| Abstract
| - Carbonaceous aerosol particles stemming from combustionprocesses play a key role in air pollution. Major emissionsources include Diesel vehicles, gasoline vehicles, residentialheating, wood fires, and cigarettes. The chemicalcharacterization of the particles is essential to theidentification of their origin. This task can be accomplishedusing two-step laser mass spectrometry (L2MS). Onlysmall sample quantities are necessary, and the measurementscan be performed within minutes. L2MS was found to bea valuable alternative to more laborious chemical analysistechniques that often require extensive sample preparation.Tracer mass spectral patterns were identified, notably basedon specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)and other polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). Theirspecificity allows the identification of different particleemission sources at sites of exposure.
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