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Abstract Dust pollution from Chinese open-pit coal mines (OPCMs) threatens the coexistence of resource development and environmental protection. This research introduces a new approach to designing OPCMs based on meteorological indicators for dust removal and diffusion. It analyzes the production, distribution, and dust emission features of large-scale OPCMs in China. The factors affecting dust dispersion and atmospheric pollution characteristics were also examined. The findings reveal a surge in the number and output of OPCMs, intensifying the conflict between resource development and environmental protection. Notably, over 80% of OPCMs are in arid and semi-arid regions, exacerbating the challenge. Microclimate effects, including circulation and inversion effects, further amplify dust pollution. Regional and seasonal dust pollution patterns were identified, with the southern region experiencing the highest pollution levels, followed by the northern and central regions. Seasonally, dust pollution exhibits the following pattern: winter > autumn > spring > summer. An alarming decline in atmospheric self-cleaning capacity over the past two decades underscores the pressing challenges ahead for dust control. The increase in air stagnation days/events highlights the urgency for effective dust prevention and control measures. This research suggests considering meteorological elements in OPCM design for dust control. Optimizing mining operations based on weather forecasts enables the utilization of natural conditions for effective dust prevention and control. The results provide insights for dust prevention and control in open-pit mines to foster green and climate-smart mining.

Dust pollution from Chinese open-pit coal mines (OPCMs) threatens the coexistence of resource development and environmental protection. This research introduces a new approach to designing OPCMs based on meteorological indicators for dust removal and diffusion. It analyzes the production, distribution, and dust emission features of large-scale OPCMs in China. The factors affecting dust dispersion and atmospheric pollution characteristics were also examined. The findings reveal a surge in the number and output of OPCMs, intensifying the conflict between resource development and environmental protection. Notably, over 80% of OPCMs are in arid and semi-arid regions, exacerbating the challenge. Microclimate effects, including circulation and inversion effects, further amplify dust pollution. Regional and seasonal dust pollution patterns were identified, with the southern region experiencing the highest pollution levels, followed by the northern and central regions. Seasonally, dust pollution exhibits the following pattern: winter > autumn > spring > summer. An alarming decline in atmospheric self-cleaning capacity over the past two decades underscores the pressing challenges ahead for dust control. The increase in air stagnation days/events highlights the urgency for effective dust prevention and control measures. This research suggests considering meteorological elements in OPCM design for dust control. Optimizing mining operations based on weather forecasts enables the utilization of natural conditions for effective dust prevention and control. The results provide insights for dust prevention and control in open-pit mines to foster green and climate-smart mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chandrapur City of Maharashtra state of India has undergone rapid industrialization, development, and infrastructure facilities along with prominent increase in population. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to study the air quality of the city. The mitigation measures of air pollution in the city were also discussed in the present study. Air quality monitoring was carried out at each monitoring station taken twice a week for 24 hours for particulate matter (PM10), particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxides (SO2), nitrogen dioxides NO2, and carbon monoxides (CO). The data revealed the high levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) to approximately 1.56-2.15 times and 1.47-2.21 times higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), respectively and were many times higher than WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines. The major sources of pollution were the emission from industries, mining activities and traffic. Observed concentrations of SO2 (24.88 to 45 μg/m³), NO2 (45.4 to 70.6 μg/m³ ) and (0.63 to 0.88 mg/m³) were below NAAQS. The obtained data was also processed for the calculation of air quality index (AQI). The AQI value at Chandrapur super thermal power station (CSTPS) was found higher (310) followed by MIDC with AQI of 302 (Very poor air quality) mainly due to higher particulate pollution, indicating respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. AQI for remaining three stations namely, Jatpura gate, Bimba gate and Babupeth ranged from 264 to 284 (Poor air quality) mainly due to vehicular pollution indicating breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure. All the pollutants were observed higher than the concentrations recorded in earlier studies and showed increasing trend as compared to records of previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) significantly deteriorate the air quality; however, the contributions from regional versus remote anthropogenic sources have remained uncertain over the western Indian region. In this regard, we have performed high-resolution regional modeling (WRF-Chem v3.9.1) to quantify the contribution of regional versus trans-regional anthropogenic sources to PM2.5 (fine PM) and PM2.5-10 (coarse PM) concentrations in contrasting seasons. Seasonal variability in spatial mean Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) derived from the WRF-Chem model (0.21–0.42) agreed reasonably with MERRA-2 reanalysis (0.29–0.54) and MODIS satellite (0.23–0.51) over western India. Variability in surface PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were also reproduced as per the benchmarks (|Fractional Bias| ≤ 60% and |Fractional Error| ≤ 75%) at most of the stations in this region. Results from sensitivity simulations reveal the dominant contribution of both regional and trans-regional anthropogenic sources to PM2.5 concentrations over western India in winter and post-monsoon, when PM2.5 concentrations are generally high. On the other hand, contribution from background levels (due to domain-wide natural emissions, fire emissions and pollutant transport from beyond domain boundaries) is highest during pre-monsoon and monsoon with a significant contribution of mineral dust especially to PM2.5-10 (coarse PM). Analysis of PM spatial distribution at ∼900hpa pressure level reveals greater relative contributions of trans-regional emissions and background levels compared to that near the surface. Our study highlights key roles of trans-regional anthropogenic emissions and mineral dust, besides the local and regional emissions, in air pollution over western India. The quantitative analyses presented here would be useful for designing measures to minimize health and environmental impacts in line with the objectives of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in India.

Chandrapur City of Maharashtra state of India has undergone rapid industrialization, development, and infrastructure facilities along with prominent increase in population. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to study the air quality of the city. The mitigation measures of air pollution in the city were also discussed in the present study. Air quality monitoring was carried out at each monitoring station taken twice a week for 24 hours for particulate matter (PM10), particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxides (SO2), nitrogen dioxides NO2, and carbon monoxides (CO). The data revealed the high levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) to approximately 1.56-2.15 times and 1.47-2.21 times higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), respectively and were many times higher than WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines. The major sources of pollution were the emission from industries, mining activities and traffic. Observed concentrations of SO2 (24.88 to 45 μg/m3), NO2 (45.4 to 70.6 μg/m3) and (0.63 to 0.88 mg/m3) were below NAAQS. The obtained data was also processed for the calculation of air quality index (AQI). The AQI value at Chandrapur super thermal power station (CSTPS) was found higher (310) followed by MIDC with AQI of 302 (Very poor air quality) mainly due to higher particulate pollution, indicating respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. AQI for remaining three stations namely, Jatpura gate, Bimba gate and Babupeth ranged from 264 to 284 (Poor air quality) mainly due to vehicular pollution indicating breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure. All the pollutants were observed higher than the concentrations recorded in earlier studies and showed increasing trend as compared to records of previous studies.

Background: Air pollution, especially indoor air pollution, is increasingly recognized as a worldwide hazard that reduces life expectancy. Pollution caused by equipment such as surgical cautery is not just a nuisance but a workplace hazard that exposes the staff to respirable particulate matter and toxic chemical agents. It has not yet received much recognition in India, nor have mitigating measures like smoke evacuators and dedicated scavenging systems become prevalent. Methods: We aimed to do a prospective observational study of the extent of this hazard in the operation rooms in our tertiary care, Government-run hospital using a consumer-grade pollution measuring equipment (CAIR +™, Prana Air, New Delhi). We measured and compared the particulate pollutant matter (PM) levels, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide at multiple areas of interest at different time points. Results: The particulate pollution level in PM 1.0, PM 2.5, and PM 10 and TVOCs rose many times the baseline near the surgical team during cautery use. It remained high near the anesthesia workstation. The median PM 2.5 level in µg/m³ (micrograms/cubic meter) was 181 near the surgical team during cautery use, and it was 25 at the anesthesia workstation. This peak level was 30 times the basal level of 6 µg/m³ at the start of the day and was above the annual population-weighted mean PM 2·5 breakpoint of 40 µg/m³ recommended by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in India. Conclusions: The pollution levels increase dramatically when surgical cautery is used, potentially exposing the team to large peak elevations in particulate matter and TVOCs. We recommend the mandatory use of smoke evacuators and optimization of the air conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the non-linear relationship between air pollution, socio-economic factors, labor insurance, and labor productivity in the industrial sector in Taiwan. Using machine learning, specifically multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), provides an alternative approach to examining the impact of air pollution on labor productivity, apart from the traditional linear relationships and parametric methods employed in previous studies. Examining this topic is imperative for advancing the knowledge on the effects of air pollution on labor productivity and its association with labor insurance, employing a machine learning framework. The results reveal that air pollution, particularly PM10, has a negative impact on labor productivity. Lowering the PM10 level below 36.2 μg/m3 leads to an increase in marginal labor productivity. Additionally, the study identifies labor insurance as a significant factor in improving productivity, with a 9% increase in the total number of labor insurance holders resulting in a substantial 42.9% increase in productivity. Notably, a link between air pollution and insurance is observed, indicating that lower air pollution levels tend to be associated with higher labor insurance coverage. This research holds valuable implications for policymakers, businesses, and industries as it offers insights into improving labor productivity and promoting sustainable economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions in urban environment were investigated using a multidisciplinary model combination, with focus on traffic, emissions and atmospheric particles. An agent-based model was applied to simulate the evolution of unsustainable human behavior (usage of combustion-based personal vehicles) as a function of pro-environmental affordances (opportunities for sustainable choices). Scenarios regarding changes in multi-pollutant emissions were derived, and the non-linear implications to atmospheric particles were simulated with a box model. Based on the results for a Nordic city, increasing pro-environmental affordances by 10%, 50% or 100% leads to emission reductions of 15%, 30% and 40% within 2 years. To reduce ambient particle mass, emissions from traffic should decrease by > 15%, while the lung deposited surface area decreases in all scenarios ( - 23 % , - 32 % and - 36 % , correspondingly). The presented case is representative of one season, but the approach is generic and applicable to simulating a full year, given meteorological and pollution data that reflects seasonal variation. This work emphasizes the necessity to consider feedback mechanisms and non-linearities in both human behavior and atmospheric processes, when predicting the outcomes of changes in an urban system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of air pollution from particulate matter (PM) is getting worse as more and more people move into urban areas around the globe. Due to the complexity and diversity of pollution sources, it has long been hard to rely on source control techniques to manage this issue. Due to the fact that urban trees may provide a variety of ecosystem services, there is an urgent need to investigate alternative strategies for dramatically improving air quality. PM has always been a significant concern due to its adverse effects on humans and the entire ecosystem. The severity of this issue has risen in the current global environmental context. Numerous studies on respiratory and other human disorders have revealed a statistical relationship between human exposure to outdoor levels of particles or dust and harmful health effects. These risks are undeniably close to industrial areas where these airborne, inhalable particles are produced. The combined and individual effects of the particle and gaseous contaminants on plants' general physiology can be detrimental. According to research, plant leaves, the primary receptors of PM pollution, can function as biological filters to remove significant amounts of particles from the atmosphere of urban areas. This study showed that vegetation could provide a promising green infrastructure (GI) for better air quality through the canopy and leaf-level processes, going beyond its traditional role as a passive target and sink for air pollutants. Opportunities exist for urban GI as a natural remedy for urban pollution caused by PMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK is set to impose a stricter ambient annual mean fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standard than was first adopted fourteen years ago. This necessitates strengthened knowledge of the magnitude and sources that influence urban PM2.5 in UK cities to ensure compliance and improve public health. Here, we use a regional-scale chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem), validated with national ground-based observations, to quantify the influence of specific sources within and transported to the mid-sized UK city Leicester. Of the sources targeted, we find that agricultural emissions of ammonia (NH3) make the largest contribution (3.7 μg m−3 or 38 % of PM2.5) to annual mean PM2.5 in Leicester. Another important contributor is long-range transport of pollution from continental Europe accounting for 1.8 μg m−3 or 19 % of total annual mean PM2.5. City sources are a much smaller portion (0.2 μg m−3; 2 %). We also apply GEOS-Chem to the much larger cities Birmingham and London to find that agricultural emissions of NH3 have a greater influence than city sources for Birmingham (32 % agriculture, 19 % city) and London (25 % agriculture, 13 % city). The portion from continental Europe is 16 % for Birmingham and 28 % for London. Action plans aimed at national agricultural sources of NH3 and strengthened supranational agreements would be most effective at alleviating PM2.5 in most UK cities.

Diwali has become an occasion of air and noise pollution, and the release of particulate matter and toxic gases has chronic and acute effects on people and their environment. Thus, an air quality assessment study was done by CSIR-CSMCRI covering the pre-to-post Diwali 2021 period (5 days) in the three locations (traffic, residential, and control) of Bhavnagar. The average 24-h concentration of PM10 (380 µg/m3), PM2.5 (182.2 µg/m3), and SPM (403 µg/m3) was significantly higher during Diwali, exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The concentrations of SO2 and NO2 were 121.8 µg/m3 and 102.1 µg/m3. Metals like Zn, Al, Pb, and Mn were found in higher concentrations during the study. The air quality index (AQI) was maximum on Diwali, resembling very poor air quality. More elements and oxides were detected in PM2.5 (S, Al, Mg, Ba, and Zn and their oxides) than in PM10 (Fe and S) through WDXRF. Water-soluble anions like SO42−, Cl−, and NO3− were observed during the study, with a higher SO42− (64%) on Diwali. The PM10 morphology and mapping of elements were done using SEM–EDX. Emerging contaminants, specifically phthalate groups, were detected through GCMS. The enrichment factor (EF) showed Zn and Pb originating from anthropogenic activities. The air quality data was validated using a variance test, least significance difference (LSD), correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). This paper is the first to highlight the air quality assessment during Diwali for a western coastal place in India. It is time to implement regulations on burning firecrackers for pollution reduction, aiming to achieve a sustainable atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Savanna fire management is a topic of global debate, with early dry season burning promoted as a large-scale emissions reduction opportunity. To date, discussions have centred on carbon abatement efficacy, biodiversity and cultural benefits and/or risks. Here we use a case study of Darwin, Australia to highlight smoke pollution as another critical consideration. Smoke pollution from savanna fires is a major public health issue, yet absent so far from discussions of program design. Here, we assess the likely impacts of increased early dry season burning on smoke pollution in Darwin between 2004 and 2019, spanning the introduction and expansion of carbon abatement programs. We found increased smoke pollution in the early dry season but little change in the late dry season, contributing to a net annual increase in air quality standard exceedances. Geospatial analysis suggests this relates to increased burning in the path of early dry season trade winds. This study highlights the complex health trade-offs involved with any large-scale prescribed burning, including for carbon abatement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the air quality data of Harbin in winter from 2015 to 2017, the national winter straw combustion data from 2016 to 2017 and the mixed single particle Lagrange comprehensive track model, Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT), dynamic analysis of Harbin’s winter air quality status and influencing factors. The air quality data were analyzed; it was found that the main pollutants in winter in Harbin were SO2, NO2, PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm), and PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm); the annual air pollution situation deteriorated sharply from November and continued until March of the following year. Through the research on straw fire prevention points in Harbin, the spatial pattern characteristics and causes of persistent haze in Harbin from 2015 to 2017 were dynamically analyzed. Combining the backward trajectory model to trace the source and trend of air mass in pollution, it is found that the air mass trend is consistent with the distribution of straw-burning points. The research results show that (1) during the winter from 2015 to 2017, the overall air quality situation in Harbin improved, the number of serious pollution days decreased year by year, and the main atmospheric pollutants were PM10 and PM2.5. In October and November, the pollution concentration peaked, and after December, the pollution concentration showed a downward trend until the next spring reached the valley and (2) the most obvious time of haze in Harbin is from November to December, and it is concluded that haze events are closely related to the large number of pollutants caused by the burning of straw around Harbin, and because the northwest monsoon climate affects the air quality, the transportation of fine particles caused by the burning of straw in winter in the surrounding areas of Harbin is the main cause of serious pollution in Harbin.

This study demonstrates the feasibility of a mobile aerial drone particle monitoring system (DPMS) to measure and detect changes in harvest dust levels based on moderate adjustments to harvester settings. When compared to an earlier harvester, a new harvester operated at standard settings produced 35% fewer PM2.5s, 32% fewer PM10s, and 42% fewer TSPs. Increasing the ground speed had an adverse effect on dust mitigation, while reducing it by half only offered a slightly more favorable margin. The mutual effects of some meteorological factors were found to be slightly correlated with PM10 and TSP readings and caused significant variability in PM2.5 readings. The current findings show similar trends to PM reduction estimates of previous studies, with only a nominal difference of 10 to 15% points. Overall, the DPMS was found to perform well within an acceptable statistical confidence level. The use of DPMSs could reduce the logistical needs, complexity issues, and feedback times often experienced using the Federal Reference Method (FRM). Further investigation is needed to verify its robustness and to develop potential correlations with the FRM under different orchard location and management practices. At this stage, the current aerial DPMS should be considered a rapid screening tool not to replace the FRM, but rather to complement it in evaluating the feasibility of dust abatement strategies for the almond industry.

We analyzed the multi-year relationship between particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations and possible precursors including NO2, SO2, and NH3 based on local observations over the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) from 2015 to 2017. Surface NH3 concentrations were obtained from Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) retrievals, while other pollutants were observed at 142 ground sites. We found that NH3 had the highest correlation with PM2.5 (R = 0.51) compared to other precursors such as NO2 and SO2 (R of 0.16 and 0.14, respectively). The correlations indicate that NH3 emissions are likely a limiting factor in controlling PM2.5 over the SMA in a high-NOx environment. This implies that the current Korean policy urgently requires tools for controlling local NH3 emissions from the livestock industry (for example, from hog manure). These findings provide the first satellite-based trace gas evidence that implementing an NH3 control strategy could play a key role in improving air quality in the SMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate emission from a high density of vehicles has become a subject of interest and great concern for the assessment of local air quality within the Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. This study aims to determine possible heavy metal pollution from vehicular emission along the major transport pool within the Ilorin metropolis. Deposition gauges were placed on a pole above human breathing height at 1.5 m at selected major roundabouts within the Ilorin metropolis. Gauges were planted for one month (April 27th to May 30th, 2020) during the Covid-19 lockdown and one month (January 15th to February 14th, 2021) after the Covid-19 lockdown. The collected samples were rinsed with deionized water, filtered, and dried in a desiccator. The dried samples were characterized using Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). Twenty-one heavy metals were detected from all sampling locations. The total sum concentrations of the heavy metals recorded during and after the Covid-19 lockdown were 1018.58785 and 1359.15479 mg.m-3, respectively. The averaged measured concentration of most of the heavy metals sampled along selected major roundabouts within the Ilorin metropolis during and after Covid-19 lockdown exceeded the permissible emission limit. The Deposition Flux (DF) of the measured heavy metals ranged from 4.53 to 8.91 g.m-2.month-1 during the lockdown and from 6.23 to 29.55 g.m-2.month-1 after the lockdown. The enrichment factor and concentration ratio were also determined. The results of both indicated that heavy metal pollutions originated from multiple similar anthropogenic sources, and photochemical degradation was active in all the sampling locations. This study suggested the need to shift from a fossil fuel economy to a hydrogen economy to mitigate heavy metal pollutions from vehicular emissions to the barest minimum.

The issue of air pollution from particulate matter (PM) is getting worse as more and more people move into urban areas around the globe. Due to the complexity and diversity of pollution sources, it has long been hard to rely on source control techniques to manage this issue. Due to the fact that urban trees may provide a variety of ecosystem services, there is an urgent need to investigate alternative strategies for dramatically improving air quality. PM has always been a significant concern due to its adverse effects on humans and the entire ecosystem. The severity of this issue has risen in the current global environmental context. Numerous studies on respiratory and other human disorders have revealed a statistical relationship between human exposure to outdoor levels of particles or dust and harmful health effects. These risks are undeniably close to industrial areas where these airborne, inhalable particles are produced. The combined and individual effects of the particle and gaseous contaminants on plants’ general physiology can be detrimental. According to research, plant leaves, the primary receptors of PM pollution, can function as biological filters to remove significant amounts of particles from the atmosphere of urban areas. This study showed that vegetation could provide a promising green infrastructure (GI) for better air quality through the canopy and leaf-level processes, going beyond its traditional role as a passive target and sink for air pollutants. Opportunities exist for urban GI as a natural remedy for urban pollution caused by PMs.

The emissions from fossil fuel use not only affect climate but also affects air pollution both directly (emitting primary particles) and indirectly (emitting precursors for formation of ozone [O3] and particulates). Effects on ozone and particulates (especially PM2.5) are of major concern because of their adverse health effects on human and other life on Earth. Although alternative energy use is increasing, the impacts are not yet large enough to reduce the poor air quality resulting from extensive use of fossil fuels and resulting emissions in much of the world. A more definite energy transformation is needed to reduce these health impacts. Here, we examine the possibility of a midcentury future, where, because of its influence on climate, fossil fuel use has been extensively reduced in much of the world, and replaced by nonpolluting forms of energy. Analyses of the clean energy future globally and in five regions across the world, including 29 megacities, show that air quality with respect to ozone and particulate pollution improves significantly. When compared to the high‐emission future under the clean energy scenario, population weighted ozone, and particulate matter exposure are reduced by >40% and 50%, respectively. The number air quality noncompliance events, defined by exceedance days and air quality index (AQI), improved considerably under the clean energy scenario. Annually, exceedance days are reduced to 0.7% ± 1.7% for ozone pollution and 7.4% ± 17.8% for particulate pollution under the clean energy scenario. AQI always stayed above the "very unhealthy category" and are improved significantly for the "unhealthy category" in all regions. Overall major hotspots experienced significantly cleaner air under the clean energy scenario, emphasizing the significance of transforming energy production, and moving away from conventional use of fossil fuels, on air quality and human health. Plain Language Summary: Fossil fuel emission increases the burden of air pollutants like ozone and particulate matter which have adverse effect on human health. Unchecked use of fossil fuels will expose more people to poor air quality. In this study, we explore a clean energy future, where, by midcentury, fossil fuel usage has been completely eliminated except for biomass burning. The study shows how a fossil fuel free clean energy future, reduces air quality issues significantly. Future planning on adapting to newer energy should take these results into consideration. Key Points: The transformation to fossil fuel free energy and transportation systems would greatly improve air quality throughout the worldLocations known for air quality noncompliance and associated health issues would be almost completely compliant by midcentury under a clean energy transformationThe significant reduction in exposure to poor air quality is a major incentive toward moving to a cleaner energy world [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD), to explore the hypothesis that if changes in economic activity are seen in emissions of NO _2 , an aerosol precursor, then AOD should change commensurably. We developed a technique to filter AOD data to isolate changes associated with anthropogenic emissions. Overall, in 37 of the 43 cities that were identified as top oxides of nitrogen (NO _x ) emitters from their transportation sectors, AODs decreased by 21.2% ± 7.8%, 18.9% ± 11.7%, 27% ± 12.4%, 22.9% ± 7.6% in the United States, India, western Europe, and China, respectively—an average of 22.4% ± 7.4%. In contrast, AODs increased on average by 11.7% ± 8.4% in Taiwan, where economic stimulus was used as a strategy during the pandemic. This analysis implies NO _x and volatile organic compounds emissions reductions from the transportation sector can be targeted, and by transitioning 6 million light duty vehicles from gasoline to electricity, the US can achieve 21% improvement in AOD.

We analyzed the multi-year relationship between particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations and possible precursors including NO2, SO2, and NH3 based on local observations over the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) from 2015 to 2017. Surface NH3 concentrations were obtained from Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) retrievals, while other pollutants were observed at 142 ground sites. We found that NH3 had the highest correlation with PM2.5 (R = 0.51) compared to other precursors such as NO2 and SO2 (R of 0.16 and 0.14, respectively). The correlations indicate that NH3 emissions are likely a limiting factor in controlling PM2.5 over the SMA in a high-NOx environment. This implies that the current Korean policy urgently requires tools for controlling local NH3 emissions from the livestock industry (for example, from hog manure). These findings provide the first satellite-based trace gas evidence that implementing an NH3 control strategy could play a key role in improving air quality in the SMA.

Even when atmospheric particulate matter (PM) pollution declines in urban settings, the residual effects of PM can still be felt by the community. Specifically, PM containing elevated levels of lead (Pb) can accumulate in soils and pose an ingestion/inhalation risk well after deposition because of the relatively immobile chemical nature of Pb. This short communication utilizes a case study of Memphis, TN, where particulate pollution has been reported at high levels. Through conducting time series analysis of atmospheric Pb concentrations, a Pb pollution hot spot in Southwest Memphis is identified as a location where urban soil Pb testing should be focused because of high particulate Pb concentrations in the past. Furthermore, residents in this area are predominantly low income and of ethnic minority (African-American), reiterating previous literature regarding uneven distribution of demographics exposed to pollution in Memphis. Although Pb PM pollution has decreased in recent decades throughout the United States, the use of past Pb air monitoring data in cities can help target specific areas where additional Pb testing may be needed by governments and researchers, particularly where blood Pb level or historical land use data may be limited.

Aerosol-radiation interaction (ARI) plays a significant role in the accumulation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by stabilizing the planetary boundary layer and thus deteriorating air quality during haze events. However, modification of photolysis by aerosol scattering or absorbing solar radiation (aerosol-photolysis interaction or API) alters the atmospheric oxidizing capacity, decreases the rate of secondary aerosol formation, and ultimately alleviates the ARI effect on PM2.5 pollution. Therefore, the synergetic effect of both ARI and API can either aggravate or even mitigate PM2.5 pollution. To test the effect, a fully coupled Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Chem model has been used to simulate a heavy haze episode in North China Plain. Our results show that ARI contributes to a 7.8% increase in near-surface PM2.5. However, API suppresses secondary aerosol formation, and the combination of ARI and API results in only 4.8% net increase of PM2.5. Additionally, API increases the solar radiation reaching the surface and perturbs aerosol nucleation and activation to form cloud condensation nuclei, influencing aerosol-cloud interaction. The results suggest that API reduces PM2.5 pollution during haze events, but adds uncertainties in climate prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the literature, the state of air pollution research in Lublin is presented in historical terms - from the mid-20th century. Due to the lack of developed research methods, there were not many publications of that type in the 20th century. Progress in the study of air pollution in Lublin did not appear until the beginning of the 21st century. In the paper, three main groups of works have been distinguished: 1) on inorganic particulate pollution; 2) on gaseous pollution; 3) on bioaerosols. Among the factors affecting air quality in Lublin and spatial differentiation of pollution concentrations are not only local and incoming emissions from municipal and domestic sources (occurring during the heating season) or all-year emissions from communication routes (local and transit road transport) and industrial sources, but also unfavorable meteorological conditions (e.g. occasional low wind speed and low temperature in winter), hypsometric diversity and building density of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particulate pollution in the open-pit coal mines of China is particularly severe in winter. The aim of this study is to understand the pollution characteristics of particulate matter (PM) in winter and provide a basis for the prevention and control of particulate pollution. We took the problem of PM concentration at the bottom of the Haerwusu Open-pit Coal Mine (HOCM) as the research object. Dust monitoring equipment at two measurement points at different heights were positioned for continuous monitoring of the PM concentration. The data for three months were gathered. Statistical analyses were performed to analyze the variation characteristics of the PM and its relationship with meteorological factors. The results show that the average PM concentration in the study area is below the average daily limit of the China National Ambient Air Quality Standard (GB 3095-2012). However, the average concentration of PM10 exceeded the national limit in December. The order of PM concentration is observed as December > January > February. The correlation of PM is found to be positive with humidity and negative with wind speed. Temperature is found to be positively correlated with PM in December, while it is negative in January. At the same time, the temperature difference in December is negatively correlated with PM concentration. Under the combined action of multiple meteorological factors, the magnitude of the impact on the PM concentration at the bottom of the pit in winter is humidity > temperature > wind speed > temperature difference (inverse temperature intensity). In conclusion, PM2.5 is found to be more sensitive to environmental factors. The results of this study are particularly useful to progress in green mining.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) are one of the major air pollutants emerging out of the industrial development and human activities. Plants exhibit differential sensitivity to SO2 pollution and its effects on plant growth can be both direct and/or indirect. We have earlier reported that a high SO2 stress contributes toward the S-nutrition of crops. The SO2 enriched environment significantly improved the activity of serine transacetylase (SAT) in all the experimental crops, however, the activity of O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase (OAS-TL) was enhanced chiefly in wheat but not in chickpea and barley. Further, the relative tolerance of crops to the particulate and gaseous pollutants was related to a lower level of superoxide and H2O2 radicals and lipid peroxidation and a higher level of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and peroxidase activity. Relative tolerance of crops to the particulate and gaseous pollutants was related to a lower oxidative stress and a higher anti-oxidative defence that elevated SO2 contributes to S-nutrition of crops however, the threshold value of phytotoxicity need to be determined across the crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Climate, landscape and emissions around PM monitoring points were recognized. • Landscape metrics might serve as indicators of potential particulates pollution. • Green areas significantly limit the spread of PM, esp. in buffer of 100–500 m. • Metrics of green areas related to PM concentration are mainly patch area and its shape. • Climate and landscape structure have effect more on PM2.5, while emissions on PM10. Abstract Air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk. It significantly impacts human life and the condition of ecosystems. One type of dangerous pollutant is particulate matter (PM). All EU countries, especially Poland, should take intensive actions to achieve the necessary standards of air quality. These actions should be aimed at reducing emissions on the one hand, and on the other, at reducing the PM concentrations in the air. To achieve this, identification of the factors influencing air pollution is needed. In this study, the landscape pattern, climate and emissions around PM monitoring points were recognized. Climate factors, particularly wind speed, prove to be most important for PM pollution. In addition, the landscape pattern modifies the concentration significantly, especially in the case of PM2.5. The presence in the landscape of green areas with a large surface and complex shape is connected to the lesser concentration of PM. The importance of emissions, although statistically significant, was rather small. In particular, the relationship between the distance to large point sources and PM concentration was not demonstrated, meaning that the pollution from high chimneys is strongly dispersed and does not affect the concentrations of PM in their vicinity. It is concluded that the landscape indicators provide new information to explain the PM concentration and that it is very important to shape the landscape with consideration of green areas as a pollutant filter. Taking into account the green areas together with pollution sources in spatial planning can significantly support the effectiveness of air protection, and at the same time, can increase the comfort of life by providing a whole range of ecosystem services, both regulating and cultural. The landscape approach best suits the needs of spatial planning, especially in cities where the highest anthropogenic pressure and increased demand for ecosystem services are evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mismatch between urban transportation demands and local transportation supplies in municipal regions may cause serious traffic congestion and high vehicle exhaust emissions (VEEs). Although it has been found that road expansion and the provision of road public transport can mitigate traffic congestion and VEEs, the effectiveness of these public strategies in alleviating traffic congestion-related VEEs has been empirically compared in few studies. With the use of a panel dataset for 260 prefecture-level cities in China from 2013 to 2018, we fill this gap via empirically examining the effects of several popular strategies that promote the efficiency of urban road transportation, including road expansion and road public transport provision, on urban air pollution of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). Then we further investigate metrics measured by passenger and freight volumes based on local urban road coverage that can suitably reflect the mismatch degree between local transportation demands and supplies. The empirical results indicated a positive and statistically significant correlation between urban PM 2.5 levels and road expansion but not between PM 2.5 levels and road public transport, suggesting that road expansion may unintentionally increase the transportation volume and thus local PM 2.5 levels. Importantly, we found that the passenger and freight volumes per unit road length are negatively and significantly correlated with the local particulate pollution concentration across different model specifications, while the passenger and freight volumes of road transportation do not directly affect local PM 2.5 levels. We also employed a series of robustness tests to overcome the concerns associated with measurement errors, omitted variable biases, model misspecifications and endogeneity, and consistent results were obtained. These results indicated that when facing limited public budgets, the passenger and freight volumes per unit road length should be considered to measure the effectiveness of road infrastructure investments in alleviating local particulate pollution caused by traffic congestion. • Several strategies for controlling urban PM2.5 from traffic are empirically compared. • Urban PM 2.5 levels are positively correlated with road expansion. • Urban PM 2.5 levels are not correlated with the provision of road public transport. • Transportation volumes with road coverage measure the transport efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to assess and characterize the air quality in what concerns particulate pollution in urban–industrial environments. The main objectives were to study the spatial variability of the deposition flux of particulate pollution identifying areas with higher deposition and to associate the variability with climatological variables and with possible surrounding emitting sources. The method for collecting the deposited particles was based on the standard NF X 43–007. Sampling for particulate pollution took place between April 2015 and February 2016 through seven sampling campaigns. Maps of the spatial dispersion for the particulate pollution were obtained through statistics and geostatistics techniques. Elemental identification by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used but only in two sampling campaigns. The results show that the sampling campaigns that took place during hot and dry periods, 2nd and 3rd, present higher deposition flux: 2.04 g/(m2 × month) and 1.72 g/(m2 × month), respectively. Lower deposition fluxes were registered in the 6th and 7th campaigns: 0.23 g/(m2 × month) and 0.24 g/(m2 × month), respectively. A recurrent high deposition was also observed at specific sampling points that may be due to both the nearby road traffic and the presence of chimneys. SEM analysis allowed to associate repetitive element deposition, at the same sampling point, to the same emitting source.

Environmental magnetism, and the magnetic leaf signal in particular, is amply investigated and applied as proxy for atmospheric particulate matter pollution. In this study, we investigated the magnetic signal of annual segments of tree branches, and the composition of particles deposited hereon. Branches are, contrary to leaves of deciduous trees, available during leaf-off seasons and exposed to air pollution year-round. We examined the intra- and inter-tree variation in saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) of branch internodes of London plane ( Platanus x acerifolia Willd.) trees in an urban environment. The branch SIRM, normalized by surface area, ranged from 18 to 650 × 10 −6 A; the median amounted to 106 × 10 −6 A. Most of the branch magnetic signal was attributed to the epidermis or bark, and the presence of metal-containing particles on the branch surfaces was confirmed by SEM-EDX. The location of the trees and the height, the depth in the crown and the age of the branches significantly influenced the branch SIRM. The median branch SIRM was up to 135% higher near a busy ring road than in quiet environments (city park and quiet street canyon), and was linked to the presence of Fe-rich particles with co-occurrence of trace metals such as Cr, Cu, Zn and Mn on the branch surface. Within the tree crowns, the branch SIRM generally decreased with increasing height, and was 22% higher in the interior than at the periphery of the crowns. Within the branches, the SIRM increased with each year of exposure, but did not relate to year-to-year variation in particle concentrations due to branch surface changes (epidermis shedding). Our results provide indications that branches can be a valuable alternative for biomagnetic monitoring of particulate pollution, but intra-tree variability in branch SIRM can be substantial due to the branch's location in the tree and branch age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Particulate matter (PM) has been recognized as one of the key risk factors of lung cancer. However, spatial and temporal patterns of this association remain unclear. Spatiotemporal analyses incorporate the spatial and temporal structure of the data within random effects models, generating more accurate evaluations of PM-lung cancer associations at a scale that can better inform lung cancer prevention programs. Methods We conducted a critical review of spatial and temporal analyses of PM and lung cancer. The databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for potential articles published until September 30, 2017. We included studies that applied spatial and temporal analyses to evaluate the associations of PM 2.5 (inhalable particles with diameters that are 2.5 µm and smaller) and PM 10 (inhalable particles with diameters that are 10 µm and smaller) with lung cancer. Results We identified 17 articles eligible for the review. Of these, 11 focused on PM 2.5 , five on PM 10 , and one on both. These studies suggested a significant positive association between PM 2.5 exposure and the risk of lung cancer. Relative risks of lung cancer mortality ranged from 1.08 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–1.09) to 1.60 (95%CI: 1.09–2.33) for 10 µg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 exposure. The association between PM 10 and lung cancer had been less well researched and the results were not consistent. In terms of the analysis methods, 16 papers undertook spatial analysis and one paper employed temporal analysis. No paper included spatial and temporal analyses simultaneously and considered spatiotemporal uncertainty into model predictions. Among the 16 papers with spatial analyses, thirteen studies presented maps, while only five and 11 studies utilized spatial exploration and modeling methods, respectively. Conclusions Advanced spatial and temporal epidemiological methods were seldom applied to PM-lung cancer associations. Further research is urgently needed to develop and employ robust and comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis methods for the evaluation of PM-lung cancer associations and the support of lung cancer prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on teak Tectona grandis L. under particulate pollution stress caused by deposition of cement dust revealed that various physiological functions were hampered due to these pollutants. The dust accumulation was highest during summer (0.299 mg/sq. cm) in the polluted plot in comparison to control plot (0.037 mg/sq. cm). The effects of particulate pollution on T. grandis also varied with season, with a general trend of particulate pollutants having maximum effect on vegetation during summer and least during monsoon. The rate of photosynthesis was halved due to particulate pollutant deposition. Particulate pollution decreased the water potential of T. grandis during summer. The rate of transpiration in particulate pollution-affected trees was highly erratic, being the highest during monsoon and least during summer in comparison to those not exposed to pollution. All these induced morphological changes such as reduced height, girth, etc. and also reduced the effective growing days by shedding leaves in the trees exposed to particulate pollution. Leaf area index, which is an indicator of plant productivity, was almost half in pollution-affected trees than control trees. T. grandis can serve as an effective barrier in controlling the spread of pollutants. However, it is ineffective during summer, due the deciduous nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]