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PubMed2003

Murine pulmonary inflammatory responses following instillation of size-fractionated ambient particulate matter.

The mechanisms for increased cardiopulmonary disease in individuals exposed to particulate air pollution are associated with fine and ultrafine particles that have a high oxidative potential. Particulate matter (PM) from Research Triangle Park (NC) was collected and separated into 3 different size fractions: coarse (CO; >3.5 microm), fine (FI; 1.7-3.5 microm), and fine/ultrafine (FU; <1.7 microm) using impaction and electrostatic precipitation. Particle chemistry indicated the presence of sulfates, zinc, iron, and copper in all fractions. CD1 mice were intratracheally instilled with 10, 50, or 100 microg of each fraction. After 18 h, the lungs were lavaged and assayed for signs of inflammation. All particles produced increases in neutrophil number, and this was highest in the high-dose FU group. Biochemical analysis revealed ni change in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and increased albumin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels were only seen with the high-dose FI particles. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were increased over control levels after treatment with 100 microg of all 3 particle sizes. To determine whether oxidative stress may contribute to these effects, antioxidant levels in the ling were boosted by an intraperitoneal (ip) injection with dimethylthiourea (DMTU). This treatment resulted in a twofold increase in the total antioxidant capacity of the lung and decreased the PM-induced cytokine and neutrophil influx up to 50%. The data indicate that on the equal mass basis, ambient particles of these three size ranges produce pulmonary inflammation, and that increasing the antioxidant capacity of the lung reduces particle-induced cytokine and cellular responses.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2004

Cardiovascular effects in patrol officers are associated with fine particulate matter from brake wear and engine emissions.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to fine particulate matter air pollutants (PM2.5) affects heart rate variability parameters, and levels of serum proteins associated with inflammation, hemostasis and thrombosis. This study investigated sources potentially responsible for cardiovascular and hematological effects in highway patrol troopers. RESULTS: Nine healthy young non-smoking male troopers working from 3 PM to midnight were studied on four consecutive days during their shift and the following night. Sources of in-vehicle PM2.5 were identified with variance-maximizing rotational principal factor analysis of PM2.5-components and associated pollutants. Two source models were calculated. Sources of in-vehicle PM2.5 identified were 1) crustal material, 2) wear of steel automotive components, 3) gasoline combustion, 4) speed-changing traffic with engine emissions and brake wear. In one model, sources 1 and 2 collapsed to a single source. Source factors scores were compared to cardiac and blood parameters measured ten and fifteen hours, respectively, after each shift. The "speed-change" factor was significantly associated with mean heart cycle length (MCL, +7% per standard deviation increase in the factor score), heart rate variability (+16%), supraventricular ectopic beats (+39%), % neutrophils (+7%), % lymphocytes (-10%), red blood cell volume MCV (+1%), von Willebrand Factor (+9%), blood urea nitrogen (+7%), and protein C (-11%). The "crustal" factor (but not the "collapsed" source) was associated with MCL (+3%) and serum uric acid concentrations (+5%). Controlling for potential confounders had little influence on the effect estimates. CONCLUSION: PM2.5 originating from speed-changing traffic modulates the autonomic control of the heart rhythm, increases the frequency of premature supraventricular beats and elicits pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic responses in healthy young men.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1976

Particulate matter assessment of a clinical investigation on filtration and infusion phlebitis.

Particulate contamination levels of a base intravenous solution and five admixtures were assessed in a double-blind study conducted to determine the effect of inline i.v. filtration on infusion phlebitis. Only a qualitative evaluation on actual patient filters was possible due to deformation of the filter membrane after 72 hours; simulation of i.v. therapy in the laboratory gave more reliable information about particle counts and distribution. The base solution was dextrose 5% in 0.2% sodium chloride injection; the admixtures contained this base solution and the following additives (per liter): (1) 20 mEq potassium chloride, (2) 20 mEq potassium chloride and 2 ml vitamin B complex, (3) 20 mEq potassium chloride and 5 million units of potassium penicillin G, (4) 20 mEq potassium chloride and 1 g cephalothin sodium (delivered in a 100-ml volume from a medication chamber), and (5) 30 mEq potassium chloride and 3 million units of penicillin G (delivered every four hours from a medication chamber) and 80 mg of gentamicin sulfate (delivered every eight hours from a medication chamber). None of the six i.v. infusion schedules simulated exceeded the standards for particulate matter prescribed by the USP XIX. As expected, however, the particle counts increased as a function of the additives used in the simulation, particularly with the antibiotics.

Drug Contamination↗

PubMed2005

Elemental carbon and respirable particulate matter in the indoor air of apartments and nursery schools and ambient air in Berlin (Germany).

UNLABELLED: This study was performed to examine exposure to typical carcinogenic traffic air pollutants in the city center of an urban area. In all, 123 apartments and 74 nursery schools were analyzed with and without tobacco smoke interference and the households in two measuring periods. Simultaneously, the air outside 61 apartment windows as well as the average daily traffic volume were measured. Elemental carbon (EC), the marker for particulate diesel exhaust and respirable particulate matter (RPM) were determined. The thermographic EC analysis was conducted with and without prior solvent extraction of the soluble carbon fraction. Comparison of these two thermographic EC measurements clearly showed that method-related differences in the results, especially for indoor measurements, when high background loads of organic material were present (e.g. tobacco smoke), existed. Solvent extraction prior to EC determination was therefore appropriate. For the first winter measuring period, the EC concentration levels without solvent extraction in the indoor air were about 50% higher than those measured in the spring/summer period. In the second measuring period (i.e. spring/summer), the median EC concentrations after solvent extraction were 1.9 microg/m3 for smokers' apartments and 2.1 microg/m3 for non-smokers' apartments, with RPM concentrations of 57 and 27 microg/m3, respectively. Nursery schools showed high concentrations with median values of 53 microg/m3 for RPM and 2.9 microg/m3 for EC after solvent extraction. A significant correlation between the fine dust and EC concentrations (after solvent extraction) in the indoor and ambient air was determined. Outdoor EC values were also correlated with the average daily traffic volume. The EC ratios between indoor and ambient concentration showed a median of 0.8 (range: 0.3-4.2) in non-smoker households and 0.9 (range: 0.4-1.5) in smoker apartments. Furthermore, the EC/RPM ratio in indoor and ambient air was 0.01-0.15 (median 0.06) and 0.04-0.37 (median 0.09), respectively. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: In the absence of indoor sources a significant correlation with regard to respirable particulate matter (RPM) and elemental carbon concentrations between the indoor and ambient air of apartments was observed. The high degree of certainty resulting from this correlation underscores the importance of ambient air concentrations for indoor air quality. In nursery schools we found higher concentrations of RPM. An explanation of these results could be the high number of occupants in the room, their activity and the cleaning intensity.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Metal content of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaves in relation to soil contamination and airborne particulate matter.

The global distribution of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber, sensu lato; Asteraceae), along with its ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, make this 'species' a particularly attractive candidate to evaluate for its value as a biological monitor of environmental metal contamination. To examine the metal content of dandelion leaves in relation to environmental metal levels, the concentrations of eight metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analyzed in leaf and soil samples collected at 29 sites in the mid-western United States differentially impacted by pollution. Sites were chosen primarily to cover a range of annual mean 24-h airborne particulate matter < or = 10 microm (hereafter, PM10) exposure, with PM10 levels varying from those found in isolated rural areas to levels typical of the most industrialized urban locations in the mid-western United States. A positive. significant correlation was detected between soil concentrations of each metal and measures of PM10 at a site, signifying that airborne particulate matter is a good indicator of soil metal contamination. Leaf concentrations of four of the eight metals (Cr, Mn, Pb and Zn) examined were found to increase significantly as the soil levels of these metals increased, but the percentage of the total variation explained by the relationship in these cases was generally low. This latter finding, along with the lack of a significant relationship between leaf and soil concentrations for the four other metals, indicate that the factors affecting metal absorption from the soil by dandelions are complex and that, aside from soil metal concentrations, other soil, plant and/or other environmental factors affect metal uptake. There was also no evidence that leaf metal concentrations were positively correlated with PM10. In addition, the concentrations of some metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) were significantly higher in leaves collected in the fall compared to those collected at the same sites in the spring. These findings suggest that dandelions may not be a particularly effective tool for quantifying levels of environmental metal contamination, at least on the scale of pollution typifying industrialized urban areas of the mid-western United States.

Absorption↗

PubMed2005

Correlation of ambient inhalable bioaerosols with particulate matter and ozone: a two-year study.

In this study, we have examined the relationships between the concentrations of ambient inhalable airborne fungi and pollen with PM10, PM2.5, ozone, organic carbon, selected trace metals (cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc), temperature, and relative humidity. The database was collected in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, during two consecutive years. Measurements of all environmental variables were performed at the same site continuously 5 days a week except during winter months. The airborne concentrations of biological and non-biological pollutants ranged as follows: total fungi: 184-16 979 spores m(-3); total pollen: 0-6692 pollen m(-3); PM10: 6.70-65.38 microg m(-3); PM2.5: 5.04-45.02 microg m(-3); and ozone: 2.54-64.17 ppb. Higher levels of total inhalable fungi and particulate matter were found during fall and summer months. In contrast, total pollen concentration showed elevated levels in spring. Peak concentrations of ozone were observed during summer and beginning of fall. Our study concluded that several types of inhalable airborne fungi and pollen, particulate matter, and ozone could be positively correlated as a result of the atmospheric temperature influence.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1994

Low ignition propensity cigarettes: smoke analysis for carcinogens and testing for mutagenic activity of the smoke particulate matter.

In 1990, more than 20% of the almost 5200 deaths from fires in the United States occurred in fires from cigarettes. This fact led to the investigation of cigarettes with low ignition propensity. 32 experimental cigarettes differing in tobacco, cigarette circumference and in cigarette paper were tested for ignition propensity. This communication reports the results of comparative analyses of smoke from two low-propensity experimental cigarettes, A and B, which differed only in the porosity and treatment of the paper, and of the smoke from a reference cigarette C and from two leading US commercial cigarettes D and E. Model cigarette A delivered higher smoke yields of total particulate matter (TPM), nicotine, CO and benzo[a]pyrene than the other four cigarettes, but had lower smoke yields of the carcinogenic, volatile, and tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines than cigarettes C, D and E. The TPM of cigarette A was less active as a frameshift mutagen in tests with Salmonella strain TA98 than was the TPM of cigarettes C, D and E. TPM of cigarette A was also less active as a frameshift mutagen in tester strain TA1538 than was the TPM of reference cigarette C. However, when the mutagenic potencies of the particulate matters were compared on a cigarette-to-cigarette basis, there were no significant differences between the TPM of the individual cigarettes. Replacing the conventional cigarette filter with a perforated filter may significantly reduce the smoke yield of cigarette A. If this can be achieved without changing the ignition propensity, detailed chemical-analytical analyses and in vitro and in vivo assays for toxicity, ciliatoxicity, mutagenic activity and carcinogenicity need to be obtained for the smoke of such a prototype cigarette.

Carcinogens↗

PubMed2003

Metals mimic airway epithelial injury induced by in vitro exposure to Utah Valley ambient particulate matter extracts.

Epidemiologic studies have shown positive associations between changes in ambient particulate matter (PM) levels in Utah Valley during 1986-1988, and the respiratory health of the local population. Ambient PM reductions coincided with closure of an open-hearth steel mill, the major industrial source of particulate emissions in the valley. In this report, water extracts of PM filters from steel mill operational (UE-86, UE-88) and closure (UE-87) periods were analyzed for their elemental composition. Their relative toxicity was determined by exposing primary rodent airway epithelial cultures to equal masses of extracted material. To elucidate extract subcomponents mediating the effects observed, cells were also exposed to surrogate metal mixtures. Potential interactions between the two predominant metals in the UE-86/88 samples, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), were further investigated. Data indicated that, relative to the UE-87 (plant closed) sample, UE-86/88 samples contained more sulfate, calcium, potassium,magnesium and, although present in much lower amounts, a variety of metals including Zn,Cu, iron, lead, strontium, nickel, manganese, and vanadium (V). Cell exposure to UE-86 and UE-88, but not UE-87, resulted in time- and concentration-dependent epithelial injury based on biochemical and light/electron microscopic changes. Cell injury induced by metal mixtures containing equivalent amounts of Zn + Cu + V was commensurate with that induced by the corresponding extract, although divergent antioxidant responses were observed. Exposure to Zn + Cu resulted in significantly greater epithelial toxicity and stress (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase activation) responses than did exposure to Zn or Cu individually. The parallel epithelial injury induced by the extracts and their surrogate Zn + Cu + V mixtures suggests that these metals are mediating the acute airway epithelial effects observed; however, metal interactions appear to play a critical role in the overall cellular effects induced by the PM-derived extracts. These experimental findings are in good accord with epidemiologic reports of adverse airway and respiratory health health effects in Utah Valley residents.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed2006

Airborne particulate matter: Ionic species role in different Italian sites.

Epidemiological studies have provided evidences for an association between exposure to elevated levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) and increased mortality and morbidity. However, the exact physiochemical nature of the responsible component is not clear. Secondary airborne PM formed from gas-phase pollutants contributes significantly to the most severe particulate air quality events. Although chemical formation for ionic species of aerosol have been observed, they have not been well reported for local variation. This work evaluates the amount of secondary particulate ionic species: sulfates (SO(4)(2-)) and nitrates (NO(3)(-)), chlorides (Cl(-)) and the mutagenic activities of PM10 extracts in different Italian sites (one Southern, one Central and three Northern; in one of the latter also PM2.5 has been evaluated). In general, mean secondary species concentration constitutes about 35-45% of PM10 mass in the North sites, 15% in the center site and 20% in the South site and it is positively associated with PM10 levels. There are significant local differences in the mean levels of PM10 ionic constituents: NO(3)(-) are predominant in northern cities, SO(4)(2-) are more equally distributed and coastal southern city is abundant in Cl(-). Samples were also tested for mutagenicity with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, with and without metabolic activation; mutagenicity did not correlate with PM10 concentrations. The results showed the important roles and the geographical variability of PM secondary species in the total mass PM10 concentrations and the usefulness of this biological approach for monitoring PM to understand hazards from PM.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1988

Mutagenicity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons analysis of airborne particulate matters from Taipei City.

The mutagenic activity of dichloromethane extracts of 147 air particulate samples collected from 8 stations during December 1986-June 1987 in Taipei city was consistently higher in S. typhimurium strain TA 98 than in strain TA 100 in the presence of S9 mixture. Among the 8 stations, Nan Kang Police Station, Fu Hsing Elementary School, and Chung Hsing University which were located in the industrial district, downtown area, and heavy traffic zone, respectively, had significantly higher levels of PAHs than the other stations. In contrast, the levels of PAHs were much lower in the suburban station, near Pei Tou Elementary School. However, PAH contents of the air particulate samples collected from these stations did not show good correlation with their mutagenicity. The air particulates collected at some stations on Sunday when the traffic changed from heavy to light showed lower mutagenicity and PAH contents as compared with the other weekdays at the same stations. On the contrary, the samples collected at Pei Tou station in a suburban area where the traffic changed from light to heavy on Sunday showed higher mutagenicity and PAH contents. The monthly average of PAHs of air particulate samples collected over a 7-month period from 8 stations in Taipei city was lower than the average in 1980. Moreover, when compared with other countries, such as U.S.A., the Netherlands, West Germany, Italy, Norway, and Japan, the levels of PAHs and mutagenicity of air particulate matters in Taipei city were similar or slightly lower. The mutagenicity and contents of PAHs of air particulates collected from burnt ABS were significantly higher than those of burnt PVC. One sample PT-6-3 was collected while a nearby garbage collection area was on fire. The mutagenicity of that sample increased 3 to 16 fold and contained an 11 to 33 times higher content of the six PAHs (BaP, BeP, BbF, BaA, Chr, and DbA) as compared with the other samples collected at the same location at a different time. The higher mutagenicity and PAH contents of that sample might be due to the pollution of the air from combustion of the garbage containing products made of ABS.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2003

Estimation of primary and secondary particulate matter intake fractions for power plants in Georgia.

Air pollution benefit-cost analyses depend on dispersion models to predict population exposures to pollutants, but it is difficult to determine the reasonableness of the model estimates. This is in part because validation with field measurements is not feasible for marginal concentration changes and because few models can capture the necessary spatial and temporal domains with adequate sophistication. In this study, we use the concept of an intake fraction (the fraction of a pollutant or its precursor emitted that is eventually inhaled) to provide insight about population exposures and model performance. We apply CALPUFF, a regional-scale dispersion model common in health benefits assessments, to seven power plants in northern Georgia, considering both direct emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and secondarily formed ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate particles over a domain within 500 km of Atlanta. We estimate emission-weighted average intake fractions of 6 x 10(-7) for primary PM2.5, 2 x 10(-7) for ammonium sulfate from SO2, and 6 x 10(-8) for ammonium nitrate from NOx, with no effect of SO2 on ammonium nitrate. To provide insight about model strengths and limitations, we compare our findings with those from a frequently applied source-receptor (S-R) matrix. Using S-R matrix over an identical domain, the corresponding intake fractions are 5 x 10(-7), 2 x 10(-7), 3 x 10(-8), and -2 x 10(-8), respectively, with the values approximately doubling if the domain is expanded to cover the continental United States. Evaluation of model assumptions and comparison of past intake fraction estimates using these two models illustrates the importance of assumptions about the relative concentrations of ammonia, sulfate, and nitrate, which significantly influences ammonium nitrate intake fractions. These findings provide a framework for improved understanding of the factors that influence population exposures to particulate matter.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2000

The effect of imputation of exposure estimates on the association between fine particulate matter and mortality.

PURPOSE: The Harvard Six Cities Study (HSCS) found a small but significant association between daily PM2.5 and daily mortality count. The HSCS findings have been used as the basis for new EPA regulations, requiring lower levels of PM2.5. We feel that there are unresolved issues regarding the HSCS that should be fully evaluated prior to its findings being used as the basis of new regulation, including how the extent and method of imputing exposure data affect the association with daily mortality counts.METHODS: We examined the association between PM2.5 levels and daily mortality count, comparing the results from the HSCS methods with results based on an alternate imputation method, and with non-missing data.RESULTS: Overall, approximately 30% of the data points used in the HSCS were imputed. The method of imputation affected the association between particulate matter and mortality to a substantial degree in most of the cities. When the model using the HSCS method was compared to the model using the alternate method, in two areas the coefficients decreased substantially and lost significance. In two areas they changed little; in one area it rose substantially and became significant; and in one area it declined substantially but remained significant. When compared to the model based on the non-missing data, somewhat different patterns were observed. In both comparisons there were some large changes in the magnitude of the effect, but these were not consistent with the model used.CONCLUSIONS: We are concerned about the degree of data imputation and the effect that the method of imputation has on the association between particulate matter levels and mortality. In the case of the HSCS it appears that the imputed data are more strongly associated with the outcome than other methods of imputation and than the non-missing data. The reasons for these observations are not readily apparent, but the differences in effect should be explored and explained.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of pressurized fluid extraction, Soxhlet extraction and sonication for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban air and diesel exhaust particulate matter.

In order to characterize and compare the chemical composition of diesel particulate matter and ambient air samples collected on filters, different extraction procedures were tested and their extraction efficiencies and recoveries determined. This study is an evaluation of extraction methods using the standard 16 EPA PAHs with HPLC fluorescence analysis. Including LC analysis also GC and MS methods for the determination of PAHs can be used. Soxhlet extraction was compared with ultrasonic agitation and pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) using three solvents to extract PAHs from diesel exhaust and urban air particulates. The selected PAH compounds of soluble organic fractions were analyzed by HPLC with a multiple wavelength shift fluorescence detector. The EPA standard mixture of 16 PAH compounds was used as a standard to identify and quantify diesel exhaust-derived PAHs. The most effective extraction method of those tested was pressurized fluid extraction using dichloromethane as a solvent.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2006

[Distribution of airborne fungi, particulate matter and carbon dioxide in Seoul metropolitan subway stations].

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine the level of airborne fungi and environmental factors in Seoul metropolitan subway stations and to provide fundamental data to protect the health of subway workers and passengers. METHODS: The field survey was performed from November in 2004 to February in 2005. A total 22 subway stations located at Seoul subway lines 1-4 were randomly selected. The measurement points were subway workers' activity areas (station office, bedroom, ticket office and driver's seat) and the passengers' activity areas (station precincts, inside train and platform). Air sampling for collecting airborne fungi was carried out using a one-stage cascade impactor. The PM and CO2 were measured using an electronic direct recorder and detecting tube, respectively. RESULTS: In the activity areas of the subway workers and passengers, the mean concentrations of airborne fungi were relatively higher in the workers' bedroom and station precinct whereas the concentration of particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5, were relatively higher in the platform, inside the train and driver's seat than in the other activity areas. There was no significant difference in the concentration of airborne fungi between the underground and ground activity areas of the subway. The mean PM10 and PM2.5 concentration in the platform located at underground was significantly higher than that of the ground (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of airborne fungi in the Seoul subway line 1-4 were not serious enough to cause respiratory disease in subway workers and passengers. This indicates that there is little correlation between airborne fungi and particulate matter.

Air Microbiology↗

PubMed2004

Characterization of visibility impacts related to fine particulate matter in Canada.

Canada has recently established standards for the management of particulate matter (PM) air quality. National networks currently measure PM mass concentrations and chemical speciation. Methods used in the U.S. IMPROVE network are applied to the 1994--2000 Canadian fine PM data to obtain a regional reconstruction of the visibility based on particle composition. Nationally, the greatest light extinction occurs in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor. Variations in the dominant chemical species responsible for the reduction in visibility are presented for regions across the country. In most regions, sulfate and nitrate contribute most greatly to reduced visibility. The visibility implications of achieving the Canada-Wide Standard (CWS) across the country are evaluated, with the greatest improvement in visibility associated with achieving the CWS in southern Ontario. Elsewhere in the country, achieving the CWS will actually result in deteriorating air quality. Improving current estimates of visibility requires higher spatially and temporally resolved measurements of organic and elemental carbon fractions and particulate nitrate.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2005

Heterogeneous reactions of glyoxal on particulate matter: identification of acetals and sulfate esters.

Reactive uptake of glyoxal onto particulate matter has been studied in laboratory experiments in a 2 m3 Teflon reaction chamber. Inorganic seed particles of different composition were utilized, including (NH4)2SO4, (NH4)2SO4/ H2SO4, NaNO3, and simulated sea salt, while the relative humidity and acid concentration were varied. The organic composition of the growing particles was measured in situ with an aerosol mass spectrometer, providing particle mass spectra as a means of product identification. Aerosol physical characteristics were also measured with a differential mobility analyzer and condensation nucleus counter. Regardless of seed composition, particle growth was rapid and continuous over the course of several hours. Identification of several mass fragments greater than the glyoxal monomer suggested that heterogeneous reactionsto form glyoxal adducts of lowvolatility had occurred. Temporal analysis of the mass fragments was consistent with a proposed acid-catalyzed mechanism whereby glyoxal is first hydrated, followed by self-reaction to form cyclic acetal structures. Increased relative humidity slowed the formation of higher order oligomers, also consistent with the proposed mechanism. The relative contribution of various oligomers to the overall organic composition was strongly dependent on the relative humidity and hence the particulate water concentration. A mild acid catalysis was also observed upon increasing the acidity of the seed particles. Specific mass fragments were found that could only arise from sulfate esters and were not present on the non-sulfur-containing seed particles. This first evidence of the formation of organic sulfates in particles is presented together with a proposed mechanism and molecular structure. These results suggest that the formation of these products of glyoxal uptake can contribute significantly to secondary organic aerosol.

Acetates↗

PubMed1988

Cytogenetic activities of tobacco particulate matter (TPM) derived from a low to middle tar British cigarette.

Tobacco particulate matter (TPM) derived from an experimental low to middle tar cigarette was tested for its cytogenetic activity upon a low passage number Chinese hamster pulmonary cell line. Examination of the mitotic profiles (after one cell cycle) revealed no interference by the agent with mitotic spindle formation and/or function. However, complete chromosomes (or parts of them) were seen to dislocate from the mitotic spindles. Such an event was probably the result of the chromosome aberrations, substantial numbers of which were observed in second division cells, or through a process of centromere inactivation. In second division cells there was a reduction in the number of diploid cells accompanied by an increase in both hypodiploidy and polyploidy and there was also a non-dose-related increase in endoreduplication. The results demonstrate that TPM was capable of inducing both structural and numerical chromosome aberrations in cultured mammalian cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Comparative studies on the concentrations of some elements in the urban air particulate matter in Lodz City of Poland and in Milan, Italy.

Urban air particulate matter (APM) was collected at two sampling sites in the city of Lodz, Poland in March, May and July 2001. The concentrations of several trace elements (TEs) as well as heavy metals were determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA). It was found that for many elements, the contribution of the blank values arising from the filtering material is very high, especially for glass fiber filters. The results obtained for Lodz were compared to those obtained for Milan, Italy. The data of Lodz are, in general, lower than those found in Milan downtown in the winter season. The influence of three coal-fired power plants located within the city of Lodz on the concentration of trace elements in APM was also considered.

Air Pollutants↗