Particulate Matter and Gaseous Pollutions in Three Metropolises along the Chinese Yangtze River: Situation and Implications

Short-term environmental nitrogen dioxide exposure and neurology clinic visits for headaches, a time-series study in Wuhan, China

BACKGROUND

Previous studies showed the adverse impacts of air pollution on headache attacks in developed countries. However, evidence is limited to the impact of exposure to air pollutants on headache attacks. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure on neurology clinic visits (NCVs) for headache onsets.

METHODS

Records of NCVs for headaches, concentrations of ambient NO₂, and meteorological variables were collected in Wuhan, China, from January 1st, 2017, to November 30th, 2019. A time-series study was conducted to investigate the short-term effects of NO₂ exposure on daily NCVs for headaches. Stratified analyses were also computed according to season, age, and sex, and the exposure-response (E-R) curve was then plotted.

RESULTS

A total of 11,436 records of NCVs for headaches were enrolled in our study during the period. A 10-μg/m³ increase of ambient NO₂ corresponded to a 3.64% elevation of daily NCVs for headaches (95%CI: 1.02%, 6.32%, P = 0.006). Moreover, females aged less than 50 years of age were more susceptible compared to males (4.10% vs. 2.97%, P = 0.007). The short-term effects of NO₂ exposure on daily NCVs for headaches were stronger in cool seasons than in warm seasons (6.31% vs. 0.79%, P = 0.0009).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight that short-term exposure to ambient NO₂ positively correlated with NCVs for headaches in Wuhan, China, and the adverse effects varied by season, age, and sex.

Acute effects of ambient air pollution on daily neurology clinic visits for vertigo: a time-series study in Wuhan, China

This study aimed to disclose the relationship between ambient air pollution and neurology clinic visits (NCVs) for vertigo. A time-series study was conducted to examine relationships between six different criteria air pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, CO, and O₃) and daily NCVs for vertigo in Wuhan, China, from January 1st, 2017 to November 30th, 2019. Stratified analyses were computed according to gender, age, and season. A total of 14,749 records of NCVs for vertigo were enrolled in this study. Data showed that the increase in daily NCVs for vertigo corresponding to 10 μg/m³ increase of respective pollutants are: SO₂ (- 7.60%; 95% CI: - 14.25 to - 0.44%), NO₂ (3.14%; 95% CI: 0.23 to 6.13%), PM_2.5 (0.53%; 95% CI: - 0.66 to 1.74%), PM₁₀ (1.32%; 95% CI: - 0.36 to 3.06%), CO (0.00%; 95% CI: - 0.12 to 0.13%), and O₃ (0.90%; 95% CI: - 0.01% to 1.83%). Males were more susceptible to acute exposure to SO₂ and NO₂, compared to females (SO₂: - 11.91% vs. - 4.16%; NO₂: 3.95% vs. 2.92%), whereas the acute effect of O₃ exposure was more significantly obvious in females than males (0.94% vs. 0.87%). Moreover, correlations between daily NCVs for vertigo and acute exposure to SO₂, NO₂, and O₃ were all stronger in individuals under 50 years old (SO₂: - 12.75% vs. - 4.41%; NO₂: 4.55% vs. 2.75%; O₃: 1.27% vs. 0.70%). Short-term exposure to PM_2.5 was more significantly associated with daily NCVs for vertigo in cool seasons (1.62% vs. - 0.68%), while the correlation between CO exposure and daily NCVs for vertigo was stronger in warm seasons (0.21% vs. - 0.03%). Our study demonstrated acute exposure to ambient NO₂ and O₃ positively associated with daily NCVs for vertigo. Acute effects of air pollution on daily NCVs for vertigo varied according to gender, age, and season.

Variations of the urban PM2.5 chemical components and corresponding light extinction for three heating seasons in the Guanzhong Plain, China

In order to investigate the variations of PM_2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) chemical components responding to the pollution control strategy and their effect on light extinction (b_ext) in the Guanzhong Plain (GZP), the comparisons of urban atmospheric chemical components during the heating seasons were extensively conducted for three years. The average concentration of PM_2.5 decreased significantly from 117.9 ± 57.3 μg m^-3 in the heating season 1 (HS1) to 53.5 ± 31.3 μg m^-3 in the heating season 3 (HS3), which implied that the effective strategies were implemented in recent years. The greatest contribution to PM_2.5 (∼30%) was from Organic matter (OM). The heightened contributions of the secondary inorganic ions (SNA, including NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, and NH₄⁺) to PM_2.5 were observed with the values of 34% (HS1), 41% (HS2), and 42% (HS3), respectively. The increased percentages of NO₃^- contributions indicated that the emission of NOx should be received special attention in the GZP. The comparison of PM_2.5 chemical compositions and implications across major regions of China and the globe were investigated. NH₄NO₃ was the most important contributor to b_ext in three heating seasons. The average b_ext was decreased from 694.3 ± 399.1 Mm^-1 (HS1) to 359.3 ± 202.3 Mm^-1 (HS3). PM_2.5 had a threshold concentration of 75 μg m^-3, 64 μg m^-3, and 57 μg m^-3 corresponding to the visual range (VR) < 10 km in HS1, HS2, and HS3, respectively. The enhanced impacts of the oxidant on PM_2.5 and O₃ were observed based on the long-term variations in PM_2.5 and OX (Oxidant, the sum of O₃ and NO₂ mixing ratios) over the five heating seasons and PM_2.5 and O₃ over six summers from 2016 to 2021. The importance of coordinated control of PM_2.5 and O₃ was also investigated in the GZP.

Air Pollutants in Metropolises of Eastern Coastal China

Recently released hourly particular matter (PM:PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and gaseous pollutants (SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃) data observed in Qingdao, Hangzhou, and Xiamen from 2015 to 2019 were utilized to reveal the current situation of air pollution over eastern coastal China. The PM pollution situation over the three metropolises ameliorated during studied period with the concentrations decreasing about 20-30%. Gas pollutants, excepting SO₂, generally exhibit no evident reduction tendencies, and a more rigorous control standard on gaseous pollutants is neededEven for the year 2018 with low pollution levels among the study period, these levels (<10% of PM_2.5, <6% of PM₁₀, and <15% of O₃) surpass the Grade II of the Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) over these metropolises of eastern coast China. No matter in which year, both SO₂ and CO concentrations are always below the Grade-II standards. According to the comparative analysis of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ and PM_2.5/CO during episode days and non-episode days, the formation of secondary aerosols associated with stagnant weather systems play an important role in the pollutant accumulation as haze episodes occurred. The stronger seasonal variations and higher magnitude occur in Qingdao and Hangzhou, while weaker seasonal variations and lower magnitudes occur in Xiamen. In Qingdao and Hangzhou, PM, NO₂, SO₂, and CO show relatively high levels in the cold wintertime and low levels in summer, whereas O₃ shows a completely opposite pattern. Xiamen exhibits high levels of all air pollutants except O₃ in spring due to its subtropical marine monsoon climate with mild winters. According to the back trajectory hierarchical clustering and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis, the regional transmission from adjacent cities has a significant impact on the atmospheric pollutant concentrations under the control of the prejudiced winds. Thus, besides local emission reduction, strengthening regional environmental cooperation and implementing joint prevention are effective measures to mitigate air pollution in the eastern coastal areas of China.

Short-term effects of ambient air pollution on daily emergency room visits for abdominal pain: a time-series study in Wuhan, China

Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been proven to result in respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive diseases, leading to increased emergency room visits (ERVs). Abdominal pain complaints provide a large proportion of the ERVs, as yet few studies have focused on the correlations between ambient air pollution and abdominal pain, especially in emergency departments within China. Daily data for daily ERVs were collected in Wuhan, China (from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018), including air pollution concentration (SO₂, NO₂, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, CO, and O₃), and meteorological variables. We conducted a time-series study to investigate the potential correlation between six ambient air pollutants and ERVs for abdominal pain and their effects, in different genders, ages, and seasons. A total of 16,318 abdominal pain ERVs were identified during the study period. A 10-μg/m³ increase in concentration of SO₂, NO₂, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, CO, and O₃ corresponded respectively to incremental increases in abdominal pain of 4.89% (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 1.50-11.70), 1.85% (95% CI: - 0.29-4.03), 0.83% (95% CI: - 0.05-1.72), - 0.22% (95% CI: - 0.73-0.30), 0.24% (95% CI: 0.08-0.40), and 0.86% (95% CI: 0.04 - 1.69). We observed significant correlations between CO and O₃ and increases in daily abdominal pain ERVs and positive but insignificant correlations between the other pollutants and ERVs (except PM₁₀). The effects were stronger for females (especially SO₂ and O₃: 13.53% vs. - 2.46%; 1.20% vs. 0.47%, respectively) and younger people (especially CO and O_3: 0.25% vs. 0.01%; 1.36% vs. 0.15%, respectively). Males (1.38% vs. 0.87%) and elders (1.27% vs. 0.99%) were more likely to be affected by PM_2.5. The correlations with PM_2.5 were stronger in cool seasons (1.25% vs. - 0.07%) while the correlation with CO was stronger in warm seasons (0.47% vs. 0.14%). Our time-series study suggests that short-term exposure to air pollution (especially CO and O₃) was positively correlated with ERVs for abdominal pain in Wuhan, China, and that the effects varied by season, gender and age. These data can add evidence on how air pollutants affect the human body and may prompt hospitals to take specific precautions on polluted days and maintain order in emergency departments made busier due to the pollution.

Air Pollution, Foreign Direct Investment, and Mental Health: Evidence From China

Recently, there has been interest in the relationship between mental health and air pollution; however, the results are inconsistent and the contribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) has received little attention. This article studies the effects of air pollution on mental health and the moderating role of FDI based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data in 2015 and 2018 applying the fixed effects panel regression approach and the threshold model. The results show that mental health is adversely affected by air pollution, especially PM_2.5, PM₁₀, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Second, FDI has an alleviating influence on the negative relationship. Third, the effects of air pollution and FDI are heterogeneous based on regional characteristics, including location, medical resource and investment in science and technology, and individual characteristics covering education level, age, income, and physical health. Finally, the threshold effects show that FDI has a moderating effect when it is >1,745.59 million renminbi (RMB). There are only 11.19% of cities exceeding the threshold value in China. When the value of air quality index (AQI) exceeds 92.79, air pollution is more harmful to mental health. Government should actively introduce high-quality FDI at the effective level and control air pollution to improve mental health.

Symptoms related to air pollution, mask-wearing and associated factors: a cross-sectional study among OPD pollution clinic patients in Bangkok, Thailand

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to investigate the relationship between symptoms related to air pollution, mask-wearing, mask choices and related factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study among outpatient department (OPD) pollution clinic patients at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital (PCNRH) during 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Findings

The most common symptom after exposure to air pollution that affects treatment in the OPD is respiratory symptoms. A total of 45.7% (107/234) of the population wears a mask, 55.1% (59/107) of the population that wears a mask wears a surgical mask, and only 10.3% (11/107) of them wear an N95 mask. Mask-wearing and air quality index (AQI) onset were associated with the respiratory symptoms group, whereas wearing an N95 mask or surgical mask was found to be a protective factor for the occurrence of respiratory symptoms (adjusted OR = 0.065, 95% CI: 0.014–0.306, p = 0.001 and adjusted OR = 0.154, 95% CI: 0.058–0.404, p < 0.001, respectively). Therefore, the best practice in the face of air pollution, while the resolution needs a long period, is to wear a mask. In this study, the results showed that the best type of mask to prevent respiratory symptoms from air pollution is the N95, followed by the surgical mask; cloth masks are not recommended to use to protect against respiratory symptoms from air pollution.

Research limitations/implications

Wearing an N95 and a surgical mask can help reduce respiratory symptoms. Hence, in addition to establishing hospital measures, cooperation from local and government agencies is necessary to effectively and jointly build a national health public policy framework.

Originality/value

1. This study provides evidence of a correlation between symptoms associated with air pollution and related factors, in-hospital visits in Bangkok, Thailand. 2. In this study, wearing an N95 mask and a surgical mask were found to be a protective factor for the occurrence of respiratory symptoms.

Air Pollution Characteristics and Health Risks in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China during Winter

The air pollution characteristics of six ambient criteria pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) and trace gases, in 29 typical cities across the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from December 2017 to February 2018 are analyzed. The overall average mass concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, CO, NO₂, and O₃ are 73, 104, 16, 1100, 47, and 62 µg/m³, respectively. PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ are the dominant major pollutants to poor air quality, with nearly 83%, 86%, and 59%, exceeding the Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standard Grade I. The situation of PM pollution in the middle and lower reaches is more serious than that in the upper reaches, and the north bank is more severe than the south bank of the Yangtze River. Strong positive spatial correlations for PM concentrations between city pairs within 300 km is frequently observed. NO₂ pollution is primarily concentrated in the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou urban agglomeration and surrounding areas. The health risks are assessed by the comparison of the classification of air pollution levels with three approaches: air quality index (AQI), aggregate AQI (AAQI), and health risk-based AQI (HAQI). When the AQI values escalate, the air pollution classifications based on the AAQI and HAQI values become more serious. The HAQI approach can better report the comprehensive health effects from multipollutant air pollution. The population-weighted HAQI data in the winter exhibit that 50%, 70%, and 80% of the population in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the YREB are exposed to polluted air (HAQI > 100). The current air pollution status in YREB needs more effective efforts to improve the air quality.

Effects of prenatal exposure to particulate air pollution on newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number

Prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air has been linked to changes in newborn mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), but the effects of exposure are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the effect of weekly PM exposure during pregnancy on newborn mtDNAcn. The present study included 762 mother-infant pairs who were recruited in a birth cohort established between November 2013 and March 2015 in Wuhan, China. Mother's prenatal daily exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was calculated using a spatial-temporal land use regression model. Relative mtDNAcn in cord blood leukocytes was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Distributive lag regression models (DLMs) were applied to estimate the association between PM exposure and newborn mtDNAcn. In the adjusted models, prenatal PM_2.5 exposure during 25-32 weeks and PM₁₀ exposure during 25-31weeks were significantly associated with decreased cord blood mtDNAcn. PM_2.5 exposure during the third trimester was related to decreased mtDNAcn (cumulative percent change: -8.55%, 95% CI: -13.32%, -3.51%). We also identified other exposure windows (17-22 and 11-22 weeks) in which PM exposure was positively associated with mtDNAcn. Overall, exposure to particulate air pollution during mid-to-late gestation is significantly associated with alterations in newborn mtDNAcn, potentially suggesting an enhanced sensitivity to PM exposure during this period.

Ambient air pollution and its influence on human health and welfare: an overview

Human health is closely related to his environment. The influence of exposure to air pollutants on human health and well-being has been an interesting subject and gained much volume of research over the last 50 years. In general, polluted air is considered one of the major factors leading to many diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease and lung cancer for the people. Besides, air pollution adversely affects the animals and deteriorates the plant environment. The overarching objective of this review is to explore the previous researches regarding the causes and sources of air pollution, how to control it and its detrimental effects on human health. The definition of air pollution and its sources were introduced extensively. Major air pollutants and their noxious effects were detailed. Detrimental impacts of air pollution on human health and well-being were also presented.

The Content of Selected Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM10 in Urban-Industrial Area

This research concerns the measurement of daily PM10 concentrations and the assessment of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The measurements were carried out in the urban-industrial area in southern Poland in the period from February to December 2019 (covering heating and non-heating seasons). The metal content of As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Zn, V, was estimated using mass spectrometry with inductively excited plasma (ICP-MS), and that of Au and Mg using atomic emission spectrometry with induced plasma (ICP-OES). Analysis of selected PAHs (Naph, Acy, Ace, Fl, Phen, An, Fluo, Pyr, BaA, Chry, BbF, BkF, BaP, IcdP, DahA, BghiP) was performed using a gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The share of the analyzed metals in PM10 concentrations was ~1.37% in the entire measurement period, ~1.09% in the heating season and ~1.55% in the non-heating one. High concentrations of aluminum and chromium, observed over the measurement period, indicate the presence of strong anthropogenic sources of both metals. In the case of PAHs in PM10, the average total share of the analyzed was ~1.25%, while this share slightly increased in the heating season (average: ~2.19%) compared to non-heating (average: ~0.63%).

Characterization of aerosol chemical composition and the reconstruction of light extinction coefficients during winter in Wuhan, China

To evaluate light extinction contributions of aerosol chemical constituents and their impacts on atmospheric visibility, the PM_2.5 and its chemical components, light scattering (b_sp) and absorption (b_ap) were continuously measured in Wuhan from January to February 2018. The average of PM_2.5 concentration, b_sp and b_ap were 96.5 ± 13.7 μg m^-3, 564 ± 124 Mm^-1 and 44 ± 8 Mm^-1 during polluted days, respectively, which was about 2.0, 2.1 and 1.6 times higher than those of clean days, respectively. Compared with the clean days, the increase of the mass concentrations of SNA (SO₄^2-, NO₃^-, NH₄⁺) during polluted days was higher than those of organic (OC) and elemental (EC) carbon, indicated the increase of SNA was the main cause of air pollution. The PM_2.5 concentration threshold was 66 μg m^-3, corresponding to the visibility lower than 10 km. The revised Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) algorithm was used to reconstruct the light extinction coefficient (b_ext) in Wuhan. The sum of light extinction coefficients of (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄NO₃ and organic matter (OM) accounted for 70.5% and 83.9% of b_ext during clean and polluted days, respectively. The backward trajectory and potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis revealed that regional transport accounted for 55.6% of the total airflow, which originated from south, northwest and west of Wuhan. The increases of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄NO₃ concentrations, emitted from local vehicle exhaust and coal combustion, and their hygroscopic growth in ambient were the major causes of pollution in Wuhan.

Spatiotemporal Variations and Factors of Air Quality in Urban Central China during 2013-2015

Spatiotemporal behaviors of particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and trace gases (SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃) in Hefei during the period from December 2013 to November 2015 are investigated. The mean annual PM_2.5 (PM₁₀) concentrations are 89.1 ± 59.4 µg/m³ (118.9 ± 66.8 µg/m³) and 61.6 ± 32.2 µg/m³ (91.3 ± 40.9 µg/m³) during 2014 and 2015, respectively, remarkably exceeding the Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) grade II. All trace gases basically meet the requirements though NO₂ and O₃ have a certain upward trend. Old districts have the highest pollution levels, followed by urban periphery sites and new districts. Severe haze pollution occurs in Hefei, with frequent exceedances in particulate matter with 178 (91) days in 2014 (2015). The abnormal PM_2.5 concentrations in June 2014 attributed to agricultural biomass burning from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometry (MODIS) wildfire maps and aerosol optical depth (AOD) analysis. PM_2.5 is recognized as the major pollutant, and a longer interspecies relationship is found between PM_2.5 and other criteria pollutants for episode days as compared to non-episode days. The air pollution in Hefei tends to be influenced by local primary emissions, secondary formation, and regional transport from adjacent cities and remote regions. Most areas of Anhui, southern Jiangsu, northern Zhejiang, and western Shandong are identified as the common high-potential source regions of PM_2.5. Approximately 9.44 and 8.53 thousand premature mortalities are attributed to PM_2.5 exposure in 2014 and 2015. The mortality benefits will be 32% (24%), 47% (41%), 70% (67%), and 85% (83%) of the total premature mortalities in 2014 (2015) when PM_2.5 concentrations meet the CAAQS grade II, the World Health Organization (WHO) IT-2, IT-3, and Air Quality Guideline, respectively. Hence, joint pollution prevention and control measures need to be strengthened due to pollutant regional diffusion, and much higher health benefits could be achieved as the Hefei government adopts more stringent WHO guidelines for PM_2.5.

Comparative Analysis of Long-Term Variation Characteristics of SO2, NO2, and O3 in the Ecological and Economic Zones of the Western Sichuan Plateau, Southwest China

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃) are important atmospheric pollutants that affect air quality. The long-term variations of SO₂ and NO₂ in 2008–2018 and O₃ in 2015–2018 in the relatively less populated ecological and economic zones of Western Sichuan Plateau, Southwest China were analyzed. In 2008–2018, the variations in SO₂ and NO₂ in the ecological zone were not significant, but Ganzi showed a slight upward trend. SO₂ decreased significantly in the economic zone, especially in Panzhihua, where NO₂ changes were not obvious. From 2015 to 2018, the concentration of O₃ in the ecological zone increased significantly, while the economic zone showed a downward trend. The rising trend of the concentration ratio of SO₂ to NO₂ in the ecological zone and the declining trend in the economic zone indicate that the energy consumption structure of these two zones is quite different. The lower correlation coefficients between NO₂ and O₃ in the Western Sichuan Plateau imply that the variations of O₃ are mainly affected by the regional background. The effects of meteorological factors on SO₂, NO₂, and O₃ were more obvious in the economic zone where there are high anthropometric emissions.

Insights of rheumatoid arthritis risk factors and associations

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a defective post-translational modification of citrullinated peptides which cause synovial inflammation in joints. The present review elaborates the basic mechanisms of RA and the root causes of molecular mechanisms. The gender-based differentiation and probabilitiesof RA causes were discussed. Many report studies supporting that females are more prone to RA than males maybe suspected that circulating estrogen hormones 16a-hydroxy estrone, 2-hydroxy estrogens involvement in the RA pathogenicity. Other important aspects like environmental factors and air pollutants like (SO2 and NO2) were also impacted and enhances the risk of RA were discussed. The root cause of pathomechanisms of peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) enzymes in RA and autoimmunity factors were poorly understood, however, Ati-citrullinated peptides (ACP) are the powerful markers to diagnose the RA disease. This review discusses three main risk factors of RA to understand the RA pathogenesis and disease-modifying mechanisms, may provide a unique opportunity to determine disease prevalence and RA associations.

•

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is caused by the defected peptides, environmental factor’s and hormonal dysregulation in synovial inflammation.

•

The immune system attacks joint tissue for pathogenic citrullinated peptides causing inflammation in synovium, leading to RA.

•

Risk factors, disorder proteins, cellular changes influence immune system to turns to self antigens leads to RA.

•

Understanding the exact role and action of risk factors in RA is especially important given the prevention measures to RA are desirable.

Properties of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants in Shandong, China: Daily fluctuation, influencing factors, and spatiotemporal distribution

Characteristics of the spatial and temporal distribution of air pollutants may reveal the cause of air pollution, especially for large regions where the anthropogenic pollutant emission is concentrated. This study addresses this issue by focusing on Shandong province, which has the highest air pollutant emissions in China. First, the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of the observed concentrations of conventional pollutants are analyzed in detail. The most prominent indicator of the problem (PM_2.5), was selected as the key analytical object. On the spatial scale, the Multivariate Moran model was used to identify factors affecting the spatial distribution of PM_2.5. On the time scale, wavelet analysis was used to explore the fluctuation characteristics of PM_2.5 at different time periods. Results show that there are significant regional differences in pollutant concentration within Shandong province. The concentration of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants in western and northern Shandong is significantly higher than eastern Shandong. The average concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO₂ were highest in winter and lowest in summer, whereas concentration of O₃ peaked in summer. For PM_2.5, the annual mean concentration has a significant spatial correlation with SO₂ emission, GDP per capita, population density and energy consumption per unit of GDP; in addition, the correlation between different regions and various indices is different. On the time scale, the fluctuation energy of PM_2.5 concentrated in Dezhou and Liaocheng is the strongest on December 18 and 19, 2015. The inversion temperature has a strong influence on the daily variation of PM_2.5 concentration. The formation and evolution of atmospheric pollution, therefore, can be explored by combining the temporal and spatial distribution of pollutants, providing a comprehensive analytical method for atmospheric pollution in different regions.