Acclimatization to intertidal conditions modifies the physiological response to prolonged air exposure inMytilus edulis

Both the tolerance of air exposure and the metabolic means by which mussles,Mytilus edulis, face air exposure can be modified by intertidal acclimatization. Short-term intertidal acclimatization enhanced the tolerance of air exposure most in early summer. Prevention of air breathing increased the mortality of wild and non-acclimatized cultured (i.e., control) mussels, but only slightly enhanced that of intertidally acclimatized mussels, suggesting their increased dependence upon anaerobic metabolism. In June, anaerobic end products accumulated in the adductor muscle of cultured but not of wild mussels. Intertidal acclimatization shifted the pattern and rates of metabolite accumulation. Control mussels accumulated succinate and alanine in the adductor muscle while intertidally acclimatized mussels accumulated strombine + alanopine, albeit at far lower levels. Pyruvate kinase (PK) from adductor muscle of intertidally acclimatized mussels was gradually activated during prolonged air exposure, while that of control and wild mussels was more inhibited. In July and August, during prolonged air exposure, the PK from the most viable mussles generally was the most inhibited. Prevention of air breathing did not markedly change the time course of PK inhibition during air exposure. Cultured mussels used in the present study were obtained from growers in Québec, and wild mussels were collected from the Baie des Chaleurs (Québec, PQ) in 1988.     

Occurrence of benzotriazoles (BTRs) in indoor air from Albany,New York,USA, and its implications for inhalation exposure

Despite the widespread use of benzotriazoles as corrosion inhibitors in many household goods, studies on the occurrence of these compounds in indoor air are scarce. In this study, five benzotriazole derivatives were measured in 83 indoor air samples collected from various locations in Albany, New York, USA. Benzotriazoles were found in a majority of the indoor air samples, and the concentrations of their sum in bulk (vapor plus particulate phases) indoor air ranged from below the method limit of quantification to 492 ng·m^?3 (geometric mean: 5.8 ng·m^?3). The highest geometric mean concentration was found in air samples collected in parking garages (155 ng·m^?3), followed by barbershops (13.6), public places (11.5), auto repair shops (5.2), automobiles (4.5), homes (4.5), offices (3.7), and laboratories (2.8). Inhalation exposure to benzotriazoles was calculated on the basis of the measured geometric mean concentrations and air inhalation rate. The highest exposure dose was found for teenagers, with a geometric mean inhalation exposure dose of 79 ng·day^?1. The body-weight normalized exposure dose, however, was the highest for infants, at 3.2 ng·(kg bw)^?1·day^?1.     

Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence reveals mechanisms for habitat niche separation of the intertidal seagrasses <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thalassia hemprichii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halodule uninervis</Emphasis>

In Taiwan, Thalassia hemprichii dominates the upper intertidal zone, whereas Halodule uninervis occupies the lower intertidal zone. We tested the hypothesis that T. hemprichii is better adapted to high irradiance and more resistant to air exposure than H. uninervis. The photosynthetic efficiency, damage, and extent of recovery were determined by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence using pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry. Both species growing in tidal pools, in response to high irradiance alone, revealed a small depression in maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) at noon. The second experiment compared the effect of air exposure alone and the combined effect of air exposure with high irradiance by interposing a shading screen on both species, growing in the intertidal zone over a diurnal cycle. Values of Fv/Fm of both the shaded and irradiated T. hemprichii remained high at low tide. However, H. uninervis exhibited a marked depression following air exposure and a synergistic depression under the combined effect. The experimental manipulations of exposure time demonstrated that the tolerance of T. hemprichii to the combined effect was longer and the recovery from air exposure following re-submersion was better than those of H. uninervis. Both species were more susceptible to the combined effect in the dry season than in the wet season. Our results suggest that air exposure is more important than high irradiance in constraining the distribution of H. uninervis in the upper intertidal zone. This was confirmed by transplantation experiments in which a rapid decline of H. uninervis was observed after transplantation into the upper intertidal zone. In the lower intertidal zone, measurements of the response of the photosynthetic electron transport rate to irradiance demonstrated that the transplanted T. hemprichii exhibited a sun-type response and H. uninervis a shade-type response.     

Photosynthetic response to temperature and desiccation of the intertidal alga Mastocarpus papillatus

When exposed to air during low tide, intertidal macroalgae experience a terrestrial environment and often encounter extreme levels of heating and desiccation. Two aspects of photosynthesis may be influenced by this increase in temperature and decrease in water content during exposure to air: (1) the rate of aerial photosynthesis itself, and (2) the rate at which aquatic photosynthesis recovers upon immersion in water at high tide. This laboratory study examines the effect of air temperature and desiccation on photosynthesis of the intertidal macroalga Mastocarpus papillatus Kützing. Plants were collected at Hopkins Marine Station, California, USA (36°37N; 121°54W) between July and December 1990. When apical tips were exposed to 15 to 25°C air for 2 h, photosynthesis was rapidly recovered upon reimmersion in seawater. Recovery was delayed, but complete, when tissue was exposed to 30°C air, but did not occur after exposure to 35°C air. Desiccation did not influence either the rate or the ultimate level of recovery upon reimmersion. Photosynthesis in air generally decreased with increasing desication, with no net photosynthesis occurring below 25% relative water content. Net photosynthesis of hydrated thalli increased with air temperature from 15 to 30°C, then decreased at 35°C. Dark respiration of hydrated thalli increased over the entire temperature range. This study indicates that thallus heating and desiccation during periods of exposure to air can potentially influence the total carbon budget of M. papillatus.     

The effects of air exposure on the desiccation rate and photosynthetic activity of Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides

The effects of air exposure on the desiccation rate and photosynthetic activity of Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides were studied using chlorophyll fluorescence. The desiccation rate of T. hemprichii was higher than that of E. acoroides, while the critical threshold of relative water content (RWC_critical) showed opposite trend. Neither the desiccation rate nor RWC_critical of T. hemprichii was significantly affected by temperature, while the desiccation rate of E. acoroides was affected significantly. For both species, the effective photochemical efficiency of PSII decreased gradually above the RWC_critical, while declined rapidly below the RWC_critical. After initial air exposure, the relative maximum electron transport rate of both seagrasses increased gradually to a maximum and then decreased to initial value near the RWC_critical. Therefore, short-term air exposure above the RWC_critical is beneficial for both seagrasses, and the RWC_critical should be considered when examining the response of seagrass photosynthesis to air exposure and selecting transplantation sites.     

Do new health conditions support mortality–air pollution effects?

Epidemiological research underlying US air quality regulations documents significant associations between measures of fine particles and premature mortality. Recent studies examine potential mechanistic pathways, related to heart and lung functioning, that may contribute to the observed deaths. Our results support these pathophysiological analyses. We examine whether the onset of serious health conditions, consistent with disease pathways, is related to current and long-term exposure to particulate matter and ozone. Associations between air pollution and alternative indicators of health status are also evaluated. The 1996 wave of the Health and Retirement Study is used with a two-step estimator acknowledging limitations in our ability to measure individual exposures. The findings suggest significant current and long-term effects of particulates on new cases of heart attacks and angina, reinforcing the disease pathways identified in epidemiological studies. Long-term air pollution exposure is also a determinant of recently diagnosed chronic lung conditions and reports of shortness of breath.     

Influence of simulated tidal cycles on aromatic hydrocarbon uptake and elimination by the shore crab Hemigrapsus nudus

Specimens of the intertidal crab Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana, 1851) were collected near Sitka, Alaska, in 1983, and were used in laboratory experiments to determine the influence of periodic exposure to air on the toxicity, uptake, and elimination of two aromatic hydrocarbons, toluene and naphthalene. Three tidal cycles were simulated; i.e., crabs spent 0, 33, or 66% of the time in air and the remainder of the time in toxicant or seawater solutions. Naphthalene was 10 to 20 times more toxic than toluene: naphthalene caused locomotory impairment or killed the crabs more rapidly and at concentrations lower than those of toluene. In tissues, naphthalene was accumulated faster and to higher concentrations than was toluene. Exposure to air 66% of the time reduced mortality as well as the rate at which toluene and naphthalene were accumulated and lost. Crabs exposed to air had significantly higher respiration rates than those submerged in seawater; thus, reduced rates of accumulation and loss of hydrocarbons were not caused by general metabolic quiescence. Exposure to air reduced the time the crabs were in contact with water-borne hydrocarbons and, therefore, reduced toxicity of the hydrocarbons. Once crabs had accumulated the toxicants, however, elimination was hindered by exposure to air, even for the somewhat volatile compound toluene.     

Happiness in the air: How does a dirty sky affect mental health and subjective well-being?

Previous studies evaluating the welfare cost of air pollution have not paid much attention to its potential effect on mental health and subjective well-being (SWB). This paper attempts to fill the gap by investigating the impact of air pollution on several key dimensions, including mental health status, depressive symptoms, moment-to-moment happiness, and evaluative happiness. We match a nationwide longitudinal survey in China with local air quality and rich weather conditions according to the exact time and place of survey. By making use of variations in exposure to air pollution for the same individuals over time, we show that air pollution reduces hedonic happiness and increases the rate of depressive symptoms, while life satisfaction has little to do with the immediate air quality. Our results shed light on air pollution as an important contributor to the Easterlin paradox that economic growth may not bring more happiness.     

On the potential of iPhone significant location data to characterize individual mobility for air pollution health studies

● We evaluated the accuracy of iPhone data in capturing time-activity patterns. ● iPhone data captured the most important microenvironments and time spent in them. ● iPhone data also accurately captured daily exposure to ambient PM pollution. ● A considerable fraction of the population in the USA may have iPhone data available. ● iPhone data has great potential in air pollution health studies. In many air pollution health studies, the time-activity pattern of individuals is often ignored largely due to lack of data. However, a better understanding of this location-based information is expected to decrease uncertainties in exposure estimation. Here, we showcase the potential of iPhone’s Significant Location (iSL) data in capturing the user’s historical time-activity patterns in order to estimate exposure to ambient air pollutants. In this study, one subject carried an iPhone in tandem with a reference GPS tracking device for one month. The GPS device recorded locations in 10 second intervals while the iSL recorded the time spent in locations the subject visited frequently. Using GPS data as a reference, we then evaluated the accuracy of iSL data in capturing the subject’s time-activity patterns and time-weighted air pollution concentration within the study time period. We found the iSL data accurately captured the time the subject spent in 16 microenvironments (i.e. locations the subject visited more than once), which was 93% of the time during the study period. The average error of time-weighted aerosol optical depth value, a surrogate of particle pollution, is only 0.012%. To explore the availability of iSL data among iPhone users, an online survey was conducted. Among the 349 surveyed participants, 72% of them have iSL data available. Considering the popularity of iPhones, iSL data may be available for a significant portion of the general population. Our results suggest iSL data have great potential for characterizing historical time-activity patterns to improve air pollution exposure estimation.     

The effect of chronic formaldehyde exposure on the hippocampus in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic formaldehyde (FA) exposure on the hippocampus in the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model. Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: (A) sham-operated bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) with room air inhalation, (B) BCCAO with room air inhalation, (C) sham-operated BCCAO with FA inhalation at a concentration of 10?mL?vapor?m^?3, 1?h per day for 90 days, and (D) BCCAO with FA inhalation. Decreased mobility, injected conjunctivae, and overreaction were observed in groups C and D rats after 30 days of FA exposure. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased significantly in group D at 90 days after FA exposure. The expression of Bax protein increased, while Bcl-2 and NR2B proteins decreased significantly in group D compared to group B or C. Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) positive cells decreased significantly in group D. Neuronal loss, oxidative stress, and the expression of proteins were more prominent at 90 days after FA exposure, especially in group D. Oxidative stress-induced neuronal damages in the hippocampus may be a possible mechanism of neurotoxicity as a result of chronic FA exposure. Chronic exposure of FA caused more neuronal damage in the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model.     

两种常见植物净化室内空气的效果

为探讨家居植物对甲醛的吸收能力和对改善室内空气质量的效果,将库拉索芦荟（Aloevera）和虎尾兰（Sansevieria trifasciata）两种植物放置于相对封闭的环境中,进行16d的甲醛暴露实验。结果表明,虎尾兰的甲醛耐受性高于库拉索芦荟,在整个实验过程中都保持良好的生长状态,具有持续的甲醛去除能力（去除率达...     

An Empirical Analysis of Exposure-Based Regulation to Abate Toxic Air Pollution

Title III of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments requires the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate 189 air toxics, including emissions from by-product coke ovens. Economists criticize the inefficiency of uniform standards, but Title III makes no provision for flexible regulatory instruments. Environmental health scientists suggest that population exposure, not necessarily ambient air quality, should motivate environmental air pollution policies. Using an engineering-economic model of the United States steel industry, we estimate that an exposure-based policy can achieve the same level of public health as coke oven emissions standards and can reduce compliance costs by up to 60.0%.     

化学品环境暴露评估模型研究进展

各国政府高度重视化学品生产使用引发的环境问题,研发了一系列环境暴露预测模型,包含了点源暴露到面源暴露各种排放模式,局部暴露、区域暴露及洲际暴露的各种预测尺度,筛选评估到确认水平的不同评估层级,用于评估化学品的潜在风险。本文从模型功能、机理出发,综述了化学品环境暴露评估涉及的排放估计、水/土/气、多介质以及食物链评估模型,以期为推动我国化学品环境暴露模型的研发提供参考。     

化学品环境暴露评估模型研究进展

各国政府高度重视化学品生产使用引发的环境问题,研发了一系列环境暴露预测模型,包含了点源暴露到面源暴露各种排放模式,局部暴露、区域暴露及洲际暴露的各种预测尺度,筛选评估到确认水平的不同评估层级,用于评估化学品的潜在风险。本文从模型功能、机理出发,综述了化学品环境暴露评估涉及的排放估计、水/土/气、多介质以及食物链评估模型,以期为推动我国化学品环境暴露模型的研发提供参考。     

Indoor and outdoor air PBDE levels in a Southwestern US city

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have been increasing in humans and the environment for the past few decades. Human levels are markedly higher in the US than Europe. Although food appears to be a significant route of intake, food PBDE levels are not substantially higher in the US than Europe. House and office dust appear to be major routes of exposure with air believed to usually provide a lesser route of intake. Because there are very few measurements of airborne PBDE that have been performed in relevant microenvironments in the US, increased efforts to assess airborne PBDE in the US as sources of exposure are needed. This study reports, for the first time from a Southwestern US city in Texas, the results of measurements of airborne PBDE in multiple locations, two outdoor and six indoor (residential and office) from active air sampling with collection of a combination of both vapor- and particulate-phase PBDE. Higher PBDE levels were measured in indoor than outdoor air, which confirms previous findings. Of 11 measured congeners including BDE 209, total PBDE levels in two outdoor air samples were 112 and 125 pg m^?3 and the indoor air levels ranged from 175 to 1232 pg m^?3 with a median of 572 pg m^?3. These findings suggest that sources of air contamination with PBDE may be similar in Texas as elsewhere in North America. However, more sampling is required to (1) better determine if this is the case and (2) attempt to characterize potential sources of PBDE contamination in both indoor and outdoor air by analysis of congener patterns.     

中国关于砷的研究进展

综述了近年来有关中国的砷污染状况、相关的分析监测技术及砷化合物毒性的研究进展.在中国部分地区,长期砷暴露导致了严重的区域性的砷中毒,主要的暴露途径是饮用水、食物和煤炭的燃烧.样品前处理、砷的富集和形态分析技术的丰富和发展,为环境科学、毒理学和流行病学的研究提供了可靠的技术支持.生物检测是一种直接有效的污染物健康风险评估...     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)污染及其毒性研究进展

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)作为重要的增塑剂被广泛应用于涂料、食品包装、医疗器材、儿童玩具等产品中。研究表明DEHP在水、土壤、空气等各个环境要素以及食物、饮用水中已被普遍检出,并对环境产生潜在的危害。本文通过分析国内外DEHP的环境暴露和毒性效应的研究成果,总结了DEHP在室外大气、室内空气、土壤、地表水、地下水、食品和饮用水中的污染现状,并对DEHP的替代产品进行总结;此外,本文深入探讨了DEHP对水生生物和陆生生物的生态毒性效应,以及对生殖发育、肝脏、呼吸系统和神经系统等的健康毒性效应。最后,结合DEHP在环境暴露调查和毒性效应研究方面的不足,指出需要进一步加强我国DEHP的环境暴露调查,制定相关环境基准值与标准限值,开展慢性生态毒性效应和人体健康毒性效应等方面的研究。     

环境空气中短链氯化石蜡研究进展

短链氯化石蜡(SCCPs)是碳链长度为10至13个碳原子的正构烷烃氯代衍生物。SCCPs具有持久性、生物累积性、长距离迁移能力、以及毒性作用。SCCPs已被《关于持久性有机污染物的斯德哥尔摩公约》增列为持久性有机污染物审查范围内,引起了全球关注。SCCPs在环境各介质及生物体内均有检出,近年来,在室内空气和灰尘中也检出了大量SCCPs,其已成为人体暴露的一个重要来源。本文就大气环境及室内空气与灰尘中氯化石蜡(CPs)的采样与分析方法、污染水平与来源,及人体暴露概况进行了综合阐释,以期为我国大气和室内环境中CPs的研究工作提供参考。     

人尿中1—羟基芘与空气中多环芳烃的定量关系

本文对不同采样点人尿中的1-羟基芘含量和受试人携带的个体空气采样器中以及所在环境中固定采样器中多环芳烃的浓度进行了测定。数理统计结果表明,尿中1-羟基芘与个体采样器中的芘或苯并(a)芘有显著的正相关。个体采样器的测定结果较客观地反映了受试人吸入空气中多环芳烃的浓度,证明尿中1-羟基芘在人体接触多环芳烃的健康风险评价中,是一个有效的生物监测指标。     

Environmental radon studies in Mexico

Radon has been determined in soil, groundwater, and air in Mexico, both indoors and outdoors, as part of geophysical studies and to estimate effective doses as a result of radon exposure. Detection of radon has mainly been performed with solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) and, occasionally, with active detection devices based on silicon detectors or ionization chambers. The liquid scintillation technique, also, has been used for determination of radon in groundwater. The adjusted geometric mean indoor radon concentration (74 Bq m⁻³) in urban developments, for example Mexico City, is higher than the worldwide median concentration of radon in dwellings. In some regions, particularly hilly regions of Mexico where air pollution is high, radon concentrations are higher than action levels and the effective dose for the general population has increased. Higher soil radon levels have been found in the uranium mining areas in the northern part of the country. Groundwater radon levels are, in general, low. Soil-air radon contributing to indoor atmospheres and air pollution is the main source of increased exposure of the population.