Ambient Air Quality Research Articles

Portable Meat Production and Retailing Facility (P-MART): a novel technology for clean meat production from sheep and goats

Context An adequate infrastructure facility is a prerequisite for achieving clean and hygienic meat production from sheep and goats. In India, most of the meat is produced by small-scale producers who cannot afford to establish large-scale abattoirs. Aim The study aimed to develop and test an innovative Portable Meat Production and Retailing Facility (P-MART), designed to meet the specific requirements of small-scale sheep and goat slaughter operations processing less than 10 animals per day. Methods The designing and fabrication of P-MART comprises of animal resting facility, slaughtering and dressing facility, meat cutting and packaging facility, meat retailing facility, and waste management facility. The microbiological evaluation was conducted by collecting meat samples/swabs (n = 6) from various stages of the slaughter of sheep and goats in P-MART. The quality of the liquid effluent from the slaughter process (n = 6) of P-MART was evaluated for different parameters. The gastrointestinal waste was subjected to aerobic composting and compost samples (n = 6) were analyzed for different parameters. The P-MART liquid waste was subjected to anaerobic biomethanation (n = 6) and the quality of the liquid fertilizer was assessed for different parameters. The air quality index in P-MART was analyzed in alignment with Environmental Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) standards compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Key results The P-MART demonstrated effectiveness in addressing small-scale slaughterhouse needs. Microbiological analysis confirmed the absence of harmful organisms such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria in meat, surfaces and water, showcasing high hygiene standards. The aerobic composting of gastrointestinal waste resulted in composting with nutrient concentrations that met recommended standards and the biomethanation of liquid waste produced nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer and biogas for cooking. Air quality parameters, including particulate matter with 10 μm or less, or 2.5 μm or less, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, were within permissible limits, ensuring a safe environment. Conclusions P-MART design minimizes water use and supports humane slaughter, sustainable waste management and environmental compliance. An application for an Indian patent was submitted (Patent application No. 202111016135) to protect intellectual property. The technology was commercialized to enable upscaling and marketing. Implications The P-MART can improve livelihoods for small-scale meat producers by offering affordable and hygienic slaughter facilities. Its sustainable waste management practices enhance public health and environmental protection.

Years of life lost attributable to air pollution, a health risk-based air quality index approach in Ningbo, China.

Air pollution remains a significant threat to human health and economic development. Most previous studies have examined the health effects of individual pollutants, which often overlook the combined impacts of multiple pollutants. The traditional composite indicator air quality index (AQI) only focuses on the major pollutants, whereas the health risk-based air quality index (HAQI) could offer a more comprehensive evaluation of the health effects of various pollutants on populations. Currently, research on HAQI to evaluate the influence of multiple air pollutants on life expectancy losses is limited. In this study, we employed HAQIto estimate years of life lost (YLL) caused by exposure to air pollution for total deaths and sub-groups by sex, age, and cause-specific disease in Ningbo from 2014 to 2018. Results reveal that significant improvement in air quality during the study period. Based on the AQI-classified air quality risk category, the HAQI estimated a more severe level, which suggests that the commonly used AQI significantly underestimates the hazards of multiple air pollutants. The YLL attributable to exposure above threshold concentrations of the Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) 24-hour Grade II standards was 1.375 years (95% CI, 1.044-1.707) per death based on the HAQI, while the YLL estimated using AQI was 1.047 years (95% CI, 0.809-1.286) per death. Females and elderly people over 65 years were vulnerable subgroups, with YLL of 1.232 and 1.480 years per death, respectively. Among deaths of cause-specific disease, the YLL attributed to polluted air was highest for patients with respiratory diseases (0.866 years, 95% CI: 0.668-1.064), followed by patients with circulatory diseases (0.490 years) and endocrine diseases (0.478 years), respectively. Improving the standards of air quality could promote the management of air quality and reduce the disease burden and economic losses caused by polluted air to populations, especially for vulnerable populations. Our study provides a basis for the formulation of policies and upgrade of air quality standards.

Using low-cost sensors to assess common air pollution sources across multiple residences

The rapid development of low-cost sensors provides the opportunity to greatly advance the scope and extent of monitoring of indoor air pollution. In this study, calibrated particle matter (PM) sensors and a non-negative matrix factorisation (NMF) source apportionment technique are used to investigate PM concentrations and source contributions across three households in an urban residential area. The NMF is applied to combined data from all houses to generate source profiles that can be used to understand how PM source characteristics are similar or differ between different households in the same urban area. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in all three houses were greater, more variable, and significantly different to ambient concentrations recorded at a nearby ambient monitoring site. Concentrations were also significantly different between houses, with the World Health Organisation 24-h guideline limits for PM2.5 breached in one household. The applied methodology was highly successful at modelling concentrations for all the houses (R2≥ 0.983), finding that across the houses the I/O (indoor to outdoor sources ratio) was the lowest for PM1 (down to 0.08), and greatest for PM10 (up to 4.93). Whilst the sources could not be clearly distinguished further than being outdoors or indoors, the methodology provides clear insights to source variability within and between the monitored houses. These results highlight the importance of monitoring indoor air pollution to improve pollution exposure estimates, as whilst people may live in areas with acceptable ambient air quality, they can be exposed to unhealthy concentrations in their own homes. This method may be applied in future studies for extended periods to investigate the influence of source seasonality on PM concentrations or scaled up to investigate source variability across larger geographical areas.

Evaluation of Ambient Air Quality and Health Risk Awareness in Vulnerable Workplaces of Pokhara City, Nepal

The ambient air pollution in workplaces poses adverse effects on the health of individuals, which in turn directly affects the competence of the workers and overall productivity. Rapid urbanization, vehicle emissions, factory exhausts, cooking, and the burning of agricultural and domestic waste in growing cities are the major contributors to air pollution, which is harming the health of occupants. The purpose of this study is to assess the levels of particulate matter, the degree of awareness, preventive measures, and the health status of workers at the vulnerable workplaces in Pokhara, Nepal. We assessed the concentration of particulate matter in workstations using a portable pollution meter and carried out a detailed survey with the employees during the peak pollution season in April 2024. The results reveal that the average PM2.5 level at the sampling site (201.4 µg/m³) significantly exceeds the safe pollution threshold of annual average 35 µg/m³ and 24-hour average of 75 µg/m³ set by the World Health Organization (WHO) whereas the interim target is to reduce to 25 µg/m³ annually and 50 µg/m³ daily average. A comprehensive survey conducted at 10 randomly selected sites revealed that most workers are engaged without sufficient awareness, precautionary measures, health care services, or emergency requirements. The findings of this study highlight the necessity for public awareness and consolidate the importance of communal efforts to endorse a safe environment and healthy working conditions for sustainable urban development.

ANALYSIS OF THE ATMOSFERIC AIR POLLUTION IN UKRAINE

The problem of air pollution is one of the most pressing issues of our time. An analysis of recent research and publications has shown high publication activity in this area. Most of the works by Ukrainian scientists focus on analysing the state of atmospheric air pollution. A significant number of studies have been conducted using spatial analysis methods, state monitoring data or open satellite data. The purpose of this paper is to study air pollution in Ukraine in recent years. The objectives are to analyse the dynamics of pollutant emissions into the air and to assess changes in the level of air pollution using maps of its spatial distribution. The analysis of open statistical data has shown that over the past two decades, there has been a decrease in the total volume of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. Stationary sources make a greater contribution to total emissions, but there is a gradual increase in the share of emissions from mobile sources in the total. The article analyses the dynamics of changes in the level of atmospheric air pollution in Ukraine in 2020-2023 using the comprehensive air pollution index provided in open data on atmospheric air quality. This index is a measure that allows us to assess the level of air pollution. The maps of the spatial distribution of the Composite Air Pollution Index were created using the QGIS software package by interpolation using the IDW Interpolation tool. The analysis of the maps of the spatial distribution of air pollution levels showed that in 2020-2021, there was a decrease in air pollution in 10 regions of Ukraine and an increase in 3 regions. In 2023, compared to 2022, there was an increase in pollution in 3 regions and a decrease in 1 region.

Impact of Metro Construction Activities on Air Quality: A Case Study of Delhi Region in North India

The current study investigated the concerns about the possible effects of metro infrastructure's fast growth on the environment, particularly air quality. This study investigates how the building of metro lines in Delhi, India, affects the quality of the air at the selected locations in south and west parts of union territory of Delhi. Different air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), gaseous pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), were monitored. Air Quality Index (AQI) was also applied to the obtained data to convert the intricate data into single digits. The findings revealed that the values of PM10 and PM2.5 were beyond the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) threshold at the proximity of metro work zones due to construction activity. Moreover, higher NO2 concentrations were noted because of construction machinery operations and vehicle emissions. The study emphasizes the necessity of efficient mitigation solutions, such as green barriers, emission control plans, and dust suppression tactics, to reduce the negative environmental effects of metro development on Delhi's air quality. The results of this study can help urban planners and politicians to create sustainable development plans for transportation infrastructure that protect the environment and public health.

Air quality levels in the industrial city of Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Ambient air quality remains a significant health and environmental challenge in developing cities, primarily due to increasing gas emissions from fossil fuel use. Harmful outdoor air pollutants constitute a critical environmental and public health concern, as poor air quality directly impacts human health, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to assess ambient gaseous air pollutants—specifically sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC)—in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. Hourly fixed-site air quality monitoring data were collected from three monitoring stations distributed throughout Jubail, covering the period from January 2020 to December 2022, alongside recorded hourly meteorological conditions. Standard monitoring equipment was employed to measure pollutant concentrations at all three locations. Notably, the highest emissions of CO, SO2, and NMHC occurred in 2021, while the highest emissions of NO, NO2, and NOx were recorded in 2022, with 2022 generally exhibiting the highest gas emissions and 2020 the lowest. Variations in gaseous contaminants were observed, influenced by changes in meteorological conditions and human activities. However, the levels of gaseous emissions remained within acceptable limits according to the air quality index. Consequently, policies implemented during and after the COVID-19 lockdown effectively reduced the accumulation of gaseous emissions to below harmful levels. Maintaining these measures is crucial for ensuring ongoing air quality improvements.

Using Inverse Distance Weighting to Determine Spatial Distributions of Airborne Chemical Elements

Air pollution due to heavy metals has become a major problem in urban centers worldwide. Tree barks provide measurements of particulate concentration with an indication of the associated chemical composition. Assessing the air quality in a region is of paramount importance in ensuring the proper concentrations of particles in the environment, and their spatial location and distribution. Spatial modelling is a fundamental element in the tool chain for managing ambient air quality in a region. This study uses inverse distance weighting in the analysis of chemical elements from the barks of 254 trees to map heavy metals in the air of the city of Douala, Cameroon during the dry seasons (December to February, when monthly rainfall is low) of 2022. The ANCOVA model was used to compare metal concentrations in the bark with the dendrometric parameters of trees. The results may help in monitoring the spread of heavy metals in the city of Douala, in order to pinpoint the sites at risk. Our findings show that the whole city is in a state of emergency with respect to air quality, and mitigation measures must be taken rapidly throughout its territory, especially in intersections with high traffic volumes and industrial zones. We suggest planting several tall trees with large crown volumes and thick bark to reduce air pollution. Phenology and foliage appearance in trees can provide information on the type of metal-related pollution. These findings bring additional evidence that trees can act as bio-indicators and bio-accumulators in urban environments.

The variations in volatile organic compounds based on the policy change for Omicron in the traffic hub of Zhengzhou

Abstract. Online volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored before and after the Omicron policy change at an urban site in polluted Zhengzhou from 1 December 2022 to 31 January 2023. The characteristics and sources of VOCs were investigated. The daily mean concentrations of PM2.5 and total VOCs (TVOCs) ranged from 53.5 to 239.4 µg m−3 and 15.6 to 57.1 ppbv, respectively, with mean values of 111.5 ± 45.1 µg m−3 and 36.1 ± 21.0 ppbv, respectively, throughout the period. Two severe pollution events (designated as case 1 and case 2) were identified in accordance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (China's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) from 2012). Case 1 (5 to 10 December PM2.5 daily mean = 142.5 µg m−3) and case 2 (1 to 8 January PM2.5 daily mean = 181.5 µg m−3) occurred during the infection period (when the policy of “full nucleic acid screening measures” was in effect) and the recovery period (after the policy was canceled), respectively. The PM2.5 and TVOC values for case 2 are, respectively, 1.3 and 1.8 times higher than those for case 1. The precise influence of disparate meteorological circumstances on the two pollution incidents is not addressed in this study. The results of the positive matrix factor modeling demonstrated that the primary source of VOCs during the observation period was industrial emissions, which constituted 32 % of the total VOCs, followed by vehicle emissions (27 %) and combustion (21 %). In case 1, industrial emissions constituted the primary source of VOCs, accounting for 32 % of the total VOCs. In contrast, in case 2, the contribution of vehicular emission sources increased to 33 % and became the primary source of VOCs. The secondary organic aerosol formation potential for case 1 and case 2 were found to be 37.6 and 65.6 µg m−3, respectively. In case 1, the largest contribution of SOA formation potential (SOAP) from industrial sources accounted for the majority (63 %; 23.8 µg m−3), followed by vehicular sources (18 %). After the end of the epidemic and the resumption of productive activities in the society, the difference in the proportion of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generated from various sources decreased. Most of the SOAP came from solvent use and fuel evaporation sources, accounting for 32 % (20.9 µg m−3) and 26 % (16.8 µg m−3), respectively. On days with minimal pollution, industrial sources and solvent use remain the main contributors to SOA formation. Therefore, the regulation of emissions from industry, solvent-using industries, and motor vehicles needs to be prioritized to control the PM2.5 pollution problem.

Monitoring Air Quality in Bhopal: A Comparative Study of Pollutant Levels at Hamidia Road Chowk and T.T. Nagar in 2022

Urban air pollution is a growing environmental and health challenge in developing countries, driven by industrialization, enlargement of vehicular traffic, and population density. This study focuses on two distinct monitoring sites in Bhopal, India: Hamidia Road Chowk, characterized by high traffic density, and T.T. Nagar, a densely populated residential area. Monthly data for 2022 on key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and heavy metals, were analysed to define seasonal variations and conformity with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Findings indicate higher pollutant concentrations in the winter and early summer, correlating with atmospheric conditions and enlargement emissions during these periods. Notably, pollutant levels frequently exceeded NAAQS limits, posing significant health risks to urban populations. The results underscore the significance of continuous air property monitoring and the implementation of targeted emission control measures, especially in high-traffic and densely populated areas. This study contributes to the perception of air pollution dynamics in rapidly urbanizing cities and provides a foundation for informed policy-making to improve urban air quality.

Polluted Air from Canadian Wildfires and Cardiopulmonary Disease in the Eastern US

Intense wildfires affecting residential populations are increasingly frequent. However, the adverse cardiopulmonary consequences to patients from remote wildfire smoke exposure is uncertain. To investigate the association between wildfire smoke originating in Western Canadian provinces with cardiopulmonary disease burden in sociodemographically heterogenous populations in the Eastern US. This case-only study used International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes for cardiopulmonary diseases extracted from the University of Maryland Medical System in June 2023 vs June 2018 and June 2019. Data were analyzed from September 2023 to September 2024. High air pollution episodes where the concentration of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 μm (PM2.5) exceeded the toxic National Ambient Air Quality Standard (35 μg/m3) (referred to as "hotspot days") on contiguous days. The number of patients with inpatient, ambulatory, and emergency department clinical encounters during assigned hotspot days in June 2023 compared with matching days in June of control years. Adjustments for covariates for comparisons between groups were made with χ2 tests and multivariable logistic regression. Statewide air quality analysis identified June 6-8 and 28-30 as 6 hotspot days with an increase in PM2.5 by 9.4-fold and 7.4-fold, respectively, in Baltimore City compared with all other days in 2023. After adjusting for calendar days across years, the cohort included 2339 cardiopulmonary clinical encounters in June 2023 (mean [SD] age, 68 [15] years; 1098 female [46.9%]; 710 Black [30.4%], 1528 White [65.3%]) and 3609 encounters in June 2018-2019 (mean [SD] age, 65 [15] years; 1690 female [46.8%]; 1181 Black [32.7%], 2269 White [62.9%]). The proportion of clinical encounters occurring during hotspot days in June 2023 was 588 of 2339 days (25.1%) vs 806 of 3609 days (22.3%) in control years (χ2 = 6.07; P = .01), with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.18 (95% CI, 1.03-1.34; P = .02). Restricting this analysis to cardiac diseases, there was a 20% increase in adjusted odds for a clinical encounter (aOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.42; P = .04). Patients with cardiopulmonary encounters on hotspot days had greater socioeconomic advantage vs control years by ADI score (mean [SD] score, 39.1 [21.1] vs 41.0 [23.7]; P = .05). In this case-only study of a large medical system, we identified an increased cardiopulmonary disease burden for residents of Maryland that was likely associated with contemporaneous wildfire smoke-based infiltration of polluted or toxic air originating from Western Canada up to 2100 miles remotely.

Assessment of air pollution dispersion during wet season: A case study of Rumaila Combined Cycle Power Plant, Basrah, Iraq

This study presents an assessment of the levels of air pollution emanating from natural gas combustion at the Rumaila Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) in Basrah City by using a Gaussian dispersion model, with results at distance of 100, 500 and 1000 m for the pollutants CO, SO2, NO, and particulate matters (PM). Data on atmospheric stability assessments were taken from meteorological stations in Basrah Governorate that belong to the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture. The study determined the emission rates from the five stacks of the plant and the wind speed, wind direction at stack height, and Turner-Pasquill stability classes for the wet conditions of 2023/2024. The following are the maximum pollutant concentrations emanating from the stacks: CO was 186 μg.m-3 at 100 m, 6 μg.m-3 at 500 m, and 2.5 μg.m-3 at 1000 m; SO₂ was 0.5 μg.m-3 at 100 m, 0.05 μg.m-3 at 500 m, and 0.01 μg.m-3 at 1000 m; NO was 0.07 μg.m-3 at 500 m and 0.03 μg.m-3 at 1000 m; PM was 11 μg.m-3 at 100 m, 0.4 μg.m-3 at 500 m, and 0.15 μg.m-3 at 1000 m. All of these measurements are well below national ambient air quality standards, which means that the Rumaila power plant is not locally deleterious to the air quality.

Estimating the effect of annual PM2·5 exposure on mortality in India: a difference-in-differences approach.

In 2019, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study attributed 0·98 million deaths to ambient air pollution in India based on potentially inappropriate exposure-response functions from countries with low air pollution levels. Instead, using data from India, we investigated long-term exposure to PM2·5 and all-cause mortality with a causal inference method. We collected national counts of annual mortality from 2009 to 2019 from the Civil Registration System at the district level to calculate annual district-level mortality rate as our main outcome and obtained annual PM2·5 concentrations from a high-resolution spatiotemporal model. We applied an extended version of the difference-in-differences design by use of generalised additive models with quasi-Poisson distribution, including indicator variables and separate time trends for spatial administrative divisions. PM2·5 concentrations obtained at 1 km × 1 km spatial resolution across the country were used to calculate annual district-level mean PM2·5 concentrations. Similarly, we collected confounders at the district level, such as mean and SD of quarterly temperatures, gross domestic product per capita, population aged 60 years or older, clean cooking fuel usage, literacy in women, and median age. The spatial unit of analysis was administrative division. The annual median population-weighted PM2·5 was 38·9 μg/m3 (5-95th percentile 19·7-71·8 μg/m3). The full population lived in areas with PM2·5 concentrations exceeding the 5 μg/m3 annual mean recommended in the WHO guidelines, and 1·1 billion of 1·4 billion (81·9% of the total population) lived in areas above the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards for annual mean PM2·5 not exceeding 40 μg/m3. A 10 μg/m3 increase in annual PM2·5 concentration was associated with an 8·6% (95% CI 6·4-10·8) higher annual mortality. Based on the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards, a total of 3·8 million (95% CI 2·9-4·9) deaths between 2009 and 2019 were attributable to PM2·5, amounting to 5·0% (3·8-6·4) of total mortality. Based on the WHO guidelines, a total of 16·6 million (13·0-21·8) deaths were attributable to PM2·5, amounting to 24·9% (19·5-32·5) of total mortality. Our difference-in-differences approach allowed us to assess the full extent of registered deaths in the most populated country in the world, which has high levels of air pollution. We provide new evidence of increased mortality risk from long-term PM2·5, which emphasises the need for tighter regulatory standards to potentially substantially reduce mortality across India. Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development.

Secondary Organic Aerosol from Biomass Burning Phenolic Compounds and Nitrate Radicals can be Highly Viscous over a Wide Relative Humidity Range.

Biomass burning events, including wildfires, can emit large amounts of phenolic compounds such as guaiacol. These phenolic compounds can undergo oxidation by nitrate radicals (NO3) to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Viscosity and hygroscopicity are key properties that affect SOA's role in atmospheric chemistry, air quality, climate and public health. However, these properties have not been quantified for SOA formed from the reaction of phenolic compounds with NO3. We used the poke-flow technique and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to measure the viscosity and hygroscopicity of SOA particles generated from the reaction of NO3 with guaiacol, termed guaiacol-NO3 SOA. The viscosity of this SOA is extremely high (≳5 × 107 Pa s) at RH ≲ 70% and drastically higher than other SOA types previously investigated with the poke-flow technique at RH ≳ 40%. The high viscosity for guaiacol-NO3 SOA can be attributed, at least in part, to the low hygroscopicity measured via the QCM. From the viscosity results, we calculated the mixing times of organic molecules within guaiacol-NO3 SOA. The results suggest that mixing times within this type of SOA exceed 1 h for most tropospheric conditions, with possible implications for predicting the size, mass, and long-range transport of pollutants in phenolic SOA.

The Swiss National Air Pollution Monitoring Network (NABEL) – Bridging Science and Environmental Policy

Awareness of atmospheric air quality in Switzerland became a concern in the 1960s, as a result of which the Swiss National Air Pollution Monitoring Network (Nationales Beobachtungsnetz für Luftfremdstoffe - NABEL) was created in the 1970s. This paper describes the establishment and evolution of NABEL, emphasizing its important role in monitoring air quality in Switzerland, and its contribution to international observation networks and research. The network’s history, legal framework, and measurement program are described, and exemplary time-series of air quality parameters are given. NABEL is an excellent example for reliable, long-term air quality monitoring and demonstrates the importance of such monitoring for air pollution control at both national and international levels.

Source-Specific PM2.5 and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Mortality

BackgroundFine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is adversely linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, most studies focused on PM2.5 mass rather than its chemical composition and specific sources. Particulate pollution sources can have distinct, cumulative, and potentially synergistic health impacts. We investigated the associations of source-specific PM2.5 exposure with ASCVD mortality in the United States, considering the combined associations and regional variations.MethodsWe used data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (including data from 65,838,403 participants) from 2000 to 2016. We estimated PM2.5 exposure using machine-learning models and attributed components to five source categories. We used Poisson survival models to assess the associations with the source categories.ResultsHigher ASCVD mortality rate (rate ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] per interquartile range increase) was associated with oil combustion (1.051 [1.049 to 1.052]), industrial pollution (1.054 [1.052 to 1.056]), coal and biomass burning (1.065 [1.062 to 1.067]), and motor vehicle pollution (1.044 [1.042 to 1.046]). These associations persisted even after limiting our sample to ZIP code–years with PM2.5<9 μg/m3 — the current National Ambient Air Quality Standard. In these areas the observed rate ratio for a one-unit increase in PM2.5 mass was 1.028 (95% CI, 1.026 to 1.029).ConclusionsWe found higher ASCVD mortality rate associated with PM2.5, with differential effects across sources. These data highlight the importance of considering local population characteristics and exposure patterns when assessing health risks associated with PM2.5.

Geospatial Evaluation of Ambient Air Quality in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

The study evaluates the ambient air quality in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria, focusing on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and its health implications on residents. Primary data were collected using Purple Air Monitor devices at 28 ground stations and structured questionnaires, base maps. The study utilized QGIS for mapping, SPSS for statistical analysis and WHO’s AirQ software for health risk assessment. Findings indicated exceedances of WHO and USEPA recommended limits for PM2.5 and PM10, with areas near major highways showing elevated PM levels. The health risk assessment revealed potential increases in hospitalizations and mortality due to air pollution. This research contributes uniquely by applying geospatial evaluation and health risk assessment tools for comprehensive air quality analysis. It highlights the urgent need for effective air quality management strategies, including the deployment of air quality monitoring stations and public education campaigns. The study provides crucial insights for policy makers, emphasizing the importance of mitigating air pollution’s adverse effects on urban settings. Received: 15 September 2024 / Accepted: 8 November 2024 / Published: 20 November 2024

Evaluating the influence of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in ambient air on biochemical factors contributing to plant tolerance.

Air pollutants, specifically, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) cause numerous biochemical changes in plants; by studying the biochemical parameters, plant resistance against these pollutants can be evaluated. The effect of air pollutants on biochemical parameters such as ascorbic acid (AA), total chlorophyll (TC), pH and the relative water content (RWC) of leaves has been investigated in the present study. The objective of the present study was to observe the relationship between biochemical parameters of plants and ambient air pollutants (SO2 and NO2). The morphological and biochemical changes of the sampled leaves of different plants were studied. Simultaneously, ambient air quality data was collected from the central pollution control board (CPCB) online portal. Among the sampled plants, Ficus religiosa and Morus alba plant species can be recommended as tolerant for the sampling sites: Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa can be recommended as tolerant for Chandigarh sector 25 and 53 respectively. As a result, it has been observed that SO2 has a negative effect on the relative water content and ascorbic acid content of most plant species, while NO2 can have ambiguous effect on plants (toxic and beneficial), and no strong association has been found with biochemical parameters. The current study provides pollutant-specific information and insights into the variations caused by air pollutants. The present study will contribute in suggesting the tolerant plant species that could provide new approaches for developing urban landscapes.

Impact of acute PM2.5 exposure on pediatric blood lead levels: evidence from Beijing, China

Research on the effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on blood lead levels (BLL), particularly in children, remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between acute ambient PM2.5 exposure and BLL in children aged below 14. A total of 23,732 children were included in the study, with BLL measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Generalized additive models (GAM) were employed to analyze the connection between children’s BLL and acute PM2.5 exposure. From April 2008 to June 2017, Beijing’s average PM2.5 concentration was 91.71 ± 74.55 μg/m³, approximately 2.62 times higher than the annual average concentration recommended by the WHO Ambient Air Quality Standard (35 μg/m³). The mean (±SD) BLL of children was 0.2105 ± 0.0963 μmol/L, with a median of 0.20 μmol/L. The data indicated an increase in BLL with age and a significant difference in BLL between boys and girls (p < 0.05). The analysis revealed a non-linear relationship between BLL and PM2.5 exposure after adjusting for variables such as gender, age, blood levels of Cu, Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn, analysis batch, and heating season. PM2.5 exposure significantly impacted children’s BLL.

Evaluating health risks of PM2.5-bound heavy elements in Faridabad, Haryana (India): an industrial perspective.

The present study isfocused on investigating the heavy/toxic metals (Al, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu, As,Mn, and Zn) of PM2.5 and assessing their associated human health risks. During the study period (July 2022 to July 2023), the PM2.5 samples were collected from two distinct sites in Faridabad (92 samples from site 1 and 85 samples from site 2). In this study, the US EPA's Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) was followed to evaluate the human health risk associated with PM2.5-bound heavy elements. The annual average of PM2.5 concentrations was 108 ± 16µgm⁻3 at site 1 and 154 ± 11µgm⁻3 at site 2, approximately three to fourtimes higher than the national ambient air quality standards (annual, 40µgm-3). The analysis of enrichment factors (EFs) for the elements Cr, As, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Ni indicates that the heavy elements associated with PM2.5 primarily originate from anthropogenic sources. The application of the conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF) model for Faridabad revealed local pollution sources contributing to elevated mass concentrations at the receptor site from the southern (S), northwestern (NW), northeastern (NE), southwestern (SW), and southeastern (SE) regions. Furthermore, positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis identified the predominant sources of PM2.5-bound heavy elements as industrial emissions (41%), vehicular emissions (34%), and combustion processes (25%). After a thorough assessment of health hazards, Cr appeared as a significant carcinogenic risk factor. Children with elevated hazard quotient (HQ) values for Mn and Cr indicated non-carcinogenic health problems. Ultimately, this analysis reinforces the necessity for rigorous monitoring and intervention to safeguard public health from the potentially harmful effects of heavy elements.