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Does anyone have insight into the chemistry of these nanoparticles? Because, clearly, cars don't emit gold. Cars do emit platinum and palladium from degrading
by 08-15 7y ago
Does anyone have insight into the chemistry of these nanoparticles?
Because, clearly, cars don't emit gold. Cars do emit platinum and palladium from degrading catalysts, but these don't condense from a gas phase, as the article implies. The article also mentions particles formed from NO2, but these particles would be nitrate salts, which dissolve in blood and therefore aren't particles anymore. The same is true for much "kicked up dust"; calcium, magnesium, iron compounds would dissolve, too. All of these ions are present in blood anyway, so a tiny bit more makes no difference.
So what are we really talking about? Soot? Anything else?
- ksab 7y agoOutdoors: Particles less than 50nm often arise from sulphuric acid. Nucleation occurs with sulphur dioxide and water in vehicle exhaust and these particles undergo growth via condensation of organic compounds as the exhaust plume cools. Larger particles (50-100nm) are typically soot. Indoor Sources: cooking (frying especially), burning candles/incense, heating elements on stove tops and toasters, chemical reactions between lemon/pine scented cleaners with ozone. Source: PhD in exposure to ultrafine particles.