The impact of airborne particulate matter on pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia among children in Jinan,China: A case-crossover study

This study aims to examine the effect of short-term changes in the concentration of particulate matter of diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM_2.5) and ≤10 µm (PM₁₀) on pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia in Jinan, China. It explores confoundings factors of weather, season, and chemical pollutants. Information on pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia in 2014 was extracted from the database of Jinan Qilu Hospital. The relative risk of pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia was assessed using a case-crossover approach, controlling weather variables, day of the week, and seasonality. The single-pollutant model demonstrated that increased risk of pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia was significantly associated with elevated PM_2.5 concentrations the day before hospital admission and elevated PM₁₀ concentrations 2 days before hospital admission. An increment of 10 μg/m³ in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was correlated with a 6% (95% CI 1.02–-1.10) and 4% (95% CI 1.00–1.08) rise in number of admissions for pneumonia, respectively. In two pollutant models, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ remained significant after inclusion of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide but not carbon monoxide. This study demonstrated that short-term exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM_2.5/PM₁₀) may be an important determinant of pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia in Jinan, China.

Implications: This study demonstrated that short-term exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM_2.5/PM₁₀) may be an important determinant of pediatric hospital admissions for pneumonia in Jinan, China, and suggested the relevance of pollutant exposure levels and their effects. As a specific group, children are sensitive to airborne particulate matter. This study estimated the short-term effects attribute to other air pollutants to provide references for relevant studies.     

Determination of PM2.5 Sulfate and Nitrate with a PC-BOSS Designed for Routine Sampling for Semi-Volatile Particulate Matter

ABSTRACT

Ambient particles contain substantial quantities of material that can be lost from the particles during sample collection on a filter. These include ammonium nitrate and semi-volatile organic compounds. As a result, the concentrations of these species are often significantly in error for results obtained with a filter pack sampler. The accurate measurement of these semi-volatile fine particulate species is essential for a complete understanding of the possible causes of health effects associated with exposure to fine particles. Past organic compound diffusion denuder samplers developed by the authors (e.g., the Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System [BOSS]) are not amenable to routine field use because of the need to independently determine the gas-phase semi-volatile organic material efficiency of the denuder for each sample. This problem has been eliminated using a combined virtual impactor, particle-concentrator inlet to provide a concentrated stream of 0.1-2.5-μm particles. This is followed by a BOSS diffusion denuder and filter packs to collect particles, including any semi-volatile species lost from the particles during sampling. The samp ler (Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System [PC-BOSS]) contains a post-denuder multifilter pack unit to allow for the routine collection of several sequential samples. The PC-BOSS can be used for the determination of both fine particulate nitrate and semi-volatile organic material without significant “positive” or “negative” sampling artifacts. Validation of the sampler for the determination of PM_2.5 sulfate and nitrate based on comparison of results obtained at Riverside, CA with collocated PC-BOSS, annular denuder, and Chem Spec samplers indicates the PC-BOSS gives accurate results for these species with a precision of ±5-8%. An average of 33% of the PM_2.5 nitrate was lost from the particles during sampling for both denuder and single filter samplers.     

Data quality assessment for studies investigating microplastics and nanoplastics in food products: Are current data reliable?

● Data quality assessment criteria for MP/NPs in food products were developed. ● Data quality of 71 data records (69 of them only focused on MPs) was assessed. ● About 96% of the data records were considered unreliable in at least one criterion. ● Improvements need to be made regarding positive controls and polymer identification. ● A mismatch between MP/NPs used in toxicity studies and those in foods was recorded. Data on the occurrence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MP/NPs) in foods have been used to assess the human health risk caused by the consumption of MP/NPs. The reliability of the data, however, remains unclear because of the lack of international standards for the analysis of MP/NPs in foods. Therefore, the data quality needs to be assessed for accurate health risk assessment. This study developed 10 criteria applicable to the quality assessment of data on MP/NPs in foods. Accordingly, the reliability of 71 data records (69 of them only focused on MPs) was assessed by assigning a score of 2 (reliable without restrictions), 1 (reliable but with restrictions), or 0 (unreliable) on each criterion. The results showed that only three data records scored 2 or 1 on all criteria, and six data records scored 0 on as many as six criteria. A total of 58 data records did not include information on positive controls, and 12 data records did not conduct the polymer identification, which could result in the overestimation or underestimation of MP/NPs. Our results also indicated that the data quality of unprocessed foods was more reliable than that of processed foods. Furthermore, we proposed a quality assurance and quality control protocol to investigate MP/NPs in foods. Notably, the characteristics of MP/NPs used in toxicological studies and those existing in foods showed a remarkable discrepancy, causing the uncertainty of health risk assessment. Therefore, both the estimated exposure of MP/NPs and the claimed potential health risks should be treated with caution.     

上海粮食中元素的含量及土壤的安全值

经对上海农村和粮食的多年调查研究，阐述小麦和水稻的质量状况，并作了评价。小麦和水稻籽粒中Ｃｄ，Ｐｈ，Ｎｉ，Ｃｒ，Ｈｇ的含量差不多，但Ｚｎ，Ｃｕ含量小麦〉水稻，Ｍｎ，Ａｓ含量为小麦〈水稻。局部地区小麦和水稻中镉的污染较重。在粮食含镉较高的地区，锌肥不宜喷用。公路附近粮食中含铅量较高，与汽车排放废气有关。     

The quality of fiber counts using improved slides with relocatable fields

A parameter based on discrepancies between reported fibers and verified fibers of relocatable slides is shown to be effective in monitoring the quality of airborne fiber counts. Analysts report only the fibers in each field examined. The verified fibers were determined by two experienced analysts, and are here considered as a "true" value. Most of the verified fibers were confirmed by the reported fibers, and the disputed fibers or fiber counting errors were all located and accounted for. In this study, reference (REF) slides were manufactured from proficiency analytical test (PAT) filter samples from the American Industrial Hygiene Association containing chrysotile or amosite. The slides were made using coverglasses bearing a grid pattern to allow accurate re-examinations. These coverglasses are an improved version of those used in previous studies. Seventy-four out of 85 amosite results and 51 out of 60 chrysotile results of REF slides were within their PAT proficiency ranges. When all reported fibers were normalized against their respective verified fibers, the average fiber count was over-estimated for amosite by 38.3% and under-estimated for chrysotile by 30.4%. The error from counting short fibers (sizing-extra) was 82.6% of the extra fibers and accounted for the 38% over-estimation of amosite fibers. For chrysotile fibers, sizing-extra errors were 74.0% of the extra fibers, but by far the larger errors were oversight-missing errors, which were 96.7% of the missing fibers and accounted for the 30% under-estimation of the chrysotile fibers. The discrepancies were found to be linearly related to counting errors as had been noted in a previous study, giving further weight to a proposed score, calculated from the discrepancy parameter (SigmaD(+) + |SigmaD(-)|)/VF(total), for evaluating the proficiencies of analysts. If a proficiency score =60 is selected, 48 out of 85 amosite results and 17 out of 60 chrysotile results satisfied this criterion in this study. The number of fiber counting errors in this study was larger than could be expected by PAT proficiency criteria. It may be useful to complement existing proficiency test programs with these REF slides. At the end of each proficiency testing round, detailed reports of discrepancies can be provided to participants so that they can improve on their skills in searching and sizing fibers and minimize their counting errors. In addition, the internal quality control program of each laboratory could include counting REF slides regularly by all analysts with control charts of (SigmaD(+)/VF(total)), (SigmaD(-)/VF(total)), (SigmaD(+) + |SigmaD(-)|)/VF(total) and RF(total)/VF(total) maintained to monitor errors, proficiencies and intercounter variations. Ten percent of relocatable slides of routine samples could also be recounted to monitor intracounter variation.     

生物滴滤塔净化苯乙烯废气的实验研究

采用生物滴滤(BTF)系统对含苯乙烯的有机废气进行了生物净化实验并研究该系统VOCs生物降解性能。实验表明,苯乙烯进气浓度低于20 mg/m3时BTF去除效率可达92%以上,出口苯乙烯浓度低于1.6 mg/m3,达到GB14554-1993中规定的排放标准;该BTF装置对苯乙烯的去除负荷在2.0 g/(m3.h)左右;系统稳定运行时循环液COD、浊度和pH等都保持稳定,无脱落生物膜积累现象;生物滴滤塔系统适宜的气液比为300;系统总压降约100 Pa,鲍尔环填料和聚氨酯发泡填料混合装填方式可以降低系统压降并有利于微生物挂膜。     

沛沿河流域土壤肥料释放的降雨模拟研究

为有效控制农业面源污染,改善沛沿河流域水质状况,通过对水稻田、杨树林和果园的土壤分别施用不同类型化肥后,模拟研究了土壤在受雨水短期浸泡及连续降雨情况下氮、磷的释放特征。研究结果表明,稻田土壤对氮磷的保肥能力最佳,施肥时应以基肥为主;果园土壤及林地土壤的保肥能力均劣于稻田土壤,应采用少量多次追肥的方法。尿素与碳铵宜做基肥使用,而氯化铵与硫酸铵宜做追肥使用。     

弱碱性树脂吸附-解吸苦味酸

考察了水中苦味酸在弱碱性离子交换树脂D301R上的吸附与解吸。研究了吸附热力学、动力学特性及吸附机理。结果表明,树脂在pH=2.7～10.2时,吸附能力最好。等温平衡吸附遵循Freundlich模型。吸附过程为吸热、熵增的自发过程。吸附动力学符合Lagergren准二级速率方程,颗粒内扩散为吸附速率的主要控制步骤,吸附速率常数为7.23×10-5～1.20×10-4g/(mg.min),吸附活化能为19.4 kJ/mol。树脂上吸附的苦味酸可用HNO3+丙酮混合液定量洗脱,洗脱率达99%。静态吸附和脱附的比较结果证实了吸附过程中存在不可逆化学吸附。树脂对苦味酸的吸附主要是通过静电吸附、酸碱络合吸附、氢键吸附等协同作用来完成的。     

PCR-DGGE研究亚硝化-电化学生物反硝化全自养脱氮工艺细菌多样性

采用分子生物学手段PCR-DGGE技术对亚硝化-电化学生物反硝化全自养脱氮工艺细菌的多样性进行了研究。结果表明,亚硝化段内主要的细菌种群为相似于Nitrosomonas sp.(AJ224410)和Nitrosomonas sp.NM41(AF272421)的种群,相似性分别为97%和94%;电化学生物反硝化段细菌类群主要有β-proteobacteria类群、γ-proteobacteria类群和Chlo-roflexi类群。填料上生物膜细菌种群较底部泥水混合物丰富,两者细菌种群相似性为75%;底部泥水混合物样中存在与厌氧氨氧化菌Brocadia anammoxidans(AF375994)相似性为93%的菌种,而填料上生物膜中存在与Thioalkalivibrio sp.K90mix(EU709865)和Thiobacillus thioparus(AJ243144)相似性分别为94%、97%的菌种,其中Thiobacillus thioparus(AJ243144)是典型的硫自养反硝化菌,表明填料上生物膜中有大量的硫自养反硝化菌。     

Tailpipe emission characterizations of diesel-fueled forklifts under real-world operations using a portable emission measurement system

Non-road equipment is one of the key contributing sources to air pollution. Thus, an accurate development of emission inventory from non-road equipment is imperative for air quality management, especially for equipment with a large population such as diesel-fueled forklifts. The objective of this paper is to characterize duty-cycle based emissions from diesel-fueled forklifts using a portable emission measurement system (PEMS). Three duty-cycles were defined in this study, including idling, moving, and working (active duty operation) and used to characterize in-use emissions for diesel-fueled forklifts. A total of twelve diesel-fueled forklifts were selected for real-world emission measurements. Results showed that fuel-based emission factors appear to have smaller variability compared to time-based ones. For example, the time-based emission factors for CO, HC, NO, and PM_2.5 for forklifts were estimated to be 16.6–43.9, 5.3–15.1, 26.2–49.9, 5.5–11.1 g/hr with the fuel-based emission factors being 12.1–20.3, 4.1–8.3, 19.1–32.4, 3.5–6.5 g/kg-fuel, respectively. NO emissions appear to be the biggest concern for emissions control. Furthermore, most of the emissions factors estimated from this study are significantly different from those in both National Guideline for Emission Inventory Development for Non-Road Equipment in China and well-developed emission factor models such as NONROAD by US EPA. This implies that localized, preferably fuel-based emission factors should be adjusted based on real-world emission measurements in order to develop a representative emission inventory for non-road equipment.