Scientists at the University of Basel have devised a revolutionary method to measure highly reactive oxygen radicals in air pollution, showing they are more harmful than previously understood.
Scientists at the University of Basel have made a groundbreaking discovery that could significantly alter our understanding of air pollution’s health impact. Through an innovative method that measures highly reactive oxygen radicals in real time, the researchers found these harmful components in particulate matter are present in much higher quantities than previously believed.
The study, published in the journal Science Advances, was spearheaded by Markus Kalberer, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Basel.
“Since these reactive oxygen species react with other molecules so quickly, they should be measured without delay,” Kalberer said in a news release.
Particulate matter, a mix of tiny particles and droplets in the air, is notorious for contributing to a range of severe health issues, from chronic respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases to diabetes and dementia. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution accounts for over 6 million deaths annually.
A New Approach to Measurement
Traditional methods involve collecting particulate matter on filters and then analyzing them days or weeks later, a process that fails to capture the fleeting but highly reactive oxygen radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species.
The new technique developed by Kalberer and his team measures particulate matter within seconds by collecting the particles directly from the air into a liquid medium. This method allows for immediate chemical reactions that produce quantifiable fluorescence signals, offering a more accurate snapshot of air pollution.
The team’s research revealed that 60% to 99% of these highly reactive oxygen radicals disappear within minutes to hours, significantly skewing previous measurement methods.
“However, since the measurement error in the case of delayed analysis isn’t constant, it’s not possible to extrapolate from previous filter-based analyses,” added Kalberer.
The actual proportion of harmful substances in the particulate matter is significantly higher than previously believed, according to Kalberer.
Implications and Future Research
Utilizing this innovative real-time measurement could revolutionize how we understand and respond to air pollution.
Further laboratory analyses with lung epithelial cells conducted by the team provided evidence that these short-lived, highly reactive components of particulate matter induce unique and stronger inflammatory responses than previously captured.
The new measuring instrument, which performs autonomous and continuous chemical analyses, works under stable conditions both in labs and field settings, ensuring a wide range of applications and reliability.
Looking ahead, Kalberer and his team plan to refine their measuring instrument to gain deeper insights into the composition and effects of particulate matter.
“If we can measure the proportion of highly reactive, harmful components more accurately and reliably, it will also be possible to adopt better protective measures,” concluded Kalberer.
Source: University of Basel