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Seasonal and spatial trends in particle number concentrations and size distributions at the children's health study sites in Southern California

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 16, pages 3–18 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Continuous measurements of particle number (PN), particle mass (PM10) and gaseous copollutants (NOx, CO and O3) were obtained at eight sites (urban, suburban and remote) in Southern California during years 2002 and 2003 in support of University of Southern California Children's Health Study. We report the spatial and temporal variation of PNs and size distributions within these sites. Higher average total PN concentrations are found in winter (November to February), compared to summer (July to September) and spring (March to June) in all urban sites. Contribution of local vehicular emissions is most evident in cooler months, whereas effects of long-range transport of particles are enhanced during warmer periods. The particle size profile is most represented by a combination of the spatial effects, for example, sources, atmospheric processes and meteorological conditions prevalent at each location. Afternoon periods in the warmer months are characterized by elevated number concentrations that either coincide or follow a peak in ozone concentrations, suggesting the formation of new particles by photochemistry. Results show no meaningful correlation between PN and mass, indicating that mass based standards may not be effective in controlling ultrafine particles. The study of the impact of the Union worker's strike at port of Long Beach in October 2002 revealed statistically significant increase in PN concentrations in the 60–200 nm range (P<0.001), which are indicative of contributions of emissions from the idling ships at the port.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District through Grants 53-4507-7823 and 53-4507-7822 to USC. This manuscript has not been subjected to CARB's peer and policy review, and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agencies. No official endorsement should be inferred.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, 3620 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, 90089, CA, USA

    Manisha Singh, Harish C Phuleria & Constantinos Sioutas

  2. California Air Resources Board, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, 96812, CA, USA

    Kenneth Bowers

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Correspondence to Constantinos Sioutas.

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Singh, M., Phuleria, H., Bowers, K. et al. Seasonal and spatial trends in particle number concentrations and size distributions at the children's health study sites in Southern California. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 16, 3–18 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500432

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