Fine Airborne Particulate Matter Research Articles

Association between Airborne Fine Particulate Matter and Residents' Cardiovascular Diseases, Ischemic Heart Disease and Cerebral Vascular Disease Mortality in Areas with Lighter Air Pollution in China.

Background: China began to carry out fine particulate matter (PM2.5) monitoring in 2013 and the amount of related research is low, especially in areas with lighter air pollution. This study aims to explore the association between PM2.5 and cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebral vascular disease (EVD) mortality in areas with lighter air pollution. Methods: Data on resident mortality, air pollution and meteorology in Shenzhen during 2013–2015 were collected and analyzed using semi-parametric generalized additive models (GAM) with Poisson distribution of time series analysis. Results: Six pollutants were measured at seven air quality monitoring sites, including PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO and O3. The PM2.5 daily average concentration was 35.0 ± 21.9 μg/m3; the daily average concentration range was from 7.1 μg/m3 to 137.1 μg/m3. PM2.5 concentration had significant effects on CVD, IHD and EVD mortality. While PM2.5 concentration of lag5 and lag02 rose by 10 μg/m3, the excess risk (ER) of CVD mortality were 1.50% (95% CI: 0.51–2.50%) and 2.09% (95% CI: 0.79–3.41%), respectively. While PM2.5 concentration of lag2 and lag02 rose by 10 μg/m3, the ER of IHD mortality were 2.87% (95% CI: 0.71–5.07%) and 3.86% (95% CI: 1.17–6.63%), respectively. While PM2.5 concentration of lag4 and lag04 rose by 10 μg/m3, the ER of EVD mortality were 2.09% (95% CI: 2.28–3.92%) and 3.08% (95% CI: 0.68–5.53%), respectively. Conclusions: PM2.5 increased CVD mortality. The government needs to strengthen the governance of air pollution in areas with a slight pollution.

Characteristics and Compositions of Airborne Fine Particulate Matter in Southwest Ohio, USA

Southwest Ohio has been known for PM2.5 issues due to emissions from multiple local sources, such as industry and multimodal traffic, as well as regional impacts from sulfates, nitrates, and ammonia. To better understand the speciation characteristics of PM2.5 in this area, data from five monitoring sites, Taft, Hook Field, St. Bernard, Lower Price Hill, and Chase, were studied for the time period of 2003 to 2013. The total concentration of PM2.5 has decreased significantly since the last decade, from 13.41 µg m–3 in 2003 to 10.55 µg m–3 in 2013. The overall PM2.5 concentration also exhibited seasonal variations, with four out of five of the highest concentrations occurring in summer and the fifth one occurring in winter. Due to various air pollution control measures (such as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, and Mercury and Air Toxics Standards), both the total concentrations and the speciation of PM2.5 have changed over time. The most dominant components of PM2.5 include sulfates, organic matter (OM), and nitrates, which contributed 33.4%, 31.7%, and 17.7%, respectively (Taft data from 2009 to 2013). Elemental carbon (EC) and crustal materials, on the other hand, accounted for much smaller portions—2.84% and 3.61%, respectively. The highest concentrations of sulfate occurred in summer, while those for nitrates occurred in winter. EC and OM followed the same seasonal trends, peaking in fall and summer and dropping to their lowest levels in winter. Crustal materials exhibited the lowest concentrations in winter. A comparison of Cincinnati (the Taft site) with other major cities nearby reveals that the highest concentration of PM2.5 and the largest fraction of sulfates is found in Cincinnati. Efforts to control these emissions are still necessary.

Toxicity of the readily leachable fraction of urban PM2.5 to human lung epithelial cells: Role of soluble metals

Fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) has been repeatedly associated with adverse health effects in humans. The PM2.5 soluble fraction, and soluble metals in particular, are thought to cause lung damage. Literature data, however, are not consistent and the role of leachable metals is still under debate. In this study, Winter and Summer urban PM2.5 aqueous extracts, obtained by using a bio-compatible solution and different contact times at 37 °C, were used to investigate cytotoxic effects of PM2.5 in cultured lung epithelial cells (A549) and the role played by the leachable metals Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cd. Cell viability and migration, as well as intracellular glutathione, extracellular cysteine, cysteinylglycine and homocysteine concentrations, were evaluated in cells challenged with both PM2.5 extracts before and after ultrafiltration and artificial metal ion solutions mimicking the metal composition of the genuine extracts. The thiol oxidative potential was also evaluated by an abiotic test. Results demonstrate that PM2.5 bioactive components were released within minutes of PM2.5 interaction with the leaching solution. Among these are i) low MW (<3 kDa) solutes inducing oxidative stress and ii) high MW and/or water-insoluble compounds largely contributing to thiol oxidation and to increased homocysteine levels in the cell medium. Cu and/or Ni ions likely contributed to the effects of Summer PM2.5 extracts. Nonetheless, the strong bio-reactivity of Winter PM2.5 extracts could not be explained by the presence of the studied metals. A possible role for PM2.5 water-extractable organic components is discussed.

Exposure scenario: Another important factor determining the toxic effects of PM2.5 and possible mechanisms involved

Worsening air pollution is a serious threat to public health in many urban and heavily industrialized areas. Particle size and chemical composition are well known determinants of the pathological response to air pollution. In addition, pathological responses may depend on the exposure profile (or scenario) of air pollution. For instance, we previously demonstrated that repeated exposure to low levels of fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) induced distinct epigenetic changes compared to acute high-doses exposure. In the present study, we evaluated the differential pathological responses of BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells to two distinct PM2.5 exposure scenarios: 24-h exposure to high-doses PM2.5 (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 μg/cm2) and 10 days’ repeated exposure to low levels of PM2.5 (0, 1.5, 3, 6 μg/cm2). Acute exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 caused ROS burst, marked DNA damage, dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, autophagy and necrotic cell death. In contrast, repeated low levels of PM2.5 led to sustained low-grade ROS accumulation, milder DNA damage, ER stress/unfolded protein response (UPR), S-phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy. Notably, most cells surviving repeated low-level exposure showed a series of abnormal adaptive responses, such as inhibition of mitochondria biogenesis and epigenetic dysregulation. These results indicate that different PM2.5 exposure scenarios induce distinct forms cytotoxicity and adaptive response. In addition to particle size and chemical composition, exposure scenario may be a critical factor determining the toxic health effects of PM2.5.

Closed vessel microwave digestion of air filters for measurements of elemental iodine

An acid assisted closed vessel microwave digestion procedure was developed for the treatment of fine airborne particulate matter that allows elemental iodine to be solubilised simultaneously with other metallic elements.

Something in the air? Air quality and children's educational outcomes

Poor air quality has been shown to harm the health and development of children. Research on these relationships has focused almost exclusively on the effects of human-made pollutants, and has not fully distinguished between contemporaneous and long-run effects. This paper contributes on both of these fronts. Merging data on ambient levels of human-made pollutants and plant pollen with detailed panel data of children beginning kindergarten in 2010, I study the relationship between poor air quality on achievement in early grades. I also provide tentative estimates of the effects of air quality in the first years of life on school-readiness. I find that students score between 1 to 2 percent lower on math and reading scores on days with high levels of pollen or fine airborne particulate matter, and that asthmatic students score about 10 percent lower on days with high levels of ozone. I find suggestive evidence that poor air quality during early childhood negatively affects school readiness.

Macrophage-Mediated Effects of Airborne Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) on Hepatocyte Insulin Resistance in Vitro.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution poses significant health risks worldwide, including metabolic syndrome-related diseases with the characteristic feature of insulin resistance. However, the mechanism and influencing factors of this effect are poorly understood. In this serial in vitro study, we aimed at testing the hypothesis that macrophage-mediated effects of PM2.5 on hepatic insulin resistance depend on its chemical composition. Mouse macrophages were exposed to PM2.5 that had been collected during summer or winter in Beijing, which represented different compositions of PM2.5. Thereafter, hepatocytes were treated with macrophage-conditioned medium (CM). PM2.5 induced interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression and secretion in macrophages, particularly after winter PM2.5 exposure. Correspondingly, winter CM weakened hepatocellular insulin-stimulated glucose consumption. Further investigation revealed that the normal insulin pathway was suppressed in winter CM-treated hepatocytes, with increased phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 at serine residue 307 (Ser307) and decreased phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FoxO1). Moreover, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, a key moderator of the sensitivity response to insulin stimulation, was activated in hepatocytes treated with winter CM. Although further studies are warranted, this preliminary study suggested an association between PM composition and insulin resistance, thus contributing to our understanding of the systemic toxicity of PM2.5.

Associations between long-term exposure to air pollution, glycosylated hemoglobin and diabetes

Abstract Background Air pollution exposures have been shown to adversely impact health through a number of biological pathways associated with glucose metabolism. However, few studies have evaluated the associations between air pollution and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Further, no studies have evaluated these associations in US populations or investigated whether associations differ in diabetic as compared to non-diabetic populations. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the associations between airborne fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and HbA1c levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic older Americans. We also examined the impact of PM 2.5 and NO 2 on prevalent diabetes mellitus (DM) in this cohort. Methods We used multilevel logistic and linear regression models to evaluate the association between long-term average air pollutant levels and prevalence of DM and HbA1c levels, respectively, among 4121 older (57+ years) Americans enrolled in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project between 2005 and 2011. All models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, race, household income, education level, neighborhood socioeconomic status, geographic region, urbanicity and diabetic medication use. We estimated participant-specific exposures to PM 2.5 on a six-kilometer grid covering the conterminous U.S. using spatio-temporal models, and to NO 2 using nearest measurements from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality System. HbA1c levels were measured for participants in each of two data collection waves from dried blood spots and log-transformed prior to analysis. Participants were considered diabetic if they had HbA1c values ≥ 6.5% or reported taking diabetic medication. Results The prevalence of diabetes at study entry was 22.2% (n = 916) and the mean HbA1c was 6.0 ± 1.1%. Mean one-year moving average PM 2.5 and NO 2 exposures were 10.4 ± 3.0 μg/m 3 and 13.1 ± 7.0 ppb, respectively. An inter-quartile range (IQR, 3.9 μg/m 3 ) increase in one-year moving average PM 2.5 was positively associated with increased diabetes prevalence (prevalence odds ratio, POR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.53). Similarly, an IQR (8.6 ppb) increase in NO 2 was also significantly associated with diabetes prevalence (POR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.48). PM 2.5 (1.8% ± 0.6%, p 2 (2.0% ± 0.7%, p 2 was significantly associated with HbA1c in non-diabetic participants (0.8% ± 0.2%, p 2 in non-diabetic participants. Conclusions/interpretations In a cohort of older men and women in the United States, PM 2.5 and NO 2 exposures were significantly associated with prevalence of DM and increased HbA1c levels among both non-diabetic and diabetic participants. These associations suggest that air pollution could be a key risk factor for abnormal glucose metabolism and diabetes in the elderly.

Airborne Fine Particulate Matter Induces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Human Nasal Epithelial Cells.

Airborne fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or smaller than 2.5 μm is abbreviated as PM2.5, which is one of the main components in air pollution. Exposure to PM2.5 is associated with increased risk of many human diseases, including chronic and allergic rhinitis, but the underlying molecular mechanism for its toxicity has not been fully elucidated. We have hypothesized that PM2.5 may cause oxidative stress and enhance inflammatory responses in nasal epithelial cells. Accordingly, we used human RPMI 2650 cells, derived from squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum, as a model of nasal epithelial cells, and exposed them to PM2.5 that was collected at Fudan University (31.3°N, 121.5°E) in Shanghai, China. PM2.5 exposure decreased the viability of RPMI 2650 cells, suggesting that PM2.5 may impair the barrier function of nasal epithelial cells. Moreover, PM2.5 increased the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2). Importantly, PM2.5 also decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Pretreatment with N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (an anti-oxidant) reduced the degree of the PM2.5-induced oxidative stress in RPMI 2650 cells. In addition, PM2.5 increased the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-13 and eotaxin (C-C motif chemokine ligand 11), each of which initiates and/or augments local inflammation. These results suggest that PM2.5 may induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in human nasal epithelial cells, thereby leading to nasal inflammatory diseases. The present study provides insights into cellular injury induced by PM2.5.

Association between airborne PM2.5 chemical constituents and birth weight—implication of buffer exposure assignment

Several papers reported associations between airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and birth weight, though findings are inconsistent across studies. Conflicting results might be due to (1) different PM2.5 chemical structure across locations, and (2) various exposure assignment methods across studies even among the studies that use ambient monitors to assess exposure. We investigated associations between birth weight and PM2.5 chemical constituents, considering issues arising from choice of buffer size (i.e. distance between residence and pollution monitor). We estimated the association between each pollutant and term birth weight applying buffers of 5 to 30 km in Connecticut (2000–2006), in the New England region of the USA. We also investigated the implication of the choice of buffer size in relation to population characteristics, such as socioeconomic status. Results indicate that some PM2.5 chemical constituents, such as nitrate, are associated with lower birth weight and appear more harmful than other constituents. However, associations vary with buffer size and the implications of different buffer sizes may differ by pollutant. A homogeneous pollutant level within a certain distance is a common assumption in many environmental epidemiology studies, but the validity of this assumption may vary by pollutant. Furthermore, we found that areas close to monitors reflect more minority and lower socio-economic populations, which implies that different exposure approaches may result in different types of study populations. Our findings demonstrate that choosing an exposure method involves key tradeoffs of the impacts of exposure misclassification, sample size, and population characteristics.

Design of experiment approach for the optimization of polybrominated diphenyl ethers determination in fine airborne particulate matter by microwave-assisted extraction and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective procedure for the determination of 12 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-28, BDE-49, BDE-47, BDE-66, BDE-100, BDE-119, BDE-99, BDE-155, BDE-154, BDE-153, BDE-139 and BDE-183) in airbone particulate matter (PM2.5) at trace level has been developed. The proposed method includes extraction PM2.5-bound PBDEs by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) followed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) clean-up and determination by GC-MS/MS using a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) in large volume injection (LVI) mode to introduce the sample to the chromatographic system. A design of experiment (DoE) approach was used for the optimization of large volume injection and microwave-assisted extraction parameters to improve these techniques efficiency. Other conditions of the method were studied: GC-MS/MS parameters, extraction solvent and matrix effect. The limit of quantification ranged from 0.063pgm−3 to 0.210pgm−3 when air volumes of 723m3 were collected. Recoveries ranged from 80% to 106%. The method was successfully applied to eight real samples collected from a residential area of the monitoring network of the Region of Valencia Government (Spain) during April–August 2012. BDE-47 and BDE-99 were quantified in six and five samples respectively. The concentrations were ranged from 0.063 to 0.112pgm−3 for BDE-47, and from 0.107 to 0.212pgm−3 for BDE-99.

Land-Use Regression Models for Metals Associated with Airborne Particulate Matter in Calgary, Alberta

Background: Fine airborne particulate matter has been associated with cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality, and there is evidence that metals may contribute to these adverse health effects. We developed seasonal land-use regression (LUR) models to characterize the spatial distribution of PM-associated metals in Calgary, Alberta. Previous studies have successfully modeled PM and gaseous pollutants; however, to our knowledge this is the first study to develop LUR models for metals. Methods: Particulate matter with &lt;1.0 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM1.0) was measured at 25 sites during 2-week periods in August 2010 and January 2011. PM1.0 filters were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Industrial sources were obtained through the National Pollutant Release Inventory and verified using Google Maps. Traffic and zoning data were obtained from the City of Calgary. Predictor variables were generated using ArcMap-10.1. LUR models for arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, vanadium, and zinc were developed using SAS-EG-4.2. Results: Preliminary summer models explained 60-90% of the variability in arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, vanadium, and zinc, while winter models explained 40-80% of the variability in metals concentrations. Industrial sources and industrial land-use zoning were the strongest predictors (p&lt;0.05). However, traffic was not a major predictor for most metals. These findings contrast with LUR models for PM and gaseous pollutants in which traffic variables were highly influential. There was an average improvement of 5-10% in model efficacy when wind speed and direction were included. Conclusions: These results suggest that airborne metals vary spatially with the distribution of local industrial sources and that LUR modeling can be used to predict local metals concentrations. Future analyses will include LUR modeling of the remaining PM-components.

Ambient and personal PM2.5 exposure assessment in the Chinese megacity of Guangzhou

IntroductionDue to the rapid economic development and the associated increase of transportation, agricultural and industrial activities, the densely populated Pearl River Delta, China has significant problems with air pollution. With a population of almost 13 million residents, the megacity of Guangzhou is of particular interest with respect to environmental health due to its large population and numerous anthropogenic and industrial sources of fine airborne particulate matter (≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter [PM2.5]). Material and methodsDuring the winter months of November and December 2011, extensive ambient PM2.5 monitoring was simultaneously conducted within nine of 12 districts of Guangzhou. In addition, personal PM2.5 monitoring was carried out within eight of the 12 districts to determine the levels of PM2.5 to which individuals were exposed to over 24-h periods. ResultsResults of the ambient monitoring showed average PM2.5 mass concentrations ranging from 52.4 ± 24.1 (SD, standard deviation) μg m−3 (Median: 53.7) in the Conghua District to 106.6 ± 31.7 μg m−3 (Median: 108.1) in the Yuexiu District. Results of the personal monitoring showed average concentrations ranging from 45.4 ± 21.2 μg m−3 (Median: 53.1) in the Conghua District to 92.5 ± 33.2 μg m−3 (Median: 102.4) in the Luogang District. Three of the districts showed moderate to high correlations between ambient and personal PM2.5 (Yuexiu: Spearman's Rho [rs] = 0.77, p = 0.072; Panyu: rs = 0.59, p = 0.033; Luogang: rs = 0.79, p = 0.021). Five of the seven districts had ambient PM2.5 concentrations higher than personal PM2.5 concentrations. An overall correlation analysis of all ambient and personal data shows a high and significant correlation (rs = 0.7, p = 0.01). DiscussionThis study revealed elevated PM2.5 mass concentrations throughout all of Guangzhou's districts, with ambient PM2.5 levels that consistently exceeded the 24-h standards of both the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results from the PM2.5 personal monitoring program also revealed elevated concentrations. ConclusionsFirstly, based on findings from previous epidemiological studies, one can conclude that this level of PM2.5 burden has strong adverse effects on the inhabitants' health. Secondly, as only three of the districts showed moderate to high correlations between ambient and personal PM2.5 (with two of them being statistically significant), it is likely that the personal monitoring results were greatly influenced by indoor sources of PM2.5. The weak correlations between the ambient PM mass and personal exposure levels underline the demand for future studies measuring personal exposure in different environments with high temporal and spatial resolution, while taking into account detailed activity analyses.

Progress and Pollution: Port Cities Prepare for the Panama Canal Expansion

Early in the planning of the Panama Canal, Navy Commander Thomas Oliver Selfridge, Jr., wrote that “advantageous as an interoceanic canal would be to the commercial welfare of the whole world, it is doubly so for the necessities of American interests.”1 And indeed, since the Canal opened in 1914, it has been the main conduit for ocean-going ships carrying trade worldwide. Today the United States ranks number one in tons of cargo passing through the Canal (China ranks number two).2 In 2011 nearly 13,000 ocean-going cargo ships made the passage.3 Starting in the late 1950s (and expanding rapidly thereafter), internationally traded goods started being shipped in large metal containers, making it possible to load and unload cargo by machine instead of by hand and spurring the manufacture of larger ships.4 “Panamax” ships were designed to be just small enough to squeeze through the locks of the Canal.5 Today, even larger ships—called “post-Panamax” because they are too large to fit through the Canal6—make up 16% of the world’s container fleet but account for nearly half the fleet’s cargo capacity.7 To allow these larger ships to transit the Canal and increase its ability to handle higher volumes of ships, Panama is building a third set of locks, with construction expected to be finished in 2015.7 The Panama Canal expansion has sparked the competitive imagination of East Coast and Gulf Coast (EC/GC) port authorities, who hope to capture some of the 70% of U.S. imports currently controlled by West Coast (WC) ports.8 Ports typically make their revenues through leases with shipping lines, wharfage fees, and tariffs. So the more containers a port handles, the more money it can make. Experts at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) call the Panama Canal expansion a likely “game changer” for U.S. trade, potentially redistributing the market share of each coast’s ports, as well as opening up new import and export markets for agricultural and other products along inland waterways.7 Some have estimated that container volumes at EC/GC ports could more than double from 2012 to 2029.7 But with this growth come questions about what major initiatives to expand cargo capacity could mean for public health in these port cities.

Characterization and Mutagenicity Assessment of PM2.5 and PM10 PAH at Agra, India

Fine airborne particulate matter and bound chemical compounds are potential mediators of adverse health effects. In this study, PM2.5 and PM10 were characterized for bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the mutagenic potential of extracts was assessed. PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected on glass fiber filters at Agra from July to December 2010 using a fine particulate sampler (Envirotech, APM 550). The content of PAH was analyzed by gas chromatography and the extract were tested for mutagenicity by the Ames test without using S9. Individual PAH concentration varied from 13–172 ng m−3 with concentration for Chrysene and a dominance of low molecular weight compounds. Both PM and PAH concentrations were higher in the winter and were negatively correlated with temperature and wind speed. Diagnostic ratio analysis indicated contributions from vehicular exhaust and emissions from combustion of domestic fuel like coal and wood. Mutagenicity assays indicated the presence of mutagens capable of causing base pair and frame shift mutagenicity; however, within the range of tested concentrations no significant toxic effects were detected.

SULFATE AEROSOL LEVELS DERIVED FROM SULFUR CONTENT DETERMINED BY PIXE IN ATMOSPHERIC PARTICLES COLLECTED IN THE MEXICO CITY METROPOLITAN AREA

As part of a wide research project aimed to understand and eventually control atmospheric pollution in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA), the Secretaría del Medio Ambiente del Gobierno del Distrito Federal (SMA-GDF) operates, since 2003, an automated sampling network of fine airborne particulate matter (FAPM). In this study, the samples collected simultaneously in three sampling sites during years 2003–2004, and those collected (simultaneously) in seven sites during the whole of 2005 and the first three months of 2006, have been analyzed using the PIXE technique. The results have provided ample databases of elemental concentrations (ng/m3) of 13 elements, consistently detected in the samples. As it is well known, Mexico City and its conurbation has been ranked as one of the most densely populated areas in the world, enduring high levels of several pollutants such as PM2.5 fine particles (≤ 2.5 μm) and sulfates among others, which diminish air quality, visibility and endanger the health of the population. According to the emission inventories of the SMA-GDF, around eight thousand tons of SO2 are emitted to the atmosphere in the MCMA every year. Despite continuous efforts of the local authorities aimed to reduce SO2 emissions, S elemental concentrations determined in the PM2.5 samples collected by the fine particle sampling network still show significant levels of this element. Since sulfur compounds, particularly sulfates, are among the most important pollutants affecting the atmosphere, it is compulsory to evaluate its presence and concentrations. As it is has been pointed out by several authors, the ratio of sulfate content to S elemental content in FAPM, such as that determined by PIXE, is fairly constant (approximately three). Using this result, sulfate concentrations were calculated, and these were found in very good agreement with previous experimental results.

Uncertainty estimation of anions and cations measured by ion chromatography in fine urban ambient particles (PM2.5)

The present work presents a measurement uncertainty evaluation according to Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) of the concentration of the cations K+ and Li+ and anions NO3−2 and SO4−2 in fine airborne particulate matter, refers to particles less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), as measured by ion chromatography (US-EPA 300 method). The GUM method is not typically used to report uncertainty. In general, the analytical results only report the measurement’s standard deviation under repetition as an uncertainty; thus, not all sources of uncertainty are considered. In this work, the major sources of uncertainty regarding the measurements were identified as contributions to linear least square regression lines, repeatability, precision, and trueness. The expanded uncertainty was approximately 20% for anions and cations. The largest contribution to uncertainty was found to be repeatability.

Assessment of Airborne Fine Particulate Matter and Particle Size Distribution in Settled Chalk Dust during Writing and Dusting Exercises in a Classroom

Airborne PM1, PM2.5, PM5 and PM10 generated during writing with three types of chalk sticks on a board and particle size distribution of chalk dust fall during writing and dusting of board were studied by portable aerosol spectrometer and particle size analyzer. ‘Local Gypsum’ chalk led to the highest increase in airborne particulate matter while ‘Clean-Write’ the least during writing. About 10% of particles in chalk dust fall during writing were finest from: ‘Clean Write’ (0.5 µm) followed by ‘Abroad Quality’ (0.67 µm) and ‘Local Gypsum’ (1.15 µm), while 50% was finest in abroad quality (5.12 µm) followed by ‘Clean Write’ (6.36 µm) and ‘Local Gypsum’ (77.65 µm). In dusting samples, 10%, 50% and 90% of particles were finest in ‘Clean Write’ followed by ‘Abroad Quality’ and ‘Local Gypsum’ chalks. ‘Clean Write’ chalk produced least total amount of PM1, PM2.4 and PM5 and PM10 per unit time in dust fall during writing. Although short-term exposure to airborne fine chalk particles may be low in classrooms, several years of exposure may be a matter of concern. Purpose of this work was to provide data that would lead to measures for minimization of health risk due to chalk dusts in classrooms.

Air pollution impairs cognition, provokes depressive-like behaviors and alters hippocampal cytokine expression and morphology

Particulate matter air pollution is a pervasive global risk factor implicated in the genesis of pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. Although the effects of prolonged exposure to air pollution are well characterized with respect to pulmonary and cardiovascular function, comparatively little is known about the impact of particulate matter on affective and cognitive processes. The central nervous system may be adversely affected by activation of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory pathways that accompany particulate matter pollution. Thus, we investigated whether long-term exposure to ambient fine airborne particulate matter (<2.5 μm (PM(2.5))) affects cognition, affective responses, hippocampal inflammatory cytokines and neuronal morphology. Male mice were exposed to either PM(2.5) or filtered air (FA) for 10 months. PM(2.5) mice displayed more depressive-like responses and impairments in spatial learning and memory as compared with mice exposed to FA. Hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was elevated among PM(2.5) mice. Apical dendritic spine density and dendritic branching were decreased in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, respectively, of PM(2.5) mice. Taken together, these data suggest that long-term exposure to particulate air pollution levels typical of exposure in major cities around the globe can alter affective responses and impair cognition.

No Borders for Tobacco Smoke in Hospitality Venues in Vienna

In public places many countries banned smoking as the most important indoor source of fine airborne particulate matter. In Austria partial bans have been in force since 2009, with exemptions for the hospitality industry. From February to October 2010 we investigated PM2.5 concentrations in the breathing area of guests in well frequented Viennese establishments of all sizes, and compared these chance indoor samples with PM2.5 concentrations measured during the same half hour at the next outdoor monitoring station. The laser particle counter (OPC1.108, Grimm®) used for indoor measurements had been calibrated by ß-attenuation (FH 62 I-R, Eberline®), which was used outdoors. 48% of 112 venues visited did not fully comply with the law, notwithstanding its weakness. Highest median concentrations (in µg/m3) were found in bars (443.7), followed by nightclubs/discotheques (421.1), pubs (147.7), cafes (106.1) and restaurants (23.4). Concentrations increased with number of smokers present (p &lt; 0.01), with medians of 282.4/241,3/67.6/6.9 µg/m³ in smoking venues/smoking rooms/adjacent non-smoking rooms/exclusive non-smoking venues. Only for the latter, a significant correlation was found with outdoor concentrations (r = 0.48, p &lt; 0.01), while concentrations in non-smoking rooms were higher (p &lt; 0.01) and unrelated to outdoor concentrations, but significantly dependent on concentrations in the adjacent smoking room (r = 0.64, p &lt; 0.01). In conclusion, the partial smoking ban failed and guests of Viennese hospitality venues continue to risk disease from passive smoking, even in so-called “non-smoking rooms”, which are second-hand smoke rooms.