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Salvador P, Pey J, Pérez N, Alastuey A, Querol X, Artíñano B. Estimating the probability of occurrence of African dust outbreaks over regions of the western Mediterranean basin from thermodynamic atmospheric parameters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171307. [PMID: 38428593 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Desert dust is currently recognized as a health risk factor. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) is actively promoting the establishment of early warning systems for sand and dust storms. This study introduces a methodology to estimate the probability of African dust outbreaks occurring in eight different regions of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. In each region, a multilinear regression model was developed to calculate daily probabilities of dust events using three thermodynamic variables (geopotential thickness in the 1000-500 hPa layer, mean potential temperature between 925 and 700 hPa, and temperature anomalies at 850 hPa) as assessment parameters. All days with African dust transport over each study region were identified in the period 2001-2021 using a proven procedure. This information was then utilized to establish a functional relationship between the values of the thermodynamic parameters and the probability of African dust outbreaks occurring. The validation of this methodology involved comparing the daily probabilities of dust events generated by the models in 2001-2021 with the daily African dust contributions to PM10 regional background levels in each region. On average, daily dust contributions increased proportionally with the increase in daily probabilities, reaching zero for days with low probabilities. Furthermore, a well-defined seasonal evolution of probability values was observed in all regions, with the highest values in the summer months and the lowest in the winter period, ensuring the physical relevance of the models' results. Finally, upward trends were observed in all regions for the three thermodynamic parameters over 1940-2021. Thus, the probability of dust events development also increased in this period. It demonstrates that the aggravation of warm conditions in southern Europe in the last decades, have modified the frequency of North-African dust outbreaks over the western Mediterranean basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Salvador
- CIEMAT, Department of Environment - Joint Research Unit Atmospheric Pollution CIEMAT-CSIC, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jorge Pey
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE), CSIC, Av. Montañana 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Noemí Pérez
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, c. Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Alastuey
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, c. Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, c. Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Begoña Artíñano
- CIEMAT, Department of Environment - Joint Research Unit Atmospheric Pollution CIEMAT-CSIC, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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2
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Pardo N, Sainz-Villegas S, Calvo AI, Blanco-Alegre C, Fraile R. Connection between Weather Types and Air Pollution Levels: A 19-Year Study in Nine EMEP Stations in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2977. [PMID: 36833673 PMCID: PMC9964285 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on the analysis of the distribution, both spatial and temporal, of the PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less) concentrations recorded in nine EMEP (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme) background stations distributed throughout mainland Spain between 2001 and 2019. A study of hierarchical clusters was used to classify the stations into three main groups with similarities in yearly concentrations: GC (coastal location), GNC (north-central location), and GSE (southeastern location). The highest PM10 concentrations were registered in summer. Annual evolution showed statistically significant decreasing trends in PM10 concentration in all the stations covering a range from -0.21 to -0.50 µg m-3/year for Barcarrota and Víznar, respectively. Through the Lamb classification, the weather types were defined during the study period, and those associated with high levels of pollution were identified. Finally, the values exceeding the limits established by the legislation were analyzed for every station assessed in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Pardo
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 7, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Samuel Sainz-Villegas
- Department of Physics, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
- IHCantabria-Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Ana I. Calvo
- Department of Physics, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | | | - Roberto Fraile
- Department of Physics, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
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3
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Volcanic Eruption of Cumbre Vieja, La Palma, Spain: A First Insight to the Particulate Matter Injected in the Troposphere. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14102470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The volcanic eruption of Cumbre Vieja (La Palma Island, Spain), started on 19 September 2021 and was declared terminated on 25 December 2021. A complete set of aerosol measurements were deployed around the volcano within the first month of the eruptive activity. This paper describes the results of the observations made at Tazacorte on the west bank of the island where a polarized micro-pulse lidar was deployed. The analyzed two-and-a-half months (16 October–31 December) reveal that the peak height of the lowermost and strongest volcanic plume did not exceed 3 km (the mean of the hourly values is 1.43 ± 0.45 km over the whole period) and was highly variable. The peak height of the lowermost volcanic plume steadily increased until week 11 after the eruption started (and 3 weeks before its end) and started decreasing afterward. The ash mass concentration was assessed with a method based on the polarization capability of the instrument. Two days with a high ash load were selected: The ash backscatter coefficient, aerosol optical depth, and the volume and particle depolarization ratios were, respectively, 3.6 (2.4) Mm−1sr−1, 0.52 (0.19), 0.13 (0.07) and 0.23 (0.13) on 18 October (15 November). Considering the limitation of current remote sensing techniques to detect large-to-giant particles, the ash mass concentration on the day with the highest ash load (18 October) was estimated to have peaked in the range of 800–3200 μg m−3 in the lowermost layer below 2.5 km.
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Particulate Matter Ionic and Elemental Composition during the Winter Season: A Comparative Study among Rural, Urban and Remote Sites in Southern Italy. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13020356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We present an overview of the concentrations and distributions of water-soluble ion species and elemental components in ambient particulate matter for five measurement sites in southern Italy with the aim of investigating the influence of the different site characteristics on PM levels. The sites encompass different characteristics, ranging from urban to coastal and high-altitude remote areas. PM10 and PM2.5 fractions were collected simultaneously using dual channel samplers during the winter period from November 2015 to January 2016 and analyzed for water-soluble ion species, using ion chromatography, and elemental composition, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In all sites, PM2.5 represented the higher contribution to particulate mass, usually more than two times that of the coarse fraction (PM2.5−10). At the coastal site in Capo Granitola (Western Sicily), sea salts constituted about 30% of total PM10 mass. On average, ion species accounted for 30% to 60% of total PM10 mass and 15% to 50% of PM2.5 mass. We found that secondary ion species, i.e., SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ dominated the identifiable components within both PM2.5 and PM10 fractions. The chlorine–sodium ratio was usually lower than that expected from the natural level in sea salt, evidencing aged air masses. At the monitoring site in Naples, a highly urbanized area affected by high levels of anthropogenic source emissions, an increased contribution of ammonium was found, which was imputed to the increased ammonia emissions from industrial combustion sources and road traffic. The concentrations of the investigated elements showed noteworthy differences from one site to another. The PM10 fraction was highly enriched by sources of anthropogenic origin in the samples from the most urbanized areas. In general, the enrichment factors of the elements were similar between the PM10 and PM2.5 fractions, confirming common sources for all elements.
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5
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Organic and Elemental Carbon in the Urban Background in an Eastern Mediterranean City. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Mediterranean region is an important area for air pollution as it is the crossroads between three continents; therefore, the concentrations of atmospheric aerosol particles are influenced by emissions from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Here we concentrate on an eleven-month time series of the ambient concentration of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) between May 2018–March 2019 in Amman, Jordan. Such a dataset is unique in Jordan. The results show that the OC and EC annual mean concentrations in PM2.5 samples were 5.9 ± 2.8 µg m–3 and 1.7 ± 1.1 µg m–3, respectively. It was found that the majority of OC and EC concentrations were within the fine particle fraction (PM2.5). During sand and dust storm (SDS) episodes OC and EC concentrations were higher than the annual means; the mean values during these periods were about 9.6 ± 3.5 µg m–3 and 2.5 ± 1.2 µg m–3 in the PM2.5 samples. Based on this, the SDS episodes were identified to be responsible for an increased carbonaceous aerosol content as well as PM2.5 and PM10 content, which may have direct implications on human health. This study encourages us to perform more extensive measurements during a longer time period and to include an advanced chemical and physical characterization for urban aerosols in the urban atmosphere of Amman, which can be representative of other urban areas in the region.
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Pallarés S, Gómez ET, Martínez-Poveda Á, Jordán MM. Distribution Levels of Particulate Matter Fractions (<2.5 µm, 2.5-10 µm and >10 µm) at Seven Primary Schools in a European Ceramic Cluster. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094922. [PMID: 34063092 PMCID: PMC8124735 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study addresses the concentration of particulate matter and their size using a statistical analysis of data obtained inside seven schools located in the towns of Castellón (S1, S2, and S3), Alcora (S4, S5, and S6) and Lucena (S7) in northeast Spain. Samples were taken for five to eight hours, depending on school hours, to obtain a monthly sample for each school. The main goal of this study is to assess the differences depending on the type of location and the sampling point to be able to design corrective measures that improve the habitability and safety of the teaching spaces analyzed. The lowest concentrations of fine particulate matter, less than 2.5 µm, were registered at the rural location. The values of these particles found in industrial and urban locations were not substantially different. In the case of particulate matter between 2.5 and 10 µm, significant differences were observed between the three types of locations. The lowest concentrations of particles larger than 10 µm were registered at the rural location, and the highest concentrations were found at the industrial locations. Among the urban stations, the particle concentration of this fraction in station S2 was significantly higher than that in stations S1 and S3, which had similar concentrations. These values are also similar to those registered at school S6, which is at an industrial location. The resuspension of particles from both indoor sources as well as those transported from the outside is an important factor in the concentrations of particles inside classrooms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Trinidad Gómez
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Jaume I University, Campus Riu Sec s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain;
| | - África Martínez-Poveda
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Cartographic Engineering, Graphic Expression in Engineering, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, 03312 Orihuela (Alicante), Spain;
| | - Manuel Miguel Jordán
- Department of Agrochemistry and Environment, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, 03202 Elche (Alicante), Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-966658896
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Kumari P, Toshniwal D. Impact of lockdown on air quality over major cities across the globe during COVID-19 pandemic. URBAN CLIMATE 2020; 34:100719. [PMID: 33083215 DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2020.100729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In present study, the variation in concentration of key air pollutants such as PM 2.5, PM 10, NO 2, SO 2 and O 3 during the pre-lockdown and post-lockdown phase has been investigated. In addition, the monthly concentration of air pollutants in March, April and May of 2020 is also compared with that of 2019 to unfold the effect of restricted emissions under similar meteorological conditions. To evaluate the global impact of COVID-19 on the air quality, ground-based data from 162 monitoring stations from 12 cities across the globe are analysed for the first time. The concentration of PM 2.5, PM 10 and NO 2 were reduced by 20-34%, 24-47% and 32-64%, respectively, due to restriction on anthropogenic emission sources during lockdown. However, a lower reduction in SO 2 was observed due to functional power plants. O 3 concentration was found to be increased due to the declined emission of NO. Nevertheless, the achieved improvements were temporary as the pollution level has gone up again in cities where lockdown was lifted. The study might assist the environmentalist, government and policymakers to curb down the air pollution in future by implementing the strategic lockdowns at the pollution hotspots with minimal economic loss.
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Key Words
- AQI, Air Quality Index
- Air quality
- BC, Black carbon
- CO, Carbon monoxide
- COVID-19, Coronavirus diseases 2019
- Covid-19
- MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus ≤10 μm
- NO2
- NO2, Nitrogen dioxide
- O3, Ozone
- PHEIC, Public Health Emergency of International Concern
- PM10
- PM2.5
- PM2.5, PM10, Particulate matter with diameters
- Pollution
- SARS-CoV, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ≤2.5 μm
- SO2, Sulphur dioxide
- WHO, World Health Organization
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Kumari
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India
| | - Durga Toshniwal
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India
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8
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Salvador P, Pandolfi M, Tobías A, Gómez-Moreno FJ, Molero F, Barreiro M, Pérez N, Revuelta MA, Marco IM, Querol X, Artíñano B. Impact of mixing layer height variations on air pollutant concentrations and health in a European urban area: Madrid (Spain), a case study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:41702-41716. [PMID: 32696403 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10146-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of local high-pollution episodes in densely populated urban areas, which have huge fleets of vehicles, is currently one of the most worrying problems associated with air pollution worldwide. Such episodes are produced under specific meteorological conditions, which favour the sudden increase of levels of air pollutants. This study has investigated the influence of the mixing layer height (MLH) on the concentration levels of atmospheric pollutants and daily mortality in Madrid, Spain, during the period 2011-2014. It may help to understand the causes and impact of local high-pollution episodes. MLH at midday over Madrid was daily estimated from meteorological radio soundings. Then, days with different MLH over this urban area were characterized by meteorological parameters registered at different levels of an instrumented tower and by composite sea level pressure maps, representing the associated synoptic meteorological scenarios. Next, statistically significant associations between MLH and levels of PM10, PM2.5, NO, NO2, CO and ultra-fine particles number concentrations registered at representative monitoring stations were evaluated. Finally, associations between all-natural cause daily mortality in Madrid, MLH, and air pollutants were estimated using conditional Poisson regression models. The reduction of MLH to values below 482 m above-ground level under strong atmospheric stagnation conditions was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in levels of NO, NO2, CO, PM2.5 and ultra-fine particle number concentrations at urban-traffic and suburban monitoring sites. The decrease of the MLH was also associated to a linear increase of the daily number of exceedances of the UE NO2 hourly limit value (200 μg/m3) and levels of air pollutants at hotspot urban-traffic monitoring stations. Also, a statistically significant association of the MLH with all-natural cause daily mortality was obtained. When the MLH increased by 830 m, the risk of mortality decreased by 2.5% the same day and by 3.3% the next day, when African dust episodic days were excluded. They were also higher in absolute terms than the increases in risk of mortality that were determined for the exposition to any other air pollutant. Our results suggest that when the prediction models foresee values of MLH below 482 m above-ground level in Madrid, the evolution of high-contamination episodes will be very favourable. Therefore, short-term policy measures will have to be implemented to reduce NO, NO2, CO, PM2.5 and ultra-fine particle emissions from anthropogenic sources in this southern European urban location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Salvador
- Department of Environment - Joint Research Unit Atmospheric Pollution CIEMAT-CSIC, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marco Pandolfi
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, c. Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aurelio Tobías
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, c. Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Gómez-Moreno
- Department of Environment - Joint Research Unit Atmospheric Pollution CIEMAT-CSIC, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Molero
- Department of Environment - Joint Research Unit Atmospheric Pollution CIEMAT-CSIC, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos Barreiro
- Department of Environment - Joint Research Unit Atmospheric Pollution CIEMAT-CSIC, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Noemí Pérez
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, c. Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Isabel Martínez Marco
- Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), c. Leonardo Prieto Castro 8, 28071, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, c. Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Begoña Artíñano
- Department of Environment - Joint Research Unit Atmospheric Pollution CIEMAT-CSIC, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Oduber F, Calvo AI, Castro A, Blanco-Alegre C, Alves C, Barata J, Nunes T, Lucarelli F, Nava S, Calzolai G, Cerqueira M, Martín-Villacorta J, Esteves V, Fraile R. Chemical composition of rainwater under two events of aerosol transport: A Saharan dust outbreak and wildfires. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 734:139202. [PMID: 32460070 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A one-year campaign of joint sampling of aerosols and precipitation, carried out in León, Spain, allowed to study the impact of two special events that affected the air quality in the north of the country, on rainfall in the city: a period with wildfires and a Saharan dust intrusion. The wildfires that occurred in northern Portugal and northwestern Spain in August 2016 affected the chemistry of rainfall on 15 August 2016, causing an increase in concentrations of NH4+, Na+, Cl-, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, SO42- and NO3- and in the concentrations of organic acids, which was reflected in the levels of soluble and insoluble organic carbon. This led to acidification of rainwater (pH = 4.8). The second precipitation event was registered between 11 and 14 February 2017, during which the rainwater was collected in four daily fractions (P1, P2, P3 and P4). The rain sample of 12 February (P2) coincided with a Saharan dust intrusion that reached northern Iberia that day. The chemical composition of P2 showed an increase in the Ca2+ (>800%), Mg2+ (71%), Cl- (62%), and SO42- (33%) concentrations, with respect to P1. The input of crustal elements to the atmosphere helped to neutralize the P2 rainwater, causing pH values higher than 6.5. Once the dust intrusion left the north of the Peninsula, the composition of rainwater P3 and P4 revealed a mixture of marine contribution with local anthropogenic emissions, as well as a decrease in ion concentrations and conductivity, and an increase in pH values.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Oduber
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, León, Spain
| | - A I Calvo
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, León, Spain
| | - A Castro
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, León, Spain
| | - C Blanco-Alegre
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, León, Spain
| | - C Alves
- Department of Environmental and Planning, CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - J Barata
- Department of Environmental and Planning, CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - T Nunes
- Department of Environmental and Planning, CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - F Lucarelli
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence and INFN-Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - S Nava
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence and INFN-Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Calzolai
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence and INFN-Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Cerqueira
- Department of Environmental and Planning, CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - V Esteves
- Department of Environmental and Planning, CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - R Fraile
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, León, Spain.
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10
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Influence of Individual Household Heating on PM2.5 Concentration in a Rural Settlement. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10120782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This article reports the results of research on the concentration of particulate matter (PM) in two places in one village named Kotórz Mały (Poland). The main point of the research was to check the influence scale of different low-emission source forms as components of the anthropogenic factor driving the changes in local air quality. Measurements were made over five cold seasons. To investigate the dust concentrations, the gravimetric and optical method was used. The weather conditions were measured with portable weather stations. It was found that the character of individual heating systems had a major influence on local air quality. The presence of a permanent state of the troposphere and temperature inversion led to the inhibition of pollution dispersion processes and significant local changes, exceeding the recommended PM2.5 concentrations limit. The effects of policy still don’t influence air quality trends in the Polish village. The main problem of high concentrations of PM2.5 is the old generation of individual heating systems and the lack of significant support from local and national authorities. For the terms considered and the period of observation, meteorological measurements can be considered a sufficient foundation for the estimation of the occurrence of worrying conditions.
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11
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Analysis and Modelling of PM2.5 Temporal and Spatial Behaviors in European Cities. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11216019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is associated with adverse effects on human health (e.g., fatal cardiovascular and respiratory diseases), and environmental concerns (e.g., visibility impairment and damage in ecosystems). This study aimed to evaluate temporal and spatial trends and behaviors of PM2.5 concentrations in different European locations. Statistical threshold models using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) defined by Genetic Algorithms (GA) were also applied for an urban centre site in Istanbul, to evaluate the influence of meteorological variables and PM10 concentrations on PM2.5 concentrations. Lower PM2.5 concentrations were observed in northern Europe. The highest values were found at traffic-related sites. PM2.5 concentrations were usually higher during the winter and tended to present strong increases during rush hours. PM2.5/PM10 ratios were slightly higher at background sites and the lower values were found in northern Europe (Helsinki and Stockholm). Ratios were usually higher during cold months and during the night. The statistical model (ANN + GA) allowed evaluating the combined effect of different explanatory variables (temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, air pressure and PM10 concentrations) on PM2.5 concentrations, under different regimes defined by relative humidity (threshold value of 79.1%). Important information about the temporal and spatial trends and behaviors related to PM2.5 concentrations in different European locations was developed.
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12
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Air Quality Trend of PM10. Statistical Models for Assessing the Air Quality Impact of Environmental Policies. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11205857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A statistical modelling of PM10 concentration (2006–2015) is applied to understand the behaviour, to know the influence of the variables to exposure risk, to treat the missing data to evaluate air quality, and to estimate data for those sites where they are not available. The study area, Castellón region (Spain), is a strategic area in the framework of EU pollution control. A decrease of PM10 is observed for industrial and urban stations. In the case of rural stations, the levels remain constant throughout the study period. The contribution of anthropogenic sources has been estimated through the PM10 background of the study area. The behaviour of PM10 annual trend is tri-modal for industrial and urban stations and bi-modal in the case of rural stations. The EU Normative suggests that 90% of the data per year are necessary to control air quality. Thus, interpolation statistical methods are presented to fill missing data: Linear Interpolation, Exponential Interpolation, and Kalman Smoothing. This study also focuses on testing the goodness of these methods in order to find the ones that better approach the gaps. After analyzing graphically and using the RMSE the last method is confirmed to be the best option.
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13
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The relationship between indoor and outdoor levels of PM10 and its chemical composition at schools in a coastal region in Spain. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02270. [PMID: 31497669 PMCID: PMC6722263 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
PM10 levels and its chemical composition were studied inside and outdoor of seven primary schools (3 in urban environment, 3 in industrial environment, 1 in rural environment) located in the Mediterranean coast in an area with an important industrial nucleus dedicated to the treatment of raw mineral materials. The main objective of this work is a comparison between these levels obtained inside and outside schools and also asses the influence of various natural and anthropogenic emission sources on particles concentrations found inside. The indoor airborne samples were collected using RespiCon TM. In the three outdoor sampling stations was used a minivol air sampler type 3.1 LVS of Derenda. PM10 Chemical composition was obtained by ICP-MS (elements) and ion chromatography The ratio I/O (indoor/outdoor) has been calculated taking into account only the samples taken in the same conditions. In all schools the ratio I/O for PM10 was greater than unity (between 1.3 and 7.8), indicating that existed significant indoor sources of these particles. In the three schools located in the industrial environment were collected PM10 samples inside and outside in non-teaching periods. Comparing the values of I/O when the classrooms were unoccupied with respect to the average value of these same schools when the classrooms are occupied, the behaviour is different depending on the location. On the other hand, a sample in an industrial school was obtained when some infrastructure works were being carried out outside of school. This caused a significant increase in the concentration of particles in the interior (I/O = 19.9). From the levels of As, Ni, Cd, Pb, Al, B, Zn, Mg, Sb, F−, ClO2-, NO3- and SO42- in PM10 inside and outside of each school, also the ratios I/O were calculated. These chemical ratios I/O were higher than unity in all cases and generally higher than those recorded in the case of PM10. Finally, Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between the elements and anions and the PM10, and between the different elements and anions were calculated for the purpose of establishing the existence of common emission sources.
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Oduber F, Calvo AI, Blanco-Alegre C, Castro A, Nunes T, Alves C, Sorribas M, Fernández-González D, Vega-Maray AM, Valencia-Barrera RM, Lucarelli F, Nava S, Calzolai G, Alonso-Blanco E, Fraile B, Fialho P, Coz E, Prevot ASH, Pont V, Fraile R. Unusual winter Saharan dust intrusions at Northwest Spain: Air quality, radiative and health impacts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 669:213-228. [PMID: 30878930 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Saharan air masses can transport high amounts of mineral dust particles and biological material to the Iberian Peninsula. During winter, this kind of events is not very frequent and usually does not reach the northwest of the Peninsula. However, between 21 and 22 February 2016 and between 22 and 23 February 2017, two exceptional events were registered in León (Spain), which severely affected air quality. An integrative approach including: i) typical synoptic conditions; ii) aerosol chemical composition; iii) particle size distributions; iv) pollen concentration; v) aerosol optical depth (AOD); vi) radiative forcing and vii) estimation of the impact of aerosols in the respiratory tract, was carried out. In the global characterization of these events, the exceedance of the PM10 daily limit value, an increase in the coarse mode and a rise in the iron concentration were observed. On the 2016 event, an AOD and extinction-related Ångström exponent clearly characteristic of desert aerosol (1.1 and 0.05, respectively) were registered. Furthermore, pollen grains not typical of flowering plants in this period were identified. The chemical analysis of the aerosol from the 2017 event allowed us to confirm the presence of the main elements associated with mineral sources (aluminum, calcium, and silica concentrations). An increase in the SO42-, NO3- and Cl- concentrations during the Saharan dust intrusion was also noted. However, in this event, there was no presence of atypical pollen types. The estimated dust radiative forcing traduced a cooling effect for surface and atmosphere during both events, corroborated by trends of radiative flux measurements. The estimated impact on the respiratory tract regions of the high levels of particulate matter during both Saharan dust intrusions showed high levels for the respirable fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Oduber
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB University of León, León, Spain
| | - A I Calvo
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB University of León, León, Spain
| | - C Blanco-Alegre
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB University of León, León, Spain
| | - A Castro
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB University of León, León, Spain
| | - T Nunes
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - C Alves
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Sorribas
- El Arenosillo-Atmospheric Sounding Station, Atmospheric Research and Instrumentation Branch, INTA, Mazagón, Huelva, Spain
| | - D Fernández-González
- Biodiversity and Environmental Management, University of León, Spain; Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate-CNR, Bologna, Italy
| | - A M Vega-Maray
- Biodiversity and Environmental Management, University of León, Spain
| | | | - F Lucarelli
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence and I.N.F.N., Florence, Italy
| | - S Nava
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence and I.N.F.N., Florence, Italy
| | - G Calzolai
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence and I.N.F.N., Florence, Italy
| | - E Alonso-Blanco
- Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Department of the Environment, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Fraile
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - P Fialho
- Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment-IVAR, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - E Coz
- Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Department of the Environment, Madrid, Spain
| | - A S H Prevot
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - V Pont
- Laboratory of Aerology, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - R Fraile
- Department of Physics, IMARENAB University of León, León, Spain.
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Huang X, Cai Y, Li J. Evidence of the mitigated urban particulate matter island (UPI) effect in China during 2000-2015. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 660:1327-1337. [PMID: 30743927 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Urban fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution has been the subject of great concern, due to its remarkable adverse effects on public health. However, quantitative investigations of the spatial concentration trends from urban to background areas are still lacking. The urban particulate matter island (UPI) effect, referring to the phenomenon that higher particle concentrations in urban areas are gradually attenuated to background areas, is found and investigated in this study. UPI intensity (UPII) and its footprint (UPIFP) are defined to quantify the magnitude and extent of UPI, respectively. Based on observations from 338 Chinese prefectures for 2000-2015, we confirm the existence of the UPI effect, and further reveal its spatiotemporal patterns. We find that: 1) 84% (283/338) of the cities in China in various city levels and climatic zones showed the UPI phenomenon during 2000-2015, and this phenomenon is closely related to the land-use/cover patterns between the urban area and surrounding areas; 2) different spatial patterns of UPI effect are apparent, with high UPII values and small UPIFP values in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, moderate UPII values and large UPIFP values in northern China, the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta, and high UPII and UPIFP values in the Western Taiwan Straits region; 3) UPI mitigation can be observed nationwide, with significant decreasing trends for both UPII and UPIFP, benefiting from the increase in urban green spaces and the built-up proportion differences between urban and suburban areas during urbanization. Additionally, it is indicated that more urban residents and faster urban expansion correspond to a steeper decline of UPII in China during 2000-2015. The existence and characteristics of the UPI effect in China will allow new insight and understanding of urban pollution patterns, and will provide scientific evidence for urban planning and pollution control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Yafang Cai
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayi Li
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China.
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García MÁ, Sánchez ML, de Los Ríos A, Pérez IA, Pardo N, Fernández-Duque B. Analysis of PM10 and PM2.5 Concentrations in an Urban Atmosphere in Northern Spain. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 76:331-345. [PMID: 30430193 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-018-0581-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This work analyses levels of particles PM10 and PM2.5 recorded at four air-quality monitoring stations located in the urban area of Valladolid (Spain) during 2015-2016. To achieve this, the evolution of particle concentrations at different time scales was determined. Average concentrations ranged from 15.3 to 17.6 µg m-3 for PM10 and between 8.9 and 14.8 µg m-3 for PM2.5. The highest monthly means were recorded in autumn and winter. The difference between mean concentrations at weekends and on weekdays for PM10 was around 3 µg m-3 at most of the measuring stations and was 1 µg m-3 for PM2.5. Two concentration peaks were found during the day, one in the morning and the other in the evening, which evidenced the influence of traffic and other anthropogenic activities on PM concentrations. Their mean values were approximately 21 and 17-21 µg m-3, respectively, for PM10. Mean maximum values for PM2.5 were 12 µg m-3, except at one of the measuring sites, with 17 µg m-3 for the morning maximum and 1 µg m-3 more for the nocturnal peak. In addition, the impact of long-distance transport of air masses in the study area was analysed by applying a HYSPLIT trajectory model, taking into account backward trajectories of European, African, and Atlantic origins as well as local conditions. In particular, high concentration events due to Saharan dust intrusions are presented. Finally, background levels of particle concentrations estimated at most sampling areas were around 15 and 7.7 µg m-3 for the PM10 and PM2.5 particle fractions, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ángeles García
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.
| | - M Luisa Sánchez
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Adrián de Los Ríos
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Isidro A Pérez
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Nuria Pardo
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Fernández-Duque
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
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Yang S, Sui J, Liu T, Wu W, Xu S, Yin L, Pu Y, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Shen B, Liang G. Trends on PM 2.5 research, 1997-2016: a bibliometric study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:12284-12298. [PMID: 29623642 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1723-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Sui
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Shen
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, People's Republic of China.
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Santurtún A, Rasilla DF, Riancho L, Zarrabeitia MT. Análisis de la relación entre la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y los contaminantes atmosféricos atendiendo al origen y trayectoria de las masas de aire en el Norte de España. Arch Bronconeumol 2017; 53:616-621. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2017.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Zegarska B, Pietkun K, Zegarski W, Bolibok P, Wiśniewski M, Roszek K, Czarnecka J, Nowacki M. Air pollution, UV irradiation and skin carcinogenesis: what we know, where we stand and what is likely to happen in the future? Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2017; 34:6-14. [PMID: 28261026 PMCID: PMC5329103 DOI: 10.5114/ada.2017.65616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The link between air pollution, UV irradiation and skin carcinogenesis has been demonstrated within a large number of epidemiological studies. Many have shown the detrimental effect that UV irradiation can have on human health as well as the long-term damage which can result from air pollution, the European ESCAPE project being a notable example. In total, at present around 2800 different chemical substances are systematically released into the air. This paper looks at the hazardous impact of air pollution and UV and discusses: 1) what we know; 2) where we stand; and 3) what is likely to happen in the future. Thereafter, we will argue that there is still insufficient evidence of how great direct air pollution and UV irradiation are as factors in the development of skin carcinogenesis. However, future prospects of progress are bright due to a number of encouraging diagnostic and preventive projects in progress at the moment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Zegarska
- Chair of Cosmetology and Aesthetic Dermatology, Ludwik Rydygier’s Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Pietkun
- Chair of Cosmetology and Aesthetic Dermatology, Ludwik Rydygier’s Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland
- Chair and Department of Rehabilitation, Ludwik Rydygier’s Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland
| | - Wojciech Zegarski
- Chair and Department of Surgical Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier’s Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Oncology Centre – Professor Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Paulina Bolibok
- Physicochemistry of Carbon Materials Research Group, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Marek Wiśniewski
- Physicochemistry of Carbon Materials Research Group, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Roszek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Joanna Czarnecka
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Maciej Nowacki
- Chair and Department of Surgical Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier’s Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Oncology Centre – Professor Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Matthaios VN, Triantafyllou AG, Koutrakis P. PM(10) episodes in Greece: Local sources versus long-range transport-observations and model simulations. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2017; 67:105-126. [PMID: 27650473 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2016.1231146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Periods of abnormally high concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, defined as air pollution episodes, can cause adverse health effects. Southern European countries experience high particulate matter (PM) levels originating from local and distant sources. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and nature of extreme PM10 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm) pollution episodes in Greece. We examined PM10 concentration data from 18 monitoring stations located at five sites across the country: (1) an industrial area in northwestern Greece (Western Macedonia Lignite Area, WMLA), which includes sources such as lignite mining operations and lignite power plants that generate a high percentage of the energy in Greece; (2) the greater Athens area, the most populated area of the country; and (3) Thessaloniki, (4) Patra, and (5) Volos, three large cities in Greece. We defined extreme PM10 pollution episodes (EEs) as days during which PM10 concentrations at all five sites exceeded the European Union (EU) 24-hr PM10 standards. For each EE, we identified the corresponding prevailing synoptic and local meteorological conditions, including wind surface data, for the period from January 2009 through December 2011. We also analyzed data from remote sensing and model simulations. We recorded 14 EEs that occurred over 49 days and could be grouped into two categories: (1) Local Source Impact (LSI; 26 days, 53%) and (2) African Dust Impact (ADI; 23 days, 47%). Our analysis suggested that the contribution of local sources to ADI EEs was relatively small. LSI EEs were observed only in the cold season, whereas ADI EEs occurred throughout the year, with a higher frequency during the cold season. The EEs with the highest intensity were recorded during African dust intrusions. ADI episodes were found to contribute more than local sources in Greece, with ADI and LSI fraction contribution ranging from 1.1 to 3.10. The EE contribution during ADI fluctuated from 41 to 83 μg/m3, whereas during LSI it varied from 14 to 67 μg/m3. IMPLICATIONS This paper examines the occurrence and nature of extreme PM10 pollution episodes (EEs) in Greece during a 3-yr period (2009-2011). Fourteen EEs were found of 49 days total duration, classified into two main categories: Local Source Impact (53%) and African Dust Impact (47%). All the above extreme PM10 air pollution episodes were the result of specific synoptic prevailing conditions. Specific information on the linkages between the synoptic weather patterns and PM10 concentrations could be used in the development of weather/health-warning system to alert the public that a synoptic episode is imminent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios N Matthaios
- a Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Environmental Physics, Department of Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control , Technological Educational Institution (TEI) of Western Macedonia , Kozani , Greece
| | - Athanasios G Triantafyllou
- a Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Environmental Physics, Department of Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control , Technological Educational Institution (TEI) of Western Macedonia , Kozani , Greece
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- b Department of Environmental Health , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA
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Yu GH, Park S, Lee KH. Source contributions and potential source regions of size-resolved water-soluble organic carbon measured at an urban site over one year. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2016; 18:1343-1358. [PMID: 27722488 DOI: 10.1039/c6em00416d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 24 h size-segregated particulate matter (PM) samples were collected between September 2012 and August 2013 at an urban site in Korea to investigate seasonal mass size distributions of PM and its water-soluble components as well as to infer the possible sources of size-resolved water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) was also computed to identify the possible source regions of size-resolved WSOC. The seasonal average contribution of water-soluble organic matter to PM1.8 was in the range from 12.7 to 19.7%, but higher (21.0%) and lower contributions (8.9%) were observed during a severe haze event and an Asian dust event, respectively. The seasonal mass size distribution of WSOC had a dominant droplet mode peaking at 0.55 μm and a minor coarse mode peaking at 3.1 μm. The droplet mode WSOC was found to strongly correlate with oxalate, SO42-, NO3-, and K+, suggesting that in-cloud processes and biomass burning emissions are important sources of droplet mode WSOC. This finding was verified by the results obtained using PMF models. Secondary organic aerosols (oxalate + SO42- + NO3-) and biomass burning were the most important contributors (70.3%) to condensation mode WSOC. In the droplet mode, in-cloud processes and secondary NO3- (+biomass burning) were important sources of WSOC, contributing on average 46.4 and 25.9% to the WSOC, respectively. In the coarse mode, soil dust and secondary processes contributed 52.5 and 42.5% to the WSOC, respectively. The PMF analyses and PSCF maps of WSOC, SO42-, and K+ indicate that condensation mode WSOC was mostly influenced by the secondary organic aerosols and biomass burning from both local and long-range transported pollutants, while droplet mode WSOC was primarily the result of atmospheric processing during the long range transport of biogenic and anthropogenic pollutants from the eastern regions of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geun-Hye Yu
- Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
| | - Seungshik Park
- Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
| | - Kwon-Ho Lee
- Department of Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Korea
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Morakinyo OM, Mokgobu MI, Mukhola MS, Hunter RP. Health Outcomes of Exposure to Biological and Chemical Components of Inhalable and Respirable Particulate Matter. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13060592. [PMID: 27314370 PMCID: PMC4924049 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13060592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is a key indicator of air pollution and a significant risk factor for adverse health outcomes in humans. PM is not a self-contained pollutant but a mixture of different compounds including chemical and biological fractions. While several reviews have focused on the chemical components of PM and associated health effects, there is a dearth of review studies that holistically examine the role of biological and chemical components of inhalable and respirable PM in disease causation. A literature search using various search engines and (or) keywords was done. Articles selected for review were chosen following predefined criteria, to extract and analyze data. The results show that the biological and chemical components of inhalable and respirable PM play a significant role in the burden of health effects attributed to PM. These health outcomes include low birth weight, emergency room visit, hospital admission, respiratory and pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, non-communicable diseases, and premature death, among others. This review justifies the importance of each or synergistic effects of the biological and chemical constituents of PM on health. It also provides information that informs policy on the establishment of exposure limits for PM composition metrics rather than the existing exposure limits of the total mass of PM. This will allow for more effective management strategies for improving outdoor air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyewale Mayowa Morakinyo
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Matlou Ingrid Mokgobu
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Raymond Paul Hunter
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
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Dominguez-Rodriguez A, Juarez-Prera R, Rodríguez S, Abreu-Gonzalez P, Avanzas P. Influence of meteorological conditions on hospital admission in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without ST-segment elevation: Results of the AIRACOS study. MEDICINA INTENSIVA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2016; 40:201-207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medine.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
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Xu H, Cao J, Chow JC, Huang RJ, Shen Z, Chen LWA, Ho KF, Watson JG. Inter-annual variability of wintertime PM2.5 chemical composition in Xi'an, China: Evidences of changing source emissions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 545-546:546-555. [PMID: 26760274 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemical characteristics of PM2.5 in Xi'an in wintertime of 2006, 2008, and 2010 were investigated. Markers of OC2, EC1, and NO3(-)/SO4(2-) ratio were calculated to investigate the changes in PM2.5 emission sources over the 5-year period. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was used to identify and quantify the main sources of PM2.5 and their contributions. The results showed that coal combustion, motor vehicular emissions, fugitive dust, and secondary inorganic aerosol accounted for more than 80% of PM2.5 mass. The importance of these major sources to the PM2.5 mass varied yearly: coal combustion was the largest contributor (31.2% ± 5.2%), followed by secondary inorganic aerosol (20.9% ± 5.2%) and motor vehicular emissions (19.3% ± 4.8%) in 2006; the order was still coal combustion emissions (27.6% ± 3.4%), secondary inorganic aerosol (23.2% ± 6.9%), and motor vehicular emissions (20.9% ± 4.6%) in 2008; while coal combustion emission further decreased (24.1% ± 3.1%) with fugitive dust (19.4% ± 5.5%) increasing in 2010. The changes in PM2.5 chemical compositions and source contributions can be attributed to the social and economic developments in Xi'an, China, including energy structure adjustment, energy consumption, the expansion of civil vehicles, and the increase of urban construction activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Xu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China.
| | - Junji Cao
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China; Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Judith C Chow
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China; Desert Research Institute, Reno, USA
| | - R-J Huang
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland
| | - Zhenxing Shen
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | | | - Kin Fai Ho
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - John G Watson
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China; Desert Research Institute, Reno, USA
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Koçak M, Mihalopoulos N, Tutsak E, Theodosi C, Zarmpas P, Kalegeri P. PM10 and PM2.5 composition over the Central Black Sea: origin and seasonal variability. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:18076-18092. [PMID: 26174981 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4928-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Daily PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected between April 2009 and July 2010 at a rural site (Sinop) situated on the coast of the Central Black Sea. The concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were 23.2 ± 16.7 and 9.8 ± 6.9 μg m(-3), respectively. Coarse and fine filters were analyzed for Cl(-), NO3(-), SO4(2-), C2O4(2-), PO4(3-), Na(+), NH4(+), K(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+) by using ion chromatography. Elemental and organic carbon content in bulk quartz filters were also analyzed. The highest PM2.5 contribution to PM10 was found in summer with a value of 0.54 due to enhanced secondary aerosols in relation to photochemistry. Cl(-), Na(+), and Mg(2+) illustrated their higher concentrations and variability during winter. Chlorine depletion was chiefly attributed to nitrate. Higher nssCa(2+) concentrations were ascribed to episodic mineral dust intrusions from North Africa into the region. Crustal material (31%) and sea salt (13%) were found to be accounted for the majority of the PM10. The ionic mass (IM), particulate organic matter (POM), and elemental carbon (EC) explained 13, 20, and 3% of the PM10 mass, correspondingly. The IM, POM, and EC dominated the PM2.5 (~74%) mass. Regarding EU legislation, the exceeded PM2.5 values were found to be associated with secondary aerosols, with a particular dominance of POM. For the exceeded PM10 values, six of the events were dominated by dust while two and four of these exceedances were caused by sea salt and mix events, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Koçak
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, P.O. Box 28, 33731, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey.
| | - N Mihalopoulos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- National Observatory of Athens, IERSD, Lofos Koufou, Penteli, Greece
| | - E Tutsak
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, P.O. Box 28, 33731, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
| | - C Theodosi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - P Zarmpas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - P Kalegeri
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, P.O. Box 28, 33731, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
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Di Gilio A, de Gennaro G, Dambruoso P, Ventrella G. An integrated approach using high time-resolved tools to study the origin of aerosols. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 530-531:28-37. [PMID: 26026406 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Long-range transport of natural and/or anthropogenic particles can contribute significantly to PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and some European cities often fail to comply with PM daily limit values due to the additional impact of particles from remote sources. For this reason, reliable methodologies to identify long-range transport (LRT) events would be useful to better understand air pollution phenomena and support proper decision-making. This study explores the potential of an integrated and high time-resolved monitoring approach for the identification and characterization of local, regional and long-range transport events of high PM. In particular, the goal of this work was also the identification of time-limited event. For this purpose, a high time-resolved monitoring campaign was carried out at an urban background site in Bari (southern Italy) for about 20 days (1st-20th October 2011). The integration of collected data as the hourly measurements of inorganic ions in PM2.5 and their gas precursors and of the natural radioactivity, in addition to the analyses of aerosol maps and hourly back trajectories (BT), provided useful information for the identification and chemical characterization of local sources and trans-boundary intrusions. Non-sea salt (nss) sulfate levels were found to increase when air masses came from northeastern Europe and higher dispersive conditions of the atmosphere were detected. Instead, higher nitrate and lower nss-sulfate concentrations were registered in correspondence with air mass stagnation and attributed to local traffic source. In some cases, combinations of local and trans-boundary sources were observed. Finally, statistical investigations such as the principal component analysis (PCA) applied on hourly ion concentrations and the cluster analyses, the Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) and the Concentration Weighted Trajectory (CWT) models computed on hourly back-trajectories enabled to complete a cognitive framework and confirm the influence of aerosol transported from heavily polluted areas on the receptor site.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Di Gilio
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; ARPA PUGLIA, Corso Trieste, 27, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - G de Gennaro
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; ARPA PUGLIA, Corso Trieste, 27, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - P Dambruoso
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy; ARPA PUGLIA, Corso Trieste, 27, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - G Ventrella
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Barrero MA, Orza JAG, Cabello M, Cantón L. Categorisation of air quality monitoring stations by evaluation of PM(10) variability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 524-525:225-36. [PMID: 25897730 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Air Quality Monitoring Networks (AQMNs) are composed by a number of stations, which are typically classified as urban, suburban or rural, and background, industrial or traffic, depending on the location and the influence of the immediate surroundings. These categories are not necessarily homogeneous and distinct from one another, regarding the levels of the monitored pollutants. A classification providing groups with these features is of interest for air quality management and research purposes, and therefore, other classification criteria should be explored. In this work, the variations of PM10 concentrations in 43 stations in the AQMN of the Basque Country in the period 2005-2012 have been studied to group them according to common characteristics. The characteristic variations in time are synthesised by the autocorrelation function (ACF), with both daily and hourly data, and by the average diurnal evolution pattern of the normalised concentrations on a seasonal basis (Evol-P). A methodology based on k-means clustering of these features is proposed. Each classification gives a different piece of information that has been phenomenologically related with specific dispersion and emission dynamics. The classification based on Evol-Ps is found to be the most influential one when comparing PM10 levels between groups. A combination of these categorisations provides 5 groups with significantly different levels of PM10, improving the discrimination of the conventional classification. Our results indicate that the time series of the pollutant concentrations contain enough information to provide an objective classification of the monitoring stations in an AQMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Barrero
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, P. Manuel de Lardizabal, 3, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - J A G Orza
- SCOLAb, Department of Physics, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Av. de la Universidad, s/n, edificio Alcudia, 03202 Elche, Spain.
| | - M Cabello
- SCOLAb, Department of Physics, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Av. de la Universidad, s/n, edificio Alcudia, 03202 Elche, Spain.
| | - L Cantón
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, P. Manuel de Lardizabal, 3, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain.
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Dominguez-Rodriguez A, Juarez-Prera RA, Rodríguez S, Abreu-Gonzalez P, Avanzas P. Influence of meteorological conditions on hospital admission in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without ST-segment elevation: Results of the AIRACOS study. Med Intensiva 2015. [PMID: 26208764 DOI: 10.1016/j.medin.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evaluate whether the meterological parameters affecting revenues in patients with ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS. DESIGN A prospective cohort study was carried out. SETTING Coronary Care Unit of Hospital Universitario de Canarias PATIENTS We studies a total of 307 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS. We analyze the average concentrations of particulate smaller than 10 and 2.5μm diameter, particulate black carbon, the concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meteorological parameters (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure) that were exposed patients from one day up to 7 days prior to admission. INTERVENTIONS None. VARIABLES OF INTEREST Demographic, clinical, atmospheric particles, concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meterological parameters. RESULTS A total of 138 (45%) patients were classified as ST-segment and 169 (55%) as non-ST-segment elevation ACS. No statistically significant differences in exposure to atmospheric particles in both groups. Regarding meteorological data, we did not find statistically significant differences, except for higher atmospheric pressure in ST-segment elevation ACS (999.6±2.6 vs. 998.8±2.5 mbar, P=.008). Multivariate analysis showed that atmospheric pressure was significant predictor of ST-segment elevation ACS presentation (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04-1.24, P=.004). CONCLUSIONS In the patients who suffer ACS, the presence of higher number of atmospheric pressure during the week before the event increase the risk that the ST-segment elevation ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dominguez-Rodriguez
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Canarias, La Orotava, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España.
| | - R A Juarez-Prera
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España
| | - S Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación Atmosférica de Izaña (CIAI), AEMET, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España
| | - P Abreu-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España
| | - P Avanzas
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España
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29
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Zhou B, Shen H, Huang Y, Li W, Chen H, Zhang Y, Su S, Chen Y, Lin N, Zhuo S, Zhong Q, Liu J, Li B, Tao S. Daily variations of size-segregated ambient particulate matter in Beijing. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 197:36-42. [PMID: 25489748 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Daily, size-segregated particulate matter (PM) samples were collected at Peking University from March 2012 to April 2013. Seventeen indoor air samples were also collected over this period. Winter PM concentrations decreased compared with those reported a decade ago, but summer PM concentrations increased over the same time period. Increasing summer PM concentrations likely resulted from a shift in the major source of PM from primary coal burning to vehicle-associated secondary particle formation. A multiple regression model explained 62% of daily PM concentration variations, and wind direction was the most important factor controlling PM concentrations. Severe pollution was often associated with southeasterly winds, while westerly and northwesterly winds brought relatively clean air. Temperature, precipitation and relative humidity also affected PM concentrations. PM concentrations indoors were generally lower than, but significantly correlated with ambient concentrations. Indoor PM concentrations were also affected by wind speed and temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangtian Zhou
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huizhong Shen
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ye Huang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wei Li
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Han Chen
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shu Su
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuanchen Chen
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Nan Lin
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shaojie Zhuo
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qirui Zhong
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Junfeng Liu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Bengang Li
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shu Tao
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Pandolfi M, Tobias A, Alastuey A, Sunyer J, Schwartz J, Lorente J, Pey J, Querol X. Effect of atmospheric mixing layer depth variations on urban air quality and daily mortality during Saharan dust outbreaks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 494-495:283-9. [PMID: 25051327 PMCID: PMC4794744 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Several epidemiological studies have shown that the outbreaks of Saharan dust over southern European countries can cause negative health effects. The reasons for the increased toxicity of airborne particles during dust storms remain to be understood although the presence of biogenic factors carried by dust particles and the interaction between dust and man-made air pollution have been hypothesized as possible causes. Intriguingly, recent findings have also demonstrated that during Saharan dust outbreaks the local man-made particulates can have stronger effects on health than during days without outbreaks. We show that the thinning of the mixing layer (ML) during Saharan dust outbreaks, systematically described here for the first time, can trigger the observed higher toxicity of ambient local air. The mixing layer height (MLH) progressively reduced with increasing intensity of dust outbreaks thus causing a progressive accumulation of anthropogenic pollutants and favouring the formation of new fine particles or specific relevant species likely from condensation of accumulated gaseous precursors on dust particles surface. Overall, statistically significant associations of MLH with all-cause daily mortality were observed. Moreover, as the MLH reduced, the risk of mortality associated with the same concentration of particulate matter increased due to the observed pollutant accumulation. The association of MLH with daily mortality and the effect of ML thinning on particle toxicity exacerbated when Saharan dust outbreaks occurred suggesting a synergic effect of atmospheric pollutants on health which was amplified during dust outbreaks. Moreover, the results may reflect higher toxicity of primary particles which predominate on low MLH days.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pandolfi
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), c/Jordi-Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Tobias
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), c/Jordi-Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Alastuey
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), c/Jordi-Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Sunyer
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), c/Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Plaça de la Mercè 10-12, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, 02115 Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Lorente
- Department of Astronomy and Meteorology, University of Barcelona (UB), c/Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Pey
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), c/Jordi-Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LCE FRE 3416, 13331 Marseille, France
| | - X Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), c/Jordi-Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Villar-Vidal M, Lertxundi A, Martinez López de Dicastillo MD, Alvarez JI, Santa Marina L, Ayerdi M, Basterrechea M, Ibarluzea J. Air Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with PM2.5 in a North Cantabric coast urban environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 99:233-238. [PMID: 24331032 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Health studies and more specifically epidemiological studies require an extended analysis of the physical and chemical characteristics of the environment in which are held. The aim of this study is to evaluate the concentration of six Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 fraction of air in a peri-urban environment in the province of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain) where residential areas are surrounded by industrial activity. The six studied PAH are as follows: Fluoranthene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Benzo(k)fluoranthene, (Benzo(a)pyrene, Indene(123-cd)pyrene and Benzo(ghi)perylene. Our six-year study shows a decrease in PAH concentrations between 2006 and 2011, especially since 2008 due to the fall in industrial activity and related traffic. Overall, 801 data were obtained. Total PAH concentration ranged between 0.3 and 8.29ngm(-3) and Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) from 0.05 to 0.88ngm(-3). The mean value for BaP in PM2.5 was 0.15ngm(-3) and the target value established by European legislation in PM10 was only exceeded in occasional days. Contribution percentages of each PAH in the monitoring sites were very similar, indicating common sources. The results of this study suggest that emission from industry play an important role although we also have to consider the contribution of traffic. PAH seasonal variations are similar as those reported in many previous studies. BaP and PAH concentration values in our region of study were in the range of other Spanish cities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Lertxundi
- Biodonostia Institute, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain; University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - M D Martinez López de Dicastillo
- Biodonostia Institute, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain; Department of Environment and Regional Planning. Basque Government, San Sebastian, Spain.
| | - J I Alvarez
- Public Health Laboratory of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - L Santa Marina
- Biodonostia Institute, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain; Public Health Department of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastian, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - M Ayerdi
- Biodonostia Institute, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain; Public Health Department of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastian, Spain.
| | - M Basterrechea
- Biodonostia Institute, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain; Public Health Department of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastian, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - J Ibarluzea
- Biodonostia Institute, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain; Public Health Department of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastian, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
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32
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Cabrera López C, Juliá Serdá G, Cabrera Lacalzada C, Martín Medina A, Gullón Blanco JA, García Bello MÁ, Cabrera Navarro P. Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Canary Islands. Arch Bronconeumol 2014; 50:272-7. [PMID: 24507558 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varies significantly among the different geographical areas reported. In Spain, two epidemiological studies have shown a prevalence of 9-10% in the population aged over 40. However, neither of these studies included the Canary Islands, which are of interest due to their climatic conditions and high incidence of smoking. MATERIALS AND METHODS A random group of 1,353 subjects aged between 40 and 70years was selected from a sample population of 596,478 individuals. Participants completed a questionnaire and then performed spirometry with bronchodilator testing if obstruction was observed. COPD was diagnosed when the post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio was less than 0.70. RESULTS The prevalence of COPD was 7.3% (95%CI: 5.5-9.5) and was higher in males than in females (8.7% vs. 6.3%, P=.134). The incidence of smoking was 29.4% (95%CI: 25.4-33.1) and was also higher in males than in females (35.1% vs 25.4%, P<.001). The prevalence of COPD stratified by severity of obstruction, according to the GOLD criteria, was 16% in groupi, 69.9% in groupii, 10.4% in groupiii and 3.3% in groupiv. 71.6% of the subjects were underdiagnosed and 63.5% undertreated. CONCLUSIONS Despite having one of the highest rates of smoking in Spain, the prevalence of COPD in the Canary Islands is lower than in most of the Spanish regions studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cabrera López
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
| | - Gabriel Juliá Serdá
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España
| | | | - Ana Martín Medina
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Tenerife, España
| | | | - Miguel Ángel García Bello
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España
| | - Pedro Cabrera Navarro
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España
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33
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García-Aleix JR, Delgado-Saborit JM, Verdú-Martín G, Amigó-Descarrega JM, Esteve-Cano V. Trends in arsenic levels in PM10 and PM 2.5 aerosol fractions in an industrialized area. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:695-703. [PMID: 23842861 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1950-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is a toxic element that affects human health and is widely distributed in the environment. In the area of study, the main Spanish and second largest European industrial ceramic cluster, the main source of arsenic aerosol is related to the impurities in some boracic minerals used in the ceramic process. Epidemiological studies on cancer occurrence in Spain points out the study region as one with the greater risk of cancer. Concentrations of particulate matter and arsenic content in PM10 and PM2.5 were measured and characterized by ICP-MS in the area of study during the years 2005-2010. Concentrations of PM10 and its arsenic content range from 27 to 46 μg/m(3) and from 0.7 to 6 ng/m(3) in the industrial area, respectively, and from 25 to 40 μg/m(3) and from 0.7 to 2.8 ng/m(3) in the urban area, respectively. Concentrations of PM2.5 and its arsenic content range from 12 to 14 μg/m(3) and from 0.5 to 1.4 ng/m(3) in the urban background area, respectively. Most of the arsenic content is present in the fine fraction, with ratios of PM2.5/PM10 in the range of 0.65-0.87. PM10, PM2.5, and its arsenic content show a sharp decrease in recent years associated with the economic downturn, which severely hit the production of ceramic materials in the area under study. The sharp production decrease due to the economic crisis combined with several technological improvements in recent years such as substitution of boron, which contains As impurities as raw material, have reduced the concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and As in air to an extent that currently meets the existing European regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R García-Aleix
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Nuclear, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Cº. de Vera, s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
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Pateraki S, Assimakopoulos VD, Maggos T, Fameli KM, Kotroni V, Vasilakos C. Particulate matter pollution over a Mediterranean urban area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 463-464:508-524. [PMID: 23831797 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.05.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the aerosols' (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) spatial and temporal distribution in different types of environment in a Mediterranean urban region, the Greater Athens Area based on data from a sampling campaign that took place during the cold and warm period of 2008. The influence of the atmospheric circulation patterns, the possible local transport mechanisms, as well as the differentiation of the PM behaviour from that of the inorganic pollutants (NOx, O3), are analysed and discussed. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) was applied for selected sampling dates and its results were evaluated against measurements in order to interpret qualitatively the configured picture of the air pollution above the GAA. Analysis of the measurement data show that local sources such as traffic and industry dominate over the prevailing PM loads, especially at the 'hot spot' areas. Moreover, the synoptic circulation patterns associated with calm conditions and southerly flows lead to high particulate pollution levels that also affect the urban background stations. Saharan dust outbreaks appeared to increase the particles' diameter as well as the number of E.U. limit value exceedances within the stations of our network. Without any dependence on the characteristics of the investigated atmosphere, PM1 always constituted the greatest part of the PM2.5 mass while PM10, especially during the Saharan dust episodes, was mainly constituted by the coarse fraction. The numerical modelling approach of the geographical distribution of PM10, PM2.5, NOx and O3 justified the design of the sampling campaign, indicating the need for the systematic and parallel monitoring and modelling of the pollutants' dispersion in order to understand the particulate pollution problem in the GAA and to aid to the formulation of pollution control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- St Pateraki
- Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Athens, University Campus, Building PHYS-5, 157 84 Athens, Greece; Environmental Research Laboratory/INT-RP, National Centre for Scientific Research "DEMOKRITOS", Aghia Paraskevi Attikis, P.O.B. 60228, 153 10 Athens, Greece
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Goienaga N, Sarmiento A, Olivares M, Carrero JA, Fernández LA, Madariaga JM. Emerging Application of a Structural and Chemical Analyzer for the Complete Characterization of Metal-Rich Particulate Matter. Anal Chem 2013; 85:7173-81. [DOI: 10.1021/ac400878y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Goienaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, E-48080,
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Alfredo Sarmiento
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, E-48080,
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Maitane Olivares
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, E-48080,
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio Carrero
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, E-48080,
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Luis A. Fernández
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, E-48080,
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Juan M. Madariaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, E-48080,
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
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González-Aparicio I, Hidalgo J, Baklanov A, Padró A, Santa-Coloma O. An hourly PM10 diagnosis model for the Bilbao metropolitan area using a linear regression methodology. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:4469-4483. [PMID: 23247520 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-1353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
There is extensive evidence of the negative impacts on health linked to the rise of the regional background of particulate matter (PM) 10 levels. These levels are often increased over urban areas becoming one of the main air pollution concerns. This is the case on the Bilbao metropolitan area, Spain. This study describes a data-driven model to diagnose PM10 levels in Bilbao at hourly intervals. The model is built with a training period of 7-year historical data covering different urban environments (inland, city centre and coastal sites). The explanatory variables are quantitative-log [NO2], temperature, short-wave incoming radiation, wind speed and direction, specific humidity, hour and vehicle intensity-and qualitative-working days/weekends, season (winter/summer), the hour (from 00 to 23 UTC) and precipitation/no precipitation. Three different linear regression models are compared: simple linear regression; linear regression with interaction terms (INT); and linear regression with interaction terms following the Sawa's Bayesian Information Criteria (INT-BIC). Each type of model is calculated selecting two different periods: the training (it consists of 6 years) and the testing dataset (it consists of 1 year). The results of each type of model show that the INT-BIC-based model (R(2) = 0.42) is the best. Results were R of 0.65, 0.63 and 0.60 for the city centre, inland and coastal sites, respectively, a level of confidence similar to the state-of-the art methodology. The related error calculated for longer time intervals (monthly or seasonal means) diminished significantly (R of 0.75-0.80 for monthly means and R of 0.80 to 0.98 at seasonally means) with respect to shorter periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- I González-Aparicio
- Energy and Environmental Division, TECNALIA Research and Innovation, Edificio 700, C/Geldo, 48160 Derio, Spain.
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Domínguez-Rodríguez A, Abreu-Afonso J, González Y, Rodríguez S, Juárez-Prera RA, Arroyo-Ucar E, Jiménez-Sosa A, Abreu-González P, Avanzas P. [Relationship between short-term exposure to atmospheric sulfur dioxide and obstructive lesions in acute coronary syndrome]. Med Clin (Barc) 2013; 140:537-41. [PMID: 23122610 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2012.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Revised: 05/08/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Urban air pollutants are composed of a heterogeneous mixture of substances in gas and aerosol states. The aim of this study was to compare the effects caused by exposure to contaminants in the gas phase and atmospheric particles in ambient air in patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) regarding the presence or absence of significant obstructive lesions (SOL) in epicardial coronary arteries. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prospectively analyzed a total of 2,110 patients with a diagnosis of ACS. We determined the mean concentrations of contaminants in the gas phase and atmospheric particles from the day before until 7 days prior to admission (1 to 7 days lag time). We divided the study population into those with presence or absence of SOL. RESULTS Of the 2,110 patients with ACS, 1,892 presented SOL and 218 without SOL. When comparing the concentrations of contaminants in the gas phase, we observed that the sulfur dioxide in patients with SOL had a trend toward higher values (10.93 ± 8.33 versus 9.31 ± 6.77 μg/m(3); P = .004). Multivariate analysis shows that for every 10 μg/m(3) increase of sulfur dioxide, there is an increase in the risk of hospitalization for ACS with SOL a 41% (odds ratio 1.41; 95% confidence interval 1.039-1.931; P = .028). CONCLUSIONS In our study population, exposure to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide is a precipitating factor for admission of patients with ACS and SOL.
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Mangia C, Gianicolo EAL, Bruni A, Vigotti MA, Cervino M. Spatial variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto, Italy and its potential impact on exposure assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:1719-35. [PMID: 22585403 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2663-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies typically use monitored air pollution data from a single station or as averaged data from several stations to estimate population exposure. In industrialized urban areas, this approach may present critical issues due to the spatial complexities of air pollutants which are emitted by different sources. This study focused on the city of Taranto, which is one of the most highly industrialized cities in southern Italy. Epidemiological studies have revealed several critical situations in this area, in terms of mortality excess and short-term health effects of air pollution. The aims of this paper are to study the variability of air pollutants in the city of Taranto and to interpret the results in relation to the applicability of the data in assessing population exposure. Meteorological and pollution data (SO2, NO2, PM10), measured simultaneously and continuously during the period 2006-2010 in five air quality stations, were analyzed. Relative and absolute spatial concentration variations were investigated by means of statistical indexes. Results show significant differences among stations. The highest correlation between stations was observed for PM10 concentrations, while critical values were found for NO2. The worst values were observed for the SO2 series. The high values of 90th percentile of differences between pairs of monitoring sites for the three pollutants index suggest that mean concentrations differ by large amounts from site to site. The overall analysis supports the hypothesis that various parts of the city are differently affected by the different emission sources, depending on meteorological conditions. In particular, analysis revealed that the influence of the industrial site may be primarily identified with the series of SO2 data which exhibit higher mean concentration values and positive correlations with wind intensity when the monitoring station is downwind from the industrial site. Results suggest evaluating the population exposure to air pollutants in industrialized cities by taking into account the possible zones of influence of different emission sources. More research is needed to identify an indicator, which ought to be a synthesis of several pollutants, and take into account the meteorological variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Mangia
- CNR ISAC Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, ISAC-CNR sp Lecce-Monteroni km 12, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
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Saavedra S, Rodríguez A, Taboada JJ, Souto JA, Casares JJ. Synoptic patterns and air mass transport during ozone episodes in northwestern Iberia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 441:97-110. [PMID: 23137974 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
High levels of ozone are frequently measured at the Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula) air quality monitoring stations from March to October. However, there have been very few studies on surface ozone in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula, most likely because the climate of this region is not favourable to photochemical ozone generation. The occurrence of these episodes may be related to either local-scale photochemical pollution or regional-scale transport from other polluted regions. In addition, high ozone episodes usually are developed under specific synoptic conditions. The main purposes of this study are to characterise the atmospheric conditions that lead to the ozone episodes in this region and to identify possible advection paths of ozone and precursors. A surface hourly ozone dataset (2002-2007) measured at rural sites in Galicia was analysed to identify high ozone episodes together with their associated synoptic patterns using a subjective classification with 23 different synoptic types. The synoptic weather patterns revealed that most of the episodes occur with high surface pressures centred over the British Isles and/or Central Europe while a high-altitude anticyclonic ridge crosses the Peninsula from North Africa, causing easterly or southeasterly winds. This analysis was completed with 3-day backward air mass trajectories obtained with HYSPLIT to assess the contribution of long-range transport, resulting in the following main routes: Mediterranean-Peninsular, South Atlantic-Portuguese, local and French-Cantabric.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Saavedra
- Department of Chemical Engineering; University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Amodio M, Andriani E, de Gennaro G, Demarinis Loiotile A, Di Gilio A, Placentino MC. An integrated approach to identify the origin of PM10 exceedances. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2012; 19:3132-3141. [PMID: 22875424 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-0804-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was aimed to the development of an integrated approach for the characterization of particulate matter (PM) pollution events in the South of Italy. METHODS PM(10) and PM(2.5) daily samples were collected from June to November 2008 at an urban background site located in Bari (Puglia Region, South of Italy). Meteorological data, particle size distributions and atmospheric dispersion conditions were also monitored in order to provide information concerning the different features of PM sources. RESULTS The collected data allowed suggesting four indicators to characterize different PM(10) exceedances. PM(2.5)/PM(10) ratio, natural radioactivity, aerosol maps and back-trajectory analysis and particle distributions were considered in order to evaluate the contribution of local anthropogenic sources and to determine the different origins of intrusive air mass coming from long-range transport, such as African dust outbreaks and aerosol particles from Central and Eastern Europe. The obtained results were confirmed by applying principal component analysis to the number particle concentration dataset and by the chemical characterization of the samples (PM(10) and PM(2.5)). CONCLUSIONS The integrated approach for PM study suggested in this paper can be useful to support the air quality managers for the development of cost-effective control strategies and the application of more suitable risk management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Amodio
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, via Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Bouchlaghem K, Nsom B. Effect of atmospheric pollutants on the air quality in Tunisia. ScientificWorldJournal 2012; 2012:863528. [PMID: 22654641 PMCID: PMC3354674 DOI: 10.1100/2012/863528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper presents the evolution of Saharan dust advection when the PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm) concentration exceeds standard limits in different Tunisian sites. Meteorological and concentration data (from 2004 to 2010) obtained from several monitoring stations and in situ measurements were used to identify African dust change in seasonal occurrence, their source origin, and their impact on surface PM10 concentrations. We pointed out that the Saharan dust contribution caused frequently the surpassing of the maximum number of days in excess of EU standard limits as well as of the maximum yearly average in the Mediterranean Tunisian coasts. The maximum daily concentration reaches 439 μg/m(3) during the Saharan events. The decrease in particulate levels recorded at the end of each event is due to the injection of European air masses and rainfalls. Primary pollutants peaks were much higher in winter than in summer which can be explained on the basis of the lower ventilation and mixing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Bouchlaghem
- Unité de recherche Energétique et Environnement, Institut Supérieur des Sciences Appliquées et de Technologie de Sousse, Université de Sousse, 03/UR 13-06, Cité Taffala, Ibn Khaldoun, 4003 Sousse, Tunisia
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Valenzuela A, Olmo FJ, Lyamani H, Antón M, Quirantes A, Alados-Arboledas L. Classification of aerosol radiative properties during African desert dust intrusions over southeastern Spain by sector origins and cluster analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/2011jd016885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Gene expression profiling of A549 cells exposed to Milan PM2.5. Toxicol Lett 2012; 209:136-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Revised: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Mangia C, Bruni A, Cervino M, Gianicolo EAL. Sixteen-year air quality data analysis of a high environmental risk area in Southern Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2011; 183:555-570. [PMID: 21374048 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-1940-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The Brindisi area is characterized by the presence of industries with high environmental impact, located along its eastern border. Epidemiological studies have revealed several critical situations: two short-term (2003-2005) epidemiological studies have shown that PM(10) and NO(2) are adversely associated with daily hospital admissions: one of the two pointed to the associations with wind blowing from the southern, eastern and western sectors. This study aims to expand the time span of available air quality data in order to provide a more complete and extensive epidemiological study. Multi-year series (from 1992 to 2007) of SO(2), NO(2), and TSP concentration data are presented and analyzed. Data show a significant downward trend of SO(2) from 1992 to 2007, while for the TSP series, the downward trend is limited to the period 1992-1994. Marked seasonal trends are evident for all three pollutants, especially for NO(2) and TSP. The NO(2) series shows higher levels in winter. Inversely, the TSP series shows its maximum values during the summer months, associated with a moderate correlation with temperature and a poor correlation with other pollutants. Analysis of the series for wind sectors revealed the influence of the industrial site and of the harbor. The concentration series exhibit high concentration values and stronger correlations between them and with meteorology for wind blowing from the eastern sectors. Overall analysis supports the hypothesis of a different origin for TSP during the year and for different wind regimes and therefore possible size and chemical differences in TSP, which should be further investigated due to their health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Mangia
- Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, CNR, National Research Council, s.p. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
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Remoundaki E, Bourliva A, Kokkalis P, Mamouri RE, Papayannis A, Grigoratos T, Samara C, Tsezos M. PM10 composition during an intense Saharan dust transport event over Athens (Greece). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2011; 409:4361-4372. [PMID: 21724238 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2011] [Revised: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The influence of Saharan dust on the air quality of Southern European big cities became a priority during the last decade. The present study reports results on PM(10) monitored at an urban site at 14 m above ground level during an intense Saharan dust transport event. The elemental composition was determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF) for 12 elements: Si, Al, Fe, K, Ca, Mg, Ti, S, Ni, Cu, Zn and Mn. PM(10) concentrations exceeded the EU limit (50 μg/m(3)) several times during the sampling period. Simultaneous maxima have been observed for the elements of crustal origin. The concentrations of all the elements presented a common maximum, corresponding to the date where the atmosphere was heavily charged with particulate matter permanently for an interval of about 10h. Sulfur and heavy metal concentrations were also associated to local emissions. Mineral dust represented the largest fraction of PM(10) reaching 79%. Seven days back trajectories have shown that the air masses arriving over Athens, originated from Western Sahara. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) revealed that particle agglomerates were abundant, most of them having sizes <2 μm. Aluminosilicates were predominant in dust particles also rich in calcium which was distributed between calcite, dolomite, gypsum and Ca-Si particles. These results were consistent with the origin of the dust particles and the elemental composition results. Sulfur and heavy metals were associated to very fine particles <1 μm.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Remoundaki
- National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Zografou, Greece.
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Domínguez-Rodríguez A, Abreu-Afonso J, Rodríguez S, Juárez-Prera RA, Arroyo-Ucar E, Jiménez-Sosa A, González Y, Abreu-González P, Avanzas P. Comparative Study of Ambient Air Particles in Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure and Acute Coronary Syndrome. REVISTA ESPAÑOLA DE CARDIOLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2011; 64:661-666. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rec.2010.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
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Domínguez-Rodríguez A, Abreu-Afonso J, Rodríguez S, Juárez-Prera RA, Arroyo-Ucar E, Jiménez-Sosa A, González Y, Abreu-González P, Avanzas P. Comparative study of ambient air particles in patients hospitalized for heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. Rev Esp Cardiol 2011; 64:661-6. [PMID: 21652134 DOI: 10.1016/j.recesp.2010.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 12/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Currently air pollution is considered as an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to study the concentrations of particulate matter in ambient air and analyze their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors in patients admitted to a cardiology department of a tertiary hospital with the diagnosis of heart failure or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS We analyzed 3950 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of heart failure or ACS. We determined the average concentrations of different sizes of particulate matter (<10, <2.5, and <1 μm and ultrafine particles) from 1 day or up to 7 days prior to admission (1 to 7 days lag time). RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in mean concentrations of particulate matter <10, <2.5 and <1 μm in size in both populations. When comparing the concentrations of ultrafine particles of patients admitted due to heart failure and acute coronary syndrome, it was observed that the former had a tendency to have higher values (19 845.35 ± 8 806.49 vs 16 854.97 ± 8005.54 cm⁻³, P <.001). The multivariate analysis showed that ultrafine particles are a risk factor for admission for heart failure, after controlling for other cardiovascular risk factors (odds ratio=1.4; confidence interval 95%, from 1.15 to 1.66 P=.02). CONCLUSIONS In our study population, compared with patients with ACS, exposure to ultrafine particles is a precipitating factor for admission for heart failure.
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Coz E, Gómez-Moreno FJ, Casuccio GS, Artíñano B. Variations on morphology and elemental composition of mineral dust particles from local, regional, and long-range transport meteorological scenarios. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009jd012796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Pey J, Pérez N, Querol X, Alastuey A, Cusack M, Reche C. Intense winter atmospheric pollution episodes affecting the Western Mediterranean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 408:1951-1959. [PMID: 20167350 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.01.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2009] [Revised: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The geographic location of the Western Mediterranean Basin and its peculiar topography, the climatic conditions and the intense anthropogenic and natural emissions of atmospheric pollutants are key factors necessary to interpret the atmospheric aerosol phenomenology over this area. During the cold season it is common to have severe atmospheric particulate matter (PM) pollution episodes (of an anthropogenic origin) affecting this region, not only in the urban and industrial areas but also in the regional and rural sites. During these episodes, the midday hourly PM(1) levels at regional background sites are in many cases higher than those at urban areas. Around 10% of the days under winter anticyclonic conditions registered similar PM(1) levels at the regional background than at the urban area and, sporadically the daily PM(1) levels at the regional background sites may exceed those at urban sites. Furthermore, the very high hourly PM(1) levels measured at regional background sites during these episodes are not regularly attained in the closest urban areas, which leads to the hypothesis that an important formation of secondary aerosols occurs during the transport of the polluted air masses towards the elevated rural sites. The interpretation of the variability of PM levels and composition (2002-2008) at one urban site (Barcelona) and at one regional background site (Montseny) allows us to illustrate the phenomenology of these scenarios, to quantify the mean annual contributions to the PM levels and to identify their main tracers. Ammonium nitrate appears to be the most abundant compound during these scenarios, although organic species and trace metals also increase markedly. Owing to the intensity, composition and recurrence of these atmospheric pollution episodes, important health, climatic and ecological implications may be derived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Pey
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Department of Geosciences CSIC, LLuis Solé i Sabarís S/N, Barcelona, Spain.
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Traversi D, Alessandria L, Schilirò T, Chiadò Piat S, Gilli G. Meteo-climatic conditions influence the contribution of endotoxins to PM10 in an urban polluted environment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 12:484-90. [PMID: 20145891 DOI: 10.1039/b913314c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A decrease in inhalable particulate matter (PM10) pollution is a top priority in urban areas of northern Italy. The sources of PM10 are both anthropogenic and natural. The former have been broadly investigated while the latter are less well known. Endotoxins are natural compounds of PM10 and are potentially toxic. Endotoxins are part of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Their health effects are linked to environmental exposure. The effects mainly consist of respiratory symptoms, including pulmonary function decline. The occurrence of endotoxins has been proven in several occupational environments where organic materials supply an optimal substrate for bacteria growth. Knowledge about the presence of these contaminants in the environment is limited. The aim of this work is to evaluate the endotoxin levels of PM10 in the urban air of Turin, and to investigate the influence of seasonal and meteo-climatic factors. The sampling was conducted from January to December 2007. Endotoxin determination was performed by an LAL assay after extraction optimization. The PM10 levels ranged from 11.90 to 104.74 microg/m(3) (48.28 +/- 23.09) while the endotoxin levels ranged between 0.09 and 0.94 EU/m(3) (0.42 +/- 0.23). The seasonal trends of PM10 and endotoxin are inversely proportional. There is a statistically significant correlation between endotoxin and temperature (r = 0.532 p < 0.01), as well as between endotoxin and relative humidity (r = -0.457 p < 0.01). However, temperature has a predominant role. We observed that urban endotoxin concentrations are narrow in range and that the contribution of endotoxins to the total PM10 is only two millionths.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Traversi
- Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Turin, via Santena 5 bis 10126, Turin, Italy.
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