Scientists have found that an ultra-reactive chemical in Earth's atmosphere lingers much longer than previously thought. Millions of tons of the chemical may linger in the atmosphere for several hours, according to scientists.

Hydrotrioxides are the chemicals in question. Three oxygen atoms and one hydrogen atom make up the chemical.

Though the greatest concern about how long these ultra-reactive chemicals persist in Earth's atmosphere is their effects on human health and climate change, it is the length of time these chemicals last in the atmosphere that is most concerning.

Hydrotrioxides were previously believed to remain only for a very short period of time. The new study, however, indicates that they may linger in the Earth's atmosphere for at least twenty minutes, or even longer. As it is a product of common chemical reactions, it is produced in almost unlimited quantities.

This extremely reactive chemical in the Earth's atmosphere can also react quickly with other compounds. Hydrotrioxides can also be extremely flammable since they contain extra oxygen atoms. Rocket fuel has also been made with other peroxides because of their flammability.

It is important to note that this is not an entirely new chemical reaction. The scientists who published the study in late May in the journal Science reported that this is the first time they have detected these chemicals in the atmosphere.

However, now that we know this chemical is in the Earth's atmosphere, some scientists wonder what kind of effect it might have on humans.

Hydrotrioxides are ultra-reactive because they contain hydrogen. Hydrotrioxide can interact with almost any chemical, unlike other substances

Furthermore, hydrotrioxide is a byproduct of almost all chemical reactions. So, the researchers estimate that at least 11 million tons of hydrotrioxides are produced in the atmosphere each year.

Because this ultra-reactive chemical occurs so often in the atmosphere, scientists speculate that it might play a unique role in how the atmosphere functions. It is unclear, however, what that role is. Researchers need to take a closer look at hydrotrioxides as a whole if they are to prove such a thing.

While we may not yet know the complete answers, it is always intriguing to see science confirm the existence of something within our world.

The chemical may not be anything new, however. But its presence in our atmosphere is a new discovery. Now that we know, we can determine what role it plays and if it also plays a role in the atmospheres of other planets.