The automobile catalyst as an important source of PGE in the environment

Platinum and rhodium associated with the leaves of Nerium oleander L.; analytical method using voltammetry; assessment of air quality in the Palermo (Italy) area

“…In recent years, some researchers during a driving test [4] measured average emission factors from new gasoline catalysts of 0.1 and 0.05 mg/km for Pt and Rh, respectively. For aged catalysts the average emissions decreased to 0.006-0.008 and 0.003-0.0012 mg/km for Pt and Rh, respectively [3].…”

“…The reactions of oxidation and/or reduction of these pollutants are catalyzed by transition metal oxides and noble metals like Pt, Pd and/or Rh (platinum group elements, PGE) [2]. Nowadays, vehicles catalysts contain different combinations of PGE in order to achieve optimum performance characteristics and to further reduce the emissions of contaminants; the typical Pt/Rh ratios 5:1 till about 1995 [3][4][5] in three-way catalytic converters and, accordingly, in the environment.…”

Validation of Some Procedures for Quantifying Platinum at sub‐μg/L Level in Some Real Matrices by Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry

“…Since the beginning of the eighties, the widespread use of some platinum group elements (PGE) as catalysts for limiting the emission of pollutants from combustion engine exhausts produced a slow but constantly growing increase of the environmental concentration of these elements [1]. According to some recent literature findings [2], concentrations of platinum as high as 23.7 ng/g were detected in soils and dusts collected close to major road intersections.…”

Biomonitoring of tram drivers exposed to airborne platinum, rhodium and palladium

“…Although, they are among the rarest elements in the Earth's crust, their excellent catalytic properties have led to an increment in their use. In fact, they are used in modern automotive catalytic converters to reduce the emission of hazardous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides by converting them into carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen (Palacios et al 1999).…”

“…Occupational exposure occurs primarily in the mining and processing of PGEs, mostly during reWning and catalyst manufacturing and, to a lesser extent, in subjects heavily exposed to automotive traYc (Palacios et al 1999).…”