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Antiperspirants Could Contribute to Particulate Pollution

MTorrice writes: Environmental scientists monitor particulate matter pollution because it poses risks to human health and can affect the climate. Ultrafine particles, up to 100 nm in diameter, are produced by vehicle exhaust and other combustion processes. They also form when volatile chemicals from other sources condense in the atmosphere, often through reactions triggered by sunlight.

Now atmospheric scientists propose that personal care products, such as antiperspirants, could be a potential source of ultrafine particulate matter. On the basis of data from the U.S. and Finland, they find that airborne nanoparticles in highly populated areas often contain silicon. They hypothesize that organic silicon compounds found in cosmetics waft into the air, get oxidized, and contribute to the growth of nanoparticles.

6 of 70 comments (clear)

  1. Heh by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not using antiperspirants ain't so good for the air either.

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    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    1. Re:Heh by Teresita · · Score: 4, Funny

      Great, our communes already smell like a landfill because the greenies make us recycle, and now we all get to smell like they do.

  2. wrong crowd by supernova87a · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Slashdot audience is probably contributing less than average to the environmental problem of antiperspirants being used.

  3. I don't think particulate contaminants evaporate. by mmell · · Score: 4, Funny
    Liquids evaporate. Particulates tend to be left behind after evaporation is completed.

    Remember: if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

  4. Re:I don't think particulate contaminants evaporat by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Funny

    The hypothesis is that evaporated siloxanes photo-oxidize (in the presence of hydroxyl radicals), then condense onto nanoparticles

    Slow down, I'm trying to take notes.

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    You are welcome on my lawn.
  5. Re:Europe/antiperspirants by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    You will likely be involved on your own anyways, probably as the agressor.