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Cedeño Laurent JG, Parhizkar H, Calderon L, Lizonova D, Tsiodra I, Mihalopoulos N, Kavouras I, Alam M, Baalousha M, Bazina L, Kelesidis GA, Demokritou P. Physicochemical Characterization of the Particulate Matter in New Jersey/New York City Area, Resulting from the Canadian Quebec Wildfires in June 2023. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:14753-14763. [PMID: 38984996 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02016] [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: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The global increase in wildfires, primarily driven by climate change, significantly affects air quality and health. Wildfire-emitted particulate matter (WFPM) is linked to adverse health effects, yet the toxicological mechanisms are not fully understood given its physicochemical complexity and the lack of spatiotemporal exposure data. This study focuses on the physicochemical characterization of WFPM from a Canadian wildfire in June 2023, which affected over 100 million people in the US Northeast, particularly around New Jersey/New York. Aerosol systems were deployed to characterize WFPM during the 3 day event, revealing unprecedented mass concentrations mainly in the WFPM0.1 and WFPM0.1-2.5 size fractions. Peak WFPM2.5 concentrations reached 317 μg/m3, nearly 10 times the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) 24 h average limit. Chemical analysis showed a high organic-to-total carbon ratio (96%), consistent with brown carbon wildfires nanoparticles. Large concentrations of high-molecular-weight PAHs were found predominantly bound to WFPM0.1, with retene, a molecular marker of biomass burning and a known teratogen, being the most abundant (>70%). Computational modeling estimated a total lung deposition of 9.15 mg over 72 h, highlighting the health risks of WFPM, particularly due to its long-distance travel capability and impact on densely populated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Guillermo Cedeño Laurent
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Hooman Parhizkar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Leonardo Calderon
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Denisa Lizonova
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Irini Tsiodra
- Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Koufou, Palea Penteli, Athens 15236, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Mihalopoulos
- Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Koufou, Palea Penteli, Athens 15236, Greece
- Environmental Chemical Processes Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Ilias Kavouras
- Department of Environmental, Occupational and Geospatial Health Sciences, School of Public Health, City University of New York, New York, New York 10018, United States
| | - Mahbub Alam
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Mohammed Baalousha
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Lila Bazina
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Georgios A Kelesidis
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Philip Demokritou
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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Fiamingo M, Bailey A, Toler S, Lee K, Oshiro W, Yoo B, Krantz T, Evansky P, Davies D, Gilmour MI, Farraj A, Jaspers I, Hazari MS. Enriched housing differentially alters allostatic load and cardiopulmonary responses to wildfire-related smoke in male and female mice. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2024; 87:561-578. [PMID: 38721998 PMCID: PMC11167957 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2024.2346582] [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] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Living conditions are an important modifier of individual health outcomes and may lead to higher allostatic load (AL). However, housing-induced cardiovascular and immune effects contributing to altered environmental responsiveness remain understudied. This investigation was conducted to examine the influence of enriched (EH) versus depleted housing (DH) conditions on cardiopulmonary functions, systemic immune responses, and allostatic load in response to a single wildfire smoke (WS) exposure in mice. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were divided into EH or DH for 22 weeks, and cardiopulmonary assessments measured before and after exposures to either one-hr filtered air (FA) or flaming eucalyptus WS exposure. Male and female DH mice exhibited increased heart rate (HR) and left ventricular mass (LVM), as well as reduced stroke volume and end diastolic volume (EDV) one week following exposure to WS. Female DH mice displayed significantly elevated levels of IL-2, IL-17, corticosterone and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) following WS, while female in EH mice higher epinephrine levels were detected. Female mice exhibited higher AL than males with DH, which was potentiated post-WS exposure. Thus, DH increased susceptibility to extreme air pollution in a gender-dependent manner suggesting that living conditions need to be evaluated as a modifier of toxicological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Fiamingo
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Aleah Bailey
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Sydnie Toler
- Gillings School of Global Public Health and School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kaleb Lee
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
| | - Wendy Oshiro
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Brendan Yoo
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Todd Krantz
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Paul Evansky
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - David Davies
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - M. Ian Gilmour
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Aimen Farraj
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Mehdi S. Hazari
- Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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Miller MR, Landrigan PJ, Arora M, Newby DE, Münzel T, Kovacic JC. Environmentally Not So Friendly: Global Warming, Air Pollution, and Wildfires: JACC Focus Seminar, Part 1. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024; 83:2291-2307. [PMID: 38839204 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Environmental stresses are increasingly recognized as significant risk factors for adverse health outcomes. In particular, various forms of pollution and climate change are playing a growing role in promoting noncommunicable diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. Given recent trends, global warming and air pollution are now associated with substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. As a vicious cycle, global warming increases the occurrence, size, and severity of wildfires, which are significant sources of airborne particulate matter. Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with cardiovascular disease, and these effects are underpinned by mechanisms that include oxidative stress, inflammation, impaired cardiac function, and proatherosclerotic effects in the circulation. In the first part of a 2-part series on pollution and cardiovascular disease, this review provides an overview of the impact of global warming and air pollution, and because of recent events and emerging trends specific attention is paid to air pollution caused by wildfires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Miller
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Philip J Landrigan
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Scientific Center of Monaco, Monaco
| | - Manish Arora
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - David E Newby
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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4
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Vicente ED, Figueiredo D, Alves C. Toxicity of particulate emissions from residential biomass combustion: An overview of in vitro studies using cell models. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171999. [PMID: 38554951 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171999] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
This article aims to critically review the current state of knowledge on in vitro toxicological assessments of particulate emissions from residential biomass heating systems. The review covers various aspects of particulate matter (PM) toxicity, including oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity, all of which have important implications for understanding the development of diseases. Studies in this field have highlighted the different mechanisms that biomass combustion particles activate, which vary depending on the combustion appliances and fuels. In general, particles from conventional combustion appliances are more potent in inducing cytotoxicity, DNA damage, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress than those from modern appliances. The sensitivity of different cell lines to the toxic effects of biomass combustion particles is also influenced by cell type and culture conditions. One of the main challenges in this field is the considerable variation in sampling strategies, sample processing, experimental conditions, assays, and extraction techniques used in biomass burning PM studies. Advanced culture systems, such as co-cultures and air-liquid interface exposures, can provide more accurate insights into the effects of biomass combustion particles compared to simpler submerged monocultures. This review provides critical insights into the complex field of toxicity from residential biomass combustion emissions, underscoring the importance of continued research and standardisation of methodologies to better understand the associated health hazards and to inform targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Vicente
- Department of Environment and Planning, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - D Figueiredo
- Department of Environment and Planning, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - C Alves
- Department of Environment and Planning, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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5
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Rogers K, WaMaina E, Barber A, Masood S, Love C, Kim YH, Gilmour MI, Jaspers I. Emissions from plastic incineration induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired bioenergetics in primary human respiratory epithelial cells. Toxicol Sci 2024; 199:301-315. [PMID: 38539046 PMCID: PMC11131019 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhalation exposure to plastic incineration emissions (PIEs) is a problem of increasing human relevance, as plastic production and waste creation have drastically increased since mainstream integration during the 20th century. We investigated the effects of PIEs on human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) to understand if such exposures cause damage and dysfunction to respiratory epithelia. Primary HNECs from male and female donors were cultured at air-liquid interface (ALI), and 16HBE cells were cultured on coverslips. Smoke condensates were generated from incineration of plastic at flaming (640°C) and smoldering (500°C) temperatures, and cells were subsequently exposed to these materials at 5-50 μg/cm2 concentrations. HNECs were assessed for mitochondrial dysfunction and 16HBE cells for glutathione oxidation in real-time analyses. HNEC culture supernatants and total RNA were collected at 4-h postexposure for cytokine and gene expression analysis, and results show that PIEs can acutely induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in HNECs, and that incineration temperature modifies biological responses. Specifically, condensates from flaming and smoldering PIEs significantly increased HNEC secretion of cytokines IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-13, as well as expression of xenobiotic metabolism pathways and genes such as CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 at 5 and 20 μg/cm2 concentrations. Only 50 μg/cm2 flaming PIEs significantly increased glutathione oxidation in 16HBEs, and decreased respiration and ATP production in HNEC mitochondria. Impact Statement: Our data reveal the impact of incineration temperatures on biological outcomes associated with PIE exposures, emphasizing the importance of temperature as a factor when evaluating respiratory disease associated with PIEs exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Rogers
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7310, USA
| | | | - Andrew Barber
- North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina 27707, USA
| | - Syed Masood
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7310, USA
| | - Charlotte Love
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7310, USA
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - M Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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Cochran SJ, Dunigan-Russell K, Hutton GM, Nguyen H, Schladweiler MC, Jones DP, Williams WC, Fisher AA, Gilmour MI, Dye JA, Smith MR, Miller CN, Gowdy KM. Repeated exposure to eucalyptus wood smoke alters pulmonary gene and metabolic profiles in male Long-Evans rats. Toxicol Sci 2024; 199:332-348. [PMID: 38544285 PMCID: PMC11131017 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with both acute and chronic cardiopulmonary illnesses, which are of special concern for wildland firefighters who experience repeated exposure to wood smoke. It is necessary to better understand the underlying pathophysiology by which wood smoke exposure increases pulmonary disease burdens in this population. We hypothesize that wood smoke exposure produces pulmonary dysfunction, lung inflammation, and gene expression profiles associated with future pulmonary complications. Male Long-Evans rats were intermittently exposed to smoldering eucalyptus wood smoke at 2 concentrations, low (11.0 ± 1.89 mg/m3) and high (23.7 ± 0.077 mg/m3), over a 2-week period. Whole-body plethysmography was measured intermittently throughout. Lung tissue and lavage fluid were collected 24 h after the final exposure for transcriptomics and metabolomics. Increasing smoke exposure upregulated neutrophils and select cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In total, 3446 genes were differentially expressed in the lungs of rats in the high smoke exposure and only 1 gene in the low smoke exposure (Cd151). Genes altered in the high smoke group reflected changes to the Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2 stress and oxidative stress responses, which mirrored metabolomics analyses. xMWAS-integrated analysis revealed that smoke exposure significantly altered pathways associated with oxidative stress, lung morphogenesis, and tumor proliferation pathways. These results indicate that intermittent, 2-week exposure to eucalyptus wood smoke leads to transcriptomic and metabolic changes in the lung that may predict future lung disease development. Collectively, these findings provide insight into cellular signaling pathways that may contribute to the chronic pulmonary conditions observed in wildland firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Cochran
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Katelyn Dunigan-Russell
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Grace M Hutton
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Helen Nguyen
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Mette C Schladweiler
- Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Dean P Jones
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Wanda C Williams
- Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Anna A Fisher
- Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - M Ian Gilmour
- Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Janice A Dye
- Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - M Ryan Smith
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
- Atlanta Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Decatur, Georgia 30033, USA
| | - Colette N Miller
- Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA
| | - Kymberly M Gowdy
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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7
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Ghosh A, Payton A, Gallant SC, Rogers KL, Mascenik T, Hickman E, Love CA, Schichlein KD, Smyth TR, Kim YH, Rager JE, Gilmour MI, Randell SH, Jaspers I. Burn Pit Smoke Condensate-Mediated Toxicity in Human Airway Epithelial Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:791-803. [PMID: 38652897 PMCID: PMC11251002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Burn pits are a method of open-air waste management that was common during military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other regions in Southwest Asia. Veterans returning from deployment have reported respiratory symptoms, potentially from exposure to burn pit smoke, yet comprehensive assessment of such exposure on pulmonary health is lacking. We have previously shown that exposure to condensates from burn pit smoke emissions causes inflammation and cytotoxicity in mice. In this study, we explored the effects of burn pit smoke condensates on human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) to understand their impact on cellular targets in the human lung. HAECs were cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI) and exposed to burn pit waste smoke condensates (plywood, cardboard, plastic, mixed, and mixed with diesel) generated under smoldering and flaming conditions. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release; toxicity scores (TSs) were quantified for each exposure. Pro-inflammatory cytokine release and modulation of gene expression were examined for cardboard and plastic condensate exposures. Burn pit smoke condensates generated under flaming conditions affected cell viability, with flaming mixed waste and plywood exhibiting the highest toxicity scores. Cardboard and plastic smoke condensates modulated cytokine secretion, with GM-CSF and IL-1β altered in more than one exposure group. Gene expression of detoxifying enzymes (ALDH1A3, ALDH3A1, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, NQO1, etc.), mucins (MUC5AC, MUC5B), and cytokines was affected by several smoke condensates. Particularly, expression of IL6 was elevated following exposure to all burn pit smoke condensates, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon acenaphthene was positively associated with the IL-6 level in the basolateral media of HAECs. These observations demonstrate that exposure to smoke condensates of materials present in burn pits adversely affects HAECs and that aberrant cytokine secretion and altered gene expression profiles following burn pit material smoke exposure could contribute to the development of airway disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunava Ghosh
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Alexis Payton
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE), Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Samuel C. Gallant
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Keith L. Rogers
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7310 USA
| | - Teresa Mascenik
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Elise Hickman
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE), Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7310 USA
| | - Charlotte A. Love
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Kevin D. Schichlein
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Timothy R. Smyth
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Julia E. Rager
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE), Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7310 USA
| | - M. Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Scott H. Randell
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE), Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7310 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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8
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Karim N, Yang Y, Salemi M, Phinney BS, Durbin-Johnson BP, Rocke DM, Rice RH. Human Keratinocyte Responses to Woodsmoke Chemicals. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:675-684. [PMID: 38598786 PMCID: PMC11110105 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.3c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Air pollution consists of complex mixtures of chemicals with serious deleterious health effects from acute and chronic exposure. To help understand the mechanisms by which adverse effects occur, the present work examines the responses of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes to specific chemicals commonly found in woodsmoke. Our earlier findings with liquid smoke flavoring (aqueous extract of charred wood) revealed that such extracts stimulated the expression of genes associated with oxidative stress and proinflammatory response, activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, thereby inducing cytochrome P4501A1 activity, and induced cross-linked envelope formation, a lethal event ordinarily occurring during terminal differentiation. The present results showed that furfural produced transcriptional responses resembling those of liquid smoke, cyclohexanedione activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and several chemicals induced envelope formation. Of these, syringol permeabilized the cells to the egress of lactate dehydrogenase at a concentration close to that yielding envelope formation, while furfural induced envelope formation without permeabilization detectable in this way. Furfural (but not syringol) stimulated the incorporation of amines into cell proteins in extracts in the absence of transglutaminase activity. Nevertheless, both chemicals substantially increased the amount of cellular protein incorporated into envelopes and greatly altered the envelope protein profile. Moreover, the proportion of keratin in the envelopes was dramatically increased. These findings are consistent with the chemically induced protein cross-linking in the cells. Elucidating mechanisms by which this phenomenon occurs may help understand how smoke chemicals interact with proteins to elicit cellular responses, interpret bioassays of complex pollutant mixtures, and suggest additional sensitive ways to monitor exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Karim
- Department
of Environmental Toxicology, University
of California Davis, Davis, California 95616-8588, United States
| | - Yatian Yang
- Department
of Environmental Toxicology, University
of California Davis, Davis, California 95616-8588, United States
| | - Michelle Salemi
- Proteomics
Core Facility, University of California
Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Brett S. Phinney
- Proteomics
Core Facility, University of California
Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Blythe P. Durbin-Johnson
- Division
of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Clinical and
Translational Science Center Biostatistics Core, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - David M. Rocke
- Division
of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Clinical and
Translational Science Center Biostatistics Core, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Robert H. Rice
- Department
of Environmental Toxicology, University
of California Davis, Davis, California 95616-8588, United States
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9
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Berns K, Haertel AJ. Excess prenatal loss and respiratory illnesses of infant macaques living outdoors and exposed to wildfire smoke. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23605. [PMID: 38342984 PMCID: PMC11229821 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Global climate change has transformed predictions of fire seasons in the near future, and record-breaking wildfire events have had catastrophic consequences in recent years. In September 2020, multiple wildfires subjected Oregon to hazardous air quality for several days. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to examine prenatal loss, morbidity, and mortality of rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) exposed to poor air quality from the nearby wildfires. Detailed medical records from 2014 to 2020 of 580 macaques housed outdoors at a research facility in Beaverton, Oregon were used to evaluate the association between these health outcomes and wildfire smoke exposure. Logistic regression models estimated excess prenatal loss, hospitalization rates, respiratory problems, and mortality during and following the wildfire event, and Kruskal-Wallis statistics were used to determine if infant growth was affected by wildfire smoke exposure. Risk of pregnancy loss (relative risk = 4.1; p < 0.001) and odds of diagnosis with a respiratory problem (odds ratio = 4.47; p = 0.003) were higher in exposed infant macaques compared to nonexposed infants. Infant growth was not affected by poor air quality exposure. Our findings suggest wildfire smoke exposure poses a risk to the health of infants and pregnant individuals and should be monitored more closely in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Berns
- Division of Animal Resources and Research Support, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Andrew J Haertel
- Division of Animal Resources and Research Support, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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10
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Jiang P, Li Y, Tong MK, Ha S, Gaw E, Nie J, Mendola P, Wang M. Wildfire particulate exposure and risks of preterm birth and low birth weight in the Southwestern United States. Public Health 2024; 230:81-88. [PMID: 38518428 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Wildfire air pollution is a growing concern on human health. The study aims to assess the associations between wildfire air pollution and pregnancy outcomes in the Southwestern United States. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study. METHODS Birth records of 627,404 singleton deliveries in 2018 were obtained in eight states of the Southwestern United States and were linked to wildfire-sourced fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and their constituents (black carbon [BC] and organic carbon [OC]) during the entire gestational period. A double-robust logistic regression model was used to assess the associations of wildfire-sourced PM2.5 exposures and preterm birth and term low birth weight, adjusting for non-fire-sourced PM2.5 exposure and individual- and area-level confounder variables. RESULTS Wildfire-sourced PM2.5 contributed on average 15% of the ambient total PM2.5 concentrations. For preterm birth, the strongest association was observed in the second trimester (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.07 for PM2.5; 1.06, 95% CI: 1.05-1.07 for BC; 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03-1.05 for OC, per interquartile range increment of exposure), with higher risks identified among non-smokers or those with low socio-economic status. For term low birth weight, the associations with wildfire-sourced PM2.5 exposures were consistently elevated for all trimesters except for the exposure averaged over the entire gestational period. Overall, the associations between wildfire-sourced PM2.5 and pregnancy outcomes were stronger than those with total PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS Wildfire-sourced PM2.5 and its constituents are linked to higher risks of preterm birth and term low birth weight among a significant US population than the effects of ambient total PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Jiang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yantai Mountain Hospital, Yantai, Shandong Province, China
| | - Y Li
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
| | - M K Tong
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - S Ha
- Department of Public Health, Health Science Research Institute, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - E Gaw
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - J Nie
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - P Mendola
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - M Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Research and Education in Energy, Environment and Water Institute, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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11
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McCarrick S, Delaval MN, Dauter UM, Krais AM, Snigireva A, Abera A, Broberg K, Eriksson AC, Isaxon C, Gliga AR. Toxicity of particles derived from combustion of Ethiopian traditional biomass fuels in human bronchial and macrophage-like cells. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1515-1532. [PMID: 38427118 PMCID: PMC10965653 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03692-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The combustion of traditional fuels in low-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, leads to extensive indoor particle exposure. Yet, the related health consequences in this context are understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of combustion-derived particles relevant for Sub-Saharan household environments. Particles (< 2.5 µm) were collected using a high-volume sampler during combustion of traditional Ethiopian biomass fuels: cow dung, eucalyptus wood and eucalyptus charcoal. Diesel exhaust particles (DEP, NIST 2975) served as reference particles. The highest levels of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found in wood (3219 ng/mg), followed by dung (618 ng/mg), charcoal (136 ng/mg) and DEP (118 ng/mg) (GC-MS). BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells and THP-1 derived macrophages were exposed to particle suspensions (1-150 µg/mL) for 24 h. All particles induced concentration-dependent genotoxicity (comet assay) but no pro-inflammatory cytokine release in epithelial cells, whereas dung and wood particles also induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (Alamar Blue). Only wood particles induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in macrophage-like cells, while dung particles were unique at increasing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α). In summary, particles derived from combustion of less energy dense fuels like dung and wood had a higher PAH content and were more cytotoxic in epithelial cells. In addition, the least energy dense and cheapest fuel, dung, also induced pro-inflammatory effects in macrophage-like cells. These findings highlight the influence of fuel type on the toxic profile of the emitted particles and warrant further research to understand and mitigate health effects of indoor air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah McCarrick
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mathilde N Delaval
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC), Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike M Dauter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annette M Krais
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Asmamaw Abera
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Karin Broberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel C Eriksson
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christina Isaxon
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anda R Gliga
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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12
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Smoot J, Padilla S, Kim YH, Hunter D, Tennant A, Hill B, Lowery M, Knapp BR, Oshiro W, Hazari MS, Hays MD, Preston WT, Jaspers I, Gilmour MI, Farraj AK. Burn pit-related smoke causes developmental and behavioral toxicity in zebrafish: Influence of material type and emissions chemistry. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29675. [PMID: 38681659 PMCID: PMC11053193 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Combustion of mixed materials during open air burning of refuse or structural fires in the wildland urban interface produces emissions that worsen air quality, contaminate rivers and streams, and cause poor health outcomes including developmental effects. The zebrafish, a freshwater fish, is a useful model for quickly screening the toxicological and developmental effects of agents in such species and elicits biological responses that are often analogous and predictive of responses in mammals. The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental toxicity of smoke derived from the burning of 5 different burn pit-related material types (plywood, cardboard, plastic, a mixture of the three, and the mixture plus diesel fuel as an accelerant) in zebrafish larvae. Larvae were exposed to organic extracts of increasing concentrations of each smoke 6-to-8-hr post fertilization and assessed for morphological and behavioral toxicity at 5 days post fertilization. To examine chemical and biological determinants of toxicity, responses were related to emissions concentrations of polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH). Emissions from plastic and the mixture containing plastic caused the most pronounced developmental effects, including mortality, impaired swim bladder inflation, pericardial edema, spinal curvature, tail kinks, and/or craniofacial deformities, although all extracts caused concentration-dependent effects. Plywood, by contrast, altered locomotor responsiveness to light changes to the greatest extent. Some morphological and behavioral responses correlated strongly with smoke extract levels of PAHs including 9-fluorenone. Overall, the findings suggest that material type and emissions chemistry impact the severity of zebrafish developmental toxicity responses to burn pit-related smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Smoot
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - Yong Ho Kim
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Deborah Hunter
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Alan Tennant
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Bridgett Hill
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Morgan Lowery
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Bridget R. Knapp
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Wendy Oshiro
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mehdi S. Hazari
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Michael D. Hays
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | | | - M. Ian Gilmour
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Aimen K. Farraj
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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13
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Abstract
Wildfire smoke (WFS) is a mixture of respirable particulate matter, environmental gases, and other hazardous pollutants that originate from the unplanned burning of arid vegetation during wildfires. The increasing size and frequency of recent wildfires has escalated public and occupational health concerns regarding WFS inhalation, by either individuals living nearby and downstream an active fire or wildland firefighters and other workers that face unavoidable exposure because of their profession. In this review, we first synthesize current evidence from environmental, controlled, and interventional human exposure studies, to highlight positive associations between WFS inhalation and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Motivated by these findings, we discuss preventative measures and suggest interventions to mitigate the cardiovascular impact of wildfires. We then review animal and cell exposure studies to call attention on the pathophysiological processes that support the deterioration of cardiovascular tissues and organs in response to WFS inhalation. Acknowledging the challenges of integrating evidence across independent sources, we contextualize laboratory-scale exposure approaches according to the biological processes that they model and offer suggestions for ensuring relevance to the human condition. Noting that wildfires are significant contributors to ambient air pollution, we compare the biological responses triggered by WFS to those of other harmful pollutants. We also review evidence for how WFS inhalation may trigger mechanisms that have been proposed as mediators of adverse cardiovascular effects upon exposure to air pollution. We finally conclude by highlighting research areas that demand further consideration. Overall, we aspire for this work to serve as a catalyst for regulatory initiatives to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of WFS inhalation in the community and alleviate the occupational risk in wildland firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jessica M. Oakes
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chiara Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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14
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White AR. The firestorm within: A narrative review of extreme heat and wildfire smoke effects on brain health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171239. [PMID: 38417511 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171239] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is generating increased heatwaves and wildfires across much of the world. With these escalating environmental changes comes greater impacts on human health leading to increased numbers of people suffering from heat- and wildfire smoke-associated respiratory and cardiovascular impairment. One area of health impact of climate change that has received far less attention is the effects of extreme heat and wildfire smoke exposure on human brain health. As elevated temperatures, and wildfire-associated smoke, are increasingly experienced simultaneously over summer periods, understanding this combined impact is critical to management of human health especially in the elderly, and people with dementia, and other neurological disorders. Both extreme heat and wildfire smoke air pollution (especially particulate matter, PM) induce neuroinflammatory and cerebrovascular effects, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment, however the combined effect of these impacts are not well understood. In this narrative review, a comprehensive examination of extreme heat and wildfire smoke impact on human brain health is presented, with a focus on how these factors contribute to cognitive impairment, and dementia, one of the leading health issues today. Also discussed is the potential impact of combined heat and wildfire smoke on brain health, and where future efforts should be applied to help advance knowledge in this rapidly growing and critical field of health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R White
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia; A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, QLD, Australia.
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15
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Ryu MH, Murphy S, Hinkley M, Carlsten C. COPD Exposed to Air Pollution: A Path to Understand and Protect a Susceptible Population. Chest 2024; 165:836-846. [PMID: 37972689 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
TOPIC IMPORTANCE Air pollution poses a risk to the respiratory health of individuals with COPD. Long- and short-term exposures to higher levels of particulate-rich air pollution are associated with increased COPD exacerbation, hospitalization, and mortality, collectively implicating air pollution as a cause of adverse COPD-related outcomes. REVIEW FINDINGS This review summarizes the evidence for COPD as a phenotype that confers susceptibility for adverse health outcomes in the face of common air pollution. We highlight how typical contributors to compromised urban air quality, including that from traffic, wildfire smoke, and indoor biomass combustion, adversely affect the COPD patient population. Evidence underscoring the burden of ongoing air pollution exposure on patients with COPD is discussed. We then detail the detrimental impact of that exposure on COPD pathophysiology, which in turn increases the patient's susceptibility. We specifically propose that indoor air is a particularly rational target for increased monitoring and remediation to protect patients with COPD. Because COPD is a heterogeneous disease with several endotypes, future intervention studies need to better include control populations, to highlight COPD-specific risks and identify subpopulations within patients with COPD who will benefit the most from improved indoor air quality. SUMMARY Regulatory efforts must continue to broadly lower emission standards to protect this susceptible population from the negative health impacts of air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hyung Ryu
- Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory, Division of Respiratory Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shane Murphy
- Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory, Division of Respiratory Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Madison Hinkley
- Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory, Division of Respiratory Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Chris Carlsten
- Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory, Division of Respiratory Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Legacy for Airway Health and Centre for Lung Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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16
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Do V, Chen C, Benmarhnia T, Casey JA. Spatial Heterogeneity of the Respiratory Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke PM 2.5 in California. GEOHEALTH 2024; 8:e2023GH000997. [PMID: 38560560 PMCID: PMC10978801 DOI: 10.1029/2023gh000997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Wildfire smoke fine particles (PM2.5) are a growing public health threat as wildfire events become more common and intense under climate change, especially in the Western United States. Studies assessing the association between wildfire PM2.5 exposure and health typically summarize the effects over the study area. However, health responses to wildfire PM2.5 may vary spatially. We evaluated spatially-varying respiratory acute care utilization risks associated with short-term exposure to wildfire PM2.5 and explored community characteristics possibly driving spatial heterogeneity. Using ensemble-modeled daily wildfire PM2.5, we defined a wildfire smoke day to have wildfire-specific PM2.5 concentration ≥15 μg/m3. We included daily respiratory emergency department visits and unplanned hospitalizations in 1,396 California ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) and 15 census-derived community characteristics. Employing a case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression, we observed increased odds of respiratory acute care utilization on wildfire smoke days at the state level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 1.07). Across air basins, ORs ranged from 0.88 to 1.57, with the highest effect estimate in San Diego. A within-community matching design and spatial Bayesian hierarchical model also revealed spatial heterogeneity in ZCTA-level rate differences. For example, communities with a higher percentage of Black or Pacific Islander residents had stronger wildfire PM2.5-outcome relationships, while more air conditioning and tree canopy attenuated associations. We found an important heterogeneity in wildfire smoke-related health impacts across air basins, counties, and ZCTAs, and we identified characteristics of vulnerable communities, providing evidence to guide policy development and resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Do
- Department of Environmental Health SciencesColumbia University Mailman School of Public HealthNew YorkNYUSA
| | - C. Chen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - T. Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
- Irset Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail, UMR‐S 1085, Inserm, University of Rennes, EHESPRennesFrance
| | - J. A. Casey
- Department of Environmental Health SciencesColumbia University Mailman School of Public HealthNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
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17
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Abzhanova A, Berntsen J, Pennington ER, Dailey L, Masood S, George I, Warren N, Martin J, Hays MD, Ghio AJ, Weinstein JP, Kim YH, Puckett E, Samet JM. Monitoring redox stress in human airway epithelial cells exposed to woodsmoke at an air-liquid interface. Part Fibre Toxicol 2024; 21:14. [PMID: 38459567 PMCID: PMC10921608 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Wildland fires contribute significantly to the ambient air pollution burden worldwide, causing a range of adverse health effects in exposed populations. The toxicity of woodsmoke, a complex mixture of gases, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter, is commonly studied in vitro using isolated exposures of conventionally cultured lung cells to either resuspended particulate matter or organic solvent extracts of smoke, leading to incomplete toxicity evaluations. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the effects of woodsmoke inhalation by building an advanced in vitro exposure system that emulates human exposure of the airway epithelium. We report the development and characterization of an innovative system that permits live-cell monitoring of the intracellular redox status of differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells cultured at an air-liquid interface (pHBEC-ALI) as they are exposed to unfractionated woodsmoke generated in a tube furnace in real time. pHBEC-ALI exposed to freshly generated woodsmoke showed oxidative changes that were dose-dependent and reversible, and not attributable to carbon monoxide exposure. These findings show the utility of this novel system for studying the molecular initiating events underlying woodsmoke-induced toxicity in a physiologically relevant in vitro model, and its potential to provide biological plausibility for risk assessment and public health measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiman Abzhanova
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Lisa Dailey
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Syed Masood
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ingrid George
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Nina Warren
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Joseph Martin
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Michael D Hays
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Andrew J Ghio
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Jason P Weinstein
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Earl Puckett
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - James M Samet
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA.
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18
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Zhang Y, Tingting Y, Huang W, Yu P, Chen G, Xu R, Song J, Guo Y, Li S. Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:46-60. [PMID: 38038861 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00420-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Wildfire smoke is associated with human health, becoming an increasing public health concern. However, a comprehensive synthesis of the current evidence on the health impacts of ambient wildfire smoke on children and adolescents, an exceptionally vulnerable population, is lacking. We conduct a systematic review of peer-reviewed epidemiological studies on the association between wildfire smoke and health of children and adolescents. RECENT FINDINGS We searched for studies available in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus from database inception up to October 11, 2022. Of 4926 studies initially identified, 59 studies from 14 countries were ultimately eligible. Over 33.3% of the studies were conducted in the USA, and two focused on multi-countries. The exposure assessment of wildfire smoke was heterogenous, with wildfire-specific particulate matters with diameters ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5, 22.0%) and all-source (22.0%) PM2.5 during wildfire period most frequently used. Over half of studies (50.6%) focused on respiratory-related morbidities/mortalities. Wildfire smoke exposure was consistently associated with enhanced risks of adverse health outcomes in children/adolescents. Meta-analysis results presented a pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-1.12) for all-cause respiratory morbidity, 1.11 (95% Ci: 0.93-1.32) for asthma, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-1.03) for bronchitis, and 1.13 (95% CI, 1.05-1.23) for upper respiratory infection, whilst - 21.71 g for birth weight (95% CI, - 32.92 to - 10.50) per 10 µg/m3 increment in wildfire-specific PM2.5/all-source PM2.5 during wildfire event. The majority of studies found that wildfire smoke was associated with multiple adverse health outcomes among children and adolescents, with respiratory morbidities of significant concern. In-utero exposure to wildfire smoke may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes and have long-term impacts on height. Higher maternal baseline exposure to wildfire smoke and poor family-level baseline birthweight respectively elevated risks in preterm birth and low birth weight associated with wildfire smoke. More studies in low- and middle-income countries and focusing on extremely young children are needed. Despite technological progress, wildfire smoke exposure measurements remain uncertain, demanding improved methodologies to have more precise assessment of wildfire smoke levels and thus quantify the corresponding health impacts and guide public mitigation actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Zhang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Ye Tingting
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Wenzhong Huang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Pei Yu
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Gongbo Chen
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Rongbin Xu
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Jiangning Song
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
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19
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Czech H, Popovicheva O, Chernov DG, Kozlov A, Schneider E, Shmargunov VP, Sueur M, Rüger CP, Afonso C, Uzhegov V, Kozlov VS, Panchenko MV, Zimmermann R. Wildfire plume ageing in the Photochemical Large Aerosol Chamber (PHOTO-LAC). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024; 26:35-55. [PMID: 37873726 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00280b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Plumes from wildfires are transported over large distances from remote to populated areas and threaten sensitive ecosystems. Dense wildfire plumes are processed by atmospheric oxidants and complex multiphase chemistry, differing from processes at typical ambient concentrations. For studying dense biomass burning plume chemistry in the laboratory, we establish a Photochemical Large Aerosol Chamber (PHOTO-LAC) being the world's largest aerosol chamber with a volume of 1800 m3 and provide its figures of merit. While the photolysis rate of NO2 (jNO2) is comparable to that of other chambers, the PHOTO-LAC and its associated low surface-to-volume ratio lead to exceptionally low losses of particles to the walls. Photochemical ageing of toluene under high-NOx conditions induces substantial formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) and brown carbon (BrC). Several individual nitrophenolic compounds could be detected by high resolution mass spectrometry, demonstrating similar photochemistry to other environmental chambers. Biomass burning aerosols are generated from pine wood and debris under flaming and smouldering combustion conditions and subsequently aged under photochemical and dark ageing conditions, thus resembling day- and night-time atmospheric chemistry. In the unprecedented long ageing with alternating photochemical and dark ageing conditions, the temporal evolution of particulate matter and its chemical composition is shown by ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry. Due to the spacious cavity, the PHOTO-LAC may be used for applications requiring large amounts of particulate matter, such as comprehensive chemical aerosol characterisation or cell exposures under submersed conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendryk Czech
- Department of Analytical and Technical Chemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC), University of Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Olga Popovicheva
- Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Dmitriy G Chernov
- V. E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 634055, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Alexander Kozlov
- Voevodsky Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Eric Schneider
- Department of Analytical and Technical Chemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC), University of Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany.
- Department Life, Light & Matter (LLM), University of Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - Vladimir P Shmargunov
- V. E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 634055, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Maxime Sueur
- Normandie Université, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, COBRA, 76000, Rouen, France
- International Joint Laboratory - iC2MC: Complex Matrices Molecular Characterization, 76700, Harfleur, France
| | - Christopher P Rüger
- Department of Analytical and Technical Chemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC), University of Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany.
- Department Life, Light & Matter (LLM), University of Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - Carlos Afonso
- Normandie Université, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, COBRA, 76000, Rouen, France
- International Joint Laboratory - iC2MC: Complex Matrices Molecular Characterization, 76700, Harfleur, France
| | - Viktor Uzhegov
- V. E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 634055, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Valerii S Kozlov
- V. E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 634055, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail V Panchenko
- V. E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 634055, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Ralf Zimmermann
- Department of Analytical and Technical Chemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Joint Mass Spectrometry Centre (JMSC), University of Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany.
- Department Life, Light & Matter (LLM), University of Rostock, 18059, Rostock, Germany
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20
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Cromar K, Gladson L, Gohlke J, Li Y, Tong D, Ewart G. Adverse Health Impacts of Outdoor Air Pollution, Including from Wildland Fires, in the United States: "Health of the Air," 2018-2020. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2024; 21:76-87. [PMID: 37906164 PMCID: PMC10867920 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202305-455oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Adverse health impacts from outdoor air pollution occur across the United States, but the magnitude of these impacts varies widely by geographic region. Ambient pollutant concentrations, emission sources, baseline health conditions, and population sizes and distributions are all important factors that need to be taken into account to quantify local health burdens. Objectives: To determine health impacts from ambient air pollution concentrations in the United States that exceed the levels recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Methods: Using a methodology that has been well established in previous "Health of the Air" reports, this study provides policy-relevant estimates for every monitored county and city in the United States for the adverse health impacts of outdoor pollution concentrations using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency design values for years 2018-2020. Additionally, for the first time, the report includes adverse birth outcomes as well as estimates of health impacts specifically attributable to wildland fires using an exposure dataset generated through Community Multiscale Air Quality simulations. Results: The adverse health burdens attributable to air pollution occur across the entire age spectrum, including adverse birth outcomes (10,660 preterm and/or low-weight births; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3,180-18,330), in addition to mortality impacts (21,300 avoidable deaths; 95% CI, 16,180-26,200), lung cancer incidence (3,000 new cases; 95% CI, 1,550-4,390), multiple types of cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity (748,660 events; 95% CI, 326,050-1,057,080), and adversely impacted days (52.4 million days; 95% CI, 7.9-92.4 million days). Two different estimates of mortality impacts from wildland fires were created based on assumptions regarding the underlying toxicity of particles from wildland fires (low estimate of 4,080 deaths, 95% CI, 240-7,890; middle estimate of 28,000 deaths, 95% CI, 27,300-28,700). Conclusions: This year's report identified sizable health benefits that would be expected to occur across the United States with compliance with more health-protective air quality standards such as those recommended by the American Thoracic Society. This study also indicates that a large number of excess deaths are attributable to emissions from wildland fires; air quality management strategies outside what is required by the Clean Air Act will be needed to best address this important source of air pollution and its associated health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Cromar
- Marron Institute of Urban Management, New York University, New York, New York
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Laura Gladson
- Marron Institute of Urban Management, New York University, New York, New York
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Yunyao Li
- Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences and
| | - Daniel Tong
- Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences and
- Center for Spatial Information Science and Systems, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; and
| | - Gary Ewart
- American Thoracic Society, Washington, DC
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21
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Zheng H, Wan X, Kang S, Chen P, Li Q, Maharjan L, Guo J. Molecular characterization of organic aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau: Spatiotemporal variations, sources, and potential implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122832. [PMID: 37913981 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic aerosols have profound and far-reaching influences on the Earth's climate, ecosystems, environmental quality, and public health. Elucidating the precise composition and sources of these aerosols over the Tibetan Plateau, a region highly sensitive to climate change and vulnerable to ecosystems, is critically important. Sixteen organic molecular tracers in aerosols were quantified using solvent extraction-BSTFA derivatization, and GC/MS analysis at six sites over the Tibetan Plateau during 2014 and 2016. Average total tracer concentration was 32.5 ± 20.1 ng m-3. The highest levels of biomass burning tracers (anhydrosugars and aromatic acids) were found at southeastern Tibetan Plateau site Yulong (20.8 ± 21.3 ng m-3) followed by the western site Ngari (13.3 ± 10.6 ng m-3). Biomass burning tracers decreased from southern sites like Everest (9.50 ± 10.5 ng m-3) to northern aeras such as Laohugou (2.59 ± 2.19 ng m-3). Biomass burning tracers peaked in non-monsoon seasons while primary saccharides and sugar alcohols predominated during monsoon months. Using tracer-based methods, biomass burning contributed 0.4%-8.4% of organic carbon over the plateau, with higher non-monsoon contributions (3.6% ± 3.7%). Backward air mass trajectories and fire spots indicated South Asian biomass burning impacts on organic aerosols at western, southern, and southeastern Tibetan Plateau sites, particularly in non-monsoon periods. Fungal spores and plant debris comprised 0.6%-6.3% and 0.3%-1.2% of organic carbon respectively, with higher monsoon contributions (4.2% ± 4.7%) of fungal spores. Secondary organic carbon was estimated to contribute substantially (45.5%-73.5%) over the plateau but requires further investigation. These results provide insights into pollution mitigation and the assessments of climate and ecology changes for the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xin Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pengfei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Quanlian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Linda Maharjan
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Junming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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22
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Lopez AM, Pacheco JL, Fendorf S. Metal toxin threat in wildland fires determined by geology and fire severity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8007. [PMID: 38086795 PMCID: PMC10716285 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Accentuated by climate change, catastrophic wildfires are a growing, distributed global public health risk from inhalation of smoke and dust. Underrecognized, however, are the health threats arising from fire-altered toxic metals natural to soils and plants. Here, we demonstrate that high temperatures during California wildfires catalyzed widespread transformation of chromium to its carcinogenic form in soil and ash, as hexavalent chromium, particularly in areas with metal-rich geologies (e.g., serpentinite). In wildfire ash, we observed dangerous levels (327-13,100 µg kg-1) of reactive hexavalent chromium in wind-dispersible particulates. Relatively dry post-fire weather contributed to the persistence of elevated hexavalent chromium in surficial soil layers for up to ten months post-fire. The geographic distribution of metal-rich soils and fire incidents illustrate the broad global threat of wildfire smoke- and dust-born metals to populations. Our findings provide new insights into why wildfire smoke exposure appears to be more hazardous to humans than pollution from other sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alandra Marie Lopez
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Juan Lezama Pacheco
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Scott Fendorf
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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23
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Yu SE, Athni TS, Mitchell MB, Zhou X, Chiang S, Lee SE. The Impact of Ambient and Wildfire Air Pollution on Rhinosinusitis and Olfactory Dysfunction. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:665-673. [PMID: 38047993 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW With increasing industrialization, exposure to ambient and wildfire air pollution is projected to increase, necessitating further research to elucidate the complex relationship between exposure and sinonasal disease. This review aims to summarize the role of ambient and wildfire air pollution in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and olfactory dysfunction and provide a perspective on gaps in the literature. RECENT FINDINGS Based on an emerging body of evidence, exposure to ambient air pollutants is correlated with the development of chronic rhinosinusitis in healthy individuals and increased symptom severity in CRS patients. Studies have also found a robust relationship between long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and olfactory dysfunction. Ambient air pollution exposure is increasingly recognized to impact the development and sequelae of sinonasal pathophysiology. Given the rising number of wildfire events and worsening impacts of climate change, further study of the impact of wildfire-related air pollution is a crucial emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Yu
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tejas S Athni
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret B Mitchell
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaodan Zhou
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Simon Chiang
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stella E Lee
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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24
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Chen AI, Ebisu K, Benmarhnia T, Basu R. Emergency department visits associated with wildfire smoke events in California, 2016-2019. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117154. [PMID: 37716386 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117154] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Wildfire smoke has been associated with adverse respiratory outcomes, but the impacts of wildfire on other health outcomes and sensitive subpopulations are not fully understood. We examined associations between smoke events and emergency department visits (EDVs) for respiratory, cardiovascular, diabetes, and mental health outcomes in California during the wildfire season June-December 2016-2019. Daily, zip code tabulation area-level wildfire-specific fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations were aggregated to air basins. A "smoke event" was defined as an air basin-day with a wildfire-specific PM2.5 concentration at or above the 98th percentile across all air basin-days (threshold = 13.5 μg/m3). We conducted a two-stage time-series analysis using quasi-Poisson regression considering lag effects and random effects meta-analysis. We also conducted analyses stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and sex to assess potential effect modification. Smoke events were associated with an increased risk of EDVs for all respiratory diseases at lag 1 [14.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (6.8, 22.5)], asthma at lag 0 [57.1% (44.5, 70.8)], and chronic lower respiratory disease at lag 0 [12.7% (6.2, 19.6)]. We also found positive associations with EDVs for all cardiovascular diseases at lag 10. Mixed results were observed for mental health outcomes. Stratified results revealed potential disparities by race/ethnicity. Short-term exposure to smoke events was associated with increased respiratory and schizophrenia EDVs. Cardiovascular impacts may be delayed compared to respiratory outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie I Chen
- Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Keita Ebisu
- Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rupa Basu
- Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, USA.
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25
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Gregson FKA, Gerrebos NGA, Schervish M, Nikkho S, Schnitzler EG, Schwartz C, Carlsten C, Abbatt JPD, Kamal S, Shiraiwa M, Bertram AK. Phase Behavior and Viscosity in Biomass Burning Organic Aerosol and Climatic Impacts. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14548-14557. [PMID: 37729583 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03231] [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: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Smoke particles generated by burning biomass consist mainly of organic aerosol termed biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA). BBOA influences the climate by scattering and absorbing solar radiation or acting as nuclei for cloud formation. The viscosity and the phase behavior (i.e., the number and type of phases present in a particle) are properties of BBOA that are expected to impact several climate-relevant processes but remain highly uncertain. We studied the phase behavior of BBOA using fluorescence microscopy and showed that BBOA particles comprise two organic phases (a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic phase) across a wide range of atmospheric relative humidity (RH). We determined the viscosity of the two phases at room temperature using a photobleaching method and showed that the two phases possess different RH-dependent viscosities. The viscosity of the hydrophobic phase is largely independent of the RH from 0 to 95%. We use the Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman equation to extrapolate our results to colder and warmer temperatures, and based on the extrapolation, the hydrophobic phase is predicted to be glassy (viscosity >1012 Pa s) for temperatures less than 230 K and RHs below 95%, with possible implications for heterogeneous reaction kinetics and cloud formation in the atmosphere. Using a kinetic multilayer model (KM-GAP), we investigated the effect of two phases on the atmospheric lifetime of brown carbon within BBOA, which is a climate-warming agent. We showed that the presence of two phases can increase the lifetime of brown carbon in the planetary boundary layer and polar regions compared to previous modeling studies. Hence, the presence of two phases can lead to an increase in the predicted warming effect of BBOA on the climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence K A Gregson
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Nealan G A Gerrebos
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Meredith Schervish
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Sepehr Nikkho
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Elijah G Schnitzler
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Carley Schwartz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Christopher Carlsten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Jonathan P D Abbatt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Saeid Kamal
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Manabu Shiraiwa
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Allan K Bertram
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
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26
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Darling R, Hansen K, Aguilera R, Basu R, Benmarhnia T, Letellier N. The Burden of Wildfire Smoke on Respiratory Health in California at the Zip Code Level: Uncovering the Disproportionate Impacts of Differential Fine Particle Composition. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2023GH000884. [PMID: 37869264 PMCID: PMC10586090 DOI: 10.1029/2023gh000884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires constitute a growing source of extremely high levels of particulate matter that is less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). Recently, toxicologic and epidemiologic studies have shown that PM2.5 generated from wildfires may have a greater health burden than PM2.5 generated from other pollutant sources. This study examined the impact of PM2.5 on hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in California between 2006 and 2019 using a health impact assessment approach that considers differential concentration-response functions (CRF) for PM2.5 from wildfire and non-wildfire sources of emissions. We quantified the burden of respiratory hospitalizations related to PM2.5 exposure at the zip code level through two different approaches: (a) naïve (considering the same CRF for all PM2.5 emissions) and (b) nuanced (considering different CRFs for PM2.5 from wildfires and from other sources). We conducted a Geographically Weighted Regression to analyze spatially varying relationships between the delta (i.e., the difference between the naïve and nuanced approaches) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). A higher attributable number of respiratory hospitalizations was found when accounting for the larger health burden of wildfire PM2.5. We found that, between 2006 and 2019, the number of hospitalizations attributable to PM2.5 may have been underestimated by approximately 13% as a result of not accounting for the higher CRF of wildfire-related PM2.5 throughout California. This underestimation was higher in northern California and areas with higher SVI rankings. The relationship between delta and SVI varied spatially across California. These findings can be useful for updating future air pollution guideline recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Darling
- Scripps Institution of OceanographyUC San DiegoSan DiegoCAUSA
| | - Kristen Hansen
- Scripps Institution of OceanographyUC San DiegoSan DiegoCAUSA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity ScienceUC San DiegoSan DiegoCAUSA
| | - Rosana Aguilera
- Scripps Institution of OceanographyUC San DiegoSan DiegoCAUSA
| | - Rupa Basu
- Air and Climate Epidemiology SectionCalifornia Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentOaklandCAUSA
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27
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Mahmood R, Said A, Kanagala SG, Gupta V, Jain R. Unraveling the link: exploring the effects of environmental change on the cardiovascular system. Future Cardiol 2023; 19:649-659. [PMID: 37830331 DOI: 10.2217/fca-2023-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change has a particularly detrimental effect on the cardiovascular system, which is highly vulnerable to harmful impacts. The accumulation of particulate matter (PM) and greenhouse gasses in the environment negatively impacts the cardiovascular system through several mechanisms. The burden of climate change-related diseases falls disproportionately on vulnerable populations, including the elderly, the poor, and those with pre-existing health conditions. A key component of addressing the complex interplay between climate change and cardiovascular diseases is acknowledging health disparities among vulnerable populations resulting from climate change, familiarizing themselves with strategies for adapting to changing conditions, educating patients about climate-related cardiovascular risks, and advocating for policies that promote cleaner environments and sustainable practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramsha Mahmood
- Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, Curaçao
| | - Aimen Said
- CMH Lahore Medical College, Punjab, Pakistan
| | | | - Vasu Gupta
- Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, India
| | - Rohit Jain
- Department of Internal Medicine Institution: Avalon University School of Medicine, WTC, Piscaderaweg z/n, Willemstad, Curaçao
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28
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James BD, Reddy CM, Hahn ME, Nelson RK, de Vos A, Aluwihare LI, Wade TL, Knap AH, Bera G. Fire and Oil Led to Complex Mixtures of PAHs on Burnt and Unburnt Plastic during the M/V X-Press Pearl Disaster. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2023; 3:319-335. [PMID: 37743953 PMCID: PMC10515710 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.3c00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
In May 2021, the M/V X-Press Pearl container ship burned for 2 weeks, leading to the largest maritime spill of resin pellets (nurdles). The disaster was exacerbated by the leakage of other cargo and the ship's underway fuel. This disaster affords the unique opportunity to study a time-stamped, geolocated release of plastic under real-world conditions. Field samples collected from beaches in Sri Lanka nearest to the ship comprised nurdles exposed to heat and combustion, burnt plastic pieces (pyroplastic), and oil-plastic agglomerates (petroplastic). An unresolved question is whether the 1600+ tons of spilled and recovered plastic should be considered hazardous waste. Due to the known formation and toxicity of combustion-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we measured 20 parent and 21 alkylated PAHs associated with several types of spilled plastic. The maximum PAH content of the sampled pyroplastic had the greatest amount of PAHs recorded for marine plastic debris (199,000 ng/g). In contrast, the sampled unburnt white nurdles had two orders of magnitude less PAH content. The PAH composition varied between the types of spilled plastic and presented features typical of and conflicting with petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. Nevertheless, specific markers and compositional changes for burning plastics were identified, revealing that the fire was the main source of PAHs. Eight months after the spill, the PAH contents of sampled stray nurdles and pyroplastic were reduced by more than 50%. Due to their PAH content exceeding levels allowable for plastic consumer goods, classifying burnt plastic as hazardous waste may be warranted. Following a largely successful cleanup, we recommend that the Sri Lankans re-evaluate the identification, handling, and disposal of the plastic debris collected from beaches and the potential exposure of responders and the public to PAHs from handling it. The maritime disaster underscores pyroplastic as a type of plastic pollution that has yet to be fully explored, despite the pervasiveness of intentional and unintentional burning of plastic globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan D. James
- Department
of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
- Biology
Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Christopher M. Reddy
- Department
of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology
Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Robert K. Nelson
- Department
of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Asha de Vos
- Oceanswell, 9 Park Gardens, Colombo 00500, Sri Lanka
- The
Oceans Institute, University of Western
Australia, 35 Stirling
Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Lihini I. Aluwihare
- Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, University
of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Terry L. Wade
- Geochemical
and Environmental Research Group, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, United States
- Department
of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Anthony H. Knap
- Geochemical
and Environmental Research Group, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, United States
- Department
of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Ocean Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Gopal Bera
- Geochemical
and Environmental Research Group, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, United States
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Rager JE, Rider CV. Wrangling Whole Mixtures Risk Assessment: Recent Advances in Determining Sufficient Similarity. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 35:100417. [PMID: 37790747 PMCID: PMC10545370 DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2023.100417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Human health risk assessments for complex mixtures can address real-world exposures and protect public health. While risk assessors typically prefer whole mixture approaches over component-based approaches, data from the precise exposure of interest are often unavailable and surrogate data from a sufficiently similar mixture(s) are required. This review describes recent advances in determining sufficient similarity of whole, complex mixtures spanning the comparison of chemical features, bioactivity profiles, and statistical evaluation to determine "thresholds of similarity". Case studies, including water disinfection byproducts, botanical ingredients, and wildfire emissions, are used to highlight tools and methods. Limitations to application of sufficient similarity in risk-based decision making are reviewed and recommendations presented for developing best practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E. Rager
- The Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Cynthia V. Rider
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
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Scieszka D, Jin Y, Noor S, Barr E, Garcia M, Begay J, Herbert G, Hunter RP, Bhaskar K, Kumar R, Gullapalli R, Bolt A, McCormick MA, Bleske B, Gu H, Campen MJ. Biomass smoke inhalation promotes neuroinflammatory and metabolomic temporal changes in the hippocampus of female mice. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:192. [PMID: 37608305 PMCID: PMC10464132 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02874-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Smoke from wildland fires has been shown to produce neuroinflammation in preclinical models, characterized by neural infiltrations of neutrophils and monocytes, as well as altered neurovascular endothelial phenotypes. To address the longevity of such outcomes, the present study examined the temporal dynamics of neuroinflammation and metabolomics after inhalation exposures from biomass-derived smoke. 2-month-old female C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to wood smoke every other day for 2 weeks at an average exposure concentration of 0.5 mg/m3. Subsequent serial euthanasia occurred at 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 28-day post-exposure. Flow cytometry of right hemispheres revealed two endothelial populations of CD31Hi and CD31Med expressors, with wood smoke inhalation causing an increased proportion of CD31Hi. These populations of CD31Hi and CD31Med were associated with an anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory response, respectively, and their inflammatory profiles were largely resolved by the 28-day mark. However, activated microglial populations (CD11b+/CD45low) remained higher in wood smoke-exposed mice than controls at day 28. Infiltrating neutrophil populations decreased to levels below controls by day 28. However, the MHC-II expression of the peripheral immune infiltrate remained high, and the population of neutrophils retained an increased expression of CD45, Ly6C, and MHC-II. Utilizing an unbiased approach examining the metabolomic alterations, we observed notable hippocampal perturbations in neurotransmitter and signaling molecules, such as glutamate, quinolinic acid, and 5-α-dihydroprogesterone. Utilizing a targeted panel designed to explore the aging-associated NAD+ metabolic pathway, wood smoke exposure drove fluctuations and compensations across the 28-day time course, ending with decreased hippocampal NAD+ abundance on day 28. Summarily, these results indicate a highly dynamic neuroinflammatory environment, with potential resolution extending past 28 days, the implications of which may include long-term behavioral changes, systemic and neurological sequalae directly associated with wildfire smoke exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Scieszka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Yan Jin
- Florida International University Center for Translational Sciences, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34987, USA
| | - Shahani Noor
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Ed Barr
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Marcus Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Jessica Begay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Russell P Hunter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Kiran Bhaskar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Rama Gullapalli
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Alicia Bolt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Mark A McCormick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Barry Bleske
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Haiwei Gu
- Florida International University Center for Translational Sciences, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34987, USA
| | - Matthew J Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360; 1, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
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Scieszka D, Jin Y, Noor S, Barr E, Garcia M, Begay J, Herbert G, Hunter RP, Bhaskar K, Kumar R, Gullapalli R, Bolt A, McCormick MA, Bleske B, Gu H, Campen M. Neuroinflammatory and Metabolomic Temporal Dynamics Following Wood Smoke Inhalation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3002040. [PMID: 37333410 PMCID: PMC10275049 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3002040/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Smoke from wildland fires has been shown to produce neuroinflammation in preclinical models, characterized by neural infiltrations of neutrophils and monocytes, as well as altered neurovascular endothelial phenotypes. To address the longevity of such outcomes, the present study examined the neuroinflammatory and metabolomic temporal dynamics after inhalation exposures from biomass-derived smoke. 2-month-old female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to wood smoke every other day for two weeks at an average exposure concentration of 0.5mg/m 3 . Subsequent serial euthanasia occurred at 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 28-days post-exposure. Flow cytometry of right hemispheres revealed two endothelial populations of PECAM (CD31), high and medium expressors, with wood smoke inhalation causing an increased proportion of PECAM Hi . These populations of PECAM Hi and PECAM Med were associated with an anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory response, respectively, and their inflammatory profiles were largely resolved by the 28-day mark. However, activated microglial populations (CD11b + /CD45 low ) remained higher in wood smoke-exposed mice than controls at day 28. Infiltrating neutrophil populations decreased to levels below controls by day 28. However, the MHC-II expression of the peripheral immune infiltrate remained high, and the population of neutrophils retained an increased expression of CD45, Ly6C, and MHC-II. Utilizing an unbiased approach examining the metabolomic alterations, we observed notable hippocampal perturbations in neurotransmitter and signaling molecules like glutamate, quinolinic acid, and 5-α-dihydroprogesterone. Utilizing a targeted panel designed to explore the aging-associated NAD + metabolic pathway, wood smoke exposure drove fluctuations and compensations across the 28-day time course, ending with decreased hippocampal NAD + abundance at day 28. Summarily, these results indicate a highly dynamic neuroinflammatory environment, with potential resolution extending past 28 days, the implications of which may include long-term behavioral changes, systemic and neurological sequalae directly associated wtith wildfire smoke exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yan Jin
- Florida International University, Center for Translational Sciences
| | - Shahani Noor
- University of New Mexico, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
| | - Ed Barr
- University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy
| | | | | | - Guy Herbert
- University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy
| | | | - Kiran Bhaskar
- University of New Mexico, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
| | - Rahul Kumar
- University of New Mexico, Department of Pathology
| | | | - Alicia Bolt
- University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy
| | - Mark A McCormick
- University of New Mexico, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Barry Bleske
- University of New Mexico, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Science
| | - Haiwei Gu
- Florida International University, Center for Translational Sciences
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Pan S, Gan L, Jung J, Yu W, Roy A, Diao L, Jeon W, Souri AH, Gao HO, Choi Y. Quantifying the premature mortality and economic loss from wildfire-induced PM 2.5 in the contiguous U.S. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162614. [PMID: 36871727 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162614] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Emissions from wildfires worsen air quality and can adversely impact human health. This study utilized the fire inventory from NCAR (FINN) as wildfire emissions, and performed air quality modeling of April-October 2012, 2013, and 2014 using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CMAQ model under two cases: with and without wildfire emissions. This study then assessed the health impacts and economic values attributable to PM2.5 from fires. Results indicated that wildfires could lead annually to 4000 cases of premature mortality in the U.S., corresponding to $36 billion losses. Regions with high concentrations of fire-induced PM2.5 were in the west (e.g., Idaho, Montana, and northern California) and Southeast (e.g., Alabama, Georgia). Metropolitan areas located near fire sources, exhibited large health burdens, such as Los Angeles (119 premature deaths, corresponding to $1.07 billion), Atlanta (76, $0.69 billion), and Houston (65, $0.58 billion). Regions in the downwind of western fires, although experiencing relatively low values of fire-induced PM2.5, showed notable health burdens due to their large population, such as metropolitan areas of New York (86, $0.78 billion), Chicago (60, $0.54 billion), and Pittsburgh (32, $0.29 billion). Results suggest that impacts from wildfires are substantial, and to mitigate these impacts, better forest management and more resilient infrastructure would be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Pan
- Emergency Management College, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, Jiangsu 210044, China; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lu Gan
- Emergency Management College, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, Jiangsu 210044, China
| | - Jia Jung
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; Atmospheric Sciences and Global Change Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Wendi Yu
- Emergency Management College, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Nanjing, Jiangsu 210044, China
| | | | | | - Wonbae Jeon
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Amir H Souri
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - H Oliver Gao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yunsoo Choi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
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Doubleday A, Sheppard L, Austin E, Busch Isaksen T. Wildfire smoke exposure and emergency department visits in Washington State. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, HEALTH : ERH 2023; 1:025006. [PMID: 37252333 PMCID: PMC10213826 DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/acd3a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are increasing in prevalence in western North America due to changing climate conditions. A growing number of studies examine the impact of wildfire smoke on morbidity; however, few evaluate these impacts using syndromic surveillance data that cover many emergency departments (EDs). We used syndromic surveillance data to explore the effect of wildfire smoke exposure on all-cause respiratory and cardiovascular ED visits in Washington state. Using a time-stratified case crossover design, we observed an increased odds of asthma visits immediately after and in all five days following initial exposure (lag 0 OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.17; lag 1-5 ORs all 1.05 or greater with a lower CI of 1.02 or higher), and an increased odds of respiratory visits in all five days following initial exposure (lag 1 OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03; lag 2-5 ORs and lower CIs were all at least as large) comparing wildfire smoke to non-wildfire smoke days. We observed mixed results for cardiovascular visits, with evidence of increased odds emerging only several days following initial exposure. We also found increased odds across all visit categories for a 10 μg m-3 increase in smoke-impacted PM2.5. In stratified analyses, we observed elevated odds for respiratory visits among ages 19-64, for asthma visits among ages 5-64, and mixed risk estimates for cardiovascular visits by age group. This study provides evidence of an increased risk of respiratory ED visits immediately following initial wildfire smoke exposure, and increased risk of cardiovascular ED visits several days following initial exposure. These increased risks are seen particularly among children and younger to middle-aged adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Doubleday
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Lianne Sheppard
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Elena Austin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Tania Busch Isaksen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Kyle Martin W, Schladweiler MC, Oshiro W, Smoot J, Fisher A, Williams W, Valdez M, Miller CN, Jackson TW, Freeborn D, Kim YH, Davies D, Ian Gilmour M, Kodavanti U, Kodavanti P, Hazari MS, Farraj AK. Wildfire-related smoke inhalation worsens cardiovascular risk in sleep disrupted rats. FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 2:1166918. [PMID: 38116203 PMCID: PMC10726696 DOI: 10.3389/fenvh.2023.1166918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Introduction As a lifestyle factor, poor sleep status is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and may be influenced by environmental stressors, including air pollution. Methods To determine whether exposure to air pollution modified cardiovascular effects of sleep disruption, we evaluated the effects of single or repeated (twice/wk for 4 wks) inhalation exposure to eucalyptus wood smoke (ES; 964 μg/m3 for 1 h), a key wildland fire air pollution source, on mild sleep loss in the form of gentle handling in rats. Blood pressure (BP) radiotelemetry and echocardiography were evaluated along with assessments of lung and systemic inflammation, cardiac and hypothalamic gene expression, and heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of cardiac autonomic tone. Results and Discussion GH alone disrupted sleep, as evidenced by active period-like locomotor activity, and increases in BP, heart rate (HR), and hypothalamic expression of the circadian gene Per2. A single bout of sleep disruption and ES, but neither alone, increased HR and BP as rats transitioned into their active period, a period aligned with a critical early morning window for stroke risk in humans. These responses were immediately preceded by reduced HRV, indicating increased cardiac sympathetic tone. In addition, only sleep disrupted rats exposed to ES had increased HR and BP during the final sleep disruption period. These rats also had increased cardiac output and cardiac expression of genes related to adrenergic function, and regulation of vasoconstriction and systemic blood pressure one day after final ES exposure. There was little evidence of lung or systemic inflammation, except for increases in serum LDL cholesterol and alanine aminotransferase. These results suggest that inhaled air pollution increases sleep perturbation-related cardiovascular risk, potentially in part by increased sympathetic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Kyle Martin
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - M. C. Schladweiler
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - W. Oshiro
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - J. Smoot
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - A. Fisher
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - W. Williams
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - M. Valdez
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - C. N. Miller
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - T. W. Jackson
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - D. Freeborn
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Y. H. Kim
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - D. Davies
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - M. Ian Gilmour
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - U. Kodavanti
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - P. Kodavanti
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - M. S. Hazari
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - A. K. Farraj
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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Vance SA, Kim YH, George IJ, Dye JA, Williams WC, Schladweiler MJ, Gilmour MI, Jaspers I, Gavett SH. Contributions of particulate and gas phases of simulated burn pit smoke exposures to impairment of respiratory function. Inhal Toxicol 2023; 35:129-138. [PMID: 36692431 PMCID: PMC10392891 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2023.2169416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inhalation of smoke from the burning of waste materials on military bases is associated with increased incidences of cardiopulmonary diseases. This study examined the respiratory and inflammatory effects of acute inhalation exposures in mice to smoke generated by military burn pit-related materials including plywood (PW), cardboard (CB), mixed plastics (PL), and a mixture of these three materials (MX) under smoldering (0.84 MCE) and flaming (0.97 MCE) burn conditions. METHODS Mice were exposed nose-only for one hour on two consecutive days to whole or filtered smoke or clean air alone. Smoldering combustion emissions had greater concentrations of PM (∼40 mg/m3) and VOCs (∼5-12 ppmv) than flaming emissions (∼4 mg/m3 and ∼1-2 ppmv, respectively); filtered emissions had equivalent levels of VOCs with negligible PM. Breathing parameters were assessed during exposure by head-out plethysmography. RESULTS All four smoldering burn pit emission types reduced breathing frequency (F) and minute volumes (MV) compared with baseline exposures to clean air, and HEPA filtration significantly reduced the effects of all smoldering materials except CB. Flaming emissions had significantly less suppression of F and MV compared with smoldering conditions. No acute effects on lung inflammatory cells, cytokines, lung injury markers, or hematology parameters were noted in smoke-exposed mice compared with air controls, likely due to reduced respiration and upper respiratory scrubbing to reduce the total deposited PM dose in this short-term exposure. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that material and combustion type influences respiratory responses to burn pit combustion emissions. Furthermore, PM filtration provides significant protective effects only for certain material types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. Vance
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Ingrid J. George
- Air Methods and Characterization Division, Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Janice A. Dye
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Wanda C. Williams
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Mette J. Schladweiler
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - M. Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Stephen H. Gavett
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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Ocampos MS, Leite LCS, de Pádua Melo ES, de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães R, Oliveira RJ, de Cássia Freitas K, Hiane PA, Karuppusamy A, do Nascimento VA. Indirect Methods to Determine the Risk of Damage to the Health of Firefighters and Children Due to Exposure to Smoke Emission from Burning Wood/Coal in a Controlled Environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085607. [PMID: 37107889 PMCID: PMC10139234 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
People are constantly exposed to particulate matter and chemicals released during fires. However, there are still few studies on gas and particulate emissions related to exposure to burning firewood and charcoal during forest fires, making it difficult to understand the effects on the health of the population. The objective of this study was to quantify the metal(loid)s present in the smoke from wood and charcoal fires through the deposition of metals in beef topside and pork loin, considering the routes of skin exposure, inhalation, and ingestion, contributing to the understanding of metals in the increase of the risks of cancer and mortality associated with firefighting and children. The concentrations of metals [aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn)] and metalloids arsenic (As) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP OES) after microwave digestion. Moreover, we assessed the associated risk regarding the elemental intake of these elements through the smoke, using the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), Total Hazard Index (HIt), and carcinogenic risk (CR). All samples had results for HQ and HIt < 1, indicating a non-potential health risk. However, the carcinogenic risks posed by As and Cr via the three exposure pathways (except for inhalation exposure to children and adults, and by Cr via ingestion and inhalation for children and adults) exceeded the standard threshold. In conclusion, continuous exposure of firefighters or children to smoke from fires containing high concentrations of heavy metals such as As and Cr can be harmful to health. The study used animal tissues; thus, new methods must be developed to quantify the concentration of heavy metals deposited in human tissue when humans are exposed to smoke from fires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Sampaio Ocampos
- Group of Spectroscopy and Bioinformatics Applied to Biodiversity and Health (GEBABS), Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Luana Carolina Santos Leite
- Group of Spectroscopy and Bioinformatics Applied to Biodiversity and Health (GEBABS), Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo
- Group of Spectroscopy and Bioinformatics Applied to Biodiversity and Health (GEBABS), Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães
- Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Juliano Oliveira
- Center for Studies in Stem Cells, Cell Therapy and Genetic Toxicology (CeTroGen), School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Karine de Cássia Freitas
- Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Priscila Aiko Hiane
- Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Arunachalam Karuppusamy
- Center for Studies in Stem Cells, Cell Therapy and Genetic Toxicology (CeTroGen), School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
| | - Valter Aragão do Nascimento
- Group of Spectroscopy and Bioinformatics Applied to Biodiversity and Health (GEBABS), Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79079-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: or
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Cherry N, Broznitsky N, Fedun M, Kinniburgh D, Shum M, Tiu S, Zadunayski T, Zarft M, Zhang X. Exposures to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Mitigation in Wildland Firefighters in Two Canadian Provinces. Ann Work Expo Health 2023; 67:354-365. [PMID: 36565164 PMCID: PMC10015798 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxac085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to characterize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the breathing zone and on the skin of wildland firefighters and to assess their contribution to urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) over repeated firefighting rotations. We asked if improved skin hygiene or discretionary use of an N95 mask would reduce absorption. METHODS In collaboration with wildfire services of two Canadian provinces, Alberta and British Columbia (BC), we recruited wildland firefighters from crews willing to be followed up over successive rotations and to be randomly assigned to normal practice, enhanced skin hygiene (ESH), or ESH plus discretionary use of an N95 mask. We collected spot urine samples at the beginning and end of up to four rotations/firefighter. On designated fire days, as close as possible to the end of rotation, we collected skin wipes from the hands, throat, and chest at the beginning and end of the fire day and, in BC, start of fire-day urine samples. Volunteers carried air monitoring pumps. Participants completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of rotations. Exposure since the start of the fire season was estimated from fire service records. Urinary 1-HP was analyzed by LC-MS-MS. Analysis of 21 PAHs on skin wipes and 27 PAHs from air sampling was done by GC-MS-MS. Statistical analysis used a linear mixed effects model. RESULTS Firefighters in Alberta were recruited from five helitack crews and two unit crews, and in BC from two unit crews with 80 firefighters providing data overall. The fire season in BC was very active with five monitored fire days. In Alberta, with more crews, there were only seven fire days. Overall, log 1-HP/creatinine (ng/g) increased significantly from the start (N = 145) to end of rotation (N = 136). Only three PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene) were found on >20% of skin wipes. PAHs from 40 air monitoring pumps included 10 PAHs detected on cassette filters (particles) and 5 on sorbent tubes (vapor phase). A principal component extracted from air monitoring data represented respiratory exposure and total PAH from skin wipes summarized skin exposure. Both routes contributed to the end of rotation urinary 1-HP. The ESH intervention was not demonstrated to effect absorption. Allocation of an N95 mask was associated with lower 1-HP when modeling respiratory exposure (β = -0.62, 95% CI -1.15 to -0.10: P = 0.021). End of rotation 1-HP was related to 1-HP at the start of the next rotation (β = 0.25, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.39: P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Exposures to PAHs during firefighting were significant, with samples exceeding the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Biological Exposure Index for 1-HP suggesting a need for control of exposure. PAH exposure accumulated during the rotation and was not fully eliminated during the break between rotations. Both respiratory and skin exposures contributed to 1-HP. While improved skin hygiene may potentially reduce dermal absorption, that was not demonstrated here. In contrast, those allocated to discretionary use of an N95 mask had reduced 1-HP excretion. Wildland firefighters in North America do not use respiratory protection, but the results of this study support more effective interventions to reduce respiratory exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cherry
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
| | | | - Mike Fedun
- Alberta Wildfire Service, Agriculture and Forestry Alberta, Edmonton, AL T5S 1L3Canada
| | - David Kinniburgh
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Mona Shum
- Aura Health and Safety Corporation, Burnaby, BC V5H 1Y7, Canada
| | - Sylvia Tiu
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tanis Zadunayski
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
| | - Melissa Zarft
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
| | - Xu Zhang
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Eden MJ, Matz J, Garg P, Gonzalez MP, McElderry K, Wang S, Gollner MJ, Oakes JM, Bellini C. Prolonged smoldering Douglas fir smoke inhalation augments respiratory resistances, stiffens the aorta, and curbs ejection fraction in hypercholesterolemic mice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 861:160609. [PMID: 36470384 PMCID: PMC10699119 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160609] [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: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While mounting evidence suggests that wildland fire smoke (WFS) inhalation may increase the burden of cardiopulmonary disease, the occupational risk of repeated exposure during wildland firefighting remains unknown. To address this concern, we evaluated the cardiopulmonary function in mice following a cumulative exposure to lab-scale WFS equivalent to a mid-length wildland firefighter (WLFF) career. Dosimetry analysis indicated that 80 exposure hours at a particulate concentration of 22 mg/m3 yield in mice the same cumulative deposited mass per unit of lung surface area as 3600 h of wildland firefighting. To satisfy this condition, male Apoe-/- mice were whole-body exposed to either air or smoldering Douglas fir smoke (DFS) for 2 h/day, 5 days/week, over 8 consecutive weeks. Particulate size in DFS fell within the respirable range for both mice and humans, with a count median diameter of 110 ± 20 nm. Expiratory breath hold in mice exposed to DFS significantly reduced their minute volume (DFS: 27 ± 4; Air: 122 ± 8 mL/min). By the end of the exposure time frame, mice in the DFS group exhibited a thicker (DFS: 109 ± 3; Air: 98 ± 3 μm) and less distensible (DFS: 23 ± 1; Air: 28 ± 1 MPa-1) aorta with reduced diastolic blood augmentation capacity (DFS: 53 ± 2; Air: 63 ± 2 kPa). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging further revealed larger end-systolic volume (DFS: 14.6 ± 1.1; Air: 9.9 ± 0.9 μL) and reduced ejection-fraction (DFS: 64.7 ± 1.0; Air: 75.3 ± 0.9 %) in mice exposed to DFS. Consistent with increased airway epithelium thickness (DFS: 10.4 ± 0.8; Air: 7.6 ± 0.3 μm), airway Newtonian resistance was larger following DFS exposure (DFS: 0.23 ± 0.03; Air: 0.20 ± 0.03 cmH2O-s/mL). Furthermore, parenchyma mean linear intercept (DFS: 36.3 ± 0.8; Air: 33.3 ± 0.8 μm) and tissue thickness (DFS: 10.1 ± 0.5; Air: 7.4 ± 0.7 μm) were larger in DFS mice. Collectively, mice exposed to DFS manifested early signs of cardiopulmonary dysfunction aligned with self-reported events in mid-career WLFFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Eden
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Matz
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Priya Garg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Siyan Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Gollner
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jessica M Oakes
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Chiara Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA.
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Sklar RS, Padula AM. Housing: Fragile buffer to wildfire smoke in pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2023; 160:385-387. [PMID: 36030409 PMCID: PMC9987509 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
SynopsisLiving near or migrating to areas at high risk for wildfires may result in health consequences and increased disparities for pregnant people and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Sklar
- Program for Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amy M Padula
- Program for Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Kirby-McGregor M, Chen C, Chen H, Benmarhnia T, Kaufman JS. Inequities in ambient fine particulate matter: A spatiotemporal analysis in Canadian communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159766. [PMID: 36309259 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159766] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with adverse health outcomes but communities are not randomly exposed to PM2.5. Previous cross-sectional environmental injustice analyses in Canada found disproportionately higher exposure to PM2.5 in low-income populations, visible minorities and immigrants. Beyond static surveillance, it is also important to evaluate how changes in PM2.5 exposure over time may differentially impact disadvantaged communities. We examine whether communities with different sociodemographic characteristics benefited equitably from the overall decreases in ambient concentrations of PM2.5 from 2001 to 2016 in Canada. METHODS We derived census tract level estimates of average annual PM2.5 using validated satellite-based estimations of annual average PM2.5 concentration surfaces. We investigated how the spatial distribution of PM2.5 has evolved over 15 years (2001-2016) by comparing absolute values and rank percentiles of census tract level annual average PM2.5 concentrations in 2001 and 2016. Using decennial census data and multivariable linear regression, we determined if sociodemographic characteristics are associated with changes in exposure to PM2.5, accounting for geographic boundary changes between census periods. RESULTS Overall, ambient PM2.5 concentrations decreased from 2001 (median of 9.1 μg/m3) to 2016 (median of 6.4 μg/m3), with varying provincial patterns. Across communities, ranked census tract specific PM2.5 in 2001 and in 2016 are highly correlated (Spearman's rho = 0.75). We found that, on average and accounting for provincial differences and baseline PM2.5, communities with greater density of aboriginal population, lower education, higher shelter-cost-to-income ratio, unemployment or lower income experienced smaller absolute decreases in PM2.5 from 2001 to 2016. CONCLUSIONS Identifying sociodemographic groups that benefit least from decreasing exposure to PM2.5 highlights the need to consider environmental injustice when designing or revising air pollution policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Kirby-McGregor
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Canada
| | - Chen Chen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, USA.
| | - Hong Chen
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Canada
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Jay S Kaufman
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Canada
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Jiang X, Eum Y, Yoo EH. The impact of fire-specific PM 2.5 calibration on health effect analyses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159548. [PMID: 36270362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The quantification of PM2.5 concentrations solely stemming from both wildfire and prescribed burns (hereafter referred to as 'fire') is viable using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ), although CMAQ outputs are subject to biases and uncertainties. To reduce the biases in CMAQ-based outputs, we propose a two-stage calibration strategy that improves the accuracy of CMAQ-based fire PM2.5 estimates. First, we calibrated CMAQ-based non-fire PM2.5 to ground PM2.5 observations retrieved during non-fire days using an ensemble-based model. We estimated fire PM2.5 concentrations in the second stage by multiplying the calibrated non-fire PM2.5 obtained from the first stage by location- and time-specific conversion ratios. In a case study, we estimated fire PM2.5 during the Washington 2016 fire season using the proposed calibration approach. The calibrated PM2.5 better agreed with ground PM2.5 observations with a 10-fold cross-validated (CV) R2 of 0.79 compared to CMAQ-based PM2.5 estimates with R2 of 0.12. In the health effect analysis, we found significant associations between calibrated fire PM2.5 and cardio-respiratory hospitalizations across the fire season: relative risk (RR) for cardiovascular disease = 1.074, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.021-1.130 in October; RR = 1.191, 95% CI = 1.099-1.291 in November; RR for respiratory disease = 1.078, 95% CI = 1.005-1.157 in October; RR = 1.153, 95% CI = 1.045-1.272 in November. However, the results were inconsistent when non-calibrated PM2.5 was used in the analysis. We found that calibration affected health effect assessments in the present study, but further research is needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Jiang
- Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA.
| | - Youngseob Eum
- Department of Geography, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14261, USA
| | - Eun-Hye Yoo
- Department of Geography, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14261, USA
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Wang S, Gallimore PJ, Liu-Kang C, Yeung K, Campbell SJ, Utinger B, Liu T, Peng H, Kalberer M, Chan AWH, Abbatt JPD. Dynamic Wood Smoke Aerosol Toxicity during Oxidative Atmospheric Aging. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1246-1256. [PMID: 36630690 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are a major source of biomass burning aerosol to the atmosphere, with their incidence and intensity expected to increase in a warmer future climate. However, the toxicity evolution of biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) during atmospheric aging remains poorly understood. In this study, we report a unique set of chemical and toxicological metrics of BBOA from pine wood smoldering during multiphase aging by gas-phase hydroxyl radicals (OH). Both the fresh and OH-aged BBOA show activity relevant to adverse health outcomes. The results from two acellular assays (DTT and DCFH) show significant oxidative potential (OP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in OH-aged BBOA. Also, radical concentrations in the aerosol assessed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy increased by 50% following heterogeneous aging. This enhancement was accompanied by a transition from predominantly carbon-centered radicals (85%) in the fresh aerosol to predominantly oxygen-centered radicals (76%) following aging. Both the fresh and aged biomass burning aerosols trigger prominent antioxidant defense during the in vitro exposure, indicating the induction of oxidative stress by BBOA in the atmosphere. By connecting chemical composition and toxicity using an integrated approach, we show that short-term aging initiated by OH radicals can produce biomass burning particles with a higher particle-bound ROS generation capacity, which are therefore a more relevant exposure hazard for residents in large population centers close to wildfire regions than previously studied fresh biomass burning emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunyao Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Peter J Gallimore
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Carolyn Liu-Kang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Kirsten Yeung
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Steven J Campbell
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Battist Utinger
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tengyu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8, Canada
| | - Markus Kalberer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Arthur W H Chan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8, Canada
| | - Jonathan P D Abbatt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8, Canada
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Singh D, Tassew DD, Nelson J, Chalbot MCG, Kavouras IG, Tesfaigzi Y, Demokritou P. Physicochemical and toxicological properties of wood smoke particulate matter as a function of wood species and combustion condition. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129874. [PMID: 36084462 PMCID: PMC9532370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Wood burning is a major source of ambient particulate matter (PM) and has been epidemiologically linked to adverse pulmonary health effects, however the impact of fuel and burning conditions on PM properties has not been investigated systematically. Here, we employed our recently developed integrated methodology to characterize the physicochemical and biological properties of emitted PM as a function of three common hardwoods (oak, cherry, mesquite) and three representative combustion conditions (flaming, smoldering, incomplete). Differences in PM and off-gas emissions (aerosol number/mass concentrations; carbon monoxide; volatile organic compounds) as well as inorganic elemental composition and organic carbon functional content of PM0.1 were noted between wood types and combustion conditions, although the combustion scenario exerted a stronger influence on the emission profile. More importantly, flaming combustion PM0.1 from all hardwoods significantly stimulated the promoter activity of Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM) pointed domain containing ETS (E-twenty-six) Transcription Factor (SPDEF) in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293 T) cells, a biomarker for mucin gene expression associated with mucus production in pulmonary diseases. However, no bioactivity was observed for smoldering and incomplete combustion, which was likely driven by differences in the organic composition of PM0.1. Detailed chemical speciation of organic components of wood smoke is warranted to identify the individual compounds that drive specific biological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilpreet Singh
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA; Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Dereje Damte Tassew
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jordan Nelson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35216, USA
| | - Marie-Cecile G Chalbot
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35216, USA
| | - Ilias G Kavouras
- Department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Yohannes Tesfaigzi
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Philip Demokritou
- Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA; Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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Pace A, Villamediana P, Rezamand P, Skibiel AL. Effects of wildfire smoke PM2.5 on indicators of inflammation, health, and metabolism of preweaned Holstein heifers. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad246. [PMID: 37465977 PMCID: PMC10449420 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Wildfires are a growing concern as large, catastrophic fires are becoming more commonplace. Wildfire smoke consists of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can cause immune responses and disease in humans. However, the present knowledge of the effects of wildfire PM2.5 on dairy cattle is sparse. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of wildfire-PM2.5 exposure on dairy calf health and performance. Preweaned Holstein heifers (N = 15) were assessed from birth through weaning, coinciding with the 2021 wildfire season. Respiratory rate, heart rate, rectal temperatures, and health scores were recorded and blood samples were collected weekly or twice a week for analysis of hematology, blood metabolites, and acute phase proteins. Hourly PM2.5 concentrations and meteorological data were obtained, and temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated. Contribution of wildfires to PM2.5 fluxes were determined utilizing AirNowTech Navigator and HYSPLIT modeling. Mixed models were used for data analysis, with separate models for lags of up to 7 d, and fixed effects of daily average PM2.5, THI, and PM2.5 × THI, and calf as a random effect. THI ranged from 48 to 73, while PM2.5 reached concentrations up to 118.8 µg/m3 during active wildfires. PM2.5 and THI positively interacted to elevate respiratory rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, and eosinophils on lag day 0 (day of exposure; all P < 0.05). There was a negative interactive effect of PM2.5 and THI on lymphocytes after a 2-d lag (P = 0.03), and total white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin, and hematocrit after a 3-d lag (all P < 0.02), whereas there was a positive interactive effect on cough scores and eye scores on lag day 3 (all P < 0.02). Glucose and NEFA were increased as a result of combined elevated PM2.5 and THI on lag day 1, whereas BHB was decreased (all P < 0.05). Contrarily, on lag day 3 and 6, there was a negative interactive effect of PM2.5 and THI on glucose and NEFA, but a positive interactive effect on BHB (all P < 0.03). Serum amyloid A was decreased whereas haptoglobin was increased with elevated PM2.5 and THI together on lag days 0 to 4 (all P < 0.05). These findings indicate that exposure to wildfire-derived PM2.5, along with increased THI during the summer months, elicits negative effects on preweaned calf health and performance both during and following exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Pace
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Patricia Villamediana
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Pedram Rezamand
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Amy L Skibiel
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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Li J, Cai YS, Kelly FJ, Wooster MJ, Han Y, Zheng Y, Guan T, Li P, Zhu T, Xue T. Landscape fire smoke enhances the association between fine particulate matter exposure and acute respiratory infection among children under 5 years of age: Findings of a case-crossover study for 48 low- and middle-income countries. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107665. [PMID: 36493611 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) produced by landscape fires is thought to be more toxic than that from non-fire sources. However, the effects of "fire-sourced" PM2.5 on acute respiratory infection (ARI) are unknown. METHODS We combined Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 48 countries with gridded global estimates of PM2.5 concentrations from 2003 to 2014. The proportions of fire-sourced PM2.5 were assessed by a chemical transport model using a variety of PM2.5 source data. We tested for associations between ARI and short-term exposure to fire- and "non-fire-sourced" PM2.5 using a bidirectional case-crossover analysis. The robustness and homogeneity of the associations were examined by sensitivity analyses. We also established a nonlinear exposure-response relationship between fire- and non-fire-sourced PM2.5 and ARI using a two-dimensional spline function. RESULTS The study included 36,432 children under 5 years who reported ARI symptoms. Each 1 µg/m3 increment of fire-sourced PM2.5 was associated with a 3.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.2, 6.2) increment in the risk of ARI. This effect was comparable to that of each ∼5 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 from non-fire sources (3.1 %; 95 % CI 2.4, 3.7). The association between ARI and total PM2.5 concentration was significantly mediated by the proportion of fire-sourced particles. Nonlinear analysis showed that the risk of ARI was increased by both fire- and non-fire-sourced PM2.5, but especially by the former. CONCLUSIONS PM2.5 produced by landscape fire was more strongly associated to ARI among children under 5 years than that from non-fire sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajianghui Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yutong Samuel Cai
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; National Institute for Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Frank J Kelly
- Environmental Research Group, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Martin J Wooster
- Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment & Society and NERC National Centre for Earth Observation, Department of Geography, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Yiqun Han
- Environmental Research Group, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Yixuan Zheng
- Department of Health Policy, School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Tianjia Guan
- Center of Air Quality Simulation and System Analysis, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, China.
| | - Pengfei Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Tong Zhu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University Beijing, China.
| | - Tao Xue
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing 100191, China.
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Mechanisms of Lung Damage and Development of COPD Due to Household Biomass-Smoke Exposure: Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, MicroRNAs, and Gene Polymorphisms. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010067. [PMID: 36611860 PMCID: PMC9818405 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposure to indoor biomass smoke from the combustion of solid organic fuels is a major cause of disease burden worldwide. Almost 3 billion people use solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and crop residues for indoor cooking and heating, accounting for approximately 50% of all households and 90% of rural households globally. Biomass smoke contains many hazardous pollutants, resulting in household air pollution (HAP) exposure that often exceeds international standards. Long-term biomass-smoke exposure is associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in adults, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, chronic bronchitis, and other lung conditions. Biomass smoke-associated COPD differs from the best-known cigarette smoke-induced COPD in several aspects, such as a slower decline in lung function, greater airway involvement, and less emphysema, which suggests a different phenotype and pathophysiology. Despite the high burden of biomass-associated COPD, the molecular, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis are poorly understood. This review describes the pathogenic mechanisms potentially involved in lung damage, the development of COPD associated with wood-derived smoke exposure, and the influence of genetic and epigenetic factors on the development of this disease.
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Kim YH, Rager JE, Jaspers I, Gilmour MI. Computational Approach to Link Chemicals in Anthropogenic Smoke Particulate Matter with Toxicity. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:2210-2213. [PMID: 36373932 PMCID: PMC10959450 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A weighted chemical coexpression network analysis (WCCNA) was utilized to identify chemicals co-modulated to variable burning of anthropogenic materials and to link chemicals to biological responses (lung toxicity and mutagenicity). Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were co-modulated with increased concentrations in flaming smoke particulate matter (PM) from the burning of plastic-containing materials and showed significant association with increased neutrophil influx, cytokine levels, and mutagenicity. Inorganic elements were co-modulated with increased concentrations in flaming plywood and cardboard smoke PM and showed significant association with increased protein and albumin levels. This study shows the potential for using a computational network analysis to identify and prioritize hazardous chemical components within complex environmental mixtures and provides guidance on key chemical tracers required for intervention research to protect public health from the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | | | | | - M Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
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Koval LE, Carberry CK, Kim YH, McDermott E, Hartwell H, Jaspers I, Gilmour MI, Rager JE. Wildfire Variable Toxicity: Identifying Biomass Smoke Exposure Groupings through Transcriptomic Similarity Scoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17131-17142. [PMID: 36399130 PMCID: PMC10777820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of wildfires continues to grow globally with exposures resulting in increased disease risk. Characterizing these health risks remains difficult due to the wide landscape of exposures that can result from different burn conditions and fuel types. This study tested the hypothesis that biomass smoke exposures from variable fuels and combustion conditions group together based on similar transcriptional response profiles, informing which wildfire-relevant exposures may be considered as a group for health risk evaluations. Mice (female CD-1) were exposed via oropharyngeal aspiration to equal mass biomass smoke condensates produced from flaming or smoldering burns of eucalyptus, peat, pine, pine needles, or red oak species. Lung transcriptomic signatures were used to calculate transcriptomic similarity scores across exposures, which informed exposure groupings. Exposures from flaming peat, flaming eucalyptus, and smoldering eucalyptus induced the greatest responses, with flaming peat grouping with the pro-inflammatory agent lipopolysaccharide. Smoldering red oak and smoldering peat induced the least transcriptomic response. Groupings paralleled pulmonary toxicity markers, though they were better substantiated by higher data dimensionality and resolution provided through -omic-based evaluation. Interestingly, groupings based on smoke chemistry signatures differed from transcriptomic/toxicity-based groupings. Wildfire-relevant exposure groupings yield insights into risk assessment strategies to ultimately protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Koval
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, 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 Carolina27599, United States
| | - Celeste K Carberry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, 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 Carolina27599, United States
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina27711, United States
| | - Elena McDermott
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, 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 Carolina27599, United States
| | - Hadley Hartwell
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, 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 Carolina27599, United States
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
| | - M Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina27711, 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 Carolina27599, 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 Carolina27599, United States
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina27599, United States
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Vokina VA, Sosedova LM, Novikov MA, Titov EA, Andreeva ES, Rukavishnikov VS. Effects of Daily Peat Smoke Exposure on Present and Next Generations. TOXICS 2022; 10:750. [PMID: 36548583 PMCID: PMC9786320 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10120750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to follow the neurotoxic effect of peat smoke on adult outbred rats and its influence on central nervous system (CNS) parameters in first-generation offspring. Under experimental conditions, exposure to peat smoke was carried out on adult male Wistar rats for 24 h. After the end of the exposure, an open field test (OFT), electroencephalography (EEG), and histological analysis of the testes and brains of smoke-exposed males were performed, after which they were mated with intact females to obtain F1 offspring. Stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and body weight at 4, 7, 14, and 21 postnatal days, as well as behavior in the OFT and EEG parameters during puberty (3 months), were assessed. The results of the examination of F0 males showed a significant increase in motor activity and anxiety in the open field test and a violation of EEG parameters. Histopathologically, peat smoke caused a sharp increase in shadow cells (homogeneous cells with pale-stained cytoplasm, in which the cell and nuclear membranes are not visualized) and degeneratively altered neurons in the brain; we found no changes in the testicles. Peat smoke exposure during preconception did not affect neonatal mortality and weight gain in F1 offspring. Adult females born to peat-smoke-exposed males showed an increase in locomotor activity, and the behavior of adult F1 males did not differ from the control. In F1 males, a statistically significant increase in slow-wave activity indices in the delta band was observed.
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Chemistry and lung toxicity of particulate matter emitted from firearms. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20722. [PMID: 36456643 PMCID: PMC9715551 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24856-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Smoke emissions produced by firearms contain hazardous chemicals, but little is known if their properties change depending on firearm and ammunition type and whether such changes affect toxicity outcomes. Pulmonary toxicity was assessed in mice exposed by oropharyngeal aspiration to six different types of smoke-related particulate matter (PM) samples; (1) handgun PM, (2) rifle PM, (3) copper (Cu) particles (a surrogate for Cu in the rifle PM) with and without the Cu chelator penicillamine, (4) water-soluble components of the rifle PM, (5) soluble components with removal of metal ions, and (6) insoluble components of the rifle PM. Gun firing smoke PM was in the respirable size range but the chemical composition varied with high levels of Pb in the handgun and Cu in the rifle smoke. The handgun PM did not induce appreciable lung toxicity at 4 and 24 h post-exposure while the rifle PM significantly increased lung inflammation and reduced lung function. The same levels of pure Cu particles alone and the soluble components from the rifle fire PM increased neutrophil numbers but did not cause appreciable cellular damage or lung function changes when compared to the negative (saline) control. Penicillamine treated rifle PM or Cu, slightly reduced lung inflammation and injury but did not improve the lung function decrements. Chelation of the soluble metal ions from the rifle fire PM neutralized the lung toxicity while the insoluble components induced the lung toxicity to the same degree as the rifle PM. The results show that different firearm types can generate contrasting chemical spectra in their emissions and that the rifle PM effects were mostly driven by water-insoluble components containing high levels of Cu. These findings provide better knowledge of hazardous substances in gun firing smoke and their potential toxicological profile.
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