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PubMed2000

A time-series analysis of acidic particulate matter and daily mortality and morbidity in the Buffalo, New York, region.

A component of particulate matter (PM) air pollution that may provide one biologically plausible pathway for the observed PM air pollution-health effect associations is aerosol acidity (H(+)). An increasing number of observational studies have demonstrated associations between H(+) and increased adverse health effects in the United States and abroad. Although studies have shown significant H(+) associations with increased morbidity in the United States, similar associations have yet to be shown with daily mortality. We considered a 2.5-year record of daily H(+) and sulfate measurements (May 1988-October 1990) collected in the Buffalo, New York, region in a time-series analysis of respiratory, circulatory, and total daily mortality and hospital admissions. Other copollutants considered included particulate matter [less than/equal to] 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter, coefficient of haze, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Various modeling techniques were applied to control for confounding of effect estimates due to seasonality, weather, and day-of-week effects. We found multiple significant pollutant-health effect associations--most strongly between SO(4)(2-) and respiratory hospital admissions (as indicated by its t-statistic). Additionally, H(+) and SO(4)(2-) demonstrated the most coherent associations with both respiratory hospital admissions [H(+): relative risk (RR) = 1. 31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-1.51; and SO(4)(2-): RR = 1. 18, CI, 1.09-1.28] and respiratory mortality (H(+): RR = 1.55, CI, 1. 09-2.20; and SO(4)(2-): RR = 1.24, CI, 1.01-1.52). Thus, acidic sulfate aerosols represent a component of PM air pollution that may contribute to the previously noted adverse effects of PM mass on human health, and the associations demonstrated in this study support the need for further investigations into the potential health effects of acidic aerosols.

Acids↗

PubMed2005

Workgroup report: workshop on source apportionment of particulate matter health effects--intercomparison of results and implications.

Although the association between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 microm (PM2.5) and human mortality is well established, the most responsible particle types/sources are not yet certain. In May 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Particulate Matter Centers Program sponsored the Workshop on the Source Apportionment of PM Health Effects. The goal was to evaluate the consistency of the various source apportionment methods in assessing source contributions to daily PM2.5 mass-mortality associations. Seven research institutions, using varying methods, participated in the estimation of source apportionments of PM2.5 mass samples collected in Washington, DC, and Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Apportionments were evaluated for their respective associations with mortality using Poisson regressions, allowing a comparative assessment of the extent to which variations in the apportionments contributed to variability in the source-specific mortality results. The various research groups generally identified the same major source types, each with similar elemental makeups. Intergroup correlation analyses indicated that soil-, sulfate-, residual oil-, and salt-associated mass were most unambiguously identified by various methods, whereas vegetative burning and traffic were less consistent. Aggregate source-specific mortality relative risk (RR) estimate confidence intervals overlapped each other, but the sulfate-related PM2.5 component was most consistently significant across analyses in these cities. Analyses indicated that source types were a significant predictor of RR, whereas apportionment group differences were not. Variations in the source apportionments added only some 15% to the mortality regression uncertainties. These results provide supportive evidence that existing PM2.5 source apportionment methods can be used to derive reliable insights into the source components that contribute to PM2.5 health effects.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2006

[Impact of air pollution by fine particulate matter (PM10) on daily mortality in Temuco, Chile].

BACKGROUND: Temuco (304,000 inhabitants) has high levels of air pollution, mainly due to fine particulate matter of less than 10 microm (PM10). The effects of this pollution on population health have not been studied. AIM: To study the short-term effects of PM10 on daily mortality in Temuco, in Southern Chile, due to respiratory and cardiovascular causes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We followed the APHEA methodology (Air Pollution and Health European Approach) by estimating poisson multivariate regression models and controlling by trends, seasonality and meteorology. The PM10 variable was introduced after controlling by the confounders and checking by statistical adjustment and autocorrelation of errors. Mortality data was obtained from the Ministry of Health, registering age, gender, place of residence and cause of death. Cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular deaths, occurring between 1997 and 2002, were recorded for this study. RESULTS: There was a significant and positive association between PM10 concentration and daily mortality caused by respiratory disease (p-value=0.046, relative risk (RR) 1.236, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.004-1.522) and cardiovascular diseases in people aged 65 years and more (p-value=0.042; RR 1.176 95% CI 1.006-1.374). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between daily air pollution by PM10 particulate matter and mortality in Temuco, Chile.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Generation rates and emission factors of particulate matter and particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of incense sticks.

The generation rates and emission factors of particulate matter and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from incense burning were assessed in a laboratory setting. The differences among different segments of the same stick, among different sticks of the same kind of incense, and between two kinds of manually made Chih-Chen incense sticks (A and B) were evaluated. Joss sticks were burned inside a 44 cm long elutriator; personal environmental monitors fitted into the top of the elutriator were used to take PM2.5 and PM10 samples of incense smoke. Samples were analyzed for PAHs by gas chromatography-flame ionization Detector. It was found that particle and associated PAHs were generated approximately at 561 microg/min (geometric standard deviation (GSD) = 1.1) and 0.56 microg/min (GSD = 1.1) from Incense A, and at 661 microg/min (GSD = 1.7) and 0.46 microg/min (GSD = 1.3) from Incense B, respectively. One gram of Incense A emitted about 19.8 mg (GSD = 1.1) particulate matter and 17.1 microg (GSD = 1.2) particulate-phase PAHs, while one gram of Incense B produced around 43.6 mg (GSD = 1.1) of particles and 25.2 microg (GSD = 1.2) of particle-bound PAHs. There were significant differences in emissions between Incenses A and B, although they belong to the same class of incense. A 10-20% variability in emissions was observed in the main part of the manually produced stick, and a larger variation was found at both tips of the combustible part.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

PubMed2003

Mutagenic activity of airborne particulate matter as an indicative measure of atmospheric pollution.

Mutagenic activity of organic extracts of airborne particulate matter at four different sites within the urban area of the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, was investigated using the Salmonella/microsome assay, with the Kado microsuspension method. The extracts were obtained by sonication, sequentially extracted according to polarity, with cyclohexane (CX) and dichloromethane (DCM) solvents. The different fractions were tested for mutagenicity with the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6, without S9 mix metabolic activation. A positive frameshift mutagenic response was observed for non-polar (CX) and/or moderately polar (DCM) compounds at the different sites. The responses varied at different seasons of the year, and the highest revertants per m3 (rev/m3) values were observed at the site subject to the strongest influence of automotive vehicles (site 3) in spring (17.13 rev/m3) in DCM fractions, and in summer (13.01 rev/m3) in CX fractions. The responses observed for the TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6 strains suggest the contribution of nitrocompounds to the mutagenic activity observed. Although there appears to be an indicative association between the increased mass per unit volume of air (TSP) and the mutagenicity of organic extracts of airborne particulate matter in the present study, the Salmonella/microsome assay was a sensitive method to define areas contaminated by genotoxic compounds, even in samples that present TPS values acceptable by the environmental quality standards established by law.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2006

Particulate matter in animal rooms housing mice in microisolation caging.

Reactions to allergens created by laboratory animals are among the most frequently encountered occupational illnesses associated with research animals. Personnel are exposed to these allergens through airborne particulate matter. Although the use of microisolation caging systems can reduce particulate matter concentrations in rooms housing mice, the operating parameters of ventilated caging systems vary extensively. We compared room air in mouse rooms containing 5 different types of caging: 1) individually ventilated caging under positive pressure with filtered intake air and exhaust air returned to the room (VCR+), 2) individually ventilated caging under negative pressure with exhaust air returned to the room (VCR-), 3) individually ventilated caging under positive pressure with exhaust air returned to the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, 4) individually ventilated caging under negative pressure with exhaust air returned to the HVAC system, and 5) static microisolation cages. We found that rooms under VCR conditions had fewer large particles than did those under other conditions, but the numbers of 0.3 microm particles did not differ significantly among systems. Static, positive or negative pressure applied to caging units as well as route of air exhaust were found to have little influence on the total number of particles in the atmosphere. Therefore, considering the heat load, odor, and overall particulate concentration in the room, placing individually ventilated caging under negative pressure with exhaust air returned to the HVAC system appears to be the optimal overall choice when using microisolation housing for rodents.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed2002

Relationship between ore deposits in river catchments and geochemistry of suspended particulate matter from six rivers in southwest France.

Here we present original data on the geochemical composition of fluvial particulate matter transported by the rivers of the Adour/Garonne basin, which drains one-fifth of the French land surface. Suspended particulate matter from the six main rivers in the basin, sampled at 'normal' flow and during a flood, is compared in terms of: grain size; particulate organic carbon; Fe; Mn; and trace element concentrations (e.g. Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mo, Sn, Ni, Co, Cr, V, As, Hg, U, Th, W, Au, Ag, Ta). Three of the six studied rivers (Garonne, Dordogne and Isle Rivers) are the main tributaries of the Gironde estuary (southwest France), known for Cd pollution. The Adour and Gaves Rivers enter the Adour Estuary and the Charente River reaches the ocean by the Charente Estuary. Our data show, that Cd (and Zn) are not the only trace elements of eco-toxicological relevance transported into the Gulf of Biscay by these six rivers. Potentially toxic elements (e.g. As, Sn, U, Cu, Ag) show elevated concentrations in river particulates entering the estuaries, compared to world average concentrations [Martin and Whitfield, 1983, The significance of the river input of chemical elements to the oceans. In: C.S. Wong, E. Boyle, K.W. Bruland, J.D. Burton, E.D. Goldberg (editors), Trace Metals in Sea Water, Plenum, New York: pp. 265-296]. Comparing SPM sampled during 'normal' discharge and flood, the basin shows a distinct trace element composition of SPM mostly related to ore deposits in the upper basins (Massif Central and Pyreneans). This geochemical signal is partly masked during floods due to changes in grain size, but also due to increased erosion of the lower parts of the basins. This study proves pumping/centrifugation to be the most appropriate sampling/separation technique (recovery, representativity, contamination) by comparing different methods of SPM recovery.

Disasters↗

PubMed1995

Total suspended particulate matter concentrations in Zagreb during the 1975-1993 period.

Daily average mass concentrations of total suspended particulate matter were measured at three sampling sites in Zagreb, and evaluated for the period April 1975-March 1993. Each sampling site represented a different town area (residential, business and administrative, industrial) with different traffic density and type of energent used for space heating. The time trends of concentration levels could, to a certain extent, be attributed to traffic flow modification in the vicinity of the sampling sites, introduction of natural gas in dwellings and degree of energy consumption influenced by the standard of living. Periodograms show a well pronounced seasonal dependence of total suspended particulate matter concentrations, with high concentrations during winters. Analysis of the results in respect to the European Community air quality limits (1) and the levels of other pollutants (SO2 and smoke) leads to the conclusion that particulates being a persistent permanent problem have become a major issue concerning ambient air pollution in Zagreb.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2005

Capillary electrophoresis determinative and GC-MS confirmatory method for water-soluble organic acids in airborne particulate matter and vehicle emission.

Urban fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) and vehicle emission samples were studied for water-soluble low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids using CE with indirect UV detection. Further identification of these acids was achieved using GC-MS as their butyl esters (after derivatization with BF3/butanol). Several dicarboxylic acids in the range C2-C10 including straight-chain, branched-chain, cis- and trans-unsaturated, and aromatic acids were confirmed by GC-MS. In addition, aromatic acids such as benzoate, phthalate, terephthalate, isophthalate, and 4-methylphtalate were present in such samples, but some of these were not well resolved by the used CE method. Oxocarboxylic acids (Cn(w) with n > 4) were also identified by GC-MS but not determined by CE due to lack of standards. The rapidity and simplicity of the CE method were clearly demonstrated, and the method was observed to be advantageous for routine monitoring of water-soluble organic acids in airborne PM2.5 and vehicle emission at low microg/L levels.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2003

Metal behaviour in an estuary polluted by acid mine drainage: the role of particulate matter.

The concentrations of dissolved and suspended particulate Cd, Cu and Zn have been determined in water samples obtained during two axial transects of the Rio Tinto-Huelva Ria system in south-west Spain, which is severely impacted by acid mine drainage. Although the metal concentrations in both phases were elevated, dissolved metals were dominant and, in the upper estuary, constituted > 99% of total metal in the water column. Dissolved metals behaved non-conservatively on each transect, with maximum concentrations in the low salinity region. There was no evidence of metal adsorption within the turbidity maximum zone, despite the high specific surface areas of resuspending particles. Measurements of electrophoretic mobility showed that the suspended particulate matter (SPM) had a positive surface charge in the salinity range 0-4, where the waters had a pH < 3. Desorption experiments were carried out in which SPM from the turbidity maximum zone was resuspended in coastal seawater. The desorption of the metals was monitored for 24 h, using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) to detect the variation in total dissolved Cd, Cu and Zn and the species of Cu and Zn. Total dissolved Cd concentrations doubled during the incubation period, whereas the concentration of total dissolved Cu declined and that of Zn remained rather constant. The ASV-labile fraction of dissolved Cu and Zn showed an initial sharp release followed by a slower uptake. However, desorption was shown to be a minor source of dissolved metals and made little contribution to the non-conservative behaviour in the low salinity zone. The results are used to predict the effects of acid mine drainage on estuarine ecology.

Cadmium↗

PubMed2005

Development and application of an electron spin resonance spectrometry method for the determination of oxygen free radical formation by particulate matter.

Exposure to increased levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) are associated with several health effects, including cardiopulmonary diseases. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is thought to play an important role in the induction of these health effects. To quantify the ROS generating capacityof PM,we developed an improved electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry-based method. ROS formation was measured directly on PM-containing filters, thereby avoiding the selective extraction of components and loss of material or reactivity, which is likely to occur during filter extraction. Also, ascorbic acid was added to stimulate ROS formation. This method was applied to PM10 samples originating from different sources. The radical generating capacity of PM10 from both gasoline and diesel engine exhaust was significantly higher as compared to that of PM10 from ambient or indoor air. Furthermore, in urban PM10 and PM2.5, ROS-generating capacity significantly correlated with concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content and particular transition metals. This indicates thatthis improved ESR method may be a valuable tool for evaluating the relationship between ROS formation by PM and the adverse health effects associated with this type of air pollution.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

PubMed2000

Animal models for the effect of age on susceptibility to inhaled particulate matter.

Epidemiological findings of associations between ambient particulate matter (PM) and respiratory and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity have fostered increased laboratory research aimed at understanding the key PM components, mechanisms, and dose-response relationships responsible for the effects. Because the health impacts are largely observed in subpopulations having characteristics known or presumed to confer increased susceptibility to PM, there is a need for identifying, developing, and using animal models of these susceptibility factors. Age, during both development and senescence of the cardiorespiratory system and its defenses, is one of the PM susceptibility factors cited frequently. This review is intended as a summary of current knowledge regarding age-related differences in the structure and function of the respiratory and pulmonary vascular systems of humans and animals. Its purpose is to facilitate the selection of appropriate animal models for research on the various facets of potential age-related susceptibility of the human respiratory tract to the effects of inhaled PM. The selection of models is a difficult challenge because no single animal species adequately models the full range of human respiratory anatomy, physiology, and age-related changes. With careful selection among the many species, strains, and comparative ages, however, animals can be selected to model most, if not all, of the individual factors hypothesized to confer increased susceptibility of humans to inhaled PM. The existing information does not provide an adequate basis for selecting models to test all of the current age-related susceptibility hypotheses. However, the information summarized in this report should facilitate the investigator's review of potential models.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Multi-omics causal inference of childhood asthma triggered by ambient particulate matter.

BACKGROUND: The causal impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), an established environmental risk factor, on childhood asthma and its biological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the causal association between PM2.5 and childhood asthma and to dissect the mediating role of plasma proteins through a multi-omics integrated Mendelian randomisation (MR) framework. METHODS: Two-sample MR was performed on large-scale genome-wide association data to estimate the causal effect of PM2.5 on childhood asthma. Genes commonly associated with PM2.5 and childhood asthma were screened by transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and subjected to enrichment analyses and MR. Mediator proteins were identified by two-step MR. Potential adverse effects were scanned by phenome-wide MR (Phe-MR). RESULTS: MR revealed a significant positive causal effect of PM2.5 on childhood asthma (OR=1.897, 95% CI: 1.063-3.388, p=0.030). TWAS highlighted 70 genes co-expressed in PM2.5 and childhood asthma that were enriched in inflammatory pathways such as lysosome- and leukocyte-mediated immunity. MEAF6 was validated as a protective gene and RNF40 as a risk gene for childhood asthma. Two-step MR identified FUT10 as a positive mediator mediating 19.3% of the causal effect, and CD200 and MANBA as negative mediator proteins. Phe-MR indicated the association of these genes and proteins with multiple other diseases, implying possible adverse effects from therapeutic intervention. CONCLUSION: Long-term PM2.5 exposure is causally linked to childhood asthma with MEAF6, RNF40, CD200, MANBA and FUT10 identified as key molecules. The study provides new evidence for the biological mechanisms linking PM2.5 to childhood asthma.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Health effects of airborne particulate matter trace elements.

The effects of airborne particulate matter (PM) trace elements on health are widely concerned nowadays. Many achievements have been made while many unknowns exist. This article reports the recent research progresses, describes the effects of exposure to PM trace elements on health epidemiological evidence, toxicology findings, and raises some questions for future studies.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2002

Daily average exposures to respirable particulate matter from combustion of biomass fuels in rural households of southern India.

Indoor air pollution resulting from combustion of biomass fuels in rural households of developing countries is now recognized as a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Accurate estimation of health risks has been hampered by a paucity of quantitative exposure information. In this study we quantified exposures to respirable particulate matter from biomass-fuel combustion in 436 rural homes selected through stratified random sampling from four districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The study households are a subset of a larger sample of 5,028 households from the same districts in which socioeconomic and health information has been collected. Results of measurements for personal exposures to respirable particulate matter during cooking were reported earlier. This has been extended to calculation of 24-hr exposures with the aid of additional measurements during noncooking times and the collection of time-activity records. Concentrations of respirable particulate matter ranged from 500 to 2,000 micro g/m(3) during cooking in biomass-using households, and average 24-hr exposures ranged from 90 +/- 21 micro g/m(3) for those not involved in cooking to 231 +/- 109 micro g/m(3) for those who cooked. The 24-hr exposures were around 82 +/- 39 micro g/m(3) for those in households using clean fuels (with similar exposures across household subgroups). Fuel type, type and location of the kitchen, and the time spent near the kitchen while cooking were the most important determinants of exposure across these households among other parameters examined, including stove type, cooking duration, and smoke from neighborhood cooking. These estimates could be used to build a regional exposure database and facilitate health risk assessments.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The perspective of the National Research Council's Committee on Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate Matter.

This article summarizes the activities of the National Research Council Committee on Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate Matter, formed in 1997 in response to a request by Congress to establish a committee that would identify research needs, set a research agenda, and monitor research progress on airborne particulate matter. The article describes the committee's achievements and research progress in relation to key scientific questions relevant to establishing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2006

Cellular evaluation of the toxicity of combustion derived particulate matter: influence of particle grinding and washing on cellular response.

There is increasing interest in continual monitoring of air for the presence of inhalation health hazards, such as particulate matter, produced through combustion of fossil fuels. Currently there are no means to rapidly evaluate the relative toxicity of materials or to reliably predict potential health impact due to the complexity of the composition, size, and physical properties of particulate matter. This research evaluates the feasibility of utilizing cell cultures as the biological recognition element of an inhalation health monitoring system. The response of rat lung type II epithelial (RLE-6TN) cells to a variety of combustion derived particulates and their components has been evaluated. The focus of the current work is an evaluation of how particles are delivered to a cellular sensing array and to what degree does washing or grinding of the particles impacts the cellular response. There were significant differences in the response of these lung cells to PM's of varying sources. Mechanical grinding or washing was found to alter the toxicity of some of these particulates; however these effects were strongly dependent on the fuel source. Washing reduced toxicity of oil PM's, but had little effect on those from diesel or coal. Mechanical grinding could significantly increase the toxicity of coal PM's, but not for oil or diesel.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2006

Particulate matter over a seven year period in urban and rural areas within, proximal and far from mining and power station operations in Greece.

Lignite mining operations and lignite-fired power stations result in major particulate pollution (fly ash and fugitive dust) problems in the areas surrounding these activities. The problem is more complicated, especially, for urban areas located not far from these activities, due to additional contribution from the urban pollution sources. Knowledge of the distribution of airborne particulate matter into size fraction has become an increasing area of focus when examining the effects of particulate pollution. On the other hand, airborne particle concentration measurements are useful in order to assess the air pollution levels based on national and international air quality standards. These measurements are also necessary for developing air pollutants control strategies or for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, especially, for long periods. In this study an attempt is made in order to investigate the particle size distribution of fly ash and fugitive dust in a heavy industrialized (mining and power stations operations) area with complex terrain in the northwestern part of Greece. Parallel total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microm (PM10) concentrations are analyzed. These measurements gathered from thirteen monitoring stations located in the greater area of interest. Spatial, temporal variation and trend are analyzed over the last seven years. Furthermore, the geographical variation of PM10 - TSP correlation and PM10/TSP ratio are investigated and compared to those in the literature. The analysis has indicated that a complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the particulate pollution of the examined area.

Air Pollutants↗