High Levels Of Carbon Monoxide Research Articles

Indoor Air Quality in Laboratories and Its Relationship with Psychological Performance Among University Students in Malaysia

Introduction: Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in work environments can reduce productivity and decrease overall performance. This study examines IAQ in university laboratories and its relationship with psychological performance among students in Malaysia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2023 in six laboratories at a Malaysian university, categorised into chemical and non-chemical. A total of 117 students aged 18 to 40 participated. IAQ was measured in real-time for 8 hours during weekdays using instruments for particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), airborne microorganisms, carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature in °C, relative humidity (RH), and air movement. Psychological performance was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE). Data analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis, One-Way ANOVA, and Chi-Square tests. Results and Discussion: Significant differences in IAQ parameters were observed for PM2.5 (p=0.007), PM10 (p=0.020), CO2 (p=0.024) and RH (p=0.043). Psychological distress affected 41.9% of students based on the predefined threshold. High CO levels (≥0.67 ppm) and elevated temperatures (≥23.28°C) were significantly associated with increased psychological distress (p=0.011). Students exposed to these conditions were 1.3 times more likely to experience distress (OR=1.3). Conclusion: Specific IAQ parameters, particularly CO and temperature, critically impact students’ psychological well-being. Improving IAQ by reducing CO levels and maintaining optimal temperatures may enhance mental health and performance. Improving IAQ by reducing CO levels and maintaining optimal temperatures may enhance mental health and performance. However, external factors such as personal stressors could not be entirely controlled.

Satellite derived air pollution climatology over India and its neighboring regions: Spatio-temporal trends and insights

This study examines the spatial and temporal variations of key air pollutants, including Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Tropospheric Ozone (O₃), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), and Formaldehyde (HCHO) over India and neighboring regions, using satellite data from 2005 to 2022. Peak NO₂ (∼11–13 × 101⁵molecules/cm2) occurs in pre-monsoon and winter, mainly over urban centers, thermal plants, and crop-burning areas, emphasizing anthropogenic emissions. High CO levels (2.0–2.3 × 101⁸molecules/cm2) during summer dominate in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), Eastern India, and Northeastern region, linked to the incomplete combustion of organic matter (e.g., natural forest fires and biofuel-based household cooking). Stable CO trends reflect effective government policies promoting cleaner fuels. Tropospheric O₃ shows a spatial gradient, with higher values in northern and coastal regions influenced by sunlight, humidity, and precursor emissions. Seasonal peaks in summer are governed by solar intensity, while the December peak over the northern region is likely due to dynamical transport from O₃-rich areas. SO₂ hotspots in IGP, central and eastern India, especially during winter (∼1.3–1.9 × 101⁵molecules/cm2), are attributed to local anthropogenic emissions and fossil fuel combustion such as coal. Long-term trends reveal rising SO₂ levels. AOD hotspots occur over IGP, Central and Southern India, with particularly high values during the pre-monsoon (0.5–0.6) and winter seasons. HCHO shows hotspots in the IGP, west coast, eastern, and northeastern regions, peaking in summer (7.5–8.5 × 101⁵molecules/cm2) due to biogenic VOC emissions. This study underscores the need for integrated policies to mitigate emissions, improve air quality, and protect public health.

Cigarettes, heated tobacco products and dual use: exhaled carbon monoxide, saliva cotinine and total tobacco consumed by Hong Kong tobacco users

BackgroundIndependent studies on exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) and saliva cotinine levels in regular heated tobacco product (HTP) users, and how they compare with conventional cigarette (CC) smokers, are lacking.MethodsA total...

The effects of synthesis gas feedstocks and oxygen perturbation on hydrogen production by Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius

BackgroundThe facultatively anaerobic thermophile Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius is able to produce hydrogen gas (H2) through the water–gas shift (WGS) reaction. To date this process has been evaluated under controlled conditions, with gas feedstocks comprising carbon monoxide and variable proportions of air, nitrogen and hydrogen. Ultimately, an economically viable hydrogenogenic system would make use of industrial waste/synthesis gases that contain high levels of carbon monoxide, but which may also contain contaminants such as H2, oxygen (O2) and other impurities, which may be toxic to P. thermoglucosidasius.ResultsWe evaluated the effects of synthesis gas (syngas) mimetic feedstocks on WGS reaction-driven H2 gas production by P. thermoglucosidasius DSM 6285 in small-scale fermentations. Improved H2 gas production yields and faster onset towards hydrogen production were observed when anaerobic synthetic syngas feedstocks were used, at the expense of biomass accumulation. Furthermore, as the WGS reaction is an anoxygenic process, we evaluated the influence of O2 perturbation on P. thermoglucosidasius hydrogenogenesis. O2 supplementation improved biomass accumulation, but reduced hydrogen yields in accordance with the level of oxygen supplied. However, H2 gas production was observed at low O2 levels. Supplementation also induced rapid acetate consumption, likely to sustain growth.ConclusionThe utilisation of anaerobic syngas mimetic gas feedstocks to produce H2 and the relative flexibility of the P. thermoglucosidasius WGS reaction system following O2 perturbation further supports its applicability towards more robust and continuous hydrogenogenic operation.

Isolation and identification of carbon monoxide producing microorganisms from compost

Carbon monoxide (CO) formation has been observed during composting of various fractions of organic waste. It was reported that this production can be biotic, associated with the activity of microorganisms. However, there are no sources considering the microbial communities producing CO production in compost. This preliminary research aimed to isolate and identify microorganisms potentially responsible for the CO production in compost collected from two areas of the biowaste pile: with low (118 ppm) and high CO concentration (785 ppm). Study proved that all isolates were bacterial strains with the majority of rod-shaped Gram-positive bacteria. Both places can be inhabited by the same bacterial strains, e.g. Bacillus licheniformis and Paenibacillus lactis. The most common were Bacillus (B. licheniformis, B. haynesii, B. paralicheniformis, and B. thermolactis). After incubation of isolates in sealed bioreactors for 4 days, the highest CO levels in the headspace were recorded for B. paralicheniformis (>1000 ppm), B. licheniformis (>800 ppm), and G. thermodenitrificans (∼600 ppm). High CO concentrations were accompanied by low O2 (<6%) and high CO2 levels (>8%). It is recommended to analyze the expression of the gene encoding CODH to confirm or exclude the ability of the identified strains to convert CO2 to CO.

Examining the spatial and temporal variations in the indoor gaseous, PM2.5, BC concentrations in urban homes in India

Given that people spend the majority of their time indoors, accurate measurement of pollutants in indoor environment settings is critical especially when the levels of air pollution often surpass those of outdoor environments. While extensive studies have been focussed on outdoor air quality, limited studies have examined indoor air quality in a residential setting. We measured gaseous and particulate pollutants using portable real-time monitors for ∼24 h in indoor living spaces in dwellings, in urban slums in three metropolitan cities of India: Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, and captured the pollutant levels from the domestic activities, which varied according to magnitudes and durations. The mean (±SD) of indoor total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and carbon monoxide (CO) were 720.1 (±86.5) μg/m3 and 1.2 (±0.3) ppm, respectively, for Mumbai; 626.1 (±169.9) and 0.9 (±0.5), respectively, for Bangalore; and 682.6 (±251.8) and 1.7 (±0.8), respectively, for Delhi. Particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) levels were 62.6 (±16.9) and 3.2 (±3.6), respectively, for Bangalore, and 187.7 (±72.1) μg/m3 and 10.5 (±3.3) μg/m3, respectively, for Delhi. Corresponding PM2.5 level in Mumbai were 111.2 (±20.1) μg/m3. While high indoor levels of CO were associated with cooking, the use of incense and candles elevated CO and BC, cleaning activities increased TVOC and sweeping activities increased PM2.5. These levels are further affected by factors such as chimneys in homes (Mumbai-∼ 0.03%, Bangalore-∼15% and Delhi-∼ 37%), operating exhaust fans (Mumbai-∼35%, Bangalore-∼40% and Delhi-∼78%) and cross-ventilation characteristics (Mumbai-∼65%, Bangalore∼62% and Delhi-∼75%). Indoor concentrations excluding indoor activities, and outdoor concentration of CO (PM2.5) were found to be significantly correlated, ∼0.51(0.40), 0.43(0.46) and 0.74 (0.68) for three cities respectively, which implies that outdoor air pollution is an important variable to consider when studying indoor air quality, especially during winter season where higher levels are observed in ambient environment.

Carbon Monoxide Levels Produced by Propane/Isobutane Canister Stoves inside a Tent

Improper use of camp stoves in enclosed spaces has resulted in fatalities from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Prior research has focused on the CO output of stoves burning white gas, unleaded gas, or kerosene. Stoves burning an isobutane/propane fuel have not been investigated and are the focus of this study. Three stoves utilizing isobutane/propane fuel were used to heat a pot of water inside a 3-season tent under controlled settings. Multiple runs with each stove were performed, and CO measurements, in parts per million (ppm), were recorded at 1-min intervals for a total of 15 min using a RAE Systems gas monitor. Data are reported as mean with SD. Repeated measures analysis of variance was utilized to examine changes over time. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. There was a statistically significant main effect of time and CO level, F (14, 168)=7.6, P<0.001. There was a statistically significant difference between-subjects effect of stove group F (2, 12)=8.6, P=0.005, indicating that CO levels were different depending on the stove. Tukey's post-hoc analyses revealed that stove A had the highest CO levels. The average level of stove A was statistically significantly higher than that of stove B and stove C, with a mean CO level difference of 79 ppm (95% CI, 3-156), P=0.043 and 117 ppm (95% CI, 40-194), P=0.004, respectively. Stoves utilizing isobutane/propane fuel can produce unsafe CO levels and should not be used in enclosed spaces.

Causes, Impacts and Policy Implications of Carbon Monoxide Air Pollution in Third World Countries

Globally, countries are grappling with significant complications, notably air pollution and global warming. One of the hazardous substances contributing to this problem is carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly, odorless, and colorless gas released through both natural processes and human activities. Among developing nations, Guatemala has experienced rapid and dramatic urbanization over the last decades. As a result of this urbanization, a disturbing correlation exists between increased respiratory disease cases and the presence of carbon monoxide in the air. Guatemalans face a surplus of health issues due to air pollution, including asthma, upper respiratory disorders, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These health risks are not solely confined to urbanized areas but also extend into rural regions where Guatemalans use open fires inside their homes for cooking.&#x0D; Unfortunately, current laws governing air quality oversight and management in Guatemala are inadequate as they fail to safeguard and benefit the well-being of their people. To assess the extent of air pollution in Guatemala, the study measured carbon monoxide levels in parts per million (ppm) using EasyLog USB at various locations and Guatemala City, the nation's most populous urban city. Data was collected over six days, revealing alarmingly high levels of CO, specifically in densely populated areas with significant vehicular activity. The lack of proper ventilation systems and environmental regulations in these areas contributes to the persistence of elevated CO levels. This study's primary objective is to highlight CO poisoning issues in developing countries like Guatemala, emphasizing the urgent need for the national government to implement appropriate legislation and monitoring systems to mitigate its adverse effects. By taking decisive action, Guatemala can further reduce and protect its people from the detrimental impact of air pollution and ultimately work towards creating a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Konya'da kentsel ısı adası ve karbon monoksit değişiminin Google Earth Engine kullanılarak incelenmesi

The increasing population has been causing changes in and around urban areas. As a result of this situation, it is observed that the amount of heat and air pollution in cities is higher than in rural areas. Urban heat islands (UHI) are a factor that affects people's quality of life. Therefore, monitoring temperature changes and taking regional measures is necessary. &#x0D; In this study, the Landsat 8 satellite was used to determine the UHI, and the Sentinel-5P satellite was used to determine carbon monoxide (CO) pollution between 2019-2021. The central districts of Konya have been selected as the study area. To determine UHI between the seasons, a total of 12 land surface temperature (LST) maps were generated. In addition, 36 CO maps of twelve months were created for the same region using the Sentinel-5P satellite. When the maps created were evaluated, it was concluded that there was a significant result between temperature and CO. It was found that the areas with higher ST also had higher levels of CO.

Monitoring of Carbon Monoxide (CO) changes in the atmosphere and urban environmental indices extracted from remote sensing images for 932 Iran cities from 2019 to 2021

ABSTRACT Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an important urban pollutant with a relation to transition economies based on emission intensities. In this study, Sentinel-5, MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Landsat-8 images were used to investigate the variations of CO and urban environmental indices and the correlations between them. From the assessed correlations for 932 Iranian cities, it occurred that the assessed indices were all correlated. The highest CO levels were 0.031 in the spring of 2019 and 2020, whereas in 2021 it was equal to 0.030 in both the spring and winter, respectively. In 2019 and 2020 the maximum values of the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) in the spring were 0.181 and 0.183. Exceptionally high Absorbing Aerosol Index (AAI) values of – 0.834 and – 1.0, along with Urban Index (UI) of 0.102 and 0.092, were correlated with recorded spikes in CO level, despite that these seasons’ EVI values were not so abnormal. It was forecasted that in 2030 rises in the CO level by 13.2% in the winter and by 17.5% in the fall are expected, with the simultaneous increase of AAI by 204.5% and 980.2%, and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) by 27% and 5% in the winter and spring, respectively.

The Investigation of Air Pollution for Carbon Monoxide Evaluations in Guatemala City

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a common gas released naturally and due to industrialization. When released into the air, this gas is one of the most dangerous factors of air pollution, which harms the environment and human health. In third-world countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and India, people face severe illnesses, including carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory diseases, and premature deaths due to air pollution, mainly occurring during the rapid urbanization of major cities. This urbanization and increasing number of motor vehicles affect the high levels of CO, which results in deaths from various respiratory diseases. Despite the harmful effects of CO poisoning, significant actions have yet to be taken. Therefore, the research team has been taken to Guatemala City, Guatemala's most populated city, to measure Carbon Monoxide levels in various locations under various conditions.&#x0D; An Easy Log USB has been used to measure Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels to assess the areas with a high level of harmful CO. The study has found that an enormous amount of CO is present in highly populated areas, 100 ~ 200% up for a certain time, compared to the indoor air, and reached a result that corroborated the assertions that CO poisoning with 20% higher CO in their hemoglobin might increase the number of intoxicated Guatemalan people. The national government should implement appropriate regulations and methods to follow up on CO emissions and reduce its consequence to prosper economically and socially.

Exposure to environmental air pollutants as a risk factor for primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Environmental etiology of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), an autoimmune disease, has been proposed. This study determined whether the exposure to air pollutants was an independent risk factor for pSS. Participants were enrolled from a population-based cohort registry. Daily average concentrations of air pollutants from 2000 to 2011 were divided into 4 quartiles. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of pSS for exposure to air pollutants were estimated in a Cox proportional regression model adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and residential areas. A subgroup analysis stratified by sex was conducted to validate the findings. Windows of susceptibility indicated years of exposure which contributed the most to the observed association. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used to identify underlying pathways of air pollutant-associated pSS pathogenesis, using Z-score visualization. Two hundred patients among 177,307 participants developed pSS, with a mean age of 53.1 years at acumulative incidence of 0.11% from 2000 to 2011. Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), and methane (CH4) was associated with a higher risk of pSS. Compared to those exposed to the lowest concentration level, the aHRs for pSS were 2.04 (95%CI=1.29-3.25), 1.86 (95%CI=1.22-2.85), and 2.21 (95%CI=1.47-3.31) for those exposed to high levels of CO, NO, and CH4, respectively. The findings persisted in the subgroup analysis, in which females exposed to high levels of CO, NO, and CH4 and males exposed to high levels of CO were associated with significantly great risk of pSS. The cumulative effect of air pollution on pSS was time-dependent. The underlying cellular mechanisms involved chronic inflammatory pathways including the interleukin-6 signaling pathway. Exposure to CO, NO, and CH4 was associated with a high risk of pSS, which was biologically plausible.

Every Day Is Earth Day: Evidence on the Long-Term Impact of Environmental Activism

We use variation in weather to study the long-term effects of activism during the original Earth Day on attitudes, environmental outcomes, and children’s health. Unusually bad weather on April 22, 1970 is associated with weaker support for the environment 10 to 20 years later, particularly among those who were school aged in 1970. Bad weather on Earth Day is also associated with higher levels of carbon monoxide in the air and greater risk of congenital abnormalities in infants born in the following decades. These results identify benefits to volunteer activity that would be impossible to identify until years after the volunteering occurs. (JEL D64, D91, Q51, Q53, Q54)

Smart Fire-fighter cum Oil Tank Cleaner Robot

Abstract: Nowadays, fire disasters are one of the most dangerous events that can occur unexpectedly and inflict significant damage. Humans face serious risks on the job such as heat exhaustion, burns, physical and mental stress. Additionally, they frequently come into contact with high levels of carbon monoxide and other toxic hazards. With these dangerous exposures, this line of work presents a likelihood for many diseases. Humans may not be able to react quickly enough when a fire breaks out. So, in order to solve this problem, a smart firefighter could be created. Similarly, oil tank cleaning is an important task which involves potential hazards such as, fires or explosions, toxic gas and vapor releases, oxygen shortages and other physical dangers. It can even cause exposure to radiation, and environmental contamination, among others. Cleaning the inner surfaces of tight facilities used primarily for storing bulk goods or oils, such as silos, receives special care. The build-up substance, the surface material, and the ambient conditions all influence confined space cleaning technologies. This document discusses four cleaning strategies. The proposed study examines firefighting robots and oil tank cleaning robots in order to achieve better results.

Correlation Air CO Level with HbCo Level, Hemoglobin, and Blood Pressure to Street Vendors in The Gading Fajar Sidoarjo Street Vendor Area

Motor vehicles emit exhaust gas emissions that produce pollutants, one of the compounds contained is carbon monoxide (CO). CO may cause intoxication in humans if exposed for a long time especially street vendors because the work area is filled with vehicle fumes containing CO gas. High CO levels in the air indicate HbCO levels to increase. The increased of HbCO levels will cause abnormal hemoglobin levels and induce vasoconstriction which makes blood pressure increase. The purpose of this study was to prove the correlation between CO levels in the air with HbCO, hemoglobin, and blood pressure levels to street vendors in the Gading Fajar Sidoarjo Street Vendor Area. This research uses the Conway diffusion cell method and is an analytic observational study with a cross sectional design implemented at the Surabaya Health Laboratory Center and the Hematology Laboratory of Medical Laboratory Technology Department Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya in March 2022. Blood tests was carried out on 25 street vendors using random sampling technique. The results showed that average air CO level was 11.0 ppm and 13.3 ppm; mean HbCO levels 0.87%; mean hemoglobin levels 14.4 g/dL; mean systolic blood pressure levels 128 mmHg; and the mean of diastolic blood pressure levels 80 mmHg. The data were analyzed using SPSS. The outcome of normality test showed that the data was not normally distributed. Statistical tests was performed using Spearman correlation. The conclusion showed there was correlation between air CO level with HbCO level, hemoglobin level, and blood pressure level on street vendors in the Gading Fajar Sidoarjo Street Vendor Area. If CO levels in the air increase, then HbCO levels and blood pressure also increase. Street vendors are expected to always use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as mouth masks when working to reduce the risk of exposure to CO gas and doing a healthy lifestyle as a preventive effort to avoid health problems.

Effects of functional nanomaterials for reduction of carbon monoxide levels in the workplace and homes

Carbon monoxide (CO) at high concentrations is extremely poisonous to humans and other invertebrates. It is one of the leading causes of unintentional deaths in the United States. Furthermore, people with heart diseases are more vulnerable to high CO levels since they already have a reduced ability to get oxygenated blood to their hearts. Functional nanomaterials (metallic nanoparticles [NPs], carbon nanotubes [CNTs], and nanofibers [NFs]) offer a high surface area, low weight-to-volume ratio, flexibility, and high porosity, which are perfect properties for gas absorption. Many nanomaterials are currently playing an essential role in CO-capturing technologies. This paper focuses on the usage of those functional nanomaterials for CO absorption and their absorption mechanisms. Due to high surface area and porosity, these materials have been widely used to absorb pollutants, including toxic gas like CO. Fabrications, CO-absorbing mechanisms, and absorbing properties of some nanomaterials will be discussed here.

Secret Carbon Monoxide Intoxication Assessments of the Patients Who Presented to Emergency

Aim: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate patients who present to the emergency department with atypical symptoms in terms of occult Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and the secondary aim is to compare the invasive and non-invasive values of Carboxyhemglobin (COHb) levels in patients with high CO levels.&#x0D; Material and Method: This prospective and descriptive study was conducted on 2775 adult patients who visited the Emergency Department (ED) between January 1 and March 31, 2015. The COHb levels of the individuals who applied to the emergency department with non-specific complaints were measured with a non-invasive multiwave pulse oximeter device and the date of application, age, gender, complaint, smoking history, pregnancy status, pulse COHb, blood COHb and blood metHb parameters were recorded in the preformed form. Values under 10% in smokers and under 6.6% in non-smokers were recorded as secret COHb intoxication.&#x0D; Results: 52.8% of the patients were male and 34.4% were smokers. The rate of pregnant women among female patients was 13.4%. The first three complaints were shortness of breath, chest pain and stomach ache. It was determined that the mean COHb of the patients was 1.44±1.65 in arterial blood gas and 1.75±1.63 in finger measurement. A highly significant positive correlation was found between the two averages. The COHb value measured by both techniques was higher in male patients and in smokers and non-pregnant patients. The rate of latent COHb intoxication was determined as 1% in smokers and 0.1% in non-smokers.&#x0D; Conclusion: We came to the conclusion that non-invasive COHb measurement can make positive contributions to the diagnosis of secret carbonmonoxyde intoxications.

Characteristics of atmospheric black carbon and other aerosol particles over the Arctic Ocean in early autumn 2016: Influence from biomass burning as assessed with observed microphysical properties and model simulations

We conducted ship-based measurements of marine aerosol particles (number concentration, size distribution, black carbon (BC), autofluorescence property, and PM2.5 composition) and trace gases (ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO)) during a cruise of the R/V Mirai (23 August to 4 October 2016) over the Arctic Ocean, Northwest Pacific Ocean, and Bering Sea. Over the Arctic Ocean at latitudes >70°N, the averaged BC mass concentration was 0.7 ± 1.8 ng/m3, confirming the validity of our previously-reported observations (~1 ng/m3) over the same region during September 2014 and September 2015. The observed levels over the Arctic Ocean need to be used as a benchmark when testing the atmospheric transport models over the ocean, while they are substantially lower than those reported at Barrow (Utqiaġvik), a nearby ground-based station. We identified events with elevated BC mass concentrations and CO mixing ratios over the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea as influenced by biomass burnings, with evidences from elevated levoglucosan levels, mixing states of BC particles, and particle size distributions. With WRF-Chem model simulations, we confirmed Siberian Forest fire plumes traveled over thousands of kilometers and produced substantially high BC and CO levels over the Bering Sea. The ΔBC/ΔCO ratios during these periods were estimated as ~1 ng/m3/ppbv, which are lower than those values reported, indicating that the results might have been affected by the wet removal process during transportation and/or by emission in smoldering conditions.

Effects of Indoor Air Pollution on the Development of Children under Five Years of Age in Sri Lanka

Air pollution is a multifaceted environmental toxin affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS) through diverse pathways. The CNS of young children is particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of toxins, as brain development continues postnatally with the formation of interneuronal connections, glial cell proliferation and myelination of axons. Indoor air pollution (IAP) from solid fuel combustion is more harmful than outdoor air pollution. Numerous air pollutants hazardous to health are released during the burning of unprocessed biomass. The primary source of fuel in Sri Lanka for cooking is biomass, mainly wood. In this study, we evaluated the influence of IAP resulting from biomass combustion on the neurodevelopment of children. In a cohort of children under five years living in a semi-urban area of Sri Lanka, neurodevelopment was assessed using Denver II developmental screening test. Air quality levels were measured (Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)) in a subsample. There were significantly high levels of CO and PM2.5 in the ambient air of households using biomass as the primary fuel for cooking. Children living in these households had a significantly higher number of children with ‘suspect’ developmental assessment scores in the language, social behavior and play and gross motor development domains.

Using k-Means and Self Organizing Maps in Clustering Air Pollution Distribution in Makassar City, Indonesia

Air pollution is an important environmental problem for specific areas, including Makassar City, Indonesia. The increase should be monitored and evaluated, especially in urban areas that are dense with vehicles and factories. This is a challenge for local governments in urban planning and policy-making to fulfill the information about the impact of air pollution. The clustering of starting points for the distribution areas can ease the government to determine policies and prevent the impact. The k-Means initial clustering method was used while the Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) visualized the clustering results. Furthermore, the Geographic Information System (GIS) visualized the results of regional clustering on a map of Makassar City. The air quality parameters used are Suspended Particles (TSP), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Surface Ozone (O3), and Lead (Pb) which are measured during the day and at night. The results showed that the air contains more CO, and at night, the levels are reduced in some areas. Therefore, the density of traffic, industry and construction work contributes significantly to the spread of CO. Air conditions vary, such as high CO levels during the day and TSP at night. Also, there is a phenomenon at night that a group does not have SO2 and O3 simultaneously. The results also show that the integration of k-Means and SOM for regional clustering can be appropriately mapped through GIS visualization.