Separation and Tracing of Anthropogenic Magnetite Nanoparticles in the Urban Atmosphere.

Abstract

Nanosized magnetite is a highly toxic material due to its strong ability to generate reactive oxygen species in vivo, and the presence of magnetite NPs in the brain has been linked with aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Recently, magnetite pollution nanoparticles (NPs) were found to be present in the human brain, heart, and blood, which raises great concerns about the health risks of airborne magnetite NPs. Here, we report the abundant presence and chemical multifingerprints (including high-resolution structural and elemental fingerprints) of magnetite NPs in the urban atmosphere. We establish a methodology for high-efficiency retrieving and accurate quantification of airborne magnetite NPs. We report the occurrence levels (annual mean concentration 75.5 ± 33.2 ng m-3 in Beijing with clear season variations) and the pollution characteristics of airborne magnetite NPs. Based on the chemical multifingerprints of the NPs, we identify and estimate the contributions of the major emission sources for airborne magnetite NPs. We also give an assessment of human exposure risks of airborne magnetite NPs. Our findings support the identification of airborne magnetite NPs as a threat to human health.

• Authors: Qinghua Zhang, Dawei Lu, Dingyi Wang, Xuezhi Yang, Peijie Zuo, Hang Yang, Qiang Fu, Qian Liu, Guibin Jiang
• Journal: Environmental science & technology (Environ Sci Technol) Vol. 54 Issue 15 Pg. 9274-9284 (08 04 2020) ISSN: 1520-5851 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 32644802 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Magnetite Nanoparticles
• Ferrosoferric Oxide

Topics

• Atmosphere
• Beijing
• Ferrosoferric Oxide
• Humans
• Magnetite Nanoparticles