Pollution Level and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5-Bound Metals in Baoding City Before and After the Heating Period

Native plant species growing on the abandoned Zaida lead/zinc mine site in Morocco: Phytoremediation potential for biomonitoring perspective

This study aims to assess the level of metal contamination and the ecological risk index at the abandoned Zaida Pb/Zn mining site in eastern Morocco and identify native plant species found on the site that can be used in site rehabilitation through phytoremediation strategies. Samples from seven native and abundant plant species at the site, along with their rhizospheric soils, were collected and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of various metal(loid)s, including As, Cu, Ni, Cd, Sb, Zn, and Pb. Indicators of soil pollution and ecological risks were also assessed, including the enrichment factor (EF), pollution index (PI), and ecological risk index (ERI). The Biological Accumulation Coefficient (BAC), Translocation Factor (TF), and Biological Concentration Factor (BCF) of plant samples were calculated. The results reveal polymetallic soil contamination, with notably higher concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn, reaching respectively 5568 mg kg-1 DW, 152 mg kg-1 DW, and 148 mg kg-1 DW, indicating a significant potential ecological risk. The enrichment factor (EF) was also assessed for each metal(loid)s, and the results indicated that the metal contamination was of anthropogenic origin and linked to intensive mining activities in Zaida. These findings are supported by the pollution index (PI) ranging from 1.6 to 10.01, which reveals an extremely high metal(loid)s pollution level. None of the plant species exhibited a hyperaccumulation of metal(loid)s. However, Artemisia herba alba demonstrated a strong capacity to accumulate Pb in its aboveground parts, with a concentration of 468 mg kg-1 DW. Stipa tenacissima, Retama spherocarpa, and Astragalus armatus, showed a significant Pb accumulation in their roots reaching 280, 260, and 256 mg kg-1 DW.respectively. Based on BAC, TF, and BCF, Stipa tenacissima exhibited potential for Ni and Cd phytostabilization, as well as the ability for Zn phytoextraction. Additionally, Artemisia herba alba displayed the capability to phytoextract Cd and had a high propensity to translocate all the studied metal(loid)s. Astragalus armatus has the potential to be used in the phytostabilization of Zn and Ni, as well as for the phytoextraction of As and Sb. These native species from the Zaida site, although not hyperaccumulators, have the potential to contribute significantly to the phytoextraction or phytostabilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Moreover, they can serve as vegetative cover to mitigate the erosion and dispersion of metal(loid)s.

Association between exposure to heavy metals in atmospheric particulate matter and sleep quality: A nationwide data linkage study

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated that long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) is associated with poor sleep quality. However, no studies have linked PM constituents, particularly heavy metals, to sleep quality.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the association between exposure to heavy metals in PM and sleep quality.

METHODS

We obtained nationwide data from the Korean Community Health Survey conducted in 2018 among adults aged 19-80 years. Sleep quality was evaluated using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Poor sleep quality was defined as PSQI ≥5. One-year and three-month average concentrations of heavy metals (lead, manganese, cadmium, and aluminum) in PM with diameter ≤10 μm were obtained from nationwide air quality monitoring data and linked to the survey data based on individual district-level residential addresses. Logistic regression analyses were performed after adjusting for age, gender, education level, marital status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, history of hypertension, and history of diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

Of 32,050 participants, 17,082 (53.3%) reported poor sleep quality. Increases in log-transformed one-year average lead (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.20), manganese (1.31; 1.25-1.37), cadmium (1.03; 1.00-1.05), and aluminum concentrations (1.17; 1.10-1.25) were associated with poor sleep quality. Increases in log-transformed three-month average manganese (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.17) and aluminum concentrations (1.28; 1.21-1.35) were associated with poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSION

We showed for the first time that exposure to airborne lead, manganese, cadmium, and aluminum were associated with poor sleep quality. This study may be limited by self-reported sleep quality and district-level exposure data.

Using native plants to evaluate urban metal pollution and appoint emission sources in the Brazilian Steel Valley region

In southeastern Brazil, the city of Ipatinga is inserted in the Steel Valley Metropolitan Region, which hosts the largest industrial complex for flat-steel production in Latin America, while also having one of the largest vehicle fleets in the entire country. Since potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are not emitted solely by industries, yet also by vehicular activity, the predominant emission source can be determined by evaluating the ratio between different elements, which are called technogenic tracers. We performed a biomonitoring assay using two tropical legumes, Paubrasilia echinata and Libidibia ferrea var. leiostachya, aiming to assess chemical markers for the origin of emissions in the region, distinguishing between different anthropogenic sources. Plants were exposed for 90 days in four urban sites and in a neighboring park which served as reference. After the experimental period, plants were evaluated for trace-metal accumulation. L. ferrea var. leiostachya retained lower amounts of metals associated with vehicular and industrial emission. The opposite was found with P. echinata, a species which should be recommended for biomonitoring of air pollution as a bioaccumulator. Plants of P. echinata were enriched with Fe, Al, Ni, Cr, and Ba, whereas plants of L. ferrea var. leiostachya were enriched with Fe, Cu, and Co. In both species, Fe was the element with which plants were enriched the most. Plants showed highest iron enrichment at Bom Retiro, the site downwind to the steel industry, which has shown to be the main particle emission source in the region.

Multipollutant reciprocal neurological hazard from smoke particulate matter and heavy metals cadmium and lead in brain nerve terminals

Heavy metals, Cd2+ and Pb2+, and carbonaceous air pollution particulate matter are hazardous neurotoxicants. Here, a capability of water-suspended smoke particulate matter preparations obtained from poplar wood (WPs) and polypropylene fibers (medical facemasks) (MPs) to influence Cd2+/Pb2+-induced neurotoxicity, and vice versa, was monitored using biological system, i.e. isolated presynaptic rat cortex nerve terminals. Combined application of Pb2+ and WPs/MPs to nerve terminals in an acute manner revealed that smoke preparations did not change a Pb2+-induced increase in the extracellular levels of excitatory neurotransmitter L-[14C]glutamate and inhibitory one [3H]GABA, thereby demonstrating additive result and no interference of neurotoxic effects of Pb2+ and particulate matter. Whereas, both smoke preparations decreased a Cd2+-induced increase in the extracellular level of L-[14C]glutamate and [3H]GABA in nerve terminals. In fluorimetric measurements, the metals and smoke preparations demonstrated additive effects on the membrane potential of nerve terminals causing membrane depolarisation. WPs/MPs-induced reduction of spontaneous ROS generation was mitigated by Cd2+ and Pb2+. Therefore, a potential variety of multipollutant heavy metal-/airborne particulate-induced effects on key presynaptic processes was revealed. Multipollutant reciprocal neurological hazard through disturbance of the excitation-inhibition balance, membrane potential and ROS generation was evidenced. This multipollutant approach and data contribute to up-to-date environmental quality/health risk estimation.

Pollution characteristics and human health risks of PM2.5-bound heavy metals: a 3-year observation in Suzhou, China

This study aimed to analyze the temporal trends, pollution levels, and health risks associated with eleven PM_2.5-bound heavy metals (Sb, Al, As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Tl). A total of 504 PM_2.5 samples were collected in Suzhou from January 2019 to December 2021. The pollution levels were estimated based on enrichment factors (EFs) which can be used to calculate the enrichment of heavy metals in PM_2.5 and determine whether the concentrations of PM_2.5-bound heavy metals are influenced by the crustal or anthropogenic sources, and the health risk of PM_2.5-bound heavy metals via inhalation was assessed following US EPA's Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS). The annual average concentration of PM_2.5 was 46.76 μg m^-3, which was higher than the WHO recommended limit of 5 μg m^-3. The average of the sum of eleven PM_2.5-bound heavy metals was 180.61 ng m^-3, dominated by Al, Mn, and Pb. The concentration of PM_2.5 in 2020 was significantly lower than that in 2019 and 2021. The PM_2.5 and PM_2.5-bound heavy metal concentrations in winter and spring were significantly higher than those in autumn and summer. The EF of As, Cr, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Mn, Se, and Tl was higher than 10, indicating they were mainly from anthropogenic sources. Exposure to a single non-carcinogenic heavy metal via inhalation was unlikely to cause non-carcinogenic effects (HQ < 1), but the integrated non-carcinogenic risks should be taken seriously (HI > 1). The cumulative carcinogenic risks from the carcinogenic elements were exceeding the lower limit (1 × 10^-6) of the acceptable risk range. The carcinogenic risks of As and Cr(VI) contributed 60.98% and 26.77%, respectively, which were regarded as two key carcinogenic risk factors. Overall, the government policies and countermeasures for the PM_2.5 pollution control should be performed not only based on the PM_2.5 concentration but also based on the PM_2.5-bound heavy metals and their health risks for the local residents.

Environmental risks from consumer products: Acceptable drinking water quality can produce unacceptable indoor air quality with ultrasonic humidifier use

The commonly used consumer product of an ultrasonic humidifier (e.g., cool mist humidifier) emits fine particles containing metals from tap water used to fill the humidifier. The objectives are: 1) predict emitted indoor air inhalable metal concentrations produced by an ultrasonic humidifier filled with tap-water containing As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Pb in 33 m³ or 72 m³ rooms with varying air exchange rates; 2) calculate daily ingestion and 8-h inhalation average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) for adults and children (aged 0.25-6 yr); and 3) quantify deposition in respiratory tract via multi-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model. Mass concentrations of indoor air metals increase proportionally with aqueous metal concentrations in fill water, and are inversely related to ventilation. Inhalation-ADDs are 2 magnitudes lower than ingestion-ADDs, using identical water quality for ingestion and fill-water. However, in the 33 m³, low 0.2/h ventilated room, inhalation-HQs are >1 for children and adults, except for Pb. HQ inhalation risks exceed ingestion risks at drinking water regulated levels for As, Cd, Cr, and Mn. MPPD shows greater dose deposits in lungs of children than adults, and 3 times greater deposited doses in a 33 m³ vs 72 m³ room. Rethinking health effects of drinking water and consumer products to broaden consideration of multiple exposure routes is needed.

Role of Macrophages in Air Pollution Exposure Related Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and airway inflammation. The chronic inflammation of the airway is mediated by many cell types, cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory mediators. Research suggests that exposure to air pollution has a negative impact on asthma outcomes in adult and pediatric populations. Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to health, and it impacts the lungs' innate and adaptive defense systems. A major pollutant in the air is particulate matter (PM), a complex component composed of elemental carbon and heavy metals. According to the WHO, 99% of people live in air pollution where air quality levels are lower than the WHO air quality guidelines. This suggests that the effect of air pollution exposure on asthma is a crucial health issue worldwide. Macrophages are essential in recognizing and processing any inhaled foreign material, such as PM. Alveolar macrophages are one of the predominant cell types that process and remove inhaled PM by secreting proinflammatory mediators from the lung. This review focuses on macrophages and their role in orchestrating the inflammatory responses induced by exposure to air pollutants in asthma.

The Contents of Potentially Toxic Elements and Emission Characteristics of PM2.5 in Soil Fugitive Dust around Six Cities of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in China

The contents of potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) and emission characteristics of PM2.5 in soil fugitive dust (SFD) in six Yunnan cities (Baoshan, Kunming, Wenshan, Honghe, Yuxi, and Zhaotong) were investigated in this research. The results showed that the contents of Zn and Pb in PM2.5 of SFD were the highest around Honghe and Yuxi, respectively, while the contents of Mn were the highest in PM2.5 of SFD around the other four cities. The enrichment factor and correlation indicated that the potentially toxic elements’ pollution degrees of PM2.5 of SFD around Kunming, Yuxi, and Honghe were higher than those around the other three cities and that potentially toxic elements were generally affected by metal smelting activities, and in Zhaotong, were affected by coal burning activities, while in Wenshan and Baoshan were less affected by human activities. The total emission of PM2.5 of SFD in the six cities was 7705.49 t in 2018. The total emission factor of PM2.5 of SFD reached the highest level from January to May and the lowest level from July to October. The health risk assessment showed that the potentially toxic elements in PM2.5 of SFD for children in the six cities and for adults in Baoshan, Kunming, Honghe, and Zhaotong had non-carcinogenic risk (non-carcinogenic risk thresholds were greater than 1), and As contributes most to non-carcinogenic risk. The carcinogenic risk value of Cr in PM2.5 of SFD in Kunming and Zhaotong was between 1 × 10−6 and 1 × 10−4, which had a certain carcinogenic risk. More attention should be paid to alleviate health risks posed by particle-bound potentially toxic elements through SFD.

Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health

Particulate air pollution (PM) is a mixture of heterogenous components from natural and anthropogenic sources and contributes to a variety of serious illnesses, including neurological and behavioral effects, as well as millions of premature deaths. Ultrafine (PM0.1) and fine-size ambient particles (PM2.5) can enter the circulatory system and cross the blood–brain barrier or enter through the optic nerve, and then upregulate inflammatory markers and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain. Toxic and neurotoxic metals such as manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and barium (Ba) can adsorb to the PM surface and potentially contribute to the neurotoxic effects associated with PM exposure. Epidemiological studies have shown a negative relationship between exposure to PM-associated Mn and neurodevelopment amongst children, as well as impaired dexterity in the elderly. Inhaled PM-associated Cu has also been shown to impair motor performance and alter basal ganglia in schoolchildren. This paper provides a brief review of the epidemiological and toxicological studies published over the last five years concerning inhaled PM, PM-relevant metals, neurobiology, and mental health outcomes. Given the growing interest in mental health and the fact that 91% of the world’s population is considered to be exposed to unhealthy air, more research on PM and PM-associated metals and neurological health is needed for future policy decisions and strategic interventions to prevent public harm.

Chemical characteristics and health risk assessment of potential toxic elementsin atmospheric PM10 around Ashaka cement factory, Gombe, Nigeria

The study determined the ambient mass concentrations, chemical composition and health risks associated with PM10 around Ashaka cement factory, Gombe, Nigeria. The samples were collected for the period (2019-2020). A total of 60 PM10 samples were collected and analyzed for seventeen elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The data collected were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics. The health risk was analyzed for hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). The average annual PM10 mass concentrations were found to be higher than the annual limit value for air quality standards (40 μgm-3). The HI estimated were >1 for children, while CR values of Cd, Ni, As and Cr for children and Cr for adults were higher than the acceptable value 10-6, indicating children are more probable to develop cancer than adults.

Screening of Native Plants Growing on a Pb/Zn Mining Area in Eastern Morocco: Perspectives for Phytoremediation

Screening of native plant species from mining sites can lead to identify suitable plants for phytoremediation approaches. In this study, we assayed heavy metals tolerance and accumulation in native and dominant plants growing on abandoned Pb/Zn mining site in eastern Morocco. Soil samples and native plants were collected and analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Sb, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) were determined for each element. Our results showed that soils present low organic matter content combined with high levels of heavy metals especially Pb and Zn due to past extraction activities. Native and dominant plants sampled in these areas were classified into 14 species and eight families. Principal components analysis separated Artemisia herba-alba with high concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in shoots from other species. Four plant species, namely, Reseda alba, Cistus libanotis, Stipa tenacissima, and Artemisia herba-alba showed strong capacity to tolerate and hyperaccumulate heavy metals, especially Pb, in their tissues. According to BCF, TF, and BAC, these plant species could be used as effective plants for Pb phytoextraction. Stipa tenacissima and Artemisia herba-alba are better suited for phytostabilization of Cd/Cu and Cu/Zn, respectively. Our study shows that several spontaneous and native plants growing on Pb/Zn contaminated sites have a good potential for developing heavy metals phytoremediation strategies.

Influence of processing methods and exogenous selenium species on the content and in vitro bioaccessibility of selenium in Pleurotus eryngii

Understanding the effects of processing on the Se content and bioaccessibility in food is critical in guiding the development of Se-enriched products. In this study, Se-enriched Pleurotus eryngii was obtained by applying different Se supplements to the substrate. Selenium content and its bioaccessibility among raw and processed fruit bodies were compared. The application of exogenous Se had no significant effect on the yield of P. eryngii, while amendment Se yeast could slightly promote the growth of P. eryngii. The enrichment ability of P. eryngii among different Se supplements declined in the order of Na₂SeO₃ > Se yeast > Na₂SeO₄. However, the processing treatments resulted in 6.6%-45.9% Se loss. The Se bioaccessibility of P. eryngii was 78.4%-89.7%. Frying treatment reduced Se bioaccessibility in samples, whereas boiling treatment enhanced it. Therefore, Se yeast and boiling treatment are recommended as the ideal Se supplement and processing method for Se-enriched P. eryngii.

Chemical content and source apportionment of 36 heavy metal analysis and health risk assessment in aerosol of Beijing

The concentration levels of 36 airborne heavy metals and atmospheric radioactivity in total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were measured to investigate the chemical characteristics, potential sources of aerosols, and health risk in Beijing, China, from September 2016 to September 2017. The TSP concentrations varied from 6.93 to 469.18 μg/m³, with a median of 133.97 μg/m³. The order for the mean concentrations of heavy metals, known as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), was as follows: Mn > Pb > As > Cr > Ni > Se > Cd > Co > Sb > Hg > Be; Non-Designated HAPs Metals: Ca > Fe > Mg > Al > K > Na > Zn > P > Ba > Ti > Cu > Sr > B > Sn > I > V > Rb > Ce > Mo > Cs > Th > Ag > U > Pt. The median concentration of As was higher than China air quality standard (6 ng/m³). The gross α and β concentration levels in aerosols were (1.84 ± 1.59) mBg/m³ and (1.15 ± 0.85) mBg/m³, respectively. The enrichment factor values of Cu, Ba, B, Ce, Tl, Cs, Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Hg, Fe, Zn, Sn, I, Mo, and Ag were higher than 10, which indicated enriched results from anthropogenic sources. Pb, As, and Cd are considered to originate from multiple sources; fireworks released Ba during China spring festival; Fe, Ce, and Cs may come from stable emissions such as industrial gases. The health risks from anthropogenic metals via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal pathway were estimated on the basis of health quotient as well as the results indicated that children faced the higher risk than adults during the research period. For adults, the health risk posed by heavy metals in atmospheric particles was below the acceptable level.