled by people, the particles
can be taken-up by cells in the lung. The particles can also penetrate into
the circulatory system and lodge in organs such as the liver and heart. The
mechanism for their impact on health is not entirely understood although the
generation of reactive oxygen species such as the OH radical is a major
focus. The inflammation that can be caused by these reactive species can
exacerbate pre-existing ailments. Combustion conditions in mobile and
stationary sources can affect the reactivity of aerosols and their ability
to generate reactive oxygen species. Combustion conditions can also affect
the speciation of transition metals, the morphology of particles and their
composition, and their size, all parameters that may lead to adverse health
effects. This presentation will review the current state of knowledge about
sources, transport, transformation and fate of fine and ultrafine particles
that arise from combustion sources. The impact of combustion conditions on
the potential for adverse health impacts will be given particular attentionWednesday, Oct. 4th
Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH), Rm 100
3:30 pmRefreshments will be served at 3:15 pm

Location: John Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH) - - Room100

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes