PM10 Particles Research Articles

Air quality forecasting based on machine and deep learning models: an IoT application

Harmful gasoline and particulate objects that exist in the air and above the cut-off values are dangerous for human, animal, and plant health. Essentially, it leads to lung cancer, throat infection, heart attack, and other diseases. The early forecasting of these objects may help for precautions of safety. In this paper, it is proposed to use the regression-based model auto regression integrated moving average (AIRMA) and deep learning-based model long short-term memory (LSTM) for air quality prediction. The air quality forecasting performance also depends on the quality of the available dataset. In this study, real-time data is collected from 10 different locations based on an IoT system, which is developed locally for a funded project of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The main idea of this study is to validate the real-time collected dataset. Two objects, particulate PM2.5, and gasoline Ammonia are considered for four different locations for forecasting. Due to several issues such that electricity, Wi-Fi, sensor calibration, and collected data are not in their finest position. A number of prepossessing steps are applied to raw data to bring it into a usable form. Regardless of these issues, proposed models based on data collected by IoT system, outperform two air objects PM2.5 and Ammonia. For the case of Ammonia, an RMSE value of 0.562 is obtained which is very low to the mean value of 5.15 which indicates high performance. Similarly, very close values of 0.186 and 0.133 of RMSE and MAE were achieved respectively, and reflect the low variance in error. The LSTM-based experiment for Ammonia prediction, comparable to a very low RMSE value of 1.948 is achieved from the corresponding mean. A very small difference value of 0.287 between RMSE and MAE is obtained indicating a low variance in predicting error and high precision.

Atmospheric dry and wet deposition of total phosphorus to the Great Lakes

Quantifying atmospheric loadings of total phosphorus (TP) to freshwater environments is essential to improve understanding of its fate and transport, and to mitigate the effects of excessive levels in freshwater ecosystems. To date, atmospheric deposition of TP in the U.S. is poorly characterized due to the lack of long-term deposition observations. Here, we integrate several historical datasets to develop an estimate of dry and wet deposition to the Great Lakes region. For dry deposition, we use TP concentrations in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples from fourteen land-based IMPROVE sites (2013–2020) upwind of the Great Lakes to provide new fine particle phosphorus dry deposition estimates. For wet deposition, we use TP concentrations in wet-only precipitation samples collected at eleven land-based sites (2001–2009) in the Great Lakes region. For both wet and dry deposition, a seasonal cycle is evident with higher concentrations in warmer and wetter months when compared to colder months. Additionally, there is an increasing gradient from north to south in wet deposition, likely driven by both higher precipitation and increased emissions near southern sites. Despite different sampling time periods, these updated observations can provide further constraints on the TP loadings to each of the five Great Lakes. We estimate annual deposition of TP to Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario at 526, 702, 495, 212, and 185 MTA per year, which is lower than prior estimates for Lakes Superior, Erie and Ontario, comparable for Lake Huron, and about two times greater for Lake Michigan. When considering only the contribution of fine particulate PM to the dry deposition, wet deposition dominated over dry at all lakes except for Lake Huron. However, prior global estimates suggest greater contributions from larger particles (PM10 and PM100), yet observations to validate these estimates over the Great Lakes are not available. Our findings indicate that dry deposition of a range of particle sizes are needed to constrain the total atmospheric deposition of TP over the Great Lakes.

Effects of reformed exhaust gas recirculation (REGR) of ethanol-gasoline fuel blends on the combustion and emissions of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine

Transportation is one of fast-growing sources of greenhouse gas emission worldwide. Road transport accounts as the main cause of HC, CO, NOX, CO2, and PM emissions. Ethanol blended fuel could improve engine performance and reduce both gaseous and PM emissions. Meanwhile, reformed exhaust gas recirculation (REGR) is introduced to achieve simultaneous reduction of NOX and PM from gasoline engines. In this work, the effect of REGR on combustion characteristics, and emissions of the gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine fuelled with ethanol-gasoline fuel blends (E10 and E20) was investigated. The H2 and CO mixture were used as a simulated REGR charge which was fed to the GDI engine’s intake manifold. The H2/CO ratio was determined via modelling of ethanol-gasoline fuel blend reforming based on equilibrium analysis. Moreover, the characteristics of PM emission (e.g. size distribution, primary particle size, morphology) were explored using TEM imaging. The results revealed that REGR could simultaneously improve both the engine thermal efficiency and engine-out emissions. A total number of PM particles and average primary particle size were reduced and compared with baseline (no-EGR) condition. An insight from this investigation can be used for designing control strategies to reduce the negative impact of internal combustion engine usage on human health and environment.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the indoor air and surfaces of subway trains in Mashhad, Iran.

Millions of passengers around the world are concerned with the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 contamination on public transportation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in indoor air and subway surfaces in Mashhad. In this study, air and surface sampling were done at two times in the morning (7-8:30 a.m.) and evening (3:30-5 p.m.), simultaneously in two wagons for men and women in line 1 of Mashhad Metro in March 2021 to detect the virus and measure the concentration of particulate matter. Totally, 30 air and 30 metro samples were collected and examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that three and two cases in the air and surface samples were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the mean concentration of suspended particles PM1 (particulate matter smaller than 1 μm) with PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm) and PM10 (particulate matter smaller than 10 μm) (p < 0. 05). There was also a significant relationship between the mean concentration of suspended particles PM2.5 and PM10. The results showed that the mean PM2.5 measured in the indoor air of the Mashhad metro wagon had a significant relationship with WHO and US EPA and national standards, and its value was higher than the standards (p < 0.05). The average particle concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were equal to 40.46, 42.61, and 48.31 μg/m3. According to the results of the pollution detected in this study, COVID-19 may be transmitted by air and environmental surfaces. Our study emphasizes the need for continuous assessment of the presence of the virus in public transportation. Detection of viral RNA in subways indicates the necessity of adequate disinfection in public settings, strictness in disinfection methods, strengthening of educational activities for sanitary measures, physical spacing plan, and increasing ventilation of wagons.

Using of Modern Genetic Methods to Detect Air-Borne Bacterial Genes Through Desert Storms in Iraq

Abstract Antibiotic resistance of pathogens is a serious issue that affects health. The airborne particle molecules such as (PM2.5, PM10) that spread by dust storms can increase the antibiotic resistance in bacterial community. In this study air samples of the dust storms were collected and the air-borne bacteria were cultured on specific growth media by portable air sampler device (SAS). Sixty plates were used through the atmospheric storms dust which included three periods of 24/5/2022,13/6/2022 and 3/7/2022. Antibiotic resistance of bacterial isolates was detected by VITEK2. Bacterial whole DNA was extracted and the genes against the most resisted antibiotics were detected by specific pre-designed primers and by using gel electrophoresis method. The results showed homogenous high concentrations of both PM2.5 and PM10 were included in storm samples just like that in Saudi Arabia. The greatest numbers of bacterial growth in collecting plates through the storm included 45 of 60 (75%) E. coli, 36 of 60 (60%) of Staphylococcus epidermis and 15 of 60 (25%) of Sphingomonas paucimobilis isolates of total bacterial growth as diagnosed by morphological characteristics and VITEK2 system. The antibiotic sensitivity test (AST) which was done by VITIK2 showed multidrug resistant for Staphylococcus epidermis, E. coli and Sphingomonas paucimobilis strains, mainly against erythromycin and tertacycline. The results of genetic studies for the antibiotic resistance illustrated the presence of gene fragments of both ermA gene and tetK gene within the bacterial nucleic acid, which are considered as potent antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs genes). In conclusion, the resistance of air-borne bacteria towards used antibiotics were elevated strongly in relation with the expression of ARGs associated with the huge amounts of PM particles in dust storms that occurred in Iraq, which is very harmful for human and other living forms on earth.

Elemental composition of atmospheric PM10 during COVID-19 lockdown and recovery periods in Moscow (April-July 2020).

Changes in the concentrations of PM10-bound potentially toxic elements (PTEs) during the COVID-19 lockdown period and after the revocation of restrictions were analyzed using the data received at the Aerosol Complex of Moscow State University in April-July 2020. During the lockdown, the input of biomass combustion products enriched in PTEs from the Moscow region hindered the decrease in pollutant concentrations. After the introduction of the self-isolation regime, lower concentrations of most PTEs occurred due to the decrease in anthropogenic activity and the rainy meteorological conditions. After the revocation of restrictive measures, the PTE concentrations began to increase. Multivariate statistical analysis (APCA-MLR) identified the main sources of atmospheric pollutants as urban dust, non-exhaust traffic emissions, and combustion and exhaust traffic emissions. PM10 particles were significantly enriched with Sb, Cd, Sn, Bi, S, Pb, Cu, Mo, and Zn. The total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, calculated according to the U.S. EPA model, decreased by 24% and 23% during the lockdown; after the removal of restrictions, they increased by 61% and 72%, respectively. The study provides insight into the PTE concentrations and their main sources at different levels of anthropogenic impact.

Impact of PM10 Exposure and Socio-Demographic Aspect With Lung Function Disorders

The concentration of PM2․5 and PM10 particles is a major problem and the primary environmental health risk that causes premature death. This study aims to examine the effect of PM10 exposure and socio-demographic aspects on lung function disorders of bus Terminal workers exposed to traffic emissions. This research used a cross-sectional approach. The population is 96 people, and 50 became samples according to the purposive sampling criteria. The measurement of lung vital capacity is by spirometry. The high-volume air sampler was applied to measure dust concentration, and the questionnaire was used to assess individual characteristics. The independent variables of this research are PM10 concentration, age, smoking behavior, working period, type of work, education, use of masks, and body weight. The dependent variable is impaired lung function. The bivariate analysis showed that exposure to PM10, smoking behavior, years of service, and use of masks were significant for impaired lung function. The result of multivariate analysis of dust is the most relevant to the lung vital capacity. In conclusion, dust concentrations are classified above the Threshold Limit Value (TLV), so government should control the source of dust exposure.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in urban PM2.5 samples from Curitiba, Brazil

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), also known as “forever chemicals” received significant attention during recent years due to their environmental persistence and emerging evidence on their toxicity to humans. In this work we present the first measurements of PFASs in inhalable fraction of airborne particles PM2.5 (particulate matter that has a diameter ≤2.5 μm) in Brazil collected during Covid restriction period. Three PFASs that included perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a restricted by Stockholm convention perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) were detected at concentrations up to 0.3 pg/m3. These values do not include uncertainties associated with potential adsorption of gas phase PFASs on the filters but may be lower than those generally occurring at Curitiba, Brazil due to an abrupt reduction in industrial activities and a major decrease in the use of transport during Covid lockdown. Although current air quality regulations do not set inhalable limits for PFASs, there is a concern that these substances can accumulate in human body.The detection of 6:2 FTS in PM2.5 samples is a cause for concern due to its persistence in the atmosphere and emerging evidence that FTS could have health effects comparable with those of PFOA and PFOS. Multiple pollution sources of PFAS in Curitiba were considered based on airmass trajectories and wind roses.Our results raise the question of whether the observed PFOS in Curitiba is linked to sulfluramid, a pesticide that is permitted for use in Brazil.

Variations, seasonal shifts and ambient conditions affecting airborne microorganisms and particles at a southeastern Mediterranean site

Airborne particles are known climate drivers whilst the impact of microorganisms is investigated with increasing interest. The particle number size distribution (0.012–10 μm), PM10 concentrations, bacterial communities and cultivable microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) were measured simultaneously throughout a yearly campaign at a suburban location at the city of Chania (Greece). Most of the bacteria identified belonged to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes, with Sphingomonas having a dominant partition at the genus level. Statistically lower concentrations of all microorganisms and bacterial species richness during the warm season due to the direct impact of temperature and solar radiation suggested notable seasonality. On the other hand, statistically significant higher concentrations of particles <0.1 μm during the cold season was attributed to indirect seasonality with enrichment due to heating emissions. Analysis of wind direction data demonstrated that a land prevailing origin of air resulted in statistically higher microorganism concentrations, bacterial species richness and diversity, indicating the continental environment as a dominant contributor in shaping airborne microbial load (compared to a marine air origin). Likewise, statistically higher concentration of particles <0.1 μm were measured during a land prevailing air origin as a direct result of nanoparticle enrichment from anthropogenic activities. Long-range transport of both particles and biological components was evidenced by the increased concentrations of cultivable microorganisms (with a distinct contribution at sizes >1 μm), supermicron particles and bacterial species richness during Sahara dust events. Factorial analysis of the impact of 7 environmental parameters on bacterial communities profile has identified temperature, solar radiation, wind origin and Sahara dust as strong contributors. Increased correlations between airborne microorganisms and coarser particles (0.5–10 μm) suggested resuspension, especially during stronger winds and moderate ambient humidity, whereas, increased relative humidity during stagnant conditions acted as inhibitor for suspension.

Urban PM2.5 concentrations in a small Colombian city and the impact associated with particle emissions generated by small-scale lime production

The stricter guidelines for fine particles PM2.5 recently published by the World Health Organization also motivate smaller cities to assess the exposure levels. In this study, PM2.5 was assessed in the municipality of Vijes, an important lime production center in the Cauca River Valley, Colombia. The main objective was to determine PM2.5 concentration levels in the urban background of the city and to estimate the contribution from industrial sources located west of the urbanized area. The assessment of PM2.5 concentrations in a city without fixed air quality monitors, meteorological stations, and information on emission sources, was designed to be expedient and possible to perform with a very restricted budget. Four low-cost optical sensors and one low-cost meteorological station were installed during two separate campaigns, each three to four months long. The PM2.5 measurements were analyzed with the support of meteorological data and dispersion modeling. Mean levels of PM2.5 in the urban background were found to be below the Colombian limit value of 25 µg m–3, in the range of 14 to 19 µg m–3, and with lower levels in the city center. The monitor located in the westernmost urban area, closest to the industrial plants, registered a high 24-h mean level close to the national limit value. The industrial contribution to long-term PM2.5 concentrations in the urban background of Vijes was estimated to be within a maximum of 6 µg m–3, i.e., a minor fraction of the monitored PM2.5 mean levels in the urban background. The dominating part of the PM2.5 concentrations could be attributed to other anthropogenic sources within or east of Vijes, as well as originating from the regional background concentration characterizing the Cauca River Valley to the east of Vijes, where pre-harvest sugar cane burning is common.

Mitigation of urban particulate pollution using lightweight green roof system

As the global population becomes more concentrated in urban environments, higher numbers of people will be exposed to urban air pollution. The environmental and human health benefits of green roofs are widely recognized. The aim of this paper is to promote green roofs as an effective passive technique for pollution mitigation and adaptation to climate change. During the heating season, the ambient concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were measured above a green roof and a reference roof on a school building, located in New Belgrade, the second-most populous municipality and business center of Serbia’s largest city. The percent reduction of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1, in January 2020, above the green roof compared to the reference roof was 7%, 16.6%, and 17.6%, respectively. The results show that lightweight green roof improve air quality in terms of PM concentrations for all months considered. In this paper, correlation analysis and the use of Pearson’s coefficient were used in the process of analysis to determine the relationship between PM10, PM2.5, PM1, and ambient parameters: relative humidity, ambient temperature, and wind speed. It was found that the statistical correlation expressed by the Pearson coefficient between all PM particles and wind speed was statistically significant in all observed months except September. Also, the degree of significance of the correlation between PM particles and humidity and temperature of ambient air varies by month.

Quantifying the Potential Co-Benefit of Air Quality Improvement on Cultural Heritage in China

Atmospheric pollutants can corrode heritage materials, especially stone, which can cause a great loss that goes far beyond the economic losses of the degraded materials. Over the past decades, conventional air pollutants have been slashed owing to clean air actions in China, which produces a significant co-benefit for heritage conservation. However, the benefits may be offset by increases in the photochemical oxidants in smog, such as ozone, which damage heritage materials. This study employed dose–response functions to quantify the impacts of air pollutants on the surface recession of the limestone of heritage structures in China, and assessed the potential benefits of air quality improvement for heritage conservation. The results show that the annual recession rate decreased from 9.69 μmy−1 in 2006 to 6.71 μmy−1 in 2020, resulting in a 41.4% increase in the number of heritage sites meeting the ICP Materials (International Co-operative Program on Effects on Materials including Historic and Cultural Monuments) control target of 8 µmy−1 for 2020. The air quality improvement avoided CNY 136.2 million in heritage site maintenance costs. The recession risk shows distinct regional differences; the southern and northwest regions are still at a higher material corrosion level than the northern and Qinghai–Tibet regions. Nationwide, PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm) is the main risk factor responsible for the surface recession of limestone material of heritage structures in China. The study provides evidence for the benefits of air quality improvement for heritage conservation. Further, the study also puts forward policy recommendations for heritage conservation, including assessing pollution risk, promoting heritage conservation through social sustainability, and implementing differentiated conservation strategies.

Defining the in vivo mechanism of air pollutant toxicity using murine stress response biomarkers

Air pollution can cause a wide range of serious human diseases. For the informed instigation of interventions which prevent these outcomes there is an urgent need to develop robust in vivo biomarkers which provide insights into mechanisms of toxicity and relate pollutants to specific adverse outcomes. We exemplify for a first time the application of in vivo stress response reporters in establishing mechanisms of air pollution toxicity and the application of this knowledge in epidemiological studies. We first demonstrated the utility of reporter mice to understand toxicity mechanisms of air pollutants using diesel exhaust particles compounds. We observed that nitro-PAHs induced Hmox1 and CYP1a1 reporters in a time- and dose-dependent, cell- and tissue-specific manner. Using in vivo genetic and pharmacological approaches we confirmed that the NRF2 pathway mediated this Hmox1-reporter induction stress reporter activity. We then correlated the activation of stress-reporter models (oxidative stress/inflammation, DNA damage and Ah receptor -AhR- activity) with responses in primary human nasal cells exposed to chemicals present in particulate matter (PM; PM2.5-SRM2975, PM10-SRM1648b) or fresh roadside PM10. To exemplify their use in clinical studies, Pneumococcal adhesion was assessed in exposed primary human nasal epithelial cells (HPNEpC). The combined use of HPNEpC and in vivo reporters demonstrated that London roadside PM10 particles induced pneumococcal infection in HPNEpC mediated by oxidative stress responses. The combined use of in vivo reporter models with human data thus provides a robust approach to define the relationship between air pollutant exposure and health risks. Moreover, these models can be used in epidemiological studies to hazard ranking environmental pollutants by considering the complexity of mechanisms of toxicity. These data will facilitate the relationship between toxic potential and the level of pollutant exposure in populations to be established and potentially extremely valuable tools for intervention studies for disease prevention.

Physicochemical Assessment of the Road Vehicle Traffic Pollution Impact on the Urban Environment

Vehicle traffic pollution requires complex physicochemical analysis besides emission level measuring. The current study is focused on two campaigns of emissions measurements held in May and September 2019 in Alba Iulia City, Romania. There was found a significant excess of PM2.5 for all measuring points and PM10 for the most circulated points during May, along with significant VOC and CO2 emissions. September measurements reveal threshold excess for all PM along with increased values for VOC and CO2 emissions. These are the consequences of the complex environmental interaction of the traffic. Street dust and air-suspended particle samples were collected and analyzed to evidence the PM2.5 and PM10 sources. Physicochemical investigation reveals highly mineralized particulate matter: PM2.5 fractions within air-suspended particle samples predominantly contain Muscovite, Kaolinite, and traces of Quartz and Calcite, while PM10 fractions within air-suspended particle samples predominantly contain Quartz and Calcite. These mineral fractions originate in street dust and are suspended in the atmosphere due to the vehicles’ circulation. A significant amount of soot was found as small micro-sized clusters in PM2.5 and fine micro-spots attached over PM10 particles, as observed by Mineralogical Optical Microscopy (MOM) and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). GC-MS analysis found over 53 volatile compounds on the investigated floating particles that are related to the combustion gases, such as saturated alkanes, cycloalkanes, esters, and aromatic hydrocarbons. It proves a VOC contamination of the measured particulate matters that make them more hazardous for the health. Viable strategies for vehicle traffic-related pollutants mitigation would be reducing the street dust occurrence and usage of modern catalyst filters of the combustion gas exhausting system.

Sand and Dust Storms’ Impact on the Efficiency of the Photovoltaic Modules Installed in Baghdad: A Review Study with an Empirical Investigation

Airborne dust and dust storms are natural disasters that transport dust over long distances from the source basin, sometimes reaching hundreds of kilometers. Today, Iraq is a basin that produces dust storms that strike all neighboring countries such as Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. These storms affect the productivity and capacity of the photovoltaic modules and reduce the amount of electricity that is generated clearly. Airborne dust reduces the intensity of solar radiation by scattering and absorbing it. In addition, the dust accumulated on the photovoltaic modules causes a deterioration in their productivity. In this study, an extensive review of wind movement and its sources, especially those that hit the city of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, was conducted. Practical experiments were also carried out during a storm to measure important variables that had not been measured practically before at this site. The experimental tests were carried out starting from 1 April 2022 and continued until 12 April. Within this period, a dust storm occurred that lasted for three consecutive days that was considered one of the most severe storms that the city of Baghdad had experienced in the last few years. Practical measurements showed a deterioration in the solar radiation intensity by up to 54.5% compared to previous days. The air temperature during the storm decreased by 21.09% compared to the days before the storm. From the measurements of ultrafine aerosol particles PM1 and PM2.5, there was a significant increase of 569.9% and 441% compared to the days before the storm, respectively. Additionally, the measurements showed an increase of 217.22% and 319.21% in PM10 and total suspended particles, respectively. Indoor performance experiments showed a deterioration of current, voltage, power and electrical efficiency by 32.28%, 14.45%, 38.52% and 65.58%, respectively, due to dust accumulated during the storm days compared to the previous days. In the outdoor experiments, the rates of deterioration of current, voltage, power and electrical efficiency were greater, reaching 60.24%, 30.7%, 62.3% and 82.93%, respectively, during the storm days compared to the days before it. During a storm, cleaning the panels is futile due to the high concentration of dust in the air, especially by water. However, the photovoltaic modules can be dry cleaned with bristle brushes after the storm has subsided.

Lactobacillus paracasei ATG-E1 improves particulate matter 10 plus diesel exhaust particles (PM10D)-induced airway inflammation by regulating immune responses.

Particulate matter (PM) exposure can adversely affect respiratory function. Probiotics can alleviate the inflammatory responses in respiratory diseases. We examined the protective effects of Lactobacillus paracasei ATG-E1 isolated from the feces of a newborn baby against airway inflammation in a PM10 plus diesel exhaust particle (DEP) (PM10D)-induced airway inflammation model. BALB/c mice were exposed to PM10D by intranasal injection three times at 3-day intervals for 12 days, and L. paracasei ATG-E1 was administered orally for 12 days. Analysis of immune cell population and expression of various inflammatory mediators and gut barrier-related genes were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung, peyer's patch, and small intestine. A histological analysis of the lungs was performed. In addition, the in vitro safety and their safety in genomic analyses were examined. L. paracasei ATG-E1 was found to be safe in vitro and by genomic analysis. L. paracasei ATG-E1 suppressed neutrophil infiltration and the number of CD4+, CD4+CD69+, CD62L-CD44+high, CD21/35+B220+, and Gr-1+CD11b+ cells, as well as the expression of inflammatory mediators, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, interleukin (IL)-17a, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 in BALF and lungs in PM10D-induced airway inflammation. It protected against histopathological damage in the lungs of mice with PM10D-induced airway inflammation. L. paracasei ATG-E1 concomitantly increased the expression levels of the gut barrier function-related genes occludin, claudin-1, and IL-10 in the small intestine, with an increased number of CD4+ and CD4+CD25+ immune cells in the peyer's patch. L. paracasei ATG-E1 suppressed immune activation and airway inflammatory responses in the airways and lungs by restoring the lung damage by PM10D. It also regulated intestinal immunity and ameliorated the gut barrier function in the ileum. These results indicate the potential of L. paracasei ATG-E1 as an protective and therapeutic agent against airway inflammation and respiratory diseases.

PROTECTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF URBANIZED AREAS FROM DUST EMISSIONS DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF AERATED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

The article provides a solution to the urgent task of ensuring the protection of the natural environment and vital human interests from the negative effects of dust emissions generated during the production of aerated concrete and construction products based on it. It has been established that when traditional dust emission cleaning systems with cyclones is used, dust is emitted into the atmospheric air, and up to 100 % of the mass of dust is represented with particles of up to 20 microns in size. At the same time their median diameter is 12 microns, the percentage of particles with sizes less than 10 microns (PM10) is 40 %, the percentage of particles with sizes less than 2,5 microns (PM2,5) is 0.5 %. The percentage of particles in the atmospheric air near the industrial site in the summer varies: for PM10 – from 12 % to 40 %; for PM2,5 – from 0.3 % to 0.5 %. At the border of the sanitary protection zone these values are 80 % and 0.5 %, respectively. In order to reduce dust entering the atmosphere during the production of aerated concrete and construction products based on it, two options for the layout of emission dust removal systems with two consecutively installed dust collectors with counter-rotating flows, two additional devices of smaller sizes, with the organization of suction from the hopper of the main dust collector of the second stage are proposed and from the bunker of one of the additional devices. The use of the proposed dust cleaning system showed that the content of PM10 particles in the stream, emitted into the atmosphere, was decreased by 40 %, the content of PM2,5 particles – by 20 %. At the same time, the emission of dust into the atmosphere was decreased by 8.9 times. Dependencies characterizing the degree of reduction of dust emissions into the atmosphere were established, as well as the ranges of changes in the regime and design parameters of the proposed dust cleaning systems, which ensure the least amount of dust entering the environment and the least energy costs for carrying out dust removal processes during the production of aerated concrete and building structures based on it.

Multidimensional spatial monitoring of open pit mine dust dispersion by unmanned aerial vehicle

Dust pollution is one of the most severe environmental issues in open pit mines, hindering green mining development. Open pit mine dust has characteristics of multiple dust-generating points, is irregular, influenced by climatic conditions, and has a high degree of distribution with a wide dispersion range in three dimensions. Consequently, evaluating the quantity of dust dispersion and controlling environmental pollution are crucial for supporting green mining. In this paper, dust monitoring above the open pit mine was carried out with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on board. The dust distribution patterns above the open pit mine were studied in different vertical and horizontal directions at different heights. The results show that the temperature changes less in the morning and more at noon in winter. At the same time, the isothermal layer becomes thinner and thinner as the temperature rises, which makes it easy for dust to spread. The horizontal dust is mainly concentrated at 1300 and 1550 elevations. The dust concentration is polarized at 1350–1450 elevation. The most serious exceedance is at 1400 elevation, with TSP (the concentration of total suspended particulate), PM10 (particulates with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm), and PM2.5 (particulates with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) accounting for 188.8%, 139.5%, and 113.8%, respectively. The height is 1350–1450 elevation. Dust monitoring technology carried out by UAV can be applied to the study of dust distribution in the mining field, and the research results can provide reference for other open pit mines. It can also provide a basis for law enforcement part to carry out law enforcement, which has expanded and wide practical application value.

Long-term exposure to particulate matter on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) has essential and profound effects on human health, but most current studies focus on high-income countries. Evidence of the correlations between PM and health effects in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially the risk factor PM1 (particles < 1 μm in size), remains unclear. To explore the effects of long-term exposure to particulate matter on the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in LMICs. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from inception to May 1, 2022. Cohort studies and case-control studies that examine the effects of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 on the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in LMICs were included. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias. Outcomes were analyzed via a random effects model and are reported as the relative risk (RR) with 95% CI. Of the 1,978 studies that were identified, 38 met all the eligibility criteria. The studies indicated that long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and PM1 was associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases: (1) Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity (RR per 1.11 μg/m3, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.17) and mortality (RR per 1.10 μg/m3, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.14) and was significantly associated with respiratory mortality (RR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.25, 1.38) and morbidity (RR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.04); (2) An increased risk of respiratory mortality was observed in the elderly (65+ years) (RR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.47) with long-term exposure to PM2.5; (3) Long-term exposure to PM10 was associated with cardiovascular morbidity (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01, 1.13), respiratory morbidity (RR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.69) and respiratory mortality (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10, 1.49); (4) A significant association between long-term exposure to PM1 and cardiovascular disease was also observed. Long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and PM1 was all related to cardiovascular and respiratory disease events. PM2.5 had a greater effect than PM10, especially on respiratory diseases, and the risk of respiratory mortality was significantly higher for LMICs than high-income countries. More studies are needed to confirm the effect of PM1 on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Integrated Assessment Modelling of Future Air Quality in the UK to 2050 and Synergies with Net-Zero Strategies

Integrated assessment modelling (IAM) has been successfully used in the development of international agreements to reduce transboundary pollution in Europe, based on the GAINS model of IIASA. At a national level in the UK, a similar approach has been taken with the UK Integrated Assessment Model, UKIAM, superimposing pollution abatement measures and behavioural change on energy projections designed to meet targets set for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and allowing for natural and imported contributions from other countries and shipping. This paper describes how the UKIAM was used in the development of proposed targets for the reduction of fine particulate PM2.5 in the UK Environment Act, exploring scenarios encompassing different levels of ambition in reducing the emissions of air pollutants up to 2050, with associated health and other environmental benefits. There are two PM2.5 targets, an annual mean concentration target setting a maximum concentration to be reached by a future year, and a population exposure reduction target with benefits for health across the whole population. The work goes further, also demonstrating links to social deprivation. There is a strong connection between climate measures aimed at reducing net GHG emissions to zero by 2050 and future air quality, which may be positive or negative, as illustrated by sectoral studies for road transport where electrification of the fleet needs to match the evolution of energy production, and for domestic heating, where the use of wood for heating is an air quality issue. The UKIAM has been validated against air pollution measurements and other types of modelling, but there are many uncertainties, including future energy projections.