Data taken from the first air quality test undertaken during an Australian dust storm has shown that large dust particles swept up smaller, potentially fatal ultrafine particles caused by everyday vehicle emissions.
The tests, taken during the September 2009 dust storm, showed that the ultrafine particle pollution - which contain 250 carcinogens - almost disappeared as the dust settled.
“We have seen this happen in the laboratory but never in an environment like this, given the very specific conditions,” Dr Rohan Jayaratne said.
Read more at Queensland University of Technology