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PubMed2005

Effects of blowing sand fine particles on plasma membrane permeability and fluidity, and intracellular calcium levels of rat alveolar macrophages.

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particulates with an aerodynamic diameter < or = 2.5 microm) can suppress alveolar macrophage (AM) functions, but the data concerning the effects of blowing sand PM2.5 on AMs remain limited. The aim of the present study is to investigate the influences of blowing sand PM2.5 on AM plasma membranes and intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i), and explore the mechanisms of the observed toxicological effects. The samples of normal PM2.5 (collected on sunshiny and non-blowing sand days) and blowing sand PM2.5 were collected in Wuwei city, Gansu Province, China. After AMs from rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were treated in vitro for 4 h with the suspensions of these samples, the cell viability, plasma membrane permeability and fluidity, cytosolic free Ca2+ levels, and oxidative stress were examined. It was observed a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, plasma membrane Ca2+Mg2+-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase) and Na+K+-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (Na+K+-ATPase) activities, cellular glutathione (GSH) levels, fluorescence intensities of lipid probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulfonic acid (ANS) and fluorescence polarization of lipid probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) combined with cell membranes in the treatment groups of normal and blowing sand PM2.5 as compared to the control (saline group); and also observed a dose-dependent increase in the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and acid phosphatase (ACP), and intracellular [Ca2+]i and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These observations indicate blowing sand PM2.5, as similar to urban normal ones, could induce oxidative stress on AMs, enlarge plasma membrane permeability and membrane lipid fluidity, and elevate intracellular [Ca2+]i levels, resulting in cytotoxicity. A two-way ANOVA showed the toxic effects of normal and blowing sand PM2.5 on AMs were only relative to treatment dosages but not to dust types, suggesting the blowing sand PM2.5 whose airborne mass concentrations were much higher should be more harmful.

Air↗

PubMed2006

Induction of chromosome aberrations in cultured human lymphocytes treated with sand dust storm fine particles (PM2.5).

The clastogenic activity of airborne air fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particulates with an aerodynamic diameter < or =2.5 microm) has already been demonstrated. However little is known about the health risks associated with sand dust storm PM2.5 and its extract. In order to investigate the clastogenic activity of sand dust storm PM2.5 (include its organic and inorganic extract) on human lymphocytes, the normal PM2.5 and sand dust storm PM2.5 samples were collected in Wuwei city (Gansu Province) and Baotou city (Inner Mongolia), China. The chromosomal aberration (CA) test was employed and the cells were treated with 0, 33, 100, 300 microg ml(-1) sand dust storm or normal ambient air PM2.5 suspension (physiological saline as solvent control), or inorganic extract (0, 75, 150, 300 microg ml(-1), physiological saline as solvent control) or organic extract (0, 20, 40, 80 microg ml(-1), DMSO as solvent control) at the beginning of the cell culture. The results indicated that sand dust storm PM2.5 and its extract as well as normal samples can induce increase in CA frequency. With the increase of treatment concentrations the CA frequency increased and the mitotic index (MI) values declined in a dose-response manner. In the same concentrates, the CA frequency of normal ambient air PM2.5 and its extract were significant higher than those of sand dust storm PM2.5 (P<0.05 or 0.01) except the treatment of Wuwei sample at higher doses (100, 300 microg ml(-1)), the treatment of inorganic extract of PM2.5 at the highest dose (300 microg ml(-1)) and the treatment of organic extract of PM2.5 at the higher dose (40 and 80 microg ml(-1)) either in Baotou or in Wuwei (P>0.05). The toxicity of sand dust storm PM2.5 and its extract at high dose is very potent. CA frequency of normal PM2.5 (include its organic extract) from Baotou were higher than those of Wuwei especially in low and middle dose (P<0.05), but the treatment results of sand dust storm PM2.5 (include its all extract) was not significant different between the cities (P>0.05).

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2001

The fate and transport of mercury, methylmercury, and other trace metals in Chesapeake Bay tributaries.

Six tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay were analyzed for suspended particulate matter, dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, mercury, methylmercury, lead, nickel, zinc, cadmium, chromium, and copper. This study examined the importance of flow regime, suspended particulate concentration, and watershed characteristics on the transport of mercury, methylmercury, and other trace metals. Total mercury concentrations were higher under high flow conditions which is consistent with the tendency of this metal to bind strongly to particulate matter. Methylmercury showed less flow rate dependence. Nickel, lead, and zinc concentrations responded strongly to flow rate on the Potomac River, while weaker correlations were found on the other rivers sampled. Cadmium, copper, and chromium concentrations were the least influenced by flow. Partition coefficients calculated in this study were similar to those of other estuaries and overall decreased in the order of Hg > Ni-MMHg > Cr-Pb-Zn > Cd > Cu. Watershed yield estimates and associated retention factors were calculated for the various rivers. These calculations showed that for most of the rivers, mercury was the most strongly retained within the watershed.

Cadmium↗

PubMed2002

Organic atmospheric particulate material.

Carbonaceous compounds comprise a substantial fraction of atmospheric particulate matter (PM). Particulate organic material can be emitted directly into the atmosphere or formed in the atmosphere when the oxidation products of certain volatile organic compounds condense. Such products have lower volatilities than their parent molecules as a result of the fact that adding oxygen and/or nitrogen to organic molecules reduces volatility. Formation of secondary organic PM is often described in terms of a fractional mass yield, which relates how much PM is produced when a certain amount of a parent gaseous organic is oxidized. The theory of secondary organic PM formation is outlined, including the role of water, which is ubiquitous in the atmosphere. Available experimental studies on secondary organic PM formation and molecular products are summarized.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2003

Association of expired nitric oxide with urinary metal concentrations in boilermakers exposed to residual oil fly ash.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to metal-containing particulate matter has been associated with adverse pulmonary responses. Metals in particulate matter are soluble, hence are readily recovered in urine of exposed individuals. This study investigated the association between urinary metal concentrations and the fractional concentration of expired nitric oxide (F(E)NO) in boilermakers (N = 32) exposed to residual oil fly ash (ROFA). METHODS: Subjects were monitored at a boiler overhaul site located in the New England area, USA. F(E)NO and urine samples were collected pre- and post-workshift for 5 consecutive workdays. Metals investigated included vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). RESULTS: The median F(E)NO was 7.5 ppb (95% CI: 7.4-8.0), and the median creatinine-adjusted urinary metal concentrations (mug/g creatinine) were: vanadium, 1.37; chromium, 0.48; manganese, 0.30; nickel, 1.52; copper, 3.70; and lead, 2.32. Linear mixed-effects models indicated significant inverse exposure-response relationships between log F(E)NO and the log-transformed urinary concentrations of vanadium, manganese, nickel, copper, and lead at several lag times, after adjusting for smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Urine samples may be utilized as a biomarker of occupational metal exposure. The inverse association between F(E)NO and urinary metal concentrations suggests that exposure to metals in particulate matter may have an adverse effect on respiratory health.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Airborne small particles as a cause of pulmonary diseases and excessive mortality?].

The paper reviews the available literature with regard to human health effects of fine particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) from a Danish perspective. Fine particulate matter is not routinely measured in any Danish air pollution monitoring programme. Preliminary surveys show elevated PM2.5 levels in Copenhagen corresponding to levels found in other cities in Europe and the USA, and a close relationship between outdoor and indoor concentrations. It has been roughly estimated that about 400 people in the Greater Copenhagen area may suffer a premature death due to airborne fine particulate matter. A limited number of Danish studies support the view that health effects (respiratory symptoms and increased medication) can be observed in sensitive city populations at air pollution levels well below international air quality standards.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2005

Ozone enhances diesel exhaust particles (DEP)-induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression in human airway epithelial cells through activation of nuclear factors- kappaB (NF-kappaB) and IL-6 (NF-IL6).

Ozone, a highly reactive oxidant gas is a major component of photochemical smog. As an inhaled toxicant, ozone induces its adverse effects mainly on the lung. Inhalation of particulate matter has been reported to cause airway inflammation in humans and animals. Furthermore, epidemiological evidence has indicated that exposure to particulate matter (PM[2.5-10]), including diesel exhaust particles (DEP) has been correlated with increased acute and chronic respiratory morbidity and exacerbation of asthma. Previously, exposure to ozone or particulate matter and their effect on the lung have been addressed as separate environmental problems. Ozone and particulate matter may be chemically coupled in the ambient air. In the present study we determined whether ozone exposure enhances DEP effect on interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression in human airway epithelial cells. We report that ozone exposure (0.5 ppm x 1 hr) significantly increased DEP-induced IL-8 gene expression in A549 cells (117 +/- 19 pg/ml, n = 6, p < 0.05) as compared to cultures treated with DEP (100 microg/ml x 4 hr) alone (31 +/- 3 pg/ml, n = 6), or cultures exposed to purified air (24 +/- 6 pg/ml, n = 6). The increased DEP-induced IL-8 gene expression following ozone exposure was attributed to ozone-induced increase in the activity of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and NF-IL6. The results of the present study indicate that ozone exposure enhances the toxicity of DEP in human airway epithelial cells by augmenting IL-8 gene expression, a potent chemoattractant of neutrophils in the lung.

CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta↗

PubMed2004

Effects of ambient air particles on nitric oxide production in macrophage cell lines.

We assessed the in vitro toxicity of various particles on three murine macrophage cell lines, (J774A.1, WR19M.1, RAW264.7). The cells were exposed to aqueous suspensions (0-100 microg/30 mm2 well) of urban particulate matter (SRM-1648, SRM-1649, EHC-93), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), titanium dioxide (SRM-154b), and respirable cristobalite (SRM-1879) for 2 h and were then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/ml) and recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN, 100 U/ml). After overnight incubation with the particles and LPS/IFN, nitric oxide production was estimated from culture supernatant nitrite. Cell viability was determined by monitoring the rate of AlamarBlue reduction. The dose-effect relationships for nitrite and viability were modeled as a power function (Fold change = [Dose+1]beta), where beta represents the slope of the dose-response curve. Potency was defined as the rate of change in nitrite production corrected for cell viability (beta(POTENCY) = beta(NITRITE) - beta(VIABILITY)). Overall, the urban particles decreased nitric oxide production (beta(POTENCY) < 0), while exposure of the cells to fine particulate matter or cristobalite increased the production of nitric oxide (beta(POTENCY) > 0). Titanium dioxide (TiO2) was essentially inactive (beta(POTENCY) approximately to 0). The decrease in nitric oxide production seen in cells exposed to the urban particles was directly correlated to a decrease in the expression of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) as determined by Western blot analysis. The results indicate that particles are modulators of nitric oxide production in murine macrophages and may directly disrupt expression of iNOS during concomitant pathogen exposure. Pathways leading to enhanced NO production causing cell injury, and to decreased NO release resulting in lower bacterial clearance, may both be relevant to the health effects of ambient particles.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed1989

Effects of time of day and monensin on the size distribution of particles in digestive tract sites of heifers fed corn silage.

Effects of time of day and dietary monensin in the distribution of size of digesta particles in different digestive tract sites and their intersite relationships were examined in six heifers (290 kg BW) with ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulas given ad libitum access to corn silage, with or without 100 mg monensin.head-1.d-1, in a two-period crossover design. Ingestive masticate and digesta of corn silage were collected via esophageal, ruminal or intestinal cannulas. The distribution of particulate matter retained on sieves with apertures larger than 20 microm was determined by wet-sieving. The cumulative distribution of particulate matter on a series of sieves was regressed on retaining sieve aperture to estimate the sieve aperture that would retain 50% weight of the particulate matter (median retaining aperture, MRA). The MRA of masticate was 6,494 microm. The MRA of digesta particles decreased (P less than .05) from ventral rumen (1,847 microm) to dorsal rumen (1,797 microm) to duodenum (346 microm), but increased to the rectum (359 microm). The MRA was lower (P = .044) for the monensin treatment only in feces. The MRA of particulate matter in the dorsal and ventral rumen, duodenum and rectum all changed (P less than .05) over 24 h. An inverse pattern between the MRA of ruminal and duodenal digesta occurred, presumably the result of a nycterohemeral pattern of eating and ruminating activity. Across sampling times, an inverse relationship existed between MRA of ventral rumen and duodenal digesta. This relationship suggests that a ruminal digesta raft composed of larger particles (immediately following major meals) is more effective than a raft of smaller particles (prior to such meals) in preventing flux of large particles to the duodenum.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2006

HFE genotype, particulate air pollution, and heart rate variability: a gene-environment interaction.

BACKGROUND: Particulate air pollution has been associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Transition metals such as iron bound to the particles may be responsible for those associations. The protein product of the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene modulates uptake of iron and divalent cations from pulmonary sources and reduces their toxicity. Two HFE polymorphisms (C282Y and H63D) associated with increased iron uptake may modify the effect of metal-rich particles on the cardiovascular system. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the association between particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter and heart rate variability in 518 older men from the Normative Aging Study who were examined between November 2000 and December 2004. Linear regression models were fit to evaluate interactions between HFE genotype and particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter in relation to heart rate variability, controlling for potential confounders. A 10-microg/m3 increase in particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter during the 48 hours before heart rate variability measurement was associated with a 31.7% (95% CI, 10.3% to 48.1%) decrease in the high-frequency component of heart rate variability in persons with the wild-type genotype, whereas no relationship in the high-frequency component was observed in persons with either HFE variant. The difference in effect of particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter on the high-frequency component between persons with and without HFE variants was significant (P for interaction=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of particles on cardiac autonomic function was shielded in subjects with at least 1 copy of an HFE variant compared with wild-type subjects. Transition metals, including iron, bound to ambient particles and the related oxidative stress may play an important role in cardiac toxicity of particles.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Referent selection in case-crossover analyses of acute health effects of air pollution.

The case-crossover design was proposed for the study of a transient effect of an intermittent exposure on the subsequent occurrence of a rare acute-onset disease. This design can be an alternative to Poisson time series regression for studying the health effects of fine particulate matter air pollution. Characteristics of time-series of particulate matter, including long-term time trends, seasonal trends, and short-term autocorrelations, require that referent selection in the case-crossover design be considered carefully and adapted to minimize bias. We performed simulations to evaluate the bias associated with various referent selection strategies for a proposed case-crossover study of associations between particulate matter and primary cardiac arrest. Some a priori reasonable strategies were associated with a relative bias as large as 10%, but for most strategies the relative bias was less than 2% with confidence interval coverage within 1% of the nominal level. We show that referent selection for case-crossover designs raises the same issues as selection of smoothing method for time series analyses. In addition, conditional logistic regression analysis is not strictly valid for some case-crossover designs, introducing further bias.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Air quality in Malaysia: impacts, management issues and future challenges.

OBJECTIVE: Observations have been made on the long-term trends of major air pollutants in Malaysia including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, the ozone and total suspended particulate matter (particularly PM10), and sulfur dioxide, emitted from industrial and urban areas from early 1970s until late 1998. METHODOLOGY: The data show that the status of atmospheric environment in Malaysia, in particular in highly industrialized areas such as Klang Valley, was determined both by local and transboundary emissions and could be described as haze and non-haze periods. RESULTS: During the non-haze periods, vehicular emissions accounted for more than 70% of the total emissions in the urban areas and have demonstrated two peaks in the diurnal variations of the aforementioned air pollutants, except ozone. The morning 'rush-hour' peak was mainly due to vehicle emissions, while the late evening peak was mainly attributed to meteorological conditions, particularly atmospheric stability and wind speed. Total suspended particulate matter was the main pollutant with its concentrations at few sites often exceeding the Recommended Malaysia Air Quality Guidelines. The levels of other pollutants were generally within the guidelines. Since 1980, six major haze episodes were officially reported in Malaysia: April 1983, August 1990, June 1991, October 1991, August to October 1994, and July to October 1997. The 1997 haze episode was the worst ever experienced by the country. Short-term observations using continuous monitoring systems during the haze episodes during these periods clearly showed that suspended particulate matter (PM10) was the main cause of haze and was transboundary in nature. Large forest fires in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan during the haze period, clearly evident in satellite images, were identified as the probable key sources of the widespread heavy haze that extended across Southeast Asia from Indonesia to Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. The results of several studies have also provided strong evidence that biomass burning is the dominating source of particulate matter. The severity and extent of 1997's haze pollution was unprecedented, affecting some 300 million people across the region. The amount of economic costs suffered by Southeast Asian countries during this environmental disaster was enormous and is yet to be fully determined. Among the important sectors severely affected were air and land transport, shipping, construction, tourism and agro-based industries. The economic cost of the haze-related damage to Malaysia presented in this study include short-term health costs, production losses, tourism-related losses and the cost of avertive action. Although the cost reported here is likely to be underestimated, they are nevertheless significant (roughly RM1 billion). CONCLUSIONS: The general air quality of Malaysia since 1970 has deteriorated. Studies have shown that should no effective countermeasures be introduced, the emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the year 2005 would increase by 1.4, 2.12, 1.47 and 2.27 times, respectively, from the 1992 levels.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1986

Composition of diesel exhaust with particular reference to particle bound organics including formation of artifacts.

For particulate emissions, standards were established by the US EPA in February 1980. Regulations limiting particulates from new light duty diesel vehicles are valid by model year 1982. The corresponding standards on a pure mass basis do not take into account any chemical character of the diesel particulate matter. Our investigation of the material composition shows that diesel particulates consist mainly of soot (up to 80% by weight) and adsorptively bound organics including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The qualitative and quantitative nature of hydrocarbon compounds associated with the particulates is dependent not only on the combustion parameters of the engine but also to an important degree on the sampling conditions when the particulates are collected (dilution ratio, temperature, filter material, sampling time etc.). Various methods for the analyses of PAH and their oxy- and nitro-derivatives are described including sampling, extraction, fractionation and chemical analysis. Quantitative comparison of PAH, nitro-PAH and oxy-PAH from different engines are given. For assessing mutagenicity of particulate matter, short-term biological tests are widely used. These biological tests often need a great amount of particulate matter requiring prolonged filter sampling times. Since it is well known that facile PAH oxidation can take place under the conditions used for sampling and analysis, the question rises if these PAH-derivates found in particle extracts partly or totally are produced during sampling (artifacts). Various results concerning nitro- and oxy-PAH are presented characterizing artifact formation as a minor problem under the conditions of the Federal Test Procedure. But results show that under other sampling conditions, e.g. electrostatic precipitation, higher NO2-concentrations and longer sampling times, artifact formation can become a bigger problem. The more stringent particulate standard of 0.2 g/mi for model years 1986 and 1987 respectively requires particulate trap technology. Preliminary investigations of the efficiency of ceramic filters used reveal that the reduction of the adsorptively bound organics is lower than the decrease of the solid carbonaceous fractions.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed1984

Mutagenic activity of airborne particles inside and outside homes.

Indoor concentrations of total suspended particles often exceed outdoor concentrations. Although it is known that particulate matter may contain mutagenic compounds and that several sources in the home produce mutagens, virtually no data concerning the mutagenicity of indoor particulate matter are available. In this study, experiments were carried out to determine the contribution of indoor and outdoor sources to the mutagenicity of indoor particles. Using six samplers, particles in kitchens, living rooms, and outdoors were collected simultaneously. Methanol extracts of the material obtained were tested in the Salmonella/microsome assay. An increase in mutagenic activity was shown in the presence of a metabolizing system in all indoor and outdoor samples but one. The data presented suggest that mutagenic components of indoor particulate matter are different from those found in outdoor particles. Indoor samples show a higher mutagenic activity after metabolic activation, while direct mutagenic activity of indoor particles was lower than that of outdoor particles. Furthermore, only indoor samples showed cytotoxic effects. Our findings suggest that, with respect to the mutagenic activity of particulate matter, cigarette smoke is the most important contaminant of indoor air. Kitchen samples also show mutagenic activity, probably as a result of volatilization of cooking products. No contribution of outdoor sources to mutagenicity of indoor particles was observed.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2005

Monitoring Pt and Rh in urban aerosols from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Vehicular traffic is the main source of platinum group elements (PGEs) in highly populated urban areas like Buenos Aires where a traffic density of 1,500,000 vehicles day(-1) (corresponding to 7,500 vehicles km(-2)) is estimated. Since there is no information on the levels of PGEs in Buenos Aires, a pilot study was undertaken to ascertain the amount of two major PGEs, namely Pt and Rh, in the atmosphere of this city. To this end, 49 samples of PM-10 particulate matter were collected during 7 days in seven representative sampling sites located downtown Buenos Aires and spread over an area of about 30 km(2). The collection of particulate matter was performed on ash-free glass-fiber filters using high volume samplers with PM-10 sampling heads. Filters loaded with the particulate matter were subjected to microwave (MW)-assisted acid digestion using a combination of HNO(3), HF and HClO(4). The resulting solutions were evaporated and then diluted with 0.1 mol l(-1) HCl. Analyses were performed by sector field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) and special attention was paid to the control of mass interferences. Statistical analysis was performed on the experimental data obtained for the element concentrations taking also into account local meteorological data for the monitored period. The highest concentrations of Pt and Rh were detected at two sites (Hospital Alemán and Casa Rapallini) located in streets with traffic consisting mostly of passenger cars. The Pt content (in pg m(-3)) in airborne particulate matter was found to vary from 2.3 to 47.7, with a mean value of 12.9+/-7, and that of Rh from 0.3 to 16.8, with a mean value of 3.9+/-2.8. These concentrations are by far below the levels for which adverse health effects might be expected to occur, i.e., around 100 ng m(-3). On the other hand, monitoring of PGEs should be carried out in a systematic fashion to detect possible dramatic increases from today's levels.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1999

Evaluation of the in-line filters for the intravenous infusion of amphotericin B fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of four types of in-line filters on filtration rate, amphotericin B concentration and particulate matter. METHODS: Filtration rates of amphotericin B fluid through in-line filters under maximum gravity flow were examined. The concentrations of amphotericin B and the particulate matter in the non-filtered and filtered amphotericin B fluid at the flow rate of 500 ml/24 h were measured. RESULTS: Filtration through a 1.2 microm or 0.2 microm polyethersulphone (PES) filter under maximum gravity flow took less than 40 min. The 0.2 microm positively charged nylon 66 and 0.2 microm nylon 66 filters took 70 and 100 min, respectively, to filter 500 ml of amphotericin B fluid. The 0.2 microm positively charged nylon 66 filter and the 0.2 microm nylon 66 filter, but not the PES filter (1.2 and 0.2 microm), decreased the concentrations of amphotericin B in the filtered fluid by 100% within 1 h and by 66% within 24 h after the start of filtration, respectively. The particulate count in the non-filtered amphotericin B fluid was 27+/-5 particles/ml, exceeding the limit defined by USP XXIII. The 1.2 microm and 0.2 microm PES filters significantly decreased particulate matter by 83 and 97%, respectively, just after filtration. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that the 0.2 microm PES filter is optimal for intravenous infusion of amphotericin B fluid to minimize the introduction of particulate matter, microbial contaminants and endotoxin into patients.

Amphotericin B↗

PubMed2003

Investigation on the emission factors and removal efficiencies of heavy metals from MSW incinerators in Taiwan.

Two large-scale municipal waste incinerators (MWIs) equipped with different air pollution control devices (APCDs) were selected for conducting flue gas sampling and determination of heavy metals emissions including lead, zinc, cadmium, chromium, copper and mercury. In addition, the emission characteristics and removal efficiencies of heavy metals were evaluated via simultaneous sampling of flue gas upstream and downstream of APCDs. The average removal efficiency of particulate matter was 99.47%, and the removal efficiency of heavy metals could reach 95% or higher (except for Hg) for MWI-A. Preliminary results indicated that the average removal efficiency of particulate matter was 99.94%, and the removal efficiency of heavy metals could reach 98% or higher (except for Hg) for MWI-B. The average removal efficiencies of Hg for MWI-A and MWI-B were 47% and 30% respectively. The removal efficiencies achieved with existing APCDs were close to that reported in the US EPA document (AP-42) for MWIs. The average concentrations of heavy metals and particulate matter emitted from stack could meet current emission standards in Taiwan for both MWIs, but particulate matter, Pb and Cd concentrations of MWI-A were higher than the current emission regulations in Germany and the Netherlands.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1996

An update on air pollution.

Air pollution is associated with adverse health effects. Much of the recent literature, which is the focus of this review, has concentrated on identifying individuals at risk and on the health effects of mixed pollutants. For indoor air, new analyses continue to support the notion that the risk of residential radon exposure is low and that environmental tobacco smoke may cause respiratory symptoms and dysfunction in adults, especially asthmatic adults, as well as in children. For outdoor air, the long-term effects of ozone exposure remain unclear, despite evidence of inflammation and small airway dysfunction after acute exposure. Ozone may increase the sensitivity of asthmatic patients to allergens. Increased morbidity in association with increasing particulate matter levels gives coherence to the argument that the relationship between particulate matter and mortality is causal. However, other investigators note the tight associations among outdoor pollutants and consider particulate matter a marker of air pollution levels.

Adult↗