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Obesity, influenced by environmental pollutants, can lead to complex metabolic disruptions. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolically abnormal obesity caused by exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Following the PRISMA guidelines, articles from 2019 to 2024 were gathered from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed, along with subgroup analyses and pathway enrichment analyses. This study was registered in the Open Science Framework. Thirty-three articles, mainly case–control studies and murine models, were reviewed, and they revealed that combined exposure to HFD and PM2.5 resulted in the greatest weight gain (82.835 g, p = 0.048), alongside increases in high-density lipoproteins, insulin, and the superoxide dismutase. HFD enriched pathways linked to adipocytokine signaling in brown adipose tissue, while PM2.5 impacted genes associated with fat formation. Both exposures downregulated protein metabolism pathways in white adipose tissue and activated stress-response pathways in cardiac tissue. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in the liver were enriched, influencing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. These findings highlight that combined exposure to HFD and PM2.5 amplifies body weight gain, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction, suggesting a synergistic interaction with significant implications for metabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) in the air are one of the major concerns due to their possible health risks. In addition, airborne microplastics act as a carrier for several toxic air pollutants and cause carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects. Nylon 66 is one of the most abundant MPs in the microenvironments. In this study, we report an optimized method for the quantification of nylon 66 MPs present in the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The optimized method exhibited excellent linearity, recovery rates, intraday and interday precision and sensitivity. The optimized method was deployed to carry out a pilot study to measure the mass concentrations of nylon 66 microplastics present in the inhalable fraction of particulate matter collected in a shopping complex. The observed mass concentrations of nylon 66 MPs in this study are in the range from 0.30 ng m−3 to 4.37 ng m−3. This study demonstrates the presence of inhalable fraction of nylon 66 MPs in the indoor environment and their mass concentrations were determined using HPLC-MS/MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is known to have adverse health effects and is a growing concern in urban areas. Spatial and temporal variability is difficult to assess with the few air quality stations typically available in cities. As an alternative, tree bark acts as a passive captor on which PM is deposited. Magnetic susceptibility measurements can be used as a proxy indicator to estimate pollution from vehicle sources. We present the citizen science project called Ecorc'Air, in which volunteers collect plane tree bark samples, mainly in Paris, which are then sent to laboratories and used for various measurements. The project has developed since 2016, leading to the production of annual maps that identify variations in magnetic particle concentrations. The correlation between magnetic susceptibility and metal content has been verified using multi elemental analysis. Thanks to these numerous samples, we were able to identify areas with consistently high susceptibility values over time. We also quantified the decrease in susceptibility values with the distance between the tree and the road, as well as the shielding effect of parked cars on pedestrians. We showed trends in susceptibility variations over time along a specific well‐sampled road, suggesting that this type of sampling and measurement could be used to quantify variations in metallic pollution at a local scale. Finally, through interviews, we found that there is a growing interest and participation of city dwellers, especially those involved in local associations, to act in favor of environmental research, as well as of municipalities to offer support. Plain Language Summary: Airborne pollution caused by particulate matter (PM) is a growing concern in cities because of its negative effects on health. Air quality stations in cities are too few to give a detailed image of the distribution of pollution. However, PM is also deposited on trees. Tree bark can then act as captors, and their magnetic properties can measure the quantity of metallic particles deposited on them, and give an estimate of the pollution from motorized traffic. Here we present the citizen science project Ecorc'Air, in which volunteers collect plane tree bark fragments, which are then sent to laboratories and used for various measurements. Since its beginning in 2016, the project has enabled the production of annual maps showing detailed concentration of metallic particles in Paris at a local scale. The quantity of particles decreases with the distance between the tree and the road, and parked cars can act as a shield for PM on pedestrians. Individual volunteers have different motivations than volunteers in groups or associations. Municipalities supporting the project consider citizen sciences as a way to connect with their citizens on environmental issues and a source of data for air quality quantification. Key Points: We present the citizen science project Ecorc'Air, in which volunteers collect plane tree bark samples which are sent to laboratoriesThe project has led to the production of annual maps since 2016 that identify variations in magnetic particle concentrations in ParisThere is a growing interest and involvement in environmental research among urban dwellers, especially those involved in local associations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a severe problem in Taiwan due to the steep terrain, fragile geology, and extreme climatic events resulting from global warming. Due to the rapidly changing hydrological conditions affecting the locations and the amount of transported sand and fine particles, timely impact evaluation and riverine dust control are difficult, particularly when resources are limited. To comprehend the impact of desertification in estuarine areas on the variation of air pollutant concentrations, this study utilized remote sensing technology coupled with an air pollutant dispersion model to determine the unit contribution of potential pollution sources and quantify the effect of riverine dust on air quality. The images of the downstream area of the Beinan River basin captured by Formosat-2 in May 2006 were used to analyze land use and land cover (LULC) composition. Subsequently, the diffusion model ISCST-3 based on Gaussian distribution was utilized to simulate the transport of PM across the study area. Finally, a mixed-integer programming model was developed to optimize resource allocation for dust control. Results reveal that sand deposition in specific river sections significantly influences regional air quality, owing to the unique local topography and wind field conditions. The present optimal plan model for regional air quality control further showed that after implementing engineering measures including water cover, revegetation, armouring cover, and revegetation, total PM concentrations would be reduced by 51%. The contribution equivalent calculation, using the air pollution diffusion model, was effectively integrated into the optimization model to formulate a plan for reducing riverine dust with limited resources based on air quality requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preterm deliveries are a major multifactorial public health problem in French Guiana. Desert dust episodes have been associated with preterm delivery in Guadeloupe, a territory with similarities to French Guiana. We thus tried to replicate this finding in the context of French Guiana. A retrospective ecological cohort study combined daily PM10 concentration measurements during pregnancy and term at delivery extracted from French Guiana’s computerized pregnancy delivery registry. Daily PM10 concentrations during the course of pregnancy were analyzed as mean concentrations and as the proportion of intense dust episodes (≥55 μg PM10/m3). These exposure variables were studied in relation to the outcome of preterm delivery. Overall, 3,321 pregnant women with complete daily PM10 measurements were included, of whom 374 (11.26%) delivered prematurely. Among preterm deliveries, 168 (44.9%) were spontaneous deliveries and 206 (55.1%) were induced. Rank-sum tests showed that, for spontaneous and induced spontaneous deliveries, both mean PM10 concentrations and proportions of intense desert dust episodes were significantly greater among preterm births than among term births. Although the proportion of intense desert dust episodes during pregnancy was significantly associated with spontaneous preterm deliveries, the relation was U-shaped, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2 (95%CI = 1.2–3.1) for lowest values relative to median values and AOR = 5.4 (95%CI = 3.2–8.9) for the highest values relative to median values. Similarly, the proportion of intense desert dust episodes during pregnancy was also significantly associated with induced preterm deliveries in a U-shaped manner (AOR = 2.7 (95%CI = 1.6–4.5) for the lowest relative to median values and AOR = 6.8 (95%CI = 3.9–11.9) for the highest relative to median values). Although in our study the relation between PM10 concentrations appeared non-linear, the highest mean concentrations and intense desert dust episodes were indeed associated with both spontaneous and induced preterm delivery.

Emerging research findings suggest that airborne particulate matter might be a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the concentration–response relationships and the susceptible time windows for different types of particulate matter may vary. In this retrospective analysis, we employ a novel robust approach to assess the crucial time windows regarding the prevalence of GDM and to distinguish the susceptibility of three GDM subtypes to air pollution exposure. This study included 16,303 pregnant women who received routine antenatal care in 2018–2021 at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Chongqing, China. In total, 2482 women (15.2%) were diagnosed with GDM. We assessed the individual daily average exposure to air pollution, including PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, and CO based on the volunteers' addresses. We used high-accuracy gridded air pollution data generated by machine learning models to assess particulate matter per maternal exposure levels. We further analyzed the association of pre-pregnancy, early, and mid-pregnancy exposure to environmental pollutants using a generalized additive model (GAM) and distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) to analyze the association between exposure at specific gestational weeks and the risk of GDM. We observed that, during the first trimester, per IQR increases for PM10 and PM2.5 exposure were associated with increased GDM risk (PM10: OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.07~1.33; PM2.5: OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.15~1.50) and isolated post-load hyperglycemia (GDM-IPH) risk (PM10: OR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.09~1.39; PM2.5: OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.18~1.61). Second-trimester O3 exposure was positively correlated with the associated risk of GDM, while pre-pregnancy and first-trimester exposure was negatively associated with the risk of GDM-IPH. Exposure to SO2 in the second trimester was negatively associated with the risk of GDM-IPH. However, there were no observed associations between NO2 and CO exposure and the risk of GDM and its subgroups. Our results suggest that maternal exposure to particulate matter during early pregnancy and exposure to O3 in the second trimester might increase the risk of GDM, and GDM-IPH is the susceptible GDM subtype to airborne particulate matter exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tire wear particles (TWPs) are a major category of microplastic pollution produced by friction between tires and road surfaces. This non-exhaust particulate matter (PM) containing leachable toxic compounds is transported through the air and with stormwater runoff, leading to environmental pollution and human health concerns. In the present study, we collected airborne PM at varying distances (5, 15 and 30 m) along US Highway 278 in Oxford, Mississippi, USA, for ten consecutive days using Sigma-2 passive samplers. Particles (~ 1–80 μm) were passively collected directly into small (60 mL) wide-mouth separatory funnels placed inside the samplers. Particles were subsequently subjected to solvent extraction, and extracts were analyzed for TWP compounds by high resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry. This pilot study was focused solely on qualitative analyses to determine whether TWP compounds were present in this fraction of airborne PM. The abundance of airborne TWPs increased with proximity to the road with deposition rates (TWPs cm−2 day−1) of 23, 47, and 63 at 30 m, 15 m, and 5 m from the highway, respectively. Two common TWP compounds (6PPD-Q and 4-ADPA) were detected in all samples, except the field blank, at levels above their limits of detection, estimated at 2.90 and 1.14 ng L−1, respectively. Overall, this work suggests airborne TWPs may be a potential inhalation hazard, particularly for individuals and wildlife who spend extended periods outdoors along busy roadways. Research on the bioavailability of TWP compounds from inhaled TWPs is needed to address exposure risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to quantitatively examine the effects of respiratory protective equipment (respirators) and various other types of protectors in preventing the scattering of vocalization droplets. Each of 12 adult male volunteers was asked to vocalize intermittently for 1 min at a target intensity of approximately 100 dBA in an experimental room adjusted to a humidity of approximately 60–70%. The subjects vocalized while wearing respirators, other types of protectors, or no protectors at all. The droplet concentration in a particle size range of 0.3 to 10 μm was measured under each experimental condition, and the transmitted particle concentration and penetration were calculated. The concentration and penetration of particles transmitted from the respirators were lower than those transmitted from the other protectors examined. The probability of infection reduction through the use of the protectors was estimated from the data obtained on the effectiveness of the protectors in preventing the scattering of droplets. We concluded that there is no need for additional droplet scattering prevention in various work settings when appropriate respirators are used under optimal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent United Kingdom (UK) Environment Act consultation had the intention of setting two targets for PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm), one related to meeting an annual average concentration and the second to reducing population exposure. As part of the consultation, predictions of PM2.5 concentrations in 2030 were made by combining European Union (EU) and UK government’s emissions forecasts, with the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) Net Zero vehicle forecasts, and in London with the addition of local policies based on the London Environment Strategy (LES). Predictions in 2018 showed 6.4% of the UK’s area and 82.6% of London’s area had PM2.5 concentrations above the World Health Organization (WHO) interim target of 10 μg m−3, but by 2030, over 99% of the UK’s area was predicted to be below it. However, kerbside concentrations in London and other major cities were still at risk of exceeding 10 μg m−3. With local action on PM2.5 in London, population weighted concentrations showed full compliance with the WHO interim target of 10 μg m−3 in 2030. However, predicting future PM2.5 concentrations and interpreting the results will always be difficult and uncertain for many reasons, such as imperfect models and the difficulty in estimating future emissions. To help understand the sensitivity of the model’s PM2.5 predictions in 2030, current uncertainty was quantified using PM2.5 measurements and showed large areas in the UK that were still at risk of exceeding the WHO interim target despite the model predictions being below 10 μg m−3. Our results do however point to the benefits that policy at EU, UK and city level can have on achieving the WHO interim target of 10 μg m−3. These results were submitted to the UK Environment Act consultation. Nevertheless, the issues addressed here could be applicable to other European cities.

The highest incidence and mortality rate of lung cancer in rural area of Fuyuan has been a research hotspot, and the pathogenesis is still unclear. Therefore, atmospheric particulate matters (APMs) samples were collected between 18 February and 01 March 2017, exploring water-soluble potentially toxic metals (WSPTMs) and water-soluble inorganic ionic species (WSIIs) levels, size distribution, sources, acidity and alkalinity, and potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, hoping to provide scientific basic data to solve this problem. In our study, the average ratio of nitrate ion (NO3−)/sulfate ion (SO42−) within PM1.1, PM1.1–2.0, PM2.0–3.3, PM3.3–7.0, and PM>7.0 were 0.22, 0.18, 0.15, 0.34 and 0.36, respectively, that revealed that combustion sources contributed to PM were more significant. The anions in equilibrium (ANE) / cations in equilibrium (CAE) < 1 for all samples within PM1.1, PM2.0–3.3, PM3.3–7.0 indicate that the APMs were alkaline, but PM1.1–2.0 particulate matter shows weak acidity. SO42− prefers to combine with NH4+ to form (NH4)2SO4, which hinders the formation of NH4NO3, the remaining SO42− and NO3− to neutralize the K+, KNO3 was formed at all particulate, however, K2SO4 can only be formed in PM<3.3. Arsenic (As) and Selenium (Se) were identified as the most enriched WSPTMs in all PM sizes, predominantly from anthropogenic emissions, were suggested that coal combustion is a significant source of PM-bound WSPTMs. Total WSPTMs exhibited high total carcinogenic risks (TCR) values (9.98 × 10–6, 1.06 × 10–5, and 1.19 × 10–5 for girls, boys and adults, respectively) in the smaller particles (< 1.1 μm). Se was considered as the major contributor (63.60%) to carcinogenic risk (CR) in PM2.0 and had an inverse relationship with PM size that should be of prime concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gandhi Fernando Pavón-Romero,1 María del Carmen Calderón-Ezquerro,2 Michelle Alejandra Rodríguez-Cervantes,3 David Fernández-Villanueva,1 Esmeralda Melgoza-Ruiz,1 Fernando Ramírez-Jiménez,1 Luis M Teran1 1Department of Immunogenetics and Allergy, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias “Ismael Cosío Villegas”, Mexico City, Mexico; 2Grupo Bioaerosoles atmosféricos, Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico; 3Department of Pediatrics, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, MexicoCorrespondence: Luis M Teran, Department of Immunogenetics and Allergy, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico, Tel/Fax +52 5557481740, Email teranjlm@gmail.comPurpose: To evaluate the association between allergic sensitivity and pollen counts in patients with allergic respiratory disease (ARD) and its relationship with atmospheric pollutants.Methods: From 2012 to 2018, we evaluated the sensitivity by skin prick test in ARD patients. The pollen counts were analyzed according to international guidelines (2014– 2018). The pollutant and meteorological data were obtained at the same time from AIRE-CDMX websites. We analyzed the association between allergic sensitivity and pollen counts using the χ 2 test and stratified by disease allergic rhinitis (AR) and AR with asthma (ARwA), periods (before/after 2015), and pollination seasons (S1:2014– 2015), (S2:2015– 2016), (S3:2016– 2017), (S4:2017– 2018). Likewise, we correlated the pollen counts with the concentrations of pollutants using Pearson’s correlation. For all analyses, we used SPSS v.21 software, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: A total of 520 patients were enrolled, of whom 67.3% had ARwA and 33.7% had AR (p< 0.05). The frequency of patients allergic to at least one pollen was higher compared with patients sensitive to indoor allergens (55.3% vs 44.6%, p< 0.001). A total of 46.8% of the patients were only sensitive to trees in comparison to other outdoor allergens (p< 0.001). The Fraxinus sp. and the Cupressaceae family allergens were approximately two times more frequent than the other tree allergens in both diseases (p< 0.05). These pollens doubled their counts since 2015 (p< 0.001), which was associated with increases in sensitivity for Fraxinus sp. and the Cupressaceae family compared to previous years (p< 0.001). Regarding pollutants, the most significant correlations were with PM10, NO2, PMCO for Fraxinus sp. pollen concentrations in all seasons (p≤ 0.02).Conclusion: The high increases in pollen counts of the Fraxinus sp. and Cupressaceae family were associated with increases in the frequency of sensitization to these species, and this phenomenon correlated with increases in PM10, NO2, and PMCO.Keywords: air pollutants, airborne particulate matter, pollen, allergy, asthma, rhinitis allergic seasonal

Particulate air pollution is a serious threat to human health, especially in urban areas, and trees can act as biological filters and improve air quality. However, studies on greening tree species selection are rare. We measured three particular matter adsorption metrics (PM2.5, PM2.5–10, and PM>10 captured per leaf area) and six functional traits for each of fourteen species and estimated their minimum light requirements based on field surveys. We found that shade-tolerant species captured more coarse particles (PM2.5–10) than light-demanding species. For traits, a strong negative correlation was found between photosynthetic capacity and adsorption capacity for all three PM size fractions, indicating that in comparison to acquisitive species, conservative species captured larger amounts of particles. Moreover, denser wood species and smaller leaves were more efficient in capturing large particles (PM>10), while species with "expensive" leaves (high leaf N or P) were more efficient in capturing fine particles (PM2.5), indicating that capturing large and fine particles was related to mechanical stability traits and leaf surface traits, respectively. Our results demonstrated that the metabolism (e.g., photosynthetic capacity) and chemistry (e.g., leaf N and leaf P) of leaves help explain species capacity to capture PM. We encourage future studies to investigate the ecosystem functions and stress tolerance of tree species with the same framework and trait-based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Air pollutants can influence local and systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and microbiome composition. Therefore, air pollution may potentially represent an unexplored modifiable risk indicator for periodontitis. The aim of the current cross-sectional study was to investigate the epidemiological association between outdoor air pollution and periodontitis in a representative sample of the South Korean population. Methods: A total of 42,020 individuals, which were representative of 35.2 million South Koreans, were examined. The mean annual levels of particulate matter of 10 μm (PM10), ozone, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and humidity, were studied. Periodontitis was defined according to the Community Periodontal Index (CPI ≥ 3). Simple and multiple regression analyses using four different models were applied. Results: Every 5-μg/m3 increase in PM10 (OR = 1.17; 95% confidence interval—CI: 1.11–1.24) and of 0.005 ppm in ozone levels (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.00–1.30) were positively associated with periodontitis prevalence. Conversely, every 5% increase in humidity (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90–0.99) and 0.003 ppm increase in NO2 levels (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89–0.96) were inversely associated with periodontitis occurrence. Conclusions: In this nationally representative population several air pollutants were found to be associated with periodontitis occurrence. Hence, the present results suggest that air pollution may be a new modifiable risk indicator for periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of modern brake systems requires the assessment of multiple aspects. Among these, parameters related to the tribological behaviour, vibration, and particulate matter emission are typically evaluated using inertia dynamometers and tribometers. While these two testing systems have been previously compared regarding emissions and tribological behaviours, vibrations were not compared, nor have all these aspects been examined simultaneously. This study investigates the scale effects between a pin-on-disc tribometer and a reduced-scale dynamometer operating under dragging conditions with two levels of pressure and velocity, and a disc temperature not exceeding 260 °C. Regarding the vibration, the pin-on-disc exhibited higher and broader values in the normal direction, 1.3–15.5 m/s2, than the reduced-scale dynamometer, 0.37–0.42 m/s2, while the tangential vibrations exceeded those in the normal direction in both systems. The wear rates in the two systems were overall similar, in the range of 1–4 e−14 m2/N. During the tests the disc temperature in the dynamometer increased at a higher rate compared to the pin-on-disc, affecting the tribological and emission behaviours: steady state values were obtained only in the pin-on-disc tests. The particulate concentration values observed during dynamometer tests better correlated with the peak values from pin-on-disc tests rather than with the steady-state values. This study highlights the importance of including transient values in the evaluation of pin-on-disc testing. • Influence of the thermal behaviour on the PoD and dynamometer results. • CoF: higher PV sensitivity in the PoD than in the dynamometer scale. • Specific wear rate: comparable range for the two scales, but different PV sensitivity. • PNC: The PoD peaks correlate well with the final values of the dynamometer. • Higher vibrations in the PoD: RMS values 1–3 m/s2 (dynamometer), 3–90 m/s2 (PoD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace metal Cu and carbonaceous airborn particulate matter (PM) are dangerous neuropollutants. Here, the ability of Cu2+ to modulate the neurotoxicity caused by water-suspended wood smoke PM preparations (SPs) and vice versa was examined using presynaptic rat cortex nerve terminals. Interaction of Cu2+ and SPs, changes of particle size and surface properties were shown in the presence of Cu2+ using microscopy, DLS, and IR spectroscopy. In nerve terminals, Cu2+ and SPs per se elevated the ambient levels of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters L-[14C]glutamate and [3H]GABA, respectively. During combined application, Cu2+ significantly enhanced a SPs-induced increase in the ambient levels of both neurotransmitters, thereby demonstrating a cumulative synergistic effect and significant interference in the neurotoxic threat associated with Cu2+and SPs. In fluorimetric measurements, Cu2+ and SPs also demonstrated cumulative synergistic effects on the membrane potential, mitochondrial potential, synaptic vesicle acidification and ROS generation. Therefore, synergistic effects of Cu2+ and SPs on the most crucial presynaptic characteristics and neurohazard of multiple pollutants through excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, disruption of the membrane and mitochondrial potential, vesicle acidification and ROS generation were revealed. Increased expansion and burden of neuropathology may result from underestimation of synergistic interference of the neurotoxic effects of Cu2+ and carbonaceous smoke PM. [Display omitted] • Cu2+ changed particle size and surface properties of smoke particulate matter (SPs). • Synergistic neurological threat of Cu2++SPs on presynaptic processes was shown. • Cu2++SPs synergistically increased synaptosomal ambient levels of neurotransmitters. • Cu2+ + SPs had synergistic effects on the membrane and mitochondrial potentials. • Underestimation of this synergism can provoke expansion of neuropathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging research findings suggest that airborne particulate matter might be a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the concentration–response relationships and the susceptible time windows for different types of particulate matter may vary. In this retrospective analysis, we employ a novel robust approach to assess the crucial time windows regarding the prevalence of GDM and to distinguish the susceptibility of three GDM subtypes to air pollution exposure. This study included 16,303 pregnant women who received routine antenatal care in 2018–2021 at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Chongqing, China. In total, 2482 women (15.2%) were diagnosed with GDM. We assessed the individual daily average exposure to air pollution, including PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, and CO based on the volunteers’ addresses. We used high-accuracy gridded air pollution data generated by machine learning models to assess particulate matter per maternal exposure levels. We further analyzed the association of pre-pregnancy, early, and mid-pregnancy exposure to environmental pollutants using a generalized additive model (GAM) and distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) to analyze the association between exposure at specific gestational weeks and the risk of GDM. We observed that, during the first trimester, per IQR increases for PM10 and PM2.5 exposure were associated with increased GDM risk (PM10: OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.07~1.33; PM2.5: OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.15~1.50) and isolated post-load hyperglycemia (GDM-IPH) risk (PM10: OR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.09~1.39; PM2.5: OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.18~1.61). Second-trimester O3 exposure was positively correlated with the associated risk of GDM, while pre-pregnancy and first-trimester exposure was negatively associated with the risk of GDM-IPH. Exposure to SO2 in the second trimester was negatively associated with the risk of GDM-IPH. However, there were no observed associations between NO2 and CO exposure and the risk of GDM and its subgroups. Our results suggest that maternal exposure to particulate matter during early pregnancy and exposure to O3 in the second trimester might increase the risk of GDM, and GDM-IPH is the susceptible GDM subtype to airborne particulate matter exposure.

Here, clinical studies of patients were conducted to assess changes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) associated with air pollution by PM. A comparative study of 100 patients with UC and 75 with IBS from highly (HPRs) and low (LPRs) PM2.5-polluted regions of Ukraine was conducted. Biopsy of the intestinal mucosa of patients with UC from HPRs showed severe cellular infiltration. Patients with IBS from HPRs had changes in the superficial epithelium (focal desquamation), and inflammatory-cellular infiltration of mucous membrane of the colon. In patients with UC, changes in mucus production were found, which were more significant in HPR patients. PAS response did not depend on the residence; the level of MUC2 was significantly lower in HPR patients with UC (1.12 vs 2.15 au). In patients with UC from HPRs, a decrease in Bacteroidetes (34.0 vs. 39.0 small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), ppm) and an increase in Proteobacteria compared to LPRs were shown. In IBS patients, significant differences were found in the level of Proteobacteria, which was higher in HPRs. The level of regulatory flora Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii reduced in patients with UC from HPRs. In patients from LPRs, the level of Akkermansia muciniphila raised above normal (2.8 vs 4.7 SIBO, ppm). Similar changes of regulatory flora have been identified in patients with IBS from different regions. Therefore, a more severe course of the disease (more pronounced cellular infiltration and violation of the microbiota) was shown in patients with UC from HPRs as compared to LPRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne particulate matter (PM), the primary component associated with health risks in air pollution, can negatively impact human health. Studies have shown that PM can enter the brain by inhalation, but data on the exact quantity of particles that reach the brain are unknown. Particulate matter exposure can result in neurotoxicity. Exposure to PM poses a greater health risk to infants and children because their nervous systems are not fully developed. This review paper highlights the association between PM and neurodevelopmental toxicity (NDT). Exposure to PM can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially resulting in blood–brain barrier damage and increased susceptibility to development of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), such as autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit disorders. In addition, human and animal exposure to PM can induce microglia activation and epigenetic alterations and alter the neurotransmitter levels, which may increase risks for development of NDD. However, the systematic comparisons of the effects of PM on NDD at different ages of exposure are deficient. The elucidation of PM exposure risks and NDT in children during the early developmental stages are of great importance. The synthesis of current research may help to identify markers and mechanisms of PM‐induced neurodevelopmental toxicity, allowing for the development of strategies to prevent permanent damage of developing brain. Airborne particulate matter (PM) causes damage to the developing brain in humans and experimental animals, leading to neurotoxicity. This paper reviews PM‐induced neurodevelopmental impairment. Exposure to PM induces oxidative stress and inflammation, which may lead to neurodevelopmental impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Airborne particulate matter (PM) attracts heightened attention due to its implication in various diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Although numerous epidemiological studies have been published worldwide in developing countries on risks associated with exposure to PM, such studies are still scarce in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia. Objective: To examine the association between the concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM) and hospital admissions resulting from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia, specifically in the cities of Dammam and Khobar. Methodology: The daily concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were obtained from 10 monitoring stations distributed around the two hospitals. There was an examination of the discharge data of patients diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure as their primary diagnoses. The data were obtained from two big governmental hospitals in the Eastern Region. The primary cause of hospital admission of 259 patients was identified as acute cardiac condition. Results: For PM10 and PM2.5, the 24 h mean was calculated as 101.2 and 37.1 µg/m3, respectively; such means are considered higher than the Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs). We found evidence of an increased risk of cardiovascular events for long-term exposure to PM2.5–10 concentrations, and a correlation with the IHD hospital admission within 6 days of the peak PM10 or PM2.5 concentration. In addition, the increased PM2.5 concentration also had a correlation with hospital admissions; however, analysis shows an increase in mortality at lag1, lag2, and lag3 prior to hospital admission. Conclusions: Hospital admissions for several cardiovascular diseases acutely increase in response to higher ambient PM concentrations. It is recommended that residents need to use personal protection, especially those residents with cardiovascular disease, while the government needs to strengthen the governance of air pollution in areas with lighter air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient air pollution causes approximately 3.3 million untimely deaths annually (2.1 deaths due to ischemic heart disease and 1.1 million deaths due to stroke). Mortality caused by ambient air pollution is higher than mortality due to such traditional risk factors as smoking, obesity, and elevated dextrose contents in blood. Relative risk of mortality amounts to 1.26 (95 % CI 1.08–1.47) in cities with the highest air pollution against those where air pollution is the lowest. Occupational exposure to various chemical air pollutants can cause more than 1 million untimely deaths all over the world but its contribution to prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has not been determined sufficiently. Aerogenic pollutants are quite variable in their chemical structure and include both particulate matter (PM for short) and gaseous matter. The American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology consider PM2.5 to be a risk factor causing cardiovascular diseases. This analytical review presents data on effects produced by aerogenic pollutants on development of cardio-metabolic pathology and population mortality due to vascular and metabolic diseases (arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease, heart rhythm disturbances, and type 2 diabetes mellitus). There are also data on mechanisms of pathogenetic influence exerted by aerogenic pollutants on development of such diseases including generation of anti-inflammatory and oxidative mediators and their release into blood flow; developing imbalance in the autonomic nervous system with prevailing activity of the sympathetic nervous system and disrupted heart rate variability; direct introduction of aerogenic pollutants from the lungs into blood flow with developing direct toxic effects. We have also analyzed literature data on protective effects produced by reduction in ambient air pollution on prevalence of cardiovascular pathology.

Environmental context: Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a major public health risk in Southeast Asia. The annual average concentration of fine PM (PM2.5) in the region is significantly higher than the WHO air quality guidelines, and higher PM2.5 levels were recorded during dry seasons, primarily due to biomass burning. In this paper, we provide an overview of the seasonal variations in concentrations, chemical compositions, and sources of PM in Southeast Asian countries. Airborne particulate matter (PM) in Southeast Asia is the most important air pollutant, causing millions of premature deaths. This review provides an overview of the levels, chemical compositions and sources of PM and compared these with studies from megacities in other regions. Daily average PM2.5 concentrations were lower than polluted megacities such as Delhi but substantially higher than 24-h mean air quality guideline of the WHO. Levels of PM2.5 in maritime continental Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore) were lower than in mainland continental countries (Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos). PM levels are usually two times higher during dry than wet seasons. Organic carbon is a key chemical component, contributing 9–52% of PM mass. SO 4 2 − EN22044_IE1.gif , NO 3 − EN22044_IE2.gif , and NH 4 + EN22044_IE3.gif are major ions and NO 3 − EN22044_IE4.gif / SO 4 2 − EN22044_IE5.gif ratios were notably lower than in megacities in other regions, implying lower emissions from mobile relative to stationary sources. Source apportionment indicates biomass burning is one of the most important sources, particularly during the haze (dry) seasons, followed by road traffic emission in dense-traffic cities such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi. The secondary aerosols contribution to PM mass is usually lower than that in cities from other regions. We suggest future PM source apportionment studies in Southeast Asia to include both inorganic and organic tracers and apply both chemical mass balance and multivariate receptor models. Environmental context. Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a major public health risk in Southeast Asia. The annual average concentration of fine PM (PM2.5) in the region is significantly higher than the WHO air quality guidelines, and higher PM2.5 levels were recorded during dry seasons, primarily due to biomass burning. In this paper, we provide an overview of the seasonal variations in concentrations, chemical compositions, and sources of PM in Southeast Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tire wear particles (TWPs) are a major category of microplastic pollution produced by friction between tires and road surfaces. This non-exhaust particulate matter (PM) is transported through the air and with runoff leading to environmental pollution and health concerns. Here, we collected airborne PM along paved roads with different traffic volumes and speeds using Sigma-2 passive samplers. Particles entering the samplers deposit onto substrates for analysis, or, as we modified it, directly into small (60 ml) separatory funnels, which is particularly useful with high particle loads, where a density separation aids in isolating the microplastics. We quantified putative TWPs (∼10–80 µm) deposited on the substrates (primarily adhesive tape on glass slides) and in the funnels using stereomicroscopy. Putative TWP deposition rates (particles/cm2/day ± SD) at 5 m from the road were highest near a busy highway (324 ± 129), followed by a boulevard with moderate traffic (184 ± 93), and a slow traffic avenue (29 ± 7). We observed that deposition rates increased within proximity to the highway: 99 ± 54, 180 ± 88, and 340 ± 145 at 30, 15, and 5 m, respectively. We show that TWP abundances (i.e., deposition and mass concentration) increase with vehicle braking (driving behavior). We observed no differences (p > 0.05) between the separatory funnel and adhesive tape collection methods. In addition, we were able to obtain FTIR spectra of TWPs (>10 µm) using µ-ATR-FTIR. Both deserve further scrutiny as novel sampling and analytical approaches. In a separate sampling campaign, we differentiated 1438 particles (∼1–80 µm) deposited on boron substrates into TWP, metal, mineral, and biogenic/organic classes with single particle SEM/EDX analysis based on morpho-textural-chemical classification and machine learning. The results revealed similar concentration trends with traffic (high > moderate > low), with the distribution of particle sources alike for the highway and the moderate road: TWPs (∼38–39%) > biogenic (∼34–35%) > minerals (∼23–26%), and metallic particles (∼2–3%). The low traffic road yielded a much different distribution: biogenic (65%) > minerals (27%) > TWPs (7%) > metallic particles (1%). Overall, this work provides much-needed empirical data on airborne TWPs along different types of roads.

Background: Exposure to air pollution can interfere with the vitamin D endocrine system. This study investigated the effects of airborne particulate matter (PM) on renal tubular cell injury in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: HK-2 human renal proximal tubule cells were treated with PM with or without 1,25(OH)2D3 analog, 19-Nor-1,25(OH)2D2 (paricalcitol, 10 nM) for 48 h. The dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity of PM with or without paricalcitol was determined via cell counting kit-8 assay. Cellular oxidative stress was assessed using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The protein expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), cytochrome P450(CYP)27B1, CYP24A1, renin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 was determined. Results: PM exposure decreased HK-2 cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The activities of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in HK-2 cells increased significantly in the group exposed to PM. PM exposure decreased VDR and Nrf2, while increasing CYP27B1, renin, ACE, AT1, NF-kB, TNF-α, and IL-6. The expression of VDR, CYP27B1, renin, ACE, AT1, and TNF-α was reversed by paricalcitol treatment. Paricalcitol also restored the cell viability of PM-exposed HK-2 cells. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that exposure to PM induces renal proximal tubular cell injury, concomitant with alteration of vitamin D endocrine system and renin angiotensin system. Vitamin D could attenuate renal tubular cell damage following PM exposure by suppressing the renin-angiotensin system and by partially inhibiting the inflammatory response.

The aim of this study was to identify potentially toxic elements (PTEs) associated with airborne particulate matters (PMs) and their source identification and environmental risk in Isfahan Province, central Iran. Dust samples were collected from various locations included three urban and four rural locations. Results revealed the eastern part of the region as the main source of dust and showed that the highest monthly atmospheric dust deposition was in July (5.53 g m−2). The mean concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd were respectively 279, 63, 49 and 0.5 mg kg−1 in dust samples, whereas Cd showed the highest ecological risk index. Dust samples of urban areas showed considerable and very high levels of pollution indices for Pb and Zn, respectively. Among the metals, Zn showed the highest enrichment factor (>5), mainly due to anthropogenic sources. The comprehensive ecological risk index of PTEs revealed the moderate and considerable risk of Isfahan and Najafabad cities, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives The objective of this study was to identify the potential and definite sources of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods Due to time constraints and the acute nature of the pandemic, we searched only PubMed/MEDLINE from inception until January 28, 2021. We analyzed the level of evidence and risk of bias in each category and made suggestions accordingly. Results The virus was traced from its potential origin via possible ways of transmission to the last host. Symptomatic human-to-human transmission remains the driver of the epidemic, but asymptomatic transmission can potentially contribute in a substantial manner. Feces and fomites have both been found to contain viable virus; even though transmission through these routes has not been documented, their contribution cannot be ruled out. Finally, transmission from pregnant women to their children has been found to be low (up to 3%). Conclusion Even though robust outcomes cannot be easily assessed, medical personnel must maintain awareness of the main routes of transmission (via droplets and aerosols from even asymptomatic patients). This is the first attempt to systematically review the existing knowledge to produce a paper with a potentially significant clinical impact.

Abstract Increased concentration of airborne particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere alters the degree of polarization of skylight which is used by honeybees for navigation during their foraging trips. However, little has empirically shown whether poor air quality indeed affects foraging performance (foraging trip duration) of honeybee. Here, we show apparent increases in the average duration of honeybee foraging during and after a heavy air pollution event compared with that of the pre‐event period. The average foraging duration of honeybees during the event increased by 32 min compared with the pre‐event conditions, indicating that 71% more time was spent on foraging. Moreover, the average foraging duration measured after the event did not recover to its pre‐event level. We further investigated whether an optical property (Depolarization Ratio, DR) of dominant PM in the atmosphere and level of air pollution (fine PM mass concentration) affect foraging trip duration. The result demonstrates the DR and fine PM mass concentration have significant effects on honeybee foraging trip duration. Foraging trip duration increases with decreasing DR while it increases with increasing fine PM mass concentration. In addition, the effects of fine PM mass concentration are synergistic with overcast skies. Our study implies that poor air quality could pose a new threat to bee foraging.

Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) devices are described as versatile, fast, accurate, and low-cost platforms for the handling, detection, characterization, and analysis of a wide range of suspended particles in water-based environments. However, for gas-based applications, particularly in atmospheric aerosols science, LoC platforms are rarely developed. This review summarizes emerging LoC devices for the classification, measurement, and identification of airborne particles, especially those known as Particulate Matter (PM), which are linked to increased morbidity and mortality levels from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. For these devices, their operating principles and performance parameters are introduced and compared while highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Discussing the current applications will allow us to identify challenges and determine future directions for developing more robust LoC devices to monitor and analyze airborne PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opening of the Blanka Tunnel Complex (BTC) in Prague, Czech Republic, the longest city tunnel in Europe, significantly increased traffic on a connected main road, the V Holešovičkách street (VHS). To study environmental changes in VHS connected with BTC opening, sampling of road dust and airborne particulate matter in the VHS vicinity started 3 years before BTC opening and continued until BTC pilot operation. The enrichment factors calculated for the collected samples from elemental compositions determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) have shown significant enrichment for Se, Sb, Hg, Br, Mo, Zn, As, W, Cr, Ba, and Fe, but not their increase after starting BTC operation. The Principal Component Analysis allowed distinguishing between detrital and anthropogenic, probably traffic related, origin of the elements determined in samples. The study demonstrated a potential of INAA for multielement trace analysis of minute samples (28 elements determined in samples down to 20 μg, with detection limits down to sub-ng level) and its application in urban geochemistry studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Air pollutants can influence local and systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and microbiome composition. Therefore, air pollution may potentially represent an unexplored modifiable risk indicator for periodontitis. The aim of the current cross-sectional study was to investigate the epidemiological association between outdoor air pollution and periodontitis in a representative sample of the South Korean population. Methods: A total of 42,020 individuals, which were representative of 35.2 million South Koreans, were examined. The mean annual levels of particulate matter of 10 μm (PM10), ozone, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and humidity, were studied. Periodontitis was defined according to the Community Periodontal Index (CPI ≥ 3). Simple and multiple regression analyses using four different models were applied. Results: Every 5-μg/m3 increase in PM10 (OR = 1.17; 95% confidence interval—CI: 1.11–1.24) and of 0.005 ppm in ozone levels (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.00–1.30) were positively associated with periodontitis prevalence. Conversely, every 5% increase in humidity (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90–0.99) and 0.003 ppm increase in NO2 levels (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89–0.96) were inversely associated with periodontitis occurrence. Conclusions: In this nationally representative population several air pollutants were found to be associated with periodontitis occurrence. Hence, the present results suggest that air pollution may be a new modifiable risk indicator for periodontitis.

Purpose: Released particles are a major risk of airborne contamination during surgery. The present prospective study investigated the quantitative and qualitative particle load in the operating room (OR) depending on location, time of surgery and use of laminar air flow (LAF) system.Methods: The particle load/m3 was measured during the implantation of 12 total knee arthroplasties (6 × LAF, 6 × Non-LAF) by using the Met One HHPC 6 + device (Beckmann Coulter GmbH, Germany). Measurement was based on the absorption and scattering of (laser) light by particles and was performed at three different time-points [empty OR, setting up, ongoing operation) at 3 fixed measurement points [OR table (central LAF area), anaesthesia tower (marginal LAF area), surgical image amplifier (outside LAF area)].Results: Independent of time and location, all measurements showed a significantly higher particle load in the Non-LAF group (p < 0.01). With ongoing surgical procedure both groups showed increasing particle load. While there was a major increase of fine particles (size < 1 µm) with advancing activity in the LAF group, the Non-LAF group showed higher particle gain with increasing particle size. The lowest particle load in the LAF group was measured at the operating column, increasing with greater distance from the operating table. The Non-LAF group presented a significantly higher particle load than the LAF group at all locations.Conclusion: The use of a LAF system significantly reduces the particle load and therefore potential bacterial contamination regardless of the time or place of measurement and therefore seems to be a useful tool for infection prevention. As LAF leads to a significant decrease of respirable particles, it appears to be a protective factor for the health of the surgical team regardless of its use in infection prevention.Level Of Evidence: I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioassay based on the bioluminescence inhibition of the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri has been the most widely used test for the assessment of airborne particulate matter ecotoxicity. Most studies available use an extract of the solid sample, either made with water or organic solvents. As an alternative, a whole-aerosol test is also available where test bacteria are in actual contact with contaminated particles. In our study, different extraction procedures were compared to this direct contact test based on the V. fischeri assay and analytical measurements. The lowest PAH content and the highest EC50 were determined in water extract, while the highest PAH amount and lowest EC50 were measured in dichloromethane, hexane, and dimethyl-sulphoxide extracts. EC50 of the direct contact test was comparable to that of the methanol extract. Our results suggest that the sensitivity of the direct contact test equals to that of extraction procedures using organic solvents, moreover, it is mimicking an environmentally realistic exposure route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Trade Center (WTC) attack exposed thousands of workers to toxic chemicals that have been linked to liver diseases and cancers. This study examined the relationship between the intensity of WTC dust exposure and the risk of hepatic steatosis in the WTC General Responders Cohort (GRC). Methods: All low‐dose computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest performed on the WTC GRC between September 11, 2001 and December 31, 2018, collected as part of the World Trade Center Health Program, were reviewed. WTC dust exposure was categorized into five groups based on WTC arrival time. CT liver density was estimated using an automated algorithm, statistics‐based liver density estimation from imaging. The relationship between the intensity of WTC dust exposure and the risk of hepatic steatosis was examined using univariate and multivariable regression analyses. Results: Of the 1788 WTC responders, 258 (14.4%) had liver attenuation less than 40 Hounsfield units (HU < 40) on their earliest CT. Median time after September 11, 2001 and the earliest available CT was 11.3 years (interquartile range: 8.0–14.9 years). Prevalence of liver attenuation less than 40 HU was 17.0% for arrivals on September 11, 2001, 16.0% for arrivals on (September 12, 2001 or September 13, 2001), 10.9% for arrivals on September 14–30, 2001, and 9.0% for arrivals on January 10, 2001 or later (p = 0.0015). A statistically significant trend of increasing liver steatosis was observed with earlier arrival times (p < 0.0001). WTC arrival time remained a significant independent factor for decreased liver attenuation after controlling for other covariates. Conclusions: Early arrival at the WTC site was significantly associated with increasing hepatic steatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The public is sometimes exposed to damaging small particle aerosols including SARS-Cov-2. • During shortages, facepieces available to the public do not protect against small particle aerosols. • We report designing homemade masks from home air purifier "true HEPA" filters. • These homemade masks function similar to an N95. Shortages of efficient filtering facepiece respirators leave the public vulnerable to transmission of infectious diseases in small particle aerosols. This study demonstrates that a high-filtration-efficiency facepiece capable of filtering out >95% of 0.05μm particles while being worn can be simply produced with available materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All forms of life on earth including man have evolved in the presence of radiation and have always been exposed to them from the natural environment. The health effect from exposure to alpha particles depends greatly on how a person is exposed. If alpha-emitters are inhaled, swallowed, or get into the body through a cut, the alpha particles can damage sensitive living tissue. In this paper, investigations have been made to determine the presence of alpha activity in the air. Hence, the alpha activity was measured by collecting Airborne Particulate Matter (APM) non-simultaneously on Whatman filters from ten sampling sites in Kanyakumari District during the summer and winter seasons using a high volume sampling method. The sampling sites are characterized by different contributions from ore refining factories like Indian Rare Earths (IRE) Limited, mountain areas, some industrial, non-nuclear activities like tiles and brick factories in and around the Kanyakumari district. The alpha activity in airborne particulate matter collected was determined by Alpha Counter and their results were tabulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature that assesses various instrumental techniques applicability to investigate airborne particulate matters chemical composition inside museum environments. This study includes a range of techniques (XRF, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, FTIR, Raman, GC-MS) and emphasizes the importance of utilizing matrix-matched reference materials for precise analysis. Each technique provides a valuable approach to understanding the chemical nature of airborne particles. XRF allows for fast determination of elemental composition, while SEM-EDS allows for observation of particle morphology and elemental detection. LA-ICP-MS facilitates the identification of major, minor, and trace elements present in collected samples. Both Raman spectroscopy and FTIR provide insight into the chemical compounds present. Identification of volatile compounds is achieved using GC-MS. This review presents a cohesive understanding of the diverse methodologies used to understand the multifaceted composition of airborne particulate matter in museum settings. [Display omitted] • Growing awareness of the environment's influence on the museums collections. • Analysis of particulate matter (PM) in museums enables the identification of pollutants. • Assessment of PMs impact on artworks. • Development of strategies to protect cultural artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is related to the increased risk of several diseases, including chronic and allergic rhinitis. We have previously shown that atmospheric endotoxin level was positively associated with the number of emergency department visits for asthma even after adjusting for meteorological factors, suggestive of the significant association between atmospheric endotoxin level and asthma exacerbation. Whether atmospheric endotoxin level is related to inflammatory response induction is, however, unclear. Here, we established stable cell lines to determine the promoter activity of the genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL6), and IL33 by transfection of each reporter plasmid into rat tracheal epithelial EGV-4 T cells. These cells could measure the inflammatory response induced by endotoxin treatment more easily, rapidly, and sensitively than the conventional system using immunodetection assays. Furthermore, we revealed a relationship between atmospheric endotoxin level and inflammatory response induction. Thus, the system established herein may serve as a promising tool to monitor inflammatory response induced upon PM exposure.

A geochemical study of snow from the industrial town of Maribor (Slovenia) was performed. Concentrations of 61 elements in meltwater were determined, and a detailed semi-quantitative and qualitative analysis of individual PTE-bearing particles deposited in snow was performed with SEM/EDS. The physico-chemical characteristics of meltwater reflect the influence of winter road maintenance (high electrical conductivity and high Ca and Na concentrations close to the main roads) and industrial activities. Particulate matter deposited in snow consists mainly of carbonates and silicates, followed by carbon-rich particles and PTE-bearing particles. A higher abundance of PTE-bearing particles is typical for the industrial zones. The size, morphology and chemical composition of 4415 PTE-bearing particles were studied. They were organised into nine groups based on their characteristics. The majority were assigned to the group of Fe-oxides, which includes mostly angular particles of unidentified origin. Several groups of particles of anthropogenic origin were determined, mainly from industrial metal-processing activities. These particles include spherical Fe-oxides, Fe-alloys, other metal alloys and spherical Si-particles. Spherical Fe-oxides are typical for the Tezno industrial zone, while Fe-alloys, namely Fe–Cr (Cu, Mn, Ni) shavings and other metal alloys (Cu–Zn (Cl, Fe) shavings) are typical for the Melje industrial zone. The presence of naturally occurring mineral particles (e.g. zircon, ilmenite, monazite) reflects the influence of natural/geogenic sources on the composition of particulate matter deposited in snow. The presented study confirmed that snow is a very promising medium for the geochemical study of urban environments, especially for the identification of anthropogenic sources of particulate matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) four-step sequential extraction has been adapted for fractionation of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in simulant airborne particulate matter (APM) samples presented on 47 mm filter dynamics measurement system (FDMS) filters as used in routine air quality monitoring. Simulants were prepared from an urban soil reference material and from BCR CRM 701, which is certified for analytes extractable by the BCR procedure. Analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using an Agilent 7700x instrument. Fractionation patterns similar to the full-scale protocol were obtained when test portions as small as 0.0625 g were extracted in 2–3 mL of reagents. However, changing the extraction vessel used was found to affect the outcome. This highlights the operational nature of sequential extraction procedures and the need carefully to evaluate the effects of procedural modifications. When the method developed was applied to blank FDMS filters, large amounts of Zn were detected, especially in step 3, the oxidisable fraction, and step 4, the residual fraction. Despite this, following blank-correction, fractionation patterns similar to certified values were obtained for BCR CRM 701, with overall recoveries (∑(steps 1–4)) of 84.2-113%. Given the increased awareness of public health risks associated with poor air quality, a sequential extraction procedure specifically designed for use with APM samples collected during routine air quality represents a valuable tool for use in source apportionment and to improve understanding of human exposure to PTE through inhalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the potential and definite sources of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: Due to time constraints and the acute nature of the pandemic, we searched only PubMed/MEDLINE from inception until January 28, 2021. We analyzed the level of evidence and risk of bias in each category and made suggestions accordingly. Results: The virus was traced from its potential origin via possible ways of transmission to the last host. Symptomatic human-to-human transmission remains the driver of the epidemic, but asymptomatic transmission can potentially contribute in a substantial manner. Feces and fomites have both been found to contain viable virus; even though transmission through these routes has not been documented, their contribution cannot be ruled out. Finally, transmission from pregnant women to their children has been found to be low (up to 3%). Conclusion: Even though robust outcomes cannot be easily assessed, medical personnel must maintain awareness of the main routes of transmission (via droplets and aerosols from even asymptomatic patients). This is the first attempt to systematically review the existing knowledge to produce a paper with a potentially significant clinical impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]