EVALUATION OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER POLLUTION

Abstract

The interactions of fine and ultrafine particles with chemicals play a dominant role in determining the mobility and availability of pollutants in the environment.Fine particles in sediments can sequester chemicals from the water column, and release volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds to the gas phase upon exposure to air.Ultrafine particles which are photo reactive can degrade these vapor-phase contaminants, and may transform the molecules into species which are more toxic or hazardous than the parent.As the widespread, commercial use of ultrafine particles becomes more common, understanding the chemo dynamics of these particles and their interactions with chemicals in the environment becomes paramount.