Trees capture 50% of the particles of air pollution of cities

The leaves of the trees can capture more of 50% of the particulates, the major component of urban pollution. According to the sustainable planet, this was the main conclusion of a team of scientists who, for this purpose, planted a string of trees in front of some houses.

In urban environments, these particles come mainly from car exhaust, brake pad wear and dust of the road. This material may contain metals such as iron and lead, being that the particles are sufficiently small to people breathing them in. Can also exacerbate heart disease, asthma, and other health conditions.

The team of researchers, led by Barbara Maher, University of Lancaster, United Kingdom, did an experiment in a busy street in the city, no trees. She tracked the amount of dust and particles that entered the houses and collected data on the sizes and concentrations of particles, every 10 minutes, for five days. Moist wipes also collected dust from LED or plasma screens inside the houses.

Later, the team put some plants and young trees in front of some houses, during 13 days, forming a kind of green screen in front of the residences. The result showed that those with trees had concentrations of 52% to 65% lower metallic particles of all sizes.

A test done with a electronic microscope confirmed that the surfaces of the leaves they arrested the metallic particles. As the particles measurements within the houses, these particles are probably the product of combustion and brake wear of brakes that pass, completed the team.

Foto:  Brisbane City Council / Creative Commons

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