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Because of their high persistence, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are found in a wide range of settings and pose a health risk to both humans and other organisms. Degradation of PAHs is an essential part of environmental management. By combining biological metabolism and electrochemical processes, bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) can degrade PAHs and provide important applications by converting the chemical energy of pollutants into electrical energy for energy conversion and recovery. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to PAH degradation by BESs, including PAH sources, degradation effects of BESs, performance enhancement methods, degradation pathways, and dominant microorganisms. By focusing on the relevant research in recent years, the main innovative research focuses on the optimization of the configuration, the electrode preparation, and the media additions to improve the removal performance of PAHs. It demonstrates the potential of BESs in the field of environmental remediation, especially their effectiveness in treating difficult-to-degrade pollutants such as PAHs, by concentrating on the application and mechanism of BESs in PAH degradation. This review is intended to provide the inexperienced reader with an insight into this research area and to point out directions for future research, especially in the design optimization of BESs and microbial community analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine and compare the mass concentration and size distribution of particulate matter (PM) at two Polish fire stations, one equipped with a washing machine intended for the decontamination of uniforms (FSN) and the other not equipped with this type of device (FSC), to assess the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing PM concentrations inside fire stations and estimate PM doses inhaled by firefighters while performing activities in truck bays and changing rooms during one work shift. The average PM concentrations at the FSN were 18.2–28.9 µg/m3 and 27.5–37.3 µg/m3, while at FSC they were 27.4–37.9 µg/m3 and 24.6–32.8 µg/m3 in the truck bays and changing rooms, respectively. At each measurement point, most of the PM mass (65–75%) was accumulated as fine particles. The dominance of fine particles in the total mass of PM results in high values of PM deposition coefficients (0.59–0.61) in three sections of the respiratory tract at each monitoring site. This study initially indicates the effectiveness of washing machines in reducing the concentration of fine particles and demonstrates the necessity, as well as directions for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel approach to visibility modelling, focusing on PM1 concentration, its chemical composition, and meteorological conditions in two distinct Polish cities, Zabrze and Warsaw. The analysis incorporates PM1 concentration measurements as well as its chemical composition and meteorological parameters, including visibility data collected during summer and winter measurement campaigns (120 samples in each city). The developed calculation procedure encompasses several key steps: formulating a visibility prediction model through machine learning, identifying data in clusters using unsupervised learning methods, and conducting global sensitivity analysis for each cluster. The multi-layer perceptron methods developed demonstrate high accuracy in predicting visibility, with R values of 0.90 for Warsaw and an RMSE of 1.52 km for Zabrze. Key findings reveal that air temperature and relative humidity significantly impact visibility, alongside PM1 concentration and specific heavy metals such as Rb, Vi, and Cd in Warsaw and Cr, Vi, and Mo in Zabrze. Cluster analysis underscores the localized and complex nature of visibility determinants, highlighting the substantial but previously underappreciated role of heavy metals. Integrating the k-means clustering and GSA methods emerges as a powerful tool for unravelling complex mechanisms of chemical compound changes in particulate matter and air, significantly influencing visibility development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are major airborne pollutants. However, their assessment has mostly been restricted to 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this work, 76 PACs including PAHs, oxy-PAHs, nitro-PAHs, azaarenes, and thiaarenes were monitored in an urban residential environment. A short-term campaign was conducted at three dwellings in Strasbourg, France, with low-volume PM10 samplers operated simultaneously outdoors and indoors. Household dust was also sampled in these dwellings. The PACs of interest were extracted by pressurized liquid extraction in toluene and acetonitrile, and quantified by GC-MS/MS. The total concentration of PACs in PM10 was between 67 and 179 ng·m−3 outdoors and between 62 and 401 ng·m−3 indoors. Total PAC levels in settled dust varied from 3.5 to 31 μg·g−1, and from 0.44 to 3.88 μg·m−2. Due to the high influence of surfaces dust load, the interpretation of PAC concentrations in settled dust was different if mass concentrations or surface concentrations were studied. This sampling campaign concurrent with a winter pollution event led to exceptionally high concentrations of PACs. The samples of this work set maximum values for PAHs and oxy-PAHs in airborne particles among recent European studies, and an absolute maximum value for azaarenes. However, the acute short-term exposure of Strasbourg inhabitants to PACs during this pollution event is balanced by the normal concentrations of PACs in household dust, which characterizes better the long-term exposure. Source apportionment was performed thanks to PAH diagnostic ratios. It indicated a prevalence of road traffic and a possibility of PAH photochemical aging in dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive particle concentrations during heating periods, which greatly affect people's physical and mental health and their normal lives, continue to be a concern. It is more practical to understand and analyze the relationship between the fractal dimension and particle size concentration distribution of atmospheric particulate matter before and after adjusting heating energy consumption types. The data discussed and analyzed in this paper were collected by monitoring stations and measured from 2016 to 2018 in Xi'an. The data include fractal dimension and particle size concentration changes in the atmospheric particulate matter before and after adjusting the heating energy consumption types. The results indicate that adjusting the heating energy consumption types has a significant impact on particulate matter. The average concentration of PM2.5 decreased by 26.4 μg/m3. The average concentration of PM10 decreased by 31.8 μg/m3. At the same time, the different particle sizes showed a downward trend. The particles ranging from 0.265 to 0.475 μm demonstrated the maximum decrease, which was 8.80%. The heating period in Xi'an mainly involves particles ranging from 0 to 0.475 μm. The fractal dimensions of the atmospheric particulate matter before and after adjusting the heating energy consumption types were 4.809 and 3.397, respectively. After adjusting the heating energy consumption types, the fractal dimension decreased by 1.412. At that time, the proportions of particle sizes that were less than 1.0 μm, 2.0 μm, and 2.5 μm decreased by 1.467%, 0.604%, and 0.424%, respectively. This paper provides new methods and a reference value for the distribution and effective control of atmospheric particulate matter by adjusting heating energy consumption types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of particulate matter PM, including its impact on the environment and human health, depend mainly on the size (more precisely: size distribution) of the particles since the size is usually dependent on the processes/sources of the PM. This work presents the results of a one-year-long measurement campaign of PM. PALAS Fidas 200 from Airpointer air quality station was used. The PM was measured in Warsaw, Poland continuously from 1st May 2022 to 30th April 2023; size distribution was recorded with 120 s intervals and averaged in 3600 s periods. It was found, that the number and the mass size distribution varied depending on the averaging period (different hours of the day, different days of the week, and different months of the year). Additionally, the authors determined the periods of impact on selected sources (traffic emission, municipal emission, and industrial emission) on the number and mass size distributions of PM at the sampling site. Monitoring of number and mass size distributions of PM is a relatively easy and more cost-effective method than analysing the chemical composition of PM. Therefore, is crucial to develop a method of identifying sources of PM based on size distributions. It was found that such a method can be in the future as successful in source apportionment as in the analysis of chemical compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalation of particulate matter (PM) has been extensively associated with the worsening and onset of cardiorespiratory diseases, being responsible for millions of deaths annually. Assessment of PM deposition in the human respiratory tract is critical to better understand the health risks from environmental exposure of vulnerable age groups. In this study, PM2.5 and PM10 day-night monitoring campaigns during the cold season were carried out in Bragança, Portugal. The multiple-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model was used to quantify total and regional depositions in the human respiratory tract for four different age groups: infant (3 months), child (9 years), adult (21 years) and elderly (65 years). The results showed that concentrations for both PM fractions were higher during the night, a period marked by the burning of biomass for residential heating. Regional deposition fractions (DF) for PM2.5 were in the ranges 17–38% (head), 4–14% (tracheobronchial) and 20–28% (pulmonary), while for PM10 were 24–67% (head), 4–27% (tracheobronchial) and 12–22% (pulmonary). Children and the elderly were found to be the most vulnerable groups to PM deposition, especially for the TB and H regions, respectively. The lifetime cancer and non-cancer risks associated with exposure to PM2.5 exceeded the recommended limits, especially for children <10 years old. These findings provide useful information to alert authorities to the need to take action to reduce the pollution burden and protect the health, in particular of those most susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides a concise review of key publications on particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter below 1 µm (PM1) having been published in Poland in the years 2007-2022. Data and conclusions related to the study of concentrations, chemical composition, and content of selected toxic and carcinogenic compounds in PM1 as well as methods and conclusions on the assessment of the origin of PM1 in various regions of Poland have been tabulated. The conclusions of this review attempt to outline the directions of further research that could prove crucial in obtaining information and filling the identified gaps in knowledge about PM1 in Poland. While this work may be theoretical, it can serve as a valuable and compact source material for research groups, organizations supervising and financing research, as well as those responsible for assessing air quality and mitigating negative health effects related to air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to examine the genotoxicity induced by water-soluble fractions of particulate matter (PM) and its potential relation with heavy metals. For this purpose, the genotoxicity induced on human peripheral lymphocytes by water-soluble PM 2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) collected from the indoor air of various workplaces in Greece (n = 20), was examined by the Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) induction assay and assessed in relation to the concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cr, and Cd. The number of SCEs per metaphase (SCEs/metaphase), as an indicator of genotoxicity, the proliferation rate index (PRI), as an indicator of cytostaticity, and the mitotic index (MI), as an indicator of cytotoxicity, were measured and assessed in three water-soluble fractions of PM 2.5 : the total water-soluble fraction WS A (filtered through 0.45 μm), the dissolved fraction WS B (filtered through 0.22 μm), and the non-chelexed dissolved fraction WS C (filtered through Chelex-100 resin). Results showed statistically significant number of SCEs/metaphase in all water-soluble PM 2.5 fractions in relation to the control with large variabilities across the workplaces as a result of variations in indoor conditions, sources, and/or activities. The concentrations of genotoxicity were evaluated in terms of mass-normalized genotoxicity (SCEs/mg PM 2.5 ), that represents the genotoxic potency of particles, and air volume-normalized genotoxicity (SCEs/m 3 air), that reflects the inhalation risk for people working or spending much time in these microenvironments. Correlation and linear regression analyses were further employed in order to investigate the potential relationships between genotoxicity and the water-soluble concentrations of PM 2.5 -bounded heavy metals. According to the results, the highest mass-normalized genotoxicity values were found for PM 2.5 from the photocopying center, whereas the highest air volume-normalized genotoxicity was found in tavern-2. Significant positive correlations between the genotoxicity and water-soluble metals were derived, highlighting the role that heavy metals play in the genotoxicity of indoor PM 2.5 . Among the targeted metals, Zn and Pb were found to be good predictors of the genotoxicity of water-soluble PM 2.5.

The various industries, sectors, and citizens' daily lives have undergone significant changes after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers collected and analyzed PM2.5 samples including secondary inorganic ions (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+, namely SNA), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and other 16 metal elements in Beijing in 2019 (before the pandemic) and 2020 (after the pandemic). The particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in the autumn and winter of 2020 is 21.16 µg/m3 and 14.05 µg/m3 lower than in 2019, respectively. The contribution of six sources of pollution, including coal combustion, secondary sources, transportation-related sources, dust, Industrial I, and Industrial II, were analyzed using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are choosing private transportation, such as private cars, instead of public transportation. As a result, the contribution of PM2.5 pollution related to transportation increased after the pandemic. The metal elements measured during the sampling period represent only a very small fraction (1%) of PM2.5. However, their health risk to humans cannot be ignored because of the toxicity of some metallic elements, and the carcinogenic risks induced by metal elements in PM2.5 exceeded the safety threshold (>10−6) during the autumn and winter of 2019 and 2020. Arsenic (As) contributes the most to carcinogenic risk, so controlling arsenic emissions is the primary approach to reducing cancer risk in Beijing. Considering the contribution to the health risk from various sources obtained in PMF, coal combustion is the most significant contributor to cancer risk. Therefore, serious consideration should be given to controlling coal combustion at the local and regional levels to reduce health risks in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofuel is an attractive substitute for petrodiesel because of its lower environmental footprint. For instance, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) emission per fuel energy content is lower for rapeseed methyl ester (RME) than for petrodiesel. This study assesses genotoxicity by extractable organic matter (EOM) of exhaust particles from the combustion of petrodiesel, RME, and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in lung epithelial (A549) cells. Genotoxicity was assessed as DNA strand breaks by the alkaline comet assay. EOM from the combustion of petrodiesel and RME generated the same level of DNA strand breaks based on the equal concentration of total PAH (i.e. net increases of 0.13 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.002, 0.25, and 0.12 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.24] lesions per million base pairs, respectively). In comparison, the positive control (etoposide) generated a much higher level of DNA strand breaks (i.e. 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.97) lesions per million base pairs. Relatively low concentrations of EOM from RME and HVO combustion particles (<116 ng/ml total PAH) did not cause DNA strand breaks in A549 cells, whereas benzo[a]pyrene and PAH-rich EOM from petrodiesel combusted using low oxygen inlet concentration were genotoxic. The genotoxicity was attributed to high molecular weight PAH isomers with 5–6 rings. In summary, the results show that EOM from the combustion of petrodiesel and RME generate the same level of DNA strand breaks on an equal total PAH basis. However, the genotoxic hazard of engine exhaust from on-road vehicles is lower for RME than petrodiesel because of lower PAH emission per fuel energy content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to calculate size-fractionated PM-bound metals concentration (Co, V, Ni, Cu, Mn, As, Cd, Pb, Cr and Hg) in a European hot spot area in terms of PM air pollution (Zabrze, Poland) and to show their deposition ratios in human airways. Additionally, meteorological data was used to conclude the probable influence of atmospheric conditions on the variability of the PM mass concentrations in different periods of the year. Data regarding the elemental composition of size-fractionated PM in various regions of Poland was also presented. The determination of the selected metals in PM-fractionated samples (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) was performed in two periods – the heating and non-heating season. It was found that metals were primarily associated with particles less than 1 µm, however, the PM size distribution had shown bi-modal characteristics and the maxima of metal mass distribution occurred in both submicron and fine modes. High PM1 mass loadings, observed especially in the non-heating season were probably due to an influx of fine and even smaller particles from traffic sources. Metals distributions as well as respiratory deposition ratios for PM-bound elements calculated using the MPPD V2.11 model favored nasal and head deposition. The overall mass deposition of metals in the respiratory tract of adults was: 0.39 (Head region, H); 0.07 (Tracheobronchial region, TB); 0.16 (Pulmonary region, P) respectively. No matter the season, the highest inhalable concentrations of metals were found for Cu, Mn, Cr and Pb. Only Cr and Pb are classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic (according to IARC classification). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, significant efforts have been made to study changes in the levels of air pollutants at regional and urban scales, and changes in bioaerosols during air pollution events have attracted increasing attention. In this study, the bacterial structure of PM2.5 was analysed under different environmental conditions during hazy and non-hazy periods in Guilin. A total of 32 PM2.5 samples were collected in December 2020 and July 2021, and the microbial community structures were analysed using high-throughput sequencing methods. The results show that air pollution and climate change alter the species distribution and community diversity of bacteria in PM2.5, particularly Sphingomonas and Pseudomonas. The structure of the bacterial community composition is related to diurnal variation, vertical height, and urban area and their interactions with various environmental factors. This is a comprehensive study that characterises the variability of bacteria associated with PM2.5 in a variety of environments, highlighting the impacts of environmental effects on the atmospheric microbial community. The results will contribute to our understanding of haze trends in China, particularly the relationship between bioaerosol communities and the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a numerical simulation of air pollution and the particles distribution in idealized urban canyons with aspect ratio 1 for various thermal conditions was considered. To solve the problem, the RANS equations were used, while various turbulent models were used to close this system of equations. To validate of the mathematical model was solved the test problem in isothermal condition numerically. The various turbulent models results were compared with empirical and modeling results. The main problem was described as the pollutants emission process and particles between houses using various grass barrier types under different temperature regimes. The results of computational simulation without grass barrier were compared with the calculated values using different types of grass barriers. In the course of various studies, it was found that the existence of barriers along the streets reduces the concentration of harmful substances and the concentration of particles in the air. Increasing the thermal value for a roadside barrier reduces deposition and dispersion of pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of very fine atmospheric particles (submicron particulate matter; PM1) on visibility deterioration. Taking into consideration not only their entirely different physio-chemical properties in comparison to a well-recognized PM10 but also the origin and a growing environmental awareness of PM1, the main research problem has been solved in few steps. At first, the chemical composition of PM1 was determined in two selected urban areas in Poland. Measurements of meteorological parameters, i.e., air temperature and humidity, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and visibility, were also conducted. The next step of the work was the analysis of (1) seasonal changes of the concentration of PM1 and its main components, (2) the influence of chemical components of PM1 on light extinction, and (3) the influence of PM1 and humidity on visibility. Hierarchical cluster analysis, correlation matrixes and a heat map, and classification and regression tree analysis were used. The light extinction coefficient is influenced mainly by coarse mass of PM, and PM1-bound ammonium nitrate, organic matter, and by Rayleigh scattering. The less important in the light extinction coefficient shaping has PM1-bound ammonium sulfate, elemental carbon, and soil. In this way, the secondary origin PM1 components were proved to most significantly influence the visibility. The obtained results confirmed the possibility of the use of statistical agglomeration techniques to identify ranges of variation of visibility, including independent variables adopted to analyses (meteorological conditions, chemical composition of PM1, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical and toxicological characterization of the water-soluble fraction of size-segregated urban particulate matter (PM) (<0.49, 0.49–0.97, 0.97–1.5, 1.5–3.0, 3.0–7.2 and >7.2 μm) was carried out at two urban sites, traffic and urban background, during the cold and the warm period. Chemical analysis of the water-soluble PM fraction included ionic species ( NO 3 − , SO 4 2 − , Cl − , Na + , NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ ), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Ca, and Mg). The dithiothreitol (DTT) assay was employed for the abiotic assessment of the oxidative PM activity. Cytotoxic responses were investigated in vitro by applying the mitochondrial dehydrogenase (MTT) and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) bioassays on human lung cells (MRC-5), while DNA damage was estimated by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay, known as Comet assay. The correlations between the observed bioactivity responses and the concentrations of water-soluble chemical PM constituents in the various size ranges were investigated. The results of the current study corroborate that short-term bioassays using lung human cells and abiotic assays, such as the DTT assay, could be relevant to complete the routine chemical analysis and to obtain a preliminary screening of the potential effects of PM-associated airborne pollutants on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of graduation towers on the aerosol concentration and its composition not only in the vicinity of the graduation tower itself, but also at a distance from it, on the example of the brine graduation tower in the Wieliczka Salt Mine health resort. Two measurement sites were selected for the research, one located inside the graduation tower and the other at the guard booth—at a considerable distance from the graduation tower. Total suspended particulate (TSP) and PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter that does not exceed 10 µm) samples were taken simultaneously using the aspiration method. The collected samples were subjected to analyses of TSP and PM10 concentrations, the content of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and selected ions. It was confirmed that the composition of the aerosol in the Wieliczka Salt Mine significantly differs from the typical aerosol composition in inland locations and is similar to the aerosol composition in coastal zones. The comparison of the aerosol composition at both measuring sites clearly indicates a very favorable influence of the brine graduation tower on the composition of the atmospheric aerosol, even at a certain distance from it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonaceous species [organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), elemental matter (EM), primary organic carbon (POC), secondary organic carbon (SOC), total carbon (TC), and total carbonaceous matter (TCM)] of PM2.5 were analyzed to study the seasonal variability and long-term trend of carbonaceous aerosols (CAs) in megacity Delhi, India from January, 2012 to April, 2021. The average concentrations (± standard deviation) of PM2.5, OC, EC, TC, EM, TCM, POC and SOC were 127 ± 77, 15.7 ± 11.6, 7.4 ± 5.1, 23.1 ± 16.5, 8.2 ± 5.6, 33.3 ± 23.9, 9.3 ± 6.3 and 6.5 ± 5.3 µg m−3, respectively during the sampling period (10-year average). The average CAs accounted for 26% of PM2.5 concentration during the entire sampling period. In addition, the seasonal variations in PM2.5, OC, EC, POC, SOC, and TCM levels were recorded with maxima in post-monsoon and minima in monsoon seasons. The linear relationship of OC and EC, OC/EC and EC/TC ratios suggested that the vehicular emissions (VE), fossil fuel combustion (FFC) and biomass burning (BB) are the major sources of CAs at megacity Delhi, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elemental concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) have a detrimental effect on human health in which some elemental species have carcinogenic nature. In India, significant variations have found in the practices adapted from sampling to analysis for the determination and assessment of the elemental concentration in PM. Therefore, Indian studies (2011–2020) on the related domain are summarized to impart consistency in the field and laboratory practices. Further, a comparative analysis with other countries has also been mentioned in the relevant sections to evaluate its likeness with Indian studies. To prepare this study, literature has been procured from reputed journals. Subsequently, each step from sampling to analysis has thoroughly discussed with quality assurance and control (QA/QC) compliance. In addition, a framework has been proposed that showed field and laboratory analysis in an organized manner. Consequently, this study will provide benefit to novice researcher and improve their understanding about the related subject. Also, it will assist other peoples/bodies in framing the necessary decisions to carry out this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is a key mechanism by which ambient particulate matter induces adverse health effects. Most studies have focused on the oxidative potential (OP) of water-soluble constituents, while there has been limited work on the OP of solvent-extractable organic matter (EOM OP). In this study, the EOM OP of ambient total suspended particulate (TSP) from Bangkok, Thailand, was determined using the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay. Positive matrix factorization (PMF), combined with chemical analysis of molecular markers, was employed to apportion the contributions of various emission sources to EOM OP. The volume-normalized OP initially increased with organic carbon (OC) concentration and plateaued gradually, while the mass-normalized OP fitted well with OC concentration using a power function. Fossil fuel combustion (62%) and plastic waste burning (23%) were the major contributors to EOM OP, while biomass burning demonstrated only a limited contribution. EOM OP correlated well with each group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), suggesting that secondary formation of quinones associated with fossil fuel combustion and plastic waste burning could be an important pathway of TSP toxicity. This study underscores the importance of considering different emission sources when evaluating potential health impacts and the implementation of air pollution regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) are part of particulate matter (PM), which is produced from incomplete combustion of organic matter. Biomarkers mean biological indicators, molecules that indicate a normal or abnormal process in the body and may be a sign of a condition or disease. Studies show that PAHs increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases through processes such as oxidative stress, inflammation and atherosclerosis. The present study focused on the evaluation of health effects PAHs biomarkers on cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this narrative study, data were collected from databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of science and Google Scholar in the period 1975-2023. After screening, duplicate and irrelevant articles were removed. Finally, 68 articles related to the effect of PAHs on CVD were included in the study. In addition to the articles found through the search in databases, another 18 articles from the references of the selected articles were included. According to the finding in during the biotransformation of PAH, a number of metabolites are made, such as phenols, diols, quinones, and epoxides. Phenolic isomers have the highest percentage and biomarkers used for their detection include 2-OHNAP used to trace naphthalene from heating processed food, 3-OHPHEN used to trace phenanthrene from diesel, 2-OHFLU used to trace fluorene and 1-OHPYR used to trace pyrene from cigarette and hookah smoke. According to the result, increasing blood pressure and heart rate and causing atherosclerosis are the main complications due to exposure to PAH metabolite on cardiovascular system. The most important agents that causes this affects including increased homocysteine, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), serum biomarkers of C-reactive protein, and triglycerides. Result this study showed that cardiovascular diseases risk is increased by exposure to PAH biomarkers from smoking, car emissions, occupational exposure, and incinerators. Therefore, strict controls should be implemented for sources of PAH production and exposure., (© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

Commuters are exposed to high air pollution levels daily, especially in areas with dense traffic. This study examines the commuter's exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, under three different commuting modes: biking, travelling by private car, and riding public transportation means (buses). The study was carried out from 2015 to 2018 including 43 volunteers (15 cyclists, 17 car drivers/passengers, and 11 bus passengers). The personal exposure concentrations to particles smaller than 4-μm aerodynamic diameter (PM4), constituting the respirable fraction of total airborne particles, and the associated PAHs were assessed for each commuting mode during the cold and the warm period of the year. Whereas the exposure of bus and car passengers to in-cabin PM4 were higher in the cold season, the exposure of cyclists exhibited the opposite seasonality. In all commuting modes, exposure to PAHs was higher in the cold season. In both seasons, exposure concentration followed the order: cyclists > bus passengers > car passengers. The carcinogenic and mutagenic potencies of the exposure PAH concentrations were calculated using Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) carcinogenic and mutagenic equivalency factors. The inhalation cancer risk (ICR) associated to PAHs was further estimated and compared between the different commuting modes. Our data can provide relevant information for transport decision-making and increase environmental awareness for a more rational approach to urban travelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is a major worldwide concern, and exposure to particulate matter (PM) can increase the risks of pulmonary diseases. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells were applied to clarify the role of ultrafine PM (UFPM) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary toxic effects with realistic alveolar deposition doses. The UFPM used in this research originated from vehicular emissions and coal combustion. UFPM exposure of up to 72 h was found to induce significant time- and concentration-dependent decreases in cell viability. Exposure to UFPM increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation through heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibition and induced massive oxidative stress that increased the interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. UFPM also reduced the pulmonary trans-epithelial electrical resistance through the depletion of zonula occludens (ZO) proteins. Finally, UFPM decreased the α1-antitrypsin (A1AT) expression, which implies high risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The evidence demonstrates that exposure to UFPM, even at very low concentrations, may affect the functions of the respiratory system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: For policy makers and scientists to understand patterns of ecosystem services demand (ESd) and supply (ESs) that show a paradox of a compact city, information regarding the balance between ESd and ESs is needed. However, as evaluation of the ESd–ESs balance based on averaged yearly data would minimize the impact of extreme values, the analysis based on seasonal data is important. Objectives: To elucidate seasonal changes of and mismatches between ESd and ESs, we investigated (1) whether seasonal variations of ESs and ESd for PM2.5 and SO2 removal were synchronous; (2) in which season ESs could most/least satisfy ESd; (3) whether seasonal imbalance existed, although ESs might apparently satisfy ESd based on annual data; and (4) how spatial patterns of seasonal mismatches varied. Methods: Deficit ratio and supply–demand ratio were utilized to assessed the risk of ESd–ESs mismatch for air purification and analyzed the extent to which ESs meets ESd respectively, on seasonal and annual timescales in Shenyang. Results: The ESd and ESs of air purification ecosystem services for PM2.5 and SO2 are asynchronous. Inconsistency in the seasonal pattern between ESs and ESd induces severe mismatch between ESs and ESd in some seasons, e.g., winter. Assessment based on annual data could result in overoptimistic evaluations of ecosystem services. Conclusions: The ESs–ESd balance isn't only spatially heterogeneous but also temporally heterogeneous. Therefore, explicit spatiotemporal analysis of ecosystem services would provide additional information that could help policy makers develop and implement effective targeted strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to examine the genotoxicity induced by water-soluble fractions of particulate matter (PM) and its potential relation with heavy metals. For this purpose, the genotoxicity induced on human peripheral lymphocytes by water-soluble PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) collected from the indoor air of various workplaces in Greece (n = 20), was examined by the Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) induction assay and assessed in relation to the concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cr, and Cd. The number of SCEs per metaphase (SCEs/metaphase), as an indicator of genotoxicity, the proliferation rate index (PRI), as an indicator of cytostaticity, and the mitotic index (MI), as an indicator of cytotoxicity, were measured and assessed in three water-soluble fractions of PM2.5: the total water-soluble fraction WSA (filtered through 0.45 μm), the dissolved fraction WSB (filtered through 0.22 μm), and the non-chelexed dissolved fraction WSC (filtered through Chelex-100 resin). Results showed statistically significant number of SCEs/metaphase in all water-soluble PM2.5 fractions in relation to the control with large variabilities across the workplaces as a result of variations in indoor conditions, sources, and/or activities. The concentrations of genotoxicity were evaluated in terms of mass-normalized genotoxicity (SCEs/mg PM2.5), that represents the genotoxic potency of particles, and air volume-normalized genotoxicity (SCEs/m3 air), that reflects the inhalation risk for people working or spending much time in these microenvironments. Correlation and linear regression analyses were further employed in order to investigate the potential relationships between genotoxicity and the water-soluble concentrations of PM2.5-bounded heavy metals. According to the results, the highest mass-normalized genotoxicity values were found for PM2.5 from the photocopying center, whereas the highest air volume-normalized genotoxicity was found in tavern-2. Significant positive correlations between the genotoxicity and water-soluble metals were derived, highlighting the role that heavy metals play in the genotoxicity of indoor PM2.5. Among the targeted metals, Zn and Pb were found to be good predictors of the genotoxicity of water-soluble PM2.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present highly time-resolved (30 to 120 min) measurements of size-fractionated (PM 10 and PM 2.5) elements in two cities in Asia (Delhi and Beijing) and Europe (Krakow and London). For most elements, the mean concentrations in PM 10 and PM 2.5 are higher in the Asian cities (up to 24 and 28 times, respectively) than in Krakow and often higher in Delhi than in Beijing. Among European cities, Krakow shows higher elemental concentrations (up to 20 and 27 times, respectively) than London. Hourly maximum concentrations of Pb and Zn reach up to 1 µg m -3 in Delhi, substantially higher than at the other sites. The enrichment factor of an element together with the size distribution allows for a rough classification of elements by major source. We define five groups: (1) dust emissions, (2) non-exhaust traffic emissions, (3) solid fuel combustion, (4) mixed traffic/industrial emissions, and (5) industrial/coal/waste burning emissions, with the last group exhibiting the most site-to-site variability. We demonstrate that the high time resolution and size-segregated elemental dataset can be a powerful tool to assess aerosol composition and sources in urban environments. Our results highlight the need to consider the size distributions of toxic elements, diurnal patterns of targeted emissions, and local vs. regional effects in formulating effective environmental policies to protect public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study on the size distribution and carbon component of particulate matter (PM) from four typical sources in Zhenjiang, China were carried out. Two raw PM cases were collected directly from the diesel/gasoline engine, individually, while another two diluted PM cases were gleaned from the atmosphere on particular venues concerning the contribution of diesel/gasoline PMs, respectively. It was revealed that the raw diesel/gasoline PMs presented mass concentration peaks at the size range of 0.18–0.32 μm, while most of the diluted PM from the atmosphere near the chimney vent of the engine laboratory and in the basement garage concentrated at the size range of 0.32–0.56 and 1.0–1.8 μm, respectively. Via the carbon component analysis, for the raw diesel PM, the major parts of OC fractions were determined as OC1, OC2 and OC3, meanwhile EC2 took the majority of EC. As for the diluted PM from the atmosphere, OC2, OC3 and OC4, and EC1 and EC2 accounted for the main parts of OC and EC, respectively. The rate of OC to EC (OC/EC) of the PMs from the diesel engine, near the laboratory chimney vent and in the basement garage varied in a range of 0.92–2.50, 1.40–2.53, and 2.36–4.82, respectively. It is worth noting that the OC/EC of the PM collected in the basement garage exceeded 2.0, which implies that a great deal of secondary particulates were generated. Overall, this article may assist to understand the possible evolution path of PM from the raw source to the diluted status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) released by the burning of domestic solid fuels is an important air pollutant in the rural indoor environment in China. Here, personal exposure to PM2.5-induced oxidative damage resulting from household solid fuel combustion was examined in winter in rural areas of Guanzhong Basin, northwestern China. The volume-based average exogenous reactive oxygen species (exo-ROS) activities were 1943.7 ± 3668.0 and 1628.5 ± 2618.7 μM H2O2/min/m3 for 50 and 100 μL of PM2.5 extracts, respectively. While the different patterns were found for endogenous reactive oxygen species (endo-ROS), 465.8 ± 2427.4 and 1740.4 ± 2643.2 μM H2O2/min/m3 for 4 h exposed to 50 and 100 μL of PM2.5 extract. When the exposure time was extended to 24 h, endo-ROS activities were 3789.5 ± 4582.0 and 3534.8 ± 4595.6 μM H2O2/min/m3 for 50 and 100 μL of PM2.5 extracts, respectively. Among four common dwelling heating ways used in northwestern China, the highest ROS activity (160.4 μM H2O2/min/m3 for 4-h endo-ROS at 50 μL of PM2.5 extracts) was found for households using indoor coal chunks stove. The ROS activity in households using electric power heating was 2.9–15.9-fold lower than that in households using indoor coal chunks stove; thus, electric power heating was found to be the cleanest method for rural household heating. PM2.5-bound K+, organic carbon 1 (OC1), elemental carbon 1 (EC1), several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and two hopanes species were observed to be significantly correlated with exo-ROS and 4-h endo-ROS, indicating that these chemical compounds and the sources in PM2.5 exposure samples may induce more ROS and affect human health strongly. The results indicate that heating methods used in rural households in winter can greatly impact the health of residents living in rural areas of northwestern China through personal exposure PM2.5-induced oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trivalent chromium is a trace nutrient essential to human beings while hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen and was among the 18 core hazardous air pollutants defined in 2004 by the US EPA. A new conceptual model of Cr speciation in deliquesced particles (pH 4) has been developed. The model provides new information on the soluble and insoluble forms of Cr in atmospheric PM. The dominant form of Cr(VI) in the solution was found to be Cr2O72−. CrO42− was produced by the dissolution of Na2CrO4(s) and K2CrO4(s) available in the solid core, but a considerable portion of the CrO42− precipitated as (NH4)2CrO4(s), CaCrO4(s), BaCrO4(s), and PbCrO4(s). Cr(OH)3 was found to be soluble, and the insoluble form of Cr(III) was Cr2(SO4)3. Conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was higher than the conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The simulation results agree with the field measurements near Cr industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate matter (PM) as the carcinogenic air pollutants can lead to aggravated health outcomes. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that PM can be engaged in different diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer. The in vitro secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has been used to assess the effects of PM with an aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm (PM10). This study compared the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 1-beta (IL1-β) secretions of PBMCs exposed to PM10 of dust storm and inversion. We collected PM10 samples during the spring and autumn seasons in two locations. Isolated PBMCs were exposed separately to 50, 150, and 300 μg/ml of different type of PM10 for 4 and 24 h. The mean concentrations of TNF-α for the PM of dust storm and inversion were 6305.61 ± 2421 and 6651.74 ± 2820, respectively. Also the mean concentrations of IL1-β for the PM of dust storm and inversion were 556.86 ± 162 and 656.35 ± 196, respectively. Furthermore, these values for the production of IL-6 were 12,655 ± 5661 and 16,685 ± 8069, respectively. Although no significant difference was observed between the PM of dust storm and that of inversion with regard to PBMCs, the results showed a significant increase in the proinflammatory cytokine secretion of both PMs compared with the controls. Moreover, TNF-α, IL1-β, and IL-6 secreted in cells exposed to PM10 of dust storm were about 10 times more than the controls, these values for cells exposed to PM10 of inversion were around 10, 12, and 14 times more than the controls, respectively. It can be concluded that the PM10 of both dust storm and inversion can play a significant role in proinflammatory cytokine secretion due to its harmful effect on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work aims to investigate the simultaneous mercury (Hg) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) removal from seabed sediments by means of 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation with chemical enhancers. Decontamination kinetics were assessed applying Tween® 80, methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and citric acid as enhancers. Results clearly showed that sediment dielectric features allowed a large conversion of microwaves (MW) irradiated energy into temperature increase (405 °C within 7 min). The combined use of Tween® 80 and MGDA in a 650 W MW irradiation treatment brought a final residual Hg concentration of 2.2 mg kg−1, whereas Tween® 80 and citric acid allowed a residual concentration less than 1 mg kg−1 (R = ~ 99%). Lower residual concentration was found also for total PAHs (< 1 mg kg−1) already after 1-min irradiation. Modelling revealed for all treatments that exponential decay has a very good fit with experimental points. For the unenhanced MW treatment, the decay rate (k) was 0.259. When Tween® 80 and acid citric were contextually used, they brought an almost doubled k value of 0.493. The co-presence of PAHs decreased the Hg removal kinetic only without citric acid addiction. A simultaneous and very rapid Hg and PAHs total removal is very difficult to be achieved by other cleanup techniques, which operate in a selective way. Desorption parameters calculated are useful for Hg-PAH co-contamination removal kinetics prediction and for scaling-up studies that, at the moment, are essential to meet the great challenge of applying MW at the full scale.Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr(III) is an essential micronutrient for the proper function of human being, while Cr(VI) is a carcinogenic chemical, which has been one of the hazardous air pollutants defined by US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in 2004. Accurate measurements of atmospheric hexavalent chromium concentration are required to evaluate its toxicity. In the present study, a simulation tool using MATLAB program was developed to evaluate soluble and insoluble chromium species formed during the Cr(VI) field sampling (500 ml, 0.12 M HCO3− buffer, pH = 9, 24 h, cellulose filter) which will assist us to better quantify the hexavalent chromium concentration. In this study, Cr(VI) was found to be dominant in soluble form as CrO42− and in precipitated form as (NH4)2CrO4, CaCrO3, BaCrO4, and PbCrO4 at pH = 9 cellulose filter. Secondly, reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was higher than the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). Basic pH solutions retard the conversion of Cr(VI) in the presence of Fe(II) and As(III) and facilitate the precipitation of Cr(III). The presence of the NaHCO3 as buffer on the cellulose filters and also in the filter extraction solution may add to the precipitation of Cr(VI) as NaCrO4. This study provides new insights to improve cellulose sampling filters, and the filter extraction solutions to either prevent Cr(VI) precipitation during the wet analysis of Cr(VI) or improve the Cr(VI) analysis methods to quantify total Cr(VI) (soluble and insoluble Cr(VI)). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate matter (PM) has gained significant attention due to the increasing concerns related to their effects on human health. Although several reviews have shed light on the effect of PM on human health, their critical adverse effect on material’s structure and sustainability was almost neglected. The current study is an attempt to fill this gap related to PM impact on structural materials under the overall consideration of sustainability. More specifically, this review highlights the existing knowledge by providing an overview on PM classification, composition, and sources in different locations around the world. Then, it focuses on PM soiling of surfaces such as solar panels due to an increasing need to mitigate the impact of soiling on reducing photovoltaic (PV) power output and financial competitiveness in dusty regions. This topic is of critical importance for sustainable deployment of solar energy in arid and desert areas around the world to help in reducing their impact on overall climate change and life quality. In addition, this review summarizes climate change phenomena driven by the increase of PM concentration in air such as radiative forcing and acid rain deposition due to their impact on human health, visibility and biodiversity. To this end, this work highlights the role of process management, choice of fuel, the implementation of clean technologies and urban vegetation as some possible sustainable mitigation policies to control PM pollution in cities and urban regions. This research is designed to conduct a comprehensive narrative literature review which targets broad spectrum of readers and new researchers in the field. Moreover, it provides a critical analysis highlighting the need to fill main research gaps in this domain. The findings of this review paper show that PM pollution imposes severe adverse impacts on materials, structures and climate which directly affect the sustainability of urban cities. The advantages of this review include the value of the extensive works that elaborate on the negative impacts of PM atmospheric pollution towards high level of public awareness, management flexibility, stakeholder’s involvements, and collaboration between academy, research, and industry to mitigate PM impact on materials and human welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM2.5 were estimated to study the seasonal and inter-annual variability of atmospheric total carbonaceous aerosols (TCA) at an urban site of megacity Delhi, India for 5 years from January, 2012 to December, 2016. The annual average (± standard deviation) concentrations of PM2.5, OC, EC and TCA were 128 ± 81, 16.6 ± 12.2, 8.4 ± 5.8 and 34.5 ± 25.2 µg m−3, respectively. During the study, significant seasonal variations in mass concentrations of PM2.5, OC, EC and TCA were observed with maxima in winter and minima in monsoon seasons. Significant correlations between OC and EC, and OC/EC ratio suggested that vehicular emissions, fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning could be major sources of carbonaceous aerosols of PM2.5 at the sampling site of Delhi, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two classes of polar organic compounds, dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and sugars/sugar anhydrides (S/SAs), were measured in airborne particulate matter in the area of Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The target compounds were measured simultaneously in two particle fractions PM10 and PM2.5 during cold and warm periods by employing extraction in an ultrasonic bath with a mixture of MeOH/DCM (1:2 v/v), derivatization with BSTFA-TMCS and GC-MS for analysis. At both fractions, phthalic was the predominant carboxylic acid during cold season and a-ketoglutaric acid in warm season, followed by maleic and malic. Levoglucosan was the dominant sugar anhydride during the cold and arabitol during the warm season. In total, the distribution of DCAs seemed to favor the PM2.5 particle fraction, probably due to anthropogenic emissions and photochemical formation. The relative contribution of DCAs to PM2.5 fraction was 0.9-3.2% in cold and 0.9-7.0% in warm period. Regarding S/SAs, levoglucosan was also predominantly distributed in fine particles, with relative contribution to this fraction 0.1-6.3% in cold and <0.65% in warm season, suggesting impact of biomass burning emissions. In contrast, arabitol, fructose, and glucose were mainly found in coarse fraction, possibly due to their biogenic origin. Negative correlation of target compounds with temperature and total solar radiation suggested the contribution of seasonal dependant local sources. Positive relationship with NO and NO2 oxidants and relative humidity showed secondary formation of polar compounds or enhanced gas-to-particle conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]