As heat index records seem to be broken daily, a new "spray" may be here to save the day.
As reported by Gizmodo, Ohio-based Pavement Technology Inc. has teamed up with researchers at Louisiana State University to create a titanium oxide–enhanced (that same ingredient we see in sunscreen) spray-on treatment for pavement, called A.R.A.-1 Ti, which the company says can lower surface temperature.
In a win for overall road maintenance, infrastructure and pollution concerns, the solution seals aging asphalt binders, as it leaves behind a self-cleaning surface. It also has the ability to offer some air-purifying benefits by "removing nitrogen oxides volatile organic compounds and other pollutants introduced into the atmosphere through vehicular exhaust."
Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD sees the innovation has having the potential to lend a hand when it comes to another type of aging—one that's more human-focused.
"This is, in theory, and would be interesting to see in practice and future research, but if this road treatment reduces surrounding heat and poor air quality, it will lower oxidative stress surrounding skin, which leads to extrinsic skin aging," she says. "Therefore, it will diminish the signs of skin aging, pigmentation and wrinkling for of the skin."
