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Branco PTBS, Sousa SIV, Dudzińska MR, Ruzgar DG, Mutlu M, Panaras G, Papadopoulos G, Saffell J, Scutaru AM, Struck C, Weersink A. A review of relevant parameters for assessing indoor air quality in educational facilities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 261:119713. [PMID: 39094896 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in educational facilities is crucial due to the extended time students spend in those environments, affecting their health, academic performance, and attendance. This paper aimed to review relevant parameters (building characteristics and factors related with occupancy and activities) for assessing IAQ in educational facilities, and to identify the parameters to consider when performing an IAQ monitoring campaign in schools. It also intended to identify literature gaps and suggest future research directions. A narrative literature review was conducted, focusing on seven key parameters: building location, layout and construction materials, ventilation and air cleaning systems, finishing materials, occupant demographics, occupancy, and activities. The findings revealed that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels were predominantly influenced by classroom occupancy and ventilation rates, while particulate matter (PM) concentrations were significantly influenced by the building's location, design, and occupant activities. Furthermore, this review highlighted the presence of other pollutants, such as trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and radon, linking them to specific factors within the school environment. Different IAQ patterns, and consequently different parameters, were observed in various school areas, including classrooms, canteens, gymnasiums, computer rooms, and laboratories. While substantial literature exists on IAQ in schools, significant gaps still remain. This study highlighted the need for more studies in middle and high schools, as well as in other indoor microenvironments within educational settings beyond classrooms. Additionally, it underscored the need for comprehensive exposure assessments, long-term studies, and the impacts of new materials on IAQ including the effects of secondary reactions on surfaces. Seasonal variations and the implications of emerging technologies were also identified as requiring further investigation. Addressing those gaps through targeted research and considering the most updated standards and guidelines for IAQ, could lead to define more effective strategies for improving IAQ and safeguarding the students' health and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro T B S Branco
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Marzenna R Dudzińska
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 38D, 20-618, Lublin, Poland.
| | | | - Mustafa Mutlu
- Vocational School of Yenisehir Ibrahim Orhan, Bursa Uludag University, 16900, Yenisehir, Turkey.
| | - Georgios Panaras
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, 50131, Greece.
| | - Giannis Papadopoulos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, 50131, Greece.
| | | | | | - Christian Struck
- Saxion University of Applied Science, Sustainable Building Technology, M. H. Tromplaan 28, 7513 AB, Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | - Annemarie Weersink
- Saxion University of Applied Science, Sustainable Building Technology, M. H. Tromplaan 28, 7513 AB, Enschede, the Netherlands.
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Zumrut IB, Kale OA, Tetik YO, Baradan S. Mitigation strategies to reduce particulate matter concentrations in civil engineering laboratories. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:12340-12350. [PMID: 38231331 PMCID: PMC10869401 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31926-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In the departments of civil engineering, many experiments are conducted in laboratories for educational and research purposes. Varying degrees of respirable dust are generated as the outcome of these experiments, which could cause harm to instructors' and students' health. This study is devised to highlight the importance of indoor air quality in university laboratories. As part of the research, four different particulate matter (PM) sizes (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, and PM10) were measured during specific experiments-sieve analysis, preparation of the concrete mixture, crushing aggregate by jaw crusher, dynamic triaxial compression test, sieve analysis of silt specimen, cleaning sieve by an air compressor, and proctor compaction test-being conducted periodically in the laboratories of civil engineering departments. The measured values are mainly high compared to indoor air quality standards. Mitigation strategies were applied to reduce indoor air PM levels in the three experiments that contained the highest PM levels. The results have shown that mitigation strategies applied as control measures could make a remarkable difference in protecting instructors and civil engineering students.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ozge Akboga Kale
- Department of Civil Engineering, Izmir Demokrasi University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yilmaz Ogunc Tetik
- Department of Civil Engineering, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Selim Baradan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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Khajooee N, Modabberi S, Khoshmanesh Zadeh B, Razavian F, Gayà-Caro N, Sierra J, Rovira J. Contamination level, spatial distribution, and sources of potentially toxic elements in indoor settled household dusts in Tehran, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:56. [PMID: 38270787 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01838-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Tehran, the capital city of Iran, has been facing air pollution for several decades due to rapid urbanization, population growth, improper vehicle use, and the low quality of fuels. In this study, 31 indoor dust samples were collected passively from residential and commercial buildings located in the central and densely populated districts of the city. These samples were analyzed after preparation to measure the concentration of elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V, Zn). Statistical data analyses were employed to compare their relationship across various uses, variations, and for source identification. Geochemical indices of contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) were utilized to evaluate the degree of contamination. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Pb (938, 206, and 176 µg g-1, respectively) are 6, 5, and 3 times higher than their mean values in worldwide urban soils. Additionally, Cd, Mo, and Ni showed concentrations about 1.5 times higher, while As, Co, Cr, Mn, and Sr fell within the range of reference soils. Be, V, and Sb displayed remarkably lower mean values. Building use did not significantly influence element levels in indoor deposited dust except for Pb and Zn. A comparison of indoor concentrations with previously published data for outdoor dusts revealed higher enrichments of Mo, Cu, Pb, and Ni, while As, Cd, and Zn showed lower enrichments in street dust samples. The order of CF values indicated Hg > Zn > Cd > Pb > Cu > As > Ni > Cr > Co > V. For Hg, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu, all or almost all samples exhibited very high contamination. PLI values were consistently higher than 1, indicating contamination in all samples. Multivariate statistical analysis and Tehran's specific geological location suggested that mafic-intermediate volcanic rocks are primary sources for Cr, Cu, Fe, and Ni (PC1). As, Pb, and V (PC2) were attributed to fossil fuel combustion in vehicles and residential buildings. Pb is a legacy metal remaining from the use of leaded gasoline, which was phased out in the 1990s. Zn (PC3) is derived from vehicle tires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Khajooee
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soroush Modabberi
- School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Behnoush Khoshmanesh Zadeh
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Razavian
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nuria Gayà-Caro
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Jordi Sierra
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Joan XXIII s/n Avenue, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Paisos Catalans Avenue 26, 43007, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
- Center of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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Zhang F, Tang H, Zhao D, Zhang X, Zhu S, Zhao G, Zhang X, Li T, Wei J, Li D, Zhu W. Short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter and mortality among HIV/AIDS patients: Case-crossover evidence from all counties of Hubei province, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159410. [PMID: 36257445 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has been a worrisome public health problem in the world. However, evidence for associations between short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) and mortality among HIV/AIDS patients is scarce. METHODS We collected daily death records in people with HIV/AIDS from all counties (N = 103) of Hubei province, China from 2018 to 2019. The county-level daily concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 in the same period were extracted from ChinaHighAirPollutants dataset. A time-stratified case-crossover design with conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between PM and mortality. RESULTS Each 1 μg/m3 increased in PM1 corresponded with 0.89 % elevated in all-cause deaths (ACD) at lag 0-4 days. The largest effects of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 on AIDS-related deaths (ARD) were detected at lag 0-4 days, and PM1 [percent changes in odds ratio: 2.51 % (95 % CIs: 0.82, 4.22)] appeared greater health hazards than PM2.5 [1.24 % (95 % CIs: 0.33, 2.15)] as well as PM10 [0.65 % (95 % CIs: 0.01, 1.30)]. In subgroup analyses, the significant associations of PM1/PM2.5 and ACD were only found in male and the cold season. We also observed the effects of PM1 and PM10 on ARD were significantly stronger (P for interaction <0.05) in males than females. In addition, we caught sight of HIV/AIDS patients aged over 60 years old were more susceptible to ARD caused by PM than younger population. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested PM1 was positively linked with the risk of ACD and ARD. Male patients with HIV/AIDS were more significantly susceptible to PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. PM1/PM2.5 appeared stronger associations with ARD in HIV/AIDS patients aged over 60 years old and in the cold season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faxue Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hen Tang
- Institute of Chronic Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Dingyuan Zhao
- Institute of Chronic Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Xupeng Zhang
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shijie Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Gaichan Zhao
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tianzhou Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
| | - Dejia Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Canepari S, Astolfi ML, Drago G, Ruggieri S, Tavormina EE, Cibella F, Perrino C. PM 2.5 elemental composition in indoor residential environments and co-exposure effects on respiratory health in an industrial area. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114630. [PMID: 36279913 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify and characterise indoor sources of particulate matter (PM) in domestic environments. 74 inhabited apartments located in the urban area of Gela (Sicily, Italy), close to a refinery, and in three villages of the hinterland were evaluated, in real-world conditions, for the elemental composition of PM2.5. The samples were collected simultaneously inside and outside each apartment for 48 h. In addition, two of the apartments were simultaneously studied for four weeks. The elemental composition of PM2.5 was determined by applying a chemical fractionation procedure followed by inductively-coupled plasma spectrometry analysis, with both optical emission and mass detection. The extractable, more bio-accessible fraction (ext), and the mineralised residual fraction (res) of each element were determined, thus increasing the selectivity of elements as source tracers. Indoor air in the considered apartments was affected by both outdoor pollution and specific indoor emission sources. The behaviour of each source was studied in detail, identifying a reliable tracer: Tires for soil, Asext for industrial sources, Vext for heavy oil combustion, Ce for cigarette smoking and Mo for the use of vacuum dust cleaners. Asext and Vext showed an excellent infiltration capacity, while the concentration of Tires was affected by a low infiltration capacity and by the contribution of particles re-suspension caused by the residents' movements. In the case of Ce and Mo, indoor concentrations were much higher than outdoor with a high variability among the apartments, due to the inhabitants' habits concerning cigarette smoke and use of electric appliances. To test the overall effect of the concomitant exposure to the identified sources on Wh12 M and on DDA, a WQS analysis was conducted. Cigarette smoking and heavily oil combustion driven the Wh12 M odds increase, while the DDA odds increase was mainly driven by heavily oil combustion and the use of vacuum dust cleaners.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Canepari
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy; C.N.R. Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St. (Rome), 00015, Italy.
| | - M L Astolfi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy.
| | - G Drago
- C.N.R. Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, 90146, Italy.
| | - S Ruggieri
- C.N.R. Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, 90146, Italy.
| | - E E Tavormina
- C.N.R. Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, 90146, Italy.
| | - F Cibella
- C.N.R. Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, 90146, Italy.
| | - C Perrino
- C.N.R. Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St. (Rome), 00015, Italy.
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Zhang F, Zhang X, Zhu S, Zhao G, Li T, Han A, Zhang X, Zhao T, Li D, Zhu W. The associations between short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter and hospitalizations for osteoporotic fracture in Hangzhou: a time-stratified case-crossover study. Arch Osteoporos 2022; 18:4. [PMID: 36469172 DOI: 10.1007/s11657-022-01192-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Our results suggested that short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) might increase the risks of hospitalizations for osteoporotic fractures. Government should protect its citizens by putting in place policies to reduce unhealthy emissions and air pollution. INTRODUCTION Osteoporotic fractures are accompanied by high rates of disability and mortality. PM has been linked with many health outcomes. However, few studies focus on the association of short-term exposure to ambient PM and osteoporotic fractures. METHODS Data on daily mean air pollution, meteorological factors, and hospitalizations for osteoporotic fractures were collected from Hangzhou, China, 2020-2021. A time-stratified case-crossover design with extended Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to assess the associations between PM and osteoporotic fractures. RESULTS Short-term exposure to PM significantly increased the risks of hospitalizations for osteoporotic fractures at cumulative lag days. Per 10 μg/m3 increased in PM2.5 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm), PMC (PM with an aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 μm and 10 μm), and PM10 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm) were associated with 5.65% (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.29, 10.19), 3.19% (0.11, 6.36), and 2.45% (0.57, 4.37) increase in hospitalizations for osteoporotic fractures, respectively. Significant PM-osteoporotic fracture associations were only observed in females and people aged over 65 years old. For the season, the estimates of PM on hospitalizations for osteoporotic fractures were 6.30% (95% CIs: 1.62, 11.20) in the cold season vs. 2.16% (95% CIs: - 4.62, 9.42) in the warm season for per 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5, and 0.99 (95% CIs: - 2.69, 4.80) vs. 6.72% (95% CIs: 0.68, 13.13) for PMC. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed PM was positively linked with the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Females and people aged over 65 years old were more susceptible to PM. The adverse impacts of PM2.5 in the cold season and PMC in the warm season were worthy of special attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faxue Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xupeng Zhang
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shijie Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Gaichan Zhao
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tianzhou Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Aojing Han
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tingxiao Zhao
- Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
| | - Dejia Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Ryan I, Deng X, Thurston G, Khwaja H, Romeiko X, Zhang W, Marks T, Ye B, Lin S. Measuring students' exposure to particulate matter (PM) pollution across microenvironments and seasons using personal air monitors. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 195:103. [PMID: 36374344 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10624-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) pollution is a significant concern in public health, yet children's exposure is not adequately characterized. This study evaluated PM exposures among primary school-aged children in NYS across different microenvironments. This study helps fill existing knowledge gaps by characterizing PM exposure among this population across seasons and microenvironments. Sixty students were recruited from randomly selected public primary schools representing various socioeconomic statuses. Individual real-time exposure to PM2.5 was measured continuously using AirBeam personal monitors for 48 h. Children were consistently exposed to higher PM2.5 concentrations in the fall (median: fall = 2.84, spring = 2.31, winter = 0.90 µg/m3). At school, 2.19% of PM2.5 measurements exceeded the EPA annual fine particle standard, 12 µg/m3 (winter = 7.38%, fall = 2.39%, spring = 1.38%). In classrooms, PM1-4 concentrations were higher in spring and overnight, while PM7-10 concentrations were higher in fall and school hours. At home, 37.2% of fall measurements exceeded EPA standards (spring = 10.39%, winter = 4.37%). Overall, PM2.5 levels in classrooms and during transportation never rose above the EPA standard for any significant length of time. However, PM2.5 levels routinely exceeded these standards at home, in the fall, and the evening. More extensive studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Ryan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Xinlei Deng
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - George Thurston
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Haider Khwaja
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Xiaobo Romeiko
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Wangjian Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Tia Marks
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Bo Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
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Mainka A, Fantke P. Preschool children health impacts from indoor exposure to PM 2.5 and metals. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 160:107062. [PMID: 34959196 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the relation between children health and indoor air quality, we measured the concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and 11 metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium, and zinc) from air samples taken during both winter and spring, and focused on urban and rural area kindergartens of the Upper Silesia Region, Poland, typified by the use of fossil fuels for power and heat purposes. We combined related inhalation intake estimates for children and health effects using separate dose-response approaches for PM2.5 and metals. Results show that impacts on children from exposure to PM2.5 was 7.5 min/yr, corresponding to 14 μDALY/yr (DALY: disability-adjusted life years) with 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3-164 min/yr, which is approximately 10 times lower than cumulative impacts from exposure to the metal components in the PM2.5 fraction of indoor air (median 76 min/yr; CI: 0.2-4.5 × 103 min/yr). Highest metal-related health impacts were caused by exposure to hexavalent chromium. The average combined cancer and non-cancer effects for hexavalent chromium were 55 min/yr, corresponding to 104 μDALY/yr, with CI: 0.5 to 8.0 × 104 min/yr. Health impacts on children varied by season and across urban and rural sites, both as functions of varying PM2.5 metal compositions influenced by indoor and outdoor emission sources. Our study demonstrates the need to consider indoor environments for evaluating health impacts of children, and can assist decision makers to focus on relevant impact reduction and indoor air quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mainka
- Department of Air Protection, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Esplugas R, Rovira J, Mari M, Fernández-Arribas J, Eljarrat E, Domingo JL, Schuhmacher M. Emerging and legacy flame retardants in indoor air and dust samples of Tarragona Province (Catalonia, Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150494. [PMID: 34844308 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Flame retardants (FRs) are widely used in consumer products including furniture foam and electronic equipment such as computers, monitors and TVs. Over time, FRs can easily migrate into the surrounding environments. Since brominated FRs (BFRs) has been determined of high concern due to their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and potential toxicity, novel FRs have emerged. The present study was aimed at identifying and quantifying the indoor levels of 41 legacy and novel FRs, which include 20 OPFRs and 21 HFRs (8 PBDEs, 3 HBCDDs, 5 NBFRs and 5 DECs) in Tarragona Province (Catalonia, Spain). The results have confirmed the presence of both legacy and novel FRs in air and dust of homes, schools and offices. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first European study measuring OPFRs at office environments and also confirming the presence of the following OPFRs: TEP, TCIPP, T2IPPP, TPPO, DCP, TMCP and B4IPPPP in indoor air, even some of them at high levels. OPFRs in general and TCIPP in particular showed high concentrations in air (94,599 pg/m3 and 72,281 pg/m3, respectively) and dust (32,084 ng/g and 13,496 ng/g, respectively) samples collected in indoor environments. HBCDDs were found at high levels in dust (32,185 ng/g), whereas the presence of PBDEs and DECs were low in both matrices (<160 pg/m3 in air and <832 ng/g in dust). NBFRs showed higher levels than the two legacy FRs groups, which is supported by the current restrictions of these FRs (640 pg/m3 in air and 1291 ng/g in dust). Samples of schools had significantly lower levels of NBFRs, but significantly higher concentrations of HFRs in air than in home samples, while dust levels of HFRs were significantly lower than those in samples of offices. Regarding human health risks, the current assessment suggests that those derived from exposure to FRs were lower -although close- to assumable risks, evidencing the potential of FRs for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, mainly due to the exposure to TCIPP, which was the main contributor together with ΣHBCDDs and also EHDPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Esplugas
- Environmental Analysis and Management Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Environmental Analysis and Management Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
| | - Montse Mari
- Environmental Analysis and Management Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Julio Fernández-Arribas
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ethel Eljarrat
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Marta Schuhmacher
- Environmental Analysis and Management Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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10
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Characterization and Filtration Efficiency of Sustainable PLA Fibers Obtained via a Hybrid 3D-Printed/Electrospinning Technique. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14226766. [PMID: 34832169 PMCID: PMC8624897 DOI: 10.3390/ma14226766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The enormous world demand for personal protective equipment to face the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has revealed two main weaknesses. On one hand, centralized production led to an initial shortage of respirators; on the other hand, the world demand for single-use equipment has had a direct and inevitable effect on the environment. Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and renewable thermoplastic polyester, mainly derived from corn starch. Electrospinning is an established and reproducible method to obtain nano- and microfibrous materials with a simple apparatus, characterized by high air filtration efficiencies. In the present work, we designed and optimized an open-source electrospinning setup, easily realizable with a 3D printer and using components widely available, for the delocalized production of an efficient and sustainable particulate matter filter. Filters were realized on 3D-printed PLA support, on which PLA fibers were subsequently electrospun. NaCl aerosol filtration tests exhibited an efficiency greater than 95% for aerosol having an equivalent diameter greater than 0.3 μm and a fiber diameter comparable to the commercially available FFP2 melt-blown face mask. The particulate entrapped by the filters when operating in real environments (indoors, outdoors, and working scenario) was also investigated, as well as the amount of heavy metals potentially released into the environment after filtration activity.
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11
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Rovira J, Nadal M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL. Environmental impact and human health risks of air pollutants near a large chemical/petrochemical complex: Case study in Tarragona, Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 787:147550. [PMID: 33991912 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chemical industries and oil refineries are known emission sources of environmental contaminants, such as metals/metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), among others. Based on the toxicological potential of these pollutants, harmful health effects can be expected for the population living near these facilities. One of the largest chemical/petrochemical complexes in Europe is located in Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain). In the last two decades, a number of investigations aimed at assessing the environmental impact of air pollutants potentially emitted by this industrial complex have been carried out. The present paper is a review of the available scientific information on the levels of air pollutants related with the activities of this chemical/petrochemical complex. Although there are currently some data on the environmental burdens of metals/metalloids, PAHs, VOCs and PCDD/Fs, there is an evident lack of specific biological monitoring studies on human health. Taking into account the amount of chemicals released to air and their toxicity, it is essential to perform an in-depth analysis of the current health status of the population living in Tarragona County.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Rovira
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Martí Nadal
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marta Schuhmacher
- Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
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12
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Ciobanu C, Istrate IA, Tudor P, Voicu G. Dust Emission Monitoring in Cement Plant Mills: A Case Study in Romania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179096. [PMID: 34501682 PMCID: PMC8431024 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents aspects of monitoring material dust emissions from stationary emission sources (monthly dust measurements performed on cement mill stacks-mill outlet and separator outlet). Additionally, the Portland cement mill technological process (its component parts), as well as the solutions regarding the reduction of the air emissions level, following the emission limit values (VLE), established in the integrated environmental authorization (AIM) from a cement factory in Romania, were analyzed. The paper focused on analyzing the data obtained in three different years for PM10 and dust concentrations (2018-2020). For each year, the measurements have been done in 3 months, each in a different season. The average values for each year for working conditions were: 30.22 mg/m3 (2018), 27.38 mg/m3 (2019), and 27.51 mg/m3 (2020) for working conditions and for normal conditions: 34.22 mg/m3 (2018), 30.49 mg/m3 (2019), and 30.16 mg/m3 (2020). For all 3 years, the values measured in spring were higher than the other two, both for work and normal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Ciobanu
- Department of Biotechnical System, Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (G.V.)
- Ceprocim Sa, Strada Preciziei 6, 062203 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Aura Istrate
- Department of Biotechnical System, Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (G.V.)
- Correspondence: (I.A.I.); (P.T.); Tel.: +40-723542609 (I.A.I.); +40-723850975 (P.T.)
| | - Paula Tudor
- Department of Management, Faculty of Entrepreneurship Business Engineering and Management, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (I.A.I.); (P.T.); Tel.: +40-723542609 (I.A.I.); +40-723850975 (P.T.)
| | - Gheorghe Voicu
- Department of Biotechnical System, Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (C.C.); (G.V.)
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13
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Wang T, Rovira J, Sierra J, Blanco J, Chen SJ, Mai BX, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL. Characterization of airborne particles and cytotoxicity to a human lung cancer cell line in Guangzhou, China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110953. [PMID: 33667474 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution by airborne particles is a serious health problem worldwide. The present study was aimed at investigating the concentrations and composition of total suspended particles (TSPs) and PM2.5 at various industrial/commercial sites of Guangzhou, a megacity of Southern China. Major and trace elements, ions and carbonaceous fraction were determined and main components were calculated. In addition, in order to assess the potential toxic on the respiratory system of these PM, cytotoxicity of size-fractionated particles (PM10-5.6, PM5.6-3.3, PM3.3-1.1, PM1.1-0.43) for a human lung cancer cell line (A549) was also investigated. Correlations between PM constituents and toxicity were assessed. Median levels of TSPs and PM2.5 in industrial/commercial sites were 206 and 57.7 μg/m3, respectively. Nickel, Cu, Mo, Mn, Pb, and Ti were the most abundant metals in TSPs and PM2.5. Industrial activities and coal combustion were the most important sources of carbonaceous particles in the zone. MTT assays showed that PM10-5.6 and PM1.1-0.43 had the highest and the lowest cytotoxicity to A549 cell lines, respectively. Inhalable particles around the manufacturing of metal facilities and formal waste treatment plants showed a high cytotoxicity to A549 cell lines. In general terms, no significant correlations were found between main components of PM and toxicity. However, W showed a significant correlation with cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China; School of Marine Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China; State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament D'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Jordi Sierra
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament D'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; Laboratory of Soil Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII S/n, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Blanco
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - She-Jun Chen
- Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Marta Schuhmacher
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament D'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
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Zhang S, Chen X, Wang J, Dai C, Gou Y, Wang H. Particulate air pollution and respiratory Haemophilus influenzae infection in Mianyang, southwest China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:10.1007/s11356-021-13103-5. [PMID: 33638077 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13103-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Particulate air pollution is correlated with many respiratory diseases. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between air particulate exposure and respiratory Heamophilus influenzae infection. Therefore, we detected respiratory Heamophilus influenzae infection by bacterial culture of sputum of patients, and we collected particulate air pollution data (including PM2.5 and PM10) from a national real-time urban air quality platform to analyze the relationship between particulate air pollution and respiratory Heamophilus influenzae infection. The mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were 37.58 μg/m3 and 58.44 μg/m3, respectively, showing particulate air pollution remains a severe issue in Mianyang. A total of 828 strains of Heamophilus influenzae were detected in sputum by bacterial culture. Multiple correspondence analysis suggested the heaviest particulate air pollution and the highest Heamophilus influenzae infection rates were all in winter, while the lowest particulate air pollution and the lowest Heamophilus influenzae infection rates were all in summer. In a single-pollutant model, each elevation of 10 μg/m3 of PM2.5, PM10, and PM2.5/10 (combined exposure level) increased the risk of respiratory Heamophilus influenzae infection by 34%, 23%, and 29%, respectively. Additionally, in the multiple-pollutant model, only PM2.5 was significantly associated with respiratory Heamophilus influenzae infection (B, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.87), showing PM2.5 is an independent risk factor for respiratory Heamophilus influenzae infection. In summary, this study highlights air particulate exposure could increase the risk of respiratory Heamophilus influenzae infection, implying that stronger measures need to be taken to protect against respiratory infection induced by particulate air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaocheng Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, 629000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, 12 Changjia Lane, Jingzhong St, Mianyang, 621000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, 12 Changjia Lane, Jingzhong St, Mianyang, 621000, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunmei Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, 12 Changjia Lane, Jingzhong St, Mianyang, 621000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yeran Gou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610017, Sichuan, China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Rd, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
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15
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Voliotis A, Bezantakos S, Besis A, Shao Y, Samara C. Mass dose rates of particle-bound organic pollutants in the human respiratory tract: Implications for inhalation exposure and risk estimations. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 234:113710. [PMID: 33618174 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
To date, little is known about the effective doses of airborne particulate matter (PM) and PM-bound hazardous organic components to the human respiratory tract (HRT). In the light of this, here we provide particle mass dose rates (dose per hour of exposure) of PM and a suite of PM-bound hazardous organic compounds in the HRT for two population age groups (adults & children). More specifically, the mass dose rates of PM and PM-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrated-PAH (NPAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were estimated at two urban sites using a multiple path particle dosimetry model. We find that, in most cases, the total mass doses are following similar variations across sites and seasons as their ambient total concentrations, however their distribution in the HRT is a function of the particle size distributions and the physiological parameters of each age group. More specifically, the majority of the deposited mass of PM and all the chemical components investigated was accumulated in the upper airways instead of the lungs. We further show that children, due to their different physiology, are more susceptible and receive larger fraction of the total mass doses in the deepest parts of the lungs compared to the adults' group. Comparing the traditional method for estimating the inhalation risk, which is based on the ambient concentration of pollutants, and a modified version using the mass dose in the HRT, we find that the former may overestimate the reported risks. The results presented here provide a novel dataset composed by previously undetermined doses of hazardous airborne particulate organic components in the HRT and demonstrate that alternative health risk estimation approaches may capture some variabilities that are traditionally overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristeidis Voliotis
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, M139PL, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Spyridon Bezantakos
- Advanced Integrated Technology Solutions and Services (ADITESS) LTD, Nicosia, 2064, Cyprus; Energy Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, 1645, Cyprus
| | - Athanasios Besis
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Yunqi Shao
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, M139PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Constantini Samara
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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16
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Bioaerosol Contribution to Atmospheric Particulate Matter in Indoor University Environments. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13031149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Within the framework of the project “Integrated Evaluation of Indoor Particulate Exposure”, we carried out a 4-week field study to determine indoor bioaerosol, and its contribution to particulate matter (PM)10 and organic matter. The study was carried out in university classrooms, where most of the common indoor sources of atmospheric particles are missing. Bioaerosol was determined by a method based on propidium iodide staining, observation by fluorescence microscopy, and image analysis. Indoor bioaerosol concentrations were compared with outdoor values, which were determined simultaneously. The samplings periods were scheduled to divide weekday hours, when the students were inside, from night-time hours and weekends. Very high bioaerosol concentrations were detected inside the classrooms with respect to outdoor values. The mean difference was 49 μg/m3 when the students were inside, 5.4 μg/m3 during the night, and it became negative during the weekends. Indoor-to-outdoor ratios were 6.0, 4.2, and 0.7, respectively. Bioaerosol contributed 26% to organics and 10% to PM10. In indoor samples collected during the day, the microscope images showed numerous skin fragments, which were mostly responsible for the increase in the bioaerosol mass. People’s presence proved to be responsible for a significant increase in bioaerosol concentration in crowded indoor environments.
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17
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Zhou X, Strezov V, Jiang Y, Yang X, Kan T, Evans T. Contamination identification, source apportionment and health risk assessment of trace elements at different fractions of atmospheric particles at iron and steelmaking areas in China. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230983. [PMID: 32240214 PMCID: PMC7117772 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
China has the largest share of global iron and steel production, which is considered to play a significant contribution to air pollution. This study aims to investigate trace element contamination at different fractions of particulate matter (PM) at industrial areas in China. Three PM fractions, PM2.1-9.0, PM1.1-2.1 and PM1.1, were collected from areas surrounding iron and steelmaking plants at Kunming, Wuhan, Nanjing and Ningbo in China. Multiple trace elements and their bioavailability, as well as Pb isotopic compositions, were analysed for identification of contaminants, health risk assessment and source apportionment. Results showed that PM particles in the sites near industrial areas were associated with a range of toxic trace elements, specifically As, Cr(VI), Cd and Mn, and posed significant health risks to humans. The isotopic Pb compositions identified that coal and high temperature metallurgical processes in the steelmaking process were the dominant contributors to local air pollution in these sites. In addition to iron and steelmaking activities, traffic emissions and remote pollution also played a contributing role in PM contamination, confirmed by the differences of Pb isotopic compositions at each PM fraction and statistical results from Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) and Geometrical Analysis for Interactive Aid (GAIA). The results presented in this study provide a comprehensive understanding of PM emissions at iron and steelmaking areas, which helps to guide subsequent updates of air pollution control guidelines to efficiently minimise environmental footprint and ensure long term sustainability of the industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoteng Zhou
- ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Vladimir Strezov
- ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yijiao Jiang
- ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Xiaoxia Yang
- ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tao Kan
- ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim Evans
- ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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18
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Wang T, Rovira J, Sierra J, Chen SJ, Mai BX, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL. Characterization and risk assessment of total suspended particles (TSP) and fine particles (PM 2.5) in a rural transformational e-waste recycling region of Southern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 692:432-440. [PMID: 31351287 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In 2016, total suspended particles (TSP) and fine particles (PM2.5) were collected near four e-waste recycling parks in a region of Southern China. TSP and PM2.5 levels and composition around these industrial activities were determined and the potential risks for human health due to the exposure to toxic elements contained on fine particles (PM2.5) were evaluated. Levels of TSP and PM2.5 were lower with advanced recycling methods than with small recycling e-waste workshops operating in the sampling region. The main trace elements in particles were Cu, Pb, and Ti, the same as those detected before the transition to advanced dismantling methods in e-waste recycling. Significantly higher levels of Cu, Pb, Sn, Te, Tl and NH4+ in TSP and Cu and Te in PM2.5 were found in e-waste recycling areas than in BG site. Taking Cu as the indicative element emitted from e-waste recycling activities, significant high positive correlations between Cu and W, and Cu and Te were found. These elements are present and can be released from electrical and electronical components during e-waste recycling processes. Exposure to elements for the population living near these e-waste recycling parks means carcinogenic risks above the acceptable threshold (>10-5).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Jordi Sierra
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; Laboratory of Soil Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - She-Jun Chen
- Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Marta Schuhmacher
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain
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