High Levels Of Particulate Matter Research Articles

A Study of Air Pollution Episode Over Delhi National Capital Region, India During October 29, 2016- November 03, 2016

Northern India has an increase in surface air pressure during winter; this causes the atmosphere to clearout, resulting in the production of significant surface inversions. High-pressure zones are also calm andwind direction changes only when a western disturbance enters the area. The wind is substantially strongerwhen there is a low-pressure system. As a result, the pollutants in northern India are regulated by a sequenceof high- and low-pressure weather situations. October 29, 2016, was when the wind direction unexpectedlyshifted from NW to NE and then to N. Wind speeds dropped from 1-6 km/h to near-calm during this time,which indicated the passing of a high-pressure zone, based on the readings of the pressure gauges. Pollutionfrom northern states was brought into the national capital region by a combination of low wind speed andthe wind’s direction. NCR was clogged with high levels of particulate matter during Diwali celebrations,which were exacerbated by heavy traffic, factory production, and firecrackers. The grave situation persisteduntil the wind shifted directions and increased its velocity. On the monostatic acoustic radar installed atREMTech, Shamli, detected the persistence of a substantially raised layer over the region, implying thatvertical mixing of pollutants was severely harmed or limited. As a result of this state, pollutants accumulated,resulting in a severe bout of air pollution. The findings of this study details an incident of such air pollution happened over Delhi NCR.

Investigation of dust pollutants and the impact of suspended particulate matter on the performance of photovoltaic systems

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of airborne particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and its impact on the performance of the photovoltaic (PV) system installed in the Sargodha region, being affected by the crushing activities in the hills. More than 100 stone crushers are operating in this region. Four stations within this region are selected for taking samples during the summer and winter seasons. Glass–fiber papers are used as a collection medium for particulate matter (PM) in a high-volume sampler. The concentration of PM is found above the permissible limit at all selected sites. The chemical composition, concentration, and the formation of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) layers on the surface of the photovoltaic module varies significantly depending on the site’s location and time. The accumulation of PM layers on the PV module surface is one of the operating environmental factors that cause significant reduction in PV system performance. Consequently, it leads to power loss, reduction of service life, and increase in module temperature. For the PV system’s performance analysis, two PV systems are installed at the site, having higher PM concentration. One system is cleaned regularly, while the other remains dusty. The data of both PV systems are measured and compared for 4 months (2 months for the summer season and 2 months for the winter season). It is found that when the level of suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) increases, the energy generation of the dusty PV system (compared to the cleaned one) is reduced by 7.48% in May, 7.342% in June, 10.68% in December, and 8.03% in January. Based on the obtained results, it is recommended that the negative impact of PM on the performance of the PV system should be considered carefully during the decision-making process of setting solar energy generation targets in the regions with a high level of particulate matter.

Cs-134 in soils of the Western Canary Islands after the Chernobyl nuclear accident

134Cs was measured in soil samples collected in the Western Canary Islands during a survey carried out in 1990–1991. This was 4 to 5 years after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power plant accident (1986). Models of the radioactive plumes did not show that 134Cs released by the nuclear accident was transported directly from the accident site to these islands. In this work, we provide a possible explanation to how the 134Cs may have been transported and deposited in soils of these islands after the accident. Intermittent inputs of mineral dust from Africa, in the form of intense dust storms, arrive to these islands every year. We believe that the 134Cs from the accident may have been first deposited in Northern Africa, then resuspended and transported to the islands by various dust storms. Atmospheric records of African dust indicate that some strong events (high levels of particulate matter) took place in the 1986–1991 period. This hypothesis is supported by >20 years of aerosol data (2000−2022) collected at this site showing that 137Cs, another isotope of radiocaesium, is resuspended and transported to these islands in connection with these type of African dust storms.

Short-term PM exposure and social stress cause pulmonary and cardiac dysfunction

Ambient particulate matter (PM) exposure increases risk for cardiopulmonary health problems which may be exacerbated in a stressful environment. Co-exposure to PM and stress characterizes the experience of many deployed military personnel and first responders but has not been thoroughly investigated. This is especially relevant to military personnel who have been exposed to high PM levels in conjunction with stressful military conflict situations. To understand the mechanisms and time-course of the health consequences following burn pit exposure, we exposed mice to moderate levels of ambient PM less than 2.5 μM in diameter (PM2.5) alone or in combination with psychological stress. We found male mice exposed to PM2.5 alone or in combination with stress had significantly reduced pulmonary function when subjected to methacholine, indicating increased airway hyperreactivity. These mice experienced increased goblet cell hyperplasia in their lungs, with no change in alveolar density. Mice exposed to PM2.5 and/or stress also exhibited reduced cardiac contractility, right ventricular (RV) output, and changes in RV capillary density and cardiac inflammatory markers. Taken together, these data indicate that short-term exposure to PM2.5 with or without stress causes a clear reduction in pulmonary and cardiac function. We believe that this model is well-suited for the study of military and other occupational exposures, and future work will identify potential mechanisms, including the inflammatory progression of these co-exposures.

COVID-19 epidemic spread and green areas Italy and Spain between 2020 and 2021: An observational multi-country retrospective study

Several studies have proposed that environmental factors influencing human wellbeing, such as chronic exposures to high levels of particulate matter, could indirectly or even directly affect also the severity of COVID-19 disease in case of infection by novel coronavirus SARS-COV2. This study has investigated the association between COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations or deaths and the extension of public green areas (km2 per 100,000 based on OECD data of 2014), an indicator that has been chosen as independent endpoint variable to test the research hypothesis in 10 Italian and 8 Spanish Provinces with more than 500.000 inhabitants, including capitals (Rome and Madrid) and bigger cities (Bologna, Catania, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Turin and Venice for Italy; Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Malaga, Las Palmas and Bilbao for Spain). Two different methodologies have been applied: a bottom-up approach was applied to Spanish institutional data concerning contagions/hospitalizations/deaths and the extent of public green areas for each responder to an official questionnaire in the frame of a nationwide survey (with detailed data granularity per province) containing specific georeferenced information; a top-down approach was used for Italy, starting from the official figures of contagions/hospitalizations/deaths of each province and linking them to the OECD statistics about the extension of public green areas in the different areas. Linear and generalized models were used for statistical analyses including also PM2.5 in a multivariate approach (with annual average concentrations from official air quality monitoring stations) and were able to adjust for the different number inhabitants living in each province, in order to take into account the difference in contagion dynamics related to the different density of population. The results obtained for Spain are consistent with those observed for Italy, as for both countries, it has clearly emerged a statistically significant association between COVID-19 clinical features (contagions, hospitalizations, and deaths) and the extension of public green areas, as well as the annual average concentrations of PM2.5 (with this latter variable loosing statistical significance in some province). Therefore, the extension of public green areas and air pollution seem to have a high correlation with COVID-19 severity.

Chemical explosion, COVID-19, and environmental justice: Insights from low-cost air quality sensors

ObjectivesTo examine the impact of the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire and COVID-19 on airborne particulate matter (PM) concentrations and the PM disproportionally affecting communities in Houston using low-cost sensors. MethodsWe compared measurements from a network of low-cost sensors with a separate network of monitors from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Houston metropolitan area from Mar 18, 2019, to Dec 31, 2020. Further, we examined the associations between neighborhood-level sociodemographic status and air pollution patterns by linking the low-cost sensor data to EPA environmental justice screening and mapping systems. FindingsWe found increased PM levels during ITC fire and pre-COVID-19, and lower PM levels after the COVID-19 lockdown, comparable to observations from the regulatory monitors, with higher variations and a greater number of locations with high PM levels detected. In addition, the environmental justice analysis showed positive associations between higher PM levels and the percentage of minority, low-income population, and demographic index. ImplicationOur study indicates that low-cost sensors provide pollutant measures with higher spatial variations and a better ability to identify hot spots and high peak concentrations. These advantages provide critical information for disaster response and environmental justice studies. SynopsisWe used measurements from a low-cost sensor network for air pollution monitoring and environmental justice analysis to examine the impact of anthropogenic and natural disasters.

Air Pollution from Global Health to Individual Risk Factor-Is It Time for Enviropathies in Everyday Clinical Practice?

While the link between cardiovascular and respiratory conditions and air pollution is well-known, recent studies provided a growing body of evidence that polluted air, particularly air with high levels of particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5), can have a range of negative impacts on health, both in terms of mortality and morbidity. It is time to emphasize the role of environmental factors as contributory factors or determinants of both global and individual health levels, and to consider them together as a health priority, as enviropathies (meant as pathologies caused, triggered or worsened by environmental exposure). Bringing attention to harmful air pollution exposure has fostered population studies, which developed accurate quantification of environmental exposure in polluted regions, aiding our understanding of the dose-response relationship between pollutants and diseases. Those efforts have influenced local and global health policy strategies. Now we face the challenge of controlling environmental pollution and limiting individual exposure to prevent or avoid serious health risks. Is it time for enviropathies in everyday clinical practice?

Associations of residential greenness, ambient air pollution, biological sex, and glucocorticoids levels in rural China

AimsTo evaluate the associations between residential greenness and glucocorticoid levels and whether air pollutants and sex modify the relationship between greenness and glucocorticoid level in Chinese rural adults. MethodsWe collected cross-sectional survey data from 6055 participants from the Henan Rural cohort. The three-year average residential greenness for participants was assessed using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values from a satellite platform. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed to quantify the concentrations of glucocorticoids, which were measured by morning blood draw after at least 8 hr of fasting. A random forest model was employed to obtain the average concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10. A general linear regression model was performed to estimate the associations of NDVI500−m values with cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, and cortisone. Furthermore, interaction plots were used to present the interaction effects of particulate matter, sex, and green space on glucocorticoid levels. ResultsAfter adjusting for multiple variables, an elevated average NDVI500−m value in the total population was associated with a decrease in cortisol levels (β = −0.063, 95 % confidence interval (CI): − 0.118, − 0.008), and 11-deoxycortisol levels (β = −0.118, 95 % CI: −0.190, −0.047), as well as an increase in cortisone levels (β = 0.130, 95 % CI: 0.079, 0.181). By adding the interaction terms of air pollutants and residential greenness into the regression model, interaction effects between air pollutants and residential greenness were found (cortisol, PM2.5: P interaction=:0.018; PM10: P interaction=0.016; 11-deoxycortisol, all pollutants: P interaction< 0.001), suggesting that the protective effect of residential greenness on serum glucocorticoids disappeared accompanying with increased concentrations of particulate matter. Moreover, trends towards modification in the association between green space and glucocorticoid levels were also evident by sex, but these did not reach statistical significance (for all glucocorticoids: P interaction> 0.05). ConclusionLong-term exposure to green space was negatively correlated with cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol levels, and positively correlated with cortisone levels. There may be sex differences in these associations. Moreover, the protective effect of residential greenness on serum glucocorticoids was altered by high levels of particulate matter.

Multifunctional filter membrane for face mask using bacterial cellulose for highly efficient particulate matter removal.

Particulate matter (PM) pollution and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) have brought severe threats to public health. High level of PM serves as a carrier of COVID-19 which is a global pandemic. This study fabricated filter membrane for face mask using bacterial cellulose and fingerroot extract (BC–FT) via immersion technique. The surface area, pore volume and pore size of BC were analyzed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller. The physiochemical properties of the membrane were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer. The crystallinity decreased from 63.7% in pure BC to 52.4% in BC–FT filter membrane. Young’s modulus increased from 1277.02 MPa in pure BC to 2251.17 MPa in BC–FT filter membrane. The filter membrane showed excellent PM 0.1 removal efficiency of 99.83% and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The fabricated membrane is excellent to prevent inhalation of PM2.5 and COVID-19 respiratory droplet.Graphic abstract Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10570-022-04641-3.

Association of short-term particulate matter exposure with suicide death among major depressive disorder patients: a time-stratified case-crossover analysis

There is growing evidence that suggests a potential association between particulate matter (PM) and suicide. However, it is unclear that PM exposure and suicide death among major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, a high-risk group for suicide. We aimed to assess the effect of short-term exposure to PM on the risk of suicide in MDD patients who are at high risk for suicide. We investigated the risk of suicide among 922,062 newly-diagnosed MDD patients from 2004 to 2017 within the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. We identified 3,051 suicide cases from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2017, within the death statistics database of the Korean National Statistical Office. PMs with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), less than 10 μm (PM10), and 2.5–10 μm (PM2.5–10) were considered, which were provided from the National Ambient Air Monitoring System in South Korea. Time-stratified case-crossover analysis was performed to investigate the association of particulate matter exposure to suicide events. The risk of suicide was significantly high upon the high level of exposure to PM2.5, PM2.5–10 (coarse particle) and PM10 on lag 1 (p for trend < 0.05). Short-term exposure to a high level of PM was associated with an elevated risk for suicide among MDD patients. There is a clear dose–response relationship between short-term PM exposures with suicide death among MDD patients. This result will be used as an essential basis for consideration when establishing an air pollution alarm system for reducing adverse health outcomes by PM.

Development and Application of an Open Tool for Sharing and Analyzing Integrated Clinical and Environmental Exposures Data: Asthma Use Case.

BackgroundThe Integrated Clinical and Environmental Exposures Service (ICEES) serves as an open-source, disease-agnostic, regulatory-compliant framework and approach for openly exposing and exploring clinical data that have been integrated at the patient level with a variety of environmental exposures data. ICEES is equipped with tools to support basic statistical exploration of the integrated data in a completely open manner.ObjectiveThis study aims to further develop and apply ICEES as a novel tool for openly exposing and exploring integrated clinical and environmental data. We focus on an asthma use case.MethodsWe queried the ICEES open application programming interface (OpenAPI) using a functionality that supports chi-square tests between feature variables and a primary outcome measure, with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (α=.001). We focused on 2 primary outcomes that are indicative of asthma exacerbations: annual emergency department (ED) or inpatient visits for respiratory issues; and annual prescriptions for prednisone.ResultsOf the 157,410 patients within the asthma cohort, 26,332 (16.73%) had 1 or more annual ED or inpatient visits for respiratory issues, and 17,056 (10.84%) had 1 or more annual prescriptions for prednisone. We found that close proximity to a major roadway or highway, exposure to high levels of particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) or ozone, female sex, Caucasian race, low residential density, lack of health insurance, and low household income were significantly associated with asthma exacerbations (P<.001). Asthma exacerbations did not vary by rural versus urban residence. Moreover, the results were largely consistent across outcome measures.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that the open-source ICEES can be used to replicate and extend published findings on factors that influence asthma exacerbations. As a disease-agnostic, open-source approach for integrating, exposing, and exploring patient-level clinical and environmental exposures data, we believe that ICEES will have broad adoption by other institutions and application in environmental health and other biomedical fields.

Ambient PM Concentrations as a Precursor of Emergency Visits for Respiratory Complaints: Roles of Deep Learning and Multi-Point Real-Time Monitoring

Despite ample evidence that high levels of particulate matter (PM) are associated with increased emergency visits related to respiratory diseases, little has been understood about how prediction processes could be improved by incorporating real-time data from multipoint monitoring stations. While previous studies use traditional statistical models, this study explored the feasibility of deep learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of predicting daily emergency hospital visits by tracking their spatiotemporal association with PM concentrations. We compared the predictive accuracy of the models based on PM datasets collected between 1 December 2019 and 31 December 2021 from a single but more accurate air monitoring station in each district (Air Korea) and multiple but less accurate monitoring sites (Korea Testing &amp; Research Institute; KTR) within Guro District in Seoul, South Korea. We used MLP (multilayer perceptron) to integrate PM data from multiple locations and then LSTM (long short-term memory) models to incorporate the intrinsic temporal PM trends into the learning process. The results reveal evidence that predictive accuracy is improved from 1.67 to 0.79 in RMSE when spatial variations of air pollutants from multi-point stations are incorporated in the algorithm as a 9-day time window. The findings suggest guidelines on how environmental and health policymakers can arrange limited resources for emergency care and design ambient air monitoring and prevention strategies.

Association of Exposure to Particulate Matter Air Pollution With Semen Quality Among Men in China

The health effects of exposure to particulate matter (PM) on male fertility remain unclear. Although PM exposure has been linked with semen quality, the results were inconsistent. To examine the association of different size fractions of PM (<2.5 μm [PM2.5], 2.5-10 μm [PM2.5-10], and ≤10 μm [PM10]) exposure with semen quality in China. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data on men whose wives underwent assisted reproductive technology procedures in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China, from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019. Participants were from 340 prefecture-level cities of China and were followed up from the date of their first visit until December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2020, to May 15, 2021. Exposure to PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10 during the entire period (0-90 days before semen ejaculation) and key periods of sperm development (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days before semen ejaculation). Semen quality, including sperm count, concentration, and motility. A total of 33 876 men were included in the final analysis, with a mean (SD) age of 34.1 (5.7) years and large variation of PM exposure. For example, the median exposure to PM2.5 during the entire period of sperm development was 46.05 (IQR, 34.38-61.65) μg/m3. During the entire period of sperm development, exposures to higher levels of PM were significantly associated with lower total and progressive sperm motility. For total sperm motility, an IQR increase in PM2.5 exposure was associated with an estimated effect decrease of -3.60% (95% CI, -3.93% to -3.26%); an increase in PM2.5-10 exposure, with an estimated effect decrease of -0.45% (95% CI, -0.76% to -0.14%); and an increase in PM10 exposure, with an estimated effect decrease of -2.44% (95% CI, -2.91% to -1.96%). Similar results were observed for progressive motility. An IQR increase in PM2.5 or PM10 exposures was associated with an estimated effect decrease on sperm progressive motility of -1.87% (95% CI, -2.37% to -1.36%) and -1.05% (95% CI, -1.45% to -0.64%), respectively. However, no significant associations were observed between PM exposure during the entire period of sperm development and sperm count or concentration. These findings suggest that PM exposure may adversely affect sperm motility and highlight the need to reduce ambient particulate air pollution exposure for reproductive-aged men.

Studying the effect of particulate matter as SARS-CoV-2 transmitters.

Background: Studies of risk factors are especially valuable at this difficult time in the midst of a pandemic. High levels of particulate matter (PM) represent a serious risk factor on health. While this is a direct impact on health, indirect effects are worth considering too.Design and methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PM in the transmission of viruses, especially SARSCoV- 2. Also, we sought to understand dynamics of PM in still air at high and low altitudes. Historic AQI and physical PM measurements were collected between August and September 2020 using air quality detector. Potential correlations between the number of total confirmed COVID-19 cases and average air quality index (AQI) from varied geographic locations were also assessed.Results: Airborne PM levels were weakly associated with COVID-19 cases after analysing 77 territories. PM remained longer in the air at high altitudes compared to measurements made at sea level. This suggests that the link between PM and COVID- 19 transmission could be aggravated in areas of high altitude.Conclusions: This article highlights that particulate matter can be involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, confounding factors may have impacted the association between the two variables. These findings can serve as a foundation for future studies on the effect of air pollutants and fine particulate matter on viral transmission. Significance for public health The impact of high levels of particulate matter on health is well documented. However, growing studies on its indirect effect by transmitting viruses warrant further considerations. In this article, we studied particulate matter in high and low altitudes to better predict the dynamics of particulate matter in still air. Then, correlation between air quality index and COVID-19 cases were made. Backed by some investigations, the positive correlation suggests that particulate matter could play a role in viral transmission including SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, studies of the direct and indirect effect of particulate matters are significant and suggest imposing preventive measures such as air quality monitoring.

An extended analysis of cardiovascular benefits of indoor air filtration intervention among elderly: a randomized crossover trial (Beijing indoor air purifier study, BIAPSY)

ObjectiveEvidence on potential cardiovascular benefits of personal-level intervention among the elderly exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM) remains limited. We aimed to assess improvements in surrogate markers of cardiovascular injury in vulnerable populations at risks by using indoor air filtration units. MethodsWe conducted a randomized crossover trial for 2 separate 2-week air filtration interventions in 20 households of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their partners in the winter of 2013, with concurrent measurements of indoor PM. The changes in biomarkers indicative of cardiac injury, atherosclerosis progression and systemic inflammation following intervention were evaluated using linear mixed-effect models. ResultsIn the analysis, average levels of indoor PM with aerodynamic diameters < 2.5 µm (PM2.5) decreased significantly by 59.2% (from 59.6 to 24.3 µg/m3, P < 0.001) during the active air filtration. The reduction was accompanied by improvements in levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I by −84.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −90.7 to −78.6), growth differentiation factor-15 by −48.1% (95% CI: −31.2 to −25.6), osteoprotegerin by −65.4% (95% CI: −56.5 to −18.7), interleukin-4 by −46.6% (95% CI: −62.3 to −31.0) and myeloperoxidase by −60.3% (95% CI: −83.7 to −3.0), respectively. ConclusionIndoor air filtration intervention may provide potential cardiovascular benefits in vulnerable populations at risks.

Environmental challenges of the Northern Indian plains and their implications

The Northern Indian Plains are facing severe environmental challenges that threaten the health and well-being of millions of people in the region. Deforestation, soil degradation, water pollution and scarcity, and poor air quality are some of the major environmental issues that require urgent attention. Deforestation in the region has resulted in the loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and reduced water availability. Soil degradation is another major issue in the region, resulting from unsustainable agricultural practices, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and erosion caused by deforestation. It has also reduced soil fertility, resulting in lower crop yields and reduced agricultural productivity. Using chemical fertilizers and pesticides has also led to water pollution, affecting the health of people and animals who rely on these water sources. Water scarcity and pollution are major challenges in the region, with many people having limited access to clean and safe drinking water. The pollution of water sources due to industrial and agricultural activities has further compounded the problem, leading to waterborne diseases and various health issues. Finally, air pollution is a major environmental challenge in the Northern Indian Plains, with high levels of particulate matter and other pollutants affecting people's health in the region. Burning crops, vehicular emissions, and industrial activities contribute to poor air quality, leading to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mentioned environmental challenges in the Northern India Plains by utilizing contemporary literature and evidence-based research to establish its findings.

Role of Particulate Matter from Afghanistan and Iraq in Deployment-Related Lung Disease.

Approximately 3 million United States military personnel and contractors were deployed to Southwest Asia and Afghanistan over the past two decades. After returning to the United States, many developed persistent respiratory symptoms, including those due to asthma, rhinosinusitis, bronchiolitis, and others, which we collectively refer to as deployment-related lung diseases (DRLD). The mechanisms of different DRLD have not been well defined. Limited studies from us and others suggest that multiple factors and biological signaling pathways contribute to the onset of DRLD. These include, but are not limited to, exposures to high levels of particulate matter (PM) from sandstorms, burn pit combustion products, improvised explosive devices, and diesel exhaust particles. Once inhaled, these hazardous substances can activate lung immune and structural cells to initiate numerous cell-signaling pathways such as oxidative stress, Toll-like receptors, and cytokine-driven cell injury (e.g., interleukin-33). These biological events may lead to a pro-inflammatory response and airway hyperresponsiveness. Additionally, exposures to PM and other environmental hazards may predispose military personnel and contractors to more severe disease due to the interactions of those hazardous materials with subsequent exposures to allergens and cigarette smoke. Understanding how airborne exposures during deployment contribute to DRLD may identify effective targets to alleviate respiratory diseases and improve quality of life in veterans and active duty military personnel.

Exposure to respirable dust among workers fabricating aluminium trihydroxide-containing synthetic countertops

The aim of this study is to characterize personal exposure of workers to respirable particulate matter (PM) generated in cutting and other fabrication activities when fabricating acryl polymer/aluminium trihydroxide synthetic countertops. We collected 29 personal full-day samples of respirable PM from three workers in a small private workshop. We tested differences between- and within-worker variances of mass concentrations using the Kruskall-Wallis test. We used segmented regression to test the means and medians 15-min interval concentrations changes over time and to identify a breakpoint. Respirable PM concentrations ranged nearly 100-fold, from 0.280 to 25.4 mg/m3 with a median of 2.0 mg/m3 (1-min concentrations from 13,920 data points). There were no statistical difference in daily median or geometric mean concentrations among workers, whereas the concentrations were significantly higher on days with three versus two workers present. The 15-min median concentrations (n = 974 measures) increased until 2.35 h (beta 0.177; p < 0.05), representing a 0.70 mg increase in exposure per hour. This was followed by a plateau in concentrations. The high levels of respirable PM we observed among workers fabricating aluminium trihydroxide-containing synthetic countertops highlight an unmet early prevention need.

Spatio-temporal characterization of tropospheric ozone and its precursor pollutants NO2 and HCHO over South Asia

In recent decades, South Asia has experienced declining air quality, with much of the attention being focused on extremely high levels of particulate matter. Here, we analyze tropospheric ozone (O3), formaldehyde (HCHO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to assess other measures of air quality across South Asia from 2008 to 2018. The IASI-Forli retrieved tropospheric ozone data was validated with ozonesonde, reanalysis (ERA5), satellite (TES), and model simulation products (GEOS-Chem and TOMCAT/SLIMCAT). Space-based observations of these three trace gases were used to conduct a spatio temporal analysis over South Asia using trend analysis (Theil-Sen and linear regression), change-point detection (Pettitt's test), and hotspot identification (Getis-Ord Gi*). We used the formaldehyde-nitrogen dioxide ratio (FNR) to identify NOx limited, VOC limited, and transitional regimes in South Asia. Counter to previous studies, a statistically significant decrease of HCHO (−0.0041 DU yr−1) and O3 (−0.064 DU yr−1) was detected for South Asia; however, NO2 is increasing the 0.001 DU yr−1 over South Asia during 2008–18. The Indo-Gangetic Plains emerged as being critically affected by the three trace gases. Certain parts of southern and south-eastern India are gradually emerging as NO2 and HCHO hotpots. No significant O3 hotspots were discernible, though coldspots existed along the Himalaya belt of India, Nepal, and Bhutan and mountainous tracts of Pakistan. FNR indicates the reduction of NOx in NOx-limited regime of the Indo-Gangetic Plains reduced the formation of tropospheric O3 over South Asia.

Effect of urban air pollution on CRP and coagulation: a study on inpatients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PurposeAcute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is an important event in the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that negatively affects patients’ quality of life and leads to higher socioeconomic costs. While previous studies have demonstrated a significant association between urban air pollution and hospitalization for AECOPD, there is a lack of research on the impact of particulate matter (PM) on inflammation and coagulation in AECOPD inpatients. Therefore, this study investigated the association of changes in coagulation function and C-reactive protein (CRP) with PM levels in the days preceding hospitalization.Patients and methodsWe reviewed the medical records of AECOPD patients admitted to Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, between March 2017 and September 2019. We analyzed the association of coagulation function and CRP level in AECOPD patients with PM levels in the days before hospitalization. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of CRP data with hospitalization day. Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to evaluate mean aerodynamic diameter of ≥ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) exposure on the day before hospitalization; we assessed its association with changes in prothrombin time (PT) in AECOPD inpatients with different Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classes.ResultsThe peripheral blood PT of AECOPD patients with PM2.5 ≥ 25 mg/L on the day before hospitalization were lower than those of patients with PM2.5 < 25 mg/L (t = 2.052, p = 0.041). Patients with severe GOLD class exposed to greater than 25 mg/L of PM2.5on the day before hospitalization showed significant differences in PT (F = 9.683, p = 0.008). Peripheral blood CRP levels of AECOPD patients exposed to PM2.5 ≥ 25 mg/L and PM10 ≥ 50 mg/L on the day before hospitalization were higher than those of patients exposed to PM2.5 < 25 mg/L and PM10 < 50 mg/L (t = 2.008, p = 0.046; t = 2.637, p = 0.009). Exposure to < 25 mg/L of PM2.5 on the day before hospitalization was significantly associated with CRP levels (adjusted OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.101, 3.315; p = 0.024).ConclusionExposure of patients with AECOPD to high PM levels on the day before hospitalization was associated with an increased CRP level and shortened PT. Moreover, PM2.5 had a greater effect on CRP level and PT than mean aerodynamic diameter of ≥ 10 μm (PM10). AECOPD patients with severe GOLD class were more sensitive to PM2.5-induced shortening of PT than those with other GOLD classes.