Sulfur Dioxide In Air Research Articles

Long-term ambient sulfur dioxide exposure during gestation and preterm birth in North Carolina, 2003–2015

BackgroundCoal-fired power plants are major contributors of ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2) air pollution. Epidemiological literature suggests an adverse association between SO2 exposure during gestation and preterm birth (PTB; <37 weeks completed gestation). PTB is strongly associated with infant mortality and increased risk for later life morbidities. ObjectiveWe investigated associations between SO2 and PTB in North Carolina and evaluated whether the associations were modified by race/ethnicity. MethodsWe assembled a retrospective, administrative cohort of singleton births in North Carolina from 2003 to 2015. We used US EPA EQUATES data to assign long-term SO2 gestational exposures to eligible births for the entire pregnancy and by trimester. We used multivariable generalized linear regression to estimate risk differences (RD (95%CI)) per 1-ppb increase in SO2, adjusted for gestational parent education, Medicaid status, marital status, and season of conception. Multi-pollutant models were additionally adjusted for other criteria air co-pollutants (O3, PM2.5, NO2). ResultsThe median SO2 (24-h average) across exposure windows was ∼1.5 (IQR: 1.8) ppb. The overall baseline risk for PTB was 8756 per 100,000 live births. When stratified by race/ethnicity, the baseline risk for PTB was 12215, 7824, and 7187 per 100,000 live births among non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic births, respectively. RDs per 1-ppb increase in SO2 averaged across the entire pregnancy were 317.0 (95%CI: 279.4, 354.5) and 568.2 (95%CI: 500.3, 636.1) per 100,000 live births for single- and multi-pollutant models, respectively. For the PTB multi-pollutant models, we observed similar RDs for non-Hispanic Black participants (669.6 [95%CI: 573.9, 765.2]) and non-Hispanic white participants (635.4 [95%CI: 557.2, 713.6]) with smaller RDs for Hispanic participants (336.8 [95%CI: 241.3, 432.2]). SignificanceThe results for our adjusted single- and multi-pollutant models showed adverse associations between SO2 and PTB, with some evidence of effect measure modification by race/ethnicity within subcategories of PTB.

Determination of Sulphur Dioxide (SO&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;) Air Emission of Refined Petroleum Products by Emission Factor Approach for Air Pollution Control

Air pollution control is a safe method for achieving a sustainable environment and can be accomplished by adequately monitoring pollutants that pose significant environmental risks. The combustion of sulfur-containing petroleum products has been a major concern for several decades. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining sulfur levels in refined petroleum products such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK). It also investigated the air quality implications of sulfur levels and estimated the contribution of the refinery’s products to sulfur dioxide air emission. Fuel samples were collected from the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) in Nigeria and analyzed using Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). Sulfur levels were determined at 425 nm wavelength, and sulfur dioxide air emission were estimated for seven consecutive years from 2010 to 2016 using the emission factor approach. The densities of PMS, AGO, and DPK were 0.77 kg/l, 0.832 kg/l, and 0.82 kg/l respectively. The levels of sulfur in PMS, AGO, and DPK were 2.007 x 10&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-4&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; %, 6.970 x 10&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-5&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; wt%, and 4.233 x 10&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;-5&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; wt% respectively from UV-Vis technique and 0.016, 0.087 and 0.029% respectively for EDXRF technique were found below the sulfur limit of 0.015 %, 0.005 % and 0.015 % for PMS, AGO and DPK respectively specified by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) specifications of 0.1, 0.5 and 0.15wt% for PMS, AGO and DPK respectively. The annual sulfur dioxide emissions were obtained for seven consecutive years from 2010 to 2016. The results from UV-VIS were observed to have the highest SO&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; emission of 0.1718 tons for PMS in 2011, 0.2593 tons in 2010 for AGO, and 0.0974 tons for DPK in 2010, while the lowest emission was observed to be 0.029 tons for PMS in 2015, 0.0362 tons in 2015 for AGO and 0.0181 tons for DPK also in 2015. The results from EDXRF technique were observed to have the highest SO&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; emission of 13.6939 tons for PMS in 2012, 323.6881 tons for AGO in 2010, and 66.7147 tons for DPK also in 2010, while the lowest emissions for PMS, AGO and DPK were all observed in 2015 to be 2.3122, 45.1872, and 12.4182 tons respectively. The study concluded that the refinery complied with the set requirements.

Mysteriously rapid rise in Legionnaires' disease incidence correlates with declining atmospheric sulfur dioxide.

Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a severe form of pneumonia (∼10-25% fatality rate) caused by inhalation of aerosols containing Legionella, a pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. These bacteria can grow, spread, and aerosolize through building water systems. A recent dramatic increase in LD incidence has been observed globally, with a 9-fold increase in the United States from 2000 to 2018, and with disproportionately higher burden for socioeconomically vulnerable subgroups. Despite the focus of decades of research since the infamous 1976 outbreak, substantial knowledge gaps remain with regard to source of exposure and the reason(s) for the dramatic increase in LD incidence. Here, we rule out factors indicated in literature to contribute to its long-term increases and identify a hitherto unexplored explanatory factor. We also provide an epidemiological demonstration that the occurrence of LD is linked with exposure to cooling towers (CTs). Our results suggest that declining sulfur dioxide air pollution, which has many well-established health benefits, results in reduced acidity of aerosols emitted from CTs, which may prolong the survival duration of Legionella in contaminated CT droplets and contribute to the increase in LD incidence. Mechanistically associating decreasing aerosol acidity with this respiratory disease has implications for better understanding its transmission, predicting future risks, and informed design of preventive and interventional strategies that consider the complex impacts of continued sulfur dioxide changes.

Air Quality Prediction Using the Fractional Gradient-Based Recurrent Neural Network.

In this study, the air quality index (AQI) of Indian cities of different tiers is predicted by using the vanilla recurrent neural network (RNN). AQI is used to measure the air quality of any region which is calculated on the basis of the concentration of ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide in air. Thus, the present air quality of an area is dependent on current weather conditions, vehicle traffic in that area, or anything that increases air pollution. Also, the current air quality is dependent on the climate conditions and industrialization in that area. Thus, the AQI is history-dependent. To capture this dependency, the memory property of fractional derivatives is exploited in this algorithm and the fractional gradient descent algorithm involving Caputo's derivative has been used in the backpropagation algorithm for training of the RNN. Due to the availability of a large amount of data and high computation support, deep neural networks are capable of giving state-of-the-art results in the time series prediction. But, in this study, the basic vanilla RNN has been chosen to check the effectiveness of fractional derivatives. The AQI and gases affecting AQI prediction results for different cities show that the proposed algorithm leads to higher accuracy. It has been observed that the results of the vanilla RNN with fractional derivatives are comparable to long short-term memory (LSTM).

Exposure to ambient sulfur dioxide during gestation and risk of preterm birth among people in North Carolina, 2003-2014

BACKGROUND/AIM: Coal-fired power plants are major contributors of ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2) air pollution. Epidemiological literature suggests an adverse association between SO2 exposure during gestation and preterm birth (PTB; &amp;#x3c;37 weeks completed gestation). PTB is strongly associated with infant mortality and increased risk for later life morbidities. We investigated associations between SO2 and PTB in North Carolina and evaluated whether the associations were modified by race/ethnicity. METHODS: We assembled a retrospective, administrative cohort of singleton births in North Carolina from 2003-2014. We used USEPA CMAQ data to assign SO2 gestational exposures to eligible births for the entire pregnancy and trimesters. We used multivariable generalized linear regression to estimate risk differences (RD (95%CI)) per 1-ppb increase in SO2, adjusted for gestational parent education, marital status, and season of conception. Multi-pollutant models were additionally adjusted for criteria air co-pollutants (CO, O3, PM2.5, NO2). RESULTS: The median SO2 across exposure windows was ~3.5 (IQR: 4) ppb. The overall baseline risk for PTB was 8800 per 100,000 live births. When stratified by race/ethnicity, the baseline risk for PTB was 12200, 7900, and 7100 per 100,000 live births among non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic births, respectively. Regardless of exposure window, SO2 was adversely associated with PTB with the strongest associations observed for the entire pregnancy period. RDs per 1-ppb increase in SO2 averaged across the entire pregnancy were 133.5 (95%CI: 117.0, 149.9) and 195.7 (171.6, 219.7) per 100,000 live births for single- and multi-pollutant models, respectively. For multi-pollutant models, we observed similar RDs for non-Hispanic Blacks (239.4 (200.7, 278.2)) and non-Hispanic whites (211.5 (182.4, 240.7)) with smaller RDs for Hispanics (119.8 (80.7, 158.9)). CONCLUSIONS: Across exposure windows, the results for our adjusted single- and multi-pollutant models showed adverse associations between SO2 and PTB, with some evidence of effect measure modification by race/ethnicity. KEYWORD: PTB

Effects of sulfur dioxide, ozone, and ambient air pollution on lung histopathology, oxidative-stress biomarkers, and apoptosis-related gene expressions in rats

Purpose of the Study Ambient air pollution (AAP) has become an important health problem globally. Besides, several pieces of evidence indicate that air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) are major contributors to a wide range of non-communicable diseases. The present study investigated the effects of AAP, sulfur dioxide, and ozone on oxidative stress, histopathology, and some apoptosis-related genes expressions of lung tissue in a rat model. Materials and Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control, AAP, sulfur dioxide (10 ppm), and ozone (0.6 ppm) groups. After five consecutive weeks’ exposure to the selected pollutants (3 h/day), lung tissues were harvested and immediately fixed with formalin. The samples were routinely processed, sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and finally assessed for presence of pathological changes. Expression changes of BAX, p-53, EGFR, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were assayed using the RT-qPCR method. One hundred milligrams of lung tissues were extracted and the supernatants were used for assaying malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase activities. Results GPx activity was increased in the ozone (P = 0.05) and AAP (P < 0.001) groups and also MDA level in sulfur dioxide group (P = 0.008). Pathological lesions were mild, moderate, and severe in the sulfur dioxide, ozone, and AAP groups, respectively, as compared to control group (P ˂ 0.05). Exposure to AAP and sulfur dioxide enhanced BAX (P = 0.002) and caspase-8 (P < 0.001) mRNA expression, respectively. Caspases-3 and −8 mRNA expressions were elevated in ozone group (P < 0.001). Conclusions The results indicated induction of oxidative stress. Our results suggest the apoptosis stimuli effect of AAP and also the extrinsic apoptotic pathway trigger effect of sulfur dioxide and ozone in the lung tissue in the concentrations used in the present study. The histopathological and the genes expression changes may be a result of the induced oxidative stress in the lung tissues.

Wax and bentonite blends for prototyping industrial clay development: preliminary results

Wax and bentonite blends for prototyping industrial clay development: preliminary results

Relationship Between Exposure to Sulphur Dioxide Air Pollution, White Cell Inflammatory Biomarkers and Enzymatic Infarct Size in Patients With ST-segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Aims: To analyse the relationship among air pollutants, markers of inflammation and infarct size in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: This was a prospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted to hospital because of ACS. Cardiac biomarkers were drawn. The daily mean values of the air pollutants from the day before until 7 days before admission were analysed. The study population was stratified according to infarct size, based on median peak troponin value. Results: Patients were divided into two groups of 108 subjects each, according to median peak troponin value. Patients with extensive MIs had a higher neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and leukocyte and neutrophil counts than patients with smaller MIs. In addition, they were exposed to higher concentrations of sulphur dioxide (9.7 ± 4.1 versus 8.4 ± 3.1 μg/m3; p=0.009) and lower concentrations of ozone (33.8 ± 13.7 versus 38.6 ± 14.5 μg/m3; p=0.014). Multivariate analysis showed that sulphur dioxide levels (OR 1.12; 95% CI [1.031–1.21]; p=0.007) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (OR 1.08; 95% CI [1.011–1.17]; p=0.024) were independent predictors of infarct size. Conclusion: Patients with extensive MIs had higher white cell inflammatory levels and had been exposed to higher sulphur dioxide concentrations in the ambient air.

Analysis of atmospheric SO2 in Sichuan-Chongqing region based on OMI data.

The Sichuan-Chongqing region is the leader and growth pole of economic development in western China. With the rapid development of economy and unique geographical environment, high concentration of sulfur dioxide air pollution has existed for a long time in Sichuan-Chongqing area. Based on 10years of remote sensing data, this paper studies the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics, stability, and influencing factors of sulfur dioxide in this area. Based on potential sources, the impact of surrounding areas on sulfur dioxide in Sichuan and Chongqing is analyzed. The results shows that the spatial distribution of sulfur dioxide in the Sichuan-Chongqing region is higher in the southeast and lower in the west. The Midwest region has low fluctuation and good stability. The time distribution shows obvious seasonal regularity. The concentration of sulfur dioxide is affected by socio-economic factors and natural factors. In this study, it is found that the distribution of sulfur dioxide is closely related to PM2.5, which provides an important reference for the comprehensive management of air pollution. The OMI data effectively reflects the distribution and change of atmospheric sulfur dioxide in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, and provides certain ideas for air pollution control in the Sichuan-Chongqing region and other regions in China.

Assessment of Energy Potential and Benefit under the Ground Source Heat Pump Air Conditioning System in Anqing Area of Eastern China

Now ground source heat pump is a more efficient way to develop and utilize shallow geothermal energy because it is clean and environmentally friendly and has a relatively low energy cost. In order to optimize the planning layout and geographical space development in the eastern new town of Anqing city, which can realize the transformation and upgrading of real space and urban sustainable development, the exploration for shallow geothermal energy will be carried out in this area, so as to find out the comprehensive thermophysical parameters of the shallow rock-soil body and the heat transfer capacity of the vertical heat exchanger, etc. This paper takes the CBD in the eastern new town of Anqing as an example to provide the basis for the feasibility construction of the ground source heat pump project in the study area and evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of the expected project. According to the simulation test data of 5 working conditions of 4 geothermal exploration holes in the study area, we can clearly know that the energy cost per square meter of the ground source heat pump is 11.8 yuan for a building of one hundred thousand square meters in which the heat removal power is expected to be 9481 kW in summer and 3070 kW in winter. And the annual emission of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, suspended dust, and other air pollutants to the atmosphere can be reduced by 1442.5 t, and the solid waste ash and slag can be reduced by 59.7 t. The annual environmental treatment cost will be saved by 166000 yuan.

Risk Factors Affecting Respiratory Symptoms and Impaired Lung Function of Palm Oil Mill Workers in the District of Kandis

Background: Air pollution that exposed to human have been a problem all over the world and caused a variety of lung disease. Gases and particles emitted from industry including sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter may lead to decreasing lung function. Sulfur dioxide is one of the highest causes of air pollution at the highest level. Workers exposure to gases were vulnerable to respiratory function abnormality. Methods: A study on the effect of risk factors and sulfur dioxide exposure on lung function of palm oil workers in the district of Kandis was carried out in December 2019–January 2020. The research aim at describing sulfur dioxide air ambient in palm oil mill as well as respiratory state of palm oil workers and analyzing sulfur dioxide exposure and lung function relationship. Result: The result showed that sulfur dioxide concentration in outdoor 25.7 µg/Nm3 and indoor 20.6 µg/Nm3. The result of spirometry showed obstruction in 13% of the workers. Breathlessness and productive cough are the most common symptoms. Several factors that correlated with lung function namely as personal protective equipment (p=0.001), length of working (p=0.003), and smoking habit (p=0.004). From multivariate analysis, personal protective equipment has a significant correlation with lung function (p=0.038). Conclusion: Increasing the concentration of sulfur dioxide may cause decreased of lung function but other factor like personal protective equipment showed a significant correlation with lung function.

CRITICAL REVIEW OF TAMAKA SHAWASA (ASTHMA) CHIKITSA

Asthma is known as reactive airway disease. This hyperresponsiveness manifests itself as bronchoconstriction following exercise, on natural exposure to strong as irritant fumes such as sulphur dioxide, tobacco smoke or cold air and an intentional exposure in the laboratory to inhalations of histamine or parasympathamimetic agent such as methacholine. In Ayurveda it can be correlated with Tamaka Shwasa. Tamaka Shwasa is one of the diseases where Nidana parivarjana and samprati vighatana plays an important role. The detailed study of Nidana panchaka is helpful in better understanding of the disease and for the proper treatment. As Kapha and Vata are the pre-dominant Doshas, so the medicines and the dietetic regimen which controls the Kapha and Vata due to their Ushna guna and are Vata- anulomaka in action must be utilized in the treatment of Shwasa roga. While The patient with Kapha and Vata dominance and of strong build should be given Samshodhan therapy i.e. vaman &amp; Virechana.&#x0D; Keywords: Tamaka Shwasa, Shwasa roga, Samshodhana, Asthma.

Tuberculosis incidence in area with sulfur dioxide pollution: an observation.

Tuberculosis is an important public health problem that needs good control. The interrelationship between air pollution and incidence of tuberculosis is interesting. In the present report, the authors report the observation on tuberculosis incidence in area with sulfur dioxide pollution. The retrospective analysis on public available on incidence of tuberculosis and ambient air sulfur dioxide level in Thailand is done. There is no significant relationship between air sulfur dioxide level and corresponding incidence of tuberculosis (r = –0.224, P = 0.535). In conclusion, there is a lack of association between air sulfur dioxide level and corresponding incidence of tuberculosis in our setting.

National benefits, local costs? Local residents' views on environmental and social effects of large‐scale mining in Chingola, Zambia

This study examined the environmental and social effects of large‐scale mining in Chingola, Zambia. Data was collected through semi‐structured interviews with 164 residents living close to Zambia's largest open pit mine, key informants and desk analysis of secondary data. Quantitative data was analysed using the chi‐square test, one sample T‐test and two sample Z‐proportions test, while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Results show that the residents reported being most affected by sulphur dioxide air emissions and noise pollution due to the proximity of the copper smelter and heavy moving machinery to their residences. The residents received domestic water containing rust and copper ore particles from the water utility company which draws raw water from the mine. Although the mine was a source of employment for locals, over 4,000 jobs (representing a 33% decrease) have been lost over a period of 4 years, negatively affecting the local economy. Mine management attributed the job losses to high production costs and mechanization of mining processes. The residents perceived the job losses to have led to crime, alcohol abuse and prostitution among youths as well as a general increase in poverty levels. Analysis of air emissions data from the mine found elevated levels of dust, cadmium, copper and lead pollutants. Key informants from Nchanga Mine reported implementing bioremediation to reduce soil contamination by the heavy metals and recycling SO2 to produce sulphuric acid. The study recommends an increase in social corporate responsibility from the mine management to ensure residents derive more substantive benefits from their proximity to the mine.

Impacts of aerosol nuclei on amine emissions

Amine emissions are an environmental and economic concern for CO2 capture by amine scrubbing. Aerosol nuclei, including hydrolyzed SO3 and fly ash, can lead to amine aerosol emissions. Aerosol grows by collecting water and amine while passing through the absorber column; current mitigation techniques are ineffective at capturing the aerosol prior to atmospheric release. This work measures the varying impacts of aerosol nuclei on amine emissions at multiple pilot plants. Aerosol emissions were quantified by the use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). MEA emissions were measured in the Slipstream Solvent Test Unit (SSTU) at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC). The effect of baghouse pretreatment of the inlet flue gas on the aerosol emissions was observed by FTIR and Phase Doppler Interferometry (PDI); these tests were performed before and after the installation of a pulsed-jet baghouse designed for flue gas mercury control. The baghouse resulted in a ten-fold reduction of amine aerosol emissions, due to the collection of SO3 aerosol nuclei, probably on injected Ca(OH)2. This emissions reduction was due to a decrease in the inlet SO3 content from a max of 9 ppm to 0.5 ppm. FTIR sampling was used to quantify this emissions reduction. PDI analysis confirmed the absence of aerosol at diameters greater than 0.1 μm. Aerosol generation was performed through the injection of sulfur trioxide into the process inlet at the University of Texas Separations Research Program (UT-SRP) Pilot Plant. SO3 was generated by the oxidation of sulfur dioxide in air over a heated vanadium pentoxide catalyst bed. The 8% SO2/Air mix was fed at flow rates up to 6 liters per minute, and resulted in up to 110 ppm of SO3 at the absorber inlet. The generator converted an average of 94 % SO2 into SO3, with production rates up to 1.7 grams per minute of SO3. The injected aerosol was allowed to grow within the absorber and water wash. SO3 was found to increase PZ emissions by up to 7.6 mol PZ per mol SO3. Increasing inlet SO3 correlated with increasing PZ emissions.

Life cycle environmental and economic assessment of ceramic tile production: A case study in China

Abstract Ceramic tiles are important building materials, but their production consumes large amounts of energy and raw materials and causes serious pollution. In this study, a cost combined life cycle assessment is conducted to quantify the environmental and economic impacts of ceramic tile production from cradle to gate and identify the key substances and processes to eliminate production issues. Results show that marine ecotoxicity, climate change, terrestrial ecotoxicity, human toxicity, and fossil depletion are the key environmental impact categories. Key substances include chlorine in soil, sulfur dioxide in air, and carbon dioxide in air. The total economic cost is $2.77/m2, and this cost mainly originates from raw materials. Inorganic chemicals used as raw materials account for general environmental (12.9%) and economic (39.6%) burdens. Application of alternative electricity generation types, such as hydropower as a replacement for coal power, can reduce the impacts on climate change and marine ecotoxicity by 98.4% and 96.4%, respectively, during the electricity generation stage. An environmental and economic win–win situation can be achieved by reducing the use of inorganic chemicals, coal, and electricity and optimizing the transport of raw materials.

OFF-GAS DESULFURIZATION WITH SODIUM BICARBONATE FOR IRON ORE SINTER PLANTS: INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE OFF-GAS TEMPERATURE

For dry off-gas desulfurization by chemisorption in iron ore sinter plants hydrated lime is usually used as reactant. In some other off-gas cleaning applications with a gas temperature above 140°C sodium bicarbonate is used instead of hydrated lime. An advantage of sodium bicarbonate is the higher desulfurization efficiency. Additionally, cooling of the off-gas to a temperature below 100°C to achieve satisfactory desulfurization is not required. In sinter plants the off-gas temperature is often below 140°C. Thus, the thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate, which increases the specific surface area of the reactant, might be too slow. The aim of this study was to investigate the desulfurization gas with sodium bicarbonate in the typical temperature range of sinter plant off-gas of 110-160°C. The experiments were performed in a small pilot system consisting of an entrained flow reactor and a fabric filter. For the experiments a mixture of sulfur dioxide in air was used. The results showed that the efficiency of the desulfurization was only slightly reduced at the lower temperature of 110°C. However, at lower temperatures it takes longer after start-up of the system to reach stable conditions. At first, the efficiency is lower, but it seems that this is nearly compensated for by reaction in the filter cake, which builds up at the filter. Therefore, sodium bicarbonate is a feasible reactant for the desulfurization of sinter plant off-gas. Article DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.20319/mijst.2017.32.1625 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.

Acute myocardial infarction and COPD attributed to ambient SO2 in Iran

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are important diseases worldwide. Inhalation is the major route of short-term exposure to air sulfur dioxide (SO2) that negatively affect human health. The objective of this study was to estimate the health effects of short-term exposure to SO2 in Khorramabad, Iran using the AirQ software developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Daily mean SO2 concentrations were used as the estimates of human short-term exposure and allow calculation of the attributable excess relative risk of an acute MI and hospital admissions due to COPD (HACOPD). The annual mean SO2 concentration in Khorramabad was 51.33µg/m3. Based on the relative risk (RR) and baseline incidence (BI) approach of WHO, an increased risk of 2.7% (95% CI: 1.1–4.2%) of acute MI and 2.0% (95% CI: 0–4.6%) of HACOPD, respectively, were attributed to a 10µg/m3 SO2 increase. Since the geographic, demographic, and climatic characteristics are different from the areas in which the risk relationships were developed and not evaluated here, further investigations will be needed to fully quantify other health impacts of SO2. A decreased risk for MIs and COPD attributable to SO2 could be achieved if mitigation strategies and measures are implemented to reduce the exposure.

Estimates of Economic Loss of Materials Caused by Acid Deposition in China

China is facing severe acid deposition. Acid deposition can cause economic loss, corrosion, and damage to materials, and the reduction of material life span. In this study, the administrative areas (including municipalities, prefecture-level cities, regions, autonomous prefectures, and leagues—hereinafter referred to the cities) at and above the prefecture level were selected as research areas. Monitoring results of acid precipitation and ambient air sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the China National Environmental Monitoring Network were used, research findings available domestically and abroad were summarized, and a set of material exposure inventory per capita was established, based on urban and rural areas in Eastern, Central, and Western China regions. Losses of construction materials caused by acid deposition in the cities were assessed by using the said materials’ acid rain exposure response functions available. The results showed that, material loss caused by acid deposition in China was 32.165 billion yuan (RMB, similarly hereinafter) in 2013, accounting for 0.057% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and 3.4% of the total investment for environmental pollution governance this year.

Modeling long-term effects attributed to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure on asthma morbidity in a nationwide cohort in Israel

ABSTRACTStudies have provided extensive documentation that acutely elevated environmental exposures contribute to chronic health problems. However, only attention has been paid to the effects of modificate of exposure assessment methods in environmental health investigations, leading to uncertainty and gaps in our understanding of exposure– and dose–response relationships. The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether average or peak concentration exerts a greater influence on asthma outcome, and which of the exposure models may better explain various physiological responses generated by nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or sulfur dioxide (SO2) air pollutants. The effects of annual NO2 and SO2 exposures on asthma prevalence were determined in 137,040 17-year-old males in Israel, who underwent standard health examinations before induction to military service during 1999–2008. Three alternative models of cumulative exposure were used: arithmetic mean level (AM), average peak concentration (APC), and total number of air pollution exposure episodes (NEP). Air pollution data for NO2 and SO2 levels were linked to the residence of each subject and asthma prevalence was predicted using bivariate logistic regression. There was significant increased risk for asthma occurrence attributed to NO2 exposure in all models with the highest correlations demonstrated using the APC model. Data suggested that exposure–response is better correlated with NO2 peak concentration than with average exposure concentration in subjects with asthma. For SO2, there was a weaker but still significant exposure response association in all models. These differences may be related to differences in physiological responses including effects on different regions of the airways following exposure to these pollutants. NO2, which is poorly soluble in water, penetrates deep into the bronchial tree, producing asthmatic manifestations such as inflammation and increased mucus production as a result of high gaseous concentrations in the lung parenchyma. In contrast, SO2, which is highly water soluble, exerts its effects rapidly in the upper airways, leading to similar limited correlations at all levels of exposure with fewer asthmatic manifestations observed. These data indicate that differing exposure assessment methods may be needed to capture specific disease consequences associated with these air pollutants.