麻豆传媒

The level of fine particles in the air around Jakarta
reaches a peak at 7 am and in the evening, researchers from the CSIRO Division
of Atmospheric Physics and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation (ANSTO) have found. The morning peak coincides with rush hour, but
the evening peak is more complex, probably a mixture of emissions from traffic
and cooking. The data comes from a 12-month study of the particulate matter in
Jakarta鈥� s atmosphere. Detailed analysis and interpretation are still in
progress to track the sources of the particles. Particles were collected each
week on filter paper and can be typed according to patterns of elements
(determined with the help of ANSTO鈥檚 accelerator) and of compounds (determined
chemically by the CSIRO). These patterns can then be matched to sources. 鈥淥ur
data is vital for any pollution control programme,鈥� says John Gras from
the CSIRO. There is now very strong epidemiological evidence that particles
smaller than about 100th of a millimetre in diameter pose a severe threat to
human health, he says.