Source, Remediation and Health Effects of Nanoparticles in Urban Air

Abstract

Recent experimental results from various works proved that the emerging addition of nanosized fuel additives is an unsurpassed alternative to exhaust gas treatment devices for the reduction of toxic emissions. These nano-additives aid in the improvement of combustion characteristics along with an enhancement in the thermophysical properties, heat transfer rate, and stabilization of fuel mixtures. The first part of this chapter focuses on the comparison of efforts for emission reduction by using nanoparticle additives in various fuel derivatives. The nanoparticle additives mentioned herein are classified as metallic, non-metallic, oxygenated, carbonaceous, organic, and/or combined composition. The effects of nanoparticle shape, size, and dispersion as well as the optimum quantity of fuel additives on the emission characteristics are discussed. Furthermore, urban air studies are presented in the second part of this chapter with a special emphasis on traffic-based emissions. Finally, the toxic effects of airborne nano-pollutants on human health are discussed.