Study of photocatalytic inactivation of airborne microorganisms on various functionalized filter media: comparative analysis
AbstractAirborne microorganisms can cause various adverse effects, including infectious, allergic, and immunotoxic diseases. Bioaerosols are also one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, as well as a heavy burden on health costs. The present study models and compares the inactivation performance of three commercial air filters, industrial and domestic use (vacuum cleaner) with and without catalyst (TiO2) deposition for a model microorganism under UVA radiation. The filters were studied regarding catalysis load, adherence, optical properties, morphology, and cost. The microorganism used wasE. coli, it was distribu...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 29, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

High-resolution dispersion modelling of PM2.5, PM10, NOx and NO2 exposure in metropolitan areas in Sweden 2000 ‒2018 – large health gains due to decreased population exposure
AbstractAmbient air pollution remains the major environmental cause of disease. Accurate assessment of population exposure and small-scale spatial exposure variations over long time periods is essential for epidemiological studies. We estimated annual exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), and nitrogen oxides (NOx, NO2) with high spatial resolution to examine time trends 2000 ‒2018, compliance with the WHO Air Quality Guidelines, and assess the health impact. The modelling area covered six metropolitan areas in Sweden with a combined population of 5.5 million. Long-range transported air pollutants ...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 27, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Exploring radiative forcing sensitivity to aerosol optical properties across varied geographical regions in India
In this study, we center our attention on the investigation of key aerosol optical properties, specifically the asymmetry parameter (ASY), aerosol optical depth (AOD), an d single scattering albedo (SSA). Our research delves into the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of these aerosol optical properties across four distinct locations within India, namely Gandhi College, Kanpur, Jaipur, and Pune. These selected sites encompass the major classifications of aerosols, encompassing both anthropogenic and natural sources. Within the purview of these available aerosol optical properties, we endeavor to quantify the direct aero...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 26, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Understanding the physical mechanisms of PM2.5 formation in Seoul, Korea: assessing the role of aerosol direct effects using the WRF-CMAQ model
This study evaluated the impact of the aerosol direct effect (ADE) on the meteorological conditions and air quality in Seoul, South Korea (Korea), using the WRF-CMAQ coupled model. Two experiments were conducted: NF simulation without the ADE feedback and YF simulation with the ADE feedback. The ADE resulted in a decrease in shortwave radiation at the surface and an increase in shortwave radiation in the atmosphere. Additionally, the 2-m temperature, 10-m wind speed, and planetary boundary layer (PBL) height decreased. The changes in meteorological conditions due to ADE-induced atmospheric stability and restrained vertical...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 26, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Monitoring of NO2 air pollution in the port of Livorno and spatialization of data
AbstractIn this work, an estimate of the spatial distribution of NO2 is presented starting from data measured with passive samplers in 10 locations in the municipality of Livorno in Tuscany (Italy). The data from the passive samplers were integrated with measurement campaigns carried out within the port of Livorno and with data from the fixed stations. The Municipality of Livorno is subject to pressures deriving from the emissions of the port, the heavy industry and the demographic activity (traffic and heating) of a municipality with middle/high population density (270 inhabitants/km2) for Tuscany Region. Despite the many...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 26, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Correction to: Risk assessment and estimation of controlling safe distance for exposure to particulate matter from outdoor secondhand tobacco smoke
(Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health)
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 22, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

A comparative study of health risks of selected potentially toxic metals in household dust from different socio-economical houses of Dhanbad city, India
In this study, the determination of heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Zn) in dust samples collected from different socioeconomic households in the urban area of Dhanbad city was investigated. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was utilized to detect the heavy metal content of the dust samples after digestion and filtration. The mean concentrations of Fe found 19,983.25  mg kg−1 followed by Mn (313.03  mg kg−1), Zn (296.05  mg kg−1), Cu (62.16  mg kg−1), Cr (37.87  mg kg−1), Ni (33.67  mg kg−1), Co (11.66  mg kg−1), and Cd (5.65  mg kg−1)....
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 19, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Risk perception of air pollution and behavioral responses: a mapping review of research studies during 2000 –2021
AbstractAir pollution is a key threat to human and ecosystem health. Successfully addressing this problem requires among other measures the active involvement of the population, depending on adequate public awareness and knowledge. This paper reviewed studies on perceptions of outdoor air pollution and behavioral responses in order to synthesize the state-of-the art in this research field and identify key research gaps. Three bibliographic databases were queried for studies published between 2000 and 2021 using standardized search terms. Of 2,616 titles and abstracts screened, 242 articles met the inclusion criteria. Our r...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 19, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Effects of combined exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy on OVA-induced asthma in offspring and its sensitive window
This study aimed to investigate the impact of prenatal combined exposure to air pollutants on asthma development in offspring mice and to delineate the sensitive exposure windows. Pregnant ICR mice were exposed to air compound pollutants or clean air at gestational day (GD) 1 –6, 7–12, 13–18, and 1–18, respectively. Offspring mice aged 2–4 weeks received sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA) or normal saline. Pups were examined for features of asthma such as airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), pulmonary inflammation, mucus secretion, OVA-specific immun oglobulin (Ig) E levels, and cytokines levels. Asthm...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 17, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Gender-differentiated impact of PM2.5 exposure on respiratory and cardiovascular mortality: a review
This study aims to assess whether gender analysis in the association of PM2.5 on respiratory and cardiovascular mortality shows a different impact on women than men around diverse regions of the world. We conducted a scoping review of the Web of Science database citations for epidemiological studies published between June 2020 and October 2021. The articles that met our inclusion criteria were grouped into three categories based on gender-induced effects to compare the registered risks between men and women. Of 956 articles identified, 36 published were eligible. The regions with the most gender analysis studies were Asia ...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 16, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Mobile measurements and street-level modelling to assess outdoor and indoor personal exposure to air pollution in urban environment
This study aims to compare estimates based on a high-resolution model and actual measurements. The considered modelling system, ATMO-Street, consists of a three-layer outdoor model operating at an hourly rate with a spatial resolution of approximately 10  m. The considered measurements were made by 38 candidate citizens carrying, for 1 week, portable devices, including an AE51 aethalometer and an Antilope low-cost sensor system developed at the Scientific Institute of Public Service (ISSeP). Their data were aggregated to match the model time and s pace resolutions. The zone of interest is the city of Liège in Belgium du...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 15, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Spatiotemporal estimation of hourly PM2.5 using AOD derived from geostationary satellite Fengyun-4A and machine learning models for Greater Bangkok
This study used four individual machine learning (ML) models (random forest, adaptive boosting, gradient boosting, and extreme gradient boosting), and a stacked ensemble model (SEM) for PM2.5 estimation over Greater Bangkok (GBK) during the dry season for 2018 –2022. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) from Fengyun-4A satellite was used as the main predictor variable. The other predictor variables include meteorological variables, fire hotspots, vegetation index, terrain elevation, and population density. Surface PM2.5 from 17 air quality monitoring stations was used for model development and evaluation. Satellite AOD aligns rea...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 10, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Assessment of PM2.5-associated mortality burden among the elderly: Insights into demographic, socio-economic, and geographic factors
This study fills a knowledge gap by examining the health consequences of varying PM2.5 levels and explored the complex interplay between demographic, socio-economic, and geographic factors in relation to PM2.5-related mortality. (Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health)
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 10, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Effect of indoor and outdoor emission sources on the chemical compositions of PM2.5 and PM0.1 in residential and school buildings
This study therefore aims to investigate the chemical compositions of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM0.1 in residential and school buildings in Vietnam during different seasons and the effects of emission sources on particle characteristics. The results show that the concentration of indoor PM2.5 in the residential house was higher than that outdoors, and the indoor-to-outdoor ratios (I/O) exceeded 1, indicating the contribution of indoor sources. The peak concentration of indoor particles was observed during the incense burning days, whereas a higher indoor organic carbon concentration may be due to cooking activities. A ...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 9, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Testing the validity of pollution haven and pollution halo hypotheses in BRICMT countries by Fourier Bootstrap AARDL method and Fourier Bootstrap Toda-Yamamoto causality approach
AbstractIt is useful to analyze the factors, polluting the livable environment, whose sustainability and protection are vital to all living things, and to take the necessary precautions promptly. Within this scope, the effects of foreign trade and investments on environmental pollution in BRICMT  (Brazil, Russia, India, China, Mexico, and Turkey) countries were analyzed with the Fourier Kwiatkowski–Phillips–Schmidt–Shin (KPSS) stationarity test, Fourier Bootstrap augumented autoregressive distributive lag (AARDL) method, and Fourier Bootstrap Toda-Yamamoto causality test for the peri od 1980–2021 in this study. Ac...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - February 9, 2024 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research