THE LOS-ANGELES AEROSOL CHARACTERIZATION AND SOURCE APPORTIONMENT STUDY - AN OVERVIEW

The Los Angeles Aerosol Characterization and Source Apportionment Study (LA-ACSAS) is a decade-long laboratory and field study undertaken by the Southern California Edison Company (SCE) to characterize the chemical composition of fine (d(p) < 3.5 mu m) particles, PM(3.5) in the Los Angeles Basin, in terms of sulfate, nitrate, organic compounds and trace metals and apportion their sources. This paper provides an overview of the study results and summarizes the important conclusions regarding the composition and sources of PM(3.5) in the Los Angeles Basin, especially regarding the organic fraction.