Project Number:
09-07
Research Project:
Toxicological Assessment of Particulate Emissions From the Exhaust of Old and New Model Heavy- and Light-Duty Vehicles
P.I. Name & Address:
Katharine Moore
University of Southern California
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Kaprielian Hall, Room 210
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2531
Email: katharim@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 821-5960
Fax: (213) 744-1426
Andrea Polidori
University of Southern California
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Kaprielian Hall, Room 210
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2531
Email: polidori@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 821-5961
Fax: (213) 744-1426
Co-P.I.
Constantinos Sioutas
University of Southern California
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Kaprielian Hall, Room 216C
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2531
Email: sioutas@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 740-6134
Fax: (213) 744-1426
Project Objective:
The primary objective of this project is to develop an improved understanding of the factors affecting the toxicology of particulate exhaust emissions. Diesel particulate matter is a known carcinogen, and particulate exhaust emissions from both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles are toxic. In this project, we aim to take advantage of extensive existing particulate exhaust emission samples collected in dynamometer facilities of heavy-duty diesel and light-duty vehicles using a variety of driving cycles, emission controls and fuels. These samples have been collected under existing research programs funded by the Southern California Particle Center through grants from the California Air Resources Board as well as on-going international research collaborations between our Particle Center and European Union (EU) investigators. Emission controls range from none through compliance with the 2007 and 2010 EPA standards. Physical characterization as well as some chemical characterization of the California samples has already been completed. This project will allow chemical analyses on more samples – principally those from our European collaborators – to be completed as well as biologically-based toxicological assessment of all the available samples. These data, in combination with knowledge of the physical exhaust emission properties, emission control level and driving cycle will permit us to gain insight to the expected toxicological impacts of changes in the vehicle fleet and planned emission control strategies. Further these results will provide the ability to evaluate the effect of fleet turn-over on the air quality impacts in the Los Angeles basin from the heavy-duty diesel vehicles engaged in goods movement.
Task Descriptions
Identify samples for chemical analysis and toxicological assessment
Perform analyses and investigate relationships between toxicity and chemical/physical properties of emissions
Preparation of manuscripts for submission to the peer-reviewed technical literature, prepare final report
Milestones, Dates:
August 15, 2008 – September 14, 2009
Total Budget:
$90,000
Student Involvement:
One graduate student at 50% effort, 11 months
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Related to 08-22; part of the goods movement focus area
Technology Transfer Activities:
Project report will be posted soon
Potential Benefits of the Project:
This project will provide improved understanding of the factors affecting the toxicology of particulate exhaust emissions.
TRB Keywords:
Diesel emissions, gasoline emissions, oxidative stress, particulate matter health effects
