Airborne Aerosol Particles Research Articles

Stability of influenza A virus in droplets and aerosols is heightened by the presence of commensal respiratory bacteria.

Aerosol transmission remains a major challenge for control of respiratory viruses, particularly those causing recurrent epidemics, like influenza A virus (IAV). These viruses are rarely expelled alone, but instead are embedded in a consortium of microorganisms that populate the respiratory tract. The impact of microbial communities and inter-pathogen interactions upon stability of transmitted viruses is well-characterized for enteric pathogens, but is under-studied in the respiratory niche. Here, we assessed whether the presence of five different species of commensal respiratory bacteria could influence the persistence of IAV within phosphate-buffered saline and artificial saliva droplets deposited on surfaces at typical indoor air humidity, and within airborne aerosol particles. In droplets, presence of individual species or a mixed bacterial community resulted in 10- to 100-fold more infectious IAV remaining after 1 h, due to bacterial-mediated flattening of drying droplets and early efflorescence. Even when no efflorescence occurred at high humidity or the bacteria-induced changes in droplet morphology were abolished by aerosolization instead of deposition on a well plate, the bacteria remained protective. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most stabilizing compared to other commensals at equivalent density, indicating the composition of an individual's respiratory microbiota is a previously unconsidered factor influencing expelled virus persistence.IMPORTANCEIt is known that respiratory infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 and influenza are transmitted by release of virus-containing aerosols and larger droplets by an infected host. The survival time of viruses expelled into the environment can vary depending on temperature, room air humidity, UV exposure, air composition, and suspending fluid. However, few studies consider the fact that respiratory viruses are not alone in the respiratory tract-we are constantly colonized by a plethora of bacteria in our noses, mouth, and lower respiratory system. In the gut, enteric viruses are known to be stabilized against inactivation and environmental decay by gut bacteria. Despite the presence of a similarly complex bacterial microbiota in the respiratory tract, few studies have investigated whether viral stabilization could occur in this niche. Here, we address this question by investigating influenza A virus stabilization by a range of commensal bacteria in systems representing respiratory aerosols and droplets.

Mitigation of Aerosol and Microbial Concentration in a Weaning Piggery by Spraying Nanobubble Ozone Water with an Ultrasonic Sprayer.

Enhancing biosecurity measures in livestock is an essential prerequisite for producing animal products with the highest levels of safety and quality. In Japan, 70% of the mortalities post-weaning are attributed to respiratory pathogens. The research has shown that microorganisms, including both viruses and bacteria, do not merely float in the air independently. Instead, they spread by adhering to aerosols. Therefore, improving the control of aerosol dissemination becomes a critical strategy for reducing pathogenic loads and boosting the overall efficiency of livestock production. This study focused on reducing concentrations of aerosol particles, airborne microbial concentrations, and airborne mass concentrations by spraying ozone solution with an ultrasonic sprayer. The experiments were conducted at a farm in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, known for its integrated management system, overseeing a herd of 200 sows. Nanobubble ozone water particles were dispersed using an ultrasonic sprayer, which allowed the particles to remain airborne significantly longer than those dispersed using a standard nozzle, at a rate of 30 mL per weaning pig 49 days old, for a 10 min period. This procedure was followed by a 10 min pause, and the cycle was repeated for 17 days. Measurements included concentrations of airborne bacteria, aerosol mass, and aerosol particles. The findings demonstrated a substantial reduction in airborne microbial concentrations of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the treated area compared to the control, with reductions reaching a peak of 85.7% for E. coli and 69.5% for S. aureus. Aerosol particle sizes ranging from 0.3-0.5 µm, 0.5-1.0 µm, 1.0-2.0 µm, 2.0-5.0 µm, to 5.0-10.0 µm were monitored, with a notable decrease in concentrations among larger particles. The average aerosol mass concentration in the test area was over 50% lower than in the control area.

Estimation of particle size distributions in the atmosphere—analysis of Fe and Ca particles as the representative examples

Atmospheric aerosols, including primary aerosols emitted directly into the atmosphere and secondary aerosols generated in the atmosphere from various chemically complex particles, cause a variety of environmental problems such as climate change, photochemical smog formation, and a decrease in incoming solar radiation. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes of aerosol particles and their impact on human society. In particular, particle size is an important indicator of lung penetration depth, aerosol transport, and optical properties. Hence, we mathematically estimated the airborne particle size distributions of each chemical component by collecting aerosol samples from the atmosphere using two types of cyclone samplers, large and small cyclone samplers. This study’s findings also suggest that calculated changes in particle size distribution can reflect changes in particle sources. The higher resolution of the continuous functions will enable the detection of the subtle changes in particle size distributions of each chemical component, which is helpful to understand the temporal changes in the chemical properties of the airborne aerosol particles.

Computational fluid dynamic analysis of corona virus patients breathing in an airplane

Effective ventilation systems are essential to control the transmission of airborne aerosol particles, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aircraft cabins, which is a significant concern for people commuting by airplane. Validated computational fluid dynamic models are frequently and effectively used to investigate air distribution and pollutant transport. In this study, the effectiveness of different ventilation systems with varying outlet vent locations were computationally compared to determine the best ventilation system for minimizing the risk of airborne transmission. The cabin air conditioning system was optimized to determine how design variables (air inlet temperature, outlet valve width and location, and mass flow rate) affect output parameters, including particle residence time, age of air, and thermal comfort conditions. Inlet mass flow rate was observed to be an influential variable impacting all output parameters, especially on age of air, where it was the most influential. In contrast, the least effective variable was width of the outlet valve, which only affected the particle residence time. Also, Predicted Mean Vote and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied indices were the most affected by air inlet temperature, which had an inverse relation, while the outlet valve location had the greatest effect on particle residence time.

Design of Round-Nozzle Inertial Impactors Review with Updated Design Parameters

Round-nozzle inertial impactors are widely used aerosol measuring instruments to characterize the mass and chemical composition of airborne aerosol particles as a function particle aerodynamic diameter. This article summarizes the most important design considerations with updated recommended design parameters taken from our review of published research articles, and discusses some of the more common non-idealities seen in the operation and performance of inertial impactors. With this information, it is now possible to design a cascade impactor with near-ideal particle separation performance, and with stage cutpoints that can be predicted with excellent accuracy, and verified experimentally using state-of-the-art calibration techniques.

A facile strategy for rapid in situ synthesis of Cu2O on PP non-woven fabric with durable antibacterial activities

As the commercially filter material used in a face mask, polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabric is considerably important for personal and medical protection, which plays an essential role in reducing exposure to infectious respiratory bacteria and airborne aerosol particles. Herein, a facial and rapid strategy for in situ synthesis of cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu2O NPs) on PP nonwovens with the durable antibacterial property was demonstrated using high-temperature polydimethylsiloxane based on the concept of material engineering. Owing to the instantaneously slight melting of the PP surface layer at high temperature, Cu2O NPs were rapidly in situ constructed and immobilized on the fiber surface to form an organic and inorganic hybrid layer. The as-prepared Cu2O-PP non-woven fabric exhibited excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial properties towards both the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, showing an inhibition zone of 39 mm and 18 mm for B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Furthermore, a durable antibacterial property was also achieved after 50 times of standard washing. Finally, the as-prepared Cu2O-PP non-woven fabric was used as an insert filter to fabricate a four-layer PP-based face mask, which may significantly improve the antibacterial performance of masks. The method provides a facile engineering strategy for medical protection with great application potential.

PACE: How One NASA Mission Aligns With the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (OceanShot #1)

Abstract The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE; <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="https://pace.gsfc.nasa.gov">https://pace.gsfc.nasa.gov</ext-link>) mission, scheduled for launch in January 2024, will extend the continuous high-quality ocean color, atmospheric aerosol, and cloud data records begun by NASA in the late 1990s, building on the heritage of the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS), Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) (Figure 1). PACE's global hyperspectral imaging radiometer design concept will enable new discoveries in Earth's living ocean (Figure 2), such as the diversity of organisms fueling marine food webs and how aquatic ecosystems respond to environmental change. Its instrument payload (Figure 3) will also observe Earth's atmosphere to study clouds, airborne aerosol particles, and the interactions between the two. Looking at the ocean, clouds, and aerosols together will improve our knowledge of the roles each plays in our evolving planet. Other applications of PACE science data records—from identifying the frequency, extent, and duration of aquatic harmful algal blooms to improving our understanding of air quality—will result in direct economic, recreational, and societal benefits. Ultimately, by extending and expanding NASA's long record of global Earth satellite observations, the PACE mission will monitor our home planet in new and advanced ways in the coming decade.

Measurements of elastic light-scattering patterns and images of single, oriented, optically trapped particles

We demonstrate a method for recording 2D forward-scattering patterns from optically trapped single airborne particles at multiple angular orientations. We collected images of trapped particles simultaneously with their scattering patterns to observe changes in the patterns with orientation. We present measurements of particles with wide-ranging morphologies from nearly spherical to highly irregular and with various compositions. The highly irregularly shaped particles have scattering patterns with spots of high intensity whose locations change with particle orientation. Additionally, measurements of a manufactured polystyrene spheroid of a known size are compared with calculated diffraction patterns. Such controlled-orientation measurements have the potential to help develop algorithms to characterize airborne aerosol particles using morphological information inferred from remote-sensing or other elastic light scattering measurements.

Can food matrices be considered as a potential carrier for COVID-19?

Humanity is currently facing a life-threatening challenge from the infectious and epidemic disease SARS-CoV-2. To date, the various modes of transmission of the virus have not been fully elucidated. In this regard, there is a possibility of transmission of the virus through food products. The COVID-19 pandemic disease, like those associated with SARS and MERS, is transmitted mainly through the respiratory tract and airborne aerosol particles, but the presence of fragments of the genetic virus (RNA) in the feces of numerous patients proposes that their fecal-oral pathway may be expanded. In addition, people with gastrointestinal disorders such as atrophic gastritis and metaplasia may be susceptible to COVID-19 infection. Accordingly, food may act as a potential carrier of COVID-19 due to environmental or cross-contamination. According to the available evidence, the spread and possibility of transmission of COVID-19 contamination from humans to food products are possible. Beyond that, there is some evidence that some food sources of animal origin, such as pigs and rabbits, can be contaminated by COVID-19. Therefore, the transmission of the virus through some meat products may be conceivable. Due to the rapid release rate of COVID-19 and its stability in various milieus, especially food manufacturing circumstances, it may enter the matrix during different stages of traditional or industrial food processing. Therefore, preventive measures are recommended to be utilized in the food manufacturing sector. The present study explored the risk of different food matrices, including dairy products, bread, meat and meat products, vegetables, fruits, and processed foods, as potential carriers for the transmission of COVID-19.

Neurological complications related to COVID-19 infections following exposure to airborne aerosol particles

Some of the recent researches show that air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), including fine particles (PM<2.5μm, PM2.5) and very fine particles (PM <0.1μm, PM 0.1) can reach the brain and affect CNS health. Neurological complications with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been observed. The aim of this review the relationship between air pollutants exposure and COVID-19 was focused on the role of airborne aerosol particles in the prevalence of the disease, as well as the neurological effects of COVID-19. It is not yet clear how the virus is transmitted from one sick person to another and why it is so transmissible. Viruses can be probably transmitted through speech and exhalation aerosols. Findings show that SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission is possible. Spike (S) proteins of SARS‑CoV‑2 determine tissue tropism using an angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor type2 (ACE-2) to bind to the cells. ACE-2 receptor is found in the tissues of the nervous system. Neurological disorders that occur with COVID-19 can have many pathophysiological backgrounds. Some are the result of a direct viral attack on tissues of the nervous system, others appear to be an autoimmune process post-viral, and still others appear to be the result of systemic and metabolic complications associated with critical illness.

Measurement of circular intensity differential scattering (CIDS) from single airborne aerosol particles for bioaerosol detection and identification.

The circular intensity differential scattering (CIDS), i.e. the normalized Mueller matrix element -S14/S11, can be used to detect the helical structures of DNA molecules in biological systems, however, no CIDS measurement from single particles has been reported to date. We report an innovative method for measuring CIDS phase functions from single particles individually flowing through a scattering laser beam. CIDS signals were obtained from polystyrene latex (PSL) microspheres with or without coating of DNA molecules, tryptophan particles, and aggregates of B. subtilis spores, at the size of 3 μm in diameter. Preliminary results show that this method is able to measure CIDS phase function in tens of microseconds from single particles, and has the ability to identify particles containing biological molecules.

Needle-free jet injection-induced small-droplet aerosol formation during intralesional bleomycin therapy.

ObjectivesNeedle‐free jet injectors are frequently used in dermatological practice. Injection‐generated small‐droplet aerosols could be harmful upon inhalation when chemotherapeutics, like bleomycin, are used. Here, we aim to explore jet injector‐induced small‐droplet aerosol formation of bleomycin in relation to air ventilation and to provide safety measures for clinical practice.Materials and MethodsWith a professional particle sensor, we measured airborne aerosol particles (0.2–10.0 µm) after electronic pneumatic injection (EPI), spring‐loaded jet injection (SLI), and needle injection (NI) of bleomycin and saline (100 μl) on ex vivo human skin. Three levels of air ventilation were explored: no ventilation, room ventilation, and room ventilation with an additional smoke evacuator.ResultsEPI and SLI induced significant small‐droplet aerosol formation compared with none after NI (0.2–1.0 µm; no ventilation). The largest bleomycin aerosol generation was observed for the smallest particles (0.2–1.0 µm) with 673.170 (528.802–789.453) aerosol particles/liter air (EPI; no ventilation). Room ventilation and smoke evacuation led to a reduction of ≥99% and 100% of measured aerosols, respectively.ConclusionJet injectors generate a high number of small‐droplet aerosols, potentially introducing harmful effects to patients and healthcare personnel. Room ventilation and smoke evacuation are effective safety measures when chemotherapeutics are used in clinical practice.

Effectiveness of a Chairside Acrylic Adjustment Cabinet in Reducing Dental Acrylic Debris and Aerosols

AbstractPurposeChairside prosthesis adjustment procedures generate contaminated acrylic particle debris that include visible splatter (particles >50 μm) as well as invisible aerosols (<50 µm). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a chairside acrylic adjustment cabinet (CAAC) in reducing airborne aerosol particles (<10 µm) and visible acrylic debris, time required for airborne aerosols to return to baseline levels after an acrylic adjustment procedure, and the effect on operatory turnover time.Materials and methodsA total of 40 acrylic adjustment procedures were carried out in a simulated setting with (experiment) and without (control) a CAAC. Standardized acrylic samples of self‐polymerized, and heat polymerized polymethylmethacrylate resins, Triad™ and Fastray™ custom tray materials were evaluated. Airborne aerosol measurements were done using a handheld Lase.r Particle Counter for absolute particle counts of sizes 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μm before, during, and immediately after adjustment and 10 minutes postadjustment. Spread of aerosols was assessed at three distinct locations within the dental operatory specific to the provider, the patient, and the caregiver/guest. Visible acrylic debris and operatory turnover time were evaluated immediately postadjustments by a blinded investigator. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to estimate group effect, time effect and interaction between group and time for air particle analysis. Independent samples T‐tests were used for group differences between operatory turnover time, and time for aerosols to return to baseline. Chi‐square test was used for visible surface analysis.ResultsIn the control group, total aerosol particle counts increased from 6542.7 ± 162.6 particles at baseline to 598378.7 ± 586363.2 and 367569.9 ± 432220.8 particles during and immediately postadjustment, respectively. Adjustments made in the experiment group led to significantly reduced aerosol counts during (97738.9 ± 97866.5) and immediately postadjustment (19786.5 ± 14004.9; F = 17.8, p = 0.006). Similar trends were noted for the patient and guest positions. Time for aerosol particles to return to baseline was significantly lower in the experiment group (20.56 ± 14.5 minutes) compared to the control group (37.9 ± 31.96 minutes; p = 0.03). Visible acrylic debris analysis showed a significant decrease of 78% in the experiment group (p < 0.001). No significant differences were noted in operatory turnover time between the two groups (p = 0.61).ConclusionsAcrylic adjustment procedures generated aerosols of particle sizes less than 10 µm and were measured in significant quantities throughout the dental operatory for up to 115 minutes. Chairside acrylic adjustment cabinets significantly decreased airborne aerosols, visible acrylic particle debris, and reduced the time for airborne aerosols to return to baseline levels.

Assessment of exposure to airborne aerosol and bio-aerosol particles and their deposition in the respiratory tract of subway metro passengers and workers

This research paper presents an investigative study of airborne aerosol particles (PM2.5) and bio-aerosol particles (bacteria and fungi) inside subway metro stations and their deposition dose in the respiratory tract of exposed passengers and workers. In this study, aerosol monitoring and bio-aerosol sampling were conducted along the metro line and inside metro stations to determine the daily average exposure levels of passengers and workers. The deposition of aerosol and bio-aerosol particles in the respiratory tract of healthy adult males and females was calculated using Multipath Particles Dosimetry Model. The exposure assessment revealed that exposure to fine airborne particles (<1 μm) was dominant; more than 40% of total aerosol deposition and 10–16% of bio-aerosol deposition were found in the pulmonary region of the respiratory tract. Higher deposition dose of particles was observed in males in comparison to females. In the journey along the metro line, a high deposition dose was found during in-train travel and in the underground metro station. Severalfold higher deposition doses were found in the respiratory tract of subway metro workers due to the longer exposure duration. Recent studies have confirmed the spread of COVID-19 virus through airborne particles of size <2.5 μm and airborne transmission was found to be significantly more in indoor spaces. Thus, it is critical to study the exposure levels and deposition dose of fine airborne particles in the human respiratory tract to assess the possible health risks and devise ways to maintain a healthy metro environment.

Effect of vessel size scale on the aerosol spray scavenging efficiency with water mist

Research interest in eliminating airborne aerosol particles has been growing for decades. Aerosol particles with aerodynamic diameters between 0.2 and 1 μm are difficult to remove by traditional spray systems. To improve the aerosol scavenging efficiency, a new method is proposed that employs the addition of water mist. Water mist is supposed to aggregate with aerosol particles to form large-sized coagulated aerosol-mist particle clusters, which can subsequently be removed by spray droplets with a higher efficiency. To investigate the effect of the vessel's size scale on the aerosol collection efficiency, aerosol spray scavenging experiments without and with water mist were conducted in both the UTARTS facility and TOSQAN facility. The cylindrical vessels of the two facilities have the same internal diameter, but the vessel of the TOSQAN facility has a larger height. Experimental results show that water mist has the potential to improve aerosol scavenging efficiency in both facilities but to a higher degree inside the TOSQAN facility. Numerical simulations of aerosol removal by spray droplets without mist were conducted, and different scaling criteria for the geometry of the vessel and gaseous entrainment rate were discussed to explain the experimental results. With water mist, the coagulated aerosol-mist particles have a stronger inertia and a larger Stokes number; these particles are easier to capture by using spray droplets and a water film. The contribution of the spray injection height, spray spread volume, and water film to aerosol removal in cases with mist increased to a larger degree than that of the gaseous entrainment rate, finally resulting in a higher improvement ratio of aerosol removal efficiency in the TOSQAN facility.

On the application of scattering matrix measurements to detection and identification of major types of airborne aerosol particles: Volcanic ash, desert dust and pollen

Atmospheric aerosols play key roles in climate and have important impacts on human activities and health. Hence, much effort is directed towards developing methods of improved detection and discrimination of different types of aerosols. Among these, light scattering-based detection of aerosol offers several advantages including applications in both in situ and remote sensing devices. In this work, new scattering matrix measurements for two samples of airborne desert dust collected in Spain and China are reported. The average extrapolated scattering matrices of airborne desert dust and of volcanic ash at two wavelengths have been calculated and compared with the aim of finding criteria to distinguish these two types of aerosol. Additionally, the scattering matrix of cypress pollen has been measured and extrapolated to explore differences with mineral dust that can be exploited in atmospheric detection. Field measurements of the backscattering linear depolarization ratio δL(180°) are used to obtain information about non-sphericity and discrimination between fine and coarse aerosol. However, the average δL(180°) for the three types of aerosols considered in this work in the visible spectral range is δL(180°) = 0.40 ± 0.05. This shows that δL(180°) is not informative about the composition or morphology of irregular particles. By contrast, measurements of scattering matrix elements or depolarization ratios at different scattering angles may provide information about the structural differences of particles, and in particular may enable to differentiate airborne volcanic ash from desert dust, which are otherwise similar in terms of size and optical constants. Cypress pollen shows a characteristic degree of linear polarization curve that is very different from that of polydisperse irregular mineral dust. Light scattering field instruments and remote sensing methods could extract more information about the characteristics of aerosol particles if modifications were introduced to measure the phase curves of several scattering matrix elements or depolarization ratios.

Optical-Trapping Laser Techniques for Characterizing Airborne Aerosol Particles and Its Application in Chemical Aerosol Study.

We present a broad assessment on the studies of optically-trapped single airborne aerosol particles, particularly chemical aerosol particles, using laser technologies. To date, extensive works have been conducted on ensembles of aerosols as well as on their analogous bulk samples, and a decent general description of airborne particles has been drawn and accepted. However, substantial discrepancies between observed and expected aerosols behavior have been reported. To fill this gap, single-particle investigation has proved to be a unique intersection leading to a clear representation of microproperties and size-dependent comportment affecting the overall aerosol behavior, under various environmental conditions. In order to achieve this objective, optical-trapping technologies allow holding and manipulating a single aerosol particle, while offering significant advantages such as contactless handling, free from sample collection and preparation, prevention of contamination, versatility to any type of aerosol, and flexibility to accommodation of various analytical systems. We review spectroscopic methods that are based on the light-particle interaction, including elastic light scattering, light absorption (cavity ring-down and photoacoustic spectroscopies), inelastic light scattering and emission (Raman, laser-induced breakdown, and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopies), and digital holography. Laser technologies offer several benefits such as high speed, high selectivity, high accuracy, and the ability to perform in real-time, in situ. This review, in particular, discusses each method, highlights the advantages and limitations, early breakthroughs, and recent progresses that have contributed to a better understanding of single particles and particle ensembles in general.

Reinventing Aerosol Containment Unit for Use in Medical Operating Theatre

The aerosol containment box or intubation box is medical tool invented to help protect healthcare workers from airborne aerosols while performing procedures such as intubation that are close to the mouth of the patient. The current design of the aerosol containment box is used heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the virus being present in airborne aerosol particles from a patient’s breath. However, the current design has been reported to be flawed in its design aspects. Adding ergonomic considerations into the design is expected to provide improved mobility and better usage of medical instruments. The research conducted analyzed how effective the current design in containing the spread of aerosols from the patient. To execute the research, the current design is modelled in a 3D render using SOLIDWORKS 2020 using dimensions to scale. The 3D model is imported into ANSYS 18.2 to conduct an airflow analysis when a patient cough or breathes to analyses the spread of the aerosols from the patient. The patient coughing was simulated using a nozzle with the boundary space of the model based on the size of the intubation box. The key outcome of the project that the present design is not verry effective in containing aerosol spread as there is still airflow of the particles leaving the intubation box into the environment. The improved design of the intubation box prevents flow of the aerosols into the environment by using suction and seals to close of outlets. The data gained from the study of the aerosol spread proves that there is a higher pressure concentration of the aerosols particles on the walls of the outlets in the existing design in the market as compared to the improved design suggested. This data can help better justify the dimensions and criteria needed to further enhance the current design of the aerosol containment box.

Toward elemental analysis of ambient single particles using electrodynamic balance and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

In this article, we present a novel method for the elemental analysis of airborne aerosol particles using electrodynamic balance (EDB) trapping followed by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The...

Selective Collection of Airborne Particulate Matter

Airborne particulate matter (PM) or aerosol particles or simply aerosol are ubiquitous in the environment. They originate from natural processes such as wind erosion, road dust, forest fire, ocean spray and volcanic eruption, and man-made sources consuming fossil fuels resulting from utility power generation and transportation, and numerous industrial processes. Aerosols affect our daily life in many ways; PM reduces visibility in many polluted metropolitan areas, adversely impact human health and local air quality around the world (Tang et al., 1981; Mage et al., 1996; Molina and Molina, 2004; Davidson et al., 2005; Baklanov et al., 2016). Aerosol alters cloud cycles and change atmospheric radiation balance (Seinfeld and Pandis, 2000; Lohmann and Feichter, 2005; Flossmann and Wobrock, 2010; Rosenfeld et al., 2014; Seinfeld et al., 2016). Changes in daily mortality associated with particulate air pollution were typically estimated at approximately 0.5–1.5% per 10 µg m–3 increase in PM10 concentrations (Pope, 2000). Laden et al. (2006) found “an increase in overall mortality associated with each 10 µg m–3 increase in PM2.5 concentration either as the overall mean (rate ratio [RR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.26) or as exposure in the year of death (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.22). PM2.5 exposure was associated with lung cancer (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.96–1.69) and cardiovascular deaths (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13–1.44). Improved overall mortality was associated with decreased mean PM2.5 (10 µg m–3) between periods (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57–0.95)”. Aerosol particles also play an important role in source identification and apportionment (e.g., Hopke, 2016; Varga et al., 2017). Since the PM problem is associated with many facets of societal issues such as energy production and economic development, making progress on reducing the effects of PM will require integrated strategies that bring together scientists, engineers and decision makers from different disciplines to consider tradeoffs.