Size-Resolved Elemental Composition of Respiratory Particles in Three Healthy Subjects

Prussin, Aaron J.; Cheng, Zezhen; Leng, Weinan; China, Swarup; Marr, Linsey C.

doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00156

Title: Size-Resolved Elemental Composition of Respiratory Particles in Three Healthy Subjects

Journal Article · 23 March 2023 · Environmental Science & Technology Letters (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00156 · OSTI ID:1969954

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Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ. (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA (United States)
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)

The chemical composition of respiratory particles is of interest because the viability of any viruses and bacteria in the particles has been shown to depend on this factor. Here, using computer controlled scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (CCSEM/EDX), we analyzed the size-resolved chemical composition of greater than 35,000 individual respiratory particles collected from three healthy human subjects, quantitatively at nanometer-scale spatial resolution. The desiccated particles ranged in size from 0.05 to 4.4 μm, and the mode of the size distribution was approximately 0.1 μm. Particles were heterogeneous in composition, with approximately 42% of them containing a carbon atomic percentage greater than 95% and approximately 53% of them containing a Na + P + K + Cl percentage greater than 5%. Based on the particles’ elemental composition, we classified them into five categories: 48%–56% of the total number were carbonaceous, mostly organic; 40%–50% Na-rich salt; 0.3%–0.5% P-rich salt; 0.1–0.8% K-rich salt; and 1%–2.5% mixed salt. The number ratio of Na-rich salt particles to carbonaceous particles increased with increasing particle size; particles larger than approximately 2 μm were dominated by Na-rich salt. Size-dependent differences in the chemical composition of respiratory particles may have important implications for the efficiency of airborne transmission of respiratory pathogens.

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Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 1969954

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-179027

Journal Information:: Environmental Science & Technology Letters (Online), Journal Name: Environmental Science & Technology Letters (Online) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 10; ISSN 2328-8930

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
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aerosol
respiratory droplet
chemical composition
elements
nanoparticles
particles
salts
physicochemical
organic

Title: Size-Resolved Elemental Composition of Respiratory Particles in Three Healthy Subjects

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References (49)

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