1
|
Sinha A, Ischia G, Straffelini G, Gialanella S. A new sample preparation protocol for SEM and TEM particulate matter analysis. Ultramicroscopy 2021; 230:113365. [PMID: 34358961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2021.113365] [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: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A new methodology has been developed to prepare electron microscopy, both SEM and TEM, specimens starting from particulate matter collected using environmental sampling systems. The approach is based on the extraction of the particles to be analyzed from the harvesting substrates. The extracted particles can be directly observed in an SEM, possibly in low-vacuum mode to prevent electrical charging. In order to prepare electron transparent samples, TEM observations require a further step, consisting in embedding the particles in an electron transparent carbon film deposited before dissolving the acetate extracting substrate. The protocol has been tested by analyzing particles collected during bench tests on brake pads and discs, carried out on a dynamometer equipped with a particulate matter sampling apparatus. The main advantages of the approach are: the complete extraction of the particulate matter specimens from the original substrates, that in this way do not interfere with the analyses; the extracted samples retain the topological information of the collection in the specimens prepared for SEM; possibility to be applied to any kind of particulate matter harvesting substrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Sinha
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Gloria Ischia
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Giovanni Straffelini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Stefano Gialanella
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kumari S, Jain MK, Elumalai SP. Assessment of Pollution and Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Particulate Matter and Road Dust Along the Road Network of Dhanbad, India. J Health Pollut 2021; 11:210305. [PMID: 33815903 PMCID: PMC8009640 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-11.29.210305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rise in particulate matter (PM) concentrations is a serious problem for the environment. Heavy metals associated with PM10, PM2.5, and road dust adversely affect human health. Different methods have been used to assess heavy metal contamination in PM10, PM2.5, and road dust and source apportionment of these heavy metals. These assessment tools utilize pollution indices and health risk assessment models. OBJECTIVES The present study evaluates the total mass and average concentrations of heavy metals in PM10, PM2.5, and road dust along selected road networks in Dhanbad, India, analyzes the source apportionment of heavy metals, and assesses associated human health risks. METHODS A total of 112 PM samples and 21 road dust samples were collected from six stations and one background site in Dhanbad, India from December 2015 to February 2016, and were analyzed for heavy metals (iron (Fe), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn)) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Source apportionment was determined using principal component analysis. A health risk assessment of heavy metal concentrations in PM10, PM2.5, and road dust was also performed. RESULTS The average mass concentration was found to be 229.54±118.40 μg m-3 for PM10 and 129.73 ±61.74 μg m-3 for PM2.5. The average concentration of heavy metals was found to be higher in PM2.5 than PM10. The pollution load index value of PM10 and PM2.5 road dust was found to be in the deteriorating category. Vehicles were the major source of pollution. The non-carcinogenic effects on children and adults were found to be within acceptable limits. The heavy metals present in PM and road dust posed a health risk in the order of road dust> PM10> and PM2.5. Particulate matter posed higher health risks than road dust due to particle size. CONCLUSIONS The mass concentration analysis indicates serious PM10 and PM2.5 contamination in the study area. Vehicle traffic was the major source of heavy metals in PM10, PM2.5, and road dust. In terms of non-carcinogenic risks posed by heavy metals in the present study, children were more affected than adults. The carcinogenic risk posed by the heavy metals was negligible. COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Kumari
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand -826004 (India)
| | - Manish Kumar Jain
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand -826004 (India)
| | - Suresh Pandian Elumalai
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Jharkhand -826004 (India)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yan J, Jin L, Lin D, Lai CH, Xu Z, Wang R, Chen YC, Hu B, Lin CH. PM 2.5 collecting in a tire manufacturing plant affects epithelial differentiation of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells by Wnt/β-catenin pathway. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 244:125441. [PMID: 31812768 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into pulmonary epithelial cells by Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promote lung repair. However, whether fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could affect Wnt pathway and finally reduce the ability of MSCs to differentiate into epithelial cells is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether PM2.5 could inhibit the epithelial differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs cells (hUCMSCs) and the related underlying mechanism. hUCMSCs were incubated with different concentrations of PM2.5. Then, the cell viability, reactive oxygen species level, and single-cell sphere formation were assessed. The underlying mechanism of PM2.5 in epithelial differentiation of hUCMSCs was further evaluated by co-culturing hUCMSCs with A549 cells. Our results demonstrated that PM2.5 exposures could affect the expressions of β-catenin and lung epithelial markers (zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1); cytokeratins 5 and 19) in the co-cultured hUCMSCs. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in regulating the epithelial differentiation of MSCs. As expected, co-treatment with Wnt3a, which is the activator of the Wnt pathway, attenuated the downregulation of lung epithelial markers (ZO-1; cytokeratins 5 and 19) and paracrine factors (keratinocyte growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor) caused by PM2.5. Altogether, these results demonstrated that PM2.5 could affect the epithelial differentiation of hUCMSCs via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Yan
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lifang Jin
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Derong Lin
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chia-Hsiang Lai
- Department of Safety Health and Environmental Engineering, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Zhongjuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Renjun Wang
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu City, Shandong, China
| | - Yi-Chun Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, National Formosa University, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Baowei Hu
- School of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chia-Hua Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, National Formosa University, Yunlin, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Brostrøm A, Kling KI, Koponen IK, Hougaard KS, Kandler K, Mølhave K. Improving the foundation for particulate matter risk assessment by individual nanoparticle statistics from electron microscopy analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8093. [PMID: 31147577 PMCID: PMC6542787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44495-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the major contributors to the global burden of disease, with particulate matter (PM) as one of its central concerns. Thus, there is a great need for exposure and risk assessments associated with PM pollution. However, current standard measurement techniques bring no knowledge of particle composition or shape, which have been identified among the crucial parameters for toxicology of inhaled particles. We present a method for collecting aerosols via impaction directly onto Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) grids, and based on the measured impactor collection efficiency and observed impact patterns we establish a reproducible imaging routine for automated Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. The method is validated by comparison to scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) measurements, where a good agreement is found between the particle size distributions (PSD), ensuring a representative description of the sampled aerosol. We furthermore determine sampling conditions for achieving optimal particle coverage on the TEM grids, allowing for a statistical analysis. In summary, the presented method can provide not only a representative PSD, but also detailed statistics on individual particle geometries. If coupled with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis elemental compositions can be assessed as well. This makes it possible to categorize particles both according to size and shape e.g. round and fibres, or agglomerates, as well as classify them based on their elemental composition e.g. salt, soot, or metals. Combined this method brings crucial knowledge for improving the foundation for PM risk assessments on workplaces and in ambient conditions with complex aerosol pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Brostrøm
- National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization (DTU Nanolab), Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Kirsten Inga Kling
- National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization (DTU Nanolab), Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ismo Kalevi Koponen
- Metrology and Air Environment, Force Technology, 2605, Brøndbyvester, Denmark
| | | | - Konrad Kandler
- Institut für Angewandte Geowissenschaften, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Kristian Mølhave
- National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization (DTU Nanolab), Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bharti SK, Kumar D, Anand S, Poonam, Barman SC, Kumar N. Characterization and morphological analysis of individual aerosol of PM 10 in urban area of Lucknow, India. Micron 2017; 103:90-98. [PMID: 29031165 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Airborne particulate matters were collected during the period of October 2015 to September 2016 in Lucknow at different sampling sites. The annual mean concentration of particulate matter was found to be relatively higher than the limits prescribed by National ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO). Particulate matters were studied for morphological analysis, elemental composition and functional group variability with the help of Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) followed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Morphological characteristics viz. particle count, aspect ratio, circulatory, roundness, equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) and surface area revealed that the particles were perfectly spherical to irregular in shape. Based on the morphology and elemental composition, four clusters of a particulates namely organic particle with inorganic inclusion, soot, tar balls and aluminosilicates were found. FTIR spectra revealed the presence of sulfate, bisulfate, particulate water, silicate, ammonium, aliphatic carbon, aliphatic alcohol, carbonyl and organic nitrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sushil Kumar Bharti
- Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dhananjay Kumar
- Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sangeeta Anand
- Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Poonam
- Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shymal Chandra Barman
- Environmental Monitoring Division, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Narendra Kumar
- Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tiwari S, Pipal AS, Hopke PK, Bisht DS, Srivastava AK, Tiwari S, Saxena PN, Khan AH, Pervez S. Study of the carbonaceous aerosol and morphological analysis of fine particles along with their mixing state in Delhi, India: a case study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:10744-10757. [PMID: 25758418 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4272-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Because of high emissions of anthropogenic as well as natural particles over the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), it is important to study the characteristics of fine (PM2.5) and inhalable particles (PM10), including their morphology, physical and chemical characteristics, etc., in Delhi during winter 2013. The mean mass concentrations of fine (PM2.5) and inhalable (PM10) (continuous) was 117.6 ± 79.1 and 191.0 ± 127.6 μg m(-3), respectively, whereas the coarse mode (PM10-2.5) particle PM mass was 73.38 ± 28.5 μg m(-3). During the same period, offline gravimetric monitoring of PM2.5 was conducted for morphological analysis, and its concentration was ~37 % higher compared to the continuous measurement. Carbonaceous PM such as organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) were analyzed on the collected filters, and their mean concentration was respectively 33.8 and 4.0 μg m(-3) during the daytime, while at night it was 41.2 and 10.1 μg m(-3), respectively. The average OC/EC ratio was 8.97 and 3.96 during the day and night, respectively, indicating the formation of secondary organic aerosols during daytime. Effective carbon ratio was studied to see the effect of aerosols on climate, and its mean value was 0.52 and 1.79 during night and day, indicating the dominance of absorbing and scattering types of aerosols respectively into the atmosphere over the study region. Elemental analysis of individual particles indicates that Si is the most abundant element (~37-90 %), followed by O (oxide) and Al. Circularity and aspect ratio was studied, which indicates that particles are not perfectly spherical and not elongated in any direction. Trajectory analysis indicated that in the months of February and March, air masses appear to be transported from the Middle Eastern part along with neighboring countries and over Thar Desert region, while in January it was from the northeast direction which resulted in high concentrations of fine particles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Tiwari
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, New Delhi, India, 110060
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Identification and Characterization of Particulate Matter Concentrations at Construction Jobsites. SUSTAINABILITY 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/su6117666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|