Developing a Hierarchical Model for the Spatial Analysis of PM10 Pollution Extremes in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area

Effects of PM10 Airborne Particles from Different Regions of a Megacity on In Vitro Secretion of Cytokines by a Monocyte Line during Different Seasons

Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that particulate matter (PM) in air pollution can be involved in the genesis or aggravation of different cardiovascular, respiratory, perinatal, and cancer diseases. This study assessed the in vitro effects of PM10 on the secretion of cytokines by a human monocytic cell line (THP-1). We compared the chemotactic, pro-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory cytokines induced by PM10 collected for two years during three different seasons in five different Mexico City locations. MIP-1α, IP-10, MCP-1, TNF-α, and VEGF were the main secretion products after stimulation with 80 μg/mL of PM10 for 24 h. The THP-1 cells showed a differential response to PM10 obtained in the different sites of Mexico City. The PM10 from the north and the central city areas induced a higher pro-inflammatory cytokine response than those from the south. Seasonal pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion always exceeded anti-inflammatory secretion. The rainy-season-derived particles caused the lowest pro-inflammatory effects. We concluded that toxicological assessment of airborne particles provides evidence supporting their potential role in the chronic exacerbation of local or systemic inflammatory responses that may worsen the evolution of some chronic diseases.

A Novel Tree Ensemble Model to Approximate the Generalized Extreme Value Distribution Parameters of the PM2.5 Maxima in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area

We introduce a novel spatial model based on the distribution of generalized extreme values (GEVs) and tree ensemble models to analyze the maximum concentrations levels of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) in the Mexico City metropolitan area during the period 2003–2021. Spatial trends were modeled through a decision tree in the context of a non-stationary GEV model. We used a tree ensemble model as a predictor of GEV parameters to approximate nonlinear trends. The decision tree was built by using a greedy stagewise approach, the objective function of which was the log-likelihood. We verified the validity of our model by means of the likelihood and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). The maps of the generalized extreme value parameters on the spatial plane show the existence of differentiated local trends in the extreme values of PM2.5 in the study area. The results indicated strong evidence of an increase in the west–east direction of the study area. A spatial map of risk with maximum concentration levels of PM2.5 in a period of 25 years was built.

Spatio-Temporal Representativeness of Air Quality Monitoring Stations in Mexico City: Implications for Public Health

Assessment of the air quality in metropolitan areas is a major challenge in environmental sciences. Issues related include the distribution of monitoring stations, their spatial range, or missing information. In Mexico City, stations have been located spanning the entire Metropolitan zone for pollutants, such as CO, NO2, O3, SO2, PM2.5, PM10, NO, NO x , and PM CO . A fundamental question is whether the number and location of such stations are adequate to optimally cover the city. By analyzing spatio-temporal correlations for pollutant measurements, we evaluated the distribution and performance of monitoring stations in Mexico City from 2009 to 2018. Based on our analysis, air quality evaluation of those contaminants is adequate to cover the 16 boroughs of Mexico City, with the exception of SO2, since its spatial range is shorter than the one needed to cover the whole surface of the city. We observed that NO and NO x concentrations must be taken into account since their long-range dispersion may have relevant consequences for public health. With this approach, we may be able to propose policy based on systematic criteria to locate new monitoring stations.