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Pomata D, La Nasa J, Biale G, Barlucchi L, Ceccarini A, Di Filippo P, Riccardi C, Buiarelli F, Modugno F, Simonetti G. Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:173031. [PMID: 38723961 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The widespread extensive use of synthetic polymers has led to a substantial environmental crisis caused by plastic pollution, with microplastics detected in various environments and posing risks to both human health and ecosystems. The possibility of plastic fragments to be dispersed in the air as particles and inhaled by humans may cause damage to the respiratory and other body systems. Therefore, there is a particular need to study microplastics as air pollutants. In this study, we tested a combination of analytical pyrolysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify both microplastics and their additives in airborne particulate matter and settled dust within a workplace environment: a WEEE treatment plant. Using this combined approach, we were able to accurately quantify ten synthetic polymers and eight classes of polymer additives. The identified additives include phthalates, adipates, citrates, sebacates, trimellitates, benzoates, organophosphates, and newly developed brominated flame retardants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Pomata
- DIT, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Jacopo La Nasa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy; CISUP Centre for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Greta Biale
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Ceccarini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy; CISUP Centre for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carmela Riccardi
- DIT, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Modugno
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, Italy; CISUP Centre for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Simonetti
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Pomata D, Di Filippo P, Riccardi C, Buiarelli F, Marini F, Romani L, Lucarelli F, Pazzi G, Galarini R, Simonetti G. Concentrations and co-occurrence of 101 emerging and legacy organic pollutants in the ultrafine, fine and coarse fractions of airborne particulates associated with treatment of waste from electrical and electronic equipment. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139443. [PMID: 37453523 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to airborne particles can increase the development of morbidity, also because of the chemical composition of particulate matter (PM). In workplace, where manual and mechanical disassembly of electric and electronic equipment (EEE) take place, there are evident risks of respiratory exposure to a great number of different toxic organic compounds present in the electrical and plastic materials of which the equipment is made. Airborne particles are numerous, cover a wide range of sizes and are rich in toxic organic compounds. In the present work, a sampling program was conducted and ultrafine, fine and coarse airborne particles were collected in three EEE waste treatment plants. Afterwards, the extraction and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), their nitro and oxygenated derivatives (nitroPAHs, oxyPAHs), organophosphorus compounds (OPEs), Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) was performed. The percentage ratio of the mass of organic compounds and the mass of the ultrafine fraction of PM (PM0.1) was higher than those of the fine and coarse fractions. Even with low concentrations, the co-occurrence of numerous potentially toxic compounds capable of easily reaching other organs passing by the lung vasculature, through the lymph makes the working environment unhealthy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Pomata
- DIT, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carmela Riccardi
- DIT, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Federico Marini
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Romani
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Lucarelli
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and INFN, University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Pazzi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and INFN, University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Galarini
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and Marche, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Simonetti
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Mbazima SJ. Health risk assessment of particulate matter 2.5 in an academic metallurgy workshop. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13111. [PMID: 36168227 PMCID: PMC9825944 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13111] [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: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to indoor PM2.5 is associated with allergies, eye and skin irritation, lung cancer, and cardiopulmonary diseases. To control indoor PM2.5 and protect the health of occupants, exposure and health studies are necessary. In this study, exposure to PM2.5 released in an academic metallurgy workshop was assessed and a health risk assessment was conducted for male and female students and technicians. Polycarbonate membrane filters and an active pump operating at a flow rate of 2.5 L/min were used to collect PM2.5 from Monday to Friday for 3 months (August-October 2020) from 08:00-16:00. PM2.5 mass concentrations were obtained gravimetrically, and the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry model was used to predict the deposition, retention, and clearance of PM2.5 in the respiratory tract system. The risk of developing carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects among students and technicians was determined. The average PM2.5 mass concentration for August was 32.6 μg/m3 32.8 μg/m3 for September, and 32.2 μg/m3 for October. The head region accounted for the highest deposition fraction (49.02%), followed by the pulmonary (35.75%) and tracheobronchial regions (15.26%). Approximately 0.55 mg of PM2.5 was still retained in the alveolar region 7 days after exposure. The HQ for male and female students was <1 while that of male and female technicians was >1, suggesting that technicians are at risk of developing non-carcinogenic health effects compared with students. The results showed a risk of developing carcinogenic health effects among male and female technicians (>1 × 10-5 ); however, there was no excess cancer risk for students (<1 × 10-6 ). This study highlights the importance of exposure and health studies in academic micro-environments such as metallurgy workshops which are often less researched, and exposure is underestimated. The results also indicated the need to implement control measures to protect the health of the occupants and ensure that the workshop rules are adhered to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setlamorago Jackson Mbazima
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental SciencesUniversity of South AfricaJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Toxicology and BiochemistryNational Institute for Occupational HealthDivision of the National Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
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Besis A, Gallou D, Avgenikou A, Serafeim E, Samara C. Size-dependent in vitro inhalation bioaccessibility of PAHs and O/N PAHs - Implications to inhalation risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 301:119045. [PMID: 35217141 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Size segregated samples (<0.49, 0.49-0.95, 0.95-1.5, 1.5-3.0, 3.0-7.2 and > 7.2 μm) of atmospheric particulate matter (APM) were collected at a traffic site in the urban agglomeration of Thessaloniki, northern Greece, during the cold and the warm period of 2020. The solvent-extractable organic matter was analyzed for selected organic contaminants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their nitro- and oxy-derivarives (NPAHs and OPAHs, respectively). Mean concentrations of ∑16PAHs, ∑6NPAHs and ∑10OPAHs associated to total suspended particles (TSP) were 18 ng m-3, 0.2 ng m-3 and 0.9 ng m-3, respectively, in the cold period exhibiting significant decrease (6.4, 0.2 and 0.09 ng m-3, respectively) in the warm period. The major amount of all compounds was found to be associated with the alveolar particle size fraction <0.49 μm. The inhalation bioaccessibility of PAHs and O/N PAHs was measured in vitro using two simulated lung fluids (SLFs), the Gamble's solution (GS) and the artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF). With both SLFs, the derived bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) followed the order PAHs > OPAHs > NPAHs. Although no clear dependence of bioaccessibility on particle size was obtained, increased bioaccessibility of PAHs and PAH derivatives in coarse particles (>7.2 μm) was evident. Bioaccessibility was found to be strongly related to the logKOW and the water solubility of individual compounds hindering limited mobilization of the most hydrophobic and less water-soluble compounds from APM to SLFs. The lifetime cancer risk due to inhalation exposure to bioaccessible PAHs, NPAHs and OPAHs was estimated and compared to those calculated from the particulate concentrations of organic contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Besis
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Domniki Gallou
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Avgenikou
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Serafeim
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Constantini Samara
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Kaya AG, Öz M, Orhun İK, Erol S, Çiledağ A, Karnak D, Kaya A. A new device for bronchoscopy for better protection. Turk J Med Sci 2022; 52:361-369. [PMID: 36161605 PMCID: PMC10381228 DOI: 10.3906/sag-2109-258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has not been precisely known in bronchoscopy procedures. We have designed a cabinet device called Ankara University Bronchoscopy Cabinet (Aubrocab®) to protect healthcare. We aimed to evaluate preventing effect of Aubrocab® on aerosol spreading by measuring the particles in the bronchoscopy suite. METHODS The patients were categorized into two groups as those who underwent bronchoscopy with and without Aubrocab®. We measured PM 0.5 levels before and after bronchoscopy in the bronchoscopy suite. RESULTS A total of 82 patients, 62 of whom underwent bronchoscopy with Aubrocab®, were enrolled in the study. The PM 0.5 level measured before bronchoscopy was similar in both groups, whereas the PM 0.5 level measured after bronchoscopy was lower in the Aubrocab® group (42,603 ± 8,632 vs. 50,377 ± 10,487, p = 0.001). The percent of particle change (50.76 ± 19.91 vs 67.15 ± 24.24, p = 0.003) and the difference of the particle numbers between pre and postprocedure (13,638 ± 4,292 and 19,501 ± 5,891, p < 0.001) were lower in the Aubrocab® group. DISCUSSION Our institution developed a barrier device named Aubrocab® which was shown to prevent excessive aerosol release in addition to routine precautions during bronchoscopy procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslıhan Gürün Kaya
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Miraç Öz
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Serhat Erol
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aydın Çiledağ
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Demet Karnak
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Akın Kaya
- Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
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Particulate Pollution Capture by Seventeen Woody Species Growing in Parks or along Roads in Two European Cities. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This research aims to extend the existing knowledge on air quality improvement by the arboreal–shrub heritage. The PM accumulation (PM10–100, PM2.5–10, and PM0.2–2.5 (µg·cm−2)) was measured with consolidated gravimetric techniques during spring, summer, and fall for 2160 leaf samples belonging to the basal, median, and apical part of the crown of 17 species located in the streets and parks of 2 European cities (Rimini and Krakow). On the same samples, the deposition (PM10 and PM2.5 (µg·cm−2·day−1)) was evaluated according to a model based on the wash-off rain effect. Quercus ilex accumulated more PMx than the other species in Rimini, while in Krakow, the highest accumulators were Pinus nigra for PM10–100, Tilia cordata for PM2.5–10, and Populus nigra for PM0.2–2.5. Only in Krakow was the capture capacity of some species affected by the street or park growing condition. The basal leaves showed greater PM10–100 accumulation than the median and apical ones. In Rimini, the total PM accumulation tended to increase throughout the year, while in Krakow, the opposite occurred. However, as the accumulation increased, the deposition decreased. The PM accumulation was reduced by rainfall and enhanced by the air PM concentration, while the wind speed effect was opposite, depending on the city. These findings are useful for directing decision makers in the design of greener, healthier, and sustainable cities.
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