INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY; LASER-INDUCED INCANDESCENCE; PARTICULATE MATTER; CARBONACEOUS PARTICLES; CARDIOPULMONARY INJURY; TORCH; SPECTROMETRY; MODEL; RAT

This chapter describes the elemental analytical technique of the fine particles using atomic emission spectroscopy system for an environmental pollution monitoring. Based on our previous measurement reports, differences of the usage between the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system and the helium-microwave-induced plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (He-MIP-AES) system are explained. Both systems were developed to allow to fulfil the criteria prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Japan, for measuring the chemical components of particulate matter (PM) by introducing additional original sampling systems. In current environmental monitoring systems, PMs are typically collected on trapping filters placed across Japan and classified as either suspended particulate matter (SPM) or PM2.5 depending on the size. The collected PMs are subsequently analysed with automated measurement instruments such as a piezo balance and with methods such as beta ray attenuation and light scattering. While these measurement methods allow the mass concentration of PMs in the air to be obtained at hourly intervals, the chemical composition of individual particles is analysed with time-intensive laboratory procedures. In contrast, the LIBS and He-MIP-AES measurement system allow the chemical compositions and particle sizes to be measured simultaneously in real time.