Abstract

Soot particles from combustion processes are one of the major component of urban aerosols. These particles are highly polymorphous. The smaller, almost spherical particles, (typically 20 to 60 nm in radius) undertake aggregation processes occurring during combustion and possibly during transport in the atmosphere : numerous particles with a fractal structure are produced. The impact on health of these particles, especially the smaller, is important since these particles deposited in lungs are highly toxic: carcinogenic molecules (like polycyclic aromatics) are adsorbed on soot surface. Unfortunately, because of their size, monomers are rarely taken into account in aerosol analysis and especially in gravimetric studies.

© 2000 IEEE