Vacuum Ultraviolet Photoionization Aerosol Research Articles

Online quantification of nicotine in e-cigarette aerosols by vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry.

The growing popularity of e-cigarettes and the associated risks of nicotine addiction present a new challenge to global public health security. Measuring the nicotine levels in e-cigarette aerosols is essential to assess the safety of e-cigarettes. In this study, a rapid in situ method was developed for online quantification of nicotine in e-cigarette aerosols by using a homemade vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer (VUV-AMS). E-cigarette liquids with different nicotine concentrations were prepared to generate aerosols containing different levels of nicotine, which were employed as the calibration sources for nicotine quantification by VUV-AMS. The results showed that the mass concentration of nicotine in e-cigarette aerosols has a good linear relationship with its signal intensity in the mass spectrum, and the limits of detection and quantitation of nicotine by VUV-AMS were found to be 2.0 and 6.2 μg per puff respectively. Then the online method was utilized to measure five commercial e-cigarettes, and their nicotine yields were determined to be between 31 and 188 μg per puff with the nicotine fluxes from 7.7 to 70 μg s-1, agreeing with the results of the gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). This study demonstrated the feasibility and advantages of VUV-AMS for quick quantification of nicotine in e-cigarette aerosols within seconds.

Experimental study on the imidazoles of aqueous secondary organic aerosol formed from reaction of methylglyoxal and ammonium sulphate

Imidazole and its derivatives are the main heterocyclic nitrogen-containing brown carbon constituents in aerosol particles. Imidazoles of aqueous secondary organic aerosol (aqSOA) particles formed from the reaction of methylglyoxal and ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4) are detected by vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer (VUV-PIMS) in real-time and verified off-line with optical spectrometry in current study. The experimental results showed that the single photon ionization mass spectrum of aqSOA particles measured by VUV-PIMS emerged the molecular ion peaks at m/z = 68, 82 and 110. While, the extraction solution of aqSOA particles detected by off-line techniques demonstrated that the characteristic peaks at 217 and 282 nm appeared in the UV–Vis spectrum; the strong emission in 405–480 nm with maximum emission wavelength at 435 nm contained in the 3D fluorescence spectra; and the chemical shift peaks of hydrogen atoms on N–H, CC and CN bond on imidazole ring and methyl group arised in the 1H-NMR spectrum. In view of these spectral information, 4-methyl-imidazole and 4-methyl-imidazole-2-carbaldehyde are determined as the principal products of the aqueous reaction between methylglyoxal and (NH4)2SO4. The possible reaction mechanism leading to the generation of imidazole compounds are also discussed. These will help to understand the formation process of imidazole compounds in atmospheric aerosol particles, and provide experimental basis for the model mechanism study of aqSOA particles.

Direct observation of the particle-phase bicyclic products from OH-initiated oxidation of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene under NOx-free conditions

The OH initiated oxidation of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (1,3,5-TMB) under NOx-free conditions has been investigated by using a home-made vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer complemented by high-level theoretical computations. The chemical composition of the nascent particles from the oxidation reaction is measured on-line and the high mass O2-bridged bicyclic compounds in the particle phase are directly observed and determined, with the aid of the deuterated 1,3,5-TMB experiments to confirm the species’ assignment. To illuminate the formation of the O2-bridged bicyclic compounds, the potential energy surfaces of the reaction of the bicyclic peroxy radical (BPR) with the hydroperoxy radical (HO2), and of the self-reaction of the BPR radical, have been theoretically calculated and then their reaction mechanisms are discussed in detail. This study provides direct evidence to support the essential role of the O2-bridged bicyclic compounds in the particle formation from the OH initiated oxidation of 1,3,5-TMB.

Reaction of Chlorine Molecules with Unsaturated Submicron Organic Particles

Abstract The reaction of closed shell Cl2 molecules with sub-micron droplets composed of unsaturated molecules, oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), linolenic acid (LNA), or squalene (Sqe), are investigated in an atmospheric pressure flow tube reactor in conjunction with a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer and a scanning mobility particle sizer. Cl2 is found to react with all particles, and the reactive uptake coefficients depend on the number of unsaturated reaction sites, e.g., γ Cl2 Sqe = (0.66 ± 0.03) × 10−4 versus γ Cl2 OA = (0.23 ± 0.01) × 10−4 . In addition, the chemical evolution of squalene and its chlorinated products reveal that the reaction becomes slower for higher chlorinated products.

Products and mechanisms of the heterogeneous reaction of three suspended herbicide particles with NO3 radicals

Over 60% of herbicides are capable of disrupting the endocrine and/or reproductive systems of animals. These herbicides may be released into the atmosphere in both gas and particulate phases, but most of their degradation processes in the atmosphere are not well known. In this study, the heterogeneous reactions of suspended isopropalin, trifluralin, and alachlor particles with NO3 radicals were investigated using an online vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The reaction products for the three herbicides were determined by the assistance of the gas chromatography–mass spectrometer analysis. Mono-dealkylated derivatives were detected as the main reaction products of isopropalin and trifluralin. In addition, an α-amino alcohol product was detected for isopropalin. The carbonylation derivative and the nitro-substituted derivative were the main reaction products observed for alachlor. The reaction mechanism of NO3 radical-induced N-dealkylation for isopropalin was clarified by density functional theory calculations. It began with the H-abstraction from the N-propyl group, followed by the formation of the α-peroxypropyl radical, α-propyloxy radical, and α-amino alcohol, as well as by the collapse of the α-amino alcohol. The oxidation mechanism for trifluralin is similar to that of isopropalin, whereas the mechanism for alachlor involves carbonylation and nitro-substitution. These results provided insights on the chemical transformation of these herbicides in the atmosphere. The data generated from this study can be used as fundamental information for future studies on their toxic effects to the environment.

Kinetic studies of heterogeneous reactions of particulate phosmet and parathion with NO3 radicals

Organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the atmospheric environment with adverse effects on human health. In this study, heterogeneous kinetics of particulate phosmet and parathion with NO3 radicals were investigated with a mixed-phase relative rate method. A vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS) and an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer were used to monitor online the decays of particulate OPPs and reference compound, respectively. Reactive uptake coefficients of NO3 radicals on phosmet and parathion particles were (0.12±0.03) and (0.14±0.04), respectively, calculated according to the measured OPPs loss ratios and the average NO3 concentrations. Additionally, the average effective rate constants for heterogeneous reactions of particulate phosmet and parathion with NO3 radicals measured under experimental conditions were (2.80±0.16)×10−12 and (2.97±0.13)×10−12cm3molecule−1s−1, respectively. The experimental results of these heterogeneous reactions in the aerosol state provide supplementary knowledge for kinetic behaviors of airborne OPPs particles.

Reaction of iodine atoms with submicrometer squalane and squalene droplets: mechanistic insights into heterogeneous reactions.

The gas-phase reaction of iodine atoms with hydrocarbon molecules is energetically unfavorable, and there is no direct evidence for iodinated product formation by either H abstraction or I addition reactions at ambient temperature. Here we consider the possible heterogeneous reaction of I atoms with submicrometer droplets composed of a saturated alkane, squalane (Sq), and an unsaturated alkene, squalene (Sqe). The investigations are performed in an atmospheric pressure photochemical flow tube reactor in conjunction with a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol mass spectrometer and a scanning mobility particle sizer. Squalane, a branched alkane, is unreactive toward I atoms within the signal-to-noise, and an upper limit of the effective reactive uptake coefficient is estimated to be γI(Sq) ≤ 8.58 × 10(–7). In contrast, the reaction of I atoms with unsaturated submicrometer squalene droplets results in observable iodinated squalene products. The effective reactive uptake coefficient of I atom with squalene particles is determined to be γI(Sqe) = (1.20 ± 0.52) × 10(–4) at an average I concentration of 1.5 × 10(14) molecules·cm(–3).

Products and kinetics of the heterogeneous reaction of particulate ametryn with NO3 radicals.

As a renowned s-triazine herbicide, ametryn is worldwide emitted into the atmosphere in both gaseous and particulate phases via spray drifts from treatments and post application emissions, but its chemical degradation in the atmosphere has not been well characterized. In this study, the heterogeneous kinetics of particulate ametryn with NO3 radicals were investigated with a mixed-phase relative rate method. A vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS) and an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer were synchronously used to online monitor the decays of particulate ametryn and gas-phase isoprene. The reactive uptake coefficient of NO3 radicals on ametryn particles was calculated to be 2.9 × 10(-2), according to the measured ametryn loss ratio and the average NO3 concentration. The effective rate constant for the heterogeneous reaction of particulate ametryn with NO3 radicals measured under experimental conditions was 8.4 × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). In addition, atraton, ametryn sulfoxide and ametryn sulfone were identified as the reaction products by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The experimental results might shed light on the chemical behavior of atmospheric ametryn at night-time.

Heterogeneous reaction of particulate chlorpyrifos with NO3 radicals: Products, pathways, and kinetics

Chlorpyrifos is a typical chlorinated organophosphorus pesticide. The heterogeneous reaction of chlorpyrifos particles with NO3 radicals was investigated using a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS) and a real-time atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer. Chlorpyrifos oxon, 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, O,O-diethyl O-hydrogen phosphorothioate, O,O-diethyl ester thiophosphoric acid, diethyl hydrogen phosphate and a phosphinyl disulfide compound were identified as the main degradation products. The heterogeneous reaction pathways were proposed and their kinetic processes were investigated via a mixed-phase relative rate method. The observed effective rate constant is 3.4±0.2×10−12cm3molecule−1s−1.

Heterogeneous reactions of particulate benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene with NO3 radicals

Benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) and benzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F) are widespread priority pollutants of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can react with atmospheric oxidants during transport in the troposphere and lead to the formation of more toxic compounds. At present, the rates of heterogeneous reactions of B[b]F and B[k]F aerosols with NO3 radicals, an important atmospheric oxidant, are not fully understood. Thus, this study investigated the products and kinetics of heterogeneous reactions of suspended B[b]F and B[k]F particles with NO3 radicals in an aerosol reaction chamber at room temperature (293±2K) under atmospheric pressure. The reactions are monitored online using a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS) and an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer. The mono-nitro-, di-nitro-, tri-nitro-products, and those products containing both nitro and ketone groups are observed with VUV-ATOFMS. The effective rate constants for heterogeneous reactions of particulate B[b]F and B[k]F with NO3 radicals under the experimental conditions are respectively estimated to (1.2±0.1)×10−12cm3molecule−1s−1 and (5.8±0.3)×10−13cm3molecule−1s−1 using a mixed-phase relative rate method, and the corresponding effective uptake coefficients are respectively estimated to 0.22 and 0.65. The lifetimes of particulate B[b]F and B[k]F at a typical concentration of NO3 radicals (5×108moleculecm−3) in the lower troposphere during the night are estimated to 3.0 and 3.9h, respectively. The experimental results of these heterogeneous reactions in the aerosol state provide supplementary knowledge for kinetic behaviors of airborne PAHs particles.

Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions of anthracene with selected atmospheric oxidants

The reactions of gas-phase anthracene and suspended anthracene particles with O3 and O3-NO were conducted in a 200-L reaction chamber, respectively. The secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formations from gas-phase reactions of anthracene with O3 and O3-NO were observed. Meanwhile, the size distributions and mass concentrations of SOA were monitored with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) during the formation processes. The rapid exponential growths of SOA reveal that the atmospheric lifetimes of gas-phase anthracene towards O3 and O3-NO are less than 20.5 and 4.34 hr, respectively. The particulate oxidation products from homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions were analyzed with a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS). Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) analyses of oxidation products of anthracene were carried out for assigning the time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectra of products from homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions. Anthrone, anthraquinone, 9,10-dihydroxyanthracene, and 1,9,10-trihydroxyanthracene were the ozonation products of anthracene, while anthrone, anthraquinone, 9-nitroanthracene, and 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone were the main products of anthracene with O3-NO.

Vacuum Ultraviolet Photoionization Mass Spectra of Typical Organics Contained in Ambient Aerosols

ABSTRACT This paper reports an investigation on typical organics contained in ambient aerosols with a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS). The VUV-ATOFMS utilizes a vacuum ultraviolet krypton lamp as an ionization source. The single- and multi-constituent particles generated with typical atmospheric organics (n-eicosane, n-triacontane, 1-pentadecanol, 1-eicosanol, hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid, oleic acid, succinic acid, pyrene, vanillin, benzoic acid, terephthalic acid, and D-galactose) are analyzed with VUV-ATOFMS. The time-of-flight mass spectra of all organic particles are obtained except hexanoic acid. The mass spectra reveal that the detection efficiencies for a certain compound contained in multi-constituent and single-constituent particles are different. These discrepancies may result from the different evaporation dynamics of aerosols in both atomization and vaporization processes. The pyrene has the strongest signal intensity in single- or multi-constituent aerosols, indicating that the VUV-ATOFMS performs well in detecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These experimental results present a view on the VUV-photoionization mass spectra of the 14 typical organics contained in ambient aerosols.

Heterogeneous reaction of particle-associated triphenylene with NO3 radicals

Although heterogeneous reactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with atmospheric oxidants may be important loss processes for PAHs, our understanding of their kinetics and products is incomplete. The study of heterogeneous reaction of suspended triphenylene particles with NO3 radicals is undertaken in a flow-tube-reactor. The time-of-flight mass spectra of particulate triphenylene and its nitration products are obtained with vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer. 1- and 2-nitrotriphenylene are identified by GC–MS analysis of the products formed from the reaction of NO3 radicals with triphenylene coated on the inner bottom surface of a conical flask. 1-Nitrotriphenylene is formed in larger yield than 2-nitrotriphenylene. This phenomenon is different from what had been observed in previous studies of the gas-phase triphenylene nitration, showing that 2-nitrotriphenylene is the major nitration product. The experimental results may reveal the discrepancies between heterogeneous and homogeneous nitrations of triphenylene.

Heterogeneous Reactions of Particulate Methoxyphenols with NO3 Radicals: Kinetics, Products, and Mechanisms

Methoxyphenols, tracers for wood smoke, are emitted into the atmosphere in large quantities, but their chemical degradation in the atmosphere has not been well characterized. In this study, heterogeneous kinetics of particulate syringaldehyde (SA), vanillic acid (VA), and coniferyl aldehyde (CA) with NO₃ radicals is investigated with a mixed-phase relative rate method. A vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer and an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer are used to monitor online the decays of particulate methoxyphenols and gas-phase isoprene synchronously. The reactive uptake coefficients of NO₃ radicals on SA, VA, and CA particles are calculated to be 0.33, 0.31, and 0.28, respectively, according to the measured methoxyphenol loss ratios and the average NO₃ concentrations. The effective rate constants for heterogeneous reactions of particulate SA, VA, and CA with NO₃ radicals measured under experimental conditions are 5.7 × 10⁻¹², 5.2 × 10⁻¹², and 3.5 × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. In addition, oxalic acid, 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone, 5-nitro-VA, 4,6-dinitrogaiacol, protocatechuic acid, vanillin, 5-nitrovanillin, VA, and 5-nitro-CA are identified as the reaction products by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. On the basis of the identified products, the reaction mechanisms of methoxyphenols with NO₃ radicals are proposed. The main transformation pathway of methoxyphenols is the NO₃ electrophilic addition, followed by H-abstraction and nitro-substituted processes. The experimental results might shed light on the chemical behaviors of methoxyphenols at night.

Kinetic and product study of the heterogeneous reactions of NO3 radicals with suspended resmethrin, phenothrin, and fenvalerate particles

Resmethrin, phenothrin, and fenvalerate are the synthetic pyrethroids that have been used widely against groundling or flying insect pests both indoors and outdoors. In this study, the heterogeneous reactions of the three pyrethroid particles with NO3 radicals are investigated with a mixed-phase relative rate method. The reactions are performed in a reaction chamber equipped with a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS) and an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer. The uptake coefficients of NO3 radicals on resmethrin, phenothrin, and fenvalerate particles are ∼0.20, 0.04, and 0.03 respectively, calculated with a spherical shell model. And the atmospheric lifetimes of the three pyrethroid particles toward NO3 radicals are estimated to be ∼2.6, 7.5, and 9.3h, respectively. The molecular structures of reaction products and the reaction pathways are suggested based on the measurements of VUV-ATOFMS and off-line GC–MS.

Kinetic Studies of Heterogeneous Reactions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Aerosols with NO3Radicals

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivates are mutagenic and carcinogenic substances widely distributed in the atmospheric environment. In this study, effective rate constants for heterogeneous reactions of NO(3) radicals with five 4-ring PAHs [benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Ch), pyrene (Py), 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP)] adsorbed on suspended azelaic acid particles are investigated by a mixed-phase relative rate method with gas-phase isoprene as the reference substance. The concentrations of suspended PAH particles and gas-phase isoprene are monitored concurrently by a real-time vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS) and an online atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer, respectively. The obtained effective rate constants for the reactions of BaA, Ch, Py, 1-NP, and 1-OHP particles with NO(3) radicals are 4.3 × 10(-12), 4.0 × 10(-12), 6.4 × 10(-12), 1.3 × 10(-12), and 1.0 × 10(-11) cm(3)·molecule(-1)·s(-1), respectively, and their corresponding atmospheric lifetimes range from several minutes to half an hour at the NO(3) radical concentration of 5 × 10(8) molecules·cm(-3). In addition, the NO(3) uptake coefficients on particulate PAHs are estimated according to the consumption of PAHs under the exposure of NO(3) radicals. The experimental results of these heterogeneous reactions in the aerosol state provide supplementary knowledge for kinetic behaviors of airborne PAHs particles.

Heterogeneous reactions of suspended parathion, malathion, and fenthion particles with NO3 radicals

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) emit into the atmosphere in both gas and particulate phases via spray drift from treatments and post-application emission, but most of their degradations in the atmosphere are not well known. In this study, the heterogeneous reactions of nitrate (NO3) radicals with three typical OPPs (parathion, malathion, and fenthion) absorbed on azelaic acid particles are investigated using an online vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS). The reaction products observed with the VUV-ATOFMS are identified on the basis of GC/MS analysis of the products in the reaction between NO3 radicals and the coating of the pesticide. Paraoxon is identified as the only product of parathion; malaoxon and bis(1,2-bis-ethoxycarbonylethyl)disulfide as the products of malathion; fenoxon, fenoxon sulfoxide, fenthion sulfoxide, fenoxon sulfone, and fenthion sulfone as the products of fenthion. The degradation rates of parathion, malathion, and fenthion under the experimental conditions are 5.5×10−3, 5.6×10−2, and 3.3×10−2s−1, respectively. The pathways of the heterogeneous reactions between the three OPPs and NO3 radicals are proposed. The experimental results reveal the possible transformations of these OPPs through the oxidation of NO3 radicals in the atmosphere.

Heterogeneous Reaction of Suspended Phosmet Particles with NO3 Radicals

As an organophosphorous insecticide, phosmet is widely used for plant protection as well as against the ectoparasites on productive livestock. It emits into the atmosphere in both gas and particulate phases via spray drift from treatments and postapplication emissions, but its degradation in the atmosphere is not well-known up to now. In this study, the heterogeneous reaction of phosmet absorbed on the azelaic acid particles with NO(3) radicals is investigated in real-time using a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS). Two primary products and their nitro-substituted derivates are observed. The apparent reaction rate of phosmet particles with NO(3) radicals is also obtained by a relative rate method with isoprene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene as the reference compounds. The concentrations of the reference substance and phosmet particles are synchronously detected with an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer and the VUV-ATOFMS. Under the experimental conditions, the average apparent reaction rate obtained is (1.92 ± 0.09) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and the corresponding atmospheric lifetime toward NO(3) radicals is roughly estimated to be ~0.3 h.

Nitration of particle-associated PAHs and their derivatives (nitro-, oxy-, and hydroxy-PAHs) with NO3 radicals

Theheterogeneousreactionsoftypicalpolycyclicaromatichydrocarbons(PAHs)andtheirderivatives(nitro-, oxy-, and hydroxy-PAHs) adsorbed on azelaic acid particles with NO3 radicals are investigated using a flowtube reactor coupled to a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS). The mono-nitro-, di-nitro-, and poly-nitro-products from successive nitro-substitution reactions of PAHs and their derivatives are observed in real time with VUV-ATOFMS. 9-Nitroanthracene, anthraquinone, anthrone, 9,10-dinitroanthracene, 2-, 4-, and 9-nitrophenanthrene,1-nitropyrene,1,3-,1,6-, and1,8-dinitropyrene,7-nitrobenzo[a]anthracene,andbenzo[a]anthracene-7,12-dioneare identifiedbyGC/ MS analysis of the reaction products of PAHs and their derivatives coated on the inner bottom surface of the conical flasks with NO3 radicals. Other oxygenated products are tentatively assigned. 1-Nitropyrene is the only mono-nitrated product detected in the reaction of surface-bound pyrene with gas-phase NO3 radicals. This phenomenon is different from what has been observed in previous studies of the gas-phase pyrene nitration, showing that 2-nitropyrene is the sole nitration product. The experimental results may reveal the discrepancies between the heterogeneous and homogeneous nitrations of pyrene.

Experimental studies on the heterogeneous reaction of NO3 radicals with suspended carbaryl particles

Carbaryl, a widely used pesticide, can be released into atmosphere in the gas phase and condensed phase, but its atmospheric fate is not yet well understood. In this study, the reaction between suspended carbaryl particles and NO3 radicals is investigated, and the sequential nitration of carbaryl is observed in real time with a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (VUV-ATOFMS). Four nitro- and/or hydroxy-substituted products are detected, which are different from degradation products of carbaryl in aqueous environments. The apparent reaction rate of particulate carbaryl with NO3 radicals is measured by a relative rate method. The decays of carbaryl and the reference compound isoprene are synchronously monitored online with VUV-ATOFMS and an atmospheric gas analysis mass spectrometer. The apparent reaction rate of condensed-phase carbaryl with NO3 radicals under experimental conditions is 4.4 × 10−13 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, which corresponds to an approximate lifetime of 1.3 h in the atmosphere for the same particle surface area and carbaryl coating as used in the experiments.