Particulate Air Pollution and Risk of Neuropsychiatric Outcomes. What We Breathe, Swallow, and Put on Our Skin Matters

We appraise newly accumulated evidence of the impact of particle pollution on the brain, the portals of entry, the neural damage mechanisms, and ultimately the neurological and psychiatric outcomes statistically associated with exposures. PM pollution comes from natural and anthropogenic sources such as fossil fuel combustion, engineered nanoparticles (NP ≤ 100 nm), wildfires, and wood burning. We are all constantly exposed during normal daily activities to some level of particle pollution of various sizes—PM2.5 (≤2.5 µm), ultrafine PM (UFP ≤ 100 nm), or NPs. Inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption are key portals of entry. Selected literature provides context for the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) ambient air quality standards, the conclusions of an Independent Particulate Matter Review Panel, the importance of internal combustion emissions, and evidence suggesting UFPs/NPs cross biological barriers and reach the brain. NPs produce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, neurovascular unit, mitochondrial, endoplasmic reticulum and DNA damage, protein aggregation and misfolding, and other effects. Exposure to ambient PM2.5 concentrations at or below current US standards can increase the risk for TIAs, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, cognitive deficits, dementia, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Residing in a highly polluted megacity is associated with Alzheimer neuropathology hallmarks in 99.5% of residents between 11 months and ≤40 y. PD risk and aggravation are linked to air pollution and exposure to diesel exhaust increases ALS risk. Overall, the literature supports that particle pollution contributes to targeted neurological and psychiatric outcomes and highlights the complexity of the pathophysiologic mechanisms and the marked differences in pollution profiles inducing neural damage. Factors such as emission source intensity, genetics, nutrition, comorbidities, and others also play a role. PM2.5 is a threat for neurological and psychiatric diseases. Thus, future research should address specifically the potential role of UFPs/NPs in inducing neural damage.

Analysis of Ethanol to Reduce Solid Particle Pollution in SI Engines

The present work carries out an experimental comparative analysis of the performance and emission of exhaust gases of the Otto cycle with four automotive times. The comparison was made between alternative fuels such as E10, E15, and E20, with both 90 and 95 octane each the commercialized fuel. The experimental tests were carried out with an engine load corresponding to 25% of the maximum load. After carrying out the tests, the following conclusions can be reached: on the performance and effective parameters of the engine, the obtained best indicator, and as expected, was the case E10 (90 octane). Also, the E15 (90 octane) showed a slight difference compared to the reference fuel E10 (90 octane). About emissions, it was found that these decrease as the concentration of ethanol in the fuel increases.

Adversity-hope hypothesis: Air pollution raises lottery demand in China

The empirical literature points to a stylized phenomenon of increased demand for hope following adversity. Clotfelter and Cook (1989) suggest that hope is a key sentiment underpinning recreational gambling. Chew and Ho (1994, this journal) offer the view of hope being experienced in lottery products when people enjoy delaying the resolution of uncertainty. Taking air quality as an indicator of subjective well-being, we hypothesize a positive causal relationship between air pollution and lottery sales. We test this hypothesis using data from China and find that air pollution measured by particle concentration increases demand for a popular lottery for which province-level daily sales records exist. The relationship can readily be seen on combining high-frequency, spatially resolved lottery sales and particle pollution data. Our findings support the adversity-hope hypothesis in the context of air quality and lottery sales and point to further tests using other measures of adversity and proxies of demand for hope.

Characterizing the Particle Variations and Human Exposure in Port and Urban Areas

In port areas, traffic is characterized by container trucks which run on diesel, while in urban areas it is characterized by private cars which run on petrol. The different fuels as pollution sources cause distinct particle pollution. This study offers an in-depth investigation of particle pollution and corresponding short-term exposures in port and urban areas. Field measurements were carried out to collect the data including particulate matter and traffic volume. Based on the data, firstly, the Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationships between traffic volume and particles. Secondly, the Anderson–Darling test was adopted to identify the “best-fit” distributions on particles. Thirdly, comparisons of particle pollution levels in port and urban areas were analyzed. Finally, the pedestrian respiratory deposition doses of particles were estimated. The results indicate the importance and urgency of reducing air pollution, especially for port cities, and provide policymakers with a foundation for possible measures in the port city.