Selected Air Pollutants Research Articles

Air Pollution and COPD: Unveiling Hidden Risks of Mortality, Mechanical Ventilation, and Prolonged Hospitalization

While the impact of air pollution on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has been widely studied, its effect on hospitalization outcomes remains less explored. This study examines the influence of short-term air pollution exposure on adverse hospitalization outcomes—mortality, mechanical ventilation use, and prolonged hospitalization—in patients with non-infectious severe AECOPD in Novi Sad, Serbia. Using a five-year time-series analysis, concentrations of selected air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2) and meteorological data were integrated with hospitalization outcomes. Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs) revealed significant associations between rising air pollutant levels and some unfavorable outcomes. Exposure to rising PM2.5 (urban background) and SO2 (urban traffic) concentrations were linked to higher risks of mechanical ventilation (cumulative OR 21.95 (95% CI 1.07–449.45) and 11.37 (95% CI 1.25–103.27), respectively) and prolonged non-infectious AECOPD hospitalization (cumulative RR 2.27 (95% CI 1.14–4.52) and 2.24 (95% CI 1.38–3.64), respectively). No cumulative lag effects on mortality were observed, though specific patterns emerged in individual lag models. These findings highlight the critical role of improving air quality in reducing some COPD-related hospitalization risks.

The Impact of Air Pollution on Atopic Dermatitis. Literature review

Introduction and purpose The rising level of air pollution is currently a serious worldwide problem. Airborne pollutants, such as PM, O3, CO, NOx, SO₂, and heavy metals, negatively impact the entire body, contributing to the dysfunction of many systems. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the impact of selected air pollutants on the development or exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this. Materials and methods The literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar databases was reviewed using the keywords: “air pollution”, “atopic dermatitis”, “skin lesions”. Description of the state of knowledge Available studies have provided information on the significant impact of air pollution on the development and exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Air pollutants can induce skin changes through various mechanisms, such as damage to the epidermal barrier, disruption of skin microflora, oxidative stress, initiation of inflammatory responses, or activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway. Conclusions Reducing air pollution is crucial for improving overall public health and decreasing the incidence of many diseases, including atopic dermatitis. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of the relationship between air pollution and atopic dermatitis, as well as the mechanisms responsible for it, and to develop effective strategies for protecting the skin from pollutants.

Influence of meteorological factors on concentrations of selected air pollutants

Influence of meteorological factors on concentrations of selected air pollutants

Enhancing the methodology for calculating emission reductions in air quality policies

This study improves the calculation methods for emission reduction of individual policies and policy sets and validates the enhanced methodologies through scenario analysis experiments. First, to ensure that the policy's rule penetration does not exceed 100%, emission sources with excessive policy applications are classified and their reductions are adjusted accordingly. Second, each policy is applied sequentially and adjusts target emissions to reflect prior policy reductions. This prevents overestimation of the total reduction amount, and the reduction for each policy is calculated based on the adjusted value and then summed to obtain the total reduction for the policy set. We selected air pollutants, NOx, SOx, PM2.5, and VOCs to calculate reductions and analyzed the improvement effects through experimental scenarios in Korea's Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA). According to the comparison between the Clean Air Policy Support System (CAPSS) inventory and the results of this study for 2019, NOx exhibited a difference of 6.8% in the non-improvement scenario, which was reduced to 0.1% after the improvement. The differences in SOx, PM2.5, and VOC decreased from 5.0% to 2.4%, 14.1%–7.9%, and 55.8%–30.6%, respectively. When comparing the NOx emission change rates from 2015 to 2018 with Globemission and CAPSS-KU inventories, the differences in the non-improvement scenario were 8.9%p and 9.6%p, respectively, but decreased to 4.4%p and 5.2%p after the improvement. Thus, existing policy research methodologies overestimate policy effects. This study is expected to contribute to a more accurate analysis of policy effects and provide useful data for establishing air quality policies.

Machine learning models for predicting interactions between air pollutants in Tehran Megacity, Iran

Air pollution has significant detrimental impacts on the environmental compartments and human health. The present study investigates the interactions between selected air pollutants, including CO, O3, NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5, in Tehran megacity, the capital of Iran, using statistical modeling and simulating approaches. Data on selected air pollutants have been extracted from 16 sensors across Tehran during 2013–2022. Using the development of three machine learning models, including XGBoost (XGB), LightGBM (LGBM) and Random Forest (RF), significant relationships between the air pollutants were observed. The comparison of the models demonstrated that the RF model has the highest level of optimality in forecasting the concentrations of CO, O3, NO2, and SO2 (R2CO = 0.63, R2O3 = 0.6, R2NO2 = 0.54, R2SO2 = 0.55). The LGBM model provided higher optimality for NO2 and PM2.5 (R2NO2 = 0.56, R2PM2.5 = 0.88), while the XGB model exhibited higher accuracy for the PM10 (R2PM10 = 0.88). Regarding the results obtained from the statistical models, it can be inferred that the RF model has superior performance in the forecasting of gaseous pollutants. Moreover, the XGB and LGBM models exhibited comparable performance and therefore may be regarded as appropriate options for PM prediction. The findings from the simulations indicated that a rise in an individual pollutant likely leads to an increase in other pollutants. Consequently, implementing air quality management strategies for a specific pollutant meaningfully, directly influences other pollutants, highlighting the significance of considering the chemical aspect of air pollutants interaction and enforcing air pollution management rules.

Mapping air quality variations in industrial and agricultural zones: Understanding spatial and temporal patterns of selected air pollutants

With the escalating threat of air pollution on the biota, the need for research on pollutants has become imperative in industrial, urbanized and heavily populated cities. This study aimed to determine the level of major outdoor atmospheric pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, TVOCs, and HCHO) in specific locations including industrial and agricultural zones. Field measurements for this research, spanning 52 locations, were collected in the spring season using a portable instrument, and spatial variation maps were developed using ArcGIS software. The study measured PM10 concentrations ranging from 31 μg/m3 to 267 μg/m3 and PM2.5 concentrations ranging from 27 μg/m3 to 253 μg/m3. PM2.5 levels at most sites exceeded USEPA, WHO, and PEQS standards, while PM10 levels generally met these standards. The highest values of coarse and fine particulate matter were observed in areas dominated by emissions from the textile industry. Furthermore, particulate matter concentrations showed spatial variations, increasing towards the North and East directions. The Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) concentrations, ranging from 0 mg/m3 to 4.019 mg/m3, exceeded Hong Kong SAR standards at five locations, thereby elevating health risks for residents in these areas. Similarly, formaldehyde levels, ranging from 0 mg/m3 to 0.754 mg/m3, surpassed the Hong Kong SAR standard at seven locations, indicating a substantial threat of exposure for the local population. In general, air quality at most field sampling sites was registered as UNQUALIFIED but was also observed to be FRESH at a few locations. This research is significant for understanding the levels of major pollutants so that the concerned authorities can take appropriate measures to tackle air pollution by introducing pollution control technologies in industries, switching to renewable energy options, and managing road dust.

Elevated Exposure to Air Pollutants Accelerates Primary Glomerular Disease Progression

IntroductionEnvironmental contributors to kidney disease progression remain elusive. We explored how residential air pollution impacts disease progression in patients with primary glomerulopathies. MethodsNephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) and CureGlomerulonephropathy (CureGN) participants with residential census tract data and ≥2 years of follow-up were included. Using Cox proportional hazards models, the associations per doubling in annual average baseline concentrations of total particulate matter with diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and its components, black carbon, and sulfate, with time to ≥40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or kidney failure were estimated. Serum tumor necrosis factor levels and kidney tissue transcriptomic inflammatory pathway activation scores were used as molecular markers of disease progression. ResultsPM2.5, black carbon, and sulfate exposures were comparable in NEPTUNE (n=228) and CureGN (n=697). In both cohorts, participants from areas with higher levels of pollutants had lower eGFR, were older and more likely self-reported racial and ethnic minorities. In a fully adjusted model combining both cohorts, kidney disease progression was associated with PM2.5 (adjusted HR 1.55 [95% CI:1.00, 2.38], p=0.0489) and black carbon (adjusted HR 1.43 [95% CI:0.98, 2.07], p=0.0608) exposure. Sulfate and PM2.5 exposure were positively correlated with serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (p=0.003) and interleukin-1β levels (p=0.03), respectively. Sulfate exposure was also directly associated with transcriptional activation of the TNF and JAK-STAT signaling pathways in kidneys (r=0.55-0.67, p-value <0.01). ConclusionElevated exposure to select air pollutants is associated with increased risk of disease progression and systemic inflammation in patients with primary glomerulopathies (word count: 248).

COVID-19 Lockdown Air Pollution Reduction: Did It Impact the Number of COPD Hospitalizations?

COVID-19 Lockdown Air Pollution Reduction: Did It Impact the Number of COPD Hospitalizations?

History of pollutant adjuvants in respiratory allergy.

Combined exposures to allergens and air pollutants emerged as a topic of concern in scientific circles by the 1980's, when it became clear that parallel increases in respiratory allergies and traffic-related air pollution had been occurring during the 20th century. Although historically there has been a tendency to treat exposure-related symptoms as either allergic or toxicologic in nature, cross-interactions have since been established between the two modalities. For example, exposure to selected air pollutants in concert with a given allergen can increase the likelihood that an individual will become sensitized to that allergen, strongly suggesting that the pollutant acted as an adjuvant. Although not a review of underlying mechanisms, the purpose of this mini-review is to highlight the potential significance of co-exposure to adjuvant chemicals in predicting allergic sensitization in the respiratory tract. The current discussion emphasizes the upper airway as a model for respiratory challenge studies, the results of which may be applicable-not only to allergic rhinitis-but also to conjunctivitis and asthma.

Exploring the spatiotemporal relationship between influenza and air pollution in Fuzhou using spatiotemporal weighted regression model.

Air pollution has become a significant concern for human health, and its impact on influenza, has been increasingly recognized. This study aims to explore the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the impacts of air pollution on influenza and to confirm a better method for infectious disease surveillance. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between air pollution and the influenza case counts. VIF was used to test for collinearity among selected air pollutants. OLS regression, GWR, and STWR models were fitted to explore the potential spatiotemporal relationship between air pollution and influenza. The R2, the RSS and the AICc were used to evaluate and compare the models. In addition, the DTW and K-medoids algorithms were applied to cluster the county-level time-series coefficients. Compared with the OLS regression and GWR models, STWR model exhibits superior fit especially when the influenza outbreak changes rapidly and is able to more accurately capture the changes in different regions and time periods. We discovered that identical air pollutant factors may yield contrasting impacts on influenza within the same period in different areas of Fuzhou. NO2 and PM10 showed opposite impacts on influenza in the eastern and western areas of Fuzhou during all periods. Additionally, our investigation revealed that the relationship between air pollutant factors and influenza may exhibit temporal variations in certain regions. From 2013 to 2019, the influence coefficient of O3 on influenza epidemic intensity changed from negative to positive in the western region and from positive to negative in the eastern region. STWR model could be a useful method to explore the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the impacts of air pollution on influenza in geospatial processes. The research findings emphasize the importance of considering spatiotemporal heterogeneity when studying the relationship between air pollution and influenza.

Exposure to air pollution and ovarian reserve parameters

Exposure to air pollution is associated with many different health effects, especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Additionally, highly significant links between exposure to air pollution and fertility, particularly male fertility was observed, however the studies regarding exposure to selected air pollutants and female fertility assessed by ovarian reserve are rare. Hence, the main aim of the study was to analyze relationship between exposure to ambient air pollution and ovarian reserve parameters among Polish women. The study population consisted of 511 women, who attended to infertility clinic because of diagnostic purposes. Participants filled in the questionnaire about social-demographic, lifestyle and health factors. Infertility specialists assessed ovarian parameters such as: antral follicle count (AFC) and concentration of hormones: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2). The air pollutants level (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matters) were obtained via National Environmental Protection Inspectorate database. Significant negative association between PM2,5 and AMH (p = 0.032), as well as AFC (p = 0.044) was observed. Moreover, SO2 concentrations decrease AFC (p = 0.038). The results also suggest that PM10, PM2.5, SO2 exposure on antral follicle count may be more pronounced among women with a female factor infertility diagnosis. Additionally, exposure to PM2.5 and NOx on AFC and AMH was stronger among older women (> 35 years of age). To conclude, the present study found that air pollution could lead to decrease in follicle antral count and Anti-Müllerian hormone level, especially exposure to PM2,5 and SO2 thus the evidence suggest negative impact to ovarian reserve.

Identification of Sources Causing Air Pollution in Indian Cities Using Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis

The distressing levels of air pollution in India is becoming health hazard to the inhabitants. It's important to note that due to the nation's continued urbanisation and its heavy reliance on coal for electricity generation, air pollution is expected to get worse in some areas of India over the next few decades. Present study aims to address the issue by identifying the sources causing air pollution using Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis [HACA]. Two years daily data (2018 and 2019), downloaded from publicly available source Kaggle.com of sixteen selected air pollution monitoring stations was used for the study. The stations were selected based upon diversified environmental conditions and local sources. HACA was successful in grouping the monitoring stations into four clusters based on their average Air Quality Index (AQI) level. These four clusters are named as Low Pollution, Moderate Pollution, High Pollution and Very High Pollution Region [LPR, MPR, HPR and VHPR] with average AQI 96; 135; 173 and 227 respectively. Discriminant Analysis (DA) confirmed the resulting clusters with 100% accuracy. It was found that stations with similar environmental factors, regional sources, and pollution amounts were clustered together. Despite numerous actions taken by the authorities to reduce air pollution, it was noticed that topographical conditions play an essential role in the rise of pollution. This study helps to implement different strategies by the authorities’ concern based on local sources and topographical conditions.

A review of prospects and challenges of photocatalytic decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under humid environment

AbstractVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful for humans and the surrounding ecosystem. Emissions from these pollutants have caused a significant reduction in air quality, which has an effect on people's health. Alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aromatics, and other VOC pollutants have all been broken down by TiO2 photocatalytic processes. Due to several operating inefficiencies and deactivation issues in humid environments, the practical application of photocatalysis has not been realized on a broader scale. The effectiveness of photo‐oxidation of VOCs is impacted by a variety of environmental conditions. In the photocatalytic oxidation of the VOCs, relative humidity (RH) is critical. Therefore, it is important to review the recent findings on how humidity affects the photocatalytic breakdown of VOCs in air. To satisfy this need, this work provides a critical review of the related literature with focus on the fundamentals of photocatalysis, photocatalytic degradation of air pollutants, and the influence of humidity on the photocatalytic process degradation for selected air pollutants. It also highlights the kinetic models and typical photocatalytic reactor and supports for VOC removal.

Air Pollution and Health Care Use for Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review.

Increasing air pollution is common around the world, but the impacts of outdoor air pollution exposure on atopic dermatitis (AD) are unclear. We synthesized the current global epidemiologic evidence for air pollution exposure and associated medical visits for AD among adults and children. This review followed PRISMA guidelines, and searches were conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. The searches yielded 390 studies, and after screening, 18 studies around the world with at least 5,197,643 medical visits for AD were included for the final analysis. We found that exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5 ) [(10/11) of studies], particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10 ) (11/13), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) (12/14), and sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) (10/13) was positively associated with AD visits. Results were equivocal for ozone [(4/8) of studies reported positive association] and limited for carbon monoxide [(1/4) of studies reported positive association]. When stratifying results by patient age, patient sex, and season, we found that the associations with particulate matter, NO2 , and O3 may be affected by temperature. Exposure to selected air pollutants is associated with AD visits, and increasingly poor air quality may increase global health care use for AD.

Complexity on Fuzzy set and Fuzzy Logic for Air Quality

The Air quality measurement is reported as micrograms per cubic meter or parts per million. In this article, we proposed a survey of the complexity on Fuzzy Logic for air quality. The traditional air quality assessment is estimated using air quality indices as mean values of selected air pollutants, where the ambient environment has given limits without considering specific local conditions and synergic relations between air pollutants and other meteorological factors. Different models analyze the structure of data to find the characteristics of air quality similarities and to interpret the classification results by means of fuzzy logic.

The Influence of Air Pollution on Non-Infectious Hospitalizations for Severe Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Time-Series from Serbia

The available data on the impact of air pollution on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are inconsistent. We investigated the influence of air pollution on the number of severe AECOPD hospitalizations of non-infectious etiology in patients residing in Novi Sad, Serbia. In this time-series, we used a quasi-Poisson generalized linear model in conjunction with distributed lag non-linear models, after controlling for lag days, seasonal and long-term trends, and meteorological factors (air temperature and humidity), to estimate the relative risk (RR) of AECOPD hospitalization for each increase of 10 μg/m3 in the air pollutant concentration. A total of 552 AECOPD hospitalizations were registered during 2017–2022. With each 10 μg/m3 increase in the selected air pollutants’ concentration, the cumulative RR (lags0–7) in single-predictor models for AECOPD admission were 1.52 (95% CI 0.98–2.35) for PM10, 1.44 (95% CI 0.93–2.25) for PM2.5, 1.13 (95% CI 0.87–1.47) for SO2, and 0.99 (95% CI 0.69–1.42) for NO2. Similar results were found in multi-predictor models as well as in group analyses between smokers and non-smokers. In conclusion, no significant associations between exposure to air pollutants and the daily AECOPD admissions were found. There is an obvious need for additional research on the topic.

Impacts of COVID-19's restriction measures on personal exposure to VOCs and aldehydes in Taipei City

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided an unprecedented natural experiment, that allowed us to investigate the impacts of different restrictive measures on personal exposure to specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes and resulting health risks in the city. Ambient concentrations of the criteria air pollutants were also evaluated. Passive sampling for VOCs and aldehydes was conducted for graduate students and ambient air in Taipei, Taiwan, during the Level 3 warning (strict control measures) and Level 2 alert (loosened control measures) of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021–2022. Information on the daily activities of participants and on-road vehicle counts nearby the stationary sampling site during the sampling campaigns were recorded. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) with adjusted meteorological and seasonal variables were used to estimate the effects of control measures on average personal exposures to the selected air pollutants. Our results showed that ambient CO and NO2 concentrations in relation to on-road transportation emissions were significantly reduced, which led to an increase in ambient O3 concentrations. Exposure to specific VOCs (benzene, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), xylene, ethylbenzene, and 1,3-butadiene) associated with automobile emissions were remarkably decreased by ~40–80 % during the Level 3 warning, resulting in 42 % and 50 % reductions of total incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and hazard index (HI), respectively, compared with the Level 2 alert. In contrast, the exposure concentration and calculated health risks in the selected population for formaldehyde increased by ~25 % on average during the Level 3 warning. Our study improves knowledge of the influence of a series of anti-COVID-19 measures on personal exposure to specific VOCs and aldehydes and its mitigations.

Assessment of the impact of waste fires on air quality and atmospheric aerosol optical depth: A case study in Poland

In this study the impact on air quality and on atmospheric aerosol optical depth (AOD) of selected waste fires in Poland in the last few years was assessed using measurement results derived from the public air quality monitoring (AQM) system and satellite observations of the MODIS sensor. Additional meteorological data from nearest ground stations as well as results of HYSPLIT forward and backward modeling and high-resolution satellite imagery were used to initially identify locations potentially exposed to smoke from the fires and hours of exposure. The concentrations of selected air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, NOx, CO, and C6H6) were treated as characteristic substances of waste fires. Depending on the location of a given AQM station in relation to the place of waste fire and the prevailing meteorological conditions, a more or less significant air concentration peaks (lasting at least several hours) of the analyzed substances were observed. The study showed that the fumes from large waste fires spread over a long distance, so that the increase in air pollutant concentrations can be also recorded at AQM stations located further away (approx. 200–300 km) from the fire site. In the layer of the atmosphere where the smoke is transported, its influence on the AOD data from satellite observations was also visible.

Ambient air pollutants in the first trimester of pregnancy and birth defects: an observational study

ObjectivesAs current studies on the relationships between air pollutants exposure during the first trimester and birth defects were not fully elucidated, this study aimed to assess the association between selected...

Mechanisms and Consequences of Variable TRPA1 Expression by Airway Epithelial Cells: Effects of TRPV1 Genotype and Environmental Agonists on Cellular Responses to Pollutants in Vitro and Asthma.

Transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 [transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1 (TRPA1)] and vanilloid-1 [transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1)] detect inhaled irritants, including air pollutants and have roles in the development and exacerbation of asthma. This study tested the hypothesis that increased expression of TRPA1, stemming from expression of the loss-of-function TRPV1 (I585V; rs8065080) polymorphic variant by airway epithelial cells may explain prior observations of worse asthma symptom control among children with the TRPV1 I585I/V genotype, by virtue of sensitizing epithelial cells to particulate materials and other TRPA1 agonists. TRP agonists, antagonists, small interfering RNA (siRNA), a nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-) pathway inhibitor, and kinase activators and inhibitors were used to modulate TRPA1 and TRPV1 expression and function. Treatment of genotyped airway epithelial cells with particulate materials and analysis of asthma control data were used to assess consequences of TRPV1 genotype and variable TRPA1 expression on cellular responses in vitro and asthma symptom control among children as a function of voluntarily reported tobacco smoke exposure. A relationship between higher TRPA1 expression and function and lower TRPV1 expression and function was revealed. Findings of this study pointed to a mechanism whereby NF- promoted TRPA1 expression, whereas NF--regulated nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 2 (NLRP2) limited expression. Roles for protein kinase C and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase were also demonstrated. Finally, the TRPV1 I585I/V genotype was associated with increased TRPA1 expression by primary airway epithelial cells and amplified responses to selected air pollution particles in vitro. However, the TRPV1 I585I/V genotype was not associated with worse asthma symptom control among children exposed to tobacco smoke, whereas other TRPA1 and TRPV1 variants were. This study provides insights on how airway epithelial cells regulate TRPA1 expression, how TRPV1 genetics can affect TRPA1 expression, and that TRPA1 and TRPV1 polymorphisms differentially affect asthma symptom control. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11076.