Air Pollution Research Articles

Ecosystem services linked to nature-based solutions for resilient and sustainable cities in India

Rampant urbanization and undervaluing of the natural ecosystem have detrimental impacts on urban spaces – increased flooding risk, increased air and water pollution, water stress, resource inefficiency, loss of biodiversity, and increased risk of ill health. Climate change further exacerbates the adverse impacts of urbanization. Despite the importance of the natural ecosystem, the blue and green spaces of the cities in India have drastically decreased. The present study highlights the degrading natural ecosystem, the negative impacts, and the need for resilience in Indian cities. Eco-centric approaches like nature-based solutions (NBS) are closely related to sustainability and resilience, offering a more efficient and cost-effective approach to urban development than traditional approaches. The paper explores the concept of NBS, focusing on ecosystem services as a ‘living’ and ‘adaptable’ tool to make cities resilient and sustainable with many regional implementations. It also focuses on the role of NBS in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper critically analyses the five notable NBS projects from different countries (USA, Canada, The Netherlands, China, and Australia) and further addresses the viabilities for NBS intervention in Indian cities. It is observed that the successful adaptation of NBS in urban development necessitates eco-centric policies, collaborative research, adaptive management practices, community engagement, and a strong emphasis on a multi-benefit approach. A proactive focus on ecosystem services is strongly recommended for Indian cities, which includes raising an understanding of the value of nature, introducing NBS at the planning stage, and encouraging investment in ecosystem-based approaches.

Leading the Way: Working Towards Heritage-Led Nature Recovery in Natural England

ABSTRACT The climate and biodiversity crises are an immediate and existential threat, risking the widespread loss and degradation of habitats across England. The UK Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan commits us to being the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we found it, and the long-term conservation and enhancement of the historic environment is an essential component of this commitment. However, as the pressure mounts to deliver nature recovery faster, at greater scale and within increasingly tighter budgets, does heritage run the risk of being overlooked? Natural England’s 2023 guidance Nature Recovery and the Historic Environment provides a best-practice framework to ensure appropriate integration of heritage into nature recovery, but it also goes further – exploring the correlations between our historic and natural environments and the ways in which heritage assets can provide added value to nature recovery projects. This paper will take this thinking a step further and consider how projects led by heritage can deliver across the full spectrum of environmental objectives: to inform, inspire and improve habitat restoration, species abundance, soil health, improved air and water quality, public access, landscape distinctiveness and rural placemaking.

Rural Roads to cognitive Resilience (RRR): A prospective cohort study protocol.

Ambient air pollution, detrimental built and social environments, social isolation (SI), low socioeconomic status (SES), and rural (versus urban) residence have been associated with cognitive decline and risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Research is needed to investigate the influence of ambient air pollution and built and social environments on SI and cognitive decline among rural, disadvantaged, ethnic minority communities. To address this gap, this cohort study will recruit an ethnoracially diverse, rural Florida sample in geographic proximity to seasonal agricultural burning. We will (1) examine contributions of smoke-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposures to SI and cognitive function; (2) determine effects of built and social environments on SI and cognitive function; and (3) contextualize SI and cognitive function among residents from different ethnoracial groups during burn and non-burn seasons. We will recruit 1,087 community-dwelling, dementia-free, ≥45-year-olds from five communities in Florida's Lake Okeechobee region. Over 36 months, participants will complete baseline visits to collect demographics, health history, and health measurements (e.g., blood pressure, body mass index) and 6-month follow-ups assessing cognitive function and social isolation at each visit. A subsample of 120 participants representative of each community will wear smartwatches to collect sensor data (e.g., heart rate) and daily routine and predefined activities (e.g., GPS-captured travel, frequent destinations) over two months. Ecological momentary assessments (EMA) (e.g., whether smoke has bothered participant in last 30 minutes) will occur over two months during agricultural burning and non-burning months. PurpleAir monitors (36 total) will be installed in each community to continuously monitor outdoor PM2.5 levels. We expect to identify individual- and community-level factors that increase the risk for SI and cognitive decline in a vulnerable rural population.

Performance and emission characteristics of domestic LPG gas burners with hydrogen integration

Abstract Domestic gas burners are a significant source of indoor air pollution and contribute substantially to household energy consumption. While transitioning to carbon-free fuels, such as hydrogen, presents considerable safety challenges, blending hydrogen with conventional fuels can improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions. However, factors like the differences in the Wobbe index, loading height, power input, and fuel blending complicate understanding the aerated burner performance. This is particularly relevant for large establishments like restaurants and canteens, where hydrogen blending can have a notable impact. This study evaluates four burner designs—commercial (A), straight holes (B), slots (C), and swirl (D)—across thermal inputs (0.8–1.6 kW), with a focus on the swirl burner using hydrogen blends (0%, 34%, and 52% by volume) and varying loading heights (5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm). Straight hole (B) and swirl (D) burners were 3D-printed using stainless steel metal powder, while the slot (C) burner was machined. Key performance metrics such as flame behavior, thermal efficiency, pressure drop, and CO emissions were analyzed. Improving primary aeration by reducing flow resistance and enhancing secondary aeration through swirl action resulted in better flame-load interaction and minimized heat loss. The slot burner (C) achieved a thermal efficiency of 63.5%, while the swirl burner (D) reached 65% efficiency at a 10 mm height. The swirl burner maintained high efficiency with up to 52% hydrogen by volume across a wide range of operational conditions, with some exceptions. Additionally, the use of hydrogen eliminated soot emissions. Optimal performance occurred at a 10 mm loading height, with stable efficiency and lower emissions across various power inputs and hydrogen blends. The complex interactions between primary aeration, secondary mixing, and flame-load dynamics during hydrogen blending require thorough evaluation before incorporating hydrogen into aerated LPG burners.

An interlaboratory comparison to quantify oxidative potential measurement in aerosol particles: challenges and recommendations for harmonisation

Abstract. This paper presents the findings from a collaborative interlaboratory comparison exercise designed to assess oxidative potential (OP) measurements conducted by 20 laboratories worldwide. This study represents an innovative effort as the first exercise specifically aimed at harmonising this type of OP assay, setting a new benchmark in the field. Over the last decade, there has been a noticeable increase in OP studies, with numerous research groups investigating the effects of exposure to air pollution particles through the evaluation of OP levels. However, the absence of standardised methods for OP measurements has resulted in variability in results across different groups, rendering meaningful comparisons challenging. To address this issue, this study engages in an international effort to compare OP measurements using a simplified method (with a dithiothreitol (DTT) assay). Here, we quantify the OP in liquid samples to focus on the protocol measurement itself, while future international OP interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) should aim to assess the whole chain process, including the sample extraction. We analyse the similarities and discrepancies observed in the results, identifying the critical parameters (such as the instrument used, the use of a simplified protocol, the delivery and analysis time) that could influence OP measurements and provide recommendations for future studies and interlaboratory comparisons even if other crucial aspects, such as sampling PM methods, sample storage, extraction methods and conditions, and the evaluation of other OP assays, still need to be standardised. This collaborative approach enhances the robustness of the OP DTT assay and paves the way for future studies to build on a unified framework. This pioneering work concludes that interlaboratory comparisons provide essential insights into the OP metric and are crucial to move toward the harmonisation of OP measurements.

Emissions of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds from Plants: Impacts of Air Pollutants and Environmental Variables

Emissions of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds from Plants: Impacts of Air Pollutants and Environmental Variables

Enhanced sulfate formation in mixed biomass burning and sea-salt interactions mediated by photosensitization: effects of chloride, nitrogen-containing compounds, and atmospheric aging

Abstract. Discrepancies persist between modeled simulations and measured sulfate concentrations in the marine boundary layer, especially when the marine air is influenced by biomass burning plumes. However, there has been a notable dearth of research conducted on the interactions between sea-salt aerosol and biomass burning plumes, impeding a comprehensive understanding of sulfate formation. This work studied sulfate formation by mixing real biomass burning (BB) extracts and NaCl, mimicking internal mixtures of BB and sea-salt particles. BB–NaCl particles had a significantly higher sulfate formation rate than incense burning (IS)–NaCl particles. For fresh particles, the sulfate formation rate followed the trend of corn straw (CS)–NaCl > rice straw (RS)–NaCl > wheat straw (WS)–NaCl > IS–NaCl. The filter sample aging was achieved by exposure to OH• generated from UV irradiation. After aging, RS–NaCl particles exhibited the highest enhancement in sulfate formation rates among all the BB–NaCl particles due to interactions between RS and NaCl. Bulk aqueous experiments spiked with NaCl using mixtures of model photosensitizers (PSs) and nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs), pyrazine (CHN), and 4-nitrocatechol (CHON) revealed positive effects of chloride in the PS–CHON system and negative effects in the PS–CHN system in sulfate formation. Our work suggests that BB reaching or near coastal areas can affect sulfate formation via photosensitizer-mediated reactions, potentially exacerbating air pollution.

ENHANCING 〖PM〗_(2.5) PREDICTION IN KEMAYORAN DISTRICT, DKI JAKARTA USING DEEP BILSTM METHOD

Worldwide air pollution is a concern, and this is especially true in Indonesia, where most people breathe air that is more contaminated than recommended by the WHO. The concentration of presents notable health hazards. The respiratory system is the primary route of absorption for , allowing it to enter the lung alveoli and enter the bloodstream. Given the significant health risks associated with exposure, accurate forecasting methods are crucial to anticipate and mitigate its effects. Traditional forecasting methods like ARIMA have limitations in handling non-linear and complex patterns. Therefore, an accurate machine learning method is needed to improve forecasting performance. This research employs Deep Bidirectional Long-Short Term Memory (BiLSTM), a deep learning model particularly suited for time series forecasting due to its ability to capture both past and future dependencies in sequential data. To achieve accurate and precise forecasts for predicting concentration levels in Kemayoran District in November , 2023 (24 hours), this research utilized hourly concentration data from May until October , 2023, using Deep BiLSTM. The outcomes demonstrated the efficiency of the model, attaining a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 17.1540% (training) and 14.2862% (testing) with an 80:20 data split. The optimal parameters, which comprised 24 timesteps, Adam optimizers with a learning rate of 0.001, 16 batch sizes, 1000 epochs, and ReLU activation functions across multiple BiLSTM layers, showcased the model’s effectiveness in forecasting the concentration in Kemayoran District, DKI Jakarta, on November , 2023.

Clean Air for Asthma and Allergy Program (CAAP), a Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Multicomponent Interventions to Reduce Indoor Triggers in Childhood Asthma

Clean Air for Asthma and Allergy Program (CAAP), a Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Multicomponent Interventions to Reduce Indoor Triggers in Childhood Asthma

Paradigm Shift in Typhoon Forecasting for the Korean Peninsula: A Case Study on the Applicability of the Typhoon-Ready System

Climate change has significantly increased multi-hazard disasters caused by typhoons, exposing the limitations of conventional forecasting systems that often neglect regional socio-economic vulnerabilities. This study develops and validates the Typhoon-Ready System (TRS) as an effective disaster-management framework for the Korean Peninsula. The TRS integrates hazard data with socio-economic and environmental vulnerability factors to produce region-specific risk indices. The analysis of four representative typhoons—Lingling (2019), Rusa (2002), Maemi (2003), and Mitak (2019)—demonstrates TRS’s applicability in identifying high-risk zones and supporting disaster preparedness strategies. The TRS framework incorporates indices, such as the Strong Wind Index (SWI), Heavy Rainfall Index (HRI), Storm Surge Index (SSI), and Air Quality Index (AQI), effectively combining meteorological modeling with vulnerability analysis. Results demonstrate that the TRS outperforms traditional systems by accurately identifying high-risk zones and correlating them with observed damage patterns. For example, the TRS successfully pinpointed high wind risks in Seoul and Incheon during Typhoon Lingling and forecasted severe flooding in Gangneung and Samcheok during Typhoon Rusa. By integrating vulnerability factors, including population density, infrastructure aging, and urbanization levels, the TRS provides a more holistic and accurate risk assessment. This research highlights the necessity of a multi-dimensional forecasting approach for enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience against climate change-induced typhoon impacts.

Visualization microclimate scenarios of Classical Chinese Garden in Suzhou, China

The intensification of urbanization worldwide, particularly in China, has led to significant challenges in maintaining sustainable urban environments, primarily due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This effect exacerbates urban thermal stress, leading to increased energy consumption, poor air quality, and heightened health risks. In response, urban green spaces are recognized for their role in ameliorating urban heat and enhancing environmental resilience. This paper has studied the microclimate regulation effects of three representative classical gardens in Suzhou—the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the Lingering Garden and the Canglang Pavilion. It aims to explore the specific impacts of water bodies, vegetation and architectural features on the air temperature and relative humidity within the gardens. With the help of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) spatial interpolation method, this study has analyzed the microclimate regulation mechanisms in the designs of these traditional gardens. The results show that water bodies and lush vegetation have significant effects on reducing temperature and increasing humidity, while the architectural structures and rocks have affected the distribution and retention of heat to some extent. These findings not only enrich our understanding of the role of the design principles of classical gardens in climate adaptability but also provide important theoretical basis and practical guidance for the design of modern urban parks and the planning of sustainable urban environments. In addition, the study highlights GIS-based spatial interpolation as a valuable tool for visualizing and optimizing thermal comfort in urban landscapes, providing insights for developing resilient urban green spaces.

Changes in dine-in restaurant selection during health crises: insights from COVID-19

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reshaped consumers’ criteria for selecting restaurants. This study employed a mixed-method approach to examine these changes, emphasizing the increased importance of factors such as indoor air quality, crowding, table spacing, and outdoor seating in the post-pandemic era. Despite these shifts, core attributes like food quality, cleanliness, and food safety remained consistently crucial. Demographic differences in preferences were evident across gender, age, and household income groups. Protective measures, such as requiring proof of vaccination and installing plexiglass, were the least favored by consumers.

Application of Environmentally Friendly Building Materials in Urban Construction

Rapid industrialization and urbanization of modern society have led to significant environmental challenges, including climate change, resource depletion, and pollution. The construction industry, a major contributor to these issues, relies heavily on traditional building materials such as cement, steel, and bricks, which are associated with high energy consumption and environmental degradation. In response to these concerns, there has been a growing emphasis on integrating environmentally friendly building materials into urban construction to promote sustainability and reduce ecological impact. This review paper explores the development and optimization of eco-friendly materials, focusing on their benefits, types, and real-world applications. We discuss the environmental, health, and safety advantages of using sustainable materials, such as reduced resource consumption, improved indoor air quality, and enhanced energy efficiency. Various eco-friendly materials, including recycled aggregates, bio-based composites, and waste-derived products, are examined for their potential to mitigate environmental impacts and enhance building performance. Case studies of successful projects that incorporate green materials are presented to highlight practical implementations and lessons learned.

Addressing Water Scarcity to Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health.

Water scarcity is projected to affect half of the world's population, gradually exacerbated by climate change. This article elaborates from a panel discussion at the 2023 United Nations Water Conference on Addressing Water Scarcity to Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health. Understanding and addressing water scarcity goes beyond hydrological water balances to also include societal and economic measures. We consider five categories of health impacts resulting from deteriorating water qualities and quantities: (i.) water-related diseases and water for hygiene, (ii.) malnutrition and water for food, (iii.) livelihoods, income, development, and water for energy, (iv.) adverse air quality from drought-induced dust and wildfire smoke, and (v.) mental health effects from water scarcity-related factors. A discussion on the barriers and opportunities for resilient water systems begins by re-framing water scarcity as a 'pathway to water bankruptcy' and introducing Water Partnerships to empowering local water leaders with the awareness, education, and resources to devise and implement locally-appropriate water management strategies. Other barriers include the (i.) lack of tools to consider the socio-economic implications of water scarcity, (ii.) lack of water information being in actionable formats for decision-makers, (iii.) lack of clarity in the application of water scarcity modelling to gain policy-relevant findings, and (iv.) inadequate drought adaptation planning. The article includes recommendations for local governments, national governments, international actors, researchers, non-governmental organizations, and local constituents in addressing these barriers. The predominant theme in these recommendations is collaborative, multi-disciplinary Water Partnerships, knowledge-sharing in accessible formats, and empowering participation by all. This paper's central thesis is that addressing water scarcity must focus on people and their ability to lead healthy and productive lives.

DGMI: A diffusion-based generative adversarial framework for multivariate air quality imputation

DGMI: A diffusion-based generative adversarial framework for multivariate air quality imputation

Exploring Ionic Liquid-based Liquid-Liquid Extraction as Benign Alternative for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

The uncontrolled release of industrial effluents containing micropollutants (MPs), dyes, and heavy metal ions contaminates natural water bodies posing threats to health and the environment. Conventional treatment methods often struggle with challenges such as prolonged processing time, low specificity, and risk of producing secondary pollutants. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) technique utilizing ionic liquids (ILs) has emerged as a viable alternative for the elimination of contaminants from wastewater. ILs, characterized by minimal volatility and tunable physicochemical properties, facilitate the precise elimination of contaminants from industrial effluent. IL-LLE streamlines the experimental setup, lowers energy consumption, promotes recyclability for reuse, enhances mechanistic understanding, and hence provides a sustainable alternative to industrial effluent treatment. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of IL-LLE approaches for wastewater treatment, commencing with an overview of the historical evolution of ILs, tracing their progression from initial research to contemporary and advanced applications. The article primarily examines the practical applications of IL-LLE, demonstrating how these approaches are employed to efficiently remove diverse contaminants from both simulated and actual industrial wastewater samples. As a whole, the review consolidates the versatility and efficiency of IL-based LLE in addressing various challenges in wastewater treatment.

Mathematical advection-diffusion model of primary and secondary pollutants emitted from the point source with mesoscale wind and removal mechanisms

A numerical model is represented to study the effect of gravitational settling velocity and leakage velocity on the concentration distribution of primary and secondary pollutants emitted from the point source in an urban area with mesoscale wind. The point source characterizes pollutants emission from industrial process stacks and fuel combustion facility stacks. The article deals with the dispersion of primary and secondary pollutants emitted from point source with mesoscale wind along with large scale wind. The Crank-Nicolson's implicit finite difference method is adopted for solving partial differential equations of contaminant with wind velocity and eddy diffusivity profiles. Pollutants concentration been analysed for various removal mechanisms under stable as well as neutral condition of atmosphere. The results reveal decrease in the concentration of primary and secondary air contaminant by increasing the various removal mechanisms. In neutral condition the magnitude of concentration is less for the pollutants as compared with stable condition of atmosphere.

Air pollution and breast cancer risk: a Mendelian randomization study

ABSTRACT Previous research yields inconsistent findings on the association between air pollution and breast cancer risk, with no definitive causal relationship established. To address this, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization study on data from the IEU open GWAS databases and the Breast Cancer Association Consortium to explore the potential link between air pollution (including PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance, PM2.5–10, PM10, NO2, and NOx) and breast cancer risk. We found that PM10 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07–1.80, p = 0.013) and NOx (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.16–2.41, p = 0.006) were significantly associated with elevated breast cancer risk. Furthermore, PM2.5 (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.09–4.03, p = 0.027) and NOx (OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.24–7.64, p = 0.015) were significantly associated with an elevated risk of luminal B/HER2-negative-like cancer. Results were stable in sensitivity analyses. This suggested that controlling air pollution could potentially reduce breast cancer risk.

Associations of fire smoke and other pollutants with incident rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Determine whether pollutants such as fire smoke-related particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) are associated with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). This case-control study used Veterans Affairs data 10/1/2009-12/31/2018. We identified incident RA and RA-ILD cases using validated algorithms, matching each case to up to 10 controls on age, gender, and VA enrollment year. We obtained pollutants including fire smoke PM2.5, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone, overall PM2.5, PM10, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) at least one year before index date. We fit conditional logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for incident RA and RA-ILD, adjusted for confounders. We identified 9,701 incident RA cases (mean age 65, 86% male), including 531 RA-ILD cases (mean age 69, 91% male), and 68,852 matched controls. Fire smoke PM2.5 was not associated with RA (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 0.92-1.23), but was associated with RA-ILD (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.08-3.62, per 1 μg/m3). Increased levels of NOx were associated with RA (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06-1.27, highest vs. lowest quartile). The highest quartiles of ozone (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.34) and PM10 (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10-1.43) were associated with seronegative RA. Carbon monoxide, overall PM2.5, and SO2 were not, or negatively, associated with RA and RA-ILD. Increased fire smoke PM2.5 was associated with RA-ILD, while NOx, ozone, and PM10 were associated with RA risk. Thus, air pollution may increase the risk of RA and RA-ILD.

Environmental Risk Factors for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus through the Lens of Social Determinants of Health.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious multisystem autoimmune disease, marked by alarming sociodemographic inequities. In the U.S. and around the world, social disadvantage is strongly tied to higher prevalence, more severe disease, and poorer outcomes. A growing list of environmental exposures that contribute to the risk and incidence of SLE have been investigated and many are now established. However, these environmental exposures - including exposure to air pollution and other contaminants, lifestyle and behavioral factors, and psychological stress and distress - are not evenly distributed in any population. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status and historically minoritized groups suffer from an imbalanced burden of adverse environmental exposures. In research, clinical practice, and policy making, the strong association of social determinants of health (SDoH) with these exposures has not been given adequate spotlight. In this narrative review, we examine known associations between environmental exposures and SLE risk through the lens of SDoH, laying the foundation for future research and policies to target the environmental risk factors for SLE with awareness of the populations disproportionately affected and the contributing SDoH.