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

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