An international team of researchers analyzed samples from 18 large cities and found up to 19 new substances that could be more toxic.
Chemical particles in the air can transform into new, potentially more toxic and more persistent substances, according to a study published Wednesday.
The study, published by the journal Nature, analyzed samples from 18 megacities, including Sao Paulo, Bogotá, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Lagos, New York or Tokyo.
International regulations determine the degree of Dangerousness of chemical products based on their persistence, their toxicity and the impact on living beings.
But that scientific observation has so far ignored how these particles evolve, degrade and become new products.
This research is based on laboratory experiments and computer simulations, which indicate how interaction with air can modify a certain substance.
The main person in charge of the study, Canadian John Liggio, analyzed with his team nine types of fire-retardant products that are found in the atmosphere.
“These are chemicals that are added to a wide variety of materials to delay the start of a fire,” said this Environment Canada scientist to AFP.
The combination of these products and their contact with oxidants in the air gave as result 186 different substances in laboratory.
When taking real samples from the atmosphere of the cities studied, the experts found 19 substances from 5 fire-retardant products. None of these new substances had been detected to date.
In addition, these derivatives could be up to ten times more toxic than the original substances.
“There are probably thousands of different chemicals” in the air, Liggio told AFP. Future studies will analyze the products derived from vehicle tires, antioxidants and other substances. (I)
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