Mutagenic properties of PM2.5 urban pollution in the Northern Italy: The nitro-compounds contribution

PM2.5 is the breathable fraction of the particulate matter and some adverse health effects, such as respiratory functionality, cardiological diseases and cancer, can be in some measure attributable to this risk factor exposure. Some of the most carcinogen compounds transported by PM2.5 are nitro-compounds. In this study, a strengthened in vitro bioassay — able to predict the mutagenic/carcinogenic activity of the environmental mixtures — was conducted on PM2.5 organic extracts to define the nitro-compounds burden. PM2.5 air pollution was daily monitored, during 2006, in three cities located in the Northern part of Italy (Torino, Pavia and Verona) and the mutagenic properties of the PM2.5 organic extracts were assessed with the Ames test. The bacterial used in this study were three Salmonella typhimurium strains: TA98, nitroreductase-less mutant TA98NR and YG1021 carrying a nitroreductase-producing plasmid. The annual PM2.5 mean level measured in Torino was 46.5 (± 31.6) μg/m³, in Pavia 34.8 (± 25.1) μg/m³, and in Verona 37.3 (± 27.8) μg/m³, while the mutagenicity expressed as TA98 net reverants/m³ was 28.0 (± 22.1), 28.3 (± 24.9), and 34.2 (± 30.9) respectively. Monthly pool bioassays, conducted with the three different strains, showed a greater mutagenic response of the YG1021 in each city. The relationship among the mutagenic answers for YG1021:TA98:TA98NR was about 6:3:1 (p < 0.001). Over nitroreductase activity enhanced the response of 2.2, 2.0 and 1.7 times for Torino, Pavia, and Verona (ANOVA Torino p < 0.05) respectively. Without nitroreductase activity the genotoxicity was limited. These biological findings are able to describe a relevant role played by the nitro compounds in the mutagenic properties of the urban PM2.5 in the Padana plain; moreover the bacterial nitroreductase plays a predominant role in DNA interaction primarily for Torino PM2.5 extracts.     

Differentiating the effects of fine and coarse particles on daily mortality in Shanghai, China

The findings on health effects of ambient fine particles (PM2.5) and coarse particles (PM10-2.5) remain inconsistent. In China, PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 are not the criteria air pollutants, and their monitoring data are scarce. There have been no epidemiological studies of health effects of PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 simultaneously in China. We conducted a time series study to examine the acute effects of PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 on daily mortality in Shanghai, China from Mar. 4, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2005. We used the generalized additive model (GAM) with penalized splines to analyze the mortality, air pollution and covariate data. The average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 were 56.4 microg/m3 and 52.3 microg/m3 in our study period, and PM2.5 constituted around 53.0% of the PM10 mass. Compared with the Global Air Quality Guidelines set by World Health Organization (10 microg/m3 for annual mean) and U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (15 microg/m3 for annual mean), the PM2.5 level in Shanghai was much higher. We found that PM2.5 was associated with the death rates from all causes and from cardiorespiratory diseases in Shanghai. We did not find a significant effect of PM10-2.5 on mortality outcomes. A10 microg/m3 increase in the 2-day moving average (lag01) concentration of PM2.5 corresponded to 0.36% (95% CI 0.11%, 0.61%), 0.41% (95% CI 0.01%, 0.82%) and 0.95% (95% CI 0.16%, 1.73%) increase of total, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality. For PM10-2.5, the effects were attenuated and less precise. Our analyses provide the first statistically significant evidence in China that PM2.5 has an adverse effect on population health and strengthen the rationale for further limiting levels of PM2.5 in outdoor air in Shanghai.     

A pilot study to assess ground-level ambient air concentrations of fine particles and carbon monoxide in urban Guatemala

Ambient concentrations and the elemental composition of particles less than 2.5 microm in diameter (PM2.5), as well as carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations, were measured at ground-level in three Guatemalan cities in summer 1997: Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, and Antigua. This pilot study also included quantitative and qualitative characterizations of microenvironment conditions, e.g., local meteorology, reported elsewhere. The nondestructive X-ray fluorescence elemental analysis (XRF) of Teflon filters was conducted. The highest integrated average PM2.5. concentrations in an area (zona) of Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango were 150 microg m(-3) (zona 12) and 120 microg m(-3) (zona 2), respectively. The reported integrated average PM2.5 concentration for Antigua was 5 microg m(-3). The highest observed half-hour and monitoring period average CO concentrations in Guatemala City were 10.9 ppm (zona 8) and 7.2 ppm (zonas 8 and 10), respectively. The average monitoring period CO concentration in Antigua was 2.6 ppm. Lead and bromine concentrations were negligible, indicative of the transition to unleaded fuel use in cars and motorcycles. The XRF results suggested sources of air pollution in Guatemala, where relative rankings varied by city and by zonas within each city, were fossil fuel combustion emitting hydrocarbons, combustion of sulfurous conventional fuels, soil/roadway dust, farm/agricultural dust, and vehicles (evaportion of gas, parts' wear).     

Characteristics of PM10, PM2.5, CO2 and CO monitored in interiors and platforms of subway train in Seoul, Korea

This study was performed to investigate the concentration of PM(10) and PM(2.5) inside trains and platforms on subway lines 1, 2, 4 and 5 in Seoul, KOREA. PM(10), PM(2.5), carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and carbon monoxide (CO) were monitored using real-time monitoring instruments in the afternoons (between 13:00 and 16:00). The concentrations of PM(10) and PM(2.5) inside trains were significantly higher than those measured on platforms and in ambient air reported by the Korea Ministry of Environment (Korea MOE). This study found that PM(10) levels inside subway lines 1, 2 and 4 exceeded the Korea indoor air quality (Korea IAQ) standard of 150 microg/m(3). The average percentage that exceeded the PM(10) standard was 83.3% on line 1, 37.9% on line 2 and 63.1% on line 4, respectively. PM(2.5) concentration ranged from 77.7 microg/m(3) to 158.2 microg/m(3), which were found to be much higher than the ambient air PM(2.5) standard promulgated by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) (24 h arithmetic mean: 65 microg/m(3)). The reason for interior PM(10) and PM(2.5) being higher than those on platforms is due to subway trains in Korea not having mechanical ventilation systems to supply fresh air inside the train. This assumption was supported by the CO(2) concentration results monitored in tube of subway that ranged from 1153 ppm to 3377 ppm. The percentage of PM(2.5) in PM(10) was 86.2% on platforms, 81.7% inside trains, 80.2% underground and 90.2% at ground track. These results indicated that fine particles (PM(2.5)) accounted for most of PM(10) and polluted subway air. GLM statistical analysis indicated that two factors related to monitoring locations (underground and ground or inside trains and on platforms) significantly influence PM(10) (p<0.001, R(2)=0.230) and PM(2.5) concentrations (p<0.001, R(2)=0.172). Correlation analysis indicated that PM(10), PM(2.5), CO(2) and CO were significantly correlated at p<0.01 although correlation coefficients were different. The highest coefficient was 0.884 for the relationship between PM(10) and PM(2.5).     

Impact of different pollutant sources on Shiraz air pollution using SPM elemental analysis

Weekly average suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations were measured in four locations in Shiraz, Iran. Sampling was carried out from July 1999 and continued until July 2000. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) methods were employed to obtain the weekly concentrations of Pb, Br, V, Ca, Al, Fe, Cu, Cr, Mn, Sc and Zn. The mean annual concentrations (in microg/m(3)) of 11 elements were found to be: Pb 0.545 (+/- 33.8%), Br 0.413 (+/- 34.1%), V 0.009 (+/- 28.2%), Ca 13.36 (+/- 24.5%), Al 2.56 (+/- 46.3%), Fe 2.62 (+/- 38.7%), Cu 0.122 (+/- 41.4%), Cr 0.015 (+/- 35.8%), Mn 0.053 (+/- 35.5%), Sc 0.0008 (+/- 37.5%) and Zn 0.085 (+/- 25.2%). The results of the study show that vehicle (traffic) pollution in Shiraz is higher than WHO and EPA standards and natural and industrial pollution is exceeding international guidelines in some seasons. The findings of the study confirm that the nearby cement factory has a major pollution impact on Shiraz air.     

Particulate matter and black smoke concentration levels in central Athens, Greece

This study presents the statistical analysis of PM(10) and PM(2.5) concentrations (measured at a central site, in the Athens area), along with black smoke (BS) data, for a 2-year period. The biennial average concentrations of PM(10) and PM(2.5) were 75 and 40 microg m(-3). The respective average concentration of BS, as estimated by the OECD method, was 108 microg m(-3). Severe exceedances of the PM(10) air quality standards were recorded. The seasonal variation of PM(10) and BS was less pronounced than the variation of PM(2.5), which concentration was elevated by 14.2% during the cold period. Concentrations of all three pollutants were significantly lower during weekends; however, PM(2.5) and BS displayed a more uniform weekly distribution pattern. PM(10) particles were found to be almost equally comprised by PM(2.5) and PM(10-2.5) particles (PM(2.5)/PM(10) ratio=0.53+/-0.09 microg/m(3)). The average PM(10)/BS value was found lower than unity revealing the inappropriateness of the used reflectance conversion method, for the estimation of mass-equivalent BS concentrations, in the study area, where diesel-powered vehicles mainly control emissions of light-absorbing substances. Important reductions in concentrations were observed during days when drivers of diesel-powered taxies and transportation buses went on strike (reaching 40% for BS). Calm wind conditions were found to have an incremental effect on particle concentrations and were also associated with the appearance of persistent episodic events. Increased PM levels were also observed during southern-southwestern wind flows while significantly lower-than-average concentrations were measured during precipitation events. Separate regression analyses were performed for PM(10), PM(2.5) with BS and NO(x) as independent variables, in an attempt to estimate the relative contribution of specific source types (diesel-powered vehicles) to measured particle levels. The contribution of the diesel-exhaust component to PM(10) mass was estimated at 49.9%, while the corresponding contributions to PM(2.5) mass concentrations was 53.8%. These results may have important implications with the oncoming decision of national authorities to allow the purchase of diesel-powered private cars to the residents of the Greater Athens Area, which was forbidden up to this day.     

A statistical model to evaluate the effectiveness of PM2.5 emissions control during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

A statistical model was developed using satellite remote sensing data and meteorological parameters to evaluate the effectiveness of air pollution control measures during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Custom satellite retrievals under hazy conditions were included in the modeling dataset to represent the air pollution levels more accurately. This model explained 70% of the PM_2.5 variability during the modeling period from June to October 2008. Using this tool, we estimate that the aggressive emission reduction measures alone effectively lowered PM_2.5 levels by 20–24 μg/m³ or 27–33% on average during the Games period, which is substantially greater than those reported previously. Since parameters required to develop this model are readily available in most cities of the world, it can be quickly applied after other major events to evaluate air pollution control policy.     

长江中游城市群PM2.5时空特征及影响因素研究

近年来，伴随着工业化和城市化进程的加快，长江中游城市群灰霾天气持续增多，空气污染问题日益突出。基于2015年1月至2016年2月长江中游城市群189个空气质量监测站点的PM2.5逐时监测数据，采用普通克里金插值、探索性空间数据分析法和相关系数法，从年、季、月尺度上分析了PM2.5的空间分布格局及其影响因素。结果表明：（1）在年尺度上，长江中游城市群PM2.5浓度空间分布总体呈现出明显的北部高南部低，局部地区略有突出的特征，该区PM2.5浓度年均值为55.28 μg/m3，其中湖北省PM2.5的年均值为三省市最高，为68.17 μg/m3；其次为湖南省，年均值为53.66 μg/m3；江西省PM2.5的年均值较小，为44.01 μg/m3。（2）在季节尺度上，长江中游城市群PM2.5浓度表现出冬春季高，夏秋季低的现势性，这与区域内夏季高温多雨、冬季低温少雨的气候条件密切相关。（3）长江中游城市群PM2.5月浓度变化大致呈U形分布，1月份PM2.5浓度最高， 1~6月份，PM2.5浓度呈逐步下降趋势， 6~8月份，区域PM2.5浓度处于“U”字的谷底。（4）NO2、CO是影响PM2.5浓度的两项主控大气污染物，而降水量和相对湿度则是影响PM2.5浓度的两个重要气象因素。 关键词： PM2.5浓度；时空特征；气象因素；长江中游城市群     

Measurements and analysis of criteria pollutants in New Delhi, India

Ambient concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and total suspended particulates (TSP) were measured from January 1997 to November 1998 in the center of downtown [the Income Tax Office (ITO) located on B.S.G. Marg] New Delhi, India. The data consist of 24-h averages of SO2, NOx, and TSP as well as 8 and 24-h averages of CO. The measurements were made in an effort to characterize air pollution in the urban environment of New Delhi and assist in the development of an air quality index. The yearly average CO, NOx, SO2, and TSP concentrations for 1997 and 1998 were found to be 4810+/-2287 and 5772+/-2116 microg/m3, 83+/-35 and 64+/-22 microg/m3, 20+/-8 and 23+/-7 microg/m3, and 409+/-110 and 365+/-100 microg/m3, respectively. In general, the maximum CO, SO2, NOx, and TSP values occurred during the winter with minimum values occurring during the summer, which can be attributed to a combination of meteorological conditions and photochemical activity in the region. The ratio of CO/NOx (approximately 50) indicates that mobile sources are the predominant contributors for these two compounds in the urban air pollution problem in New Delhi. The ratio of SO2/NOx (approximately 0.6) indicates that point sources are contributing to SO2 pollution in the city. The averaged background CO concentrations in New Delhi were also calculated (approximately 1939 microg/m3) which exceed those for Eastern USA (approximately 500 microg/m3). Further, all measured concentrations exceeded the US National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) except for SO2. TSP was identified as exceeding the standard on the most frequent basis.     

Sudden high concentration of TSP affected by atmospheric boundary layer in Seoul metropolitan area during duststorm period

Hourly concentrations of TSP, PM(10), PM(2.5) near the surface at Seoul city were examined from March 20 to March 25, 2001 (duststorm event) in order to investigate the effect of a duststorm generated in China on the local aerosol concentration in Korea, The ratios of fine to coarse particles such as TSP to PM(10), TSP to PM(2.5) and PM(10)-PM(2.5) to PM(2.5) showed that a great amount of dust transported from the origin of the duststorm was remarkable with a maximum ratio of 9.77 between TSP and PM(2.5). Back trajectories every 6 h showed the movement of dust particles in the lower atmosphere near 500 m to 1500 m (atmospheric boundary layer), which implied transport from Baotou in inner Mongolia of northern China to the direction of Seoul city in Korea and then the back trajectories passed near the southern border of Mongolia and Baotou through Zengzhou in the midlevels (3000 m) and low levels (500 m) of China, finally reaching Seoul city. So, the TSP concentration at Seoul city was partially influenced by the duststorm, under the prevailing westerly wind and the transported aerosols could influence high concentrations of pollutants of TSP, PM(10) and PM(2.5) in Seoul. The sudden high concentrations of TSP and PM(10) were found for a few hours, especially at 1500 to 1800 LST, March 22. At 1200 LST, before the passage of a cold front through the Korean peninsula, the convective boundary layer (CBL) near Seoul was not shallow, but at 1500 LST, under the frontal passage, the CBL was remarkably thinner (less than 300 m), due to the compression of the boundary layer by the intrusion of cold air. This resulted in the increase of the TSP concentration, even though the mixed layer above maintained almost the same depth. At 1800 LST shortly after the frontal passage, that is, near sunset, the nocturnal cooling of the ground caused air parcels to cool, thereby enhancing the shallower nocturnal surface inversion layer and producing the maximum concentration of TSP of 1388 microg/m(3) near Seoul city.     

The study of Central Taiwan particles concentration variations during earthquake period

Ambient particle concentration was taken on the traffic sampling site over the Chung-Chi Road over the bridge (CCROB) in front of Hungkuang Institute of Technology (HKIT). The sampling time was from August 1999 to December 1999. During the sampling period, Taiwan's biggest earthquake in more than a century registered 7.3 on the Richter scale (Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake). Besides, there are more than 20,000 aftershocks following the Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake within 3 months. Thus, the mass concentration of particles with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 2.5 microm (PM2.5) and PM2.5-10 was also collected then compared with the total mass concentration of suspended particles (TSP) in this study. The average TSP, PM2.5-10, and PM2.5 concentrations are 106, 24.6, and 58.0 microg/m3, respectively, after the Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake. The average TSP concentrations before and after Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake were 69.6 and 127 microg/ m3, respectively. In addition, statistical analysis of the PM10 data from this study and EPA in 1999 yielded a Tstatistic of 0.147, which is smaller than t(0.975,18) = 2.101. It is indicated that there was no significant difference. So, the PM10 concentrations measured after Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake in this study were also greater than those data previously obtained from Taiwan EPA in the same region of this area. The relationships between TSP, PM10, PM2.5-10, and PM2.5 particle concentrations and wind speed (R2) are .77, .59, .58, .58, respectively. And the ratios of PM2.5/PM25-10, PM2.5/PM10, and PM10/TSP are 221%, 67.2%, 58.0%, respectively. The average ratios of PM2.5/PM2.5-10 and PM2.5/PM10 increase by about 120% and 17%. It indicated that the fine-particles concentration increases compared to the coarse-particles concentration after 921 Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake. And the proposed reasons are that local motor vehicle emissions combined the fine particles transported from the Chi-Chi epicenter. More importantly, the wind direction was mainly blown from southeastern part. These two main factors enhance the fine-particles concentration in this area.     

南昌市环境空气污染时空变化特征及影响因素研究

选取2014~2017年南昌市不同时间尺度AQI及主要空气污染物数据，利用GIS技术、神经网络分析、后向轨迹模型及地统计分析方法，分析了南昌市环境空气污染时空变化特征及影响因素。结果表明，南昌市近年来空气质量总体变化不大，空气质量等级以良为主，占全年比例为57%~61%。但首要污染物变化较大，即PM2.5比例显著下降，NO2和O3比例显著上升，PM10变化不大。南昌市空气污染季节变化显著，冬春季空气质量较差，以PM10、PM2.5污染为主，夏季空气质量最好，以O3污染为主。空气污染周变化以周末及周一污染较重、周四污染最轻，说明南昌市空气污染除了与群众出行习惯有关，还存在其他影响因素。南昌市空气质量日变化呈双峰型（9:00~11:00和20:00~22:00），主要受上、下班高峰期带来的交通尾气影响。南昌市空气污染空间变化呈典型的“郊区-市区”分布，其中AQI、PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NO2、CO值均以市区较高、郊区较低，而O3的空间分布规律正好相反，这主要与城区NOx排放较多，O3易与其迅速反应而消耗有关。后向轨迹聚类分析结果表明，来自本地的短轨迹气团占比高，对PM2.5、PM10、NO2、O3的影响大。气象因素上，PM2.5、PM10、NO2受相对湿度影响较大，O3受温度影响较大。     

长江经济带PM_(2.5)时空特征及影响因素研究

大气细颗粒物(PM_(2.5))因其对空气环境质量乃至人类健康的巨大危害而逐渐引起学者们的关注。本文以我国综合实力最强、战略支撑作用最为突出的区域之一——长江经济带为研究对象,基于城市级空气质量监测数据,运用地理学时空分析与GIS可视化方法探索并呈现了2015年长江经济带PM_(2.5)的时空分布特征及其演变规律;在此基础上,结合空间回归模型考察了PM_(2.5)浓度与区域城市发展之间的内在关系。结果表明,就空间特征而言,长江中下游地区PM_(2.5)污染较长江上游地区更为严重,长江北岸地区比长江南岸地区更为严重;PM_(2.5)高浓度集聚地带主要位于鄂皖苏大部分地区,与空气质量较佳的云南及其周边地区呈"对角"分布状态。长江经济带内城市间PM_(2.5)浓度存在着显著的正向空间自相关,且自相关性随距离增大而不断减弱,其门槛尺度约为900 km;在这一范围内,PM_(2.5)空间集聚效应较为明显。就时间特征而言,冬季PM_(2.5)浓度相对较高,春秋两季次之,夏季空气质量最好;各地区浓度分布在年初相对离散,后有所趋同。此外,PM_(2.5)与其他类型的大气污染物(如SO2、NO2、O3)浓度两两之间均存在着显著的正相关性,暗示大气污染物从原发污染演变为二次污染,形成恶性循环。空间回归分析结果表明,PM_(2.5)污染随经济发展水平的提高呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在一定程度上支持了"环境库兹涅兹曲线"假说;且人口密度、公共交通运输强度均在不同程度上导致长江经济带PM_(2.5)浓度的升高。最后,从区域性联防联控、不同类型大气污染物协同治理、促进经济发展方式转型等方面为长江经济带的大气环境治理提出切实可行的政策建议。     

空气污染、空间外溢与公共健康——以中国珠江三角洲9个城市为例

空气污染对居民公共健康的影响,引起了人们高度的关注。但大多数学者研究从样本的独立性出发且不考虑内生性问题,忽视区域之间空间相关性,所得结论和政策建议需谨慎对待。为了弥补上述不足,本文基于Grossman中国宏观健康生产函数,选取2001—2014年中国广东省珠江三角洲9个城市作为样本,选择以PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)作为空气污染的代理指标,在充分考虑空间效应和严格假设检验的基础上选择合适的空间计量经济学模型,对此进行实证研究。主要研究结果显示:空气污染对居民的公共健康带来了负面影响,即PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)每增加1%,导致哮喘疾病和内科门诊等疾病人数不断上升,且影响都比较大,尤其是对哮喘疾病的影响分别为0.2236%和0.2272%。经济增长对公共健康均有显著的促进作用,影响最大;其它财政医疗支出、卫生技术人员和人口密度等要素对居民公共健康的影响较小。由于空气污染的负外部性,研究还发现,区域之间空气污染的"溢出效应"对领域居民公共健康存在显著的影响,说明忽视空间自相关性的存在,会使得空气污染对公众健康的估计产生偏差。从长期看,空气污染对本地居民公共健康的直接效应都显著为正,PM_(2.5)间接效应显著为负,但PM_(10)间接效应并不显著。因此,各级政府除了在源头上治理污染物的排放,提高公共健康水平外,还应该打破各自为阵的行政垄断,应该作为一个整体,实现跨区域环保合作,共同治理和制定公共卫生政策等。这对区域之间协同减排和保护居民公共健康具有重要的理论和现实意义。     

Genetic biomonitoring of an urban population exposed to mutagenic airborne pollutants

Biomonitoring studies have increased as a consequence of risks and effects to human health on exposure to environmental contaminants, mainly air pollutants. Genetic biomarkers are useful tools for the early assessment of exposure to occupational and environmental pollution. The objective of the present study was to investigate genotoxic effects on people residing and/or working downwind from an oil refinery in southern Brazil and the mutagenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM10). Samples of peripheral blood and buccal mucosa cells were evaluated using the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) and the micronucleus (MN) assay, respectively. PM10 samples were collected in the target site and the organic matter extraced with dichloromethane was assessed for mutagenic activity in the Salmonella/microsome assay. The exposed group (n = 37) was compared to a reference group (n = 37) of subjects living in an urban area with limited traffic and industrial influence, located far from the main industrial areas. All PM10 organic extracts showed mutagenic positive responses and the effect decreased in the presence of S9 mix indicating that the predominant compounds present were direct-acting mutagens. The responses of YGs strains are consistent with aromatic amines and nitroarenes being present in the PM10 extracts. The group in the area under the influence of the oil refinery (exposed group) showed significantly higher DNA damage in lymphocytes than the reference group. The MN frequencies in buccal mucosa were very low for both groups and no difference between groups was observed. No association was found between age and tobacco smoking habit and level of DNA damages measured by the comet assay. The results indicate that the comet assay was a sensitive tool to detect DNA damage in subjects under the influence of an oil refinery, with marked genotoxic activity in the atmospheric environment.     

Distribution of PBDEs in air particles from an electronic waste recycling site compared with Guangzhou and Hong Kong, South China

Air samples of total suspended particles (TSP, particles less than 30-60 microm), and particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 microm (PM(2.5)) were collected simultaneously at Guiyu (an electronic waste recycling site), three urban sites in Hong Kong and two urban sites in Guangzhou, South China from 16 August to 17 September 2004. Twenty-two PBDE congeners (BDE-3, -7, -15, -17, -28, -49, -71, -47, -66, -77, -100, -119, -99, -85, -126, -154, -153, -138, -156, -184, -183, -191) in TSP and PM(2.5) were measured. The results showed that the overall average concentrations of TSP and PM(2.5) collected at Guiyu were 124 and 62.1 microg m(-3), respectively. The monthly concentrations of the sum of 22 BDE congeners contained in TSP and PM(2.5) at Guiyu were 21.5 and 16.6 ng m(-3), with 74.5 and 84.3%, contributed by nine congeners (BDE-28, -47, -66, -100, -99, -154, -153, -183 and -191 respectively). This pattern was similar to Tsuen Wan site of Hong Kong. Two urban sites of Guangzhou had the same congener pattern, but were different from Yuen Long and Hok Tsui sites of Hong Kong. The results also showed that the amount of mono to penta brominated congeners, which are more toxic, accounted for 79.4-95.6% of Sigma(22)PBDEs from all sites. All congeners tested in Guiyu were up to 58-691 times higher than the other urban sites and more than 100 times higher than other studies reported elsewhere. The higher concentration in the air was due to heating or opening burning of electronic waste since PBDEs are formed when plastics containing brominated flame retardants are heated.     

合肥市PM_(2.5)浓度时空分布特征及影响因素分析

利用2017年合肥市污染监测站点PM_(2.5)浓度数据、气象数据以及土地利用类型数据,结合随机森林算法(RF)与土地利用回归模型(LUR),模拟合肥市PM_(2.5)浓度空间分布,并利用主成分分析法对PM_(2.5)影响因素进行分析。结果表明:(1)合肥市PM_(2.5)浓度日变化特征大致呈双峰变化,春季、夏季及秋季的峰值多出现在8∶00～9∶00,而冬季的峰值则出现在10∶00～11∶00。低谷值大致都出现在15∶00～17∶00。全年PM_(2.5)浓度变化趋势与春季类似。夏季PM_(2.5)浓度变化最为平稳。(2)2017年合肥市PM_(2.5)浓度分布由城市中心向外减弱,形成北高南低,西高东低的空间分布格局。(3)影响因素方面,PM_(2.5)浓度变化与降水、风速以及相对湿度等呈负相关关系,日照对PM_(2.5)浓度的影响较大,气压及其他污染物与PM_(2.5)浓度呈正相关关系,其中NO_2对PM_(2.5)浓度的影响力度较大。     

基于环境承载力的京津冀雾霾治理政策效果评估

雾霾污染治理是京津冀协同发展需要解决的重大问题。2013年9月颁布的"大气污染防治行动计划(大气国十条)"明确提出了京津冀地区雾霾治理目标,各地区也制定了雾霾污染治理的政策措施。本文旨在环境承载力分析的基础上评估雾霾治理的政策效果。首先,分析了京津冀地区大气环境污染特征,并结合相关文献确定京津冀地区雾霾治理的主要影响因素为污染物排放、风力以及相邻地区的传输效应等;其次,将影响PM_(2.5)浓度主要因素进行统计建模,并采用分位数回归模型进行矫正,大大提高模型的拟合精度;再次,基于大气国十条规定的京津冀各地区的PM_(2.5)年均浓度目标计算各地区的大气环境承载力;最后,在假定风力等气象条件不变的情况下,根据大气国十条规定的京津冀地区的污染物排放量利用统计模型模拟2017年的雾霾污染水平,模拟除张家口、承德和秦皇岛以外其余10个地区年均浓度60μg/m~3和70μg/m~3目标下PM_(2.5)日均浓度发生频率的变化情况,评估和讨论大气国十条提出的京津冀雾霾治理目标。结果表明:按照大气国十条减排计划的京津冀地区污染物排放量普遍高于其PM_(2.5)浓度目标下的大气环境容量(邯郸市除外),即大气国十条所规定的减排措施难以实现既定的PM_(2.5)浓度目标;PM_(2.5)年均浓度目标从60μg/m~3上升到70μg/m~3,重污染天气发生频率上升有限,大气污染物的减排量却显著下降。因此,要实现既定的雾霾浓度控制目标,天津和河北需要进一步加大污染物减排力度;雾霾治理应注重减少重污染天气的发生频率,治理重点应转向重度雾霾发生频率较高的冬季污染物排放控制;在科学确定环境承载力的基础上,确定切实可行的PM_(2.5)浓度控制目标,制定具有可操作性的污染物减排计划。     

Analysis of the relationship between environmental policies and air quality during major social events

Based on an analysis of major recent social events in China, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 2010 Shanghai World Expo, 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, and 2014 Beijing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference, mandatory, temporary, and indemnificatory quantitative policies aimed at protecting air quality, which were carried out by both central and local governments, made substantial contributions to changes and improvements in air quality. To some extent, the findings show that command and control measures play a significant role in protecting air quality, while the law and economic and voluntary environmental safeguard measures do not during major social events. Therefore, it reminds us the air quality could and will improve not only during major social events but also in the regular days if we implement appropriate environmental policies and safeguard measures.     

A case study on identification of airborne organic compounds and time courses of their concentrations in the cabin of a new car for private use

The cabin of an automobile can be considered to be a part of the living environment because many people spend long periods of time during business, shopping, recreation or travel activities. However, little is known about the interior air contamination due to organic compounds diffusing from the interior materials used in the interior of automobiles. In the present study, the compounds in the interior air of a new car were identified, and the time courses of their concentrations were examined for over 3 years after the delivery (July, 1999). A total of 162 organic compounds, involving many aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons, were identified. High concentrations of n-nonane (458 microg/m(3) on the day following delivery), n-decane (1301 microg/m(3)), n-undecane (1616 microg/m(3)), n-dodecane (716 microg/m(3)), n-tridecane (320 microg/m(3)), 1-hexadecene (768 microg/m(3)), ethylbenzene (361 microg/m(3)), xylene (4003 microg/m(3)) and 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (429 microg/m(3)) were detected, and the sum of the concentrations determined for all compounds excluding formaldehyde (TVOC) was approximately 14 mg/m(3) on the day after the delivery. The concentrations of most compounds decreased with time, but increased with a rise of the interior temperature. The TVOC concentration in the next summer (July, 2000) was approximately one-tenth of the initial concentration. During the 3-year study period, the TVOC concentrations in summer exceeded the indoor guideline value (300 mug/m(3)) proposed by [Seifert B. Volatile organic compounds. In: Maroni M, Seifert B, Lindvall T, editors. Indoor air quality. A comprehensive reference book. Air quality monographs, vol. 3. Netherlands: Elsevier Science; 1995. p. 819-21]. The interior temperature and days lapsed after delivery were the main factors affecting the interior concentrations of most compounds according to multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study offer useful fundamental data for investigations on air pollution in automotive cabins due to the organic compounds diffusing from the interior materials.