‘Green barriers’ for air pollutant capture: Leaf micromorphology as a mechanism to explain plants capacity to capture particulate matter

Today, production is carried out depending on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels pollute the air as they contain high levels of carbon. Many studies have been carried out on the economic costs of air pollution. However, in the present study, unlike the former ones, economic growth's relationship with the COVID-19 virus in addition to air pollution was examined. The COVID-19 virus, which was initially reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and affected the whole world, has caused many cases and deaths. Researchers have been going on studying how the virus is transmitted. Some of these studies suggest that the number of virus-related cases increases in regions with a high level of air pollution. Based on this fact, it is thought that air pollution will increase the number of COVID-19 cases in G7 Countries where industrial production is widespread. Therefore, the negative aspects of economic growth, which currently depends on fossil fuels, is tried to be revealed. The research was carried out for the period between 2000-2019. Panel cointegration test and panel causality analysis were used for the empirical analysis. Particulate matter known as PM2.5[1] was used as an indicator of air pollution. Consequently, a positive long-term relationship has been identified between PM2.5 and economic growth. This relationship also affects the number of COVID-19 cases. [1] "Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant that poses the greatest risk to health globally, affecting more people than any other pollutant (WHO, 2018). Chronic exposure to PM2.5 considerably increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in particular (WHO, 2018). For these reasons, population exposure to (outdoor or ambient) PM2.5 has been identified as an OECD Green Growth headline indicator" (OECD.Stat).

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Seasonality of the levels of particulate matter PM10 air pollutant in the city of Ruse, Bulgaria

10.1063/5.0033628 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

E. Veleva ◽

I. R. Georgiev

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

The City

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Insulin sensitizers prevent fine particulate matter-induced vascular insulin resistance and changes in endothelial progenitor cell homeostasis

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00369.2015 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 310 (11) ◽

pp. H1423-H1438 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Petra Haberzettl ◽

James P. McCracken ◽

Aruni Bhatnagar ◽

Daniel J. Conklin

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Endothelial Progenitor ◽

Insulin Sensitizer ◽

Circulating Levels

Exposure to fine particular matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Because blood vessels are sensitive targets of air pollutant exposure, we examined the effects of concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP) on vascular insulin sensitivity and circulating levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which reflect cardiovascular health. We found that CAP exposure for 9 days decreased insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation in the aorta of mice maintained on control diet. This change was accompanied by the induction of IL-1β and increases in the abundance of cleaved IL-18 and p10 subunit of Casp-1, consistent with the activation of the inflammasome pathway. CAP exposure also suppressed circulating levels of EPCs (Flk-1+/Sca-1+ cells), while enhancing the bone marrow abundance of these cells. Although similar changes in vascular insulin signaling and EPC levels were observed in mice fed high-fat diet, CAP exposure did not exacerbate diet-induced changes in vascular insulin resistance or EPC homeostasis. Treatment with an insulin sensitizer, metformin or rosiglitazone, prevented CAP-induced vascular insulin resistance and NF-κB and inflammasome activation and restored peripheral blood and bone marrow EPC levels. These findings suggest that PM2.5 exposure induces diet-independent vascular insulin resistance and inflammation and prevents EPC mobilization, and that this EPC mobilization defect could be mediated by vascular insulin resistance. Impaired vascular insulin sensitivity may be an important mechanism underlying PM2.5-induced vascular injury, and pharmacological sensitization to insulin action could potentially prevent deficits in vascular repair and mitigate vascular inflammation due to exposure to elevated levels of ambient air pollution. Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/particulate-matter-induced-vascular-insulin-resistance/ .

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Regional Energy, CO2, and Economic and Air Quality Index Performances in China: A Meta-Frontier Approach

Energies ◽

10.3390/en11082119 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2119 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ying Li ◽

Yung-Ho Chiu ◽

Liang Lu

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

Air Quality ◽

Quality Index ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Air Quality Index ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Desirable Output ◽

Reduce Emissions ◽

Carbon Dioxide Co2

Rapid economic development has resulted in a significant increase in energy consumption and pollution such as carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM2.5), particulate matter 10 (PM10), SO2, and NO2 emissions, which can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Therefore, to ensure a sustainable future, it is essential to improve economic efficiency and reduce emissions. Using a Meta-frontier Non-radial Directional Distance Function model, this study took energy consumption, the labor force, and fixed asset investments as the inputs, Gross domestic product (GDP) as the desirable output, and CO2 and the Air Quality Index (AQI) scores as the undesirable outputs to assess energy efficiency and air pollutant index efficiency scores in China from 2013–2016 and to identify the areas in which improvements was necessary. It was found that there was a large gap between the western and eastern cities in China. A comparison of the CO2 and AQI in 31 Chinese cities showed a significant difference in the CO2 emissions and AQI efficiency scores, with the lower scoring cities being mainly concentrated in China’s western region. It was therefore concluded that China needs to pay greater attention to the differences in the economic levels, stages of social development, and energy structures in the western cities when developing appropriately focused improvement plans.

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Assessment of PM10 in Aurangabad City of Central India

International Journal of Environment ◽

10.3126/ije.v5i2.15007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 61-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Geetanjali Kaushik ◽

Arvind Chel ◽

Sangeeta Shinde ◽

Ashish Gadekar

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Tall Buildings ◽

Central India ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Traffic Density ◽

High Pollution ◽

High Concentrations ◽

The City

Almost 670 million people comprising 54.5% of our population reside in regions that do not meet the Indian NAAQS for fine particulate matter. Numerous studies have revealed a consistent correlation for particulate matter concentration with health than any other air pollutant. Aurangabad city a rapidly growing city with population of 1.5 million is home to five major industrial areas, the city is also known for its historical monuments which might also be adversely affected from air pollution. Therefore, this research aims at estimating PM10 concentrations at several locations across Aurangabad. The concentration of PM10 was highest at the Railway Station followed by Waluj (an industrial zone) and City chowk is the centre of the city which has high population, tall buildings, few open spaces which causes high congestion and does not allow the particulates to disperse. Other locations with high concentrations of PM are Mill corner, Harsul T-point, Kranti Chowk, Seven Hill, TV centre and Beed Bye pass. All these locations have narrow roads, high traffic density, poor road condition with pot holes and few crossing points which cause congestion and vehicle idling which are responsible for high pollution. Therefore, it is evident that air pollution is a serious issue in the city which may be further aggravated if it is not brought under control. Hence, strategies have to be adopted for combating the menace of air pollution.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTVolume-5, Issue-2, March-May 2016, Page :61-74

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Double trouble: combined cardiovascular effects of particulate matter exposure and coronavirus disease 2019

Cardiovascular Research ◽

10.1093/cvr/cvaa293 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vineeta Tanwar ◽

Jeremy M Adelstein ◽

Loren E Wold

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ◽

Cardiovascular Effects ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

The Body ◽

Experimental Investigations ◽

Cardiac Complications ◽

Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly grown into a pandemic. According to initial reports, the lungs were thought to be the primary target, but recent case studies have shown its reach can extend to other organs including the heart and blood vessels. The severity of cardiac complications of COVID-19 depends on multiple underlying factors, with air pollutant exposure being one of them, as reported by several recent studies. Airborne particulate matter (PM) attracts heightened attention due to its implication in various diseases, especially respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Inhaled PM not only carries microorganisms inside the body but also elicits local and systemic inflammatory responses resulting in altering the host’s immunity and increasing susceptibility to infection. Previous and recent studies have documented that PM acts as a ‘carrier’ for the virus and aids in spreading viral infections. This review presents the mechanisms and effects of viral entry and how pollution can potentially modulate pathophysiological processes in the heart. We aimed to concisely summarize studies examining cardiovascular outcomes in COVID-19 patients and postulate on how PM can influence these outcomes. We have also reviewed evidence on the use of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors, namely angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, in patients with COVID-19. The interplay of pollution and SARS-CoV-2 is essential to understanding the effects of accentuated cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 and deserves in-depth experimental investigations.

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Resveratrol Inhibits Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Keratinocytes

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21103446 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

pp. 3446 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jung-Won Shin ◽

Hyun-Sun Lee ◽

Jung-Im Na ◽

Chang-Hun Huh ◽

Kyung-Chan Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Inflammatory Response ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Complex Mixture ◽

Human Keratinocytes ◽

Receptor Activation ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Cellular Inflammatory Response

Particulate matter (PM), a major air pollutant, is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of various sizes. PM has been demonstrated to cause intracellular inflammation in human keratinocytes, and is associated with various skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, eczema, and skin aging. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with strong antioxidant properties, and its beneficial effects against skin changes due to PM remain elusive. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on PM-induced skin inflammation and attempted to deduce the molecular mechanisms underlying resveratrol’s effects. We found that resveratrol inhibited PM-induced aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation and reactive oxygen species formation in keratinocytes. It also suppressed the subsequent cellular inflammatory response by inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Consequentially, resveratrol reduced PM-induced cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E2 and proinflammatory cytokine expression, including that of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, and interleukin-8, all of which are known to be central mediators of various inflammatory conditions and aging. In conclusion, resveratrol inhibits the PM-induced inflammatory response in human keratinocytes, and we suggest that resveratrol may have potential for preventing air pollution-related skin problems.

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INHALABLE AND RESPIRABLE DUST FROM COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT

Jurnal Teknologi ◽

10.11113/jt.v77.6849 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 77 (30) ◽

Author(s):

Shamzani Affendy Mohd Din ◽

Rashidi Othman ◽

Nik Nurul Hidayah Nik Yahya ◽

Norsyamimi Hanapi

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Power Plant ◽

Air Flow ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Health Impact ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Respirable Dust ◽

The Public ◽

Inhalable Dust ◽

Cyclone Sampler

Among the anthropogenic air pollutant that lead to the global warming, this research focuses on the inhalable dust and respirable dust that comes from the emissions of coal. Recently, the demand of electricity supply in Malaysiais raising and leads to the diversification of its resources towards the non-renewable energy. Coal-fired power plant emission had been recognized as one of the manmade sources of particulate matter. 8-hours personal particulate matter sampling had been done at a coal-fired power plant with 7-hole sampler at 2 L/min air flow and cyclone sampler at 2.2 L/min air flow. This study found that 96.78 % of the result from total inhalable dust exceeds the PM10DOE Malaysia standard of 0.15mg/m3. The percentage ratio of respirable towards total inhalable dust is 50.25%. Further analysis showed that as the temperature increases, the particulate matter concentration also increases. It is believed that the smaller particles offer higher degree of human health risk. The particulate from coal with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micron and lesser can be deposited into deeper part of lung and provide adverse health impact towards the public or residence of surrounding coal-fired power plant location area, generally and coal-fired power plant workers, in specific.

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Gaseous Pollutants and Particulate Matter (PM) in Ambient Air and the Number of New Cases of Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/1648264 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Małgorzata Michalska ◽

Katarzyna Zorena ◽

Piotr Wąż ◽

Maria Bartoszewicz ◽

Agnieszka Brandt-Varma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

New Technologies ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Gaseous Pollutants ◽

High Exposure

The increase in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) incidence in children is worrying and not yet fully explored. It is suggested that probably air pollution exposure could contribute to the development of T1DM. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the concentration of gaseous pollutants including, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) in the air, and the number of new cases of T1DM in children. The number of new cases of T1DM was obtained from the Clinic of Paediatrics, Diabetology, and Endocrinology, Medical University of Gdańsk. The number of children of 0–18 years old in Pomeranian Voivodeship was acquired from the Statistical Yearbook. The concentrations of PM10 absorbance, NO2, NOx, SO2, and CO were measured at 41 measuring posts, between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016. It was detected that the average annual concentration of PM10 was higher than the value acceptable to the WHO. Furthermore, the average 24-hour concentration of PM10 was 92 μg/m3 and was higher compared to the acceptable value of 50 μg/m3 (acc. to EU and WHO). Moreover, the number of new cases of T1DM showed a correlation with the annual average concentration of PM10 (β = 2.396, p<0.001), SO2 (β = 2.294, p<0.001), and CO (β = 2.452, p<0.001). High exposure to gaseous pollutants and particulate matter in ambient air may be one of the factors contributing to the risk of developing T1DM in children. Therefore, it is important to take action to decrease air pollutant emissions in Poland. It is crucial to gradually but consistently eliminate the use of solid fuels, such as coal and wood in households, in favour of natural gas and electricity. The development of new technologies to improve air quality, such as “best available techniques” (BAT) or renewable energy sources (water, wind, and solar generation) is of critical importance as well.

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