Could air travel be linked to deaths on ground?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 08:28
in Physics & Chemistry
The atmosphere is full of natural and man-made chemicals, including emissions from fuel combustion and byproducts of living organisms. Many of these chemicals combine in the atmosphere to form tiny solid and liquid particles known as `fine particulate matter` that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller (the average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter, by comparison). While it`s not clear whether all of these particles may be harmful, some are; the danger to humans comes when they are inhaled and trapped in the lungs, where they can then enter the bloodstream.