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Analysis of particulate pollution on foodstuff and other items by environmental scanning electron microscopy
Author(s) -
Giordano Cristiana,
Bardi Ugo,
Garbini Davide,
Suman Michele
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.20978
Subject(s) - combustion , particulate pollution , particulates , scanning electron microscope , ultrafine particle , incineration , environmental scanning electron microscope , human health , micrometer , materials science , range (aeronautics) , environmental chemistry , environmental science , nanotechnology , chemistry , waste management , optics , composite material , physics , environmental health , organic chemistry , engineering , medicine
Combustion processes commonly create fine and ultrafine particles whose effects are often harmful to human health. The present study is aimed at providing more data in this field by testing the capability of environmental electron scanning microscopy of detecting and analyzing such particles. For this purpose, we examined a range of samples taken from everyday food items collected in Tuscany. The results showed that, within the examined samples, inorganic particles can be observed in the nano‐ and micrometer range. These particles are attributable mostly to natural processes and, in part, to food processing. Little evidence is found for particles whose origin could be attributed to industrial combustion processes, such as waste incineration. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.