Estimation of the fraction of soil-borne particulates in indoor air by PMF and its impact on health risk assessment of soil contamination in Guangzhou, China

Receptor model-based sources and risk assessment of metals in sediment of the coastal construction-oriented aquatic system in Bangladesh

Metal pollution in sediment from construction areas raises ecological and health concerns, yet source-based sediment pollution in Bangladesh remains understudied. Our investigation focused on fifteen locations in the Kohelia River and the coastal regions near the Matarbari projects (Matarbari Power Plant, Matarbari Deep Seaport), assessing metal concentrations' sources and impacts on ecology and human well-being. Sediment quality indices indicated high Cd and Cr contamination, with sites near Matarbari projects being the most polluted. The positive matrix factorization model identified three anthropogenic sources and mixed sources. Matarbari projects contributed significantly to As (67.9 %), Mn (50.25 %), Cd (48.35 %), and Cr (41.0 %), while ship-breaking yards contributed Fe (58.0 %), Zn (55.5 %), Pb (53.8 %), and Cu (36.1 %). Ecological indices showed different impacts on aquatic life from metal pollution, but cancer risk levels stayed below the threshold set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. These findings underscore the need for targeted measures to address metal pollution.

Particulate matter in school buildings: Influence of influx control of outdoor PM particles and building renovation in summer

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the human body are of grave concern, particularly the rising levels of 2.5 μm-particulate matter. Children are more susceptible to the lethal effects of particulate matter (PM) than adults. In this study, a case study of architectural renovation (ARCH-R) and facility renovation (FAC-R) was conducted in a school by focusing on the exit and entrance gates. In addition, the PM influx rate was evaluated. To evaluate the influx rate of PM, opening/closing recognition equipment and particle sensors were utilized. Following the renovation, the result was evaluated. During the daytime, the air curtain led to a reduction in the influx rate of PM of approximately 8% when the door was open. During the nighttime, it was confirmed that the fine dust influx rate was reduced through reinforcement of the door. However, regarding using these two measures in combination, it was confirmed that the concentration of PM increased in the corridor when the air curtain was operated while the door was closed. It was confirmed that both ARCH-R and FAC-R are necessary for controlling the influx of fine dust from the outdoor air. Appropriate operating guidelines should be provided for school operators.

Biomonitoring trace metal contamination in Guangzhou urban parks using Asian tramp snails (Bradybaena similaris)

Anthropogenic activities have caused environmental metal contamination in urban areas. Biomonitoring using organisms such as invertebrates can evaluate metal pollution, supplementing chemical monitoring, which cannot comprehensively reflect how metals influence organisms in the urban environment. To assess metal contamination in Guangzhou urban parks and its source, Asian tramp snails (Bradybaena similaris) were collected from ten parks in Guangzhou in 2021. The metal concentrations (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were measured by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. We evaluated the metal distribution characteristics and correlations among metals. The probable sources of metals were determined by the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The metal pollution levels were analysed using the pollution index and the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index. The mean metal concentrations were ranked Al > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Cd > Pb; metal accumulation in the snails was ranked Al > Mn > CuFe > Cd > Zn > Pb. Pb-Zn-Al-Fe-Mn and Cd-Cu-Zn were positively correlated in all samples. Six major metal sources were identified: an Al-Fe factor corresponding to crustal rock and dust, an Al factor related to Al-containing products, a Pb factor indicative of traffic and industries, a Cu-Zn-Cd factor dominated by the electroplating industry and vehicle sources, an Mn factor reflecting fossil fuel combustion, and a Cd-Zn factor related to agricultural product use. The pollution evaluation suggested heavy Al pollution, moderate Mn pollution, and light Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn pollution in the snails. Dafushan Forest Park was heavily polluted; Chentian Garden and Huadu Lake National Wetland Park were not widely contaminated. The results indicated that B. similaris snails can be used as effective biomarkers for monitoring and evaluating environmental metal pollution in megacity urban areas. The findings show that snail biomonitoring provides a valuable understanding of the migration and accumulation pathways of anthropogenic metal pollutants in soil‒plant-snail food chains.