Secondary Organic Aerosols

Secondary Organic Aerosols (SOA) are tiny particles suspended in the air that form when gases released from plants, vehicles, or industrial processes react chemically with other substances, such as sunlight or oxidants. These reactions convert gaseous compounds into solid or liquid particles, contributing to air pollution and affecting air quality. SOA are important because they influence cloud formation, climate, and human health, playing a key role in the complex mix of pollutants in the atmosphere. Their formation is a natural part of the Earth's atmospheric chemistry and can be impacted by human activities.