Ozone (O3) is an important atmospheric oxidant. Black carbon (BC) particles released into the atmosphere undergo an aging process via O3 oxidation. O3-aged BC particles may change their uptake ability toward trace reducing gases such as SO2 in the atmosphere, leading to different environmental and health effects. In this paper, the heterogeneous reaction process between O3-aged BC and SO2 was e...

A method for noninvasive measurement of Hb O2 saturation (SO2) in retinal blood vessels by digital imaging was developed and tested. Images of vessels were recorded at O2-sensitive and O2-insensitive wavelengths (600 and 569 nm, respectively) by using a modified fundus camera with an image splitter coupled to an 18-bit digital camera. Retinal arterial SO2 was varied experimentally by having sub...

The rotational spectra of seven isotopomers of the SO2–CS2 van der Waals dimer have been observed with a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The rotational constants for the normal species were determined to be A52413.2000(3) MHz, B51105.3803(3) MHz and C 5884.9885(2) MHz. They are consistent with the SO2 straddling the CS2 molecule and Cs symmetry for the complex. The centers of mass of ...

We measured pulmonary function, responses to exercise and oxygen saturation (So2) at rest, and also before and during sleep in 24 patients with cystic fibrosis in a varying degree of severity. The pulmonary function indices analysed were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), total lung capacity (TLC), measured by body plethysmography (TLC box) and Helium dilution (TLC He), residual vol...

Coal power stations as well as waste incinerators produce humid acid gases which may condense in industrial chimneys. These condensates can cause corrosion of chimney internal cladding which is made of stainless steel, nickel base alloys or non metallic materials. In the aim of polluting emission reduction and material optimal choice, it is necessary to determine and characterize all the phenom...

A permanent improvement in ambient air quality in the Urban Area of Katowice over recent years could have resulted in a decreased risk of air pollution-related daily mortality. Our study investigates the risk associated with the levels of PM10 and SO2, obtained seven years apart (time-series analyses in 1994-95 and 200102). For both periods the acute mortality risk depends more on SO2 than on P...

A brief history of air pollution Accounts of air pollution in the UK date back to the 13 century. Early occurrences resulted from rapid population growth, urbanisation and changes in fuel use – in particular the medieval switch from wood to coal, especially in brick kilns and domestic fireplaces. Coal combustion in industrial furnaces, boilers and, above all, in domestic fireplaces, was the mai...

Improving the constraints on the atmospheric fate and depletion rates of acidic compounds persistently emitted by non-erupting (quiescent) volcanoes is important for quantitatively predicting the environmental impact of volcanic gas plumes. Here, we present new experimental data coupled with modelling studies to investigate the chemical processing of acidic volcanogenic species during troposphe...

Two new University of Arkansas table grape cultivars, Reliance (25% Vitis vinifera L. x 75% Vitis labrusca L.) and Saturn (78% Vitis vinifera L. x 22% Vitis labrusca L.), were stored for seven and 10 weeks at 2°C in corrugated cardboard shipping containers with five packing treatments (slow, dual, and quick-release SO2 generators and lined and unlined controls). The SO2 treatments consisted of ...

Two new University of Arkansas table grape cultivars, Reliance (25% Vitis vinifera L. x 75% Vitis labrusca L.) and Saturn (78% Vitis vinifera L. x 22% Vitis labrusca L.), were stored for seven and 10 weeks at 2°C in corrugated cardboard shipping containers with five packing treatments (slow, dual, and quick-release SO2 generators and lined and unlined controls). The SO2 treatments consisted of ...