Ultrafine particle

Sources and applications

UFPs are both manufactured and naturally occurring. Hot volcanic lava, ocean spray, and smoke are common natural UFPs sources, as is the nucleation of gases in the air. UFPs can be intentionally fabricated as fine particles to serve a vast range of applications in both medicine and technology. Other UFPs are byproducts, like emissions, from specific processes, combustion reactions, or equipment such as printer toner and automobile exhaust.{{cite web | access-date = 2009-05-15 | archive-date = 2007-08-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070810064404/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/121641/hp-hits-back-in-printer-health-scare-row.html | url-status = live | access-date = 2009-05-15 | archive-date = 2008-12-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081204204257/http://www.rtmagazine.com/issues/articles/2007-11_01.asp

UFPs have a variety of applications in the medical and technology fields. They are used in diagnostic imagining, and novel drug delivery systems that include targeting the circulatory system, and or passage of the blood brain barrier to name just a few. | doi-access = free |display-authors=etal}} Certain UFPs like silver based nanostructures have antimicrobial properties that are exploited in wound healing and internal instrumental coatings among other uses, in order to prevent infections. | doi-access = free | access-date = 2009-05-15 | archive-date = 2012-05-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120503091911/http://epa.gov/ncer/nano/research/particle_index.html

Exposure, risk, and health effects

The main exposure to UFPs is through inhalation. Owing to their size, UFPs are considered to be respirable particles. Contrary to the behaviour of inhaled PM10 and PM2.5, ultrafine particles are deposited in the lungs,{{cite journal |display-authors=etal| doi-access = free |display-authors = etal |doi-access = free |access-date = 2014-11-13 |archive-date = 2014-11-23 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141123184035/http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/121/21/2331.abstract |url-status = live |url-access= subscription |display-authors=etal}} |display-authors=etal}}{{cite journal | doi-access = free The exact mechanism through which UFP exposure leads to health effects remains to be elucidated, but effects on blood pressure may play a role. It has recently been reported that UFP is associated with an increase in blood pressure in schoolchildren with the smallest particles inducing the largest effect.{{cite journal

There is a range of potential human exposures that include occupational, due to the direct manufacturing process or a byproduct from an industrial or office environment, | doi-access = free | doi-access = free |display-authors=etal| doi-access = free |doi-access = free |access-date = 2019-09-09 |archive-date = 2021-10-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211006232416/https://zenodo.org/record/1000705 |url-status = live |display-authors = etal

Some sizes of UFPs may be filtered from the air using ULPA filters.

Regulation and legislation

As the nanotechnology industry has grown, nanoparticles have brought UFPs more public and regulatory attention. |display-authors=etal| doi-access = free}} UFP risk assessment research is still in the very early stages. There are continuing debates{{cite web | access-date = 2008-03-19 | archive-date = 2012-04-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120410125850/http://nanotech.lawbc.com/2007/09/articles/international/greenpeace-releases-activists-guide-to-reach-which-addresses-nanomaterials/ | url-status = live | access-date = 2019-12-13 | archive-date = 2021-10-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211006232414/https://zenodo.org/record/894502 | url-status = live |display-authors=etal}} |display-authors=etal}} As of March 19, 2008, the EPA does not yet regulate ultrafine particle emissions.{{cite web | access-date = 2009-05-15 | archive-date = 2008-10-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081020153451/http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080121084718.htm | url-status = live The EPA does require notification of the intentional manufacture of nanoparticles. In 2008, the EPA drafted a Nanomaterial Research Strategy. There is also debate about how the European Union (EU) should regulate UFPs.{{cite web | access-date = 2008-03-19 | archive-date = 2008-05-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080528095445/http://www.fni.no/doc%26pdf/JBS-JW-IEA-2007.PDF

Political disputes

There is political dispute between China and South Korea on ultrafine dust. South Korea claims that about 80% of ultrafine dust comes from China, and China and South Korea should cooperate to reduce the level of fine dust. China, however, argues that the Chinese government has already implemented its policy regarding ecological environment. According to China's government, its quality of air has been improved more than 40% since 2013. However, the air pollution in South Korea got worse. Therefore, the dispute between China and South Korea has become political. In March 2019, Seoul Research Institute of Public Health and Environment said that 50% to 70% of the fine dust is from China, therefore China is responsible for the air pollution in South Korea. This dispute provokes dispute among citizens as well. In July 2014, China's paramount leader Xi Jinping and the South Korean government agreed to enforce Korea-China Cooperative Project, regarding Sharing of observation data on air pollutions, joint research on an air pollution forecast model and air pollution source identification, and human resources exchanges, etc. Followed by this agreement, in 2018, China and South Korea signed China-Korea Environmental Cooperation Plan to resolute environmental issues. China Research Academy of Environmental Studies (CRAES) in Beijing is developing a building for China-Korea Environmental Cooperation Center including office building and laboratory building. Based on this cooperation, South Korea already sent 10 experts on environments to China for research, and China will also send more experts for long-term research. By this bilateral relations, China and Republic of Korea are seeking resolution on air pollution in North East Asia region, and seeks international security.

References

References

1. link
2. (2022). "Sources, characteristics, toxicity, and control of ultrafine particles: An overview". Geoscience Frontiers.
3. Weikel, Dan and Barboza, Tony (May 29, 2014) [http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-0529-lax-pollution-20140529-story.html "Planes' exhaust could be harming communities up to 10 miles from LAX"] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-05-31 ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'')
4. Carrington, Damian. (2021-05-21). "Asthma in toddlers linked to in-utero exposure to air pollution, study finds".
5. (September 2015). "Life cycle impact assessment modeling for particulate matter: A new approach based on physico-chemical particle properties". [[Environment International]].
6. (27 March 2015). "Control of Nanoscale Materials under the Toxic Substances Control Act". US EPA - OCSPP.
7. (2009). "Nanomaterial Research Strategy". United States Environmental Protection Agency.
8. K. Teichman. (1 February 2008). "Notice of Availability of the Nanomaterial Research Strategy External Review Draft and Expert Peer Review Meeting". [[Federal Register]].
9. (23 July 2014). "Research on Nanomaterials". US EPA.
10. "Outcome of 23rd Meeting of ROK-China Joint Committee and Director-General-Level Meeting on Environmental Cooperation View|Press ReleasesMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea".
11. (March 6, 2019). "China vowed to combat fine dust: environment minister".
12. Xu, Maggie. (June 26, 2018). "China, South Korea build environment cooperation".