In utero ultrafine particulate matter exposure causes offspring pulmonary immunosuppression.

Early life exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) in air is associated with infant respiratory disease and childhood asthma, but limited epidemiological data exist concerning the impacts of ultrafine particles (UFPs) on the etiology of childhood respiratory disease. Specifically, the role of UFPs in amplifying Th2- and/or Th17-driven inflammation (asthma promotion) or suppressing effector T cells (increased susceptibility to respiratory infection) remains unclear. Using a mouse model of in utero UFP exposure, we determined early immunological responses to house dust mite (HDM) allergen in offspring challenged from 0 to 4 wk of age. Two mice strains were exposed throughout gestation: C57BL/6 (sensitive to oxidative stress) and BALB/C (sensitive to allergen exposure). Offspring exposed to UFPs in utero exhibited reduced inflammatory response to HDM. Compared with filtered air (FA)-exposed/HDM-challenged mice, UFP-exposed offspring had lower white blood cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and less pronounced peribronchiolar inflammation in both strains, albeit more apparent in C57BL/6 mice. In the C57BL/6 strain, offspring exposed in utero to FA and challenged with HDM exhibited a robust response in inflammatory cytokines IL-13 and Il-17. In contrast, this response was lost in offspring exposed in utero to UFPs. Circulating IL-10 was significantly up-regulated in C57BL/6 offspring exposed to UFPs, suggesting increased regulatory T cell expression and suppressed Th2/Th17 response. Our results reveal that in utero UFP exposure at a level close to the WHO recommended PM guideline suppresses an early immune response to HDM allergen, likely predisposing neonates to respiratory infection and altering long-term pulmonary health

Physical activity changes the deposited fractions of particles in the respiratory tract of adults and children

Exposure to ambient air pollution can cause a numberof health problems and may be particularly dangerous to susceptible population groups such as children. Health effects caused by air pollution are criticallydependent on both the deposited fraction (DF) of the inhaled particles and in what region of the respiratory tract the deposition takes place. With increasing physical activity, the breathing pattern is altered and the airflow in the respiratory tract increase, this affects the DF and deposition site. In this study we investigated changes in DF at increasing physical activity for three population groups: ~5 and 10 year-old children, and adults.Our results indicate that the variation in total DF with physical activity is minor, but that the DF for the UFPs increase in the AI region at higher activity levels. This is important since the removal of particles in the AI region is not effective and UFPs are believed to pose a specific health risk. Therefore, activity patterns and DF of different population groups need to be considered when estimating particle dose and evaluating health risks

Respiratory Health among Korean Pupils in Relation to Home, School and Outdoor Environment

There are few studies about school-environment in relation to pupils' respiratory health, and Korean school-environment has not been characterized. All pupils in 4th grade in 12 selected schools in three urban cities in Korea received a questionnaire (n = 2,453), 96% participated. Gaseous pollutants and ultrafine particles (UFPs) were measured indoors (n = 34) and outdoors (n = 12) during winter, 2004. Indoor dampness at home was investigated by the questionnaire. To evaluate associations between respiratory health and environment, multiple logistic- and multi-level regression models were applied adjusting for potential confounders. The mean age of pupils was 10 yr and 49% were boys. No school had mechanical ventilation and CO2-levels exceeded 1,000 ppm in all except one of the classrooms. The indoor mean concentrations of SO2, NO2, O3 and formaldehyde were 0.6 µg/m3, 19 µg/m3, 8 µg/m3 and 28 µg/m3, respectively. The average level of UFPs was 18,230 pt/cm3 in the classrooms and 16,480 pt/cm3 outdoors. There were positive associations between wheeze and outdoor NO2, and between current asthma and outdoor UFPs. With dampness at home, pupils had more wheeze. In conclusion, outdoor UFPs and even low levels of NO2 may adversely contribute to respiratory health in children. High CO2-levels in classrooms and indoor dampness/mold at home should be reduced

Dampak Emisi Partikel Ultrafine Printer Terhadap Sel Darah Merah (Eritrosit) Mencit (Mus Musculus)

Printer merupakan sumber yang berpotensi memproduksi polusi, menghasilkan komponen organik seperti jenis emisi partikel ultrafine. Partikel dengan ukuran 20 nm - 100 nm yang disebut partikel ultrafine atau ultrafine particles (UFPs) telah menjadi perhatian para peneliti karena dampak dari partikel ini sangat signifikan terhadap kesehatan manusia. Oleh karena itu pada studi ini dilakukan penelitian pengaruh partikel ultrafine yang dihasilkan printer ink jet dan printer laser jet terhadap gambaran mikroskopis sel darah merah (eritrosit) pada mencit. Penelitian dilakukan dengan cara melakukan proses printing dengan menggunakan printer inkjet dan printer laserjet di dalam sebuah chamber yang berisi 30 mencit. Setiap harinya mencit dipapar 100 lembar kertas A4 full text selama 6 minggu dan setiap minggunya diambil 5 sempel mencit untuk dibuat preparat apusan darah. Pengukuran konsentrsi partikel ultrafine dilakukan dengan cara menghubungkan chamber yang berisi emisi partikel printer ke selang P-trak UPC model 8525. Dari penelitian yang telah dilakukan diketahui pengaruh emisi partikel ultrafine yang dihasilkan atau dikeluarkan printer pada saat proses printing terhadap kerusakan sel darah merah mencit (Mus musculus). Total partikel yang dihirup mencit dalam kurun waktu 1 minggu – 6 minggu adalah 0,99×1011 Pt sampai 5,92×1011 Pt dapat menimbulkkan kerusakan sel darah merah sebesar 11% sampai dengan 80%. Demikian pula dengan total partikel yang dihasilkan oleh printer laserjet dan dihirup oleh mencit selama 1 minggu – 6 minggu adalah 0,611×107 Pt - 3,663×107 Pt yang dapat memberikan efek kerusakan sebesar 11% sampai 63%. Sehingga semakin tinggi total partikel ultrafine yang dihirup mencit, maka semakin tinggi pula kerusakan sel darah merah pada mencit. Hubungan antara total partikel yang dihirup mencit berbanding lurus dengan kerusakan sel darah merah pada mencit

Characterizing the Chemical Profile of Incidental Ultrafine Particles for Toxicity Assessment Using an Aerosol Concentrator

Incidental ultrafine particles (UFPs) constitute a key pollutant in industrial workplaces. However, characterizing their chemical properties for exposure and toxicity assessments still remains a challenge. In this work, the performance of an aerosol concentrator (Versatile Aerosol Concentration Enrichment System, VACES) was assessed to simultaneously sample UFPs on filter substrates (for chemical analysis) and as liquid suspensions (for toxicity assessment), in a high UFP concentration scenario. An industrial case study was selected where metal-containing UFPs were emitted during thermal spraying of ceramic coatings. Results evidenced the comparability of the VACES system with online monitors in terms of UFP particle mass (for concentrations up to 95 µg UFP/m3 ) and between filters and liquid suspensions, in terms of particle composition (for concentrations up to 1000 µg/ m3). This supports the applicability of this tool for UFP collection in view of chemical and toxicological characterization for incidental UFPs. In the industrial setting evaluated, results showed that the spraying temperature was a driver of fractionation of metals between UF (<0.2 µm) and fine (0.2– 2.5 µm) particles. Potentially health hazardous metals (Ni, Cr) were enriched in UFPs and depleted in the fine particle fraction. Metals vaporized at high temperatures and concentrated in the UF fraction through nucleation processes. Results evidenced the need to understand incidental particle formation mechanisms due to their direct implications on particle composition and, thus, exposure. It is advisable that personal exposure and subsequent risk assessments in occupational settings should include dedicated metrics to monitor UFPs (especially, incidental).What’s important about this paper: Our work addresses the challenge of characterizing the bulk chemical composition of ultrafine particles in occupational settings, for exposure and toxicity assessments. We tested the performance of an aerosol concentrator (VACES) to simultaneously sample ultrafine particles (UFPs) on filter substrates and as liquid suspensions, in a high UFP concentration scenario. An industrial case study was selected where metal-bearing UFPs were emitted. We report the chemical exposures characterized in the industrial facility, and evidence the comparability of the VACES system with online monitors for UFP particle mass (up to 95 µg UFP/m3) as well as between UFP chemical composition on filters and in suspension. This supports the applicability of this tool for UFP collection in view of chemical and toxicological characterization of exposures to incidental UFPs in workplace settings.Highlights: - The VACES system is a useful tool for UFP sampling in high-concentration settings; - UFP collected simultaneously on filters and in suspension showed good comparability; - UFP chemical profiles were characterized; - Health-hazardous metals Ni and Cr accumulated in UFPs; - Understanding emission mechanisms is key to identifying exposure sources.This work was funded by SIINN ERA-NET (project id: 16), the Spanish MINECO (PCIN-2015-173-C02-01) and the French agency (Region Hauts de France). The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project CEX2018-000794-S; Severo Ochoa) and the Generalitat de Catalunya (project number: AGAUR 2017 SGR41) provided support for the indirect costs for the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC). We acknowledge support of the publication fee by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Occupational Fine/Ultrafine Particles and Noise Exposure in Aircraft Personnel Operating in Airport Taxiway

18openopenMarcias, Gabriele; Casula, Maria; Uras, Michele; Falqui, Andrea; Miozzi, Edoardo; Sogne, Elisa; Pili, Sergio; Pilia, Ilaria; Fabbri, Daniele; Meloni, Federico; Pau, Marco; Sanna, Andrea; Fostinelli, Jacopo; Massacci, Giorgio; D’Aloja, Ernesto; Filon, Francesca; Campagna, Marcello; Lecca, LuigiMarcias, Gabriele; Casula, Maria; Uras, Michele; Falqui, Andrea; Miozzi, Edoardo; Sogne, Elisa; Pili, Sergio; Pilia, Ilaria; Fabbri, Daniele; Meloni, Federico; Pau, Marco; Sanna, Andrea; Fostinelli, Jacopo; Massacci, Giorgio; D’Aloja, Ernesto; Filon, Francesca; Campagna, Marcello; Lecca, Luig

Identification and verification of ultrafine particle affinity zones in urban neighbourhoods: sample design and data pre-processing

A methodology is presented and validated through which long-term fixed site air quality measurements are used to characterise and remove temporal signals in sample-based measurements which have good spatial coverage but poor temporal resolution. The work has been carried out specifically to provide a spatial dataset of atmospheric ultrafine particle (UFP < 100 nm) data for ongoing epidemiologic cohort analysis but the method is readily transferable to wider epidemiologic investigations and research into the health effects of other pollutant species

Air pollutants and their degradation of a historic building in the largest metropolitan area in latin america

Historic buildings that comprise the cultural heritage of humanity are in need of preservation on a worldwide scale in regard to degradation resultant from atmospheric pollutants. The Brazilian Public Market, located in the historic center of the mega city of Sao Paulo, is the object of this research, due to its representation of historical Brazilian architecture. The general objective of this manuscript is to analyze the influence of air pollutants on the degradation of the historic Sao Paulo Public Market in the city of Sao~ Paulo, Brazil. Methodologically, between May 2018 and April 2019, samples of sedimented dust were collected at five points on the side walls of the market’s historic structure, for the analysis of accumulated ultrafine particles (UFPs) and nanoparticles (NPs). A total of 20 samples of particulate matter were collected using self-made passive samplers (SMPSs). Using SMPSs, 12 months of accumulation and deposition were used to sample the atmospheric PM1. The results demonstrate the presence of dangerous elements such as: As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn. Note that EDS coupled with microscopy techniques, points out the risks to human health, due to the presence of these dangerous elements that accumulate in the building’s structure. The results show that 85% of the NPs sampled contained Pb, and 56% contained Pb and Ti, which are harmful to both historic buildings and human health. Air pollution enables the further deterioration of the Sao Paulo Public Market, which is in need of restoration

Identification of mercury and nanoparticles in roots with different oxidation states of an abandoned coal mine

The morphology and composition of roots with different degrees of oxidation as a function of time were evaluated aiming to identify possible hazardous elements and nanoparticles. The roots were obtained from an abandoned coal mine located in the city of Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil. From the roots, analyses were performed to identify nanoparticles (NPs) and ultrafine particles (UFPs), containing possible hazardous elements (PHEs) that cause potential environmental risks and impacts on human health. The identification of nanoscale materials requires greater robustness, so advanced integrated techniques have been used. The characterization of different types of roots was done by using focused ion beam (FIB), to evaluate nano-compound assemblies with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (HR-TEM/EDS). The results showed the presence of NPs containing Hg, Co, Cr, Ni, and V. The presence of these elements has increased consistently with the increase of C concentration in the roots, suggesting that the PHEs were gradually released from organic matter and inorganic minerals of coal. However, even with their decrease in roots, it was found that these elements still remained in the soil in significant quantities, even after 15 years of inactivation of the coal mine