Smalltalks "Nanoscale Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Pollution Particles on Cell epithelia"

Abstract: 

Air pollution is a major environmental risk for health, with about 99% of the world’s population breathing polluted air, causing 6.8 million early deaths each year (World Health Organization, 2022). In this research project we have looked at how tiny (nano scale) particles from braking trains affect human cells. We created these particles and exposed human cells to them and using an advanced mass spectrometry imaging method, we could see how these particles interact with cell structures. Our new method shows that we could use this approach to study how pollution affects cells, helping future research on how these particles might be toxic. This presentation will highlight the need to understand how pollutants interact with us humans to find ways to better reduce air pollution's health risks.