The full text of this article:

Automotive catalytic converters and environmental pollution: role of the platinum group elements in the redox reactions and free radicals production
by Claudio Botre, Marina Tosi, Franco Mazzei, Beatrice Bocca, Francesco Petrucci, Alessandro Alimonti
International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH), Vol. 1, No. 1, 2007
Abstract: The concentrations of Platinum Group Elements (PGE) (Pt, Rh, Pd and Ir) in the atmosphere of urban areas have been progressively increased as a consequence of their release from the automotive catalytic converters and their adsorption in the particulate material. The PGEs catalytic activity is therefore extended also outside the vehicle converters. In the environment, PGEs come in contact with inorganic and organic structures, in particular with living organisms. Beside the photochemical smog (mainly ozone production/degradation), several redox reactions, involving free radicals and promoted by PGEs, can become responsible for interactions at the metabolic pathways level. The environmental monitoring confirms the increasing concentrations of ozone and of PGEs in urban air. To approach such a complex problem, in vitro experiments have been performed on enzyme kinetics and on antioxidants in living systems. Preliminary data on enzymatic systems (NADH) and on antioxidants (ascorbic acid) in the presence of some PGEs are reported.

is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

Pay per view: If you are not a Subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, please click here to purchase online access to the full-text of this article. Please allow 3 days + mailing time. Current price for article is Thirty Euros (€30)

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH) journal, that have been redirected here, please check if you have a registered username/password subscription with Inderscience. If that is the case, please Login:

If you are not yet a Subscriber to International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH) journal, you can subscribe by following a few simple and quick steps. A subscription will give you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years, where applicable. Click here to subscribe.

Should you experience further difficulties or have any enquiries, please email subs@inderscience.com