1
|
Vitucci ECM, Oladeji O, Presto AA, Cannon CL, Johnson NM. The application of PTR-MS and non-targeted analysis to characterize VOCs emitted from a plastic recycling facility fire. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41370-024-00681-y. [PMID: 38710768 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00681-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On April 11th, 2023, the My Way Trading (MWT) recycling facility in Richmond, Indiana caught fire, mandating the evacuation of local residents and necessitating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct air monitoring. The EPA detected elevated levels of plastic combustion-related air pollutants, including hydrogen cyanide and benzene. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify these and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present as well as to identify the potential hazard of each compound for various human health effects. METHODS To identify the VOCs, we conducted air monitoring at sites within and bordering the evacuation zone using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and non-targeted analysis (NTA). To facilitate risk assessment of the emitted VOCs, we used the EPA Hazard Comparison Dashboard. RESULTS We identified 46 VOCs, within and outside the evacuation zone, with average detection levels above local background levels measured in Middletown, OH. Levels of hydrogen cyanide and 4 other VOCs were at least 1.8-fold higher near the incidence site in comparison to background levels and displayed unique temporal and spatial patterns. The 46 VOCs identified had the highest hazardous potential for eye and skin irritation, with approximately 45% and 39%, respectively, of the VOCs classified as high and very high hazards for these endpoints. Notably, all detected VOC levels were below the hazard thresholds set for single VOC exposures; however, hazard thresholds for exposure to VOC mixtures are currently unclear. IMPACT This study serves as a proof-of-concept that PTR-MS coupled with NTA can facilitate rapid identification and hazard assessment of VOCs emitted following anthropogenic disasters. Furthermore, it demonstrates that this approach may augment future disaster responses to quantify additional VOCs present in complex combustion mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva C M Vitucci
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Oladayo Oladeji
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Albert A Presto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Carolyn L Cannon
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Natalie M Johnson
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zuidema C, Paulsen M, Simpson CD, Jovan SE. Evaluation of Orthotrichum lyellii moss as a biomonitor of diesel exhaust. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171306. [PMID: 38423310 PMCID: PMC10964952 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171306] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Exhaust from diesel combustion engines is an important contributor to urban air pollution and poses significant risk to human health. Diesel exhaust contains a chemical class known as nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) and is enriched in 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), which has the potential to serve as a marker of diesel exhaust. The isomeric nitro-PAHs 2-nitropyrene (2-NP) and 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NFL) are secondary pollutants arising from photochemical oxidation of pyrene and fluoranthene, respectively. Like other important air toxics, there is not extensive monitoring of nitro-PAHs, leading to gaps in knowledge about relative exposures and urban hotspots. Epiphytic moss absorbs water, nutrients, and pollutants from the atmosphere and may hold potential as an effective biomonitor for nitro-PAHs. In this study we investigate the suitability of Orthotrichum lyellii as a biomonitor of diesel exhaust by analyzing samples of the moss for 1-NP, 2-NP, and 2-NFL in the Seattle, WA metropolitan area. Samples were collected from rural parks, urban parks, residential, and commercial/industrial areas (N = 22 locations) and exhibited increasing concentrations across these land types. Sampling and laboratory method performance varied by nitro-PAH, but was generally good. We observed moderate to moderately strong correlation between 1-NP and select geographic variables, including summer normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within 250 m (r = -0.88, R2 = 0.77), percent impervious surface within 50 m (r = 0.83, R2 = 0.70), percent high development land use within 500 m (r = 0.77, R2 = 0.60), and distance to nearest secondary and connecting road (r = -0.75, R2 = 0.56). The relationships between 2-NP and 2-NFL and the geographic variables were generally weaker. Our results suggest O. lyellii is a promising biomonitor of diesel exhaust, specifically for 1-NP. To our knowledge this pilot study is the first to evaluate using moss concentrations of nitro-PAHs as biomonitors of diesel exhaust.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Zuidema
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 400 N 34th St., Seattle, WA 98103, USA
| | - Michael Paulsen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Christopher D Simpson
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Sarah E Jovan
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 1220 SW 3(rd) Ave., Suite 1410, Portland, OR 97204, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oladeji O, Saitas M, Mustapha T, Johnson NM, Chiu WA, Rusyn I, Robinson AL, Presto AA. Air Pollutant Patterns and Human Health Risk following the East Palestine, Ohio, Train Derailment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2023; 10:680-685. [PMID: 37577363 PMCID: PMC10413936 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
On February 3, 2023, a train carrying numerous hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, OH, spurring temporary evacuation of residents and a controlled burn of some of the hazardous cargo. Residents reported health symptoms, including headaches and respiratory, skin, and eye irritation. Initial data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stationary air monitors indicated levels of potential concern for air toxics based on hazard quotient calculations. To provide complementary data, we conducted mobile air quality sampling on February 20 and 21 using proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry. Measurements were taken at 1 s intervals along routes designed to sample both close to and farther from the derailment. Mobile air monitoring indicated that average concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylenes, and vinyl chloride were below minimal risk levels for intermediate and chronic exposures, similar to EPA stationary monitoring data. Levels of acrolein were high relative to those of other volatile organic compounds, with spatial analyses showing levels in East Palestine up to 6 times higher than the local rural background. Nontargeted analyses identified levels of additional unique compounds above background levels, some displaying spatiotemporal patterns similar to that of acrolein and others exhibiting distinct hot spots. These initial findings warrant follow-up mobile air quality monitoring to characterize longitudinal exposure and risk levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oladayo Oladeji
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Mariana Saitas
- Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health, Interdisciplinary Faculty
of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Toriq Mustapha
- Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health, Interdisciplinary Faculty
of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Natalie M. Johnson
- Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health, Interdisciplinary Faculty
of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Weihsueh A. Chiu
- Department
of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Faculty
of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department
of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Faculty
of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Allen L. Robinson
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Albert A. Presto
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon
University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
VoPham T, Jones RR. State of the science on outdoor air pollution exposure and liver cancer risk. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCES 2023; 11:100354. [PMID: 36875691 PMCID: PMC9984166 DOI: 10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Background There is emerging evidence that air pollution exposure increases the risk of developing liver cancer. To date, there have been four epidemiologic studies conducted in the United States, Taiwan, and Europe showing generally consistent positive associations between ambient exposure to air pollutants, including particulate matter <2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and liver cancer risk. There are several research gaps and thus valuable opportunities for future work to continue building on this expanding body of literature. The objectives of this paper are to narratively synthesize existing epidemiologic literature on the association between air pollution exposure and liver cancer incidence and describe future research directions to advance the science of understanding the role of air pollution exposure in liver cancer development. Future research directions include 1) accounting for potential confounding by established risk factors for the predominant histological subtype, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); 2) examination of incident primary liver cancer outcomes with consideration of potential differential associations according to histology; 3) air pollution exposure assessments considering early-life and/or historical exposures, residential histories, residual confounding from other sources of air pollution (e.g., tobacco smoking), and integration of geospatial ambient exposure modeling with novel biomarker technologies; 4) examination of air pollution mixtures experienced in the exposome; 5) consideration of increased opportunities for exposure to outdoor air pollution due to climate change (e.g., wildfires); and 6) consideration of modifying factors for air pollution exposure, such as socioeconomic status, that may contribute to disparities in liver cancer incidence. Conclusions In light of mounting evidence demonstrating that higher levels of air pollution exposure increase the risk for developing liver cancer, methodological considerations primarily concerning residual confounding and improved exposure assessment are warranted to robustly demonstrate an independent association for air pollution as a hepatocarcinogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trang VoPham
- Epidemiology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, 3980 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Rena R. Jones
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9609 Medical Center Drive MSC 9776, Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kwon HJ, Yang DS, Koo MS, Ji SM, Jeong J, Oh S, Kuk SK, Heo HS, Ham DJ, Kim M, Choi H, Lee JM, Shur JW, Lee WJ, Bin CO, Timofeev N, Wu H, Wang L, Lee T, Jacob DJ, Lee HC. Long-lifetime water-washable ceramic catalyst filter for air purification. Nat Commun 2023; 14:520. [PMID: 36792592 PMCID: PMC9932083 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36050-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are recognised as hazardous air pollutants threatening human health. Disposable filters are generally used for air purification despite frequent replacement and waste generation problems. However, the development of a novel regenerable and robust filter for long-term use is a huge challenge. Here, we report on a new class of facile water-washing regenerable ceramic catalyst filters (CCFs), developed to simultaneously remove PM (>95%) and VOCs (>82%) in single-pass and maximized space efficiency by coating the inner and outer filter channels with an inorganic membrane and a Cu2O/TiO2 photocatalyst, respectively. The CCFs reveal four-fold increase in the maximum dust loading capacity (approximately 20 g/L) in relation to conventional filters (5 g/L), and can be reused after ten regeneration capability with simple water washing retaining initial PM and VOC removal performances. Thus, the CCFs can be well-suited for indoor and outdoor air purification for 20 years, which shows a huge increase in lifetime compared to the 6-month lifespan of conventional filters. Finally, we believe that the development and implementation of CCFs for air purification can open new avenues for sustainable technology through renewability and zero-waste generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyuk Jae Kwon
- Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16678, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dong Sik Yang
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Min Seok Koo
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Min Ji
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Joonseon Jeong
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyeong Oh
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Su Keun Kuk
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-su Heo
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Jin Ham
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Mijong Kim
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoungwoo Choi
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Min Lee
- grid.419666.a0000 0001 1945 5898Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16678 Republic of Korea
| | - Joong-Won Shur
- Corning Technology Center Korea, Corning Precision Material Co., Ltd., 212 Tangjeong-ro, Tangjeong-myeun, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 31454 Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Lee
- Corning Technology Center Korea, Corning Precision Material Co., Ltd., 212 Tangjeong-ro, Tangjeong-myeun, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 31454 Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Ook Bin
- Corning Technology Center Korea, Corning Precision Material Co., Ltd., 212 Tangjeong-ro, Tangjeong-myeun, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 31454 Republic of Korea
| | - Nikolay Timofeev
- Corning Scientific Center; 26, lit.A, Shatelena St., St. Petersburg 194021 Russia
| | - Huiqing Wu
- Corning Research Center China; Block H, 200 Jinsu Road, Shanghai, 201206 China
| | - Liming Wang
- Corning Research Center China; Block H, 200 Jinsu Road, Shanghai, 201206 China
| | - Taewoo Lee
- Heesung Catalysts Co.; #507-1Da, 91, Somanggongwon-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do 15088 Republic of Korea
| | - Daniel J. Jacob
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XJohn A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Hyun Chul Lee
- Air Science Research Center (ASRC), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 130 Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16678, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen J, Ward TJ, Ho SSH, Ho KF. Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Personal PM 2.5-Bound Phthalates Exposure for Adults in Hong Kong. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13425. [PMID: 36294006 PMCID: PMC9602720 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We performed personal PM2.5 monitoring involving 56 adult residents in Hong Kong. Additionally, paired personal and residential indoor fine particle (PM2.5) samples were collected from 26 homes and from 3 fixed monitoring locations (i.e., outdoor samples). Six PM2.5-bound phthalate esters (PAEs)-including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)-were measured using a thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometer method. Average ∑6PAEs (i.e., summation of six PAE congeners) concentrations in personal PM2.5 exposure (699.4 ng/m3) were comparable with those in residential indoors (646.9 ng/m3), and both were slightly lower than the outdoor levels. DEHP was the most abundant PAE congener (80.3%-85.0%) and found at the highest levels in different exposure categories, followed by BBP, DnBP, and DnOP. Strong correlations were observed between DEHP with DnBP (rs: 0.81-0.90; p < 0.01), BBP (rs: 0.81-0.90; p < 0.01), and DnOP (rs: 0.87-0.93; p < 0.01) in each exposure category. However, no apparent intercorrelations were shown for PAE congeners. Higher indoor concentrations and a stronger correlation between DMP and DEP were found compared with outdoor concentrations. Principal component analysis affirmed heterogeneous distribution and notable variations in PAE sources across different exposure categories. The average daily intakes of ∑6PAEs and DEHP via inhalation were 0.14-0.17 and 0.12-0.16 μg/kg-day for adults in Hong Kong. A time-weighted model was used to estimate PAE exposures incorporating residential indoor and outdoor exposure and time activities. The inhalation cancer risks attributable to measured and estimated personal exposure to DEHP exceeded the U.S. EPA's benchmark (1 × 10-6). The results provide critical information for mitigation strategies, suggesting that PAEs from both ambient and indoor sources should be considered when exploring the inhalation health risks of PAEs exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayao Chen
- Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Tony J. Ward
- School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | - Steven Sai Hang Ho
- Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV 89512, USA
| | - Kin Fai Ho
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Paul S, Bari MA. Elucidating sources of VOCs in the Capital Region of New York State: Implications to secondary transformation and public health exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 299:134407. [PMID: 35341770 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134407] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban areas is of interest because of their potential adverse effects to public health. A study was carried out to elucidate ambient sources of VOCs in the Capital Region of New York State for the period 2015-2019. A combined dataset of VOCs and PM2.5 species was used in positive matrix factorization (PMF) model to better interpret the complex nature of different sources. Ten sources were revealed, where background source (3.8 μg/m3, 30%) was the largest contributor to VOCs, followed by petroleum-related emissions (2.9 μg/m3, 22%) and pyrolyzed oxygen (OP)-Elemental Carbon (EC2)-aldehydes-rich (2.7 μg/m3, 21%). Other notable VOC sources included methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)-rich, vehicular traffic, and biomass burning. Both OP-EC2-aldehydes-rich and petroleum-related emissions showed notable contribution to ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation, respectively. Observed mean carcinogenic risk values of benzene and formaldehyde and 95th percentiles risk values of 1,3-butadiene and acetaldehyde were above the USEPA acceptable level of 1x10-6 but below a tolerable risk of 1x10-4. Estimated carcinogenic risk values of OP-EC2-aldehydes-rich, vehicular traffic, background and petroleum-related emissions were above the USEPA acceptable cancer risk and posed greater risk to public health (more than 80% of total carcinogenic risk) compared to other sources. Due to lack of some VOC species data (e.g., alkanes, alkenes, terpenes, alcohols), other urban VOC sources e.g., fugitive emissions, fuel evaporation, unburned fuel were not identified. More work is needed to better understand the contribution of VOC sources to O3 and SOA formation in Albany and surrounding region. Findings can support policy makers in developing appropriate air quality management initiatives for the Capital Region in New York State.
Collapse
|
8
|
Jovan SE, Zuidema C, Derrien MM, Bidwell AL, Brinkley W, Smith RJ, Blahna D, Barnhill R, Gould L, Rodríguez AJ, Amacher MC, Abel TD, López P. Heavy metals in moss guide environmental justice investigation: A case study using community science in Seattle,
WA
,
USA. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Jovan
- USDA Forest Service PNW Research Station Portland Oregon USA
| | - Christopher Zuidema
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
| | - Monika M. Derrien
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station Seattle Washington USA
| | | | | | - Robert J. Smith
- USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management Program Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Dale Blahna
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station Seattle Washington USA
| | | | - Linn Gould
- Just Health Action Seattle Washington USA
| | | | - Michael C. Amacher
- Forest Environment Health Research & Consulting, LLC North Logan Utah USA
| | - Troy D. Abel
- Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy Western Washington University Bellingham Washington USA
| | - Paulina López
- Duwamish River Community Coalition Seattle Washington USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen WQ, Zhang XY. 1,3-Butadiene: a ubiquitous environmental mutagen and its associations with diseases. Genes Environ 2022; 44:3. [PMID: 35012685 PMCID: PMC8744311 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-021-00233-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a petrochemical manufactured in high volumes. It is a human carcinogen and can induce lymphohematopoietic cancers, particularly leukemia, in occupationally-exposed workers. BD is an air pollutant with the major environmental sources being automobile exhaust and tobacco smoke. It is one of the major constituents and is considered the most carcinogenic compound in cigarette smoke. The BD concentrations in urban areas usually vary between 0.01 and 3.3 μg/m3 but can be significantly higher in some microenvironments. For BD exposure of the general population, microenvironments, particularly indoor microenvironments, are the primary determinant and environmental tobacco smoke is the main contributor. BD has high cancer risk and has been ranked the second or the third in the environmental pollutants monitored in most urban areas, with the cancer risks exceeding 10-5. Mutagenicity/carcinogenicity of BD is mediated by its genotoxic metabolites but the specific metabolite(s) responsible for the effects in humans have not been determined. BD can be bioactivated to yield three mutagenic epoxide metabolites by cytochrome P450 enzymes, or potentially be biotransformed into a mutagenic chlorohydrin by myeloperoxidase, a peroxidase almost specifically present in neutrophils and monocytes. Several urinary BD biomarkers have been developed, among which N-acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-buten-1-yl)-L-cysteine is the most sensitive and is suitable for biomonitoring BD exposure in the general population. Exposure to BD has been associated with leukemia, cardiovascular disease, and possibly reproductive effects, and may be associated with several cancers, autism, and asthma in children. Collectively, BD is a ubiquitous pollutant that has been associated with a range of adverse health effects and diseases with children being a subpopulation with potentially greater susceptibility. Its adverse effects on human health may have been underestimated and more studies are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Qi Chen
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xin-Yu Zhang
- School of Public Health, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Amoatey P, Al-Mayahi A, Al-Harthy I, Al-Jabri K, Addi MN, Siddiqi SA, Sulaiman H, Al-Mamun A, Baawain MS. Characterization and exposure assessment to urban air toxics across Middle Eastern and North African countries: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:529. [PMID: 34322756 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09229-1] [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: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Middle East and North African (MENA) countries over the decades are experiencing rapid industrial and infrastructural growth combined with being the global hub of oil and gas industries. These economic transformations are associated with release of air pollutants including urban air toxics (UAT) through industrial, traffic, and constructional activities into ambient urban environments. UAT concentrations levels may exacerbate in most MENA countries considering high number of vehicular traffic populations and petrochemical industries which are one of the main sources of this pollutant. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to review major findings of UAT levels in urban areas across thirteen (13) MENA countries. The study characterizes various measured UAT, assesses their concentrations in ambient environment, and identifies their major sources of emissions by reviewing more than 100 relevant UAT papers across the selected MENA countries. It was found that benzene, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and dioxin-like compounds are the most reported UAT. The study concluded that road traffic, fuel stations, and petrochemical industries were identified as the main sources of ambient UAT levels. It was further reported that most of the studies were based on short-term ambient environment with limited studies in indoor environments. Therefore, it is highly recommended that future research should focus on innovative health impact assessment and epidemiological studies from exposure to UAT levels. Also embarking on sustainable mitigation approaches through urban greenery, eco-industrial estates infrastructural developments, and renewable energy shares will reduce UAT levels and improve human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Amoatey
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33 P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Ahmed Al-Mayahi
- Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34 P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Issa Al-Harthy
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33 P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Khalifa Al-Jabri
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33 P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Maxwell Nana Addi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Sajjad Ahmad Siddiqi
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33 P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Hameed Sulaiman
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 36 P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Abdullah Al-Mamun
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33 P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ames A, Weiler M, Valigosky M, Milz S, Akbar-Khanzadeh F. Personal formaldehyde exposure during the transportation of embalmed cadavers. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2021; 18:289-294. [PMID: 34010120 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2021.1919684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to the known carcinogen formaldehyde during embalming (the preservation of cadavers) has been well documented. Cadavers may be transported to universities on loan for training medical professionals in human anatomy courses. However, occupational formaldehyde exposure levels associated with the transportation of cadavers have not previously been published. Therefore, the current pilot study examined formaldehyde exposure during this process. Preserved intact cadavers (room temperature or cooled) were loaded into cargo vans at the source (lending) lab, driven to the destination (borrowing) lab, and unloaded. Dissected cadavers (room temperature) were picked up and loaded into the cargo vans at the destination lab and driven to and unloaded at the source lab. Formaldehyde samples were collected in the breathing zone of employees engaged in cadaver transportation and handling. The number of intact cadavers or dissected cadavers in each cargo van ranged from 4 to 13 bodies. Sample collection times associated with cadaver transportation and handling tasks ranged from 15 to 216 min per sample with formaldehyde concentrations up to 1.6 ppm. Median exposure levels during cadaver transportation tasks were (1) 1.4 ppm (intact room temperature cadavers); (2) 0.13 ppm (dissected room temperature cadavers); and (3) 0.018 ppm (intact cooled cadavers). The median exposure during cadaver handling (loading/unloading) was 0.05 ppm. The 8-hr time-weighted averages during cadaver transportation and handling ranged from 0.030 ppm (intact cooled cadavers and dissected room temperature cadavers) to 0.51 ppm (intact room temperature cadavers, and dissected room temperature cadavers), the latter of which exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommended time-weighted average threshold limit value of 0.1 ppm. It is recommended that cadavers be transported cooled, however not all facilities may have access to or utilize specialized cadaver storage such as a walk-in cooler. Therefore, alternate exposure prevention approaches should also be identified and implemented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- April Ames
- College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael Weiler
- College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael Valigosky
- College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Sheryl Milz
- College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Long CM, Briggs NL, Cochran BA, Mims DM. Health-based evaluation of ambient air measurements of PM 2.5 and volatile organic compounds near a Marcellus Shale unconventional natural gas well pad site and a school campus. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:614-627. [PMID: 33619364 PMCID: PMC8263344 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00298-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited air monitoring studies with long-term measurements during all phases of development and production of natural gas and natural gas liquids have been conducted in close proximity to unconventional natural gas well pads. OBJECTIVE Conducted in an area of Washington County, Pennsylvania, with extensive Marcellus Shale development, this study investigated whether operations at an unconventional natural gas well pad may contribute to ambient air concentrations of potential health concern at a nearby school campus. METHODS Almost 2 years of air monitoring for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was performed at three locations between 1000 and 2800 feet from the study well pad from December 2016 to October 2018. PM2.5 was measured continuously at one of the three sites using a beta attenuation monitor, while 24-h stainless steel canister samples were collected every 6 days at all sites for analysis of 58 VOCs. RESULTS Mean PM2.5 concentrations measured during the different well activity periods ranged from 5.4 to 9.5 μg/m3, with similar levels and temporal changes as PM2.5 concentrations measured at a regional background location. The majority of VOCs were either detected infrequently or not at all, with measurements for a limited number of VOCs indicating the well pad to be a source of small and transient contributions. SIGNIFICANCE All measurement data of PM2.5 and 58 VOCs, which reflect the cumulative contributions of emissions from the study well pad and other local/regional air pollutant sources (e.g., other well pads), were below health-based air comparison values, and thus do not provide evidence of either 24-hour or long-term air quality impacts of potential health concern at the school.
Collapse
|
13
|
McGraw KE, Riggs DW, Rai S, Navas-Acien A, Xie Z, Lorkiewicz P, Lynch J, Zafar N, Krishnasamy S, Taylor KC, Conklin DJ, DeFilippis AP, Srivastava S, Bhatnagar A. Exposure to volatile organic compounds - acrolein, 1,3-butadiene, and crotonaldehyde - is associated with vascular dysfunction. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110903. [PMID: 33636185 PMCID: PMC8119348 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Exposure to air pollution, specifically particulate matter of diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), is a well-established risk factor for CVD. However, the contribution of gaseous pollutant exposure to CVD risk is less clear. OBJECTIVE To examine the vascular effects of exposure to individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mixtures of VOCs. METHODS We measured urinary metabolites of acrolein (CEMA and 3HPMA), 1,3-butadiene (DHBMA and MHBMA3), and crotonaldehyde (HPMMA) in 346 nonsmokers with varying levels of CVD risk. On the day of enrollment, we measured blood pressure (BP), reactive hyperemia index (RHI - a measure of endothelial function), and urinary levels of catecholamines and their metabolites. We used generalized linear models for evaluating the association between individual VOC metabolites and BP, RHI, and catecholamines, and we used Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to assess exposure to VOC metabolite mixtures and BP. RESULTS We found that the levels of 3HPMA were positively associated with systolic BP (0.98 mmHg per interquartile range (IQR) of 3HPMA; CI: 0.06, 1.91; P = 0.04). Stratified analysis revealed an increased association with systolic BP in Black participants despite lower levels of urinary 3HPMA. This association was independent of PM2.5 exposure and BP medications. BKMR analysis confirmed that 3HPMA was the major metabolite associated with higher BP in the presence of other metabolites. We also found that 3HPMA and DHBMA were associated with decreased endothelial function. For each IQR of 3HPMA or DHBMA, there was a -4.4% (CI: -7.2, -0.0; P = 0.03) and a -3.9% (CI: -9.4, -0.0; P = 0.04) difference in RHI, respectively. Although in the entire cohort the levels of several urinary VOC metabolites were weakly associated with urinary catecholamines and their metabolites, in Black participants, DHBMA levels showed strong associations with urinary norepinephrine and normetanephrine levels. DISCUSSION Exposure to acrolein and 1,3-butadiene is associated with endothelial dysfunction and may contribute to elevated risk of hypertension in participants with increased sympathetic tone, particularly in Black individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katlyn E McGraw
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, USA
| | - Daniel W Riggs
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, USA
| | - Shesh Rai
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, USA; Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, 485 E Gray Street, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, USA; Department of Environmental Health Science, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Zhengzhi Xie
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Pawel Lorkiewicz
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Jordan Lynch
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Nagma Zafar
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Sathya Krishnasamy
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Kira C Taylor
- University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, USA
| | - Daniel J Conklin
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Andrew P DeFilippis
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Sanjay Srivastava
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, USA
| | - Aruni Bhatnagar
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Superfund Research Center, 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Seltzer KM, Pennington E, Rao V, Murphy BN, Strum M, Isaacs KK, Pye HOT. Reactive organic carbon emissions from volatile chemical products. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS 2021; 21:5079-5100. [PMID: 34122530 PMCID: PMC8193795 DOI: 10.5194/acp-21-5079-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Volatile chemical products (VCPs) are an increasingly important source of anthropogenic reactive organic carbon (ROC) emissions. Among these sources are everyday items, such as personal care products, general cleaners, architectural coatings, pesticides, adhesives, and printing inks. Here, we develop VCPy, a new framework to model organic emissions from VCPs throughout the United States, including spatial allocation to regional and local scales. Evaporation of a species from a VCP mixture in the VCPy framework is a function of the compound-specific physiochemical properties that govern volatilization and the timescale relevant for product evaporation. We introduce two terms to describe these processes: evaporation timescale and use timescale. Using this framework, predicted national per capita organic emissions from VCPs are 9.5 kg per person per year (6.4 kg C per person per year) for 2016, which translates to 3.05 Tg (2.06 Tg C), making VCPs a dominant source of anthropogenic organic emissions in the United States. Uncertainty associated with this framework and sensitivity to select parameters were characterized through Monte Carlo analysis, resulting in a 95 % confidence interval of national VCP emissions for 2016 of 2.61-3.53 Tg (1.76-2.38 Tg C). This nationwide total is broadly consistent with the U.S. EPA's 2017 National Emission Inventory (NEI); however, county-level and categorical estimates can differ substantially from NEI values. VCPy predicts higher VCP emissions than the NEI for approximately half of all counties, with 5 % of all counties having greater than 55 % higher emissions. Categorically, application of the VCPy framework yields higher emissions for personal care products (150 %) and paints and coatings (25 %) when compared to the NEI, whereas pesticides (-54 %) and printing inks (-13 %) feature lower emissions. An observational evaluation indicates emissions of key species from VCPs are reproduced with high fidelity using the VCPy framework (normalized mean bias of -13 % with r =0.95). Sector-wide, the effective secondary organic aerosol yield and maximum incremental reactivity of VCPs are 5.3 % by mass and 1.58 gO3 g-1, respectively, indicating VCPs are an important, and likely to date underrepresented, source of secondary pollution in urban environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karl M Seltzer
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Postdoctoral Fellow in the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Elyse Pennington
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow in the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Venkatesh Rao
- Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Benjamin N Murphy
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Madeleine Strum
- Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Kristin K Isaacs
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Havala O T Pye
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Weitekamp CA, Lein M, Strum M, Morris M, Palma T, Smith D, Kerr L, Stewart MJ. An Examination of National Cancer Risk Based on Monitored Hazardous Air Pollutants. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:37008. [PMID: 33761274 PMCID: PMC7990519 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hazardous air pollutants, or air toxics, are pollutants known to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Nationwide cancer risk from these pollutants is estimated by the U.S. EPA National Air Toxics Assessment. However, these model estimates are limited to the totality of the emissions inventory used as inputs, and further, they cannot be used to examine spatial and temporal trends in cancer risk from hazardous air pollutants. OBJECTIVES To complement model estimates of nationwide cancer risk, we examined trends in cancer risk using monitoring data from 2013 to 2017 across the 27 U.S. National Air Toxics Trends Stations. METHODS For each monitoring site, we estimated cancer risk by multiplying the annual concentration for each monitored pollutant by its corresponding unit risk estimate. We examined the 5-y average (2013-2017) cancer risk across sites and the population levels and demographics within 1-mi of the monitors, as well as changes in estimated cancer risk over time. Finally, we examined changes in individual pollutant concentrations and their patterns of covariance. RESULTS We found that the total estimated cancer risk is higher for urban vs. rural sites, with the risk at seven urban sites (of 21) above 75 in 1 million. Furthermore, while most pollutant concentrations have not changed over the time period explored, we found 38 site-pollutant combinations that significantly declined and 12 that significantly increased between 2013 and 2017. We also identified a positive correlation between estimated cancer risk and percent of the population within 1-mi of a monitor that is low income. DISCUSSION Long-term trends show that annual mean concentrations of most measured air toxics have declined. Our evaluation of a more recent snapshot in time finds that most pollutant concentrations have not changed from 2013 to 2017. This analysis of cancer risk based on monitored values provides an important complement to modeled nationwide cancer risk estimates and can further inform future approaches to mitigate risk from exposure to hazardous air pollutants. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8044.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A. Weitekamp
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - McKayla Lein
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Madeleine Strum
- Air Quality Assessment Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mark Morris
- Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ted Palma
- Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Darcie Smith
- Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lukas Kerr
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michael J. Stewart
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Harkey M, Holloway T, Kim EJ, Baker KR, Henderson B. Satellite Formaldehyde to Support Model Evaluation. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. ATMOSPHERES : JGR 2021; 126:10.1029/2020jd032881. [PMID: 34381662 PMCID: PMC8353957 DOI: 10.1029/2020jd032881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde (HCHO), a known carcinogen classified as a hazardous pollutant by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), is measured through monitoring networks across the U.S. Since these data are limited in spatial and temporal extent, model simulations from the U.S. EPA Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model are used to estimate ambient HCHO exposure for the EPA National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA). Here, we employ satellite HCHO retrievals from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)-the NASA retrieval developed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), and the European Union Quality Assurance for Essential Climate Variables (QA4ECV) retrieval-to evaluate three CMAQ configurations, spanning the summers of 2011 and 2016, with differing biogenic emissions inputs and chemical mechanisms. These CMAQ configurations capture the general spatial and temporal behavior of both satellite retrievals, but underestimate column HCHO, particularly in the western U.S. In the southeastern U.S., the comparison with OMI HCHO highlights differences in modeled meteorology and biogenic emissions even with differences in satellite retrievals. All CMAQ configurations show low daily correlations with OMI HCHO (r = 0.26 - 0.38), however, we find higher monthly correlations (r = 0.52 - 0.73), and the models correlate best with the OMI-QA4ECV product. Compared to surface observations, we find improved agreement over a 24-hour period compared to afternoon-only, suggesting daily HCHO amounts are captured with more accuracy than afternoon amounts. This work highlights the potential for synergistic improvements in modeling and satellite retrievals to support near-surface HCHO estimates for the NATA and other applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Harkey
- Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1710 University Ave, Madison WI 53726
| | - Tracey Holloway
- Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1710 University Ave, Madison WI 53726
- Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1225 W Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Eliot J. Kim
- Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1710 University Ave, Madison WI 53726
| | - Kirk R. Baker
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Barron Henderson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chung CJ, Hsu HT, Chang CH, Li SW, Liu CS, Chung MC, Wu GW, Jung WT, Kuo YJ, Lee HL. Relationships among cigarette smoking, urinary biomarkers, and urothelial carcinoma risk: a case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:43177-43185. [PMID: 32729033 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10196-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoke is a known risk factor for urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, there is limited information about the distributions and effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on smoking-related UC risk. With this hospital-based case-control study, we explored the associations between urinary levels of cotinine and VOC metabolites (acrylamide, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene) and the risk of UC. Urological examinations and pathological verifications were used to confirm the diagnoses of UC. All study participants provided smoking-related information via questionnaires and face-to-face interviews; they also provided urine samples for the measurement of VOC metabolites, cotinine, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), which was used as an indicator of oxidative stress. We applied multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the risk of UC, and we found that levels of urinary cotinine and 8-OHdG were higher in the UC group than in the control group. Furthermore, urinary levels of VOC metabolites, including N-acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-L-cysteine (AAMA), N-acetyl-S-(2-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-L-cysteine, N-acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-buten-1-yl)-L-cysteine-3, trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), and S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), increased with increasing levels of urinary cotinine. After adjusting for potential risk factors, dose-response relationships were observed between UC risk and urinary levels of AAMA, t,t-MA, SPMA, and 8-OHdG. Participants with high urinary levels of cotinine, AAMA, t,t-MA, SPMA, and 8-OHdG had risks of UC that were 3.5- to 6-fold higher than those of participants with lower levels. Future, large-scale investigations of the risks of UC should be explored, and repeated measurement of VOC metabolites should be assessed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Jung Chung
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Tsung Hsu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Urology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wei Li
- Department of Urology, China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Shong Liu
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Chi Chung
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Guo-Wei Wu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Jung
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, 510, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Jung Kuo
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, 510, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, 510, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, 24205, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Eaves LA, Nguyen HT, Rager JE, Sexton KG, Howard T, Smeester L, Freedman AN, Aagaard KM, Shope C, Lefer B, Flynn JH, Erickson MH, Fry RC, Vizuete W. Identifying the Transcriptional Response of Cancer and Inflammation-Related Genes in Lung Cells in Relation to Ambient Air Chemical Mixtures in Houston, Texas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:13807-13816. [PMID: 33064461 PMCID: PMC7757424 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric pollution represents a complex mixture of air chemicals that continually interact and transform, making it difficult to accurately evaluate associated toxicity responses representative of real-world exposure. This study leveraged data from a previously published article and reevaluated lung cell transcriptional response induced by outdoor atmospheric pollution mixtures using field-based exposure conditions in the industrialized Houston Ship Channel. The tested hypothesis was that individual and co-occurring chemicals in the atmosphere relate to altered expression of critical genes involved in inflammation and cancer-related processes in lung cells. Human lung cells were exposed at an air-liquid interface to ambient air mixtures for 4 h, with experiments replicated across 5 days. Real-time monitoring of primary and secondary gas-phase pollutants, as well as other atmospheric conditions, was simultaneously conducted. Transcriptional analysis of exposed cells identified critical genes showing differential expression associated with both individual and chemical mixtures. The individual pollutant identified with the largest amount of associated transcriptional response was benzene. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRFN1) were identified as key upstream transcription factor regulators of the cellular response to benzene. This study is among the first to measure lung cell transcriptional responses in relation to real-world, gas-phase air mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Eaves
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Hang T Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Julia E Rager
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Kenneth G Sexton
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Thomas Howard
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Lisa Smeester
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Anastasia N Freedman
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Kjersti M Aagaard
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Cynthia Shope
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Barry Lefer
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
- Tropospheric Composition Program, Earth Science Division, NASA, Washington, District of Columbia 20546, United States
| | - James H Flynn
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
| | - Mathew H Erickson
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004, United States
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - William Vizuete
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Augenreich M, Stickford J, Stute N, Koontz L, Cope J, Bennett C, Ratchford SM. Vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress caused by acute formaldehyde exposure in female adults. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H1369-H1379. [PMID: 33064555 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00605.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde (FA) is a common, volatile organic compound used in organic preservation with known health effects of eye, nose, and throat irritation linked to oxidative stress and inflammation. Indeed, long-term FA exposure may provoke skin disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. However, the effects of short-term FA exposure on the vasculature have yet to be investigated. We sought to investigate the impact of an acute FA exposure on 1) macrovascular function in the arm (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, FMD), 2) microvascular function in the arm (brachial artery reactive hyperemia, RH) and leg (common femoral artery, supine passive limb movement, PLM), and 3) circulating markers of oxidative stress (xanthine oxidase, XO; protein carbonyl, PC; and malondialdehyde, MDA) and inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP). Ten (n = 10) healthy females (23 ± 1 yr) were studied before and immediately after a 90-min FA exposure [(FA): 197 ± 79 ppb] in cadaver dissection laboratories. Brachial artery FMD% decreased following FA exposure (Pre-FA Exp: 9.41 ± 4.21%, Post-FA Exp: 6.74 ± 2.57%; P = 0.043), and FMD/shear decreased following FA exposure (Pre-FA Exp: 0.13 ± 0.07 AU, Post-FA Exp: 0.07 ± 0.03 AU; P = 0.016). The area under the curve for brachial artery RH (Pre-FA Exp: 481 ± 191 ml, Post-FA Exp: 499 ± 165 ml) and common femoral artery PLM (Pre-FA Exp: 139 ± 95 ml, Post-FA Exp: 129 ± 64 ml) were unchanged by FA exposure (P > 0.05). Circulating MDA increased (Pre-FA Exp: 4.8 ± 1.3 µM, Post-FA Exp: 6.3 ± 2.2 µM; P = 0.047) while XO, PC, and CRP were unchanged by FA exposure (P > 0.05). These initial data suggest a short FA exposure can adversely alter vascular function and oxidative stress, influencing cardiovascular health.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study was the first to investigate the implications of acute formaldehyde (FA) exposure on adult female vascular function in the arms and legs. The main findings of this study were a decrease in conduit vessel function without any alteration to microvascular function following a 90-min FA exposure. Additionally, the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde increased after FA exposure. Taken together, these results suggest acute FA exposure have deleterious implications for the vasculature and redox balance.Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/formaldehyde-exposure-decreases-vascular-function/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Augenreich
- Department of Health & Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
| | - Jonathon Stickford
- Department of Health & Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
| | - Nina Stute
- Department of Health & Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
| | - Laurel Koontz
- Department of Health & Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
| | - Janet Cope
- Department of Physical Therapy Education, Elon University School of Health Sciences, Elon, North Carolina
| | - Cynthia Bennett
- Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Elon University School of Health Sciences, Elon, North Carolina
| | - Stephen M Ratchford
- Department of Health & Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Shenassa ED, Williams AD. Concomitant exposure to area-level poverty, ambient air volatile organic compounds, and cardiometabolic dysfunction: a cross-sectional study of U.S. adolescents. Ann Epidemiol 2020; 48:15-22. [PMID: 32778227 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A key to better understanding the influence of the place of residence on cardiometabolic function is the effect of concomitant exposure to both air pollution and residence in economically marginalized areas. We hypothesized that, among adolescents, the association between air pollution and cardiometabolic function is exacerbated among residents of economically marginalized areas. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, individual-level data on cardiometabolic function collected from a representative sample of U.S. adolescents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 10,415) were merged with data on area-level poverty (U.S. decennial survey and American Community Survey) and air pollution levels (National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment ) using contemporary census-tract identifiers. We excluded respondents who were pregnant, had hypertension or diabetes or using medication for hypertension or diabetes, or with missing data on outcome variables. RESULTS We observed a significant interaction between area-level poverty and air pollution. Among residents of high-poverty areas, exposure to high levels of air pollution predicted a 30% elevated odds of cardiometabolic dysfunction (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.61), whereas in low-poverty areas, exposure to high levels of air pollution was not associated with elevated odds of cardiometabolic dysfunction (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.85, 1.28). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the cardiometabolic consequences of air pollution are more readily realized among residents of economically marginalized areas. Structural remedies are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edmond D Shenassa
- Maternal and Child Health Program, Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, College Park; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD.
| | - Andrew D Williams
- Public Health Program, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Liu J, Li X, Yang Y, Wang H, Kuang C, Zhu Y, Chen M, Hu J, Zeng L, Zhang Y. Sensitive Detection of Ambient Formaldehyde by Incoherent Broadband Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2020; 92:2697-2705. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100816, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100816, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China P. R
| | - Yiming Yang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100816, China
| | - Haichao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Cailing Kuang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuan Zhu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mindong Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Centre of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China P. R
| | - Jianlin Hu
- Collaborative Innovation Centre of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China P. R
| | - Limin Zeng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100816, China
| | - Yuanhang Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100816, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Castner J, Amiri A, Rodriguez J, Huntington-Moskos L, Thompson LM, Zhao S, Polivka B. Advancing the symptom science model with environmental health. Public Health Nurs 2019; 36:716-725. [PMID: 31310379 DOI: 10.1111/phn.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Globally, indoor and outdoor pollutants are leading risk factors for death and reduced quality of life. Few theories explicitly address environmental health within the nursing discipline with a focus on harmful environmental exposures. The objective here is to expand the National Institutes of Health Symptom Science Model to include the environmental health concepts of environmental endotype (causative pathway) and environmental exposure. DESIGN Meleis' research to theory strategy for theory refinement was used. Research workshop proceedings, environmental health nursing research expert consensus, panelist research trajectories, and review of the literature were utilized as data sources. RESULTS Ongoing emphasis on the physical environment as a key determinant of health and theoretical perspectives for including environmental exposures and endotypes in symptom science are presented. Definitions of these concepts, further developed, are provided. Recommendations to strengthen environmental health nursing research and practice through capacity building/infrastructure, methods/outcomes, translational/clinical research, and basic/mechanistic research are included. CONCLUSION The revised model deepens theoretical support for clinical actions that include environmental modification, environmental health education, and exposure reduction. This modification will enable a middle-range theory and shared mental model to inspire the prioritization of environmental health in nursing leadership, research, practice, and education.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Azita Amiri
- College of Nursing, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama
| | - Jeannie Rodriguez
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Lisa M Thompson
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Political Science and Atmospheric Science Departments, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama
| | - Barbara Polivka
- School of Nursing, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Dugheri S, Mucci N, Cappelli G, Bonari A, Garzaro G, Marrubini G, Bartolucci G, Campagna M, Arcangeli G. Monitoring of Air-Dispersed Formaldehyde and Carbonyl Compounds as Vapors and Adsorbed on Particulate Matter by Denuder-Filter Sampling and Gas Chromatographic Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E1969. [PMID: 31163683 PMCID: PMC6603861 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16111969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Carbonyl compounds (CCs) are products present both as vapors and as condensed species adsorbed on the carbonaceous particle matter dispersed in the air of urban areas, due to vehicular traffic and human activities. Chronic exposure to CCs is a potential health risk given the toxicity of these chemicals. The present study reports on the measurement of the concentrations of 14 CCs in air as vapors and 2.5 µm fraction PM by the ENVINT GAS08/16 gas/aerosol sampler, a serial sampler that uses annular denuder, as sampling device. The 14 CCs were derivatized during sampling prior to gas-chromatographic separation and multiple detection by mass spectrometry, nitrogen-phosphorus thermionic, electron capture detection. Outdoor air multiple samples were collected in four locations in the urban area of Florence. The results evidenced that formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were the more abundant CCs in the studied areas. The data collected was discussed considering the particle to vapor ratio of each CC found. The CCs pollution picture obtained was tentatively related to the nature and intensity of the traffic transiting by the sampling sites. This approach allowed to determine 14 CCs in both concentrated and diluted samples and is proposed as a tool for investigating outdoor and indoor pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Dugheri
- Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology Laboratory, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Nicola Mucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cappelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Bonari
- General Laboratory, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Garzaro
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Marrubini
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Marcello Campagna
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Giulio Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gu P, Dallmann TR, Li HZ, Tan Y, Presto AA. Quantifying Urban Spatial Variations of Anthropogenic VOC Concentrations and Source Contributions with a Mobile Sampling Platform. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E1632. [PMID: 31083299 PMCID: PMC6539943 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16091632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important atmospheric constituents because they contribute to formation of ozone and secondary aerosols, and because some VOCs are toxic air pollutants. We measured concentrations of a suite of anthropogenic VOCs during summer and winter at 70 locations representing different microenvironments around Pittsburgh, PA. The sampling sites were classified both by land use (e.g., high versus low traffic) and grouped based on geographic similarity and proximity. There was roughly a factor of two variation in both total VOC and single-ring aromatic VOC concentrations across the site groups. Concentrations were roughly 25% higher in winter than summer. Source apportionment with positive matrix factorization reveals that the major VOC sources are gasoline vehicles, solvent evaporation, diesel vehicles, and two factors attributed to industrial emissions. While we expected to observe significant spatial variability in the source impacts across the sampling domain, we instead found that source impacts were relatively homogeneous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peishi Gu
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Timothy R Dallmann
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Hugh Z Li
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Yi Tan
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Albert A Presto
- Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hilpert M, Rule AM, Adria-Mora B, Tiberi T. Vent pipe emissions from storage tanks at gas stations: Implications for setback distances. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 650:2239-2250. [PMID: 30292117 PMCID: PMC7059886 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
At gas stations, fuel vapors are released into the atmosphere from storage tanks through vent pipes. Little is known about when releases occur, their magnitude, and their potential health consequences. Our goals were to quantify vent pipe releases and examine exceedance of short-term exposure limits to benzene around gas stations. At two US gas stations, we measured volumetric vent pipe flow rates and pressure in the storage tank headspace at high temporal resolution for approximately three weeks. Based on the measured vent emission and meteorological data, we performed air dispersion modeling to obtain hourly atmospheric benzene levels. For the two gas stations, average vent emission factors were 0.17 and 0.21 kg of gasoline per 1000 L dispensed. Modeling suggests that at one gas station, a 1-hour Reference Exposure Level (REL) for benzene for the general population (8 ppb) was exceeded only closer than 50 m from the station's center. At the other gas station, the REL was exceeded on two different days and up to 160 m from the center, likely due to non-compliant bulk fuel deliveries. A minimum risk level for intermediate duration (>14-364 days) benzene exposure (6 ppb) was exceeded at the elevation of the vent pipe opening up to 7 and 8 m from the two gas stations. Recorded vent emission factors were >10 times higher than estimates used to derive setback distances for gas stations. Setback distances should be revisited to address temporal variability and pollution controls in vent emissions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Hilpert
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States of America.
| | - Ana Maria Rule
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
| | - Bernat Adria-Mora
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States of America
| | - Tedmund Tiberi
- ARID Technologies, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60187, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Mazumdar P, Rattan S, Singhal P, Sharma I, Gupta BK. A Green Route Strategy for the Synthesis of Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites for Environmental Sustainability. ChemistrySelect 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201803834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Payal Mazumdar
- Department of Chemistry; Amity Institute of Applied Sciences; Amity University, Uttar Pradesh; India
| | - Sunita Rattan
- Department of Chemistry; Amity Institute of Applied Sciences; Amity University, Uttar Pradesh; India
| | - Prachi Singhal
- Department of Chemistry; Amity Institute of Applied Sciences; Amity University, Uttar Pradesh; India
| | - Indu Sharma
- Photonic Materials and Metrology; Advanced Materials and Devices Metrology Division; CSIR - National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi; India
| | - Bipin K. Gupta
- Photonic Materials and Metrology; Advanced Materials and Devices Metrology Division; CSIR - National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi; India
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Luecken D, Napelenok S, Strum M, Scheffe R, Phillips S. Sensitivity of Ambient Atmospheric Formaldehyde and Ozone to Precursor Species and Source Types Across the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:4668-4675. [PMID: 29570979 PMCID: PMC6147010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde (HCHO) is an important air pollutant from both an atmospheric chemistry and human health standpoint. This study uses an instrumented photochemical Air Quality Model, CMAQ-DDM, to identify the sensitivity of HCHO concentrations across the United States (U.S.) to major source types and hydrocarbon speciation. In July, biogenic sources of hydrocarbons contribute the most (92% of total hydrocarbon sensitivity), split between isoprene and other alkenes. Among anthropogenic sources, mobile sources of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NO x) dominate. In January, HCHO is more sensitive to anthropogenic hydrocarbons than biogenic sources, especially mobile sources and residential wood combustion (36% of national hydrocarbon sensitivity). While ozone (O3) is three times more sensitive to NO x than hydrocarbons across most areas of the U.S., HCHO is six times more sensitive to hydrocarbons than NO x, largely due to sensitivity to biogenic precursors and the importance of low-NO x chemistry. In winter, both HCHO and O3 show negative sensitivity to NO x (increases with the removal of NO x), although O3 increases are larger. Relative sensitivities do not change substantially across different regions of the country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D.J. Luecken
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
- Corresponding Author ; Phone: 919-541-0244
| | - S.L. Napelenok
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - M. Strum
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - R. Scheffe
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - S. Phillips
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Diffusive Uptake Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds on Standard ATD Tubes for Environmental and Workplace Applications. ENVIRONMENTS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/environments4040087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
29
|
Dodson RE, Udesky JO, Colton MD, McCauley M, Camann DE, Yau AY, Adamkiewicz G, Rudel RA. Chemical exposures in recently renovated low-income housing: Influence of building materials and occupant activities. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 109:114-127. [PMID: 28916131 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Health disparities in low-income communities may be linked to residential exposures to chemicals infiltrating from the outdoors and characteristics of and sources in the home. Indoor sources comprise those introduced by the occupant as well as releases from building materials. To examine the impact of renovation on indoor pollutants levels and to classify chemicals by predominant indoor sources, we collected indoor air and surface wipes from newly renovated "green" low-income housing units in Boston before and after occupancy. We targeted nearly 100 semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including phthalates, flame retardants, fragrance chemicals, pesticides, antimicrobials, petroleum chemicals, chlorinated solvents, and formaldehyde, as well as particulate matter. All homes had indoor air concentrations that exceeded available risk-based screening levels for at least one chemical. We categorized chemicals as primarily influenced by the occupant or as having building-related sources. While building-related chemicals observed in this study may be specific to the particular housing development, occupant-related findings might be generalizable to similar communities. Among 58 detected chemicals, we distinguished 25 as primarily occupant-related, including fragrance chemicals 6-acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetralin (AHTN) and 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta[g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB). The pre- to post-occupancy patterns of the remaining chemicals suggested important contributions from building materials for some, including dibutyl phthalate and xylene, whereas others, such as diethyl phthalate and formaldehyde, appeared to have both building and occupant sources. Chemical classification by source informs multi-level exposure reduction strategies in low-income housing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin E Dodson
- Silent Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Newton, MA 02460, USA.
| | - Julia O Udesky
- Silent Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Newton, MA 02460, USA.
| | - Meryl D Colton
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Martha McCauley
- Battelle Memorial Institute, 505 King Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, USA
| | - David E Camann
- Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228, USA
| | - Alice Y Yau
- Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228, USA
| | - Gary Adamkiewicz
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Ruthann A Rudel
- Silent Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Newton, MA 02460, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zhu L, Jacob DJ, Keutsch FN, Mickley LJ, Scheffe R, Strum M, González Abad G, Chance K, Yang K, Rappenglück B, Millet DB, Baasandorj M, Jaeglé L, Shah V. Formaldehyde (HCHO) As a Hazardous Air Pollutant: Mapping Surface Air Concentrations from Satellite and Inferring Cancer Risks in the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:5650-5657. [PMID: 28441488 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde (HCHO) is the most important carcinogen in outdoor air among the 187 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not including ozone and particulate matter. However, surface observations of HCHO are sparse and the EPA monitoring network could be prone to positive interferences. Here we use 2005-2016 summertime HCHO column data from the OMI satellite instrument, validated with high-quality aircraft data and oversampled on a 5 × 5 km2 grid, to map surface air HCHO concentrations across the contiguous U.S. OMI-derived summertime HCHO values are converted to annual averages using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model. Results are in good agreement with high-quality summertime observations from urban sites (-2% bias, r = 0.95) but a factor of 1.9 lower than annual means from the EPA network. We thus estimate that up to 6600-12 500 people in the U.S. will develop cancer over their lifetimes by exposure to outdoor HCHO. The main HCHO source in the U.S. is atmospheric oxidation of biogenic isoprene, but the corresponding HCHO yield decreases as the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx ≡ NO + NO2) decreases. A GEOS-Chem sensitivity simulation indicates that HCHO levels would decrease by 20-30% in the absence of U.S. anthropogenic NOx emissions. Thus, NOx emission controls to improve ozone air quality have a significant cobenefit in reducing HCHO-related cancer risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhu
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Daniel J Jacob
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Frank N Keutsch
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Loretta J Mickley
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Richard Scheffe
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Madeleine Strum
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Gonzalo González Abad
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Kelly Chance
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Kai Yang
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland College Park , College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Bernhard Rappenglück
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston , Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Dylan B Millet
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Munkhbayar Baasandorj
- Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Lyatt Jaeglé
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98105, United States
| | - Viral Shah
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98105, United States
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bari MA, Kindzierski WB. Concentrations, sources and human health risk of inhalation exposure to air toxics in Edmonton, Canada. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 173:160-171. [PMID: 28110005 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.12.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
With concern about levels of air pollutants in recent years in the Capital Region of Alberta, an investigation of ambient concentrations, sources and potential human health risk of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) or air toxics was undertaken in the City of Edmonton over a 5-year period (2009-2013). Mean concentrations of individual HAPs in ambient air including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals ranged from 0.04 to 1.73 μg/m3, 0.01-0.54 ng/m3, and 0.05-3.58 ng/m3, respectively. Concentrations of benzene, naphthalene, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), arsenic, manganese and nickel were far below respective annual Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of air toxics were also compared with risk levels recommended by regulatory agencies. Positive matrix factorization identified six air toxics sources with traffic as the dominant contributor to total HAPs (4.33 μg/m3, 42%), followed by background/secondary organic aerosol (SOA) (1.92 μg/m3, 25%), fossil fuel combustion (0.92 μg/m3, 11%). On high particulate air pollution event days, local traffic was identified as the major contributor to total HAPs compared to background/SOA and fossil fuel combustion. Carcinogenic risk values of traffic, background/SOA and metals industry emissions were above the USEPA acceptable level (1 × 10-6), but below a tolerable risk (1 × 10-4) and Alberta benchmark (1 × 10-5). These findings offer useful preliminary information about current ambient air toxics levels, dominant sources and their potential risk to public health; and this information can support policy makers in the development of appropriate control strategies if required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Aynul Bari
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-57 South Academic Building, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9 Canada.
| | - Warren B Kindzierski
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-57 South Academic Building, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Scheffe RD, Strum M, Phillips SB, Thurman J, Eyth A, Fudge S, Morris M, Palma T, Cook R. Hybrid Modeling Approach to Estimate Exposures of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) for the National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:12356-12364. [PMID: 27779870 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A hybrid air quality model has been developed and applied to estimate annual concentrations of 40 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) across the continental United States (CONUS) to support the 2011 calendar year National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA). By combining a chemical transport model (CTM) with a Gaussian dispersion model, both reactive and nonreactive HAPs are accommodated across local to regional spatial scales, through a multiplicative technique designed to improve mass conservation relative to previous additive methods. The broad scope of multiple pollutants capturing regional to local spatial scale patterns across a vast spatial domain is precedent setting within the air toxics community. The hybrid design exhibits improved performance relative to the stand alone CTM and dispersion model. However, model performance varies widely across pollutant categories and quantifiably definitive performance assessments are hampered by a limited observation base and challenged by the multiple physical and chemical attributes of HAPs. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are the dominant HAP concentration and cancer risk drivers, characterized by strong regional signals associated with naturally emitted carbonyl precursors enhanced in urban transport corridors with strong mobile source sector emissions. The multiple pollutant emission characteristics of combustion dominated source sectors creates largely similar concentration patterns across the majority of HAPs. However, reactive carbonyls exhibit significantly less spatial variability relative to nonreactive HAPs across the CONUS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Scheffe
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Madeleine Strum
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Sharon B Phillips
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - James Thurman
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Alison Eyth
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Steve Fudge
- EC/R Incorporated , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Mark Morris
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Ted Palma
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Richard Cook
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States
| |
Collapse
|