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The London Underground carries five million passengers every day.

According to researchers at the University of Cambridge the London Underground is polluted with ultra-fine metal particles that be small enough to enter the human bloodstream. These particles are so small that they are likely underestimated in studies of pollution in the world's oldest subway system.

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The researchers performed a new type of pollution analysis, using magnetism to study dust samples from underground halls, platforms and operator cabins. The team found that the samples contained high levels of a type of iron oxide called maghemite. Since iron takes time to oxidize to maghemite, the results suggest that pollution particles linger for long periods due to poor ventilation in subways, particularly on station platforms.

Some particles are as small as five nanometers in diameter: small enough to be inhaled and passed into the bloodstream, but too small to be captured by typical pollution monitoring methods.

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Multiple studies have shown that air pollution levels in the Underground are higher than those in London more broadly, exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The research was co-funded by the European Union, the Cambridge Trust and Selwyn College, Cambridge.

According to Aaron Bernstein, director of the Center for Climate Health and the Global Environment at Harvard University in Boston, there is conflicting evidence at this stage about the harmfulness of this particular type of pollutant, compared to the exhaust fumes of above-ground urban traffic in the open air.

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Pollution particles linger for long periods, especially on station platforms.

The London Underground, also known as the London Underground, was opened in 1863. It was the world's first underground rail system and was built to help London's increasing population move around the city. 

The first section of the system, the Metropolitan line, was commissioned on 10 January 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon. More lines were built in the following years, and by the end of the 19th century the London Underground had expanded to cover most parts of the city. Today, the London Underground is one of the busiest underground systems in the world and is used by millions of people every day to move around London.

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The researchers suggest that periodic removal of dust from underground tunnels, as well as magnetic monitoring of pollution levels, could improve air quality throughout the network. Hun results can be read in it scientific journal Reports.

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Photo: Pitane Blue - London Underground
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