Real-time monitoring and determination of Pb in a single airborne nanoparticle

We used a differential mobility analyzer, an aerosol particle mass analyzer, and a gas exchange device to continuously introduce airborne nanoparticles (ANPs) to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Pb concentrations in single ANPs with a diameter of 90 nm and a mass of 0.458 fg (density is 1.20 g cm(-3)) were determined. The developed method enabled us to determine Pb in ANPs having a Pb content of more than 10%.