Search

Pathogens can be collected from air and detected in samples by many methods. However, merely detecting pathogens does not answer whether they can spread disease. To fully assess health risks from exposure to airborne pathogens, the infectivity of those agents must be assessed. Air samplers which operate by growing particles through water vapor condensation and subsequently collecting them into a liquid medium have proven effective at conserving the viability of microorganisms. We present a study that assessed performance improvement of one such sampler, BioSpot-GEM™, gained by augmenting it with an upstream virtual impactor (VI) designed to concentrate particles in aerosols. We demonstrate that such an integrated unit improved the collection of live Escherichia coli by a median Concentration Factor (CF) of 1.59 and increased the recovery of viable human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV OC43) by a median CF of 12.7 as compared to the sampler without the VI. Our results also show that OC43 can be concentrated in this way without significant loss of infectivity. We further present that the small BioSpot-GEM™ bioaerosol sampler can collect live E. coli at an efficiency comparable to the larger BioSpot-VIVAS™ bioaerosol sampler. Our analyses show potential benefits toward improving the collection of viable pathogens from the air using a more portable water-based condensation air sampler while also highlighting challenges associated with using a VI with concentrated bioaerosols. This work can aid further investigation of VI usage to improve the collection of pathogens from air, ultimately to better characterize health risks associated with airborne pathogen exposures. Copyright © 2024 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing global concern regarding the detrimental health impacts of PM2.5 emissions from traditional stoves that utilize polluting fuels. Conventional methods for estimating daily personal PM2.5 exposure involve personal air samplers and measuring devices placed in a waist pouch, but these instruments are cumbersome and inconvenient. To address this issue, we developed a novel neck-mounted PM2.5 monitoring device (Pocket PM2.5 Logger) that is compact, lightweight, and can operate continuously for 1 week without recharging. Twelve participants who utilized charcoal, firewood, or propane gas for cooking in rural regions of Rwanda wore the Pocket PM2.5 Logger continuously for 1 week, and time-series variations in personal PM2.5 exposure were recorded at 5-min intervals. Individual daily exposure concentrations during cooking differed significantly among users of the different fuel types, and PM2.5 exposure was at least 2.6 and 3.4 times higher for charcoal and firewood users, respectively, than for propane gas users. Therefore, switching from biomass fuels to propane gas would reduce daily individual exposure by at least one-third. An analysis of cooking times showed that the median cooking time per meal was 30 min; however, half the participants cooked for 1.5 h per meal, and one-third cooked for over 4.5 h per meal. Reducing these extremely long cooking times would reduce exposure with all fuel types. The Pocket PM2.5 Logger facilitates the comprehensive assessment of personal PM2.5 exposure dynamics and is beneficial for the development of intervention strategies targeting household air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The air pollution levels from polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in three residential areas located north, west, and south of the Da Nang airport were determined by using passive air samplers containing polyurethane foam (PUF) discs with 3-month sampling intervals from 2017 to 2020. The total toxic equivalents (∑TEQs) of the PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs, using WHO2005-TEFs, were highest north of the airport (134 to 10610 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day, with an average of 1108 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day). The ∑TEQs were lower west of the airport, between 159 and 381 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day and averaged 230 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day. The lowest ∑TEQs occurred south of the airport, with ranges of 76 and 331 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day and an average of 152 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day. Construction activities, including excavation and transportation of dioxin-contaminated soil north of the airport, have increased airborne PCDD/F and dl-PCB contamination and health risks. The average daily doses of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs through inhalation (ADDA) for residents located north of the airport were the highest (10.9 to 3434 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day and average: 597 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day). Residents located west of the airport faced lower health risks (13–123 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day and average: 39 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day). Residents south of the airport were exposed to a minimum of 6.2–107 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day, with an average of 28 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day. The maximum and average ADDA values for residents north of the airport exceeded 10% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) recommended by the WHO (100–400 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day). In comparison, all the ADDA values for residents located west and south of the airport were less than and within 10% of the TDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herbicide dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) is commonly used to control broadleaf weeds in soybeans. Dicamba, however, is susceptible to volatilization and drift, thereby causing significant plant damage to nontarget crops downwind. Dicamba was reformulated to reduce volatility and off-target movement. The effectiveness of the dicamba reformulation was assessed by quantifying dicamba emissions following spray application and investigated how meteorological factors influenced the off-target movement. The experiments were conducted at the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (UMORE Park) during the growing season of 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Multiple high-flow polyurethane foam air samplers were used to measure dicamba concentrations downwind from a 4-ha soybean field sprayed with dicamba. Dicamba emissions were estimated using backward Lagrangian modeling constrained by the air sample observations. The results indicate that dicamba emissions and downwind transport were significant for several days following application. Further, non-traited soybeans located within 15–45 m showed substantial dicamba-related damage. In warmer, drier seasons, increased dicamba emissions caused more severe damage to downwind soybeans, likely worsened by drought stress preventing recovery. Favorable atmospheric conditions that reduced potential drift can be difficult to achieve in terms of the typical weather experienced over agricultural sites in the Upper Midwest. These results indicate that the dicamba reformulation has not adequately prevented significant post-spray volatilization losses and downwind transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are limited biosecurity measures directed at preventing airborne transmission of viruses in swine. The effectiveness of dust mitigation strategies such as oil sprinkling, to decrease risk of airborne virus transmission are unknown. Metagenomics and qPCR for common fecal viruses were used to hunt for a ubiquitous virus to serve as a proxy when evaluating the efficiency of mitigation strategies against airborne viral infectious agents. Air particles were collected from swine buildings using high-volume air samplers. Extracted DNA and RNA were used to perform specific RT-qPCR and qPCR and analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. Porcine astroviruses group 2 were common (from 102 to 105 genomic copies per cubic meter of air or gc/m3, 93% positivity) while no norovirus genogroup II was recovered from air samples. Porcine torque teno sus virus were detected by qPCR in low concentrations (from 101 to 102 gc/m3, 47% positivity). Among the identified viral families by metagenomics analysis, Herelleviridae, Microviridae, Myoviridae, Podoviridae, and Siphoviridae were dominant. The phage vB_AviM_AVP of Aerococcus was present in all air samples and a newly designed qPCR revealed between 101 and 105 gc/m3 among the samples taken for the present study (97% positivity) and banked samples from 5- and 15-year old studies (89% positivity). According to the present study, both the porcine astrovirus group 2 and the phage vB_AviM_AVP of Aerococcus could be proxy for airborne viruses of swine buildings. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the total effective dose (external and internal) in the radioactive liquid Waste Hall (WH) in the Radiochemistry Laboratories building (RCL) in Al- Tuwaitha site in order to estimate the radiation risk for workers in this place. The external effective dose was calculated by an indirect method using ThermoLuminescent Dosimeters (LiF: Mg, Ti (TLD-100)) by placing them in the waste hall for one month. The internal effective dose was estimated by collecting eight air samples (environmental samples) from different locations in WH using an air sampler pump (Sniffer) to collect air samples loaded with particles or dust which are deposited on cellulose filter papers (φ 125mm). This was done for two flow rates the lowest and the highest values of the air sampler pump of 5CFM and 20CFM, respectively.The filter papers were chemically treated using the digestion method. The radionuclides in these samples were measured using a gamma spectrometry system equipped with a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe), and the radioactivity concentration was measured using a gross alpha beta gamma system. The results showed 137Cs of low concentration was deposited on the filter paper. The total annual effective dose rate (external and internal) results showed that the highest in WH was (6358.97μSv/year) for the low probability scenario and (1589.74 μSv/year) for the realistic scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne Aspergillus spp. are critical pathogens that cause nosocomial infections in hospitals. Despite their importance, little is known about the distribution of Aspergillus species in the indoor air of hospitals in Brazil. We investigated Aspergillus spp. in the indoor air of critical areas in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Air samples (n = 238) were collected from the intensive care unit (ICU), medical clinic unit (MCU), and urgency and emergency unit (UEU) using an air sampler (100 L/min). Of the 324 Aspergillus isolates, 322 were identified using phenotypic methods, and 37 were identified using DNA sequencing. Aspergillus spp. was grouped into five sections: Fumigati (29.3%), Nidulantes (27.8%), Nigri (27.5%), Flavi (11.7%), and Terrei (3.1%). The predominant species identified via sequencing were Aspergillus sydowii (n = 9), Aspergillus flavus (n = 7), and Aspergilus fumigatus (n = 6). The number of Aspergillus spp. and their sections varied according to the collection day. A. fumigatus was isolated more frequently during winter and in the ICU. This study is the first to demonstrate the diversity of airborne Aspergillus (saprophytic, allergenic, toxigenic, and potentially pathogenic) strains in a hospital located in the Midwest region of Brazil. It contributes to the knowledge of the diversity of cryptic species in the hospital environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wide Area Demonstration (WAD) was a field exercise conducted under the U.S. EPA's Analysis of Coastal Operational Resiliency program, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard. The purpose of the WAD was to operationalize at field scale aspects of remediation activities that would occur following an outdoor release of Bacillus anthracis spores, including sampling and analysis, decontamination, data management, and waste management. The WAD was conducted in May 2022 at Fort Walker (formerly known as Fort A.P. Hill) and utilized Bacillus atrophaeus as a benign simulant for B. anthracis. B. atrophaeus spores were inoculated onto the study area at the beginning of the study, and air samples were collected daily during each of the different phases of the WAD using Dry Filter Units (DFUs). Ten DFU air samplers were placed at the perimeter of the study area to collect bioaerosols onto two parallel 47-mm diameter polyester felt filters, which were then subsequently analyzed in a microbiological laboratory for the quantification of B. atrophaeus. The study demonstrated the use of DFUs as a rugged and robust bioaerosol collection device. The results indicated that the highest B. atrophaeus spore air concentrations (up to ~ 5 colony forming units/m3) occurred at the beginning of the demonstration (e.g. during inoculation and characterization sampling phases) and generally downwind from the test site, suggesting transport of the spores was occurring from the study area. Very few B. atrophaeus spores were detected in the air after several weeks and following decontamination of exterior surfaces, thus providing an indication of the site decontamination procedures' effectiveness. No B. atrophaeus spores were detected in any of the blank or background samples. Implications: Following an incident involving a release of Bacillus anthracis spores or other biological threat agent into the outdoor environment, understanding the factors that may affect the bioagent's fate and transport can help predict viable contaminant spread via the ambient air. This paper provides scientific data for the first time on ambient air concentrations of bacterial spores over time and location during different phases of a field test in which Bacillus atrophaeus (surrogate for B. anthracis) spores were released outdoors as part of a full-scale study on sampling and decontamination in an urban environment. This study advances the knowledge related to the fate and transport of bacterial spores (such as those causing anthrax disease) as an aerosol in the outdoor environment over the course of three weeks in a mock urban environment and has exposure and health risk implications. The highest spore air concentrations occurred at the beginning of the study (e.g. during inoculation of surfaces and characterization sampling), and in the downwind direction, but diminished over time; few B. atrophaeus spores were detected in the air after several weeks and following decontamination. Therefore, in an actual incident, potential reaerosolization of the microorganism and subsequent transport in the air during surface sampling and remediation efforts should be considered for determining exclusion zone locations and estimating potential risk to neighboring communities. The data also provide evidence suggesting that the large-scale decontamination of outdoor surfaces may reduce air concentrations of the bioagent, which is important since exposure of B. anthracis via inhalation is a primary concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are an important part of the atmospheric ecosystem yet an underexplored group. Airborne pathogenic fungi are the root cause of hypersensitive and allergenic states highly prevalent in Kuwait. Frequent dust storms in the region carry them further into the urban areas, posing an occupational health hazard. The fungal population associated with the respirable (more than 2.5 µm) and inhalable (2.5 µm and less) fractions of aerosols is negligibly explored and warrants comprehensive profiling to pinpoint tAhe health implications. For the present investigation, aerosol was collected using a high-volume air sampler coupled with a six-stage cascade impactor (Tisch Environmental, Inc) at a rate of 566 L min−1. The samples were lysed, DNA was extracted, and the internal transcribed regions were sequenced through targeted amplicon sequencing. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Gleotinia and Cryptococcus were recorded in all the size fractions with mean relative abundances (RA%) of 17.5%, 12.9%, 12.9%, 4.85%, 4.08%, 2.77%, and 2.51%, respectively. A weak community structure was associated with each size fraction (ANOSIM r2 = 0.11; p > 0.05). The Shannon and Simpson indices also varied among the respirable and inhalable aerosols. About 24 genera were significantly differentially abundant, as described through the Wilcoxon rank sum test (p < 0.05). The fungal microbiome existed as a complex lattice of networks exhibiting both positive and negative correlations and were involved in 428 functions. All the predominant genera were pathogenic, hence, their presence in inhalable fractions raises concerns and poses an occupational exposure risk to both human and non-human biota. Moreover, long-range transport of these fungi to urban locations is undesirable yet plausible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity and concentrations of airborne fungi in the environments of 58 temples across a metropolitan city (Chennai) in India were investigated. Air samples from indoors (within 2 m of the Sanctum sanctorum) and outdoors (at least 10 m away from the Sanctum sanctorum) were collected using the Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (RCS). Of the 90 species isolated, 7 belonged to Zygomycota, 5 to Ascomycota and the remaining 78 to Mitosporic fungi. A total of 3470 colonies were isolated from the indoor environment, which was 13.73% higher than the total recorded outdoors (3051 colonies). An average of 747.7 and 657.5 CFU/m3 of air was recorded in the indoor and outdoor environments, respectively. The predominant species identified in both environments were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Cladosporium cladosporioides. While most of the fungal species isolated are considered allergens and pathogens, they can also deteriorate the architecture of shrines. This study indicates the need to implement control measures to minimize the risks of exposure to bioaerosols in public spaces such as shrines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Willow barks were collected for OCP analyses in the middle reach of the Huaihe River (MRHR), China. ΣOCPs in the tree barks were 16.00-50.35 ng g-1 (mean: 27.60±7.48 ng g-1, dry weight). HCHs were the dominant OCPs in the bark samples. The historical usage of technical HCH and DDT considerably impacted the HCHs and DDTs in the barks. Heptachlor, Aldrin, Isodrin, etc., have never been used in China, but they were frequently detected in the barks, indicating their unknown usage or atmospheric transportation from other source regions. Volumetric air concentrations of OCPs were estimated using a model for bark/air partitioning. Calculated air concentrations of ΣDDTs and ΣHCHs were 0.16±0.04 and 10.38±4.13 ng m-3, respectively. The results of air-soil exchange were: HCB, HCHs, and Heptachlor presented net volatilization; DDTs preferred net deposition; Endosulfan-I and Endosulfan-II might be in equilibrium or presented a weak trend of deposition; and Aldrin was in equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosol microbiome studies have received increased attention as technological advancements have made it possible to dive deeper into the microbial diversity. To enhance biomass collection for metagenomic sequencing, long-term sampling is a common strategy. While the impact of prolonged sampling times on microorganisms' culturability and viability is well-established, its effect on nucleic acid stability remains less understood but is essential to ensure representative sample collection. This study evaluated four air samplers (SKC BioSampler, SASS3100, Coriolis μ, BioSpot-VIVAS 300-P) against a reference sampler (isopore membrane filters) to identify nucleic acid stability during long-term sampling. Physical sampling efficiencies determined with a fluorescent tracer for three particle sizes (0.8, 1, and 3 μm), revealed high efficiencies (> 80% relative to reference) for BioSampler, SASS3100, and BioSpot-VIVAS for all particle sizes, and for Coriolis with 3 μm particles. Coriolis exhibited lower efficiency for 0.8 μm (7%) and 1 μm (50%) particles. During 2-h sampling with MS2 and Pantoea agglomerans, liquid-based collection with Coriolis and BioSampler showed a decrease in nucleic acid yields for all test conditions. BioSpot-VIVAS displayed reduced sampling efficiency for P. agglomerans compared to MS2 and the other air samplers, while filter-based collection with SASS3100 and isopore membrane filters, showed indications of DNA degradation for 1 μm particles of P. agglomerans after long-term sampling. These findings show that long-term air sampling affects nucleic acid stability in both liquid- and filter-based collection methods. These results highlight bias produced by bioaerosol collection and should be considered when selecting an air sampler and interpreting aerosol microbiome data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate carbonaceous components in the ambient air in the eastern region of Indonesia, 35 Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP) samples were collected on four characteristic roadsides on Sultan Alauddin Street, in Makassar City, using a high-volume air sampler. The average TSP concentration was 279.7 μg/m3, which exceeded both the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of Indonesia and the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The highest concentration reached 838.6 μg/m3 in the GR (gravel) site, which had the highest number of vehicles and was near a U-turn. TSP concentration was higher during peak hours (morning and late afternoon) than off-peak hours (noon). The main component of the total carbon (TC) fraction was organic carbon (OC), which showed a strong correlation with elemental carbon (EC) (r values for the morning, noon, and late afternoon were 0.89, 0.87, and 0.97, respectively), indicating that the carbon components were derived from common sources. TSP had a strong correlation with carbon components, except for char-EC. OC vs. soot-EC and EC vs. soot-EC also correlated well, suggesting the dominant influence of vehicle exhaust emissions. Non-exhaust emissions had a slight influence during peak hours, particularly at the GR site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides can enter the atmosphere during spraying or after application, resulting in environmental or human exposure. The study describes the optimisation and validation of analytical methods for the determination of more than 300 pesticides in the particulate and gaseous phases of the air. Pesticides were sampled with high-volume air samplers on glass-fibre filters (GFFs) and glass columns filled with polyurethane foam (PUF) and XAD-2 resin. Comparing different extraction methods, a QuEChERS extraction with acetonitrile was selected for the GFFs. For the PUF/XAD-2 columns, a cold-column extraction with dichloromethane was used. Instrumental determination was performed using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-QTOF) and gas chromatography/electron impact ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS/MS). Recovery experiments showed recovery rates between 70 and 120% for 263 compounds on the GFFs and 75 compounds on the PUF/XAD-2 columns. Semi-quantitative determination was performed for 39 compounds on the GFFs and 110 compounds on the PUF/XAD-2 columns. Finally, 27 compounds on the GFFs and 138 compounds on the PUF/XAD-2 columns could be determined only qualitatively. For the determination of the PUF/XAD-2 samples, signal suppression (LC) or signal enhancement (GC) due to matrix effects were determined. Method quantification limits of the optimised methods ranged from 30 to 240 pg/m3 for the target compounds on the GFFs, and from 8 to 60 pg/m3 on the PUF/XAD-2 columns. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by means of environmental air samples from an agricultural area in the Netherlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is of great concern in the modern-day atmosphere owing to its association with a variety of health impacts, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Of the various size fractions of PM, it is the finer fractions that are most harmful to health, in particular ultrafine particles (PM0.1; UFPs), with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 100 nm. The smaller size fractions, of ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5; fine particles) and ≤0.1 µm (PM0.1; ultrafine particles), have been shown to have numerous linkages to negative health effects; however, their collection/sampling remains challenging. This review paper employed a comprehensive literature review methodology; 200 studies were evaluated based on the rigor of their methodologies, including the validity of experimental designs, data collection methods, and statistical analyses. Studies with robust methodologies were prioritised for inclusion. This review paper critically assesses the health risks associated with fine and ultrafine particles, highlighting vehicular emissions as the most significant source of particulate-related health effects. While coal combustion, diesel exhaust, household wood combustors' emissions, and Earth's crust dust also pose health risks, evidence suggests that exposure to particulates from vehicular emissions has the greatest impact on human health due to their widespread distribution and contribution to air pollution-related diseases. This article comprehensively examines current sampling technologies, specifically focusing on the collection and sampling of ultrafine particles (UFP) from ambient air to facilitate toxicological and physiochemical characterisation efforts. This article discusses diverse approaches to collect fine and ultrafine particulates, along with experimental endeavours to assess ultrafine particle concentrations across various microenvironments. Following meticulous evaluation of sampling techniques, high-volume air samplers such as the Chem Vol Model 2400 High Volume Cascade Impactor and low-volume samplers like the Personal Cascade Impactor Sampler (PCIS) emerge as effective methods. These techniques offer advantages in particle size fractionation, collection efficiency, and adaptability to different sampling environments, positioning them as valuable tools for precise characterisation of particulate matter in air quality research and environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate matter (PM) and the microorganisms of duck houses may have negative impacts on animal and human health. During 2021-2022, PM2.5 and PM10 inside and outside the duck house were sampled with a built-in air sampler in Tai'an City, Shandong Province, and the diversity and abundance of microorganisms within the PM were analyzed by macrogenomic and absolute sequence analysis. The results showed that PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the house and at downwind points exceeded the short-term (24 h) guideline of the global air quality guidelines (AQG). Macrogenome sequencing showed that the microbial composition of the PM2.5 samples was dominated by bacteria (exceed 85%); a total of 1316 bacterial genera and 110 fungal genera were identified in PM2.5 samples from duck house 1 in winter, which were much higher than the results of amplicon sequencing method reported before, and relatively high levels of the pathogenic bacteria (Coccidioides immitis, etc.) and the conditionally pathogenic bacterium (Rothia nasimurium) were identified at the species level. Absolute quantitative sequencing detected conditionally pathogenic bacteria and allergens at high levels in PM10 samples: Corynebacterium (5.6 × 10 7 copies/g), Aerococcus (9.9 × 10 6 copies/g), Alternaria (3.3 × 10 6 copies/g), and Aspergillus (8.3 × 10 5 copies/g). Moreover, Corynebacterium was the highest content of PM10 in summer and PM2.5 samples in winter, and its pathogenicity and potential threat should be noted. The diversity and relative abundance of microorganisms were similar in the duck house and at the downwind point. The results showed that the microorganisms in the house environment have a greater influence on the air environment around the downwind point and may pose a public health risk to the staff and the surrounding area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this paper was to assess the airborne mold contamination, secondary metabolite profiles, and cytotoxicity of the dominant fungal species isolated from the air in selected rooms at a Zoological Garden. Materials and methods: Fungal concentrations were measured with MAS-100 air samplers. The collected airborne fungi were identified using a combination of morphological and molecular methods. The cytotoxicity of 84 strains belonging to two Penicillium and Aspergillus genera was determined using the quantitative colorimetric MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium salt) assay. The mycotoxins were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a mass spectrometry detector. Results: The ITS gene was amplified and sequenced to identify the 132 species. For mycotoxicological and cytotoxicity analyses, 52 Penicillium isolates and 32 Aspergillus representatives were selected. Cytotoxicity was confirmed in 97.6% of cases analyzed. Using the LC-MS/MS method, 42 out of 84 strains produced at least one of the following toxins: ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B, patulin, gliotoxin, roquefortine C, griseofulvin, sterigmatocystin, fumonisin B2, moniliformin, and mycophenolic acid. Conclusions: Analytical methods for assessing the presence of mycotoxins in fungal isolates collected directly from the air have proven to be an effective tool. Our research provides new information on the occurrence of potentially toxin-producing molds within a zoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst the importance of fungal primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs) has been recognised, few studies have empirically assessed how land-use patterns influence them. Here, we show the impacts of different land-use patterns on fungal PBAPs within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. Spanning a distance of ca. 600 km within this biome, we collected fungal bioaerosols in the following land-use patterns: a 25-year-old coffee plantation, a 2.5-year-old Eucalyptus plantation, a 3-months-old maize crop, a 2-year-old and another 7-year-old native forest reforestation area, and a native forest fragment. Using the portable Burkard air sampler, a total of 14 morphotype-species were found. Cladosporium sp. comprised as much as about 95% of all fungal spores collected, being present in all samples (frequency of 100%). Forest systems had as much as 5-to-19-fold more fungal spores in the air than maize crops. Sampling height and time (morning vs. afternoon) did not influence fungal concentration and number of species. In addition, using data derived from an eddy covariance tower in the Eucalyptus site, we estimated the emission rate to be 6649 spores m−2 s−1. Our study confirms that land-use patterns affect fungal PBAPs, and that replacing large areas of native Atlantic Forest by monospecific stands, a homogenisation of airborne fungi is occurring, with unknown consequences for climate regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) continue to demand attention due to their widespread presence and well-established health implications. Given that incomplete combustion is a major contributor to PACs and inhalation constitutes a crucial human exposure pathway, a comprehensive understanding of the concentrations, spatial distributions, and fates of a broad range of PACs in the atmosphere is important. Passive air samplers (PASs) are a commonly utilized technique for PAC sampling and monitoring. In this study, we present the results from two 1-year calibration experiments, one starting in summer and the other in winter, using a passive air sampler equipped with XAD resin as the sorbent (XAD-PAS). Throughout both experiments, PACs were consistently sorbed during the initial 6-month period. However, the sorbed amounts for many PACs exhibited a decrease after half a year of deployment. Three hypotheses to explain this phenomenon were explored, including the uptake of atmospheric particles, evaporation from the sorbent, and reactions with photo-oxidants. All had to be rejected based on the obtained data, additional laboratory experiments, and model results. Model simulations were further used to (i) confirm that a loss process must be invoked to explain the observed uptake behavior and (ii) estimate the kinetics of that loss process for different PACs. Sampling rates (SRs) for 28 PACs derived from the linearized uptake curves during the first 6 months of deployment were comparable to those of other semi-volatile organic compounds obtained during the same calibration experiment, and they also demonstrate a consistent negative correlation with volatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development in uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies over the past decade has led to a plethora of platforms that can potentially enable greenhouse gas emission quantification. Here, we report the development of a new air sampler, consisting of a pumped stainless coiled tube of 150 m in length with controlled time stamping, and its deployment from an industrial UAV to quantify CO 2 and CH 4 emissions from the main coking plant stacks of a major steel maker in eastern China. Laboratory tests show that the time series of CO 2 and CH 4 measured using the sampling system is smoothed when compared to online measurement by the cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS) analyzer. Further analyses show that the smoothing is akin to a convolution of the true time series signals with a heavy-tailed digital filter. For field testing, the air sampler was mounted on the UAV and flown in virtual boxes around two stacks in the coking plant of the Shagang Group (steel producer). Mixing ratios of CO 2 and CH 4 in air and meteorological parameters were measured from the UAV during the test flight. A mass-balance computational algorithm was used on the data to estimate the CO 2 and CH 4 emission rates from the stacks. Using this algorithm, the emission rates for the two stacks from the coking plant were calculated to be 0.12±0.014 t h -1 for CH 4 and 110±18 t h -1 for CO 2 , the latter being in excellent agreement with material-balance-based estimates. A Gaussian plume inversion approach was also used to derive the emission rates, and the results were compared with those derived using the mass-balance algorithm, showing a good agreement between the two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) continue to demand attention due to their widespread presence and well-established health implications. Given that incomplete combustion is a major contributor to PACs and inhalation constitutes a crucial human exposure pathway, a comprehensive understanding of the concentrations, spatial distributions, and fates of a broad range of PACs in the atmosphere is important. Passive air samplers (PASs) are a commonly utilized technique for PAC sampling and monitoring. In this study, we present the results from two one-year calibration experiments, one starting in summer and the other in winter, using a passive air sampler equipped with XAD resin as the sorbent (XAD-PAS). Throughout both experiments, PACs were consistently sorbed during the initial six-month period. However, the sorbed amounts for many PACs exhibited a decrease after half a year of deployment. Three hypotheses to explain this phenomenon were explored, including the uptake of atmospheric particles, evaporation from the sorbent, and reactions with photooxidants. All had to be rejected based on the obtained data, additional laboratory experiments and model results. Model simulations were further used to (i) confirm that a loss process must be invoked to explain the observed uptake behaviour and (ii) estimate the kinetics of that loss process for different PACs. Sampling rates (SRs) for 28 PACs derived from the linearized uptake curves during the first six months of deployment were comparable to those of other semi-volatile organic compounds obtained during the same calibration experiment, and they also demonstrate a consistent negative correlation with volatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) continue to demand attention due to their widespread presence and well-established health implications. Given that incomplete combustion is a major contributor to PACs and inhalation constitutes a crucial human exposure pathway, a comprehensive understanding of the concentrations, spatial distributions, and fates of a broad range of PACs in the atmosphere is important. Passive air samplers (PASs) are a commonly utilized technique for PAC sampling and monitoring. In this study, we present the results from two one-year calibration experiments, one starting in summer and the other in winter, using a passive air sampler equipped with XAD resin as the sorbent (XAD-PAS). Throughout both experiments, PACs were consistently sorbed during the initial six-month period. However, the sorbed amounts for many PACs exhibited a decrease after half a year of deployment. Three hypotheses to explain this phenomenon were explored, including the uptake of atmospheric particles, evaporation from the sorbent, and reactions with photooxidants. All had to be rejected based on the obtained data, additional laboratory experiments and model results. Model simulations were further used to (i) confirm that a loss process must be invoked to explain the observed uptake behaviour and (ii) estimate the kinetics of that loss process for different PACs. Sampling rates (SR s) for 28 PACs derived from the linearized uptake curves during the first six months of deployment were comparable to those of other semi-volatile organic compounds obtained during the same calibration experiment, and they also demonstrate a consistent negative correlation with volatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Measurement of GEM emissions from urban atmosphere in Pakistan. • Open burning, and physical dismantling are common e-waste recycling practices. • E-waste sites from Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar were found highly contaminated. • Lower seasonal variations indicating the stable emission sources throughout year. • Workers and public living close to these facilities are exposed to hazards of GEM. Detrimental effects of mercury (Hg) on ecosystems and human health have been well-documented. Whereas emissions of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) from e-waste recycling have been reported in developed countries, much less is known about the situation in the Global South. Using a total of 132 passive air samplers, seasonally resolved concentrations of GEM in air were measured continuously at 32 informal e-waste recycling facilities and background location in Pakistan for a period of one year between September 2020 and December 2021. Annual average GEM concentrations at the studied locations ranged from 1.8 to 92 ng m−3. Among the studied cities, higher concentrations were measured in Karachi (mean ± s.d: 17 ± 22, range: 4.2–92 ng m−3), Lahore (16 ± 4.2, 8.2–22 ng m−3) and Peshawar (15 ± 17, 4.9–80 ng m−3), while lower levels were measured in Hyderabad (6.9 ± 6.2, 3.1–25 ng m−3), consistent with a higher rate of informal recycling activities in metropolitan areas. Seasonally, higher GEM levels occurred during autumn (15 ± 16: 3.3–92 ng m−3) and summer (13 ± 8.7: 1.8–80 ng m−3) than in winter (12 ± 8.4: 2.5–49 ng m−3) and spring (9.2 ± 7.3: 1.8–80 ng m−3), possibly reflecting enhanced volatilization at higher temperatures and/or varying magnitude of recycling operations in different seasons. Policies and strict regulations related to e-waste management should be developed and implemented urgently in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations and seasonal and temporal variations in polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in ambient air from November 2017 to September 2021 were investigated via passive air samplers containing polyurethane foam (PUF) discs in three residential areas: the Cau Giay (CG) urban, Quang Minh (QM) industrial-suburban, and Ba Vi (BV) rural areas, Hanoi, Vietnam. The average total toxic equivalents (TEQs) of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs (∑TEQs), using WHO2005-TEFs, were highest in the QM area (506 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day) and ranged from 317 to 752 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day. Compared to that in the QM area, the average ∑TEQs were lower in the CG area, ranging between 372 and 615 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day with an average value of 482 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day. The average ∑TEQs were lowest in the BV area, ranging from 121 to 414 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day with an average of 231 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day. PCDD/F and dl-PCB air pollution increased during spring and winter. The highest seasonal average ∑TEQs in the CG area was 534 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day in winter. The highest average ∑TEQs in the QM and BV areas were 653 and 280 fg WHO-TEQ/PUF day in spring, respectively. The average daily dose (ADD) values of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs through inhalation for adults in the three areas were minimal (9.9–96.2 fg WHO-TEQ/kg body weight (BW)/day) and below the 10% threshold of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) value recommended by the WHO (100–400 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day). For children, the ADD values (15.1–244 fg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day) were less than and within 10% of the recommended TDI value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common passive sampler used to measure NH3 volatilization losses in field studies has a nozzle with a 1‐mm, round orifice that reduces air flow to increase NH3 adsorption. This reduction in air flow, measured by the orifice's K value (0–1), implies a reduction in the amount of NH3 entering the sampler per unit of time, which may require a longer exposure to accumulate measurable quantities of NH3. Increasing the diameter of the orifice would increase the NH3 entering the sampler and possibly allow shorter exposure times, but it may also lead to increased NH3 bypass. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine the effect of wind speed on NH3 bypass in samplers with 1‐ or 2‐mm orifices, (2) determine the reduction in air speed in samplers with 1‐ or 2‐mm orifices by determining their K values, and (3) compare field NH3 volatilization losses measured with 1‐ and 2‐mm orifices. A laboratory study with wind speeds ranging from 0.6 to 10 m·s−1 showed that both orifice sizes had NH3 bypass at low and high wind speeds. Results from wind tunnel studies determined that flow was reduced to 63% (K = 0.63) in 1‐mm orifices and to 74% (K = 0.74) in 2‐mm orifices. Field studies indicated that 1‐mm orifices may measure greater NH3 volatilization losses than 2‐mm orifices at average low wind speeds when maximum wind speeds <10 m·s−1, but may measure equal or lower losses than 2‐mm orifices when several days occur with maximum wind speeds >10 m·s−1. Core Ideas: Field NH3 loss measured with 1‐ and 2‐mm orifices depended on maximum wind speeds.Ammonia bypass occurred at low and high wind speeds with both orifice sizes.Wind speed through sampler was reduced to 63% with a 1‐mm orifice and to 74% with a 2‐mm orifice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are among the most greatly used chemicals in the world, according to their physical and chemical properties. Although their use has been banned for about 40 years, they still threaten human health today due to their determination and illegal use. In this study, the levels of OCP concentrations in 15 indoor and 6 ambient airs within the borders of Bursa, their possible sources and the risk of cancer that may occur by inhalation were evaluated. Concentration values of 10 OCP compounds in indoor air were determined as 467.8±94.9 pg/m³, and concentration values in ambient air were determined as 419.3±137.1 pg/m³. In addition to the age of the buildings at the sampling points, the presence and proximity of agricultural areas in the ambient air have been determined to play an important role in the distribution of indoor OCP concentrations. Isomer ratios were used in the evaluation of possible sources. According to these isomer ratios, it has been determined that lindanes are the main sources of OCPs in Bursa. In addition, according to the same rates, it was concluded that pesticides are still used in Bursa today. Finally, the cancer risks that may occur by breathing both indoor and outdoor air were evaluated according to the increased lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) method. According to the calculations obtained, no cancer risk that may occur through inhalation of OCPs in both indoor and outdoor environments has been detected in Bursa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the sources of air pollution is exhaust emissions from vehicles during transportation activities. Due to the lack of parking spaces and the increase of the vehicles, many people park on the main roads, causing congestion on the side of the main roads. When the engine is running and the vehicle is on stationed the engine's power is not used to turn the wheels, the combustion quality of the vehicle's engine is not so perfect and the exhaust gas is concentrated on a part of the road. To do, affects the ambient air quality of the location. The purpose of this study was to measure CO and NO2 concentrations using the Impinger Air Sampler. Measurements were taken on the road bodies used for vehicle parking at four locations in Makassar city: Sombaopu street, Nusantara street, Mesjid Raya street and Jenderal Sudirman street. The data analysis used is a simple linear regression statistic to calculate occupancy. The analytical result obtained for the effect on occupancy and CO concentration was R2= 0.51/51%, p<0.001, we can conclude that the effect of occupancy on CO concentration is significant. We can then conclude that at a value of R2=0.64, p<0.001, the contribution of occupancy to changes in NO2 concentration is also significant. we conclude that the contribution of this predictive model is 68%. Occupancy has a significant impact on CO and NO2 concentrations in curbside parking areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies over the past decade has led to a plethora of platforms that can potentially enable greenhouse gas measurements over the 3-dimensional space. Here, we report the development of a new air sampler, consisting of a pumped stainless tube of 150 m in length with controlled time-stamping, its deployment from an industrial UAV to quantify CO2 and CH4 emissions from the main coking plant stacks of a major steel maker in eastern China. During flights, the air sampler starts sampling as soon as the UAV takes off, and stops sampling after landing. The air sample is immediately analyzed upon retrieval with a CRDS gas analyzer for CO2 and mixing ratios. Laboratory tests show that the time series of CO2 and CH4 measured using the sampling system is smoothed when compared to online measurement by the CRDS analyzer. Further analyses show that the smoothing is to a convolution of the true time series signals with a heavy-tailed digital filter. For field test, the air sampler was mounted on the UAV and flown virtual boxes around two stacks in the coking plant at Shagang Steel Group. Mole fractions of CO2 and CH4 in air and meteorological parameters were measured from the UAV during the test flight. A mass-balance computational algorithm was used on the data to estimate the CO2 and CH4 emission rates from the stacks. Using this algorithm, the emission rates for the two stacks from the coking plant were calculated to be 0.12±0.014 t h-1 CH4 and 110±18 t h-1 for CO2, the latter being in excellent agreement with material balance based estimates. A Gaussian plume inversion approach was also used to derive the emission rates and the results were compared with those derived using the mass-balance algorithm, showing a good agreement between the two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric concentrations of many greenhouse gases especially CO2 are increasing globally. In particular the rapid increase of anthropogenic CO2 emissions in Asia contributes strongly to the acceleration of the CO2 growth rate in the atmosphere. During the Asian monsoon season, greenhouse gases as well as pollution emitted near the ground rapidly propagate up to an altitude of 13 km (~360 K potential temperature) with slower ascent and mixing with the stratospheric background above. However, CO2 sources in South Asia are poorly quantified. Here, differences in transport of air in the regions of the Asian summer monsoon 2017 were inferred using the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS) driven by three data sets, namely two ECMWF reanalyses in different resolutions (ERA-Interim, ERA5 and ERA5 1° x 1°). These model results are assessed using unique airborne measurements up to altitudes of ~20 km (~475 K) during the Asian summer monsoon 2017 conducted with the Geophysica aircraft during the StratoClim campaign in Nepal. Trajectory-based transport times, air mass source regions at the Earth's surface, mean effective ascent rates and age spectra as well as mean age of air from 3-dimensional CLaMS simulations are compared using the three data sets and evaluated by observation-based ascent rates. Our findings confirm that because of a better spatial and temporal resolution, ERA5 reanalysis yields a better representation of convection than ERA-Interim. Further, our findings show that transport times from the surface to the Asian monsoon anticyclone as well as the origin of air at the Earth's surface are both very sensitive to the used reanalysis. Above 430 K, the mean effective ascent rates derived from ERA5 back-trajectories and ERA5 1° x 1° (~0.2–0.3 K/day) are in good agreement with the observation-based mean ascent rates inferred from long-lived trace gases such as C2F6 and HFC-125 derived from air samples collected by the whole air sampler aboard Geophysica. Mean effective ascent rates derived from ERA-Interim back-trajectories are much faster ~0.5 K/day at these altitudes. In the Asian monsoon region at 470 K, mean age of air is larger than 3 years for ERA5 1° x 1° and about 2 years for ERA-Interim, whereas an observation-based age of air is up to 2.5 years. A reliable reconstruction (simulation) of vertical CO2 profiles during the Asian monsoon is a challenge for model simulations because the seasonal variability of CO2 at the ground, mixing with aged stratospheric air and the vertical velocities (including convection as well as vertical ascent caused by diabatic heating in the UTLS) have to be represented accurately in the simulations. Up to 410 K, the presented CO2 reconstruction agrees best with high-resolution in situ aircraft CO2 measurements using ERA5 compared to ERA5 1° x 1° and ERA-Interim, indicating a better representation of Asian monsoon transport for the newer ECMWF reanalysis product ERA5. Above 410 K the uncertainties of the CO2 reconstruction are increasing because of mixing with aged air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate dicamba off‐target movement during and after applications over soybean at two growth stages. Dicamba‐tolerant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] at V3 and R1 growth stages in Nebraska and Mississippi fields were treated with diglycolamine salt of dicamba (560 g ae ha−1), potassium salt of glyphosate (1260 g ae ha−1), and a drift‐reducing adjuvant (0.5% v v−1). Filter papers positioned outside the sprayed area were used to determine primary movement and air samplers positioned at the center of sprayed area were used to calculate dicamba flux from 0.5 up to 68 hours after application (HAA). Flux was calculated using the aerodynamic method. Soybean growth stage did not affect dicamba deposition on filter papers from 8 to 45 m downwind from the sprayed areas. At 33 m downwind (i.e., distance of the labeled buffer zone), a spray drift of less than 0.0091% (0.05 g ae ha−1) of applied rate is estimated. Dicamba secondary movement may not be affected by soybean growth stage during the application. Although dicamba was detected in air samples collected at 68 HAA, the majority of the secondary movement was observed in the first 24 HAA. Dicamba cumulative loss was lower than 0.77% of applied rate. Results suggest the more stable the atmospheric conditions, the higher the dicamba flux. Thus, meteorological conditions after applications must be considered, and tools to predict the occurrence of temperature inversion are needed to minimize secondary movement of dicamba. Core Ideas: Soybean growth stage had minor influence on off‐target movement of dicamba.The highest dicamba flux was observed in the first 30 h after application.Dicamba cumulative loss was lower than 0.77% of applied rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sooty bark disease (SBD) is an emerging disease affecting sycamore maple trees (Acer pseudoplatanus) in Europe. Cryptostroma corticale, the causal agent, putatively native to eastern North America, can be also pathogenic for humans causing pneumonitis. It was first detected in 1945 in Europe, with markedly increasing reports since 2000. Pathogen development appears to be linked to heat waves and drought episodes. Here, we analyse the conditions of the SBD emergence in Europe based on a three-decadal timeseries data set. We also assess the suitability of aerobiological samples using a species-specific quantitative PCR assay to inform the epidemiology of C. corticale, through a regional study in France comparing twoyear aerobiological and epidemiological data, and a continental study including 12 air samplers from six countries (Czechia, France, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland). We found that an accumulated water deficit in spring and summer lower than -132 mm correlates with SBD outbreaks. Our results suggest that C. corticale is an efficient airborne pathogen which can disperse its conidia as far as 310 km from the site of the closest disease outbreak. Aerobiology of C. corticale followed the SBD distribution in Europe. Pathogen detection was high in countries within the host native area and with longer disease presence, such as France, Switzerland and Czech Republic, and sporadic in Italy, where the pathogen was reported just once. The pathogen was absent in samples from Portugal and Sweden, where the disease has not been reported yet. We conclude that aerobiological surveillance can inform the spatial distribution of the SBD, and contribute to early detection in pathogen-free countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Airborne particulate matter was collected from urban and industrial sites in Ahvaz. • Microplastics (MPs) were isolated from samples and characterised by established techniques. • All MPs were fibrous and the dominant polymers were PET, nylon and polypropylene. • Concentrations of MPs (< 0.017 m−3) exhibited no clear temporal trends or inter-site differences. • Sample characteristics and trajectory modelling suggest both local and long-range sources. Airborne particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic size cutoff of 10 µm (PM10) has been collected using a high volume air sampler at two locations (urban and residential) in the city of Ahvaz, Iran, for sixteen 24-hour periods over four months (late summer to early winter). Microplastics (MPs) in the PM were isolated after sample digestion and were subsequently characterised by established techniques. All MPs sampled (n = 322) were of a fibrous nature, with polyethylene terephthalate, nylon and polypropylene being the dominant polymers and consistent with textiles and fabrics as the principal source. Despite a distinct seasonality (temperature and wind) over the study period, the abundance, size and colour of the fibres exhibited no clear temporal trend, and no clear differences were observed between the two sites. Concentrations of MPs ranged from none detected to about 0.017/m3 (median = 0.0065/m3) and are at the low end of ranges reported in the recent literature for various urban and remote locations. While some MPs may have a local origin, the weathering of other MPs and their acquisition of extraneous geosolids and salts suggests that long-range transport is also important. Back-trajectory calculations indicate that regional sources are mainly to the north and west of Ahvaz, but a southerly, maritime source is also possible in late autumn. Although concentrations of MPs in the atmosphere are well below those encountered in indoor air, further studies are required to elucidate their potential ecological impacts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of airborne viruses in air is a critical step in the design of appropriate prevention and control measures. Hence, herein, we developed a novel wet-type electrostatic air sampler using a viral dissolution buffer containing a radical scavenging agent, and verified the concentration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in the air of hospital rooms inhabiting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and public areas. RNA damage caused by corona discharge was negligible when Buffer AVL was used as the collecting electrode. The viral RNA concentration in the air of the room varied by patient: 3.9 × 103 copy/m3 on the 10th day after onset in a mild case and 1.3 × 103 copy/m3 on the 18th day in a severe case. Viral RNA levels were 7.8 × 102 and 1.9 × 102 copy/m3 in the air of the office and food court, respectively, where people removed their masks when eating and talking, but it remained undetected in the station corridor where all the people were wearing masks. The assessment of airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA using the proposed sampler can serve as a basis for the safe discontinuation of COVID-19 isolation precautions to identify exposure hotspots and alert individuals at increased infection risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air is a medium for dispersal of environmental DNA (eDNA) carried in bioaerosols, yet the atmosphere is mostly unexplored as a source of genetic material encompassing all domains of life. In this study, we designed and deployed a robust, sterilizable hardware system for airborne nucleic acid capture featuring active filtration of a quantifiable, controllable volume of air and a high-integrity chamber to protect the sample from loss or contamination. We used our hardware system on an aircraft across multiple height transects over major aerosolization sources to collect air eDNA, coupled with high-throughput amplicon sequencing using multiple DNA metabarcoding markers targeting bacteria, plants, and vertebrates to test the hypothesis of large-scale genetic presence of these bioaerosols throughout the planetary boundary layer in the lower troposphere. Here, we demonstrate that the multi-taxa DNA assemblages inventoried up to 2,500 m using our airplane-mounted hardware system are reflective of major aerosolization sources in the survey area and show previously unreported airborne species detections (i.e., Allium sativum L). We also pioneer an aerial survey flight grid standardized for atmospheric sampling of genetic material and aeroallergens using a light aircraft and limited resources. Our results show that air eDNA from terrestrial bacteria, plants, and vertebrates is detectable up to high altitude using our airborne air sampler and demonstrate the usefulness of light aircraft in monitoring campaigns. However, our work also underscores the need for improved marker choices and reference databases for species in the air column, particularly eukaryotes. Taken together, our findings reveal strong connectivity or mixing of terrestrial-associated eDNA from ground level aerosolization sources and the atmosphere, and we recommend that parameters and indices considering lifting action, atmospheric instability, and potential for convection be incorporated in future surveys for air eDNA. Overall, this work establishes a foundation for light aircraft campaigns to comprehensively and economically inventory bioaerosol emissions and impacts at scale, enabling transformative future opportunities in airborne DNA technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live bird markets (LBMs) have been identified as key factors in the spread, persistence and evolution of avian influenza viruses (AIVs). In addition, these settings have been associated with human infections with AIVs of pandemic concern. Exposure to aerosolised AIVs by workers in a Cambodian LBM was assessed using aerosol impact samplers. LBM vendors were asked to wear an air sampler for 30 min per day for 1 week while continuing their usual activities in the LBM during a period of high AIV circulation (February) and a period of low circulation (May). During the period of high circulation, AIV RNA was detected from 100% of the air samplers using molecular methods and viable AIV (A/H5N1 and/or A/H9N2) was isolated from 50% of air samplers following inoculation into embryonated chicken eggs. In contrast, AIV was not detected by molecular methods or successfully isolated during the period of low circulation. This study demonstrates the increased risk of aerosol exposure of LBM workers to AIVs during periods of high circulation and highlights the need for interventions during these high‐risk periods. Novel approaches, such as environmental sampling, should be further explored at key high‐risk interfaces as a potentially cost‐effective alternative for monitoring pandemic threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PM2.5 and PM>2.5 samples were collected in Cotonou (Benin) using high volume cascade impaction air samplers. The samplings were based on continuous collection over twelve days. Physical and chemical characteristics of samples were determined by size distribution (laser granulometry), specific surface areas (BET method), inorganic elements (ICP-MS), water-soluble ions (IC), CHNS analysis and organic compounds (GC-MS). Average concentrations of air particulate matter were 180.9 µg/m3 and 94.5 µg/m3 in PM2.5 and PM>2.5, respectively. The higher water-soluble ions recorded were Ca2+,SO42−,NO3−, Na+ and Cl− for both PM. Moreover, concentrations were almost two-fold higher for PM2.5 compared to PM>2.5, with 10.7 µg/m3 of total metals found in PM2.5 versus 5.6 µg/m3 in PM>2.5. Both PM samples under study presented similar repartition of elements considering their percentages. Results suggested that PM>2.5 samples contain agglomerates of fine particles. Identification tools of major pollution source as inorganic elements, paraffins, fatty acids ratios and PAHs ratios indicated that PM under study originated from traffic exhaust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on airborne microplastics (AMPs) in Thailand is still not available. This study monitored and identified AMPs in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR), Thailand. A high-volume air sampler was used to collect AMPs at five different locations in BMR. These five locations are university, roadside, urban park, dumpsite, and industrial estate. The results showed that AMPs concentration was averaged at 333.42 ± 142.99 per cubic meter (n/m3). The concentration of AMPs at the dumpsite was much higher than the concentration in the other areas. The relationship between AMPs and total suspended particles (TSP) was highly dependent on the locations and sources of microplastics nearby. Higher AMP with higher TSP were found at the university, dumpsite, and industrial estate. On the other hand, lower AMP with higher TSP were found at the roadside and urban park. Regarding the shape of the AMPs, the majority (97.22%) of the AMPs were in fragment form while only 2.78% were in fiber form. Polyethylene (PE) in the fragments and cellophane in the fibers were the major polymer types which were present in all locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods for using spider webs as passive air samplers have been developed over recent years and reported in more than a dozen articles. In this article, we present the typical procedures followed when using this new tool and critically review its application in air pollution assessment. To understand the state of research and application of spider webs in this field, we describe some advantages and disadvantages of their use in the analyses of air contaminants. The aim is to summarize the current knowledge on this subject, highlight gaps in the present studies, and arouse the interest of scientists on this issue. The increased effort could result in the standardization of the method at the national and international level. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:32–44. © 2022 SETAC KEY POINTS: This review proves that spider webs can be successfully used in biomonitoring studies of air pollution, and they give good results in terms of concentration of potentially toxic elements as well as PAHs.Despite the great potential of spider webs, it seems it will still be a long time before this tool becomes widely used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban air pollution is a growing menace leading to human discomfort, increased hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality. This study deals with deteriorated air quality due to firecracker bursting during Diwali in Lucknow. Inhalable particulates and gaseous pollutants were monitored during Diwali 2020 using air samplers. Elements, ions, and surface morphology of particles were analyzed using ICP-MS, ion chromatograph, and SEM-EDX, respectively. PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 were 558, 352, 44, and 86 μg/m3 during Diwali night and 233, 101, 17, and 40 μg/m3 on pre-Diwali night while 241, 122, 24, and 43 μg/m3 on Diwali day. Concentrations surged for PM10: 139% and 132%, PM2.5: 249% and 189%, SO2: 159% and 83%, and NO2: 115% and 100% on Diwali night compared to pre-Diwali night and corresponding Diwali day, respectively. Al, K, Ba, and B showed dominance in PM10 whereas Zn, Al, Ba, and K in PM2.5 on Diwali night. The order of metal abundance in PM2.5 was Cd < Co < Ag < As < Cr < Ni < Cu < Bi < Pb < Mn < Sr < Fe < B < Zn < Al < Ba < K. Cations NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and anions F−, Cl−, NO3−, Br−, NO2−, SO4−2, PO43− showed a 2–8 fold increase on Diwali night relative to pre-Diwali night. Average metal concentrations varied by 2.2, 1.6, and 0.09 times on Diwali than pre-Diwali in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, respectively. PM10 concentration increased by 458% and 1140% while PM2.5, 487%, and 2247% than respective NAAQS and WHO standards. Tiny firecracker particles vary in toxicity as compared to vehicular emissions and have enhanced bioavailability leading to severe threat in terms of LRI, COPD, and atherosclerosis for city dwellers. It is imperative to recognize the present status of ambient air quality and implement regulatory strategies for emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the period of June 1973 to July 1977, the People's Republic of China detonated five nuclear weapons in the atmosphere. The resulting fallout was spread worldwide and also fell at Fayetteville, AR where the University of Arkansas, Department of Chemistry had rain collectors as well as air filter samplers. This investigation characterized the fractionation patterns from the 137Cs and 90Sr fallout. There was evidence of mixed production of 137Cs and 90Sr from 235U and 239Pu fission, unexpectedly large fractionation of volatile and refractory fission product chains and re-entrainment of previously deposited 137Cs in storm systems. These findings could have application for future nuclear incidences, and environmental and radioecology studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High enrichment of airborne viruses during sampling is critical for their rapid measurement and requires a high sampling flow rate (or velocity), small collection areas, and high collection efficiency; however, high collection efficiency can rarely be achieved at high flow velocities and in small collection areas in electrostatic sampling. Herein, we present improved measurement of airborne viruses using a two-stage highly virus-enriching electrostatic particle concentrator (HEPC) with wire electrodes and high values of the-inlet-velocity-to-collection-electrode-width ratio. This sampler was evaluated using MS2 viruses and 0.05–2.0 µm diameter polystyrene latex particles at 20 liters/min. Computer simulations and experiments agreed well, showing that the wire electrodes increased collection efficiency (by up to 37 % than the without-wire-electrodes case) without high viability losses through local electric field enhancement for high-flow-velocity regions over the collection electrode and minimization of local corona discharge. The relative infectious virus concentrations of the HEPC were 41–70 times higher than those of the BioSampler. Airborne influenza A viruses at field-level concentrations (1.8 × 105 and 2.6 × 104 copies/m3) were also detected at 10-min sampling due to the high enrichment capability of HEPC. The HEPC has strong potential as a rapid airborne virus monitoring system in the field. [Display omitted] • Electrostatic air sampler with wire electrodes (HEPC) was presented. • HEPC operated at high values of the inlet velocity to electrode width ratio. • The wire electrodes increased collection greatly without high viability losses. • The viable virus concentration of HEPC was 41–70 times higher than that of the BioSampler. • Airborne influenza viruses at field level concentrations were detected at 10-min sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive air samplers were used to monitor polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) between 2020 and 2022 in four residential areas around Bien Hoa hot spot (BHS) including Trung Dung (TD), Tan Phong (TP), Quang Vinh (QV), and Buu Long (BL). The total toxic equivalents of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs (∑TEQs) were highest in the TD area, from 284 to 642 fg TEQ/PUF day. Next was the QV area, where ∑TEQs ranged from 229 to 569 fg TEQ/PUF day. Then, ∑TEQs varied from 205 to 503 fg TEQ/PUF day in the TP area. The lowest ∑TEQs were between 179 and 385 fg TEQ/PUF day in the BL area. The temporal, spatial, and seasonal variations in concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were related to the prevailing wind direction and the distance from each area to the dioxin hot spot. The average ∑TEQs for all four areas surrounding BHS in the dry season (423 fg TEQ/PUF day) were 1.4 times higher than in the rainy season (303 fg TEQ/PUF day). Health risk assessments from airborne dioxin exposure were estimated using the average daily doses through inhalation (ADDI). The ADDI for residents surrounding BHS ranged from 14.6 to 208 fg TEQ/kg BW/day. The ADDI values by areas were as follows: 23.2–208 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the TD, 18.7–184 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the QV, 16.7–163 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the TP, and 14.6–125 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the BL. These ADDI values remained within and below the 10% threshold of the WHO-recommended tolerable daily intake (100–400 fg TEQ/kg BW/day). It is necessary to control the excavation activities inside the BHS and cover the temporary storage sites of dioxin-contaminated materials to minimize the emissions of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCB into the ambient air. [Display omitted] • Concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were determined around Bien Hoa hot spot. • Temporal and spatial variation in concentrations depended on wind direction and distance. • Excavation activity of contaminated materials increased airborne PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. • Health risk assessment was estimated using average daily doses through inhalation. • Average daily doses remained within the 10% threshold of tolerable daily intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing need to establish alternative approaches for mixture safety assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Due to limitations with current component-based approaches, and the lack of established methods for using whole mixtures, a promising alternative is to use sufficiently similar mixtures; although, an established framework is lacking. In this study, several approaches are explored to form sufficiently similar mixtures. Multiple data streams including environmental concentrations and empirically and predicted toxicity data for cancer and non-cancer endpoints were used to prioritize chemical components for mixture formations. Air samplers were analyzed for unsubstituted and alkylated PAHs. A synthetic mixture of identified PAHs was created (Creosote-Fire Mix). Existing toxicity values and chemical concentrations were incorporated to identify hazardous components in the Creosote-Fire Mix. Sufficiently similar mixtures of the Creosote-Fire Mix were formed based on (1) relative abundance; (2) toxicity values; and (3) a combination approach incorporating toxicity and abundance. Hazard characterization of these mixtures was performed using high-throughput screening in primary normal human bronchial epithelium (NHBE) and zebrafish. Differences in chemical composition and potency were observed between mixture formation approaches. The toxicity-based approach (Tox Mix) was the most potent mixture in both models. The combination approach (Weighted-Tox Mix) was determined to be the ideal approach due its ability to prioritize chemicals with high exposure and hazard potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several analytical procedures available for the monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, which differ mainly on sampling procedures. The Coriolis micro air sampler is a tool normally designed for biological air sampling. In this paper, the Coriolis micro bio collector is used to evaluate its ability to sample organic contaminants sampling and detecting them when combined GC-MS. We also compare the use of the Coriolis micro with a standardized sampling method, which is the use of a lung box with a Nalophan® bag. The results show that the Coriolis micro sampling method is suitable for the sampling of organic contaminants. Indeed, the Coriolis micro allows to sample and detect mainly semi-volatile molecules, while the lung box/Nalophan® bags allow to sample more volatile molecules (highly volatile and volatile). These results were confirmed in the controlled air lab with a slight difference with the field. The simultaneous use of the both techniques allow to sample and detect a larger number of molecules with specific physicochemical properties to each sampling technique. In conclusion, the Coriolis micro can sample and detect volatile organic compounds present in air. We have shown that the development of alternative sampling methods and the use of non-target analysis are essential for a more comprehensive risk assessment. Moreover, the use of the Coriolis micro allows the detection of emergent molecules around the Thau lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variations in atmospheric ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.1) were monitored in Bangkok, Thailand, from 2016 to 2017. PM0.1-bound organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) were collected by a cascade air sampler that can collect PM0.1 and were analyzed by a Thermal-Optical carbon analyzer following the IMPROVE-TOR protocol. The annual average PM0.1 in Bangkok was 14.5 ± 4.7 µg/m3, which is higher than in large Asian cities such as Shanghai and Hanoi. Biomass burning from neighboring areas was shown to increase the particle concentration. Apparent increases in carbon species such as OC and EC, and the OC/EC ratios in the wet and dry seasons were observed; the Char-EC/Soot-EC ratio revealed that the PM0.1 in the Bangkok atmosphere was influenced mainly by vehicle exhausts, even though the influence of biomass burning was greater during the dry season. The effective carbon ratio (ECR) shows that Bangkok's carbonaceous aerosol is light-absorbing and -scattering. The higher SOC/OC in the dry season indicates the high level of secondary sources forming smaller particles from the combustion sources in Bangkok, increasing light scattering during these periods, and contributing to climate and air quality. The findings of this work are of great importance to air pollutant control policies in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air quality monitoring in cities is significant for both human health and environment. Here, an innovative miniaturized active air sampler wearable by free-flying birds is presented. The device integrates a GPS logger and atmospheric calibrated sensors allowing for high spatiotemporal resolution measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, barometric pressure, air temperature, and relative humidity. A field campaign, carried out from January to June 2021, involved the repeated release of homing pigeons (Columba livia) from downtown Rome (Italy), to sample the air on their way back to the loft, located in a rural area out of the city. The measurements suggest the importance of green urban areas in decreasing CO2 levels. Moreover, a positive relation between CO2 levels, relative humidity, and air temperature was revealed. In contrast, a negative relation with distance from the point of release, month, and time of day was found. Flight speed and the altitude of flight were related to rising CO2 levels. The easy use of such devices paves the way for the application of miniaturized air samplers to other synanthropic species (i.e., gulls), making birds convenient biomonitors for the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active sampling was conducted for the first time in Erzurum, Turkey, between August 2012 and January 2013, in order to investigate the presence of 82 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners. Urban and rural ambient air samples, including gas and particle phase atmospheric concentrations (GAPPACs) of PCBs, were collected simultaneously using high volume air sampler (HVAS) at two different sampling points of Erzurum. GAPPACs of PCB samples taken using HVAS in Palandöken Mountain Region (2565 m) and Ataturk University Campus (1870 m) were analyzed in GC–MS following appropriate extraction steps. Throughout the sampling period, total ambient air concentrations (gas phase + particulate phase) were 10 ± 6 and 27 ± 13 pg/m3 (mean) for Palandöken Mountain Region (PMR) and Atatürk University Campus (AUC), respectively. Low molecular weighted PCBs were found to be dominant in both rural an urban sampling sites. Meteorological parameters especially temperature (from Clausius–Clapeyron equation), wind direction, wind velocity, and precipitation were found to be effective on PCB concentration and distribution. The gas-particle distributions of PCBs in the summer and winter period were found to be 82% (gas phase) and 18% (particle phase) in the PMR and 90% (gas phase) and 10% (particle phase) in AUC, through Junge-Pankow adsorption model. In the light of these findings, total PCB concentrations detected in urban atmosphere (due to possible PCB sources) were observed to be higher than those determined in rural area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely used in certain countries. We determined atmospheric concentrations, distribution patterns, and seasonal variations of OCPs at four sites in South Korea for 1 year. Samples of 22 OCPs were collected using a high-volume air sampler, and measured via the isotope dilution method with HRGC/HRMS. In South Korea, pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCB), and endosulfan (EnSF) were dominant, accounting for > 87% of total OCPs. Spatial distributions showed significant differences and the highest levels were observed in Seosan (295.2 pg·m−3), indicating the compounding potential of diverse sources as Seosan has concentrated large-scale industrial complexes and agricultural activity (Seoul: 243.6 pg·m−3 > Jeju: 193.5 pg·m−3 > Baengnyeong: 178.2 pg·m−3). The isomeric ratios of OCPs in the South Korean atmosphere indicated that the dominant sources of HCB and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane were primarily used in the past; meanwhile, chlordane (CHL) and EnSFs were derived from recent material inputs. Seasonally, OCP concentrations largely peaked in summer with minimum values in winter. This apparent temperature dependence suggests the re-volatilization of accumulated chemicals into the atmosphere. Additionally, an air mass back trajectory indicated the influence of pollutants released from a reservoir through long-range atmospheric transport in the summer. In particular, restricted OCPs are primarily released into the atmosphere by inadvertent sources, such as industrial activities and volatilization from contaminated areas. Thus, severe OCP pollution in Korea is due to the mobile nature of the particles. These data can be useful for the continuous monitoring of long-range transported air pollutants that are transferred between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne pollen surveys provide information on various aspects of biodiversity and human health monitoring. Such surveys are typically conducted using the Burkard Multi-Vial Cyclone Sampler, but have to be technically optimized for eDNA barcoding. We here developed and tested a new airborne pollen trap, especially suitable for autonomous eDNA-metabarcoding analyses, called the A1 volumetric air sampler. The trap can sample pollen in 24 different tubes with flexible intervals, allowing it to operate independently in the field for a certain amount of time. We compared the efficiency of the new A1 volumetric air sampler with another automated volumetric spore trap, the Burkard Multi-Vial Cyclone Sampler, which features shorter and fewer sampling intervals to evaluate the comparability of ambient pollen concentrations. In a sterile laboratory environment, we compared trap performances between the automated volumetric air samplers by using pure dry pollen of three species—Fagus sylvatica, Helianthus annuus and Zea mays—which differ both by exine ornamentation and pollen size. The traps had a standard suction flow rate of 16.5 L/min, and we counted the inhaled pollen microscopically after a predefined time interval. Our results showed that though we put three different pollen types in the same container, both the traps inhaled all the pollens in a statistically significant manner irrespective of their size. We found that, on average, both traps inhaled equal an number of pollens for each species. We did not detect any cross-contamination between tubes. We concluded that the A1 volumetric air sampler has the potential to be used for longer and more flexible sampling intervals in the wild, suitable for autonomous monitoring of eDNA pollen diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine the concentration values and possible sources of PAHs in the outdoor air for a year by using passive air samplers at 6 different points in Bursa. While the lowest concentration value was measured at the Keles sampling point, which is described as the background, the highest concentration value was measured at the Hasanağa sampling point, which is described as Industry/Agriculture. The obtained concentration values were found to be higher than the studies conducted in Bursa in previous years. The reason for this was thought to be the increase in atmospheric PAH inputs due to the increase in industry and population over the years. Molecular diagnosis rates, which is the method frequently used in the literature, were used to determine the possible sources of PAHs. According to the obtained molecular diagnosis rates, it was determined that the biggest sources of PAHs in Bursa atmosphere are combustion of fossil fuels and traffic. In addition, a similarity was found between the PAH sources determined in previous studies in Bursa and the PAH sources determined in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]