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Sapbamrer P, Assavanopakun P, Panumasvivat J. Decadal Trends in Ambient Air Pollutants and Their Association with COPD and Lung Cancer in Upper Northern Thailand: 2013-2022. TOXICS 2024; 12:321. [PMID: 38787100 PMCID: PMC11125922 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12050321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Air pollution in upper northern Thailand raises health concerns. This study examined trends and associations between air pollutants and respiratory diseases, focusing on COPD and lung cancer during haze (December-May) and non-haze (June-November) seasons in upper northern Thailand from 2013 to 2022. This study utilized data from the Pollution Control Department and Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health. The key air pollutants included PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3. Respiratory disease data included fatality rates for lung cancer and COPD and the re-admission rate for COPD. Results indicated peak air pollutant levels and COPD re-admission rates in March, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding air quality standards from January to April. During haze periods, COPD fatality and re-admission rates significantly increased (mean difference: 0.43 and 4.23 per 1000-case population, respectively; p < 0.001), while lung cancer fatality rates were higher without statistical significance. Pearson correlation analysis found positive correlations between PM10, PM2.5, O3, and NO2 concentrations and COPD re-admission and fatality rates at 0-1 month lag times, with a declining trend observed at subsequent lag intervals of 2 to 3 months. Overall, this study highlights the predictable pattern of air pollution in the region, correlating with higher COPD fatality and re-admission rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pachara Sapbamrer
- Department of Academic, Montfort College, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
| | - Pheerasak Assavanopakun
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine Excellence Center (EnOMEC), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Jinjuta Panumasvivat
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine Excellence Center (EnOMEC), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Kampeerapappun P, O-Charoen N, Dhamvithee P, Jansri E. Biocomposite Based on Polylactic Acid and Rice Straw for Food Packaging Products. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1038. [PMID: 38674957 PMCID: PMC11054454 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic containers, commonly produced from non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), raise significant environmental concerns due to their persistence. The disposal of agricultural waste, specifically rice straw (RS), through burning, further compounds these environmental issues. In response, this study explores the integration of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable material, with RS using a twin-screw extruder and injection process, resulting in the creation of a biodegradable packaging material. The inclusion of RS led to a decrease in the melt flow rate, thermal stability, and tensile strength, while concurrently enhancing the hydrophilic properties of the composite polymers. Additionally, the incorporation of maleic anhydride (MA) contributed to a reduction in the water absorption rate. The optimized formulation underwent migration testing and met the standards for food packaging products. Furthermore, no MA migration was detected from the composite. This approach not only provides a practical solution for the disposal of RS, but also serves as an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyaporn Kampeerapappun
- Faculty of Textile Industries, Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Bangkok 10120, Thailand;
| | - Narongchai O-Charoen
- Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathumthani 12110, Thailand;
| | - Pisit Dhamvithee
- Division of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural Product Innovation and Technology, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand;
| | - Ektinai Jansri
- Division of Polymer Materials Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Product Innovation and Technology, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand
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Ongwandee M, Khianthongkul K, Panyametheekul S, Yongprapat K, Srinaka K, Morris J. Bangkok school indoor air quality: monitoring and intervention by positive pressure fresh air system. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:25454-25467. [PMID: 38472572 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32843-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
A PM2.5 crisis in Thailand has caused the Thai government and public to be increasingly concerned about children's exposure to PM2.5 during time in school. This study is a part of a project to create a modeled effective school indoor air quality management for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). We measured air quality and environment in 10 Bangkok school rooms, including CO2, CO, O3, PM2.5, PM10, TVOCPID, formaldehyde, airborne bacteria and fungi, and gaseous organic contaminants. The indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios indicated that either outdoor sources or indoor + outdoor sources were the predominant contributors to PM in naturally ventilated classrooms. Meanwhile, PM levels in air-conditioned classrooms strongly depended on class activities. CO2 measurements showed that the air-conditioned classrooms had a low 0.4 per hour air change rate and total fungal counts also reached 800 CFU m-3. Analysis of gaseous organic compounds showed that the two most abundant were aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, accounting for 60% by mass concentration. Interestingly, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, a mucous membrane irritant, was detected in all study rooms. In one naturally ventilated classroom, we implemented a positive pressure fresh air system to mitigate in-class PM levels; it kept PM levels below 20 μg m-3 throughout the class day. Students reported a 20-37% increase in satisfaction with the perceived indoor environmental quality and reported reduced rates in all symptoms of the sick building syndrome after implementing the positive pressure system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maneerat Ongwandee
- Institute of Metropolitan Development, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- HAUS IAQ Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | | | - Sirima Panyametheekul
- HAUS IAQ Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kamomchai Yongprapat
- Institute of Metropolitan Development, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kessara Srinaka
- Institute of Metropolitan Development, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - John Morris
- School of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand
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Lamnoi S, Boonupara T, Sumitsawan S, Vongruang P, Prapamontol T, Udomkun P, Kajitvichyanukul P. Unveiling the Aftermath: Exploring Residue Profiles of Insecticides, Herbicides, and Fungicides in Rice Straw, Soils, and Air Post-Mixed Pesticide-Contaminated Biomass Burning. TOXICS 2024; 12:86. [PMID: 38251041 PMCID: PMC10819870 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
This study delved into the impact of open biomass burning on the distribution of pesticide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) residues across soil, rice straw, total suspended particulates (TSP), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10), and aerosols. A combination of herbicides atrazine (ATZ) and diuron (DIU), fungicide carbendazim (CBD), and insecticide chlorpyriphos (CPF) was applied to biomass before burning. Post-burning, the primary soil pesticide shifted from propyzamide (67.6%) to chlorpyriphos (94.8%). Raw straw biomass retained residues from all pesticide groups, with chlorpyriphos notably dominating (79.7%). Ash residue analysis unveiled significant alterations, with elevated concentrations of chlorpyriphos and terbuthylazine, alongside the emergence of atrazine-desethyl and triadimenol. Pre-burning TSP analysis identified 15 pesticides, with linuron as the primary compound (51.8%). Post-burning, all 21 pesticides were detected, showing significant increases in metobromuron, atrazine-desethyl, and cyanazine concentrations. PM10 composition mirrored TSP but exhibited additional compounds and heightened concentrations, particularly for atrazine, linuron, and cyanazine. Aerosol analysis post-burning indicated a substantial 39.2-fold increase in atrazine concentration, accompanied by the presence of sebuthylazine, formothion, and propyzamide. Carcinogenic PAHs exhibited noteworthy post-burning increases, contributing around 90.1 and 86.9% of all detected PAHs in TSP and PM10, respectively. These insights advance understanding of pesticide dynamics in burning processes, crucial for implementing sustainable agricultural practices and safeguarding environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suteekan Lamnoi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (S.L.); (T.B.); or (S.S.)
| | - Thirasant Boonupara
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (S.L.); (T.B.); or (S.S.)
| | - Sulak Sumitsawan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (S.L.); (T.B.); or (S.S.)
| | - Patipat Vongruang
- Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand;
| | - Tippawan Prapamontol
- Environmental and Health Research Group, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Patchimaporn Udomkun
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (S.L.); (T.B.); or (S.S.)
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (S.L.); (T.B.); or (S.S.)
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