Life-Course Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5 Elements in China: Exposure Disparities by Species, Source, Age, Gender, and Location

Key stages in people's lives have particular relevance for their health; the life-course approach stresses the importance of these stages. Here, we applied a life-course approach to analyze the health risks associated with PM2.5-bound elements, which were measured at three sites with varying environmental conditions in eastern China. Road traffic was found to be the primary source of PM2.5-bound elements at all three locations, but coal combustion was identified as the most important factor to induce both cancer risk (CR) and noncancer risk (NCR) across all age groups due to the higher toxicity of elements such as As and Pb associated with coal. Nearly half of NCR and over 90% of CR occurred in childhood (1-6 years) and adulthood (>18 years), respectively, and females have slightly higher NCR and lower CR than males. Rural population is found to be subject to the highest health risks. Synthesizing previous relevant studies and nationwide PM2.5 concentration measurements, we reveal ubiquitous and large urban-rural environmental exposure disparities over China.

Isotopic Signatures and Outputs of Lead from Coal Fly Ash Disposal in China, India, and the United States

Despite extensive research and technology to reduce the atmospheric emission of Pb from burning coal for power generation, minimal attention has been paid to Pb associated with coal ash disposal in the environment. This study investigates the isotopic signatures and output rates of Pb in fly ash disposal in China, India, and the United States. Pairwise comparison between feed coal and fly ash samples collected from coal-fired power plants from each country shows that the Pb isotope composition of fly ash largely resembles that of feed coal, and its isotopic distinction allows for tracing the release of Pb from coal fly ash into the environment. Between 2000 and 2020, approx. 236, 56, and 46 Gg Pb from fly ash have been disposed in China, India, and the U.S., respectively, posing a significant environmental burden. A Bayesian Pb isotope mixing model shows that during the past 40 to 70 years, coal fly ash has contributed significantly higher Pb (∼26%) than leaded gasoline (∼7%) to Pb accumulation in the sediments of five freshwater lakes in North Carolina, U.S.A. This implies that the release of disposed coal fly ash Pb at local and regional scales can outweigh that of other anthropogenic Pb sources.

Anthropogenic Emission Sources of Sulfate Aerosols in Hangzhou, East China: Insights from Isotope Techniques with Consideration of Fractionation Effects between Gas-to-Particle Transformations

Sulfate (SO₄^2-) is a major species in atmospheric fine particles (PM_2.5), inducing haze formation and influencing Earth's climate. In this study, the δ³⁴S values in PM_2.5 sulfate (δ³⁴S-SO₄^2-) were measured in Hangzhou, east China, from 2015 September to 2016 October. The result showed that the δ³⁴S-SO₄^2- values varied from 1.6 to 6.4‰ with the higher values in the winter. The estimated fractionation factor (α³⁴S_g→p) from SO₂ to SO₄^2- averaged at 3.9 ± 1.6‰. The higher α³⁴S_g→p values in the winter were mainly attributed to the decrease of ambient temperature. We further compared the quantified source apportionments of sulfate by isotope techniques with and without the consideration of fractionation factors. The result revealed that the partitioned emission sources to sulfate with the consideration of the fractionation effects were more logical, highlighting that fractionation effects should be considered in partitioning emission sources to sulfate using sulfur isotope techniques. With considering the fractionation effects, coal burning was the dominant source to sulfate (85.5%), followed by traffic emissions (12.8%) and oil combustion (1.7%). However, the coal combustion for residential heating contributed only 0.9% to sulfate on an annual basis in this megacity.

Associations between Source-Specific Fine Particulate Matter and Mortality and Hospital Admissions in Beijing, China

The health effects of PM_2.5 exposure have become a major public concern in developing countries. Identifying major PM_2.5 sources and quantifying the health effects at the population level are essential for controlling PM_2.5 pollution and formulating targeted emissions reduction policies. In the current study, we have obtained PM_2.5 mass data and used positive matrix factorization to identify the major sources of PM_2.5. We evaluated the relationship between short-term exposure to PM_2.5 sources and mortality or hospital admissions in Beijing, China, using 441 742 deaths and 9 420 305 hospital admissions from 2013 to 2018. We found positive associations for coal combustion and road dust sources with mortality. Increased hospital admission risks were significantly associated with sources of vehicle exhaust, coal combustion, secondary sulfates, and secondary nitrates. Compared to the cool season, excess mortality risk estimates of coal combustion source were significantly higher in the warm season. Our findings show that reducing more toxic sources of PM_2.5, especially coal emissions, and developing clean energy alternatives can have critical implications for improving air quality and protecting public health.

Morphology and Chemical Composition of Magnetic Particles Separated from Coal Fly Ash

Iron and other metal compounds are the materials that often appear in coal seams, because they also appear as a component of former organic matter in coal rocks. Although iron is the dominant element in coal rocks, other metals such as titanium, lead, cobalt, nickel, and copper are also present. In this study, the properties of magnetic particles of a size between 1 and 20 µm of globular structure and iron containing, were separated from coal fly ash, and studied using a scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The investigations were comprised of micrographs of the structure of these particles, their elemental composition, and phase analysis.

Coordinatively Unsaturated Selenides over CuFeSe2 toward Highly Efficient Mercury Immobilization

Metal selenides have been demonstrated as promising Hg⁰ remediators, while their inadequate adsorption rate primarily impedes their application feasibility. Based on the critical role of coordinatively unsaturated selenide ligands in immobilizing Hg⁰, this work proposed a novel strategy to enhance the Hg⁰ adsorption rate of metal selenides by magnitudes by purposefully adjusting the selenide saturation. Copper iron diselenide (CuFeSe₂), in which the surface reconstruction tended to occur at ambient temperature, was adopted as the concentrator of unsaturated selenides. The adsorption rate of CuFeSe₂ reached as high as 900.71 μg·g^-1·min^-1, far exceeding those of the previously reported metal selenides by at least 1 magnitude. The excellent resistance of CuFeSe₂ to flue gas interference and temperature fluctuation warrants its applicability in real-world conditions. The theoretical investigations and mechanistic interpretations based on density functional theory (DFT) calculation further confirmed the indispensable role of unsaturated selenides in Hg⁰ adsorption. This work aims not only to develop a Hg⁰ remediator with extensive applicability in coal combustion flue gas but also to take a step toward the rational design of selenide-based sorbents for diverse environmental remediation by the facile surface functionalization of coordinatively adjustable ligands.

Effect of the Coal Preparation Process on Mercury Flows and Emissions in Coal Combustion Systems

Coal preparation is effective in controlling primary mercury emissions in coal combustion systems; however, the combustion of coal preparation byproducts may cause secondary emissions. The inconsistent coal preparation statistics, unclear mercury distribution characteristics during coal preparation, and limited information regarding the byproduct utilization pathways lead to great uncertainty in the evaluation of the effect of coal preparation in China. This study elucidated the mercury distribution in coal preparation based on the activity levels of 2886 coal preparation plants, coal mercury content database, tested mercury distribution factors of typical plants, and then traced the mercury flows and emissions in the downstream sectors using a cross-industry mercury flow model. We found that coal preparation altered the mercury flows by reducing 68 tonnes of mercury to sectors such as coking and increasing the flows to byproduct utilization sectors. Combusting cleaned coal rather than raw coal reduced the mercury emissions by 47 tonnes; however, this was offset by secondary mercury emissions. Coal gangue spontaneous combustion and the cement kiln coprocessing process were dominant secondary emitters. Our results highlight the necessity of whole-process emission control of atmospheric mercury based on flow maps. Future comprehensive utilization of wastes in China should fully evaluate the potential secondary mercury emissions.

Elevated urinary mutagenicity among those exposed to bituminous coal combustion emissions or diesel engine exhaust

Urinary mutagenicity reflects systemic exposure to complex mixtures of genotoxic/carcinogenic agents and is linked to tumor development. Coal combustion emissions (CCE) and diesel engine exhaust (DEE) are associated with cancers of the lung and other sites, but their influence on urinary mutagenicity is unclear. We investigated associations between exposure to CCE or DEE and urinary mutagenicity. In two separate cross-sectional studies of nonsmokers, organic extracts of urine were evaluated for mutagenicity levels using strain YG1041 in the Salmonella (Ames) mutagenicity assay. First, we compared levels among 10 female bituminous (smoky) coal users from Laibin, Xuanwei, China, and 10 female anthracite (smokeless) coal users. We estimated exposure-response relationships using indoor air concentrations of two carcinogens in CCE relevant to lung cancer, 5-methylchrysene (5MC), and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Second, we compared levels among 20 highly exposed male diesel factory workers and 15 unexposed male controls; we evaluated exposure-response relationships using elemental carbon (EC) as a DEE-surrogate. Age-adjusted linear regression was used to estimate associations. Laibin smoky coal users had significantly higher average urinary mutagenicity levels compared to smokeless coal users (28.4 ± 14.0 SD vs. 0.9 ± 2.8 SD rev/ml-eq, p = 2 × 10-5 ) and a significant exposure-response relationship with 5MC (p = 7 × 10-4 ). DEE-exposed workers had significantly higher urinary mutagenicity levels compared to unexposed controls (13.0 ± 10.1 SD vs. 5.6 ± 4.4 SD rev/ml-eq, p = .02) and a significant exposure-response relationship with EC (p-trend = 2 × 10-3 ). Exposure to CCE and DEE is associated with urinary mutagenicity, suggesting systemic exposure to mutagens, potentially contributing to cancer risk and development at various sites.

Identification of Microbiological Activities in Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems

Thermoelectric power generation from coal requires large amounts of water, much of which is used for wet flue gas desulfurization (wFGD) systems that minimize sulfur emissions, and consequently, acid rain. The microbial communities in wFGDs and throughout thermoelectric power plants can influence system performance, waste processing, and the long term stewardship of residual wastes. Any microorganisms that survive in wFGD slurries must tolerate high total dissolved solids concentrations (TDS) and temperatures (50–60°C), but the inocula for wFGDs are typically from fresh surface waters (e.g., lakes or rivers) of low TDS and temperatures, and whose activity might be limited under the physicochemically extreme conditions of the wFGD. To determine the extents of microbiological activities in wFGDs, we examined the microbial activities and communities associated with three wFGDs. O₂ consumption rates of three wFGD slurries were optimal at 55°C, and living cells could be detected microscopically, indicating that living and active communities of organisms were present in the wFGD and could metabolize at the high temperature of the wFGD. A 16S rRNA gene-based survey revealed that the wFGD-associated microbial communities included taxa attributable to both thermophilic and mesophilic lineages. Metatranscriptomic analysis of one of the wFGDs indicated an abundance of active Burholderiaceae and several Gammaproteobacteria, and production of transcripts associated with carbohydrate metabolism, osmotic stress response, as well as phage, prophages, and transposable elements. These results illustrate that microbial activities can be sustained in physicochemically extreme wFGDs, and these activities may influence the performance and environmental impacts of thermoelectric power plants.

Process simulation and comprehensive evaluation of a system of coal power plant coupled with waste incineration

The technology of coal power plant coupled with waste incineration is considered as a promising technology for fossil fuel conservation and waste disposal. In this paper, a system of coal power plant coupled with waste incineration is simulated by Aspen Plus software, and a conventional coal power plant is also simulated for comparison. Comprehensive evaluation including thermodynamic, economic and environmental impact performances are analysed and compared. Evaluation results indicate that the thermodynamic performance and environmental impact of the system of coal power plant coupled with waste incineration are worse, but the economic performance of the system is obviously better than the coal power plant. When the replacement ratio of waste is 20%, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the system are 38.54% and 37.27%, the internal rate of return and discounted payback period of the system are 21.83% and 9.14 years, and the environmental cost of the system is $3597.73 h^-1. Therefore, the technology of coal power plant coupled with waste incineration has technical feasibility and economic advantages, and the environmental impacts need to be considered in the application of the technology.

[Characterization, Sources, and Health Risks of PM2.5-bound PAHs During Autumn and Winter in Luoyang City]

In this study, PM_2.5 samples were collected synchronously at Gaoxin and Linxiao in Luoyang City during autumn and winter (4 October 2018 to 30 January 2019). Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with fine particulate matter were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The concentrations and composition characteristics of the PAHs on clean and polluted days were studied. Diagnostic ratio analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to identify the emission sources of PM_2.5-bound PAHs and the equivalent carcinogenic concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) model were applied to evaluate health risks. During the sampling period, the concentrations of PAHs at Gaoxin and Linxiao ranged 24.33-90.26 ng·m^-3 and 23.81-76.99 ng·m^-3, respectively. With the increase in PM_2.5 pollution, PAH concentrations increase significantly (the mean PAH concentration on polluted days was approximately 1.3 times higher than during clean days). PAH profiles at different polluting levels were similar; 4-ring PAHs (43%-48%) > 5-6 ring PAHs (32%-35%) > 2-3-ring PAHs (20%-22%). Diagnostic ratios and PCA demonstrated that PAHs in the study area were mainly derived from combustion sources including coal combustion, biomass burning, and motor vehicle emissions. The coal combustion was the main pollution source in the study area (clean days=49.28%-56.38%, polluted days=49.44%-60.60%). The results of the equivalent carcinogenic concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and ILCR model revealed that the human health risk on polluted days was higher. Moreover, the cancer risks from adult exposure to PAHs were higher than those child exposure, which has an acceptable level of risk (<10^-6).

Fly Ash, from Recycling to Potential Raw Material for Mesoporous Silica Synthesis

In order to meet the increasing energy demand and to decrease the dependency on coal, environmentally friendly methods for fly ash utilization are required. In this respect, the priority is to identify the fly ash properties and to consider its potential as raw material in the obtaining of high-value materials. The physico-chemical and structural characteristics of the fly ash coming from various worldwide power plants are briefly presented. The fly ash was sampled from power plants where the combustion of lignite and hard coal in pulverized-fuel boilers (PC) and circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers was applied. The fly ash has high silica content. Due to this, the fly ash can be considered a potential raw material for the synthesis of nanoporous materials, such as zeolites or mesoporous silica. The samples with the highest content of SiO₂ can be used to obtain mesoporous silica materials, such as MCM-41 or SBA-15. The resulting mesoporous silica can be used for removing/capture of CO₂ from emissions or for wastewater treatment. The synthesis of various porous materials using wastes would allow a high level of recycling for a sustainable society with low environmental impact.

Impacts of Coal Use on Health

This article reviews evidence for the public health impacts of coal across the extraction, processing, use, and waste disposal continuum. Surface coal mining and processing impose public health risks on residential communities through air and water pollution. Burning coal in power plants emits more nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and heavy metals per unit of energy than any other fuel source and impairs global public health. Coal ash disposal exposes communities to heavy metals and particulate matter waste. Use of coal in domestic households causes public health harm concentrated in developing nations. Across the coal continuum, adverse impacts are disproportionately felt by persons of poor socioeconomic status, contributing to health inequities. Despite efforts to develop renewable energy sources, coal use has not declined on a global scale. Concentrated efforts to eliminate coal as an energy source are imperative to improve public health and avert serious climate change consequences.

Fly-Ash Pollution Modulates Growth, Biochemical Attributes, Antioxidant Activity and Gene Expression in Pithecellobium Dulce (Roxb) Benth

This study investigates the effect of fly ash (FA) on the Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth. trees growing at three different locations. FA stress caused significant changes in different leaf attributes like sugar, protein contents, photosynthetic pigments, nitrate content and nitrate reductase activity in foliar tissues of plants growing at a highly contaminated site, as compared to a low-pollution site. Lower rates of stomatal conductance (SC) were observed in P. dulce leaves under fly ash stress conditions that drastically reduced net photosynthetic rate (P_N); however, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration and stomatal index (SI) showed an increase under the same stress conditions. On the other hand, significant increase was also observed in the proline, sulphur and nitrogen contents. A significant increase in oxidative stress and, consequently, in antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and Air pollution tolerance index were discovered at three different sites. The transcriptional expression of antioxidant and stress responsive genes was higher at HPS as compared to two other two sites of the study. Taken together the results demonstrated that the P. dulce is best suited as a fly ash stress tolerant plant species with the potential to provide an alternative for the reclamation of fly ash affected soils.

Highly Effective Flame-Retardant Rigid Polyurethane Foams: Fabrication and Applications in Inhibition of Coal Combustion

The extemporaneous combustion of coal remains a major threat to safety in coal mines because such fire accidents result in casualties and significant property loss, as well as serious environmental pollution. This work proposed the fabrication of flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) containing expandable graphite as char expander/sealant with melamine phosphosphate and 2-carboxyethyl (phenyl)phosphinic acid as char inducer and radical trapping agents. The as-prepared RPUF successfully inhibited coal combustion by forming thermally stable high graphitic content expandable intumescent char sealing over the coal. The RPUF achieved UL-94 V-0 rating in addition to significant reductions in peak heat release, total heat release, and CO and CO₂ yields. The external and the internal residual char structure was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectra, Raman spectroscopy, and real-time Fourier transform infrared spectra techniques, and a flame-retardant mode of action has been proposed. This work provides important insight into a facile fabrication of highly efficient and economical flame-retardant RPUF to inhibit the spontaneous combustion of coal.

Indoor PM2.5 from coal combustion aggravates ovalbumin-induced asthma-like airway inflammation in BALB/c mice

We hypothesized that indoor PM_2.5 exposure from coal combustion exaggerates airway inflammation in the lung tissue of asthmatic mice induced with ovalbumin (OVA). Forty BALB/c mice, randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group), were intratracheally instilled with normal saline alone, PM_2.5 (2.5 mg/ml PM_2.5 alone), OVA (15 μg/ml OVA alone), and PM_2.5+OVA (2.5 mg/ml PM_2.5 and 15 μg/ml OVA), respectively, four times at 2-wk intervals. Daily mean concentration of PM_2.5 from indoor coal combustion was 156.95 μg/m³. The highest metal composition in PM_2.5 was Zn (34.81 ± 1.8 μg/m³). Exposure to PM_2.5+OVA significantly elevated IL-4 and decreased IFN-γ production in mice compared with the control (P < 0.05). Exposure to PM_2.5+OVA showed a significant increase in the protein levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-8 and a decrease in the protein level of transforming growth factor-β1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice compared with the control (P < 0.05). The expression of IL-4 mRNA was significantly increased, whereas the expression of IFN-γ mRNA was decreased in lung tissue of the PM_2.5+OVA group (P < 0.05). The expression level of Foxp3 mRNA in the PM_2.5+OVA group was significantly lower than that in the control group in lung tissue (P < 0.05). Treatment with PM_2.5+OVA promoted a prominent neutrophil sequestration into the lung parenchyma, goblet cell proliferation, and severe inflammatory cell infiltration in the airways. Exposure to PM_2.5 from indoor coal combustion might induce airway inflammatory immune responses and exacerbate peribronchiolar inflammation due to infiltration of inflammatory cells into the airway submucosa and airway structural pathological changes.

[Source Apportionment and Mixing State of Single Particles in the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area]

To characterize the ambient particles in the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area, a single particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS) was deployed from December 1 to 31, 2015. A total of 7.478 million particles were analyzed with both positive and negative ion spectra. The air quality of Nanjing during the measurement period was poor, and the percentage of pollution days was 49.2%. The correlation (R) between the SPAMS particle number and PM_2.5 concentration was 0.83, showing that the particle number could reflect the trend in the variation of atmospheric pollution. The dominant pollutant source at the monitoring site was coal combustion, followed by vehicle emissions and industrial emissions, with a contribution ratio of 63.5%. The increase in the PM_2.5 mass concentration was accompanied by a high proportion of coal combustion or vehicle emissions. A high mixing state between EC, ECOC, and OC and NO₂^-, NO₃^-, and SO₄^- was observed for the sources of biomass burning, dust, vehicle emissions, coal combustion, and industrial emissions.

Lung cancer family history and exposure to occupational/domestic coal combustion contribute to variations in clinicopathologic features and gene fusion patterns in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of cancer and its mutant spectrum. Lung cancer has familial aggregation. Lung cancer caused by non-tobacco factors has unique pathological and molecular characteristics. The interaction between genetic lung cancer susceptibility and carcinogens from coal burning remains complex and understudied.

METHODS

We selected 410 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with a family history of lung cancer (FLC) and exposure to coal combustion between 2014 and 2017. Clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed. Reverse transcription-PCR was performed to detect ALK, ROS1, RET, and NTRK1 rearrangement.

RESULTS

Among the 410 NSCLC patients, 192 had FLC and 204 (49.8%) were exposed to occupational or domestic coal combustion. FLC patients had the same characteristics regardless of gender and coal exposure: younger age, high female ratio, adenocarcinoma, increased metastasis, later stage at diagnosis, and higher frequency of gene fusion. Sixty-seven patients (16.3%) had gene rearrangement: 51 (12.4%) harbored EML4-ALK fusions and 16 ROS1 fusions (3.9%). The highest gene fusion rate (35.1%, 33/94) occurred in patients with both FLC and high tobacco and coal exposure. ALK fusions and total gene rearrangement were closely associated with women, never smokers, younger age, FLC, and coal exposure.

CONCLUSION

FLC and exposure to coal combustion have an important impact on the clinicopathological characteristics and gene fusion mode of NSCLC, particularly in cases of higher levels of carcinogens, and genetic susceptibility has a greater impact. Our findings may help evaluate the effect of FLC and coal exposure on the pathogenesis of lung cancer.

Air Quality in Association With Rural Coal Mining and Combustion in New South Wales Australia

PURPOSE

Rural areas may face under-recognized threats to air quality. We tested 2 hypotheses that 1) rural areas in New South Wales, Australia, would have better air quality than metropolitan Sydney, and that 2) the rural Upper Hunter region characterized by coal mining and coal combustion would have worse air quality than other rural areas of the state.

METHODS

We analyzed 2017 daily mean values for New South Wales, Australia, for particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO₂ ), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂ ), and NOx (sum of NO and NO₂ ). Forty-six air monitoring stations were grouped into 6 rural and urban regional areas. Linear regression models examined pollution levels in association with rural and urban regions and meteorological covariates.

RESULTS

Findings show that daily mean pollutant levels in the rural Upper Hunter were the highest of all regions, and were significantly higher than metropolitan Sydney, with and without control for weather conditions, for every pollutant. For example, daily mean PM2.5 was 8.64 µg/m³ in the rural Upper Hunter, compared to 7.23 µg/m³ in metropolitan Sydney.

CONCLUSIONS

Results highlight the need to consider both urban and rural sources of pollution in air quality studies, and appropriate policy steps to address likely rural air pollution from coal mining.

[Particle Removal Characteristics of an Ultra-low Emission Coal-fired Power Plant]

A 660 MW unit of an ultra-low emission coal-fired power plant in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area was chosen for this study. The particulate matter was sampled with a Dekati low-pressure impactor (DPLI) at the inlet and outlet of flue gas cleaning devices including selective catalytic reduction (SCR), low-low temperature economizer (LLTe), electrostatic precipitator (ESP), wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD), and wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP). A filter sampling system was also used at the inlet and outlet of the WFGD and WESP. The removal efficiencies of PM₁, PM_1-2.5, and PM_2.5-10 from different flue gas cleaning devices were obtained after ultra-low emission modification. The results show that SCR increases the mass concentration of fine particulates and PM₁ by 52.11%. The LLTe improves the removal efficiency of the ESP, especially for particles with a range of 0.1-1 μm. The high-efficiency WFGD removes both SO₂ and particulates, but it increases PM₁. The mass concentration of PM₁ increases by 59.41% and the water-soluble Mg²⁺, Cl^-, and SO₄^2- in PM₁₀ increases. The WESP has a high removal efficiency with respect to PM₁, PM_1-2.5, and PM_2.5-10 and can further reduce the dust concentration. Based on an ultra-low emission reform, the final PM₁₀ emission of this 660 MW unit is 2.04 mg·m^-3.

Characteristics of Indoor PM2.5 Concentration in Gers Using Coal Stoves in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Coal combustion in ger areas is the main source of ambient air pollution in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). This study determined the characteristics of indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in gers using coal stoves during winter. The study population consisted of 60 gers in the Chingeltei district of Ulaanbaatar. The indoor particle number concentration (PNC) in each ger was measured using a Dylos DC1700 particle counter for 24 h in January and February 2016. The PNC by Dylos was converted into the mass concentration using a calibration equation developed using a collocated real-time light scattering monitor adjusted by gravimetric measurement. The average 24 h PM_2.5 concentration was 203.9 ± 195.1 μg/m³ in gers with traditional stoves (n = 29) and 257.5 ± 204.4 μg/m³ in those with improved stoves (n = 31). In the daily profile, concentrations were lower at night, increased in the early morning, and peaked up to noon. The temperature in gers was slightly higher than that recommended in winter. Many development-assistance programs have supported the installation of improved energy-efficient stoves. Better control measures are needed to improve the indoor air quality of gers.

Origin-Oriented Elemental Profile of Fine Ambient Particulate Matter in Central European Suburban Conditions

Twenty-four-hour samples of fine ambient particulate matter (PM2.5; particles with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 µm) were collected in a suburban (quasi-rural) area in Racibórz (Poland) between 1 January 2011 and 26 December 2012. The samples were analyzed for the contents of 28 elements. Sources of PM2.5 were identified and the contribution of each source to the PM2.5 concentration was assessed using an enrichment factor (EF) analysis, a principal component analysis (PCA), and multi-linear regression analysis (MLRA). In the cold season (January-March and October-December 2011-2012), the mean ambient concentration of PM2.5 in Racibórz was 48.7 ± 39.4 µg·m(-3), which was much higher than at other suburban or rural sites in Europe. Additionally the ambient concentrations of some toxic PM2.5-bound elements were also high, i.e., the mean ambient concentrations of PM2.5-bound As, Cd, and Pb were 11.3 ± 11.5, 5.2 ± 2.5, and 34.0 ± 34.2 ng·m(-3), respectively. In the warm season (April-September 2011-2012), the PM2.5 and PM2.5-bound element concentrations in Racibórz were comparable to the concentrations noted at other suburban (or rural) sites in Europe. Our findings suggest that elemental composition and concentrations of PM2.5 in Racibórz are mainly influenced by anthropogenic emissions, i.e., the energy production based on coal and biomass combustion, traffic, and industry.

Intraurban and longitudinal variability of classical pollutants in Kraków, Poland, 2000-2010

In spite of a dramatic decrease in anthropogenic emissions, ambient concentrations of major pollutants have not changed within many urban locations. To clarify the relationship between ambient air quality trend and the population exposures, we compared the intraurban versus temporal variability of the collocated measurements of five major air pollutants including particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter <10 µm (PM₁₀), < 2.5 µm (PM₂.₅), tropospheric ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), in Kraków, Poland, during the 2000-2010 period. Strong seasonal trends and overall absence of spatial heterogeneity in PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅, except in the traffic monitoring site, were observed across the monitoring network. The range of median PM₂.₅ concentrations during winter (54-64 µg/m³) was 3- to 4-times higher than the summer medians (15-26 µg/m³) across the sites during 2009-2010. Furthermore, large proportion of PM₁₀ appears to be comprised of PM₂.₅ (PM₂.₅/PM₁₀ concentration ratios range, 0.5-0.7). At each monitoring site, the Pearson's correlation coefficients between PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ ranged between 0.944 and 0.963, suggesting a health-relevance of PM10 monitoring. One ln-unit increase in PM₁₀ was associated with 92%-100% increase in PM₂.₅ concentrations in the same location. While PM₁₀ did not demonstrate a clear temporal trend, SO₂ concentrations steadily declined by 40% during the 2000-2010 period. Summertime median NO₂ concentration was acutely elevated ‎(70 mg/m³ vs. 22 mg/m³) at the traffic oriented site compared to the city's central monitoring site. The traffic and the industrial sites were associated with highest number of days during which 24-hour mean PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ concentrations exceeded the European Union standard. Steadily growing contributions by vehicular emissions appear to be associated with the absence of clear trend in PM₁₀. Current practices of air quality control within Kraków may not be adequate for the protection of the public's health.

Trace element distribution in the snow cover from an urban area in central Poland

This work presents the first results from winter field campaigns focusing on trace metals and metalloid chemistry in the snow cover from an urbanized region in central Poland. Samples were collected between January and March 2013 and trace element concentrations were determined using GF-AAS. A large inter-seasonal variability depending on anthropogenic emission, depositional processes, and meteorological conditions was observed. The highest concentration (in μg L(-1)) was reported for Pb (34.90), followed by Ni (31.37), Zn (31.00), Cu (13.71), Cr (2.36), As (1.58), and Cd (0.25). In addition, several major anthropogenic sources were identified based on principal component analysis (PCA), among which the most significant was the activity of industry and coal combustion for residential heating. It was stated that elevated concentrations of some trace metals in snow samples were associated with frequent occurrence of south and southeast advection of highly polluted air masses toward the sampling site, suggesting a large impact of regional urban/industrial pollution plumes.

Reproduction, embryonic development, and maternal transfer of contaminants in the amphibian Gastrophryne carolinensis

Although many amphibian populations around the world are declining at alarming rates, the cause of most declines remains unknown. Environmental contamination is one of several factors implicated in declines and may have particularly important effects on sensitive developmental stages. Despite the severe effects of maternal transfer of contaminants on early development in other vertebrate lineages, no studies have examined the effects of maternal transfer of contaminants on reproduction or development in amphibians. We examined maternal transfer of contaminants in eastern narrow-mouth toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis) collected from a reference site and near a coal-burning power plant. Adult toads inhabiting the industrial area transferred significant quantities of selenium and strontium to their eggs, but Se concentrations were most notable (up to 100 microg/g dry mass). Compared with the reference site, hatching success was reduced by 11% in clutches from the contaminated site. In surviving larvae, the frequency of developmental abnormalities and abnormal swimming was 55-58% higher in the contaminated site relative to the reference site. Craniofacial abnormalities were nearly an order of magnitude more prevalent in hatchlings from the contaminated site. When all developmental criteria were considered collectively, offspring from the contaminated site experienced 19% lower viability. Although there was no statistical relationship between the concentration of Se or Sr transferred to eggs and any measure of offspring viability, our study demonstrates that maternal transfer may be an important route of contaminant exposure in amphibians that has been overlooked.