Editing Platinum group (section)

== Environmental concerns ==
It was previously thought that platinum group metals had very few negative attributes in comparison to their distinctive properties and their ability to reduce harmful emission from automobile exhausts.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224039043|doi=10.1002/etc.1833|title=Accumulation and distribution characteristics of platinum group elements in roadside dusts in Beijing, China|year=2012|last1=Gao|first1=Bo|last2=Yu|first2=Yanke|last3=Zhou|first3=Huaidong|last4=Lu|first4=Jin|journal=Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry|volume=31|issue=6|pages=1231–1238|pmid=22505271|s2cid=39813004 }}</ref> However, even with all the positives of platinum metal use, its possible future harm should be considered. Metallic Pt is considered not chemically reactive and non-allergenic, so that Pt emitted from VECs in metallic and oxide forms is considered relatively safe.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|title=Platinum group elements in the environment and their health risk|last=Khaiwal Ravindra,László Bencs,René Van Grieken|date=5 January 2004|journal=Science of the Total Environment|volume=318|issue=1–3|pages=1–43|doi=10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00372-3|pmid=14654273|bibcode=2004ScTEn.318....1R|hdl=2299/2030|hdl-access=free}}</ref> However, Pt can solubilise in road dust, enter water sources, the ground, and increase dose rates in animals through [[bioaccumulation]].<ref name=":0" /> These impacts from platinum groups were previously not considered, however<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|title=Airborne particulate matter, platinum group elements and human health: A review of recent evidence|last=Clare L.S. Wiseman, Fathi Zereini|date=2012|journal=Science of the Total Environment|volume=407|issue=8|pages=2493–2500|doi=10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.12.057|pmid=19181366}}</ref> over time the accumulation of platinum group metals in the environment may actually pose more of a risk than previously thought.<ref name=":1" /> As more internal combustion cars are driven, platinum metal emissions increase.

The bioaccumulation of PGMs in animals can pose a health risk to both humans and biodiversity. Species whose food source is contaminated by these hazardous PGMs emitted from VECs may accumulate them, as may the species that consume them, including humans.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Cisplatin-2D.png|thumb|[[Cisplatin]] is a platinum-based drug used in therapy of human [[Neoplasm|neoplasms]]. The medical success of cisplatin is compromised by its severe side effects.]]
Platinum metals extracted during the mining and smelting process can also cause environmental damage. In Zimbabwe, platinum-group mining caused pollution in water sources, acidic water drainage, and [[environmental degradation]].<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/223631080|doi=10.1016/j.pce.2006.08.029|title=Zimbabwean mine dumps and their impacts on river water quality – a reconnaissance study|year=2006|last1=Meck|first1=Maideyi|last2=Love|first2=David|last3=Mapani|first3=Benjamin|journal=Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C|volume=31|issue=15–16|pages=797–803|bibcode=2006PCE....31..797M}}</ref>

Another hazard of Pt is being exposed to [[Halogenation|halogenated]] Pt salts, which can cause allergic reactions leading to high rates of asthma and dermatitis. This response is sometimes seen in workers employed in production of industrial catalysts.<ref name=":0" /> Workers removed immediately from further contact with Pt salts showed no evidence of long-term effects, however continued exposure could lead to health effects.<ref name=":0" />

Platinum use in drugs also may need to be reevaluated, as some of the side effects to these drugs include nausea, hearing loss, and nephrotoxicity.<ref name=":0" /> Handling of these drugs by medical personal also led to side effects including chromosome aberrations and hair loss. The long-term medical effects of platinum drug use and exposure await evaluation.

While exposure to relatively low volumes of platinum group metal emissions may not have long-term health effects, it is unknown how the accumulation of Pt metal emissions will affect the environment as well as human health, what levels of risk are safe, and how potential hazards from platinum-group metals can be mitigated.<ref name="Hunt">{{cite journal|last=Hunt|first=L. B.|author2=Lever, F. M.|year=1969|title=Platinum Metals: A Survey of Productive Resources to industrial Uses|url=http://www.platinummetalsreview.com/pdf/pmr-v13-i4-126-138.pdf|journal=Platinum Metals Review|volume=13|issue=4|pages=126&ndash;138|doi=10.1595/003214069X134126138 |access-date=2009-10-02}}</ref>