scholarly journals Plant-Bacteria Interactions for the Elimination of Atmospheric Contaminants in Cities

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 493
Author(s):  
Lázaro Molina ◽  
Regina-Michaela Wittich ◽  
Pieter van van Dillewijn ◽  
Ana Segura
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Green Architecture ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Reduce Emissions

One of the major health risks for humans, especially for those living in large cities, is air pollution. Air pollution consists mainly of emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The organic carbon fraction of particulate matter is a mixture of hundreds of organic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), or polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), some of which are mutagenic and/or carcinogenic. Because this particulate matter represents a serious threat for human health, measures to reduce emissions and to eliminate contaminants need to be strongly reinforced, with a focus on novel biotechnologies. In this review, we will explore the possibilities that bacteria associated with plants may offer the amelioration of atmospheric contaminants in cities, and we will discuss this strategy in the context of “Green Architecture”.

scholarly journals Uptake Coefficients of Some Volatile Organic Compounds by Soot and Their Application in Understanding Particulate Matter Evolution in Aircraft Engine Exhaust Plumes

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhong Yu ◽  
David S. Liscinsky ◽  
Bruce True ◽  
Jay Peck ◽  
Archer C. Jennings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Aircraft Engine ◽  
Engine Exhaust ◽  
Inverse Power Law ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Uptake Coefficients

To assist microphysical modeling on particulate matter (PM) evolution emitted from aircraft engines, uptake coefficients of some volatile organic compounds on soot were experimentally determined in this study. The determined values vary from (1.0 ± 0.1) × 10−6 for water-miscible propylene glycol to (2.5 ± 0.1) × 10−5 for 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. An inverse power-law correlation between uptake coefficient on soot and solubility in water was observed. Using the correlation, microphysical simulations were performed for the exhaust plume evolution from an idling aircraft, and we found that the model-predicted volatile PM composition on soot is comparable with those results from past field measurements.

Incense: Ritual, Health Effects and Prudence

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
URMILA NAIR
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

AbstractThe burning of candles and incense is common in religious ceremonies worldwide. Analysis of incense smoke has shown the presence of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are hazardous to health. Long-term exposure to smoke formed during combustion can cause airway dysfunction, allergic reactions and dermatological effects and is a risk factor implicated in the development of other serious diseases. In this paper the effect of these studies are reviewed and simple precautions suggested to avoid toxic effects of incense smoke.

scholarly journals Indoor exposure to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds in dwellings and workplaces and respiratory health in French farmers

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara Nichole Maesano ◽  
Denis Caillaud ◽  
Hassani Youssouf ◽  
Soutrik Banerjee ◽  
Julie Prud’Homme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Glycol Ethers ◽  
Indoor Exposure ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Elevated Exposure

Introduction: Few investigations have related objective assessments of indoor air pollutants to respiratory health in farmers, in spite of the many rural environmental hazards to which they are exposed. Chemical air pollution has been particularly neglected. Objective: We investigated the relationships of indoor exposure to particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to respiratory health in farmers. Methods: Nineteen VOCs (5 families) and PM (from ultrafine to total suspended particles (TSP)) were objectively assessed in dwellings and workplaces in 109 French farmers during a week. To take into account multiple exposures, scores of exposure were computed for total VOCs and VOCs families. Individuals filled a standardized questionnaire and underwent spirometry with bronchodilation test. Results: On average, VOCs concentrations were higher in dwellings than in workplaces. The reverse was observed for PM. When considering the mean concentrations of air pollutants for the whole farm (dwellings + workplaces), asthma (9.3%) was positively associated with elevated exposure to benzene (adjusted odds-ratio (ORa) = 6.64, 95%CI: 1.56–28.27), trichloroethylene (4.80, 1.00–23.30) and halogenated hydrocarbons score (2.9, 95% 1.3–6.8). Early airway obstruction (FEF25–75 < 80%, with normal FEV1 and FVC and FEV/FVC ≥ 70%) (29.8%) was related to elevated exposure to 2-butoxyetylacetate (11.49, 1.55–85.37) and glycol ethers score (2.0; 1.0–4.1) in the whole farm and to PM2.5 (ORa = 5.26, 95% CI: 1.09–25.28) in the granary/stable. The risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (FEV/FVC < 70%) (COPD) (4.26%) was found to be larger with elevated exposure to aldehydes (OR = 3.95, 1.09–14.26). Conclusion: Indoor chemical air pollution is detrimental to farmers’ respiratory health. More epidemiological investigations with detailed exposure assessments and clinical measures of respiratory effects are needed in rural settings to corroborate these findings.

scholarly journals Seasonal and Spatial Variation of Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient Air of Almaty City, Kazakhstan

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1592
Author(s):  
Olga P. Ibragimova ◽  
Anara Omarova ◽  
Bauyrzhan Bukenov ◽  
Aray Zhakupbekova ◽  
Nassiba Baimatova
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Spatial Variations ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Seasonal And Spatial Variations ◽  
Before And After

Air pollution is one of the primary sources of risk to human health in the world. In this study, seasonal and spatial variations of multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured at six sampling sites in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The seasonal and spatial variations of 19 VOCs were evaluated in 2020, including the periods before and after COVID-19 lockdown. The concentrations of 9 out of 19 VOCs had been changed significantly (p < 0.01) during 2020. The maximum concentrations of total VOCs (TVOCs) were observed on 15, 17, and 19 January and ranged from 233 to 420 µg m−3. The spatial distribution of TVOCs concentrations in the air during sampling seasons correlated with the elevation and increased from southern to northern part of Almaty, where Combined Heat and Power Plants are located. The sources of air pollution by VOCs were studied by correlations analysis and BTEX ratios. The ranges of toluene to benzene ratio and benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene demonstrated two primary sources of BTEX in 2020: traffic emissions and biomass/biofuel/coal burning. Most of m-, p-xylenes to ethylbenzene ratios in this study were lower than 3 in all sampling periods, evidencing the presence of aged air masses at studied sampling sites from remote sources.

scholarly journals Achieving a healthy indoor environment by using an emissions barrier for stopping spread of chemicals from building into the indoor air

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Mattsson ◽  
Lennart Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Concrete Slab ◽  
Treated Wood ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

An emissions barrier was used in premises with indoor air complaints due to emissions from the buildings in question. The emissions comprised chlorophenols/chloroanisoles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from treated wood, and volatile organic compounds (VOC), mainly 2-ethylhexanol, from PVC flooring and the glue used to paste the flooring onto a concrete slab. Attaching the barrier at the surfaces from where the emissions were spread (floor, walls, ceiling) resulted in a fresh and odour-free indoor air. We conclude that using an emissions barrier in buildings made unhealthy by moisture is an efficient way of restoring a pleasant and healthy indoor air.

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