Essential oil components decrease pulmonary and hepatic cells inflammation induced by air pollution particulate matter

Outdoor air pollution and fine particulate matter (PM) were recently classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The exposure to airborne particulate matter also contributes to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, which are major public health concerns. Up to now, no work has evaluated the ability of essential oils as an alternative medicine to relieve the adverse health effects caused by airborne particulate matter. Here, we investigated for the first time the effects of four essential oil components, trans-anethole, estragole, eugenol and isoeugenol, on the reduction in inflammation induced by particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) and human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. Anethole is a flavor component of anise and fennel, estragole is occurring in basil, eugenol occurs in clove bud oil and isoeugenol occurs in ylang-ylang. Essential oil components were tested either as free or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated forms. Control experiments showed that particulate matter (PM_2.5) induced inflammation by secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8. Our results show that the addition of either free or encapsulated essential oil components to particulate matter exposed cells decreased up to 96 % the cytokine IL-6 level, and by up to 87 % the cytokine IL-8 level. Overall our findings evidence for the first time that natural essential oil components counteract the inflammatory effects of particulate matter and that encapsulation in cyclodextrins preserved their properties.     

Exploratory techniques for the determination of potential dose-response relationships between human health and air pollution

This paper seeks to verify the usefulness of selected multivariate statistical techniques for exploring new dose-response relationships between human health and air pollution. We do so by comparing our results with those already established in the literature through hypothesis testing procedures or laboratory work. This use of multivariate techniques is pretheoretical and should be interpreted as suggesting relationships which warrant further investigation with more traditional methodologies. Our results conform very well with those existing in the literature and lend credence to the use of such pretheoretical statistical methods.     

An economic analysis of air pollution from coal-fired power plants

The benefits of air pollution control techniques on a coal-fired power plant are Simulated with a scientifically based environmental model. Air pollution abatement techniques are assessed in terms of their resource cost (measured in dollars) and their effectiveness in reducing environmental damage (measured in dollars and healthy days lost). Which air pollution techniques are most efficient depend upon how much a day of health should be valued. Other factors of potential interest such as uncertainty and equity are also simulated through the model. The paper demonstrates that scientific evidence can be organized around economic principles in order to develop more rational and effective environmental policies.     

Atmospheric particulate matter and air quality in the Mediterranean: a review

This article synthesises the results obtained in several projects on atmospheric aerosol (particulate matter – PM) pollution developed during the last years in the Western Mediterranean. It focuses on particulate matter sources and the strategies for suitable monitoring in ambient air. The article has been structured in several sections that give response to the main questions that prompted these studies. After analysing the main PM features in the Mediterranean, a brief review of the main factors differentiating the particulate matter composition with respect to Central Europe is presented. Finally, the suitability of the different metrics or parameters for monitoring ambient air PM levels in different types of environments is discussed. Selected article from the 6th European Meeting on Environmental Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro organized by Prof. Dr. Branimir Jovancicevic (www.research.plymouth.ac.uk/ace).     

市政工程施工地周边颗粒污染物扩散特征

为了解市政施工对周边大气环境的影响,通过测定TSP、PM10、PM2.5、PM1等指标,研究了施工工地附近颗粒污染物随天气条件、气象要素、距施工点距离的变化规律,结果表明：（1）粒径较大的颗粒物质量浓度受气象要素的影响较明显,大风和晴天的ρ（TSP）、ρ（PM10）远高于阴雨天;随风速增大,ρ（TSP）、ρ（PM10）、ρ（PM2.5）显著升高。（2）小粒径颗粒物（PM1）受天气条件的影响不明显,湿度、风速变化对PM1影响较小。（3）距离施工工地越远,4种颗粒物质量浓度越低,其中ρ（TSP）、ρ（PM10）、ρ（PM2.5）随距离下降较快。（4）不同施工阶段颗粒物污质量浓度异较大,挖槽阶段颗粒物污染要高于结构装修阶段。     

Development of a rotorcraft dust-emission parameterization using a CFD model

Flights of rotorcraft over the desert floor can result in significant entrainment of particulate matter into the atmospheric boundary layer. Continuous or widespread operation can lead to local and regional impacts on visibility and air quality. To account for this pollutant source in air quality models, a parameterization scheme is needed that addresses the complex vertical distribution of dust ejected from the rotorcraft wake into the atmospheric surface layer. A method to parameterize the wind and turbulence fields and shear stress at the ground is proposed here utilizing computational fluid dynamics and a parameterized rotor model. Measurements taken from a full scale experiment of rotorcraft flight near the surface are compared to the simulation results in a qualitative manner. The simulation is shown to adequately predict the forward detachment length of the induced ground jet compared to the measured detachment lengths. However, the simulated ground vortex widths and vorticity deviate substantially from the measured values under a range of flight speeds. Results show that the method may be applicable for air quality modeling assuming slow airspeeds of the rotorcraft, with advance ratios of 0.005–0.02.     

北京市空气污染季节变化规律研究及污染控制建议

北京市的空气质量问题直接关系到首都的经济发展和生态环境建设,也影响着北京在世界大都市的地位.近几年,中央政府和北京市对首都空气质量的改善也越来越重视.根据北京市环保局下设的27个测站点从2005年末到2008年初的观测资料,借助SPSS统计软件,通过对北京市各区域不同时间段的空气污染指数进行对比分析和研究,旨在探索北京市空气污染的季节性变化规律及其污染控制埘策.研究结果表明:北京的首要污染物为可吸入颗粒物;在一年当中,6-8月份的气象条件有利于大气污染物的稀释和扩散,大气环境质量相对最好:冬季受气象条件和采暖的影响.春季季风段受西北部沙尘暴的影响,大气环境质量相对较差.根据这个规律,为确保北京市中长期大气环境保护工作目标的实现,进一步降低污染排放、改善城市空气质量提出了具体的对策和建议.     

The optimality and feasibility of uniform air pollution controls

An optimal control problem is developed which minimizes both the social damages of pollution concentrations and the private costs of emission abatement subject to a differential equation relating emissions and concentrations. A specific use of the model is to analyze the optimality and feasibility of uniform controls on emissions and concentrations across an air shed.     

Study on particulate matter air pollution,source origin,and human health risk based of PM10 metal content in Volos City,Greece

Investigations on the fluctuation in PM₁₀ air pollution in Volos, a medium-sized industrialized port city in the Mediterranean, are presented for the 5-year period between 2009 and 2014. The levels detected have been examined in relation to legislatively set limits, sampling year, and day of the week. A PM₁₀ spring sampling campaign has been performed in 2014 and metals and other elements in the PM₁₀ mass have been quantified. Source origin has been attempted for the latter sampling campaign and human health risk has been assessed. Results show compliance with the mean annual value of 40 μg m^?3 of 2008/50/EC for the city; however, exceedances of the daily quality standard of 50 μg m^?3 were frequently recorded. Shifts in PM₁₀ concentrations and in contributing sources have been recorded; nevertheless, longer duration data series are needed for safe deductions. Element measurements have enabled source identification for early summer of 2014, with Earth's crust minerals and anthropogenic sources being the main factors. Cumulative non-carcinogenic risk may exceed the threshold value of 1. Possible involvement of sea salt aerosol and desert dust long-range transport has also been assessed. These results may furnish databases on PM pollution of Greek cities as well as other Mediterranean urban centers with similar characteristics.     

The effects of air pollution on work loss and morbidity

The pending revision of U.S. air standards and the analytic requirements of Executive Order 12291 will force regulators to examine closely the data showing possible human health effects from air pollution. A number of studies have investigated the relationship between air pollution and human mortality using an epidemiological approach. This study uses a data set on individuals, the Health Interview Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, to examine the relationship between air pollution and various measures of morbidity. Regressions run with the total sample and a subsample of male nonsmokers indicate a statistically significant relationship between particulates and both work loss and restricted activity days. Further analysis considering alternative functional forms also indicates that the ambient level of particulates is still significantly related to the measure of morbidity.     

Assessment of air pollution by mercury in South African provinces using lichens Parmelia caperata as bioindicators

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - Large-scale assessment of atmospheric air pollution by mercury (Hg) using lichen Parmelia caperata as biological indicator was undertaken using samples from...     

Assessment of urban air pollution and it's probable health impact

The present study deals with the quantitative effect of vehicular emission on ambient air quality during May 2006 in urban area of Lucknow city. In this study SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and 7 trace metals associated with RSPM were estimated at 10 representative locations in urban area and one village area for control. Beside this, air quality index (AQI), health effects of different metals and mortality were assessed. The 24 hr average concentration of SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NOx was found to be 382.3, 171.5, 24.3 and 33.8 microg m(-3) respectively in urban area and these concentrations were found to be significantly (p < 0.01) higher by 94.8, 134.8, 107.4 and 129.6% than control site respectively The 24 hr mean of SPM and RSPM at each location of urban area were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) except SPM for industrial area. The 24 hr mean concentration of metals associated with RSPM was found to be higher than the control site by 52.3, 271.8, 408.9, 75.81, 62.7, 487.54 and 189.5% for Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cr respectively. The inter correlation of metals Pb with Mn, Fe and Cr; Zn with Ni and Cr; Ni with Cr; Mn with Fe and Cu with Cr showed significant positive relation either at p < 0.05 or p < 0.01 level. Metals Pb, Mn and Cr (p < 0.01) and Cu (p < 0.05) showed significant positive correlation with RSPM. These results indicate that ambient air quality in the urban area is affected adversely due to emission and accumulation of SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and trace metals. These pollutants may pose detrimental effect on human health, as exposure of these are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological impairments, increased risk of preterm birth and even mortality and morbidity.     

Links between chronic exposure to outdoor air pollution and cardiovascular diseases: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Acute exposure to air pollution is associated with an increasing risk of death and cardiovascular disorders. Nonetheless, the impact of chronic exposure to air...     

The effect of low emission zones on air pollution and infant health

This paper investigates the effect of low emission zones on air quality and birth outcomes in Germany. The staggered introduction of the policy measure creates a credible natural experiment and a natural control group for births and air pollution measurements in cities that enact low emission zones. I show that the introduction of the most restrictive type of low emission zone decreases average levels of fine particulate matter by about 4 percent and by up to 8 percent at a city's highest-polluting monitor. Low emission zones also reduce the number of days per year on which legal pollution limits are exceeded by three. However, these reductions are too small to translate into substantial improvements in infant health. My results are not driven by changes in maternal or city specific characteristics, and are robust to variations in specification and to the choice of control group.     

我国四个大气背景点颗粒物浓度及其元素分布特征

选择全国由南至北的4个大气背景站(广东南岭、湖北神农架、山西庞泉沟和吉林长白山),于2013年分4个季度同步采集环境空气颗粒物PM10和PM2.5样品,采用微波消解电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定滤膜样品中60余种元素.结果表明,4个背景点PM2.5日均质量浓度平均值为17μg·m-3,PM10为29μg·m-3,低于《环境空气质量标准》(GB 3095—2012)规定的一级浓度限值.第一季度的PM10和PM2.5最高,除长白山第三季度高于第四季度之外,其他3个点位均呈现第二季度第四季度第三季度的趋势.PM2.5和PM10二者呈线性正相关,4个季度的PM2.5/PM10比值均小于0.5,第二、第三季度较高,而第一、第四季度较低.PM10和PM2.5中元素随季节变化不大,PM2.5含量在同一水平上低于PM10.Na、Mg、Al、S、K、Ca、Fe、Zn质量浓度在0.1—10μg·m-3之间,P、Ti、Mn、Ni、Cu、Ba、Pb质量浓度在10—100 ng·m-3之间,Cd、Co、Ge、Ga、Zr、Sr、V等质量浓度在0.01—10 ng·m-3之间.K、Al、Ca含量大于10%,S、Mg、Na、Fe、Zn、Pb、Mn含量大于1%,Cu、P、Ba、Ti量介于0.5%—1%,其他痕量元素含量所占比例小于0.5%.     

Achieving attainable outcomes from good science in an untidy world: case studies in land and air pollution

While scientific understanding of environmental issues develops through careful observation, experiment and modelling, the application of such advances in the day to day world is much less clean and tidy. Merseyside in northwest England has an industrial heritage from the earliest days of the industrial revolution. Indeed, the chemical industry was borne here. Land contamination issues are rife, as are problems with air quality. Through the examination of one case study for each topic, the practicalities of applied science are explored. An integrated, multidisciplinary response to pollution needs more than a scientific risk assessment. The needs of the various groups (from public to government) involved in the situations must be considered, as well as wider, relevant contexts (from history to European legislation), before a truly integrated response can be generated. However, no such situation exists in isolation and the introduction of environmental investigations and the exploration of suitable, integrated responses will alter the situation in unexpected ways, which must be considered carefully and incorporated in a rolling fashion to enable solutions to continue to be applicable and relevant to the problem being faced. This integrated approach has been tested over many years in Merseyside and found to be a robust approach to ever-changing problems that are well described by the management term, “wicked problems”.     

The employment and earnings impacts of the regulation of stationary source air pollution

A model which analyzes the impacts of stationary source air pollution control regulations on the level and distribution of employment and earnings is presented. The model is an interindustry production model with endogenous price and wage determination. Consumer demand responses of households are determined by applying elasticity estimates to price and earnings changes. The model is applied to analyze the restrictions on levels of permissible emissions from stationary sources set by the 1970 Clean Air Act Amendments. The significant results found are (1) the policy has a dampening effect on the economy and (2) the expenditure, earnings, and disposable earning impacts are uniformly regressive.     

Origin,distribution, and perspective health benefits of particulate matter in the air of underground salt mine: a case study from Bochnia,Poland

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The composition and distribution of airborne particles in different locations in a salt mine were determined in terms of their origin, the distance from the...