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The significance of this work is that ambient PM

Source-apportioned particle concentrations are necessary to properly evaluate the health impacts of air pollution. In this study, a measurement station was established at an urban roadside in northern Taiwan to the investigate lung deposited surface area (LDSA) concentration, a relevant metric for the adverse health effects of aerosol exposure, along with PM

The significance of this work is that ambient PM2.5 is a direct transmission mode for influenza virus infection to the human alveolar epithelium. The concentration of PM2.5 was 11.7 ± 5.5 μg/m3 in Taipei during 24 December 2019–13 January 2020. Approximately 79% of inhaled PM2.5 is able to reach the upper-to-lower airway, and 47% of PM2.5 is able to reach the alveolar epithelium for influenza virus infection. Influenza A and B viruses were detected in PM2.5 on 9 days, and the influenza A/H5 virus was detected on 15 days during the study period. FL and Pyr were negatively correlated with the influenza A virus. D(ah)P and Acp were positively correlated with the influenza B and A/H5 viruses, respectively. Cd, V, and Zn were positively correlated with the influenza A, B, and A/H5 viruses, respectively. Next, influenza A, B, and A/H5 viral plasmids interacted with carbon black, H2O2, DEPs, and UD. We observed that H2O2 significantly decreased levels of complementary DNA of the three influenza viruses. DEPs and UD significantly decreased influenza A and A/H5 viral levels. In conclusion, chemicals in PM2.5 may play vital roles in terms of viable influenza virus in the atmosphere.

Air-liquid exchange process could spread pathogens and pharmaceutical emerging pollutants into the air as aerosol particles in an Urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs). These particles can later be transported to places where such pollution is unforeseen. In this study, measurements were conducted in the aeration area of a UWTP in northern Taiwan. According to this investigation, nanoparticles are major contributors to both the number and volume concentration of particles. Most fluorescent particles may be bacterial aggregates or fungal species. Moreover, nine common emerging contaminants were analyzed and found in both air and water samples. Among these contaminants, the most abundant chemicals in the air were erythromycin-H2O (191.45 pg/m3) and methamphetamine (39.02 pg/m3). These results imply that UWTPs could be an emission source of emerging contaminants and bioaerosols, and the potential risk of inhalation exposure should be carefully evaluated.