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Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.862  Citation Impact (citeScore): 3 Number of Followers: 9  Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)ISSN (Print) 1873-9326 - ISSN (Online) 1873-9318 Published by Springer-Verlag  [2468 journals]
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- Heterogeneous effects of urbanization, economic growth, and energy
consumption on carbon emissions in China: evidence from a PVAR model-
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Abstract: An improved level of urbanization may slow the problem of environmental degradation and achieve green economic development. This study examined the use of the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model in discussing the relationship between economic growth, urbanization, energy consumption, and carbon emissions based on annual data from 30 Chinese provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) for the period of 2000–2019. Meanwhile, the short- and long-term dynamics of urbanization, economic growth, and carbon emissions are better captured by using impulse response function tools. The PVAR model is able to perfectly solve the problem of endogeneity between variables, which has been mostly ignored in the energy environment literature. The results of the study are as follows. First, urbanization has the strongest impact on carbon emissions in the eastern region and a weaker impact on other regions. The impact of economic growth on environmental quality lessens gradually from the western and north-eastern regions to the central region and then the eastern region, with a clear regional gradient. Second, the causal relationships between urbanization and carbon emissions and between energy consumption and carbon emissions are unidirectional and significant only in the eastern region. All four regions have a unidirectional causal relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions. Unidirectional causality between urbanization and economic growth exists in the eastern, western, and north-eastern regions. Third, the impulse response results show that urbanization has more short-term than long-term effects on carbon emissions in the eastern region, both long- and short-term effects in the west and north-east, and only short-term effects in the central region. Economic growth and energy consumption in the central and north-eastern regions improve environmental quality in the short term until the third lag period, which shows the beginning of deteriorating environmental quality.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Does environmental policy stringency influence CO2 emissions in the Asia
Pacific region' A nonlinear perspective-
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Abstract: Environmental policy stringency (EPS) is widely adopted as the most practical option to tackle the menace of environmental degradation. Therefore, this study investigates the dynamic linkage between EPS and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the most polluted countries of the Asia Pacific Region for the period 1991–2021. For empirical analysis, we have relied on nonlinear panel ARDL methods. In the NARDL analysis, a positive shock in EPS has a significant negative effect on CO2, while a negative shock in EPS has a significant positive impact on CO2 in both the short and long run. Moreover, the growth of human capital and the rise in renewable energy consumption are crucial in improving environmental quality; however, the rise in the region’s economic prosperity makes the region more polluted in the long run. In light of these findings, our study emphasizes the critical role of policymakers in the Asia Pacific region in implementing and maintaining strict environmental policies to effectively control carbon emissions. These policies can complement other mitigation strategies, such as raising environmental awareness and promoting renewable energy consumption.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Preliminary assessment of road dust from Portuguese motorways: chemical
profile, health risks, and ecotoxicological screening-
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Abstract: Among non-exhaust emissions, road dust resuspension represents a rather important contribution to particulate matter in urban areas. This study aimed to achieve a chemical characterisation of road dust particulate matter (PM10) on two motorway sections, one rural and one urban, and to explore the related health and ecotoxicological risks. Measured PM10 dust loadings reached very low levels (0.66–1.49 mg m-2) compared to equivalent studies in other road environments in Portugal and other countries. Emission factors ranged from 33 to 62 mg veh−1 km−1. The carbonaceous content represented 14% of the total PM10 mass, whereas the highest contribution to the mass was given by mineral matter. Elements such as Si, Al, Ca, Fe and K accounted for almost three quarters of the total element mass for all samples, whilst Cu and Zn, mostly associated with brake and tyre wear, were the most enriched elements in relation to the soil composition. Nonetheless, Ti and Zr presented the highest non-carcinogenic risks for human health. Despite the low amounts of particulate matter in the aqueous solution, the ecotoxicological screening with the Aliivibrio fisheri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay allowed to classify the samples as toxic.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Linear and wavelet analysis of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and prevailing
meteorological factors during summer (2003–2016) over Turkey using
Remote Sensing-
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Abstract: The summer season has a high influence on the aerosol load of Turkey. Atmospheric parameters produce a radiative climatic response when exposed to aerosols from multiple sources. The main aim of this research is to observe the spatio-temporal characteristics of aerosol optical depth (AOD) with atmospheric and surface covariates during the summer of 2003–2016 in Turkey. The AOD products for this study were retrieved at level 3 from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) on a daily timescale. Prevailing meteorological parameters such as precipitation, air temperature, relative humidity, surface soil moisture, and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) were used on a daily and monthly timescale. The spatio-temporal distribution of aerosols and meteorological parameters were plotted and analyzed from which each variable exhibited a unique spatial distribution. The Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test was used to analyze the increasing and decreasing trends of AOD throughout the years. MODIS AOD had an increasing trend in the eastern, northeastern, southeastern, southwestern, and northern regions of Turkey whereas a significant decreasing trend was observed in the northwestern regions. MISR AOD had a strong significantly increasing trend in the eastern, northeastern, southern, and central regions whereas the western, northern, and central regions of Turkey expanded under a decreasing trend. Furthermore, correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between AOD and the prevailing covariates from which the correlation between EVI and AOD was extremely variable in both datasets. Wavelet analysis (both continuous and coherence) was performed to analyze the periodic nature of AOD and meteorological parameters. Both MODIS and MISR exhibited significant coherencies in the 16–256 periodic for all covariates except for EVI which was plotted on a monthly time scale. In this study, a notable variation was observed in the space–time dynamics between MODIS and MISR datasets which can be used for future studies that attempt to analyze the relationship between AOD and covariates during the summer season.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Magnetotropism: a tropic response of Candida guillemondii by the effect of
the oscillating magnetic field of extremely low frequency-
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Abstract: Extremely low frequency oscillating magnetic field (OMF-ELF) can stimulate the growth of pathogenic fungi. This work aims to assess the tropic response of a dimorphic pathogenic strain Candida guilliermondii by the effect of OMF-ELF. The pathogenic strain C. guilliermondii was isolated from an indoor environment and a brewing strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a positive control. OMF-ELF of 3 mT of 60 Hz for 2 h was applied to the cultures of both strains. After treatment, images were taken every 30 min for 24 h using Digital Image Processing (DIP) to determine the superficial growth rate of both strains and the length of the pseudohyphae, and the tropic response of C. guilliermondii. However, C. guilliermondii showed a tropic response depending on the OMF-ELF applied growing 3 to 60 times faster than the control strain, with a maximum value of 1.27 μm2/min between 1.5 and 2.5 h. C. guillermondii is resistant to OMF-ELF, a factor that stimulated its superficial growth rate and the elongation of its pseudohyphae, facilitated its cellular dimorphism, and oriented its ramifications to increase reproduction. This increase constitutes a risk to human health indoor environments where there is microbiological and electromagnetic contamination. Due to the use of DIP in real time with an adapted microculture technique, this is the first study to analyze “in vivo” magnetotropism of C. guilliermondii, as indicative of its invasive behavior for a possible infestation to humans exposed to this type of non-ionizing radiation in an indoor environment.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- The potential health risk assessment of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the human respiratory system within the ambient air
of automobile workshops in Benin City, Nigeria-
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Abstract: This study investigates the potential health impacts of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient air of automobile workshops in four different districts of Benin City. A total of 180 representative samples were collected from artisans’ workshops in both wet (April to November) and dry (December to March) seasons using the Apex2IS Casella standard pump for a period of 1 year. The PM2.5 was screened through a polyurethane foam (PUF) and collected on a quartz filter. The resultant PM2.5-bound PAHs were extracted and analysed using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). The results revealed that the annual average concentration of the total PAHs bound to PM2.5 for NW, NE, SE, and SW zones were 519.51 (638.78), 109.16 (169.16), 158.89 (178.40), and 77.65 (89.60) ng/m3 for both wet and dry seasons. The average toxicity equivalence quotient (TEQ) of atmospheric PAHs in PM2.5 for Benin City was 75.71 ± 70.54 ngm-3. The incremental lifetime cancer risk for 8-hour TWA exposure obtained for PM2.5-bound atmospheric PAHs for children (4.45 × 10-6 and 3.48 × 10-6) and infants (1.05 × 10-6 and 8.17 × 10-7) were to be within the acceptable risk level (10-6). In contrast, for adults they were not within the acceptable risk level ((3.58 × 10-5 and 2.80 × 10-5) for both dry and wet seasons. The authors conclude that the lungs of the people living within the north-west district are likely being damaged and they recommend the implementation of measures to reduce exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs in the workplace.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Surface O3 temporal variation, photolysis and accumulation in urban Tunis
(North Africa) during January to December, 2016: influence of meteorology
and chemical precursors-
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Abstract: The present study investigated the temporal variability of surface O3 and its (NO, NO2 and CO) precursors at the proximity of a busy trafficked crossroad located in urban Tunis, Tunisia. It was performed during January to December, 2016. The results revealed that the diurnal profiles of selected precursors were characterized by maxima at traffic-peak hours linked to the effect of automobile traffic being a close source. At traffic-peak hours, the decrease of O3 concentration levels is due to the oxidation reaction of NO into NO2. Based on the diurnal profile per each month, the duration of O3 accumulation was shown close to five hours, with higher accumulation rates in the summer season (2.4 to 3 ppb/h) and also in March (3 ppb/h). The lower accumulation ones were, however, observed in the other months (1.1 to 1.9 ppb/h). The O3 excess pronounced from the 10th March to the 1st April, 2016 was due to the effect of the persistence of a Rex-type blocking anticyclone over Central Europe. Compared to extremely stable conditions occurring in hot seasons (summer and autumn), the recorded moderate stable conditions during such Rex was categorized by a marked deviation between day-night intercepts (41% against 23%). This could be attributed to the cumulative effect of the biogenic VOCs and the seasonal excess of CO interfering in the photochemical cycle. It, therefore, implies that the study site is CO and VOC-sensitive.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Investigating the effects of first idle time and ambient temperature on
real driving emissions of passenger cars-
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Abstract: Internal combustion engines are one of the major factors of global warming and greenhouse gasses, as they emit harmful emissions such as CO2, CO, HC, and NOx. Therefore, the regulations on CO2 and other exhaust emissions for vehicles are gradually being tightened. In this study, exhaust emissions of the spark ignition engine are measured by using the portable emissions measurement system and compact exhaust gas analyzer for the vehicle used in tests carried out according to Real Driving Emission procedures to reach sustainable environmental future. The effects of the ambient temperature (AT) at the start of the engine and the time from starting the engine of the vehicle to the moment of first departure on the exhaust emissions released along the test route were investigated. By increasing the first idle time (IT), reductions in CO, THC, and NOx emissions during the test route are approximately found as 23%, 45%, and 66.5%, respectively. Better emission values are achieved during the test with the effect of increasing the AT. In the tests carried out along the determined route, it has been observed that increasing the first IT of the engine and the AT that the vehicle is waiting for reduces the emission values.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Analysis of the comprehensive effects of industrial coagglomeration on
atmospheric environmental efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta urban
agglomeration based on the dual perspectives of threshold and spatial
spillover-
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Abstract: Industrial coagglomeration (ICA) is an important factor affecting the regional air environment. The atmospheric environmental efficiency (AEE) of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRDUA) from 2012 to 2020 was evaluated based on the hybrid-dynamic DEA model. And the industrial coagglomeration (ICA) was calculated by the location entropy model. Then, nonlinear relationships between ICA and AEE were measured based on the threshold regression model. Spatial correlation characteristics of AEE were furtherly measured based on Moran’s I, and the spatial impact of ICA on AEE was revealed through the spatial Durbin model. The results showed that the impact of ICA on AEE in the YRDUA during the study period presented a U-shaped single threshold effect, and the ICA effectively improved AEE after crossing the threshold value. The AEE of YRDUA had significant spatial correlation and dependence, and each city showed four local agglomeration characteristics of “high-high,” “high-low,” “low-low,” and not significant. ICA had an enhancement effect on the local AEE while having a negative effect on the surrounding AEE. The four control variables of economic development, industrial structure, scientific and technological level, and openness improved AEE to varying degrees and produced positive spatial spillover effects. Carbon emissions inhibited AEE and produced negative effects. Suggestions include speeding up the transformation of energy supply mode, replacing material consumption with the input of service elements, promoting the two-way free flow of innovation factors, increasing the application of clean energy and energy-saving technologies, and relying on intelligent manufacturing to break through the boundaries of enterprise resources, could be solutions to optimize the relationship between ICA and AEE. Graphical
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Factors influencing PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations before and during
COVID-19 in subway stations of Seoul Metro-
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Abstract: This study analyzed the trends in change and influencing factors based on particulate matter data from subway stations in 2019 and 2021 (before and during COVID-19). The measurements were based on subway stations on the Seoul Metro from lines 1 to 9. To confirm the changes in particulate matter concentrations before and after COVID-19, the trends of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in subway stations in 2019 and 2021 were analyzed. A correlation analysis was subsequently performed for a comparison of the factors influencing changes in the particulate matter concentrations. Overall, both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations decreased during the outbreak compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak, with rates of 20.7% and 22.8%, respectively. In conclusion, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the Seoul Metro subway stations during COVID-19 were reduced. The reduction in PM10 and PM2.5, during the COVID-19 period, was the result of government policies such as telecommuting recommendations, subway congestion forecasting systems, and increased ventilation.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Investigation of indoor air pollutants in different environmental settings
and their health impact: a case study of Dehradun, India-
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Abstract: The air we breathe both indoors and in the external environment significantly affects human health and life. The legal systems across the globe, including the United Nations programs, have taken measures to protect the right to clean air as a basic human right. Urbanization and modern lifestyles have changed the dynamics of need and usage of products and allied activities. However, the scope of this study is focused on the investigation of indoor air quality (IAQ). This study is perhaps the first ever attempt to investigate the indoor air pollutant in different environmental setup based on building code specially for nonindustrial indoor environments, i.e., office buildings, public buildings (schools, hospitals, theatres, restaurants), and private dwellings in Dehradun, India. Air pollutants measured in this study include particulate matter (PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and formaldehyde (HCHO). In order to identify the exposure level of indoor air pollutants on human health, chronic daily intake has been calculated. In residential building occupancies, the concentration of particulates is higher in indoor air, and the key sources are kitchen activities such as the operation of gas stoves for cooking. In educational buildings, significant pollutants present are CO2, formaldehyde, and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), predominantly due to characteristic available ventilation systems. Compared to other indoor occupancies, institutional buildings related to health science have significant sources of indoor pollutants generated from biomedical waste, medical equipment, and instruments. Graphical abstract
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Identifying the natural and anthropogenic drivers of absorbing aerosols
using OMI data and HYSPLIT model over South Asia-
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Abstract: Aerosols absorption contributes significantly to the total radiative effects of aerosols and so an important component of radiative forcing estimates. Therefore, this study explores the spatiotemporal distribution of ultraviolet aerosol index (UVAI), future trends, potential sources of absorbing aerosols and their relationship with temperature, wind speed, precipitation and total ozone column using Ozone Monitoring Instrument retrieved UVAI and HYSPLIT model over South Asia during October 2004 to March 2022. The mean UVAI within the ranges of 0.56–1.62 are observed over Eastern and Southern Pakistan and Northern India associated with dust and biomass burning aerosols. The interannual variations in UVAI show that the values of UVAI increases from 1.73 to 3.11 during 2018–2021 over the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Contrary to this, UVAI < 0 is observed along the Karakorum and Himalaya range during 2005–2021 indicating presence of non-absorbing aerosols. The interaannual variations in UVAI reveal highest UVAI of 0.64 in December followed by 0.51 in July over South Asia. Seasonally, UVAI shows increasing trend at the rate of 0.9064 DJF−1, 0.3810 JJA−1, 0.2707 SON−1 and 0.0774 MAM−1 over South Asia. A positive correlation of 0.56 is observed between UVAI and wind speed followed by over Southern Pakistan followed 0.43 between UVAI and total ozone column Southern Pakistan and India. The UVAI shows increasing trend at the rate of 0.1409, 0.1124, 0.1224, 0.1015, 0.1242 and 0.2054 per year over Lahore, Karachi, Kanpur, New-Delhi, Varanasi, and Dhaka with maximum UVAI of 5.55, 4.47, 4.51, 4.99, 4.61 and 4.65 respectively during the study period. The anthropogenic productivity analysis reveals that primary industry and secondary industry contributes in lowering UVAI values whereas tertiary industry, energy consumption and gross domestic products increase aerosols loading in South Asia. Moreover, HYSPLIT cluster analysis further reveals the localized and trans-boundary sources of absorbing aerosols over the selected cities.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Temporal change in cold and heat-related burden of mortality: an evidence
of increasing heat impact in Iran-
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Abstract: Temporal change in heat and cold-related burden of mortality needs to be investigated in Iran. In this study, the burden between 2015 and 2022 was compared with 2008–2014 in eight cities of Kurdistan which is located to the west of Iran. The overall dose–response association between temperature and mortality by different years (i.e., interaction effect between year and temperature) was assessed using bivariate response surface model and the framework of generalized additive model (GAM). The cumulative dose–response as well as lag-response associations in the two periods was compared by a time-varying distributed lag non-linear model. The associations were pooled using a two-stage regression model in which average temperature and temperature range were adjusted to control for the heterogenicity between cities. The attributable fraction (AF) and number (AN) were estimated in each city to ease the interpretation. Compared to 2008–2014, heat and extreme heat caused more mortality than cold and extreme cold in 2015–2022; the relative risk (RR) values of heat in second period were significantly higher than first period, and the cumulative RR of the extreme heat was 1.56 (%95 CI: 1.23–1.98) and 0.88 (%95 CI: 0.66–1.18) in second and first periods, respectively. Also, the cumulative RR of extreme cold was 1.01 (0.87, 1.17) and 0.89 (0.76, 1.05) in second and first periods, respectively. In second period, the extreme heat values approximately caused a minimum of 100 deaths in Marivan and a maximum of 400 in Sanandaj. The AF in Baneh, Kamyaran, and Sanandaj was significantly higher than other cities. All subgroups’ people were at risk of heat-related mortality in second period, and the cold had no significant impact in the period. Heat-related mortality was increased in recent years while cold had no significant impact. The results highlight the need for an adaptation or preventive strategy of heat-related mortality in the regions. Graphical
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Study on the association between domestic biomass fuel exposure and
pulmonary function: a systematic review and meta-analysis-
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Abstract: Biomass fuel exposure, a health hazard, increases the risk of chronic pulmonary ailments. The current study aimed to investigate the magnitude of pulmonary dysfunction associated with biomass fuel smoke exposure by systematic review and meta-analysis. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines were followed during executing of the study, which is registered at PROSPERO, International Prospective Registry for Systematic Review (CRD42021277664). Studies comparing the pulmonary function between biomass fuels exposed and non-exposed to biomass fuel/exposed to cleaner energy fuels were systematically searched in PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases since inception to September 22, 2022. The mean difference in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume during first second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), the ratio of FEV1, FVC, and mid-expiratory flow of FVC (FEF25%-75%), prevalence of obstructive, restrictive and COPD from the included studies were pooled. Heterogeneity (I2 statistic and Cochran-Q test), risk of bias (Newcastle Ottawa Scale, funnel plot and egger’s test) sub-group, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses were performed when possible. Thirty-seven studies from 13,461 citations were identified suitable for the current review. The mean difference of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25%-75% and PEFR were -0.25L (-0.33 to -0.17; n = 27, I2 = 95.47%), -0.27L (-0.37 to -0.18; n = 28, I2 = 96.84%), -3.12% (-4.08 to -2.16; n = 27, I2 = 91.7%), -0.45 L/s (-0.57 to -0.32; n = 13, I2 = 79.98%), and -0.38L/s (-0.47 to -0.3; n = 16, I2 = 94.3%) respectively, between bio-mass exposed and controls. Sensitivity, subgroup, and meta-regression analysis did not affect the global results. Majority of the studies exhibited a high risk of bias in participant selection, assessment and comparability of the groups. Synthesized evidence suggests that exposure to biomass fuel smoke is detrimental to pulmonary function and increases pulmonary morbidity compared to clean energy usage. Interestingly, exposure to biomass smoke increases the risk of restrictive and obstructive lung changes irrespective of smoking. These observations discourage the use of biomass fuel and alert the stakeholders to encourage clean energy alternatives.
PubDate: 2023-12-01
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- Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of PM2.5-bound
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro-PAHs, and halogenated-PAHs
in Shanxi, China-
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Abstract: Emerging pollutants, nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), and halogenated PAHs (HPAHs), in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in four cities (Taiyuan, Yangquan, Changzhi, and Jincheng) during the non-heating and heating periods of Shanxi province, China, in 2020, were monitored to investigate their pollution characteristics and potential health risk. The exposure levels of PM2.5-bound ∑16PAHs, ∑13NPAHs, ∑6ClPAHs, and ∑7BrPAHs during the heating period ascended compared to the non-heating period. 2N-Nap, 1N-Nap, 2N-Fle, and 9N-Phe were primary monomers in NPAHs with higher concentrations, while higher levels of 2Br-Fle, 2Cl-Ant, and 9Cl-Phe were in HPAHs. Toxic equivalency quotients (TEQs), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and loss of life expectancy (LLE) results suggested that PM2.5-bound PAHs during the heating periods posed a potential carcinogenic risk. The ILCR and loss of life expectancy (LLE) values of PM2.5-bound PAHs showed a similar decreasing trend with an order: adults (age 30–70) > toddler >adults (age 18–30) > teenagers > children >baby. The TEQ and ILCR values of ∑13NPAHs and ∑13HPAHs in PM2.5 were far below the safety threshold, indicating no obvious cancer risks. The pollution of PM2.5-bound PAHs, NPAHs, and HPAHs and potential health risks in Yangquan and Changzhi was more serious compared to Taiyuan and Jincheng.
PubDate: 2023-11-25
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- GIS-based analysis of the spatial distribution of CO2 emissions and slow
steaming effectiveness in coastal shipping-
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Abstract: The sustainability of maritime activities is increasingly gaining interest, with the shipping sector actively focusing on decarbonization efforts. Throughout the years, researchers have considered slow steaming for improving the environmental footprint of maritime networks. In order to assess such strategies’ effectiveness on existing emissions, research also focuses on the accurate estimation of emission inventories. However, there is a significant gap concerning both fields when considering short-sea shipping, especially passenger shipping. Furthermore, while emissions are characterized by spatial aspects in several studies, there is an apparent gap in considering such aspects for detailed analysis purposes rather than only for visualization purposes. In this study, the Greek Coastal Shipping Network (GCSN) is considered, with its emissions estimated using a top-down method, creating a spatial emission inventory used for further spatial analysis for accurate identification of highly polluted areas. Results indicate that ship emissions do not spread homogeneously throughout the GCSN and that targeted interventions are necessary in several areas of the network. The effectiveness of spatially related slow steaming implementations is evaluated and compared with their implementation on the whole network. The study highlights the need for additional future emission mitigation strategies, such as service optimization, network restructuring, continuous emission monitoring, and fleet renewal with more environmentally efficient ships. The study’s aim is to fill the research gap regarding the environmental assessment of passenger shipping and the effects of slow steaming on such networks while presenting an adaptable GIS-based decision support system for enhanced decision-making regarding the environmental efficiency of maritime networks.
PubDate: 2023-11-24
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- High levels of polycyclic aromatic compounds in outdoor and indoor PM10 of
an urban residential environment during a winter pollution event in
Strasbourg, France-
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Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are major airborne pollutants. However, their assessment has mostly been restricted to 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this work, 76 PACs including PAHs, oxy-PAHs, nitro-PAHs, azaarenes, and thiaarenes were monitored in an urban residential environment. A short-term campaign was conducted at three dwellings in Strasbourg, France, with low-volume PM10 samplers operated simultaneously outdoors and indoors. Household dust was also sampled in these dwellings. The PACs of interest were extracted by pressurized liquid extraction in toluene and acetonitrile, and quantified by GC-MS/MS. The total concentration of PACs in PM10 was between 67 and 179 ng·m−3 outdoors and between 62 and 401 ng·m−3 indoors. Total PAC levels in settled dust varied from 3.5 to 31 μg·g−1, and from 0.44 to 3.88 μg·m−2. Due to the high influence of surfaces dust load, the interpretation of PAC concentrations in settled dust was different if mass concentrations or surface concentrations were studied. This sampling campaign concurrent with a winter pollution event led to exceptionally high concentrations of PACs. The samples of this work set maximum values for PAHs and oxy-PAHs in airborne particles among recent European studies, and an absolute maximum value for azaarenes. However, the acute short-term exposure of Strasbourg inhabitants to PACs during this pollution event is balanced by the normal concentrations of PACs in household dust, which characterizes better the long-term exposure. Source apportionment was performed thanks to PAH diagnostic ratios. It indicated a prevalence of road traffic and a possibility of PAH photochemical aging in dust.
PubDate: 2023-11-23
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- Effective mitigation strategies for reducing workers’ exposure to
formaldehyde: a systematic review-
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Abstract: Formaldehyde is a toxic and carcinogenic compound, still used in several occupational settings due to its properties. Thus, in these working scenarios, it is necessary to provide effective measures to reduce workers’ exposure to formaldehyde. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a picture of the worldwide mitigation strategies implemented in occupational environments for minimizing the exposure to formaldehyde and which ones are the most effective for this purpose. The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA statement; the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022302207). The search was performed on three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Studies were considered eligible if they describe strategies for mitigating formaldehyde occupational exposure and their efficacy. We included articles reporting observational studies, semi-experimental, and experimental studies and published in the English language, from the inception to March 26th, 2023. The quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. In total, 28 articles were included in the review. The employment scenarios/activities studied were human and veterinary anatomy, autopsy, histopathology or pathology laboratories, embalming procedures, hospital, operating theaters, aquaculture, textile or foundry industries, industry using 3-D printers, offices, and firefighters’ activities. Different methods have proven useful in mitigating formaldehyde exposure, such as the use of personal protective equipment, engineering control methods, organization methods, and technical strategies, with a reduction of airborne formaldehyde until to 99.6%. The highest reduction was obtained in an anatomy laboratory through locally exhausted dissection tables equipped with activated carbon filters. The specific suitable procedures should be standardized and applied in all work settings for an appropriate risk management, in order to protect the health of exposed workers.
PubDate: 2023-11-23
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- A review of large-scale climate indicators (LSCI) and their environmental
and health implications in the Mediterranean region-
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Abstract: Large-scale climate indicators (LSCI) refer to the intricate connections between the atmosphere, oceans, and continents in specific regions. To comprehend the relationship between these vital indicators and atmospheric and climate variability, it is crucial to explore them in detail. The objective of the present study is to gather and review relevant research on LSCI in the Mediterranean area to gain a better understanding of their impacts on atmospheric variability, climate, air quality, ecosystems, and health in the region. Numerous studies have explored LSCI and their effects in the study area, and our work aims to contribute to the existing literature in this context. Our study concludes that LSCI are linked to spatial atmospheric variability in the Mediterranean region. They influence the spatial and temporal distribution of climate and environmental variability, including temperature, rainfall, extreme events, cyclones and storms, and air pollution. Some studies have demonstrated the effects of LSCI on ecosystems, such as forests and river basins in the region. However, research on their impacts on human health is limited. Additionally, the application of LSCI involves various formulations and explanations of their potential developments, primarily explaining atmospheric complex systems and the effort required to comprehend their implications for the environment and health. This review highlights recent progress made in defining, formulating, and calculating LSCI in the Mediterranean area. The most critical functions and characteristics of LSCI are also discussed. Understanding LSCI and their applications is the first step towards developing a health warning system, starting with monitoring atmospheric dynamics and culminating in managing human health responses.
PubDate: 2023-11-23
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- Indoor residential and outdoor sources of PM2.5 and PM10 in Nicosia,
Cyprus-
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Abstract: Cyprus is a typical eastern Mediterranean country that suffers from local emissions, transported anthropogenic pollution, and dust storms all year round. Therefore, exposures to PM in ambient and residential micro-environments are of great public health concern. Our study collected indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 samples simultaneously in 22 houses in Nicosia, Cyprus, during warm seasons and cold seasons from February 2019 to May 2021. Samples were analyzed for mass and constituents’ concentrations. To determine indoor and outdoor sources of PM in residential environments, we used the EPA positive matrix factorization (PMF) model to conduct source apportionment analyses for both indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 particles. Generally, six types of residential-level PM sources were resolved: biomass burning, traffic, local or regional secondary sulfate pollution, Ca-rich particles, sea salt, and soil dust. In the source apportionment of PM2.5, the main contribution to outdoor levels (33.1%) was associated with sulfate-rich transported pollution. The predominant contribution to indoor levels (48.0%) was attributed to secondary sulfate pollution as a mixture of local- and regional-scale pollutants. Biomass burning and traffic sources constituted the main outdoor sources of indoor PM2.5, while the Ca-rich particles were identified to almost originate from indoors. By contrast, the largest fraction (29.3%) of the ambient PM10 and a smaller proportion (10.2%) of indoor PM10 were attributed to Ca-rich particles. Indoor PM10 was associated mainly with outdoor sources, except for the soil dust which originated from indoor activities.
PubDate: 2023-11-23
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