scholarly journals Long-term particulate matter modeling for health effect studies in California – Part 2: Concentrations and sources of ultrafine organic aerosols

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 5379-5391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianlin Hu ◽  
Shantanu Jathar ◽  
Hongliang Zhang ◽  
Qi Ying ◽  
Shu-Hua Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Health Effect ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Organic Aerosols ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Spatial Distributions ◽  
Mobile Emissions

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) is a major constituent of ultrafine particulate matter (PM0. 1). Recent epidemiological studies have identified associations between PM0. 1 OA and premature mortality and low birth weight. In this study, the source-oriented UCD/CIT model was used to simulate the concentrations and sources of primary organic aerosols (POA) and secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in PM0. 1 in California for a 9-year (2000–2008) modeling period with 4 km horizontal resolution to provide more insights about PM0. 1 OA for health effect studies. As a related quality control, predicted monthly average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2. 5) total organic carbon at six major urban sites had mean fractional bias of −0.31 to 0.19 and mean fractional errors of 0.4 to 0.59. The predicted ratio of PM2. 5 SOA ∕ OA was lower than estimates derived from chemical mass balance (CMB) calculations by a factor of 2–3, which suggests the potential effects of processes such as POA volatility, additional SOA formation mechanism, and missing sources. OA in PM0. 1, the focus size fraction of this study, is dominated by POA. Wood smoke is found to be the single biggest source of PM0. 1 OA in winter in California, while meat cooking, mobile emissions (gasoline and diesel engines), and other anthropogenic sources (mainly solvent usage and waste disposal) are the most important sources in summer. Biogenic emissions are predicted to be the largest PM0. 1 SOA source, followed by mobile sources and other anthropogenic sources, but these rankings are sensitive to the SOA model used in the calculation. Air pollution control programs aiming to reduce the PM0. 1 OA concentrations should consider controlling solvent usage, waste disposal, and mobile emissions in California, but these findings should be revisited after the latest science is incorporated into the SOA exposure calculations. The spatial distributions of SOA associated with different sources are not sensitive to the choice of SOA model, although the absolute amount of SOA can change significantly. Therefore, the spatial distributions of PM0. 1 POA and SOA over the 9-year study period provide useful information for epidemiological studies to further investigate the associations with health outcomes.

scholarly journals Long-term Particulate Matter Modeling for Health Effects Studies in California – Part II: Concentrations and Sources of Ultrafine Organic Aerosols

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianlin Hu ◽  
Shantanu Jathar ◽  
Hongliang Zhang ◽  
Qi Ying ◽  
Shu-Hua Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Organic Aerosols ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Spatial Distributions ◽  
Mobile Emissions

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) is a major constituent of ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.1). Recent epidemiological studies have identified associations between PM0.1 OA and premature mortality and low birth weight. In this study, the source-oriented UCD/CIT model was used to simulate the concentrations and sources of primary organic aerosols (POA) and secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in PM0.1 in California for a 9-year (2000–2008) modeling period with 4 km horizontal resolution to provide more insights about PM0.1 OA for health effects studies. As a related quality control, predicted monthly average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) total organic carbon at six major urban sites had mean fractional bias of −0.31 to 0.19 and mean fractional errors of 0.4 to 0.59. The predicted ratio of PM2.5 SOA/OA was lower than estimates derived from chemical mass balance (CMB) calculations by a factor of 2 ~ 3, which suggests the potential effects of processes such as POA volatility, additional SOA formation mechanism, and missing sources. OA in PM0.1, the focus size fraction of this study, is dominated by POA. Wood smoke is found to be the single biggest source of PM0.1 OA in winter in California, while meat cooking, mobile emissions (gasoline and diesel engines), and other anthropogenic sources (mainly solvent usage and waste disposal) are the most important sources in summer. Biogenic emissions are predicted to be the largest PM0.1 SOA source, followed by mobile sources and other anthropogenic sources, but these rankings are sensitive to the SOA model used in the calculation. Air pollution control programs aiming to reduce the PM0.1 OA concentrations should consider controlling solvent usage, waste disposal, and mobile emissions in California, but these findings should be revisited after the latest science is incorporated into the SOA exposure calculations. The spatial distributions of SOA associated with different sources are not sensitive to the choice of SOA model, although the absolute amount of SOA can change significantly. Therefore, the spatial distributions of PM0.1 POA and SOA over the 9-year study period provide useful information for epidemiological studies to further investigate the associations with health outcomes.

Assessment of the Oxidative Potential and Oxidative Burden from Occupational Exposures to Particulate Matter

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan da Silveira Fleck ◽  
Maximilien Debia ◽  
Patrick Eddy Ryan ◽  
Caroline Couture ◽  
Alison Traub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Redox Activity ◽  
Oxidative Potential ◽  
Construction Trades ◽  
Occupational Settings

Abstract Oxidative potential (OP) is a toxicologically relevant metric that integrates features like mass concentration and chemical composition of particulate matter (PM). Although it has been extensively explored as a metric for the characterization of environmental particles, this is still an underexplored application in the occupational field. This study aimed to estimate the OP of particles in two occupational settings from a construction trades school. This characterization also includes the comparison between activities, sampling strategies, and size fractions. Particulate mass concentrations (PM4-Personal, PM4-Area, and PM2.5-Area) and number concentrations were measured during three weeks of welding and construction/bricklaying activities. The OP was assessed by the ascorbate assay (OPAA) using a synthetic respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF), while the oxidative burden (OBAA) was determined by multiplying the OPAA values with PM concentrations. Median (25th–75th percentiles) of PM mass and number concentrations were 900 (672–1730) µg m–3 and 128 000 (78 000–169 000) particles cm–3 for welding, and 432 (345–530) µg m–3 and 2800 (1700–4400) particles cm–3 for construction. Welding particles, especially from the first week of activities, were also associated with higher redox activity (OPAA: 3.3 (2.3–4.6) ρmol min–1 µg–1; OBAA: 1750 (893–4560) ρmol min–1 m–3) compared to the construction site (OPAA: 1.4 (1.0–1.8) ρmol min–1 µg–1; OBAA: 486 (341–695) ρmol min–1 m–3). The OPAA was independent of the sampling strategy or size fraction. However, driven by the higher PM concentrations, the OBAA from personal samples was higher compared to area samples in the welding shop, suggesting an influence of the sampling strategy on PM concentrations and OBAA. These results demonstrate that important levels of OPAA can be found in occupational settings, especially during welding activities. Furthermore, the OBAA found in both workplaces largely exceeded the levels found in environmental studies. Therefore, measures of OP and OB could be further explored as metrics for exposure assessment to occupational PM, as well as for associations with cardiorespiratory outcomes in future occupational epidemiological studies.

scholarly journals Ambient Air Pollution and Atherosclerosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham H. Bevan ◽  
Sadeer Al-Kindi ◽  
Robert D. Brook ◽  
Thomas Münzel ◽  
Sanjay Rajagopalan
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Plaque Instability

Ambient air pollution due to particulate matter <2.5 μ is the leading environmental risk factor contributing to global mortality, with a preponderant majority of these deaths attributable to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) causes such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Epidemiological studies in humans have provided refined estimates of exposure risk with evidence suggesting that risk association with particulate matter <2.5 levels and ASCVD continues at levels well below air quality guidelines in North America and Europe. Mechanistic studies in animals and humans have provided a framework of understanding of the duration and pathways by which air pollution exposure may predispose to atherosclerosis. Although acute exposure to particulate matter <2.5 is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, system transmission of signals from the lungs to extrapulmonary sites may involve direct translocation of components, biologic intermediates, and autonomic nervous system activation. End-organ effector pathways, such as endothelial barrier disruption/dysfunction, thrombosis, vasoconstriction/increased blood pressure, and plaque instability, may contribute to ASCVD. The strength of the association of air pollution with ASCVD offers an opportunity to mitigate its consequences. Although elimination of anthropogenic sources of air pollution with a switch to clean energy provides the ultimate solution, this may not be possible in the interim and may require personal protection efforts and an integrated approach to managing risk posed by air pollution for ASCVD.

scholarly journals Size Distribution of Ambient Particulate Matter and Its Constituent Chemical Species Involving Saccharides During Early Summer in a Chinese Megacity

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jahan Zeb Khan ◽  
Long Sun ◽  
Yingze Tian ◽  
Qili Dai ◽  
Tongxin Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Ambient Particulate Matter

The ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution adversely influences the human health and natural environment. The size distribution of ambient PM determines the physiochemical and optical properties of ambient aerosol, whereas it reflects the variability in local and regional PM emission sources and formation mechanisms. In the present work, the size distribution and characteristics of the carbonaceous, ionic, elemental, and saccharide species were categorically investigated for the fraction-wise PM in Tianjin during 2018 early summer. The average concentrations were 32.4, 20.9, and 49.3 μg/m3 for the PM1, PM1–2.5, and PM2.5–10, respectively. The coarse PM2.5–10 accounted for most of the PM10 mass (47%), followed by the fine PM1 (33%) and intermodal PM1–2.5 (20%). The carbonaceous and ionic species exhibited bimodal distribution and were distributed mostly to the fine size fraction and then to the coarse size fraction. The elemental species exhibited unimodal distribution and were distributed mostly to the coarse size fraction. The specific saccharide species indicated the significant contribution of biomass burning and primary biogenic emissions. The bimodal mass size distribution of levoglucosan indicated the significant biomass burning contributions to the fine and coarse size fractions. The unimodal glucose, fructose, and arabitol distribution and the bimodal mannitol distribution indicated the dominant primary biogenic contributions to the coarse size fraction. The PM1/PM10, PM1–2.5/PM10, PM2.5–10/PM10, OC/EC, SOC/OC, AE/CE, NO3–/SO42–, K+/EC, and levoglucosan/K+ ratios were used to investigate the characteristics of the ambient size-fractionated PM. The anthropogenic sources (combustion processes, traffic emissions, and secondary particles, etc.) contributed mostly to the fine PM1 and intermodal PM1–2.5 fractions, whereas the natural sources (primary biogenic, marine salt, and mineral dust, etc.) contributed mostly to the coarse PM2.5–10 fraction. This work is a significant addition to the multi-size ambient PM’s size distribution and characterization studies.

Potential Role of Inflammation in Associations between Particulate Matter and Heart Failure

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaotong Ji ◽  
Yingying Zhang ◽  
Guangke Li ◽  
Nan Sang
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Inflammatory Mechanism ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Relationship

Recently, numerous studies have found that particulate matter (PM) exposure is correlated with increased hospitalization and mortality from heart failure (HF). In addition to problems with circulation, HF patients often display high expression of cytokines in the failing heart. Thus, as a recurring heart problem, HF is thought to be a disorder characterized in part by the inflammatory response. In this review, we intend to discuss the relationship between PM exposure and HF that is based on inflammatory mechanism and to provide a comprehensive, updated evaluation of the related studies. Epidemiological studies on PM-induced heart diseases are focused on high concentrations of PM, high pollutant load exposure in winter, or susceptible groups with heart diseases, etc. Furthermore, it appears that the relationship between fine or ultrafine PM and HF is stronger than that between HF and coarse PM. However, fewer studies paid attention to PM components. As for experimental studies, it is worth noting that coarse PM may indirectly promote the inflammatory response in the heart through systematic circulation of cytokines produced primarily in the lungs, while ultrafine PM and its components can enter circulation and further induce inflammation directly in the heart. In terms of PM exposure and enhanced inflammation during the pathogenesis of HF, this article reviews the following mechanisms: hemodynamics, oxidative stress, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and epigenetic regulation. However, many problems are still unsolved, and future work will be needed to clarify the complex biologic mechanisms and to identify the specific components of PM responsible for adverse effects on heart health.

scholarly journals Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Esther Borrás ◽  
Luis Antonio Tortajada-Genaro ◽  
Francisco Sanz ◽  
Amalia Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Carboxylic Acids ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Tetradecanoic Acid

The chemical characterization of aerosols, especially fine organic fraction, is a relevant atmospheric challenge because their composition highly depends on localization. Herein, we studied the concentration of multi-oxygenated organic compounds in the western Mediterranean area, focusing on sources and the effect of air patterns. The organic aerosol fraction ranged 3–22% of the total organic mass in particulate matter (PM)2.5. Seventy multi-oxygenated organic pollutants were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, including n-alkanones, n-alcohols, anhydrosugars, monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and keto-derivatives. The highest concentrations were found for carboxylic acids, such as linoleic acid, tetradecanoic acid and, palmitic acid. Biomarkers for vegetation sources, such as levoglucosan and some fatty acids were detected at most locations. In addition, carboxylic acids from anthropogenic sources—mainly traffic and cooking—have been identified. The results indicate that the organic PM fraction in this region is formed mainly from biogenic pollutants, emitted directly by vegetation, and from the degradation products of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic pollutants. Moreover, the chemical profile suggested that this area is interesting for aerosol studies because several processes such as local costal breezes, industrial emissions, and desert intrusions affect fine PM composition.

scholarly journals Exposure to Atmospheric Particulate Matter-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Health Effects: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2177
Author(s):  
Lu Yang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Xuan Zhang ◽  
Wanli Xing ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

Particulate matter (PM) is a major factor contributing to air quality deterioration that enters the atmosphere as a consequence of various natural and anthropogenic activities. In PM, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a class of organic chemicals with at least two aromatic rings that are mainly directly emitted via the incomplete combustion of various organic materials. Numerous toxicological and epidemiological studies have proven adverse links between exposure to particulate matter-bound (PM-bound) PAHs and human health due to their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Among human exposure routes, inhalation is the main pathway regarding PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere. Moreover, the concentrations of PM-bound PAHs differ among people, microenvironments and areas. Hence, understanding the behaviour of PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere is crucial. However, because current techniques hardly monitor PAHs in real-time, timely feedback on PAHs including the characteristics of their concentration and composition, is not obtained via real-time analysis methods. Therefore, in this review, we summarize personal exposure, and indoor and outdoor PM-bound PAH concentrations for different participants, spaces, and cities worldwide in recent years. The main aims are to clarify the characteristics of PM-bound PAHs under different exposure conditions, in addition to the health effects and assessment methods of PAHs.

scholarly journals Ambient Aerosol Measurements in Different Environments

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Bougiatioti ◽  
Evangelia Kostenidou
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Heterogeneous Mixture ◽  
Ambient Aerosol

Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere has diverse natural and anthropogenic sources, and is a complex, heterogeneous mixture [...]

scholarly journals GEOCHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN SURFACE SOIL IN AL-HAWIJA, SOUTHWEST KIRKUK

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2E) ◽  
pp. 36-61
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Obeidi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Soil Pollution ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Contamination Factor ◽  
Pollution Load Index ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources

Soil pollution adversely affects the safety and health of the human being. The main objective of the study is to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface soil in Al-Hawija, southwestern Kirkuk. Twenty-one samples were collected and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the content of heavy metals and assess the soil pollution by using the contamination factor, degree of contamination, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index and ecological risk index (RI). The results indicate that there is high pollution by lead, chromium and copper (78.8, 87.4 and 53.8 mg/kg) respectively, in industrial areas due to anthropogenic sources with the presence of significant ecological risk (Er) of the lead (116) in site S7, due to its high concentrations, while size fraction analysis indicated that all heavy metals are concentrated in the fine parts as a result of adsorption processes by clay minerals.

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