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ScienceDaily_2013 13100.txt

#How trees play role in smog productionafter years of scientific uncertainty and speculation researchers at the University of North carolina at Chapel hill show exactly how trees help create one of society's predominant environmental and health concerns: air pollution. It has long been known that trees produce and emit isoprene an abundant molecule in the air known to protect leaves from oxygen damage and temperature fluctuations. However in 2004 researchers contrary to popular assumptions revealed that isoprene was involved likely in the production of particulate matter tiny particles that can get lodged in lungs lead to lung cancer and asthma and damage other tissues not to mention the environment. But exactly how was anybody's guess. Jason Surratt assistant professor of environmental sciences and engineering at the Gillings School of Global Public health now reveals one mechanism by which isoprene contributes to the production of these tiny potentially health-damaging particles. The study found that isoprene once it is altered chemically via exposure to the sun reacts with human-made nitrogen oxides to create particulate matter. Nitrogen oxides are created pollutants by cars trucks aircrafts coal plants and other large scale sources. The work presents a dramatic new wrinkle in the arguments for reducing man-made pollutants worldwide said Surratt whose work was published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Isoprene evolved to protect trees and plants but because of the presence of nitrogen oxides it is involved in producing this negative effect on health and the environment. We certainly can't cut down all the trees Surratt adds but we can work on reducing these man-made emissions to cut down the production of fine particulate matter. With the precise mechanism now revealed researchers can plug it into air quality models for better predicting episodes of air pollution and potential effects on earth's climate. The advance would allow researchers and environmental agencies to evaluate and make regulatory decisions that impact public health and climate change. We observe nature's quirks but we must always consider that our actions do have said repercussions Surratt. It's the interaction between these natural and man-made emissions that produces this air pollution smog and fine particulate matter--and now we know one reason for how it happens. Story Source: The above story is provided based on materials by University of North carolina at Chapel hill. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal Reference e

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