Detection of Highly Reactive Compounds in Aerosol Particles as an Indicator for Particle Toxicity
Description: A recent study by the World Health Organisation estimates that 1 in 8 deaths globally are a result of air pollution exposure. Aerosol particles are the most toxic component of air pollution, and despite a wealth of evidence linking aerosol exposure to a range of diseases and respiratory conditions, the mechanisms responsible for this are poorly understood. A growing body of evidence suggests that highly reactive chemical compounds present in aerosol particles may play a crucial role in determining their toxicity. Detecting highly reactive chemical species poses an analytical-chemical challenge due to their high reactivity, low ambient concentration and inherently short lifetime; therefore new, innovative techniques are required to detect these chemical species and determine their influence on air pollution toxicity. […]