[The United States Environmental Protection Agency has decided on a revision of the national environmental quality standards for ozone and particulate matter].
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Air Pollutants↗
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Results for “Particulate Matter”
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Particulate matter loss and the polyester-bag method.
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Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
Standards for particulate matter in all parenteral drug products.
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Drug Contamination↗
Embol-X intra-aortic filtration system: capturing particulate emboli in the cardiac surgery patient.
We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of using an intra-aortic filtration system for the prevention of particulate emboli transport and the minimization of significant postoperative complications associated with particulate emboli. Between October of 2000 and October 2001, a total of 146 patients were enrolled at Advocate Christ Medical Center as part of the multi-institutional randomized trial (1289 patients at 22 centers). A total of 74 patients (51%) received the Embol-X intra-aortic filter and 72 patients (49%) were enrolled in the control group. Patients were evaluated for neurological deficit, myocardial infarction, renal insufficiency/failure, limb ischemia, and death at 12-hour, 24-hour, 72-hour, 7-day, and 30-day postoperative intervals. All filters received histological examination for particulate matter. Particulate matter was isolated in 70 (94.5%) of the filters successfully deployed. There was no statistically significant difference in the device related events between the filter and conventional cannulation groups (9/74 = 12.1% vs. 7/72 = 9.7%). Although not clinically evident, the primary event for both groups was ascending aortic intimal tears. There was one death in each of the groups not related to the filter or cannula used. The use of the Embol-X intra-aortic filter system has proven to be a safe and effective means to reduce the introduction of particulate emboli into the systemic circulation. Clearly, the reduction of particulate matter by as much as 95% justifies its use in cardiac surgery patients identified with an increased pre-operative embolic risk.
Aorta↗
Effects of subchronic and chronic exposure to ambient air pollutants on infant bronchiolitis.
Ambient air pollutant exposure has been linked to childhood respiratory disease, but infants have received little study. The authors tested the hypotheses that subchronic and chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone increases risk of severe infant bronchiolitis requiring hospitalization. Study subjects were derived from linked birth-hospital-discharge records of infants born in 1995-2000 in the South Coast Air Basin of California. Cases with a hospital discharge for bronchiolitis in infancy were matched to 10 age- and gestational-age-matched controls. Exposures in the month prior to hospitalization (subchronic) and mean lifetime exposure (chronic) referenced to the case diagnosis date were assessed on the basis of data derived from the California Air Resources Board. In conditional logistic regression, only subchronic and chronic PM2.5 exposures were associated with increased risk of bronchiolitis hospitalization after adjustment for confounders (per 10-microg/m3 increase, adjusted odds ratio = 1.09 (95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.14) for both). Ozone was associated with reduced risk in the single-pollutant model, but this relation did not persist in multipollutant models including PM2.5. These unique US data suggest that infant bronchiolitis may be added to the list of adverse effects of PM2.5 exposure.
Air Pollutants↗
A Bayesian hierarchical approach for relating PM(2.5) exposure to cardiovascular mortality in North Carolina.
Considerable attention has been given to the relationship between levels of fine particulate matter (particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter; PM(2.5) in the atmosphere and health effects in human populations. Since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began widespread monitoring of PM(2.5) levels in 1999, the epidemiologic community has performed numerous observational studies modeling mortality and morbidity responses to PM(2.5) levels using Poisson generalized additive models (GAMs). Although these models are useful for relating ambient PM(2.5) levels to mortality, they cannot directly measure the strength of the effect of exposure to PM(2.5) on mortality. In order to assess this effect, we propose a three-stage Bayesian hierarchical model as an alternative to the classical Poisson GAM. Fitting our model to data collected in seven North Carolina counties from 1999 through 2001, we found that an increase in PM(2.5) exposure is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in the same day and next 2 days. Specifically, a 10- microg/m3 increase in average PM(2.5) exposure is associated with a 2.5% increase in the relative risk of current-day cardiovascular mortality, a 4.0% increase in the relative risk of cardiovascular mortality the next day, and an 11.4% increase in the relative risk of cardiovascular mortality 2 days later. Because of the small sample size of our study, only the third effect was found to have > 95% posterior probability of being > 0. In addition, we compared the results obtained from our model to those obtained by applying frequentist (or classical, repeated sampling-based) and Bayesian versions of the classical Poisson GAM to our study population.
Adolescent↗
[Air quality assessment in an urban-industrial area: the Taranto case study].
OBJECT: The chemical-physical characterization of suspended particulate matter and particulate deposition, heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene, found in the town of Taranto and the nearby industrial area (steelworks, cement production, refinery). DESIGN: Atmospheric deposition Bulks, air of High Volume (HV) samplers equipped with PM10 probe and total suspended particulate matter samplers were used. SETTING: 4 sites of monitoring in different urban areas: two of them close to the cokery, one near the school, and the last one in the town of Statte (Taranto). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Determination of suspended and deposition particulate matter concentration, further determination of heavy metal concentration in the suspended and deposition particulate matter, and determination of BaP concentration. RESULTS: Data evidenced that in the site of Tamburi Cemetery (near the cokery) suspended particulate matter PM10 concentrations vary with the different seasons (warm period: 67 microg/m3, cold period: 39 microg/m3). Lead concentrations are lower than the national limit (0,5 microg/m3); for those heavy metals not yet regulated by law, values are comparable with other industrial areas. Deposition particulate matter concentrations found nearby the steelworks (warm period: 699 mg/m2d, cold period 575 mg/m2d), vary in each different monitoring site. In the town of Statte (Taranto) the concentrations found are: 236 mg/m2d in the warm period, and 154 mg/m2d in the cold period. BaP concentrations for PM10 found in the area of Tamburi near the cookery are the following: 1,9 ng/m3 in the warm period, and 2,6 ng/m3 in the cold period. CONCLUSION: A very compromised situation is found in the area under study as regard air quality, especially the particulate matter in its different fractions and its content of organic and inorganic pollutants.
Air Pollution↗
An international survey of indoor air quality, ventilation, and smoking activity in restaurants: a pilot study.
During a pilot study of indoor air quality in restaurants, a survey was performed in 34 medium-priced restaurants in six countries in Asia, Europe, and North America using a uniform protocol. The concentration of selected constituents of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) present in occupied areas was determined during lunch and dinner periods by measuring the levels of four particulate-phase markers and two gas-phase markers. The particulate-phase markers determined were respirable suspended particles, ultraviolet particulate matter, fluorescing particulate matter, and solanesol particulate matter. The gas-phase markers were nicotine and 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP). Correlation between the markers was investigated to explore an improved monitoring approach. It was concluded that at least one marker in each phase was necessary to describe adequately the ETS load. An assessment was made of the ventilation system in each restaurant, and effective ventilation rates were determined based on CO(2) measurements. Smoking activity was also monitored. These data were used to model nicotine and 3-EP concentrations that resulted in a satisfactory prediction of their levels, especially at the higher concentrations. A total number of 1370 questionnaires were returned by the restaurant patrons in five countries. In some countries, dissatisfaction rates above 20% were observed for draft, freshness of air, and noise. The dissatisfaction rates related to tobacco smoke were less than 20%, which is lower than would be predicted based on measured ETS levels. Based on the results of this international pilot study, recommendations are given for future studies of this type.
Air Pollution, Indoor↗
Determination and comparison of nitrated-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons measured in air and diesel particulate reference materials.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued numerous environmental matrix standard reference materials (SRMs) for the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; however, only one SRM (diesel particulate material) was issued with certified and reference values for four nitrated-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAH). The objective of this study was to develop an improved analytical procedure to quantify 28 mononitro- and dinitro-PAHs, including numerous isomers, in air and diesel particulate SRMs. Two air particulate matrix SRMs, SRM 1649a Urban Dust and SRM 1648 Urban Particulate Matter, and fine particulate matter, collected from Baltimore MD for use as an "interim reference material" for the determination of organic contaminants, have been characterized for nitro-PAHs. Concentrations of nitro-PAHs in all three air particulate materials were at the ng/g level with the highest nitro-PAH concentration being 2-nitrofluoranthene (range between 246 and 340 ng/g). For the three diesel particulate-related SRMs, SRM 1650a Diesel Particulate Matter, SRM 1975 Diesel Particulate Extract, and SRM 2975 Diesel Particulate Matter (Industrial Fortlift), concentrations of nitro-PAHs were in the microg/g range, with 1-nitropyrene as the dominant nitro-PAH (range between 18 and 40 microg/g). Distinct nitro-PAH isomer patterns were present between the air and diesel particulate materials. These results will provide isomer identification and reference concentrations for a large number of nitro-PAHs in the existing diesel and air particulate SRMs. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Air Pollutants↗
Feeding rhythms of the green-lipped mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) during spring and neap tidal cycles.
Food availability and feeding responses of the green mussel Perna viridis were investigated for two complete tidal cycles during both spring and neap tides. Temporal changes in total particulate matter (TPM), particulate inorganic matter (PIM) and particulate organic matter (POM), were smaller during neap than spring tides. Seston characteristics at different times of a tidal cycle were compared for both spring and neap tides. Only during spring tides were TPM and PIM significantly higher at high tides while POM remained relatively constant (P>0.05). The clearance rate of the mussels underwent temporal variations with tides, and was a negative power function of TPM and a positive linear function of f (organic content), during both spring and neap tides. f was the key factor influencing filtration rate, organic ingestion rate, absorption rate and absorption efficiency. All feeding rates increased linearly with increases in organic content. Pseudofaeces were produced only during spring but not neap tides. Feeding rates and absorption efficiency were highest at low and lowest at high tides (P<0.01). There was no significant temporal change in the wet weight and protein content of the crystalline style with the tidal regime. For the digestive gland, alpha-amylase activity was higher at spring than at neap tides, and higher during high tides in a tidal cycle. The digestive gland cellulase activity did not change significantly with the tides. For the crystalline style, both the activity of cellulase and alpha-amylase were not significantly different (P>0.05) between spring and neap tides. Tidal rhythms in feeding and digestion in this species were likely controlled by temporal variations in food availability in the seawater. By adjusting feeding rates and enzymatic activities, absorption in Perna viridis remained constant, irrespective of the changes in food availability.
Journal Article↗
The development of PM emission factor for small incinerators and boilers.
This study is intended to develop the emission factors of particulate matter such as TPM (total particulate matter), PM-10 (particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter), PM-2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameters) and several types of inorganic matter from small-size incinerators (less than 250 kg hr(-1) capacity) and boilers (less than 5 ton hr(-1) capacity a s steam generation) for various compositions of wastes and fuels, respectively.The emission factors for particulate matter from boilers were similar to the US EPA data. However, the emission factors from small incinerators were higher than the emission factors developed in other countries because the emission characteristics were different, especially with respect to the combustor's capacity. Emission factors for heavy metals such as cadmium, manganese, chromium, magnesium, lead, zinc, and copper were also investigated. The emission factors in this study were higher than those in other studies. Particle size distribution of PM-10 and the ratio of submicron PM to TPM were observed and a mode (peak) of submicron size particles together with a higher concentration of them was found, which could be explained by the formation of fines from vaporized metals wastes.
Air Pollutants↗
Combustion-generated nanoparticulates in the El Paso, TX, USA / Juarez, Mexico Metroplex: their comparative characterization and potential for adverse health effects.
In this paper we report on the collection of fine (PM1) and ultrafine (PM0.1), or nanoparticulate, carbonaceous materials using thermophoretic precipitation onto silicon monoxide/formvar-coated 3 mm grids which were examined in the transmission electron microscope (TEM). We characterize and compare diesel particulate matter (DPM), tire particulate matter (TPM), wood burning particulate matter, and other soot (or black carbons (BC)) along with carbon nanotube and related fullerene nanoparticle aggregates in the outdoor air, as well as carbon nanotube aggregates in the indoor air; and with reference to specific gas combustion sources. These TEM investigations include detailed microstructural and microdiffraction observations and comparisons as they relate to the aggregate morphologies as well as their component (primary) nanoparticles. We have also conducted both clinical surveys regarding asthma incidence and the use of gas cooking stoves as well as random surveys by zip code throughout the city of El Paso. In addition, we report on short term (2 day) and longer term (2 week) in vitro assays for black carbon and a commercial multiwall carbon nanotube aggregate sample using a murine macrophage cell line, which demonstrate significant cytotoxicity; comparable to a chrysotile asbestos nanoparticulate reference. The multi-wall carbon nanotube aggregate material is identical to those collected in the indoor and outdoor air, and may serve as a surrogate. Taken together with the plethora of toxic responses reported for DPM, these findings prompt concerns for airborne carbonaceous nanoparticulates in general. The implications of these preliminary findings and their potential health effects, as well as directions for related studies addressing these complex issues, will also be examined.
Air Pollutants↗
Resuspended dust episodes as an urban air-quality problem in subarctic regions.
OBJECTIVES: This paper describes the resuspension of road dust in an urban subarctic environment and focuses especially on the effect of wind speed on the formation of resuspended dust episodes. METHODS: The study was conducted in Kuopio, Finland, in the spring of 1995. There were 36 daily measurements of mass concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), thoracic particulate matter (PM10), total suspended particulate matter, black carbon and carbon monoxide; size-segregated number concentrations of particles (diameter range 0.01-10 microm); and meteorological parameters. Total elemental compositions of PM2.5 and PM10 samples were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The mass and number concentrations of particles in all the size ranges and the concentrations of soil-derived (iron) and combustion-derived (vanadium and lead) elements in the PM2.5 and PM10 increased during the dust episodes. The daily average wind speed dually affected the episodes. The pollutant concentrations increased at wind speeds of <4 m/s and >5 m/s. The former was related to inversion-type conditions characterized by low wind speeds, while the latter was likely to be due to wind-blown resuspended dust. Resuspended lead accounted for an average of 27% of the total lead, and resuspended vanadium for 46% of the total vanadium in PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS: Resuspended dust episodes were related to both low and high wind speeds, and the relationship suggests that factors other than wind speed, such as turbulence induced by traffic, affect the emergence of such episodes. The contribution of elevated levels of crustal material and toxic metals in resuspended PM2.5 to human adverse health effects should be investigated.
Air Pollutants↗
Characterisation of riverine particulate organic matter by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Particulate matter samples were collected in the mountainous section and river mouth at the Tech River basin, south France, during flood (December 1996) and summer (September 1997) periods. Suspended material was analysed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and 23 identified pyrolysis products were divided into five main fractions: aminosugars, aromatic hydrocarbons, polysaccharides, phenols and nitrogenous compounds. Analysis of relative amounts of these fractions revealed neither significant spatial nor temporal changes in the particulate organic matter composition. Nevertheless, their specific composition showed that during flooding there is a certain homogeneity in the composition of the riverine particulate organic matter, with more degraded material of pedogenic (allochthonous) character, and during the summer the results suggest the presence of two components, allochthonous and autochthonous.
Disasters↗
Characterization of an episode with elevated ozone concentrations.
A detailed analysis has been made of a seven day period in 1973, during which elevated ozone levels were observed at Ottawa. In addition to the ozone data, results are also presented for oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, total hydrocarbons and particulate matter. The particulates were analyzed for seven constituents, including the cations ammonium, calcium, sodium, potassium and lead and the anions sulfate and nitrate. Also measured were several other properties of the particulates, including the size distribution. It was found that none of the other gaseous pollutants showed any increase in concentration when high ozone levels were present. In contrast, the particulate matter did increase and several constituents, notably ammonium and sulfate, showed a dramatic rise. A comparison with ozone data from Toronto and upper New York state showed that the high ozone concentrations were widespread. A meteorological analysis showed that elevated ozone levels were associated with a Tropical air mass with a moderate southwesterly flow of air. Trajectory calculations were carried out to show the origin of the air over Ottawa before, during and after the period of increased ozone.
Air Movements↗
Emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants in a port and harbour region in India.
Ports can generate large quantity of pollutants in the atmosphere due to various activities like loading and unloading, transportation, and construction operations. Determination of the character and quantity of emissions from individual sources is an essential step in any project to control and minimize the emissions. In this study a detailed emission inventory of total suspended particulate matter (TSP), particulate matter less than 10 microm (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for a port and harbour project near Mumbai is compiled. Results show that the total annual average contributions of TSP and PM10 from all the port activities were 872 and 221 t yr(-1), respectively. Annual average emissions of gaseous pollutants SO2 and NOx were 56 and 397 t yr(-1), respectively, calculated by using emission factors for different port activities. The maximum TSP emission (419 t yr(-1)) was from paved roads, while the least (0.4 t yr(-1)) was from bulk handling activity. The maximum PM10 emission (123 t yr(-1)) was from unpaved roads and minimum (0.2 t yr(-1)) from bulk handling operations. Similarly the ratio of TSP and PM10 emission was highest (5.18) from paved roads and least (2.17) from bulk handling operations. Regression relation was derived from existing emission data of TSP and PM10 from various port activities. Good correlation was observed between TSP and PM10 having regression coefficient >0.8.
Air Pollutants↗
Measured exposures by personal monitoring for respirable suspended particles and environmental tobacco smoke of housewives and office workers resident in Bremen, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Exposures to respirable suspended particles (RSP) and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were assessed in Bremen, Germany, as part of a European air quality study. The range and level of personal exposures were assessed for housewives and office workers. DESIGN: Nonsmokers were randomly selected from a representative sample of the population of Bremen. Housewives were recruited into one group primarily for assessment of exposures in the home and office workers, into a second group for assessment of the contribution of the workplace to overall exposure. METHODS: A total of 190 subjects collected air samples from areas close to their breathing zone by wearing personal monitors for 24 h. Samples collected were analysed for RSP, ultraviolet-absorbing particulate matter (UVPM), fluorescing particulate matter (FPM), solanesol-related particulate matter (SolPM), nicotine and 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP). Saliva cotinine levels for all subjects were also established. RESULTS: Overall the levels found were quite low, with the majority of results being below the limit of quantification. Workers both living and working with smokers were exposed to the highest 24-h median quantities of RSP (789 micrograms) and ETS particles (128 micrograms) measured by FPM. The highest nicotine levels, based on median 24-h time-weighted average concentrations, were experienced by office workers working with smokers (0.69 microgram m-3). These workers were also found to have the highest median cotinine levels (1.6 ng ml-1). CONCLUSIONS: The most highly exposed workers, both living and working with smokers, would potentially inhale over 20 cigarette equivalents (CE) per annum as based on the upper decile levels. Housewives living with smokers could inhale up to 11 CE per annum as based on the upper decile levels. Locations outside the workplace, including the home, contribute most to overall RSP and ETS particle exposure. Consideration should be given to extending the personal monitoring period in cities where levels appear to be quite low.
Adult↗
Particulate suspended matters and cases of respiratory disease in Rio de Janeiro city (Brazil).
This paper investigates the existence of a possible relationship between suspended particulate matters levels and cases of respiratory diseases from a random and systematic sample of medical and air pollution records in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. Records of emergency cases of the year 1991 (months of January, June and July) were collected at Miguel Couto Hospitals and suspended particulate matter (1980-1995) at FEEMA (Rio de Janeiro Environmental Agency). The results revealed that the diseases of the respiratory system of those patients who seek the hospital's emergency care are more frequent during the wintertime. Their number increases markedly during winter months of June and July when compared with the summer's (January) number of cases. The analysis of the historical series (1980-1995) of atmospheric pollution measured at Bonsucesso monitoring station showed that the monthly figures (measured by the number of times that the value exceed the national standard, maximum daily concentration of 240 micro g (-3), are higher in wintertime (June, July and August). During this same period the level of pollution by atmospheric particulate matter in Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area measured by the annual geometric averages showed results well above the national standard (80 micro g(-3). This unfavorable situation, together with the fast growing number of new cars circulating in the city and the absence of a clear air pollution control and management plan, may contribute to an increase of the incidence and seriousness of respiratory diseases during subsequent winter months.
Adolescent↗