# Particulate Matter During Food Preparation on a Barbecue: A Case Study of an Electric Barbecue
## 1 Introduction
Another study [33] on emissions from typical Chinese residential cooking, based on field measurements of PAHs, VOCs, and PM\({}_{2.5}\), highlighted significant health risks associated with these practices. Grilling was identified as the cooking method producing the highest PM\({}_{2.5}\) concentrations (28.79 \(\pm\) 9.36 mg/m\({}^{3}\)), with a distinct emission profile. The primary PAH species detected were Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Benzo[a]pyrene, and Fluorene, while oxygenated VOCs dominated VOC emissions, followed by alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. The high concentrations of PAHs and VOCs emitted from Chinese cooking, as measured by the researchers, indicate that long-term exposure to these emissions poses severe health hazards. The maximum temperature achieved by electric grills following preheating varies considerably between different models, with some reaching temperatures in excess of 200 \({}^{\circ}\)C [11]. Furthermore, electric grills are known for their uneven heat distribution, which may impact the food quality [34]. Electric grills do not burn fossil fuels and, thus, do not produce combustion-related pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are commonly found in gas grills. As previously demonstrated, the calculated risk from inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact of \(\Sigma\)15 PAH in the case of professional cook exposure to grilling over lumps and briquettes was found to be between 3.5 \(\times\) 10\({}^{-3}\) and 3.9 \(\times\) 10\({}^{-3}\), respectively, while for humans exposed to electric grill fumes in Shenzhen, China, it was a value of 3.6 \(\times\) 10\({}^{-5}\) for the professional cook [35]. In our previous study, in which we tested PAHs and BTEX emissions from three types of BBQ grilles--electric, gas grill, and the most typical charcoal grill (lump and charcoal briquettes)--we found that the sum of 15 PAHs for the mentioned types of grills while grilling meat, was as follows: 4251.93 ng/m\({}^{3}\); 1442.16 ng/m\({}^{3}\), lump charcoal 48,189.17 ng/m\({}^{3}\), and 382,020.39 ng/m\({}^{3}\)[11]. Furthermore, the social implications of barbecuing on balconies, where the grilling practices of one neighbour can adversely affect the air quality experienced by others, have not been adequately addressed in the existing literature. Such social interactions have the potential to give rise to conflicts or feelings of discomfort among residents, particularly in densely populated urban environments. The phenomenon of \"barbecue smoke\" can potentially create a nuisance for non-participating neighbours, resulting in complaints and potential disputes. This highlights the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the emissions involved. The social dynamics of urban living, including the negotiation of shared spaces and the impact of individual behaviours on community wellbeing, are critical factors that warrant further exploration. Notwithstanding the increasing number of studies on PM emissions from a variety of sources [36; 37; 38; 39], there is a significant deficiency in research focusing on the mass-size distribution of PM emitted from electric grills. The existing literature on this topic is limited [10; 21; 40; 41] and has primarily focused on the overall concentration of PM without delving into the size distribution and its implications for health and air quality. An understanding of the size distribution of PM is essential for the assessment of its potential health impacts, given that different particle sizes can exhibit varying deposition patterns within the respiratory tract. The present study aims to address this gap by analysing the mass and number size distribution of particulate matter emitted during electric grilling on a balcony. The concentrations of PM at the grilling site, in a nearby flat, and at a background site will be compared using optical aerosol spectrometers to obtain precise measurements.