Polycyclic Organic Matter Research Articles

Formation and fate of gaseous and particulate mutagens and carcinogens in real and simulated atmospheres.

The growing use of coal for heating and electric power generation and diesel engines in light duty motor vehicles will increase not only the existing atmospheric concentrations of criteria pollutants such as NO2, SO2, O3 and fine particulates, but also the concentrations of a number of highly reactive gaseous copollutants such as HONO, HONO2, PAN and the nitrate radical, NO3. These gaseous noncriteria pollutants are of interest not only because of their roles in the chemistry of the "clean" and polluted troposphere, including "acid rain," but also because they may pose health risks disproportionate to their relatively low ambient concentrations, and through complex heterogeneous reactions, they may serve as precursors or catalysts in the formation of "nonclassical" particulate mutagens and carcinogens such as certain nitroarenes associated with combustion generated particulate polycyclic organic matter (POM). Results of research efforts to establish current ambient levels of these noncriteria pollutants and to develop an understanding of their sources, formation and sinks are reported here. First, long pathlength (greater than or equal to 1 km) infrared and UV-visible spectroscopic studies of ambient levels of gaseous HONO, NO3, HONO2, PAN, HCHO and HCOOH in southern California atmospheres are described, and data given on their ambient concentrations. Second, an integrated chemical/microbiological investigation is described. It is directed toward identifying the nature of direct-acting mutagens found in extracts of diesel and ambient POM, as well as those formed upon exposure of environmentally relevant PAH to simulated natural and polluted atmospheres. The identification of certain of these mutagens, including a newly identified class of mutagenic PAH-lactones is discussed, along with the mechanisms of their formation and fate in the natural and polluted troposphere.

Epa’s research program for controlling residential wood combustion emissions

A recently completed study has shown that emissions of participate, carbon monoxide, and organics (including polycyclic organic matter) are relatively high from residential woodburning stoves and fireplaces when compared to emissions from residential gas- and oil-fired furnaces. Since these emissions include a number of potentially hazardous compounds; the trend toward greater residential wood usage can have a negative impact on local ambient air quality. EPA is currently studying ways to operate existing stoves and design new stoves to minimize air pollutant emissions.

Polycyclic organic matter (POM) and trace element contents of carbon black vent gas

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTPolycyclic organic matter (POM) and trace element contents of carbon black vent gasRobert W. Serth and Thomas W. HughesCite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 1980, 14, 3, 298–301Publication Date (Print):March 1, 1980Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 March 1980https://doi.org/10.1021/es60163a014RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views85Altmetric-Citations14LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (542 KB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts

Coal Conversion Technologies: Some Health and Environmental Effects

Several technologies to convert coal to liquid and gaseous fuels are being developed in the United States, some with support from the Department of Energy. Substitution of these technologies for those currently being used will produce different health and environmental hazards. In this article, selected health and environmental effects of four coal conversion and four existing technologies are compared. For each technology, the emission estimates for complete fuel cycles, including all steps in fuel use from extraction to the end use of space and water heating by electricity or direct combustion, were prepared by means of the Brookhaven Energy System Network Simulator model. Quantitative occupational health and safety estimates are presented for the extraction, transportation, distribution, processing, and conversion activities associated with each technology; also included are some public health damage estimates arising from fuel transportation and air pollution impacts. Qualitative estimates of health damage due to polycyclic organic matter and reduced sulfur are discussed. In general, energy inefficiencies, environmental residuals, and hence implied environmental effects and health damage increase in the order: (i) direct combustion of natural gas and oil, (ii) direct combustion of synthetic gas and oil, (iii) central-station electric power produced from synthetic gas, (iv) central-station electric power produced from coal, and (v) central-station electric power produced by the combustion of synthetic liquid fuels. The compliance and conflict of these technologies with the amendments of the Clean Air Act and other legislation are discussed.

Apparatus for vapor-phase adsorption of polycyclic organic matter onto particulate surfaces

The design and operation of an apparatus for vapor-phase adsorption of polycyclic organic matter onto the surface of coal flyash and other solid absorbents are described. The adsorption of vapor-phase pyrene in the temperature range of 150..cap alpha..C-265..cap alpha..C revealed that the adsorption equilibrium capacity of the flyash and the equilibrium time both decreased linearly with increasing temperature. Analysis indicates that the amount of adsorbed organic matter can be easily controlled by adjusting either the time or temperature of adsorption. (2 diagrams, 13 references, 1 table)