Urban Dust Research Articles

Assessing Spatiotemporal Health Risks of Metal-Contaminated Urban Dust in a Highly Polluted City

Assessing Spatiotemporal Health Risks of Metal-Contaminated Urban Dust in a Highly Polluted City

Children's home environments as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance: Divergent urban-rural risks from antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens.

Children's home environments as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance: Divergent urban-rural risks from antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens.

Neuroprotective Properties of Wild Mango (Mangifera caloneura Kurz) Leaves on Alleviating Urban Air Pollutant Toxicity: Insights From Transcriptome Analysis of a Human Neuronal Cell Model

ABSTRACTExposure to urban air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), has been correlated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between urban air pollution and neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects and underlying mechanisms of urban dust on SH‐SY5Y cells using high‐throughput transcriptomic sequencing. In addition, we explored the neuroprotective potential of an ethanol extract of wild mango (Mangifera caloneura) leaves (MCE) against urban dust‐induced neurotoxicity. Our results demonstrated that urban dust significantly induced intracellular reactive oxygen species generation, reduced nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation, and decreased both mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate production. Transcriptomic analysis revealed altered expression of several genes associated with oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases, compared to control cells. Notably, co‐treatment with MCE reversed the detrimental effects caused by urban dust, particularly by enhancing Nrf2 nuclear translocation, increasing sirtuin 1 and superoxide dismutase 1 levels, and normalizing the altered gene expression patterns. In summary, MCE shows potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for preventing oxidative stress associated with air pollution‐induced neurodegenerative diseases.

Tire-additive chemicals and their derivatives in urban road dust: Spatial distributions, exposures, and associations with tire and road wear particles.

Tire-additive chemicals and their derivatives in urban road dust: Spatial distributions, exposures, and associations with tire and road wear particles.

Dicyclohexyl phthalate derails trophoblast function and lipid metabolism through NDRG1 by targeting PPARα:RXRα.

Dicyclohexyl phthalate derails trophoblast function and lipid metabolism through NDRG1 by targeting PPARα:RXRα.

Characterization, distribution, sources and health risks of Dechlorane Plus (DP) in urban street dust of Shenyang City, China.

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is an emerging persistent organic pollutants, yet few studies have been conducted in China, especially in urban dust. DP was measured and detected in urban street dust samples collected from Shenyang City, China. Spatial distribution, potential sources, and health risks of DP in urban dust were assessed in this study. Results show that anti-DP was easier to detect than syn-DP due to the proportion of DP production, stability, migration capability, and physical and chemical properties of DP isomers. Mean ∑DP, syn-DP, and anti-DP concentrations were 25.95 ± 11.59ng/g, 5.71 ± 3.78ng/g, and 21.57 ± 9.19ng/g, respectively. Results suggested that levels of DP pollution were influenced by land-use type, and differences in DP between the two major transportation networks in the city (e.g., first-ring road and second-ring road) were not significant. Results of correlation analysis and fractional abundance of DP isomers were consistent, indicating that PD in urban dust of Shenyang City is mainly derived from commercial DP products. Although the health risks of DP in the dust of Shenyang City were within acceptable levels, results of exposure doses and health risks suggested that children were more susceptible to the impacts of DP than adults, with oral ingestion being a more important exposure pathway than dermal absorption.

Evaluation of emission factors for resuspended tire-wear particles in urban road dust using empirical model-based methods.

Evaluation of emission factors for resuspended tire-wear particles in urban road dust using empirical model-based methods.

Highly sensitive tandem mass spectrometry detection for high resolution HILIC separation of biomass burning markers.

Highly sensitive tandem mass spectrometry detection for high resolution HILIC separation of biomass burning markers.

Examination of trace elements in dust and their effects on ecology and public health in Tehran Metropolis (Iran).

This study employed a passive dust sampling method using flat glass traps at 44 locations across Tehran, which allowed for detailed analysis of V, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Cr concentrations. It offers an essential understanding of the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of urban dust pollution, along with its associated environmental and human health risks. The results indicate that Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd are key factors influencing the dust pollution burden in Tehran. The findings highlight the pollution and ecological impacts of dust, showing that most of the dust throughout Tehran has "moderate to high pollution levels" and "considerable ecological risk". In addition, these studies show that Cd and Pb need special attention. Multivariate statistical analyses demonstrated that Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd were predominantly affected by human activities, while Ni and Cr were affected to a lesser degree, and V appeared to be more influenced by geological sources. The assessment of health risks showed that these levels were within the safe limits (non-carcinogenic < 1 and carcinogenic < 1 ✕ 10-6), and the possible health risks in children were more than in adults. The most unsafe route of exposure in children was ingestion, followed by dermal contact and inhalation. The findings of this research showed that cold seasons can be most problematic with the negative effects of pollution and ecological risks, and may also have health risks in the long term. The findings pointed to reasons such as increased consumption of fossil fuels, increased traffic, temperature inversion, and atmospheric stability.

Diagnosis of heavy metals in urban dust during the COVID- 19 pandemic in a tourist city from Mexico

Particle emissions from vehicular traffic are one of the main sources of heavy metals in cities. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, mobility was reduced, which created the opportunity to measure baseline heavy metal pollution in cities. Citizens took urban dust samples at 25 sites inside and outside their homes, with four repetitions; 159 urban dust samples were analyzed. The elements analyzed with FRX equipment in triplicate were Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y, Zn, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Zr, Nb, Sn, Sb, V and Ag. The contamination factor and health risk indices were calculated, and the most contaminated sites were geographically identified. The highest average values for the contamination factor were those of copper, vanadium, and zinc. The other metals presented moderate contamination. The extreme contamination cases with values higher than CF > 6 were Cu indoors, Mn outdoors, Pb indoors, and Ni, V, and Zn in both cases. The health risk index, no danger was observed in adults and children. However, sites 2 and 6, located in the east and southeast of the city, were the most contaminated outdoors, while indoors, they were sites 1 and 20 in the southwest and west, respectively. The results of this study carried out under low mobility conditions allowed the identification of two possible background levels for heavy metals: (a) the first decile and (b) the median value of the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, V and Zn, for tourist cities and industrial cities in karst areas.

Heavy Metals in Urban and Rural Indoor Dust in Plateau Homes: Levels, Sources, and Health Risks

Heavy Metals in Urban and Rural Indoor Dust in Plateau Homes: Levels, Sources, and Health Risks

High-Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography Electrochemical Determination of Uric Acid as a Contamination Marker

This study presents the first instance of determining environmental uric acid in urban dust using high-performance anion exchange chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. The optimum chromatographic conditions were identified as a 10 mm × 4.6 mm, 10 µm anion exchange column with a mobile phase of pH 8 50 mM phosphate buffer. Cyclic voltametric investigations over a pH range of 2 to 12 showed that uric acid gave a single diffusion-controlled peak. Hydrodynamic voltametric studies of uric acid using a mobile phase of 50 mM pH 8.0 phosphate buffer over the range 0.0 V to +1.4 V (vs. stainless steel) showed a similar single oxidation wave, which plateaued at potentials more positive than +0.7 V (vs. stainless steel). An applied potential of +0.90 V (vs. stainless steel) was chosen for further investigations, and a linear range of 0.10 to 100 mg/L was obtained, with a detection limit of 0.866 mg/L based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Dust wipe samples were extracted in pH 8, 50 mM phosphate buffer with the aid of sonication. Recoveries of 99.6% (% CV = 4.52%) were achieved for the dust wipe fortified with 16.8 µg of uric acid. Nitrate, nitrite, chloride, acetate, and sulfate ions were found not to interfere. The dust wipe samples were found to have uric acid levels of between 32.6 µg/m2 and 3.98 mg/m2.

Elemental Composition and Sources of Urban Dust of a Large Industrial City (Krasnoyarsk, Russia)

Elemental Composition and Sources of Urban Dust of a Large Industrial City (Krasnoyarsk, Russia)

Unveiling sources, contamination, and eco-human health implications of potentially toxic metals from urban road dust

To investigate the pollution characteristics, ecological and health risks assessment, and source apportionment of potentially toxic metal(loid)s (PTMs) in urban road dust, 140 dust samples collected from eight renowned roads of city Lahore, Pakistan. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) were used for pollution characteristics, modified ecological risk index used for ecological risk assessment, the USEPA models used for health risk assessment, and multivariate statistical analyses were used for source apportionment of PTMs. The ranges of average concentrations (mgkg−1) in road dust Cd, Hg, Mo, and Pb were 1.91 (CR) to 3.35 (BR), 11.7 (JR) to 29.3 (MuR), 452 (JR) to 1115 (MuR), and 36.9 (MaR) to 110 (BR), respectively, which were several times higher than reference values. The Cd was moderate to highly polluted in road dust with highest Igeo=2.58 from MuR and EF = 26.9 from CR. Whereas Hg and Mo were categorized as extremely polluted PTMs with mean Igeo and EF values beyond the uppermost level (class 5). The road dust collected from mall road (MaR) was polluted with high levels of most of the PTMs among other roads. The adjacent areas of roads were at extreme ecological risks due to Cd, Hg, and Mo pollution. The employed statistical methods proved that PTMs pollution was induced severely by industrial, exhaustive, and non-exhaustive vehicular emissions in road dust. The Hg pollution in road dust was causing potential non-carcinogenic risks in children with HQing and HI higher than 1. No carcinogenic risk was found for both adults and children. The study helps to create awareness about PTMs’ pollution and associated health concerns among public.

The Color and Magnetic Properties of Urban Dust to Identify Contaminated Samples by Heavy Metals in Mexico City Metropolitan Area

Particles from gasoline-powered vehicle combustion often contain dark or black magnetic iron oxides. This work evaluates color variations and heavy metal concentrations in urban dust by separating magnetic particles. We used a high-power magnet to separate the magnetic particles of 30 urban dust samples from the Metropolitan Zone of the Valley of Mexico. In this way, we obtained three types of dust samples: complete particles (CPs), magnetic particles (MPs), and residual particles (RPs). The change in color with the CIE L*a*b* and RGB systems was estimated, while the concentrations of 18 heavy metals with XRF were measured. Results showed significant color differences between magnetic particles (MPs) and complete (CPs) or residual particles (RPs), with MPs exhibiting darker tones and higher concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and V. The redness and saturation indices may help to identify urban dust samples contaminated with heavy metals and magnetic particles. Magnetism is a method that removes magnetic particles and some heavy metals from urban dust, partially reducing its toxicity.

Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: sources, research methods and environmental consequences. Experience of russian researchers and prospects for pollution control in khanty-mansiysk autonomous okrug – yugra

This article presents an analytical review of scientific studies focusing on the issue of microplastic pollution in freshwater bodies in Russia. The study examines in detail the primary sources of microplastic particles entering aquatic environments, including domestic and industrial wastewater, rainwater runoff, urban dust, and diffuse sources such as the decomposition of plastic waste in landfills and natural environments. Special attention is given to the methods of collecting water and sediment samples employed by various research groups. Contemporary approaches to microplastic detection and identification are described, including visual methods using optical and electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The review presents data on the impact of microplastics on biological organisms and ecosystems, including disruptions in trophic networks and impairments in the functioning of the endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems. Aspects of the mechanical and toxicological effects of microplastics are considered, as well as the processes of contaminant sorption onto their surfaces. The conclusion highlights the need for further standardization of research methodologies and additional investigations to gain a deeper understanding of the extent of microplastic distribution in freshwater ecosystems, particularly in regions with insufficient empirical data. The importance of developing comprehensive strategies to minimize microplastic pollution in freshwaters is emphasized.

Experiment study on the source identification and dust forecast based on the atmospheric electric field during urban dust pollution.

Experiment study on the source identification and dust forecast based on the atmospheric electric field during urban dust pollution.

Ecological and health risk assessment and anthropogenic sources analysis of heavy metals in different types of urban road dust

Ecological and health risk assessment and anthropogenic sources analysis of heavy metals in different types of urban road dust

Quantitative source apportionment and health risk assessment for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and their derivatives in indoor dust from housing and public buildings of a mega-city in China.

Quantitative source apportionment and health risk assessment for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and their derivatives in indoor dust from housing and public buildings of a mega-city in China.

Sources and distribution of potentially toxic elements in urban road dust: A comparative insights and risk assessment of two polluted cities.

Sources and distribution of potentially toxic elements in urban road dust: A comparative insights and risk assessment of two polluted cities.