New tool picks out smoke-hazard in atmosphere
Posted Mon, 16 May 2011 19:01:00 GMT by Martin Leggett
A customized tool for picking up on very low levels of noxious burning byproducts has enabled NOAA scientists to sniff out isocyanic acid - a chemical linked to known health problems - in LA smog and wildfire smoke. This compound is though likely to be at worryingly high levels in cigarette smoke, as well as homes using poorly-drafted wood fires, and may increase as the planet hots up, says the paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
New tool picks out smoke-hazard in atmosphere