Air Pollution Research Articles

Lifestyle modifications and environmental risk factors for glaucoma

Purpose of review To summarize recent evidence about the association between different lifestyle modifications and environmental risk factors and glaucoma. Recent findings Incorporating moderate exercise into the routine of glaucoma patients may help slow the progression of the condition. However, caution should be taken when using swim goggles, and it may be advisable to avoid certain yoga positions and heavy weight-lifting exercises, as they have been linked to intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes and potential risks for glaucoma patients. Various relaxation techniques may lower IOP. The evidence remains inconclusive about the association between vitamins intake and glaucoma. Dietary nitric oxide has been associated with a lower risk of glaucoma. Higher smoking intensity has been linked to faster visual field decline and retinal nerve fiber layer thinning. Additionally, there is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of marijuana in managing glaucoma, with side effects outweighing the proposed benefits. A significant association has been found between air pollutants and ganglion cell layer thinning, as well as a greater burden of glaucoma. Summary Lifestyle and environmental factors are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to glaucoma development and progression. These modifications should be integrated into a comprehensive treatment approach alongside medications or surgical interventions.

Sustainable Water Management with Photocatalytic Janus Mesh: Efficient Fog Harvesting, Water Purification, and Microbial Disinfection.

Water scarcity is a critical global challenge, especially in arid and semiarid regions. Fog harvesting has emerged as a promising solution; however, concerns about air pollution and bacterial growth in humid environments have raised doubts about the safety and sustainability of such systems. This study introduces a Janus mesh with asymmetric wettability on its two faces, fabricated through a simple and scalable method. The unique design of the Janus mesh enables the transport of water droplets from the superhydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side in a unidirectional manner, enhancing its fog harvesting efficiency. The mesh's photocatalytic properties not only elevate the fog harvesting rate to 4.7 kg·m-2h-1 but also effectively purify the harvested water by removing organic contaminants (94%) and microbial impurities (99.98%). Additionally, its inherent bactericidal activity prevents biofouling, ensuring sustained efficiency in water collection. The mesh's self-cleaning abilities through photocatalysis maintain its surface integrity, promising long-term stability for fog harvesting applications. This technological advancement in fog harvesting offers a sustainable and economical solution to water scarcity concerns, addressing safety and sustainability issues associated with existing systems. By potentially transforming the livelihoods of communities struggling with water scarcity, this innovation paves the way for a more sustainable future.

Investigation of the Cyclohexene Oxidation Mechanism Through the Direct Measurement of Organic Peroxy Radicals.

Monoterpenes, the second most abundant biogenic volatile organic compounds globally, are crucial in forming secondary organic aerosols, making their oxidation mechanisms vital for addressing climate change and air pollution. This study utilized cyclohexene as a surrogate to explore first-generation products from its ozonolysis through laboratory experiments and mechanistic modeling. We employed proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry with NH4+ ion sources (NH4+-CIMS) and a custom-built OH calibration source to quantify organic peroxy radicals (RO2) and closed-shell species. Under near-real atmospheric conditions in a Potential Aerosol Mass-Oxidation Flow Reactor, we identified 30 ozonolysis products, expanding previous data sets of low-oxygen compounds. Combined with simulations based on the Generator for Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere and relevant literature, our results revealed that OH dominates over ozone in cyclohexene oxidation at typical atmospheric oxidant levels with H-abstraction contributing 30% of initial RO2 radicals. Highly oxidized molecules primarily arise from RO2 autoxidation initiated by ozone, and at least 15% of ozone oxidation products follow the overlooked nonvinyl hydroperoxides pathway. Gaps remain especially in understanding RO2 cross-reactions, and the structural complexity of monoterpenes further complicates research. As emissions decrease and afforestation increases, understanding these mechanisms becomes increasingly critical.

The Effects of Environmental Factors on General Human Health: A Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: The external environment constantly influences human health through many factors, including air quality, access to green spaces, exposure to pollutants, and climate change. Contamination poses a substantial threat to human well-being; conversely, environmental factors also positively impact health. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the complex relationship between various environmental factors and human health. While individual studies have explored specific aspects, a broader integrative understanding is lacking. Methods: Through databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Copernicus), 4888 papers were identified, with 166 selected for detailed analysis. Results: We summarized recent research, identifying multiple associations between environmental factors such as air pollution, climate change, solar radiation, and meteorological conditions and their impact on various health outcomes, including respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic and gastrointestinal, renal and urogenital, neurological and psychological health, infectious and skin diseases, and major cancers. We use chord diagrams to illustrate these links. We also show the interaction between different environmental factors. Findings begin with exploring the direct impact of environmental factors on human health; then, the interplay and combined effects of environmental factors, elucidating their (often indirect) interaction and collective contribution to human health; and finally, the implications of climate change on human health. Conclusions: Researchers and policymakers need to consider that individuals are exposed to multiple pollutants simultaneously, the “multipollutant exposure phenomenon”. It is important to study and regulate environmental factors by considering the combined impact of various pollutants rather than looking at each pollutant separately. We emphasize actionable recommendations and solutions.

Enhancing food sustainability in the acute hospital setting - a nurse-led study of patient food.

Intensive global food production causes soil, water and air pollution, which has a negative impact on our health and future ability to produce sufficient nutritious food. Plant-based diets have the potential to reduce the environmental damage associated with the global food chain. The project sought to understand drivers of food waste and to improve food sustainability in a busy, tertiary referral hospital in England. Ward-level food waste was quantified. Qualitative data were collected using informal interviews with staff and additional data utilised the patient feedback survey. Ward-level food packaging waste and patient food choices were quantified using data on patient menu choices. The carbon footprint of patient food choices was calculated. Beef was the most popular menu choice, and was the main contributing factor to the high environmental impact of the hospital food chain. Increasing the visibility of vegetarian options on the menu led to a four-fold rise in these meals being chosen, which reduced the carbon footprint of the patient meal service. Recycling food packaging was also started, but there are challenges to widespread implementation. The project was successful, but it remains a starting point from which to increase food sustainability across the NHS and care sector catering provision.

The Formaldehyde, TVOCs, PM2.5 and PM10 Concentrations at Outdoor Street Food in Kalasin, Thailand

Human health and well-being are directly impacted by air quality. Cardiovascular and respiratory problems have been linked to exposure to pollutants such as formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and particulate matter 2.5 and 10 micrometers (PM2.5 and PM10). This study aimed to quantify formaldehyde, TVOCs, PM2.5, and PM10 levels in the outdoor air at street food vendors in Kalasin, Thailand. The study was conducted at street food vendors in the province of Kalasin. Formaldehyde values at the top five food stalls in Kalasin ranged from 0.58 to 1.41 mg/m3. The PM2.5 values ranged from 2.29 to 9.43 ug/m3, and the TVOC values ranged from 2.91 to 7.02 ug/m3, with PM10 concentrations ranging from 2.86 to 7.29 ug/m3. Drawing on data about these pollutant concentrations across five distinct locations, the following recommendations can be put forth: Elevated levels of formaldehyde, TVOCs, PM2.5, and PM10 in certain areas can have detrimental effects on the environment and human well-being.

Aerosol Vertical Turbulent Mass Flux Retrievals Through Novel Remote Sensing Algorithm

AbstractIntegrated measurements of aerosol, radiation, cloud, and turbulent transport in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) are essential for understanding and modeling climate and air quality. Here, we developed a new technique for the identification of convective turbulent regions and deriving the vertical distribution of aerosol turbulent mass fluxes within PBL. The algorithm uses retrievals from coherent Doppler lidars and a high spectral resolution lidar. The technique was applied to study particle mass fluxes over 2 months (November–December 2020) during the campaign conducted at the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Lamont, Oklahoma. The algorithm developed here is capable of continuously deriving vertically resolved (curtains) aerosol mass fluxes. Our data analysis shows that at the site, the 30‐min averaged fluxes at 135 m above the surface were mainly positive (upward) at ∼1 μg m−2 s−1, suggesting that the surface is the primary source of the particle mass supplied to the boundary layer at the SGP site. Analyses of the individual case studies have revealed that not all the derived fluxes can be linked to surface emissions. Both positive and negative values in a range of ±5 μg m−2 s−1 can be caused by convective thermals interacting between the residual layer and the mixed layer and by rotation of the horizontal wind with the height. Large erroneous negative fluxes can also be caused by drizzling/precipitating clouds. We anticipate that the application of the current technique will lead to a more realistic representation of aerosol mass budgets and bidirectional mixing rates.

Insight into performance and lifetime of ecofriendly pollution barriers in landfill for emergency: A thermogravimetric analysis for novel polymer materials

The novel polymer barrier wall is an in-situ remediation technology designed to effectively control the migration of pollution and prevent the diffusion of pollutants by blocking, sealing, or altering the direction of groundwater flow. With its advantages of rapid chemical reaction (achieving 95 % strength within 15 min) and portable equipment suitable for narrow and rugged emergency sites, this innovative polymer barrier demonstrates promising prospects for practical application. Hence, ensuring the long-term durability of new materials under corrosive and high-temperature leachate conditions is crucial. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the corrosion and thermal aging performance of novel polymer materials. Firstly, the mechanical tensile properties of the polymer materials were examined after immersion in leachates, aiming to elucidate the degradation mechanism underlying these properties. Subsequently, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was performed on the polymer materials immersed in various leachates. And the thermal stability and oxidation stability of novel materials were investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG-FTIR). Based on the results obtained from thermal analysis, the service life of polymer materials under different pollutants was ultimately predicted utilizing the Arrhenius model. The findings indicate that the novel polymer materials exhibit commendable durability and pose little risk of causing secondary pollution.

The effect of firewood combustion cookstove types on indoor air pollution and deforestation in selected rural houses of Ethiopia

The effect of firewood combustion cookstove types on indoor air pollution and deforestation in selected rural houses of Ethiopia

Dynamic Reconstruction of Cu Catalyst under Electrochemical NO Reduction to NH3.

The electrochemical reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to ammonia (NH3) offers a sustainable way of simultaneously treating the air pollutant and producing a useful chemical. Among catalyst candidates, Cu emerges as a stand-out choice for its superb NH3 selectivity and production rate. However, a comprehensive study concerning its catalytic behaviorin the NO reduction environment is lacking. Here, we unravel the dynamic rearrangement of Cu catalysts during NO reduction: the emergence of a bundled nanowire structure dependent on the applied potential. This unique structure is closely linked to an enhancement in double-layer capacitance, leading to a progressive increase in current density from 236 mA cm-2 by 20% over 1 h, while maintaining a Faradaic efficiency of 95% for NH3. Characterizations of Cu oxidation states suggest that the nanostructure results from the dissolution-redeposition of Cu in the aqueous electrolyte, influenced by the interaction with NO or other reactive intermediates. This understanding contributes to the broader exploration of Cu-based catalysts for sustainable and efficient NH3 synthesis from NO.

Federal Policy Platforms and Public Health: Reinforcing the Benefits of Air Pollution Control Devices at Power Plants in the United States

Federal Policy Platforms and Public Health: Reinforcing the Benefits of Air Pollution Control Devices at Power Plants in the United States

Preferensi Masyarakat terhadap Tanaman Identitas di Jalur Hijau Tepi Jalan Kota Yogyakarta

Philosophical and native plants have ecological, aesthetic, and air pollution tolerant functions, and have historical value as constituents of Green Open Spaces (GOS). Plants in the green belt of the Imaginary Line of Yogyakarta are different from other green belt plants, because there are special features. the preferences of the Yogyakarta City community are carried out to choose the right plants, so as to create a good ecosystem on the green belt of Yogyakarta City roads. The purpose of this study was to identify plants to recommendations from people's preferences in choosing green belt plants in the City of Yogyakarta. the research method for selecting respondents used the Slovin method and in-depth interviews with cultural experts from the Yogyakarta Palace, and further tested using the Spearman correlation test. The results showed that of the 33 philosophical and native plants, the physiological characteristics of the plants had a percentage of 8.9%, namely Ficus benjamina L. as a philosophical plant and Chrysopyllum cainito L. 14.6% as a native plant. Visual plant characteristics that have a score of 7 are Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack and Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa.

Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate effectiveness of a self-help group intervention to encourage smoke-free homes in slums of Kochi(Kochi Intervention for tobacco smoke free homes-KIFT)

Background Exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) is a cause for heart disease and lung cancer among non- smokers. This cluster randomized control trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a tobacco smoke free home intervention in reducing exposure to second hand smoke. Protocol The intervention will be conducted among 30 clusters in urban and peri-urban areas of Kochi, India. The sample size is 300 per arm and 15 clusters to detect a minimal difference of 0.03ng/ml in cotinine levels between groups, at 80% power with a two-sided alfa of 0.05 considering variable cluster size. A baseline survey will be undertaken to identify smokers. Data related to smoking, indoor smoking, nicotine dependence, blood pressure (BP) of smokers, morbidity experienced, and lung volume Fev1/Fev6 of smokers will be measured. Urine cotinine, morbidity, BP of spouse and child will be assessed. Air quality monitors measuring PM2.5 will be placed in homes. Trained self-help group women and frontline health workers will implement the intervention. The intervention will consist of monthly home visits to educate the smoker on the harms of second-hand smoke using 3 A’s. The circle of influencers around the smoking men will also be contacted by the members of self-help group to provide support to stop smoking within homes and to quit. They will then organize two-three meetings of community leaders and heads of women’s groups, present data on harms of SHS, and explain the rationale for establishing smoke free homes in their community for a duration of six months. After the intervention a post assessment will be conducted and this will be repeated after six months. Ethics and dissemination The trial protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Results will be submitted to open access peer reviewed journals and shared with other stakeholders. Trial registration CTRI/2021/06/034478

Social and spatial determinants of energy ageism: Calibrating social policy towards older people under the conditions of energy transition in Polish society

The article aims to identify the problems and challenges faced by senior citizens in the context of energy transition and also to develop a framework of social policy that would respond to senior citizens' concerns and is necessary for the effective implementation of the goals of the European Union's (EU) climate and energy policy. The authors focus on the analysis of the challenges of energy transition faced by older people who live in Poland in various types of buildings and use different sources of home heating. The article shows how various types of buildings constructed using different technologies and in different historical periods and located in various social and geographical spaces divide people in terms of class and also create challenges for older people related to home heating. The type of building and its place in the urban space may be a determinant of the energy poverty of its inhabitants, and the area where specific types of buildings are clustered together may affect the air quality in this part of a city. The authors suggest taking specific local and national actions as part of social policy towards older people during energy transition. The material was collected in the winter of 2024 using focus group interviews for eight groups of senior citizens differing in place of residence, type of building inhabited and source of home heating.

Cascaded utilization of magnetite nanoparticles@onion-like carbons from wastewater purification to supercapacitive energy storage.

Developing high-performance carbon-based materials for environmental and energy-related applications produces solid waste with secondary pollution to the environment at the end of their service lives. It is still challenging to utilize these functional materials in a sustainable manner in different fields. In this study, we demonstrate a cascaded utilization of an Fe3O4@onion-like carbon (Fe3O4@OLC) structure from wastewater adsorbents to a supercapacitor electrode. The structure was formed by carbonizing Fe3O4@oleic acid monodisperse nanoparticles into interconnected Fe3O4@OLCs and subsequent insufficient acid etching. The hollow OLCs in the outside region of the hybrid structure provide high surface area and the encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the inside region offer high ferromagnetism. The three-dimensionally interconnected graphitic layers are advantageous for efficient separation and high conductivity. As a result, the maximum saturation adsorption capacity of insufficiently etched interconnected Fe3O4@OLCs can reach up to 90.2 mg g-1 and they can be efficiently separated under a magnetic field. Furthermore, the hybrid structure is thermally transformed into N-doped HOLCs, which are demonstrated to be a high-performance supercapacitor electrode with high specific capacitance and high electrochemical stability. The cascaded utilization of the hybrid structure in this study is meaningful for eco-friendly development of functional materials for environmental and energy storage applications.

A Study on Ambient Air Quality and Management inCommercial Areas of Gorakhpur City

The current study evaluates the city of Gorakhpur's ambient air quality using an air quality index. For the period January 2018 to November 2022, the 24-hour average concentration of the three primary pollutants SO2, NO2, andPM10 in a commercial area close to Jalkal Bhawan in Gorakhpur city was measured. Pollutant measurements were made between January 2018 and November 2022. The IND-AQI technique was implemented to calculate the Air Quality Index. In July, the highest monthly average concentrations of PM10, SO2, and NO2 were recorded at 401.13, 36.41, and 54.02, respectively. The yearly average SO2 concentration was found to be within the CPCB- recommended limit, while NO2 was found to be slightly above the maximum allowable level. However, PM10 wasconsistently found to be above the CPCB-recommended limit. The average monthly concentration of NO2 is higherthan SO2, and the overall AQI rating was determined to be moderate. The global experiences clearly demonstratedthat international action had been city specific rather than country oriented, and as a result, statistics show a reductionin PM2.5 of 35%–40% in five years for cities like Beijing and Seoul, whereas cities like Santiago and Mexico Cityhave shown reductions in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration of 73% and 61% in 20 to 25 years, respectively. Recent research published in the Lancet found that over the past five years, CO and Sulphur dioxide levels decreased by 28.2% and 54.1%, respectively, while NO2 and O3 concertation showed no considerable improvement. The August2018 TERI and ARAI report examined several interventions and predicted their possible effects. PM2.5 and PM10 levelsin Delhi and the NCR are above average. A different scenario has been developed in light of the intervention that can improve air quality the most. The NCAP produces an estimated national level target of 20%-30% decreasesin PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 after taking into consideration the existing international and national studies. This keeps 2018 as the baseline year for concentration comparisons. Gorakhpur City has recently experienced an increase in development activity, which has led to particulate matter.

Coordinating public and government responses to air pollution exposure: A multi-source data fusion approach

Aligning public demand with government supply of clean air aids in efficient air pollution control and enhancement of public happiness. However, comparative empirical analyses of public and government attention to air quality changes are still sparse due to data and methodological constraints. Here, we adopt multi-source data fusion approaches to assess the impacts of air pollution exposure on public and government attention. Specifically, remote and social sensing data, alongside keywords extracted from textual data, are utilized to quantify air pollution exposure and corresponding public and government attention levels in 273 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2019, and a two-stage least squares regression model is employed to tackle reverse causality issues underlying the exposure-response relationship. Our findings reveal that, on average, a unit increase in PM2.5 levels would result in a 17.7% growth in public attention and a 12.7% rise in government attention, respectively, suggesting that demand-driven public attention tends to be more sensitive to air quality changes than policy-driven government attention. Results for the spatial-temporal heterogeneity further demonstrate that public attention varies across time and space, whereas government attention remains relatively consistent. Additionally, we have identified 116 cities exhibiting disparities between the public and government responses to air quality changes, calling for environmental policy refinements to better serve the needs of residents. This study emphasizes the necessity of public engagement in environmental governance and offers rich policy implications for air pollution control in China.

Fine dust collection capacity of a moss greening system for the building envelope: An experimental approach

Air pollution is one of the most impactful environmental issues worldwide in terms of mortality. Numerous studies have assessed the benefits of vertical greening systems within urban areas for mitigating air pollution, but their widespread adoption is limited by high costs and maintenance requirements. The current study assesses the air pollution mitigation capacity within urban areas of three moss species: Barbula unguiculata, Grimmia pulvinata and Homalothecium sericeum, used in the moss envelope system called MosSkin. Following a three-months exposure of the three moss species samples in a highly trafficked area, phyllids were analysed with Field Emission Scan Electron microscopy to quantify number, dimension, and nature of particle deposition on leaves on their different portions (base, centre, apex). The moss species chosen collected up to 45,580 particles per mm2 with the trend H. sericeum ≥ G. pulvinata > B. unguiculata, showing a similar tendency in terms of classes and order of magnitudes. However, specific higher affinities for PM fractions 2–7.5 μm were shown by G. pulvinata. The PMx collection can be related to species-specific shape of leaves within stems, and it depends on the leaf portions (highest capture in apex), 45–55 % consisting of PM0.5 μm, indicating a significant collecting capacity of such fractions.

Effects of the vehicle fleet on air quality in an urban university environment of Ecuador

Introduction: Air quality in university environments is critical for the health and well-being of students and staff. This study aims to identify the permissible pollutants emitted in the parking lots of the State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ) in the canton of Quevedo, province of Los Ríos, Ecuador. Methods: An abductive (inductive-deductive) approach was employed, utilizing statistical methods to analyze primary emission data. In-situ measurements of pollutants, specifically carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), were conducted monthly across three parking lots at the university. Each parking lot contained three strategically established monitoring points, where measurements were taken during peak entry and exit hours and on days of highest traffic, using the Temtop M2000C-2º sensor. Results: The findings revealed significant statistical differences in pollutant concentrations among the parking lots. CO levels were notably higher in the main parking lot during midday, while PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited greater dispersion in the rear parking lot. The maximum measured values were 456.71 ppm (CO) in the main parking lot, 22.29 µg/m³ (PM2.5) in the Produteq lot, and 32.54 µg/m³ (PM10) in the rear parking lot, all of which remain within the permissible limits established by Ecuadorian legislation. Conclusion: Although air pollution levels at UTEQ are classified as moderate, the results underscore the necessity for implementing short-term mitigation measures to enhance air quality. It is recommended that university authorities develop projects and actions aimed at reducing vehicular emissions and improving overall environmental conditions on campus.

Bureaucrat incentives reduce crop burning and child mortality in South Asia.

Air pollution in South Asia is a health emergency, responsible for 2 million deaths every year1. Crop residue burning accounts for 40-60% of peak pollution during the winter harvest months2,3. Despite being illegal, this practice remains widespread4,5. Any solution to curb the problem necessitates government action at scale. Here we study whether leveraging the incentives of bureaucrats tasked with controlling burning can mitigate this phenomenon. Using a decade of wind, fire and health data from satellites and surveys from theDemographic and Health Surveys Program, we show that crop burning responds to bureaucrat incentives: fires increase by 15% when wind is most likely to direct pollution to neighbouring jurisdictions, and decrease by 14.5% when it pollutes their own. These effects intensify with stronger bureaucratic incentives and capacity. We also find that bureaucrat action against burning deters future polluters, further reducing fires by 13%. Finally, using an atmospheric model, we estimate that one log increase in in utero exposure to pollution from burning raises child mortality by 30-36 deaths per 1,000 births, underscoring the importance of bureaucrat action. Contrary to the growing beliefs that the problem of crop burning is intractable6,7, these findings highlight specific ways in which existing bureaucrats, when properly incentivized, can improve environmental management and public health outcomes.