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PubMed2005

Exposure of trucking company workers to particulate matter during the winter.

This study analyzed the workplace area concentrations and the personal exposure concentrations to fine particulate (PM2.5), elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC) measured during the winter period in trucking companies. The averaged personal exposure concentrations at breathing zones of workers are much greater than those of the microenvironment concentrations. The highest difference between the area (microenvironment) and personal exposure concentrations was in the PM2.5 concentrations followed by the OC concentrations. The area concentrations of PM2.5, EC, and OC at a large terminal were higher than those at a small one. The highest area concentrations of PM2.5, EC, and OC were observed in the shop areas followed by pick-up and delivery (P&D) areas. The area concentrations and personal exposure to PM2.5, EC, and OC in the shop and P&D areas which are highly affected by diesel engine exhaust emissions were much higher than those in the docks which are significantly affected by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine exhaust emissions. The highest EC fraction to the total carbon (EC + OC) concentrations was observed in the shops, while the lowest one was identified in the offices. The personal exposure of the smoking workers to PM2.5 and OC was much higher than that of the non-smoking workers. However, the smoking might not significantly contribute to the personal exposure to EC. There were significant correlations between the PM2.5 and OC concentrations in both the area and personal exposure concentrations. However, significant correlations between the PM2.5 and EC concentrations and between the OC and EC concentrations were not identified.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2006

Aerosol-borne quinones and reactive oxygen species generation by particulate matter extracts.

The mass loadings of quinones and their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated in total suspended particulate samples collected in Fresno, CA, over a 12-month period. Particles were collected on Teflon filters and were analyzed for the presence of 12 quinones containing one to four aromatic rings by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Measured levels are generally greater than mass loadings reported at other locations. The mass loadings were highest during winter months and were strongly anticorrelated with temperature. ROS generation was investigated by measuring the rate of hydrogen peroxide production from the reaction of laboratory standards and ambient samples with dithiothreitol (DTT). ROS generation from ambient samples shows a strong positive correlation with the mass loadings of the three most reactive quinones and may account for all of the ROS formed in the DTT test.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2003

Airborne particulate matter and mortality: timescale effects in four US cities.

While time-series studies have consistently provided evidence for an effect of particulate air pollution on mortality, uncertainty remains as to the extent of the life-shortening implied by those associations. In this paper, the authors estimate the association between air pollution and mortality using different timescales of variation in the air pollution time series to gain further insight into this question. The authors' method is based on a Fourier decomposition of air pollution time series into a set of independent exposure variables, each representing a different timescale. The authors then use this set of variables as predictors in a Poisson regression model to estimate a separate relative rate of mortality for each exposure timescale. The method is applied to a database containing information on daily mortality, particulate air pollution, and weather in four US cities (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; and Chicago, Illinois) from the period 1987-1994. The authors found larger relative rates of mortality associated with particulate air pollution at longer timescale variations (14 days-2 months) than at shorter timescales (1-4 days). These analyses provide additional evidence that associations between particle indexes and mortality do not imply only an advance in the timing of death by a few days for frail individuals.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed2001

Sampling artifacts from the use of denuder tubes with glycerol based coatings in the measurement of atmospheric particulate matter.

Chemical speciation studies use sampling configurations that often require the deployment of denuder tubes of various types to measure certain species or control particulate sampling artifacts. Concurrent sets of measurements on Teflon membrane and quartz filters in specific sampling configurations were used to evaluate the potential influence of denuder tubes with glycerol-based coatings on particulate mass and carbon measurements on downstream filters. Positive biases were observed in the measurement of gravimetric mass and carbon on Teflon and quartz filters, respectively, downstream of sodium carbonate/ glycerol and citric acid/glycerol coated denuder tubes relative to those without upstream denuder tubes. The magnitude of the bias is dependent on the level of ambient particulate loading.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2005

Diesel exhaust particulate matter dispersed in a phospholipid surfactant induces chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei but not 6-thioguanine-resistant gene mutation in V79 cells.

Diesel exhaust particulate material (DPM) was assayed for induction of chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronucleus (MN) formation, and 6-thioguanine-resistant (TG9 gene mutation in V79 cells as a dispersion in dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in physiological saline, a simulated pulmonary surfactant. Filter-collected automobile DPM provided for the study was not organic solvent extracted, but was directly mixed into DPPC in saline dispersion as a model of pulmonary surfactant conditioning of a soot particle depositing in a lung alveolus. A statistically significant difference was found between treated and control groups at all concentrations tested in a CA assay. Assay for MN induction also gave a positive response: Above 50 microg/ml, the frequencies of micronucleated cells (MNC) were about 2 times higher than those in the control group. The forward gene mutation assay did not show a positive response when cells were treated with up to 136 microg DPM/ml for 24 h, as dispersion in DPPC in saline. Some comparison assays were run on direct dispersions of the DPM into dimethyl sulfoxide, with results equivalent to those seen with a DPPC-saline preparation: DPM in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was positive for MN induction but was negative for forward gene mutation in V79 cells. The positive clastogenicity results are consistent with other studies of DPM dispersed into DPPC-saline surfactant that have shown activity in mammalian cells for sister chromatid exchange, unscheduled DNA synthesis, and MN induction. The forward gene mutation negative results are consistent with studies of that assay applied to V79 cells challenged with DPM solvent extract.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Trace metals speciation in coastal particulate matter for marine environmental studies in Antarctica.

Solid speciation of some trace metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, Cu) having environmental relevance was studied in coastal particulate sampled during the Austral Spring 2000/2001. A nearshore station situated in the Gerlache Inlet of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) was sampled from November to February. Samples were collected using the in situ filtration system FIS500, equipped with polycarbonate membrane filters having different pore sizes (10 microm, 2 microm and 0.4 microm) for the size fraction analysis of particles. The total concentration of metals was determined both in dissolved and particulate fractions, while speciation was determined on particulate by applying a sequential extraction procedure. Concerning the surface and sub-surface layers, it has been observed that concentration of elements is mainly affected by the dynamic of the pack ice melting and by phytoplankton activity. The solid speciation in November and December is similar for all the studied elements, while some differences can be noted in February, when the pack has completely melted and phytoplankton bloom occurs. With the exception of iron, during this sampling period the quantity of metal associated to the labile fraction increases.

Antarctic Regions↗

PubMed1978

Study of particulate matter in carbenicillin disodium using scanning electron microscopy and microbeam x-ray spectrography.

A scanning electron microscopy membrane filtration study was conducted to determine the particulate contamination of samples of carbenicillin disodium which had been manufactured by bulk filling and by lyophilization. The bulk-filled product contained more contaminating particles than the lyophilized product. In both products, the number of particles increased logarithmically with decreasing particle size in the range measured (exceeding 0.1 micron). X-ray spectrographic analysis of particles larger than 0.5 micron revealed that the major particulate contaminates in both products were composed primarily of elements below atomic number 10. It is concluded that packaging of carbenicillin disodium by lyophilization of a solution results in significantly less submicrometer particulate contamination than packaging by sterile bulk filling of spray-dried powder.

Carbenicillin↗

PubMed1988

TCDD receptor ligands present in extracts of urban air particulate matter induce aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and cytochrome P-450c gene expression in rat hepatoma cells.

In previous studies we have shown that substances associated with particulates collected from urban air and automobile exhaust bind with high affinity to the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) receptor present in rat liver cytosol. In this study we used a rat hepatoma cell line, H4IIE, to investigate the effect of such substances on an enzyme system, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), which is regulated via the TCDD receptor. The results demonstrate that AHH activity in the H4IIE cell line can be induced by extracts of particulates collected from urban air and automobile exhausts in a dose-dependent manner, and that the AHH activity is inducible by five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including 1-/3-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene and 6-chlorochrysene, all present in extracts of particulates from urban air and automobile exhausts. The induction of AHH activity is correlated to apparent TCDD receptor affinity for investigated PAHs (r = 0.85) and particulate extracts. Biochemically, treatment of the cells with 5,6-benzoflavone significantly increased the level of cytochrome P-450c but not P-450d as shown by immunoblotting and analysis of mRNA levels. The data indicate that substances present in extracts of urban air particulates can interact with the TCDD receptor in intact cells and cause an accumulation of cytochrome P-450c mRNA leading to an increased synthesis of the gene product and thus an increase in enzyme activity.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed2004

White particulate matter: report of the ad hoc industry review group.

BACKGROUND: In January 2003, blood center personnel in the American Red Cross, Southern Region in Atlanta, noticed whitish particulate material (WPM) that had not been observed previously in several units of red blood cells (RBCs). An expert panel was formed to evaluate studies of the material and make appropriate recommendations STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The expert panel reviewed information provided by several investigations and organizations. This included: background information, and experiences relating to WPM; WPM composition; factors promoting WPM formation; risk of WPM (if any) to patients; and recommendations to prevent future occurrences. RESULTS: WPM is derived from blood. No data suggest that external contamination or collection set components contribute to WPM development. A major constituent of WPM is platelets (PLTs). WPM is most commonly observed in RBCs that have been subjected to a hard spin without PLT separation. WPM is rarely, if ever, observed in RBCs that have been subjected to leukoreduction. CONCLUSIONS: (1) WPM is not new, can be prevented, and can be removed. (2) WPM contains PLTs, white blood cells, fibrin, and cellular debris. (3) Changes in blood handling are not necessary. (4) WPM may be more frequent when higher g forces are used in component preparation. (5) Enhanced visual inspection of blood components need not be continued. (6) It appears that WPM may not form in RBC collected using automated devices. (7) WPM did not pose a risk to patients but should be avoided.

Blood Component Removal↗

PubMed2002

Respirable particulate matter at an urban and nearby industrial location: concentrations and variability and synoptic weather conditions during high pollution episodes.

Continuous data of the concentration measurements of respirable suspended particulates (PM10, particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to 10 pm) were analyzed. These measurements were carried out at an urban and nearby industrial location in northern Greece for the 5-year period 1996-2000. The time series concentration trend was examined, the seasonal and diurnal variations were identified, and the lognormality of the daily mean concentration data sets was tested. Over the 5-year data-gathering period, the days on which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 24-hr PM10 standard was exceeded (episode days) were identified and their relation to prevailing synoptic-scale meteorological conditions was studied. The analysis led to useful information concerning the air quality levels, the contribution of the main pollution sources in this area, as well as some of the mechanisms that influence the PM10 concentrations. It also was proved that the measured PM10 concentrations are a result of a combination of processes including local anthropogenic sources, mesoscale transport, and resuspension. A complex system of sources and meteorological conditions modulate the heavy particulate pollution in the area of interest.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2000

Particulate matter and carbon monoxide in highland Guatemala: indoor and outdoor levels from traditional and improved wood stoves and gas stoves.

Area 22-h average carbon monoxide (CO), total suspended particulates (TSP), particles less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), and particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) measurements were made in three test homes of highland rural Guatemala in kitchens, bedrooms, and outdoors on a longitudinal basis, i.e. before and after introduction of potential exposure-reducing interventions. Four cookstove conditions were studied sequentially: background (no stove in use); traditional open woodstove, improved woodstove with flue (plancha), and bottled-gas (LPG) stove. With nine observations each, kitchen PM2.5 levels were 56 micrograms/m3 under background conditions, 528 micrograms/m3 for open fire conditions, 96 micrograms/m3 for plancha conditions, and 57 micrograms/m3 for gas stove conditions. Corresponding PM10/TSP levels were 173/174, 717/836, 210/276, 186/218 micrograms/m3. Corresponding CO levels were 0.2, 5.9, 1.4, 1.2 ppm. Comparisons with other studies in the area indicate that the reductions in indoor concentrations achieved by improved wood-burning stoves deteriorate with stove age. Mother and child personal CO and PM2.5 measurements for each stove condition demonstrate the same trend as area measurements, but with less differentiation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Suspended particulate matter distribution in rural-industrial Satna and in urban-industrial South Delhi.

An air quality sampling program was designed and implemented to collect the baseline concentrations of respirable suspended particulates (RSP = PM10), non-respirable suspended particulates (NRSP) and fine suspended particulates (FSP = PM2.5). Over a three-week period, a 24-h average concentrations were calculated from the samples collected at an industrial site in Southern Delhi and compared to datasets collected in Satna by Envirotech Limited, Okhla, Delhi in order to establish the characteristic difference in emission patterns. PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particulates (TSP) concentrations at Satna were 20.5 +/- 6.0, 102.1 +/- 41.1, and 387.6 +/- 222.4 microg m(-3) and at Delhi were 126.7 +/- 28.6, 268.6 +/- 39.1, and 687.7 +/- 117.4 microg m(-3). Values at Delhi were well above the standard limit for 24-h PM2.5 United States National Ambient Air Quality Standards (USNAAQS; 65 microg m(-3)), while values at Satna were under the standard limit. Results were compared with various worldwide studies. These comparisons suggest an immediate need for the promulgation of new PM2.5 standards. The position of PM10 in Delhi is drastic and needs an immediate attention. PM10 levels at Delhi were also well above the standard limit for 24-h PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS; 150 microg m(-3)), while levels at Satna remained under the standard limit. PM2.5/PM10 values were also calculated to determine PM2.5 contribution. At Satna, PM2.5 contribution to PM10 was only 20% compared to 47% in Delhi. TSP values at Delhi were well above, while TSP values at Satna were under, the standard limit for 24-h TSP NAAQS (500 microg m(-3)). At Satna, the PM10 contribution to TSP was only 26% compared to 39% in Delhi. The correlation between PM10, PM2.5, and TSP were also calculated in order to gain an insight to their sources. Both in Satna and in Delhi, none of the sources was dominant a varied pattern of emissions was obtained, showing the presence of heterogeneous emission density and that nonrespirable suspended particulate (NRSP) formed the greatest part of the particulate load.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1999

Trace elements total content and particle sizes distribution in the air particulate matter of a rural-residential area in north Italy investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis.

The concentrations (ng/m3) of more than 30 trace elements have been determined in the total air particulate of a rural-residential area in north Italy. By collecting the aerosols with multistage impactors the distribution of the trace elements in the different size-fractionated particles has been also investigated. The fine 'inhalable' fraction with particles of less than 10 microns in equivalent aerodynamic diameter (PM10) as well as the subsequent finest 'respirable' fractions with particles of 0-1.1 microns (alveolar), 1.1-4.6 microns (bronchial) and 4.6-9 microns (tracheo-pharynx) have been analyzed and evaluated. Apart from Pb, Cd and, in some cases, Ni and Cu which have been determined by ETAAS (electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy), all measurements have been carried out by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA).

Air Pollutants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of particulate matter on rates of membrane uptake of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

Investigations of the mechanism of particle-enhanced uptake of benzo [a] pyrene into model membranes and microsomes have been extended by studying the effects of particulates on the rates of uptake of four additional polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) into model membranes. Adsorption of dibenzo [a, h] anthracene, benzo [g,h,i] perylene, and 3-methylcholanthrene to the surface of particles resulted in enhanced rates of membrane uptake of these PAH. Adsorption to the fibrous asbestos minerals (chrysotile and anthophyllite) produced the greatest enhancement in membrane uptake rates compared to uptake from microcrystalline dispersions of the PAH. Adsorption of these PAH to nonfibrous minerals resulted in uptake rates intermediate between those of the asbestos-adsorbed and microcrystalline states. In contrast, adsorption of dibenzo-[c,g] carbazole to particles did not result in enhanced uptake. In this case, the rates of uptake in the absence and presence of particles were all extremely high, presumably as a result of the high water solubility of this PAH. The methods described in this paper permit characterization of particles-PAH mixtures in terms of the rate of PAH uptake into membranes.

Benz(a)Anthracenes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of ambient particulate matter and ozone on daily mortality in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The association between daily variations in all-cause mortality from 1983-1991 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and ambient air pollution was investigated. Twenty-four-hour average concentrations of total suspended particulates, Black Smoke, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide were available on a daily basis. Every other day, total iron content in total suspended particulates samples was available. Poisson regression analysis was used to study associations between air pollution and mortality; generalized additive models were used to adjust for confounders (e.g., seasonal trends, weather). Daily mortality was associated most consistently with previous-day concentrations of total suspended particulates (relative risk = 1.05 for a change of 91 microg/m3) and ozone (relative risk = 1.06 for a change of 67 microg/m3). Total iron was associated less consistently with mortality than total suspended particulate mass was. The associations of mortality with ozone and total suspended particulates were independent of sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The relative risks of total suspended particulates and particularly ozone were higher for subjects older than 78 y. The relationship between mortality and ozone did not deviate significantly from linear. The relationship between mortality and total suspended particulates was linear below 100 microg/m3 and leveled off at higher concentrations. If a threshold exists for the effects on mortality of these components, it exists at very low levels.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1988

Seasonal variation of thallium, lead, and chromium concentrations in airborne particulate matter collected in an urban area.

In November 1985 a research program started, with the aim to evaluate seasonal variations in the concentrations of organic and inorganic pollutants in the atmosphere of Genoa. The program provided for the collection of samples of airborne particulate in five different areas with distinct urban characteristics. First results for chromium, lead, and thallium concentrations in an industrial and in an urban area are reported. Lead showed the highest concentration at both locations (geometric mean: 1.037 and 0.476 microgram/m3, respectively) and appeared to be little affected by seasonal variation. Private traffic was confirmed as the main source of this pollutant. Chromium and thallium geometric mean concentrations were 0.006 and 0.014 microgram/m3 in site A and 0.017 and 0.015 microgram/m3 in site B, respectively. In the urban location a good negative linear correlation was found between chromium and thallium concentration and mean ambient temperature; the domestic heating plants were suspected as important emission sources of these two compounds.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1998

The effect of sequential extractions of suspended particulate matter on trace metal sorption and microbial cell stability.

Sequential extractions, according to a modified scheme proposed by Tessier et al. (Tessier A, Campbell PGC, Bisson M. Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of trace metals. Anal Chem 1979;51:844-851), were performed on suspended particulate material (SPM) from the River Mersey, North-West England. The resulting solid-phase fractions were spiked with trace levels of Cd and Cu and their metal-binding properties were investigated as a function of pH. The results indicated that metal binding decreased as the material was successively extracted, i.e. the unextracted fraction bound the most metal, while the particles which had undergone all of the extractions bound the least metal. This effect was attributed to the loss of particle mass during the extractions and to the relative metal affinities of the newly exposed surfaces. The exposure of new potential binding sites was not an overriding influence on metal binding. The strongest binding of Cd appears to be to the nominal manganese oxyhydroxide phase, with no measurable binding of Cd by the residual mineral fraction. By contrast, the nominal iron and manganese oxyhydroxides, organic material and the residual mineral fraction all appear to affect Cu binding significantly. The effect of the extractions on the particles was also investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Micrographs indicated that the biological material in the sample had undergone significant alteration after treatment with the first and second extractants (acetate and hydroxylamine, respectively), i.e. before removal of the nominal organic fraction. These changes in biological material may affect metal binding, complicating the interpretation in terms of simple mineral and organic phases.

Absorption↗

PubMed2005

Spatial, temporal, and interspecies patterns in fine particulate matter in Texas.

The Big Bend Regional Aerosol and Visibility Observational (BRAVO) field study was conducted from July to October 1999 and was followed by several years of modeling and data analyses to examine the causes of haze at Big Bend National Park TX (BBNP). During BRAVO, daily speciated fine (diameter <2.5 microm) particulate concentrations were measured at 37 sites throughout Texas. At the primary receptor site, K-Bar Ranch, there were many additional measurements including a "high-sensitivity" version of the 24-hr fine particulate elemental data. The spatial, temporal, and interspecies patterns in these data are examined here to qualitatively investigate source regions and source types influencing the fine particulate concentrations in Texas with an emphasis on sources of sulfates, the largest contributor to fine mass and light extinction. Peak values of particulate sulfur (S) varied spatially and seasonally. Maximum S was in Northeast Texas during the summer, whereas peak S at BBNP was in the fall. Sulfate acidity at BBNP also varied by month. Sources of Se were evident in Northeast Texas and from the Carbón I and II plants. High S episodes at BBNP during BRAVO had several different trace element characteristics. Carbon concentrations at BBNP during BRAVO were probably mostly urban-related, with arrival from the Houston area likely. The Houston artificial tracer released during the second half of BRAVO was highly correlated with some carbon fractions. There was evidence of the influence of African dust at sites throughout Texas during the summer. Patterns in several trace elements were also examined. Vanadium was associated with air masses from Mexico. Lead concentrations in southern Texas have dropped dramatically over the past several years.

Air Pollutants↗