Exhaustive investigation tests for lung damage

Ken Donaldson, professor of biological science at Napier University, is heading a Pounds 110,000 initiative to investigate how microscopic particles from vehicle exhausts are damaging the nation's lungs.

The study will evaluate the reaction of lung cells to different particle sizes and different substances, to test the theory that it is the minute size of ultrafine particles and their interaction with other chemicals that causes the most damage. Previous studies have estimated that more than 10,000 people may die each year in the United Kingdom from lung problems caused by these particles. Diesel vehicles produce proportionately more particles than petrol vehicles.