Aerosol
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/203.16.236.254|203.16.236.254]] ([[User talk:203.16.236.254|talk]]) to last version by 202.40.137.199
[[Image:Aerosol-India.jpg|thumb|260px|right|Aerosol-contamination in North-[[India]] and [[Bangladesh]].]]
Technically, an '''aerosol''' is a suspension of fine solid or liquid droplets in a gas. (Contrast with a [[smoke]] which is a suspension of solid particles in a gas.) In general conversation, '''aerosol''' usually refers to an [[aerosol spray]] can or the output of such a can.
The term '''aerosol''', derives from the fact that matter "floating" in air is a suspension (a mixture in which solid or liquid or combined solid-liquid particles are suspended in a [[fluid]]). To differentiate [[suspension (chemistry)|suspension]]s from true [[solution]]s, the term '''sol''' evolved—originally meant to cover [[dispersion|dispersions]] of tiny (sub-microscopic) particles in a liquid. With studies of dispersions in air, the term aerosol evolved and now embraces both liquid [[droplets]], solid particles, and combinations of these. An aerosol may come from sources as various as a volcano or an aerosol can.
== Workplace exposure ==
Concentrated aerosols from substances such as [[silica]], [[asbestos]], and [[diesel]] particulate matter are sometimes found in the workplace and have been shown to result in a number of diseases including [[silicosis]] and [[black lung]].<ref>{{cite web
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| title = Aerosols
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| publisher = United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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| url = http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aerosols/default.html
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| accessdate = 2008-03-15}}</ref>
Respirators can protect workers from harmful aerosol exposure. The [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] certifies respirators through the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory to ensure that they protect workers and the public from harmful airborne contaminants.<ref>{{cite web
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== Effect on climate ==
[[Anthropogenic]] aerosols, particularly sulfate aerosols from [[fossil fuel]] combustion, exert a cooling influence on the climate.<ref>''[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/figspm-3.htm Climate Change 2001]''United Nations Environmental Program Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</ref> The cooling effect of aerosols, however, does not seem to directly counteract the warming induced by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor and is accounted for in climate models, despite some claims that "[[global dimming]]" by aerosols may counteract global warming.<ref>{{Citation
| last = Romanou
| first = Anastasia
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| title = 20th century changes in surface solar irradiance in simulations and observations
| journal = Geophysical Research Letters
| volume = 34
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| year = 2007
| url = http://pubs.giss.nasa.gov/docs/2007/2007_Romanou_etal.pdf
| doi = 10.1029/2006GL028356
| id = }}</ref>
Recent studies of the [[Sahel drought]]<ref>[http://apollo.eas.gatech.edu/EAS6792/presentations/aerosol_effects.ppt Pollutants and Their Effect on the Water and Radiation Budgets]</ref> and major increases since 1967 in rainfall over the [[Northern Territory]], [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]], [[Pilbara]] and around the [[Nullarbor Plain]] have led some scientists to conclude that the aerosol haze over [[South Asia|South]] and [[East Asia]] has been steadily shifting tropical rainfall in both hemispheres southward<ref>[http://www.csiro.au/files/files/pbg2.pdf Australian rainfall and Asian aerosols]</ref>. The latest studies of severe rainfall declines over [[climate change in Australia|southern Australia]] since 1997<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pollution-rearranging-ocean-currents/2008/01/21/1200764169893.html Pollution rearranging ocean currents]</ref> have led climatologists there to consider the possibility that these Asian aerosols have shifted not only tropical but also midlatitude systems southward.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
* [[Aerosol spray]], the spraying device
* [[Bioaerosol]]
* [[Particulate]], mixed-phase state of matter
* [[Pollution]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.aaar.org American Association for Aerosol Research]
[[Category:Physical chemistry]]
[[Category:Occupational safety and health]]
[[Category:Occupational safety and health]]
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