Hidden Health Hazards: How Invisible Airborne Particles are Impacting Your Health and How Scientists are Fighting Back

Airborne particles that are invisible to the naked eye can greatly impact a person’s health, particularly for those with seasonal allergies. These particles, such as tree pollen and other allergens, can cause discomfort and health issues for many people. While pollen counts and allergy indices are well-documented and easily accessible, there is limited information available on cancer-causing trace elements like lead and arsenic in urban areas of developing countries.

Recently, Randall Martin from Washington University in St. Louis led an effort to analyze global ambient particulate matter (PM) and understand its components, including mineral dust and trace element oxides. These trace elements are known for their negative health effects and are mainly emitted through human activities like fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. Along with Jay Turner and Xuan Liu, they studied data from the Surface Particulate Matter Network (SPARTAN), the only global monitoring network that measures PM elemental composition.

Their research, published in ES&T Air on March 10, provided valuable insights into regions with elevated traces of these harmful elements. The study highlighted American, Indian, and Vietnamese regions as areas of concern that could benefit from interventions to reduce trace element emissions from human activities. This work could pave the way for future efforts to improve air quality in developing countries.

For more information about this research, visit the McKelvey Engineering website.