In developing countries, airborne particles can have a significant impact on a person’s health. While pollen counts and allergy indices are well-documented and readily accessible, there is limited information available on cancer-causing trace elements like lead and arsenic in urban areas. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, led by Professor Randall Martin, have recently taken steps to analyze global ambient particulate matter (PM) and understand its components, including mineral dust and trace element oxides.
These trace elements, known for their negative health effects, are mainly emitted through human activities like fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. Martin and his team 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 identified 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.