Article
Environmental Sciences
Chieh-An Cheng, Ting-Chun Ching, Shih-Wei Tsai, Kai-Jen Chuang, Hsiao-Chi Chuang, Ta-Yuan Chang
Summary: This study investigated the indoor concentrations of five volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in different locations on a medical university campus. The study found that dichloromethane was the most detected compound, and the Department of Medicine had the highest concentration of the total VOCs. The carcinogenic risks of dichloromethane and benzene were classified as possible for faculty members, and the noncarcinogenic risks were relatively low.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xing Wang, Arthur W. H. Chan
Summary: This study compares the particle and gas phase emission factors between cooking with an air fryer and a pan, finding that air frying chicken wings and breast results in higher PM10 emission factors compared to pan cooking. However, by increasing the amount of oil, air frying can achieve higher PM10 emission factors for French fries and asparagus. The emission factors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also generally higher for air frying.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lina Madaniyazi, Chau-Ren Jung, Chris Fook Sheng Ng, Xerxes Seposo, Masahiro Hashizume, Shoji F. Nakayama
Summary: Exposure to indoor low-level m,p-xylene and o-xylene in early life is associated with neurodevelopmental delays in children. Further investigations are required to confirm these findings.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Javier Gonzalez-Martin, Norbertus Johannes Richardus Kraakman, Cristina Perez, Raquel Lebrero, Raul Munoz
Summary: Indoor air pollution is a significant issue, leading to millions of premature deaths and considerable economic losses annually. Traditional physical-chemical technologies are limited by low concentrations and diversity of pollutants, thus biotechnologies are considered a cost-effective and sustainable solution for indoor air purification.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wen-Hsi Cheng, Yi-Chian Chen, Song-You Shih
Summary: People spend a majority of their time indoors, and the use of fragrances in closed bathrooms and restrooms is common. However, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from indoor fragrances have been found to have health risks. This study used microneedle trap samplers (NTSs) packed with sulfonated divinylbenzene (SDVB) adsorbents to extract the VOCs emitted by bamboo diffusers in fragrance bottles in bathrooms. The analysis revealed that the main VOCs emitted from chemically synthesized fragrances were ethanol, propylene glycol, and 3-ethylbenzaldehyde.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sergey N. Maximoff, Rajat Mittal, Ajeet Kaushik, Jaspreet S. Dhau
Summary: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a significant class of indoor air pollutants and reducing their levels can be achieved through the use of activated carbons (ACs). A study estimated the amount of AC needed under different conditions using literature data on thermophysical parameters for 45 pairs of AC-VOC.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
K. Vikrant, H. Yang, M. W. Chung, K. -H. Kim, F. Dong, S. Weon, C. He, P. M. Heynderickx
Summary: The potential of reactive metal-support interactions was investigated using platinum and a two-dimensional titanium carbide support, resulting in the full conversion of formaldehyde into carbon dioxide at room temperature. The Pt3Ti intermetallic compound formed during reduction treatment enhanced catalytic activity and resistance to moisture. The reaction mechanism involved chemisorption of formaldehyde on Pt3Ti and generation of CO2 through reaction with active oxygen species.
MATERIALS TODAY NANO
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong -Lai Feng, Chun Yang, Xu-Liang Cao
Summary: In this study, IVOCs, VOCs, and SVOCs were characterized and measured in residential indoor air in Ottawa, Canada. IVOCs, including n-alkanes, branched-chain alkanes, unspecified complex mixtures, and oxygenated IVOCs, were found to significantly impact indoor air quality. Indoor IVOCs exhibited different behaviors compared to outdoor IVOCs, with a concentration range of 14.4 to 69.0 mu g/m(3) and accounting for approximately 20% of total organic compounds in indoor air. Branch-chain alkanes and UCM-IVOCs showed positive correlations with indoor temperature, while oxygenated IVOCs had a positive correlation with indoor relative humidity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chrystalla Kaikiti, Marinos Stylianou, Agapios Agapiou
Summary: Hairdressing personnel are exposed to various air pollutants, including VOCs and PM, in hair salons. This study analyzed the indoor air in 5 hair salons and found that hair products are a major source of air pollutants. Efforts are needed to reduce the concentration levels of PM and VOCs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maneeshin Y. Rajapakse, Theresa E. Pistochini, Eva Borras, Mitchell M. McCartney, Cristina E. Davis
Summary: Air cleaning technologies are crucial for reducing indoor concentrations and exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, these technologies currently lack a standardized test to evaluate their effectiveness in removing VOCs. To address this issue, researchers developed a protocol to evaluate the performance of air cleaning devices in removing VOCs and tested it with two devices. The protocol involved injecting a mixture of VOCs and carbon dioxide into a test chamber, supplying outdoor air at a standard building ventilation rate, periodically measuring VOC concentrations using solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and comparing the decay rate of VOCs to carbon dioxide to assess the VOC removal performance. The results showed that the activated carbon air cleaner had a significantly higher clean air delivery rate compared to the hydroxyl radical generator (72.10 vs 6.32 m3/h).
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicole Ninya, Laura Vallecillos, Rosa Maria Marce, Francesc Borrull
Summary: This study monitored the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (semi-VOCs) in indoor and outdoor environments in a school in Tarragona, Spain. The results showed a significant increase in solvent concentrations indoors due to the implementation of COVID-19 measures. The concentrations of organic compounds in indoor air were twenty times higher than those outdoors.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaowei Cong, Juan Zhang, Yuepu Pu, Bing Yan
Summary: This study developed a living environment exposure matrix of common organic air pollutants for large-scale epidemiological studies, identifying paints, paint removing, and furniture as the most common sources of exposure, and electricity as a cleaner fuel option. Further investigation is needed to determine if gas burning is a significant source of indoor organic air pollutants.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sutharsini Sivanantham, Claire Dassonville, Anthony Gregoire, Laeticia Malingre, Olivier Ramalho, Corinne Mandin
Summary: A nationwide indoor air quality survey in French schools between 2013 and 2017 revealed different profiles of indoor pollution, including classrooms with high concentrations of phthalates, air pollutants, dust pollutants, or lower pollutant levels. These clusters were characterized by building characteristics and outdoor environmental factors, with highly-polluted classrooms tending to be older, less mechanically ventilated, with higher outdoor pollutant concentrations and signs of building dampness.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Klaudia Pytel, Renata Marcinkowska, Bozena Zabiegala
Summary: The study found that excessive use of essential oils rich in terpenes in spa salons can significantly increase the concentration of TVOCs in indoor air, with terpenes accounting for 22% to 86% of total TVOCs. The type of essential oils used also has an impact on the indoor air chemical composition.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bo You, Wei Zhou, Junyao Li, Zhijie Li, Yele Sun
Summary: This review summarizes the key findings from mass spectrometry measurements in recent indoor studies, including the sources, deposition, composition, and distribution of indoor VOCs, as well as the factors driving their changes. It also summarizes the physical and chemical processes of gas-particle partitioning and secondary oxidation processes of VOCs, and their impacts on human health. Recommendations for future research directions on indoor VOCs measurements and indoor chemistry are proposed.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lawrencia Kwarteng, Amila M. Devasurendra, Zoey Laskaris, John Arko-Mensah, Afua A. Amoabeng Nti, Sylvia Takyi, Augustine A. Acquah, Duah Dwomoh, Nil Basu, Thomas Robins, Julius N. Fobil, Stuart Batterman
Summary: This study conducted at the Agbogbloshie e-waste site in Accra, Ghana, found that e-waste workers were exposed to higher levels of PM and PAHs compared to a reference population. While there was a weak correlation between PAH concentrations and PM levels, the abundance of PAHs showed a strong and inverse correlation with PM levels, suggesting multiple and different sources of PAHs and PM. Personal and shift samples were crucial for accurately characterizing worker exposure in this setting.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Statistics & Probability
Jiacong Du, Jonathan Boss, Peisong Han, Lauren J. Beesley, Michael Kleinsasser, Stephen A. Goutman, Stuart Batterman, Eva L. Feldman, Bhramar Mukherjee
Summary: This article investigates the implementation of penalized regression methods for variable selection and coefficient estimation when dealing with missing data. By constructing a class of penalized objective functions, the same variables can be selected across multiple imputed datasets. Through simulations, it is found that stacked approaches are more computationally efficient and have better estimation and selection properties.
JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL AND GRAPHICAL STATISTICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fei Gao, Qian Guo, Beibei Wang, Suzhen Cao, Ning Qin, Liyun Zhao, Chunrong Jia, Xiaoli Duan
Summary: The study found that one-fifth of Chinese school-age children spend less than one hour outdoors every day, and urban girls tend to have indoor tendencies. The findings provide a basis for future interventions and guidelines aimed at promoting children's physical activities.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sung-Hee Seo, Sung-Deuk Choi, Stuart Batterman, Yoon-Seok Chang
Summary: This study evaluated the 12-year trends in serum levels of 28 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 880 adults living in Seoul, Korea. The results showed that OCP levels decreased over time, with females having higher levels than males. OCP levels were positively associated with BMI, age, uric acid, creatinine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, but negatively associated with free thyroxine. The study also suggested possible disturbances in renal transport and thyroid homeostasis by OCPs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunrong Jia, Xianqiang Fu, Bhavin Chauhan, Zhuqing Xue, Reeva Joyce Kedia, Chaitanya S. Mishra
Summary: This study aimed to assess exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at gas stations among customers. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) showed the highest concentrations at gas stations. Although exposure levels were below the acute health thresholds, it is recommended that customers stand away from the nozzle to avoid high personal exposures during refueling.
AIR QUALITY ATMOSPHERE AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daleniece Higgins Jones, Xinhua Yu, Qian Guo, Xiaoli Duan, Chunrong Jia
Summary: This study examines the association between soil heavy metal levels, socioeconomic status, and racial composition in urban areas of Southern states in the U.S. The findings confirm elevated heavy metal contamination in low-income and/or predominantly minority communities, with poverty and minority percentages showing significant associations with soil metal concentrations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ibrahim Issah, John Arko-Mensah, Laura S. Rozek, Katie R. Zarins, Duah Dwomoh, Thomas P. Agyekum, Niladri Basu, Stuart Batterman, Thomas G. Robins, Julius N. Fobil
Summary: This study found that co-exposure to toxic and essential metals is associated with global (LINE-1) DNA methylation in e-waste workers. Zinc has a significant inverse association with global DNA methylation. Potential interactions between Cd and Zn were also observed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paola Filigrana, Jonathan Levy, Josette Gauthier, Stuart Batterman, Sara D. Adar
Summary: This study examines the effects of promoting electric vehicles (EV) and walking/bicycling on reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality and health in Seattle. The results show that increasing the use of EV, walking, and bicycling can lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions, lower air pollutant concentrations, and prevent premature deaths and asthma cases.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nan Lin, Lexuan Zhong, Christopher Godwin, Stuart Batterman
Summary: This study develops a sensitive method for measuring airborne 1,4-dioxane in indoor air and evaluates the performance of the method. The results show that there are limits to sampling times in high humidity environments and other measures are needed to ensure good performance. Scenario analyses demonstrate the potential impact of shallow groundwater contamination in flooded areas, highlighting the urgent need for monitoring vapor intrusion of 1,4-dioxane.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Suzhen Cao, Muxing Xie, Chunrong Jia, Yawei Zhang, Jicheng Gong, Beibei Wang, Ning Qin, Liyun Zhao, Dongmei Yu, Xiaoli Duan
Summary: This study found that school-age children exposed to household second-hand smoke were shorter and at higher risk of stunting compared to unexposed children. The effects of second-hand smoke exposure were age-related, peaking in the 6-8 years age group. The risk of stunting increased with longer duration of second-hand smoke exposure, showing a dose-response relationship.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ke Chen, Jingsha Xu, Lord Famiyeh, Yong Sun, Dongsheng Ji, Honghui Xu, Chengjun Wang, Sarah E. Metcalfe, Raghu Betha, Sailesh N. Behera, Chunrong Jia, Hang Xiao, Jun He
Summary: A comprehensive year-round field campaign was conducted in Ningbo, China to examine the driving factors of PM2.5 oxidative potential (OP) and its potential health impacts. The study found that the OP of PM2.5 varied with seasons, sources, and concentrations, highlighting the need for a comprehensive mitigation strategy.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunrong Jia, Xianqiang Fu, Adam Nored, Namuun Batbaatar, Larry Smith
Summary: This study compared the performance of two types of thermal desorption tubes for monitoring PAHs in the air. The results showed that both generic Tenax TA tubes and proprietary PAH tubes were suitable for PAH monitoring, but the proprietary PAH tube did not outperform the generic Tenax TA tube.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tian Xia, Sachraa G. G. Borjigin, Julia Raneses, Craig A. A. Stroud, Stuart A. A. Batterman
Summary: This study uses mobile monitoring to measure ambient levels of methane (CH4) at eight large operating landfills in southeast Michigan, USA. The study characterizes diurnal, daily, and spatial variation in CH4 levels and analyzes the influence of meteorological factors. The results show the ability to assess spatial and temporal variation in CH4 levels at landfills using mobile monitoring, which can help identify leaks and determine optimal locations for long-term emission monitoring.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chunrong Jia, Xianqiang Fu, Larry Smith
Summary: This dataset contains the concentrations of 32 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient air in the Memphis Tri-state Area (MTA), which are toxic pollutants emitted from incomplete combustion sources. The dataset was collected at 19 sites in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas over one year and includes information on site descriptions, sampling, and analytical performance. The dataset can be used for exploring atmospheric chemistry, estimating population exposures and associated health risks, and addressing environmental health disparities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eduardo P. Olaguer, Yushan Su, Craig A. Stroud, Robert M. Healy, Stuart A. Batterman, Tara I. Yacovitch, Jiajue Chai, Yaoxian Huang, Matthew T. Parsons, James Lee
Summary: The Michigan-Ontario Ozone Source Experiment (MOOSE) is an international air quality field study that aimed to address binational air quality issues and local emissions. By utilizing various advanced scientific techniques, significant findings such as unaccounted formaldehyde emission and quantification of methane emissions were obtained.