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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Production and Measurement of Organic Particulate Matter in a Flow Tube Reactor
Published on: December 15, 2018
Online measurement of phthalate-particulate matter interactions by membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS)
Martin A Angelstad1,2, Erik T Krogh1,3, George R Agnes2
1a Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Chemistry Department , Vancouver Island University , Nanaimo , BC , Canada.
Abstract:
To enable further study and assessment of indoor inhalation exposure risk, an online apparatus enabling measurement of semi-volatile compound partitioning on household particulates was developed. An example for use of the apparatus is described using dimethyl phthalate (DMP). The system employs direct measurement by membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). The MIMS system was calibrated using known gas phase DMP concentrations produced by gravimetrically calibrated permeation devices. The quantity of DMP sorbed by particles is described first using a model particle type, a reverse-phase liquid chromatography packing material, and then with a household dust sample. In addition, the desorption of semi-volatile compounds from a household dust sample was monitored using the apparatus, and characteristic fragment ion signals for phthalate compounds were observed.
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