Pollution Health Research Articles

Real-Time Monitoring of Air Pollution Health Impacts Using Breath-Borne Gaseous Biomarkers from Rats.

Offline techniques are adopted for studying air pollution health impacts, thus failing to provide in situ observations. Here, we have demonstrated their real-time monitoring by online analyzing an array of gaseous biomarkers from rats' exhaled breath using an integrated exhaled breath array sensor (IEBAS) developed. The biomarkers include total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), CO2, CO, NO, H2S, H2O2, O2, and NH3. Specific breath-borne VOCs were also analyzed by a gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometer (GC-IMS). After real-life ambient air pollution exposures (2 h), the pollution levels of PM2.5 and O3 were both found to significantly affect the relative levels of multiple gaseous biomarkers in rats' breath. Eleven biomarkers, especially NO, H2S, and 1-propanol, were detected as significantly correlated with PM2.5 concentration, while heptanal was shown to be significantly correlated with O3. Likewise, significant changes were also detected in multiple breath-borne biomarkers from rats under lab-controlled O3 exposures with levels of 150, 300, and 1000 μg/m3 (2 h), compared to synthetic air exposure. Importantly, heptanal was experimentally confirmed as a reliable biomarker for O3 exposure, with a notable dose-response relationship. In contrast, conventional biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in rat sera exhibited insignificant differences after the 2 h exposures. The results imply that breath-borne gaseous biomarkers can serve as an early and sensitive indicator for ambient pollutant exposure. This work pioneered a new research paradigm for online monitoring of air pollution health impacts while obtaining important candidate biomarker information for PM2.5 and O3 exposures.

Pollution characteristics, sources, and health risks of phthalate esters in ambient air: A daily continuous monitoring study in the central Chinese city of Nanchang

In recent years, the atmospheric pollution caused by phthalate esters (PAEs) has been increasing due to the widespread use of PAE-containing materials. Existing research on atmospheric PAEs lacks long-term continuous observation and samples from cities in central China. To investigate the pollution characteristics, sources, and health risks of PAEs in the ambient air of a typical city in central China, daily PM2.5 samples were collected in Nanchang from November 2020 to October 2021. In this study, the detection and quantification of six significant PAE contaminants, namely diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), were accomplished using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results revealed that the concentrations of DEP, DnBP, DEHP, and DnOP were relatively high. Higher temperatures promote the volatilization of PAEs, leading to an increase in the gaseous and particulate PAE concentrations in warm seasons and winter pollution scenarios. The results of principal component analysis show that PAEs mainly come from volatile products and polyvinylchloride plastics. Using positive matrix factorization analysis, it is shown that these two sources contribute 67.0% and 33.0% in atmosphere PAEs, respectively. Seasonally, the contribution of volatile products to both gaseous and particulate PAEs substantially increases during warm seasons. The residents in Nanchang exposed to PAEs have a negligible non-cancer risk and a potential low cancer risk. During the warm seasons, more PAEs are emitted into the air, which will increase the toxicity of PAEs and their impact on human health.

Source and risk assessment of heavy metals in mining-affected areas in Jiangxi Province, China, based on Monte Carlo simulation.

In recent years, heavy metal contamination of soils has become a major concern in China due to the potential risks involved. To assess environmental pollution and human health risks in a typical heavy metal polluted site in Jiangxi Province, a thorough evaluation of the distribution, pollution levels, and sources of heavy metals in soils of the Yangmeijiang River watershed was conducted in this study. Positive matrix factorization and Monte Carlo simulation were used to evaluate the ecological and human health risks of heavy metals. The research findings indicate that heavy metal pollution was the most severe at the depth of 20-40cm in soils, with local heavy metal pollution resulting from mining and sewage irrigation. The high-risk area accounted for 91.11% of the total area. However, the pollution level decreased with time due to sampling effects, rainfall, and control measures. Leaf-vegetables and rice were primarily polluted by Cd and Pb. The main four sources of heavy metals in soils were traffic emission, metal smelting, agricultural activities and natural sources, mining extraction, and electroplating industries. Heavy metals with the highest ecological risk and health risk are Cd and As, respectively. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of children were 7.0 and 1.7 times higher than those of adults, respectively. Therefore, children are more likely to be influenced by heavy metals compared to adults. The results obtained by the risk assessments may contribute to the identification of specific sources of heavy metals (e.g., traffic emissions, metal smelting, mining excavation, and electroplating industries). Additionally, the environmental impacts and biotoxicity associated with various heavy metals (e.g., Cd and As) can also be reflected. These outcomes may serve as a scientific basis for the pollution monitoring and remediation in the mining-affected areas.

Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations of the therapeutic potential of Jeju lava seawater salt in osteoarthritis

Salts play a crucial role in maintaining human health by regulating fluid levels and supporting various physiological processes. However, conventional seawater-derived salts are associated with microplastic pollution and pose potential health risks. Jeju lava seawater (JLS), sourced exclusively from Jeju Island, has emerged as a unique alternative, free of microplastics and enriched with essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron. In this study, we investigated the effects of JLS on osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis, focusing on chondrocyte metabolism and OA development. We performed surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus to establish a murine model of OA. We examined the expression of catabolic and anabolic factors in JLS-treated chondrocytes. Our cell viability assay revealed that JLS treatment was not cytotoxic to chondrocytes at concentrations ≤ 0.5%. Additionally, JLS treatment resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in the expression of anabolic factors like aggrecan, SOX9, and COL2A1 while decreasing the expression of catabolic factors such as MMP3, MMP13, ADAMTS4, and ADAMTS5 in the chondrocytes stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although not statistically significant compared to the control group, JLS intake slightly attenuated the OARSI score, osteophyte score, synovitis score, subchondral bone thickness, and osteophyte size in the mouse model of OA. Conclusively, these results suggest that JLS ameliorates OA by positively influencing chondrocyte metabolism, making it a promising therapeutic candidate for OA management.

Recent advancements in sustainable synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using various plant extracts for environmental remediation.

The sustainable synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using plant extracts has gained significant attention in recent years due to its eco-friendly nature and potential applications in numerous fields. This synthetic approach reduces the reliance on non-renewable resources and eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals, minimizing environmental pollution and human health risks. These ZnO-NPs can be used in environmental remediation applications, such as wastewater treatment or soil remediation, effectively removing pollutants and improving overall ecosystem health. These NPs possess a high surface area and band gap of 3.2eV, can produce both OH° (hydroxide) and O2-° (superoxide) radicals for the generation of holes (h+) and electrons (e-), resulting in oxidation and reduction of the pollutants in their valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB) resulting in degradation of dyes (95-100% degradation of MB, MO, and RhB dyes), reduction and removal of heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Pb2+, Cr6+, etc.), degradation of pharmaceutical compounds (paracetamol, urea, fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin)) using photocatalysis. Here, we review an overview of various plant extracts used for the green synthesis of ZnO NPs and their potential applications in environmental remediation including photocatalysis, adsorption, and heavy metal remediation. This review summarizes the most recent studies and further research perspectives to explore their applications in various fields.

Groundwater pollution risk, health effects and sustainable management of halocarbons in typical industrial parks

As important chemical raw materials and organic solvents, halogenated hydrocarbons not only play an important role in economic development, but are also the main source of environmental pollution. This study proposed an improved groundwater risk assessment model system, aimed at identifying and treating contaminants at leak sites. Groundwater ubiquity score (GUS) was used to evaluate the leachability of organic pollutants. The entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) method was used to assess the comprehensive quality of groundwater at the site. An improved groundwater health risk assessment model was constructed to analyze the health risks of groundwater. The sources of organic pollutants were identified based on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. Self-organizing mapping (SOM) and the K-means algorithm were integrated to classify and manage pollution source areas. The results showed that groundwater in the study area was strongly affected by human activities. The pollution source was located in a factory near S05. Different organic pollutants were highly leachable and had high potential to contaminate surrounding groundwater. 1,2-dichloropropane and 1,2,3-trichloropropane caused the largest range of contamination. The groundwater pollution index in the study area was high, and 72% of the monitoring points were non-drinkable. Both the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic indexes of groundwater far exceeded the international standard limits and had a great impact on human health. 1,2,3-trichloropropane and 1,2-dichloropropane were major non-carcinogenic risk factors. The leakage of pollutants and pesticide solvents were the main causes of groundwater pollution. Cluster areas III and II were areas with significant pollution impacts and needed to be monitored intensively. Most areas were cluster I, with relatively low risk. This study can provide technical support for groundwater pollution risk assessment and management in similar industrial parks.

Heavy metal contamination through wastewater irrigation on the soil and vegetables: Impact on the nutrient content and health risks ​

The use of wastewater irrigation may contribute to the metal accumulation, and reduction of nutrient level of vegetables, which would then have an adverse effect on human health. Therefore, in the present study we investigated heavy metals contamination and its impact on nutrient quality of vegetables and health risk. The study was conducted from the agricultural fields of Varanasi distinct during the period from March 2022 to June 2023 and all the laboratory work was carried in the department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University. Heavy metal concentrations in water, soil, and vegetable samples were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The physiochemical property (pH), daily intake of metal, metal pollution index and health quotient were also calculated according to the published protocols. All heavy metal were found in higher concentrations in the wastewater irrigated soil that control site. The Lohta site had the highest concentration of heavy metals in the vegetables, followed by Dinapur, and least at control site (BHU). The highest concentration of metals (Cu, Zn, and Pb) were found in the leafy vegetables (S. oleracea and A. esculentus) whereas lowest in fruity vegetables (P. vulgaris). The rise in the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) also provided evidence for the greater metal content of these vegetables. The S. oleracea was found to have the highest DIM (0.061 g/g) while P. vulgaris had the lowest (0.007 g/g). HQ values of these metals were found greater than one ( greater than 1) for both children and adults on the ingestion of the vegetables of wastewater irrigated sites. Further, nutrient contents (Na, Mg, Ca) were also declined in the vegetables of wastewater irrigated site when compared to control site. These findings suggest that the consumption of such vegetables leads to compromised health and might be associated with severe health risk in the human.

Assessment of environmental pollution and human health risks of mine tailings in soil: after dam failure of the Córrego do Feijão Mine (in Brumadinho, Brazil).

The dam failure of the Córrego do Feijão Mine (CFM) located in Minas Gerais State,Brazil, killed at least 278 people. In addition, large extensions of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems were destroyed, directly compromising the environmental and socioeconomic quality of the region. This study assessed the pollution and human health risks of soils impacted by the tailing spill of theCFM dam, along a sample perimeter of approximately 200km. Based on potential ecological risk and pollution load indices, the enrichments of Cd, As, Hg, Cu, Pb and Ni in soils indicated thatthe Brumadinho, Mário Campos, Betim and São Joaquim de Bicas municipalities were the most affected areas by the broken dam. Restorative and reparative actions must be urgently carried out in these areas. For all contaminated areas, the children's group indicated anexacerbated propensity to the development of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases, mainly through theingestion pathway. Toxicological risk assessments, including acute, chronic and genotoxic effects, on people living and working in mining areas should be a priority for public management and mining companies to ensure effective environmental measures that do not harm human health and well-being over time.

Identification of groundwater pollution sources and health risk assessment in the Songnen Plain based on PCA-APCS-MLR and trapezoidal fuzzy number-Monte Carlo stochastic simulation model

The source of inorganic pollutants in the groundwater of the Songnen Plain are complex; therefore, it is urgent to analyze the pollution sources and their contribution rates, and to determine the effects of pollutants on human health. In this study, the solution for the insufficient extraction of characteristic information and subjective weight in principal component analysis (PCA) was found using log-centralization and the entropy weight method. Based on 896 groundwater samples, the types and distribution characteristics of pollution sources were identified, and the APCS-MLR receptor model was used to quantitatively characterize the contribution of pollution sources to water quality. Considering the uncertainty of the health risk assessment process, a trapezoidal fuzzy number-Monte Carlo stochastic simulation model (TFN-MCS) was constructed. Overcoming the inapplicability of triangular fuzzy numbers in dealing with highly discrete water quality data. The results showed that: (1) The five potential pollution sources in the Songnen Plain were salinity factor (34.086 %), agricultural pollution factor (15.854 %), geological background factor (13.11 %), industrial pollution factor (10.382 %) and organic pollution factor (7.382 %). The degree of groundwater pollution in the study area is controlled by the terrain, hydrogeological conditions, land use type, and industrial layout. (2) The APCS-MLR receptor model was suitable for the allocation of potential sources of groundwater pollution. The average contributions rate of the five common factors to groundwater pollution were 38.86, 14.12, 15.73, 14.6, and 6.77 %. Salinity factor plays a major role in groundwater quality. (3) The THI of children and adults were 2.15–15.03 and 0.86–7.261, respectively, much higher than the safety threshold of one. In general, the THI of children from ingesting contaminated groundwater is twice that to adults. NO3– and F- are the primary risk control indicators for groundwater in the study area. These results support the formulation of effective groundwater pollution control strategies.

Determination of Heavy Metals in Etroplus suratensis from Koggala Lagoon in Southern, Sri Lanka

Fish is one of the best organisms in many scientific studies to evaluate heavy metal pollution and human health hazards as they are well-understood organisms in the aquatic environment. The present study was carried out to examine the level of heavy metals in different tissues of Etroplus suratensis (Green chromide) in Koggala lagoon, Sri Lanka. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the levels of copper (Cu2+), cadmium (Cd+3), lead (Pb+2) and Chromium (Cr+3) ions in the different tissues (skin, liver, gill, and flesh) of fish belonging to three different sizes; small (7.8-10.2) cm, medium (14.1-16.6) cm, and large (19.8-25.2) cm. The number of thirty-six fish were collected from the lagoon randomly. According to available sizes, 12 fish for each size class were used for the analysis. Furthermore, the histological analysis was carried out to identify the changes at the tissue levelling the gill and liver of fish in three different size classes. Heavy metal concentration in fish samples were compared with the standard levels of heavy metals. Heavy metal concentrations in body tissues of three different body sizes of fish were found to be mainly in the order of Cu>Pb>Cr> Cd. The highest concentrations (P<0.05) of heavy metals were found in the fish flesh and skin, while the lowest concentrations were found in the gills. The range of heavy metal concentrations (g g-1 dry weight) in body tissue of small size, E. suratensis fish were, Cu: 0.0443-0.6210, Cd: 0.0110–0.0214, Pb: Below Detection Level (BDL)- 0.46 and Cr: BDL-39.633, Medium size fish were, Cu: 0.0713–0.6210, Cd: 0.0134-0.0170, Pb: BDL-40.906, Cr: 0.0014–0.0500 and large fish were, Cu: 0.0553–0.345, Cd: 0.0110–0.0256, Pb: 0.0204–0.2103 and Cr: 0.0194–0.0773. However, Cd, Cr and Pb concentrations of flesh tissues were under the standard recommended limits referred by the FAO. Through the Cu concentration in flesh, tissues exceeded the standard limits of FAO. It is not considered as a toxic heavy metal. Histological analysis revealed that the deviation of shape of hepatic cells in the liver may due to the exposure to heavy metals in the lagoon. According to the overall result, biomagnification nature of heavy metals, and the consumption of E. suratensis in the Koggala the bioaccumulation and lagoon may create health hazards to consumers. 
 Keywords: Green chromide, Koggala Lagoon, Heavy metals, Histology

Pollution indices and health risk evaluation of heavy metals in a playground soil from Katsina State, Northwestern Nigeria

Pollution indices and health risk evaluation of heavy metals in a playground soil from Katsina State, Northwestern Nigeria

Sources, Processing, Transport, Health and Climate Impacts of Air Pollutants

Atmospheric pollutants exist in both gaseous and particulate form and they have significant impacts on human health, air quality, and the climate [...]

A bibliometric analysis of research on the health impacts of ozone air pollution.

Ground-level ozone (O3) is one of the major air pollutants. A large body of literature has linked O3 air pollution to various adverse human health effects. The objective of this study is to attain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the progress and frontiers of research on O3 and human health. We used bibliometric methods to summarize publications on O3 air pollution and public health between 1990 and 2022 obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database. VOSviewer and R software were used for bibliometric analysis and visualization. A total of 4501 relevant papers were included in the analysis. There has been a significant increase in the number of publications since 2013, with the USA being the major contributor, followed by China and England. Harvard University was the most prolific research institution, followed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the University of North Carolina System. Professor Joel Schwartz was the most published author and has established a complex network of national and international collaborations. Co-occurrence analysis of keywords suggested evolving research hotspots, from toxicological studies to population-based epidemiological studies and from the respiratory system to the extra-pulmonary system. Research on O3 and its human health effects has progressed rapidly over the past few decades, but academic disparities still persist between developed and developing countries. There is an urgent need to strengthen international cooperation to address the public health challenges posed by rising O3 air pollution in the future.

Improved Hole Extraction and Band Alignment via Interface Modification in Hole Transport Material‐Free Ag/Bi Double Perovskite Solar Cells

Within one decade, lead halide perovskite solar cells have reached power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) compatible with that of silicon solar cells. While in the beginning, they suffered from short device lifetimes, those have also been strongly improved over time. However, their content of toxic lead still poses a risk of environmental pollution and human health on exposure. The double perovskite (DP) Cs2AgBiBr6 offers the potential to be a lead‐free alternative light‐harvesting material. Herein, the fabrication of hole transport material (HTM)‐free Cs2AgBiBr6‐based solar cells is presented, in which the DP surface is modified via a n‐butylammonium posttreatment to create a 2D/3D mixed interface. Additionally, the commonly utilized metal electrode and HTM are substituted with a carbon black back electrode (CBE) consisting of up‐cycled biowaste. Through the 2D/3D interface modification, charge recombination is suppressed, and band alignment is improved at the perovskite/CBE interface. Additionally, density functional theory calculations reveal that an increasing 2D modification thickness enhances the probability for holes in Cs2AgBiBr6 to be located close to the perovskite/CBE interface, further supporting their extraction. Overall, the PCE of the HTM‐free solar cells is improved through the implementation of a low‐cost and end‐of‐waste fabrication strategy.

Air pollution and human health: a phenome-wide association study

ObjectivesTo explore the associations of long-term exposure to air pollution with onset of all human health conditions.DesignProspective phenome-wide association study.SettingDenmark.ParticipantsAll Danish residents aged ≥30 years on 1 January 2000 were...

Integrated Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Human Health Risks in Waters from a Former Iron Mining Site: A Case Study of the Canton of Bangeli, Togo

Drinking water requires excellent physico-chemical quality. It must therefore not contain any substance which is harmful, or which may harm the health of the consumer. The drinking water supply of Bangeli canton (Togo) is provided by ground water and surface water which have been polluted by several industrial discharges as a result of Togo’s intensive industrialization in the last few decades. In order to contribute to the control of drinking water in this locality, our study focused on the state of metal pollution in the waters of this canton. To assess the spatiotemporal evolution of the metallic contamination in Bangeli waters, surface and groundwater samples were taken during dry and rainy seasons in the last three years. This comparative study will allow for a more in-depth assessment of the study area. These samples were analysed by ICP-MS for heavy metals such as Fe, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Co, As, Mn, Sb, Ni, and Cd. The mean values obtained for these metals from groundwater are, respectively, 1144.87; 2.53; 3.42; 3.63; 6.49; 0.69; 143.76; 160.03; 5.67; and 0.036 µg/L. Except for Fe, Sb, and Mn, all the other metals have values below WHO guidelines. The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) applied to these waters gave values between 31.49 and 307.51, with 88.66% of samples below the limit value (100). Health risk assessment factors, including average daily doses, hazard quotient, carcinogenic risks, and hazard index indices, were computed for children and adults. Finally, the HPI index of Fe and Sb in both child and adult cases showed a value greater than the safe limits, which causes harmful health hazards and potential non-carcinogenic health risks to humans. However, carcinogenic risk for Cr, Cd, Pb, and As is less than the limit value (10−4), indicating that there is no risk of cancer. The interpretation of PCA results made it possible to understand that mining has contributed to the pollution of some water resources in Bangeli, and cluster analysis (CA) applied to the data showed that the sampling points can be grouped into four groups, which were primarily formed by extravagant concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Sr.

Water quality assessment, possible origins and health risks of toxic metal(loid)s in five cascade reservoirs in the upper Mekong

The Mekong River holds significant importance as a transnational water system within the Asian region. This study investigated the pollution characteristics, origins, and health risks associated with eighteen toxic metal (loid)s (TMs) across various depths in five cascade reservoirs located in the upper Mekong. The findings revealed that naturally sourced TMs (As, Cd, Li, Mo, Sb, and Sr) exhibited elevated levels in upstream reservoirs due to the interception effects of cascade dams. Anthropogenically sourced TMs (Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) showed heightened concentrations in downstream reservoirs, linked to increased human activities in the downstream region. In deep-water reservoirs, the vertical distribution of redox-sensitive elements was influenced by thermal stratification, with concentrations of As, Cs, Li, Mo, Rb, Sr, and U notably higher in the hypolimnion than the epilimnion. Importantly, the concentrations of all elements in these cascade reservoirs meet Chinese and WHO drinking water standards. Water quality index (WQI: 9.2–19.1), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI: 0.96–1.37), and Nemerow index (NI: 0.35–0.56) confirmed the commendable quality of the cascade reservoir waters. The health risk assessment identified As, Sb, U, and Tl as primary contributors to non-carcinogenic risks in the cascade reservoirs. In the context of a series of cascade dams along this substantial river, this research establishes a solid foundation for preventing TM pollution and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources.

Does the environment really benefit from the vehicle verification program?... truth or utopia

Regarding the objective raised here in relation to the analysis of the situation of the programs involved with vehicle verification, its implications and especially if there is a benefit to the environment, it is perceived that the situation of environmental pollution is an issue that should involve everyone the actors of society, that is, the population itself must contribute with its obligations and educate from home to guarantee harmony in relation to public policies related to the care of the environment. The role of schools, at their different levels, must also be an essential driving force to contribute to the education received at home and thus reinforce knowledge in future generations, which will bring socio-environmental benefits. What can we say about the role of governments that have an effective participation in the promotion of programs that benefit the environment and consider the research that is developed in educational institutions at the undergraduate and graduate levels to implement it for the benefit of the environment. Since mitigating the effects of pollution and public health must always be a priority.

The health and economic burden of dust pollution in the textile industry of Faisalabad, Pakistan

BackgroundExposure to dust in textile mills adversely affects workers’ health. We collected epidemiological data on textile workers suffering from respiratory diseases and assessed work absence associated with illnesses in Faisalabad, Pakistan.MethodsWe recruited 206 workers using multistage sampling from 11 spinning mills in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The data were collected using 2-week health diaries and face-to-face interviews. The data pertains to socio-demographics, occupational exposures, the state of the workers’ health, and other attributes. A theoretical framework of the health production function was used to estimate the relationship between cotton dust exposure and respiratory illnesses. We also estimated functional limitations (e.g., work absence) associated with dust exposure. STATA 12 was used to calculate descriptive statistics, an ordered probit for byssinosis, a probit model for chronic cough, and three complementary log-log models for blood phlegm, bronchitis, and asthma to measure dose–response functions. A Tobit model was used to measure the sickness absence function.ResultsWe found that cotton dust exposure causes a significant health burden to workers, such as cough (35%), bronchitis (17%), and different grades of byssinosis symptoms (22%). The regression analysis showed that smoking cigarettes and working in dusty sections were the main determinants of respiratory diseases. Dusty work sections also cause illness-related work absences. However, the probability of work absence decreases with the increased use of face masks.ConclusionThe study’s findings imply the significance of promoting occupational safety and health culture through training and awareness among workers or implementing the use of safety gadgets. Promulgating appropriate dust standards in textile mills is also a need of the hour.

Concentrated fireworks display-induced changes in aerosol vertical characteristics and atmospheric pollutant emissions

Fireworks affect the atmospheric environment and human health due to the rapid release of high levels of air pollutants. It is crucial to clarify the vertical characteristics of air pollutants and quantify the emission quantity for accurate control and health assessment. With the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle and a ground-based LiDAR system, we investigated the vertical profiles of particulate matter (PM) under the policy of concentrated fireworks detonation in a megacity (i.e., Changchun) in Northeast China and developed emission factors for fireworks displays. The results showed that the PM2.5, PM10, SO2 concentrations within a height of 200 m in the core area of fireworks display significantly increased by 143.8 %, 63.7 % and 174.3 %, respectively, on the day of the Lantern Festival relative to the background concentrations. There was a decreasing trend in the PM2.5 concentration with increasing height, with a maximum vertical decrease of 64 μg/m3 per 100 m. Despite a general decline in the concentration, the vertical distribution of polluted air masses exhibited heterogeneity, occasionally exhibiting a bimodal distribution pattern. Moreover, the correlation coefficients between the aerosol optical depth (AOD) at different altitudes (0.2–0.4, 0.4–0.7, and 0.7–1.0 km) and the ground-level PM concentration were 0.29, −0.35, and −0.35, respectively. This phenomenon indicates a reduced influence of ground-level PM emission on the AOD at altitudes from 0.4 to 1.0 km and the increased potential for aerosol particles to escape upwards, particularly in the troposphere. Furthermore, an approach combining real-time stereoscopic monitoring of PM and downwind wind speed was developed to calculate the estimated firework emission factors. The emission factors recorded during the Lantern Festival, specifically between 20:00 and 24:00, were 128.6 ± 28.3 mg/m2 per 10 min and 92.7 ± 23.2 mg/m2 per 10 min for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, including an uncertainty of 9 %–14 % generated by the sensors. The proposed approach and corresponding emission factors could be used to easily quantify air pollutant emissions originating from fireworks displays and to conduct further numerical simulations for air pollution regulation and health assessment.