Article
Environmental Sciences
Mostafa Yuness Abdelfatah Mostafa, Hyam Nazmy Bader Khalaf, Michael V. Zhukovsky
Summary: Several studies have confirmed a correlation between the mass concentration of particulate matter (PM) and health-related issues. This particular study focused on quantifying the emission characteristics of different indoor particle sources, finding that electronic cigarettes can significantly increase indoor PM2.5 levels. It is important to continue evaluating indoor PM, assessing the toxic potential of internal molecules, and developing strategies to improve indoor air quality.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fabio Boccuni, Riccardo Ferrante, Francesca Tombolini, Sergio Iavicoli, Armando Pelliccioni
Summary: This study focused on real-time high-frequency UFPs particle size distribution in an indoor site, revealing that accumulation mode (AM) of UFPs during working days contributes significantly to the total particle number concentration, showing a high correlation with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contribution. Additionally, high indoor TPNC values were recorded during rush hours, potentially due to outdoor influences from anthropogenic activities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Liu, Jing Wei, Miao Cai, Zhengmin Qian, Zheng Long, Lijun Wang, Michael G. Vaughn, Hannah E. Aaron, Xunliang Tong, Yanming Li, Peng Yin, Hualiang Lin, Maigeng Zhou
Summary: This study found evidence on a national level that short-term exposure to submicron particulate matter pollution can increase asthma mortality in China. The study highlights stronger associations between ambient PM1 and asthma mortality compared to PM2.5 and PM10.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shuo Zhang, Samuel Stamp, Elizabeth Cooper, Katherine Curran, Dejan Mumovic
Summary: The research aims to explore the indoor air quality in nurseries and the impact of air purifiers and window operations on IAQ. Three nurseries in London were monitored, and the results showed that using air purifiers can reduce PM2.5 levels by 63% with windows closed and 46% with windows open. The study also found that operational changes during the Covid-19 pandemic affected indoor air quality.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Hsiang-Lin Yu, Tsang-Jung Chang
Summary: This study proposes a new 3D approach for modeling indoor airborne particulate matter (PM) concentration using cellular automata (CA) framework. By considering four major PM transport mechanisms, the CA approach achieves high accuracy and efficiency in numerical simulations, making it a useful tool for 3D simulations of indoor PM transport and distribution.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
I. Guseva Canu, C. Creze, M. Hemmendinger, T. Ben Rayana, S. Besancon, V Jouannique, A. Debatisse, P. Wild, J. J. Sauvain, G. Suarez, N. B. Hopf
Summary: Subway particulate toxicity differs between in vitro and in vivo studies, calling for further research on outcomes from chronic exposures and exposure biomarkers. Monitoring of subway workers revealed varied daily temporal variation patterns in particle and metal exposures in PM, urine, and EBC matrices, highlighting the need for toxicological research to explore factors influencing health effects of low chronic exposures to subway particulates. Further studies should focus on understanding the health impacts of long-term exposure to subway particulates in larger population cohorts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Yutong Zhu, Xiaoming Song, Rongshan Wu, Jiakun Fang, Lingyan Liu, Tong Wang, Shuo Liu, Hongbing Xu, Wei Huang
Summary: The study found that personal use of air filtration units can significantly reduce indoor fine particulate matter concentrations by 11% to 82% under real-world situations. However, factors affecting the reduction of indoor particulate matter concentrations include geographical location, filtration technology, indoor environment, and air pollution sources.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Dominik Bekierski, Krystyna Barbara Kostyrko
Summary: Epidemiological research has shown a positive correlation between disease incidence and mortality in humans and the mass concentration of particulate matter. The study describes the state of knowledge on dust pollution inside and outside buildings, testing methods for PM infiltration parameters. A new method for estimating the penetration factor P was tested based on the physical basis of aerosol penetration theory. Preliminary results showed that the penetration factor P = 0.61 is consistent with values from existing literature for this group of dusts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Seong-Ji Yu, Min-Ku Kwon, Wonsik Choi, Youn-Suk Son
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of heat-not-burn (HnB) products on indoor air quality (IAQ). It was found that HnB products have lower nicotine levels but higher vegetable glycerin emissions compared to conventional cigarettes. Additionally, various types of VOCs, aldehydes, nanoparticles, and particulate matter were detected and confirmed to affect IAQ.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miao Cai, Xiaojun Lin, Xiaojie Wang, Shiyu Zhang, Zhengmin Min Qian, Stephen Edward McMillin, Hannah E. Aaron, Hualiang Lin, Jing Wei, Zilong Zhang, Jay Pan
Summary: This study investigated the association between ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution of different sizes (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) and the risk of rehospitalization among stroke patients in China. The results showed that higher levels of PM pollution were associated with an increased risk of rehospitalization, and the association was stronger for annual average concentrations compared to seven-day average concentrations. The study also estimated the burden of stroke rehospitalization attributable to PM pollution, and found that it is responsible for a significant proportion of rehospitalization cases and associated costs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuibing Wang, Guijian Liu, Mingjian Yi, Xuemei Huang, Hong Zhang, Xingyuan Hong
Summary: The study shows that the particle pollution in Hefei can be divided into three stages: accumulation, outbreak, and dissipation. During the outbreak, the particulate matter first appears in the upper part of the boundary layer and then accumulates downward, leading to ground pollution. The increase in particulate matter with a diameter of 0.8-1.6 μm is significant during the outbreak, with smaller particles growing before larger ones. Sulfate particles play a crucial role in the outbreak and dissipation of pollution, and they are the most sensitive factor in the pollution process.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shuya Zhang, Kexin Song, Qichao Ban, Puyue Gong, Ruisi Li, Zhen Peng
Summary: This study investigates indoor air quality in a large general hospital in Northern China and finds that smoking behaviors of medical staff contribute significantly to air pollution. To ensure good indoor air quality, managing smoking behavior rather than prohibiting it should be implemented, which can also increase satisfaction among medical staff. The findings from this study can be used as evidence to inform the design of healthcare environments for public health in the future.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Tao Wei, Shuo Yang, Lianze Wang
Summary: This paper presents a new approach to remove indoor air-borne particulate matter by considering the electrohydrodynamic flow generated in a high-voltage gas discharge process. Experimental results show that the porosity and electric field intensity have a significant impact on the removal proportion of particulate matter. The energy efficiency of this approach is also significantly higher compared to conventional air cleaners.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paola Fermo, Begona Artinano, Gianluigi De Gennaro, Antonio Marco Pantaleo, Alessandro Parente, Fiorella Battaglia, Elena Colicino, Gianluca Di Tanna, Andouglas Goncalves da Silva Junior, Igor Gadelha Pereira, Gabriel Santos Garcia, Luiz Marcos Garcia Goncalves, Valeria Comite, Alessandro Miani
Summary: The study tested a commercial system as an air purifier and found that it significantly reduced PM and VOCs concentrations in the air by about 90% and over 50%, respectively.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Laura Borgese, Maria Chiesa, Ahmad Assi, Claudio Marchesi, Anne Wambui Mutahi Franko Kasemi, Stefania Federici, Angelo Finco, Giacomo Gerosa, Dario Zappa, Marialuisa Volta, Donatella Placidi, Roberto Lucchini, Elza Bontempi, Laura E. Depero
Summary: This paper discusses the advantages and drawbacks of using portable and low-cost devices for aerosol sampling, showing significant discrepancies between data collected by optical sensors and those estimated by the cascade impactor and gravimetric measurements. Optical devices are useful for detecting concentration trends, peak values, and changes in background values, but their accuracy and precision are limited.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Davide Campagnolo, Francesca Borghi, Giacomo Fanti, Marta Keller, Sabrina Rovelli, Andrea Spinazze, Andrea Cattaneo, Domenico M. Cavallo
Summary: The aims of this review are to analyze the determinants of in-vehicle exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs), identify knowledge gaps in this field, and discuss innovative solutions for reducing in-vehicle exposure to TRAPs. The results indicate that factors such as route, traffic conditions, and time are closely related and mainly affect the levels of black carbon, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ultrafine particles inside the vehicle. Self-pollution, particularly volatile organic compounds, plays a significant role in defining in-vehicle exposure. Ventilation settings are found to be the main determinants of in-vehicle exposure to TRAPs. One knowledge gap identified is the impact of leading vehicles on in-cabin TRAPs concentrations. Studying the factors influencing in-cabin exposure is crucial for implementing effective measures to mitigate high exposures inside vehicles, with responsive ventilation systems showing promise.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Marta Keller, Andrea Cattaneo, Andrea Spinazze, Letizia Carrozzo, Davide Campagnolo, Sabrina Rovelli, Francesca Borghi, Giacomo Fanti, Silvia Fustinoni, Mariella Carrieri, Angelo Moretto, Domenico Maria Cavallo
Summary: This study systematically reviewed 101 studies on the exposure levels of sevoflurane, desflurane, and isoflurane in hospitals. It was found that occupational exposure to these waste anaesthetic gases (WAGs) is still relatively high. However, there is a lack of consistent monitoring methods and instruments, and real-time monitoring techniques are underutilized, which hinders accurate assessment of short-term and long-term occupational exposure risks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Regina M. B. O. Duarte, Armando C. Duarte
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alon Khabra, Haim Cohen, Gad A. Pinhasi, Xavier Querol, Patricia Cordoba Sola, Tomer Zidki
Summary: Sulfur and nitrogen oxides (SOX/NOX) emissions from fuel combustion are major air toxic gas pollutants. Existing technologies for reducing SOX/NOX content are costly and require high operating temperatures. This study proposes SiO2/Co(OH)(2) nanocomposites as potential catalysts for SOX/NOX oxidation at lower temperatures using atmospheric oxygen as the oxidant, replacing expensive and hazardous oxidants. The nanocomposites exhibited excellent catalytic properties, suggesting their potential for simultaneous scrubbing of polluting gases in flue gases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eleonora La Greca, Tamara S. Kharlamova, Maria V. Grabchenko, Luca Consentino, Daria Yu Savenko, Giuseppe Pantaleo, Lidiya S. Kibis, Olga A. Stonkus, Olga V. Vodyankina, Leonarda Francesca Liotta
Summary: In this study, CeO2, MnO2, and CeMnOx mixed oxide were prepared using sol-gel method. The obtained supports were used to synthesize silver catalysts by the impregnation method. The selective catalytic reduction of NO by C3H6 was investigated, and the physical-chemical properties of the catalysts were characterized. The Ag/CeMnOx catalyst showed the highest activity due to its high dispersion and distortion of the fluorite-type phase and the presence of dispersed Ag+/Ag-n (delta+) species.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro Presentato, Eleonora La Greca, Luca Consentino, Rosa Alduina, Leonarda Francesca Liotta, Michelangelo Gruttadauria
Summary: The reaction of octakis(3-chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane with hexylimidazole or decylimidazole resulted in the synthesis of HQ-POSS and DQ-POSS. HQ-POSS demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Due to its viscous nature, HQ-POSS was adsorbed onto the surface of active oxides for application purposes.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Regina M. B. O. Duarte, Pedro F. Branda, Armando C. Duarte
Summary: Analysis of complex environmental matrices is challenging due to the large number of compounds with diverse properties. Multidimensional chromatographic methods, such as GC x GC and LC x LC, emerged as effective tools for characterising the chemical composition of environmental samples. This review discusses the reasons for the popularity of GC x GC over LC x LC in environmental analysis and highlights the unique role of LC x LC in targeted and untargeted analysis. It also explores factors such as stationary phase combinations, interfacing valve, optimization strategies, and mathematical tools for data handling.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carla Calabrese, Amelie Maertens, Alessandra Piras, Carmela Aprile, Leonarda Francesca Liotta
Summary: TiO2 nanomaterials were synthesized through a sol-gel method using titanium butoxide as a precursor, Pluronic F127 as a template, toluene as a swelling agent, and acidic water or ethanol as reaction solvents. The synthesis medium influenced the phase composition of the solids, with ethanol promoting dispersed anatase particles and water leading to a rutile phase. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was tested by the photodegradation of Rhodamine B.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Victor Deboos, Carla Calabrese, Jean-Marc Giraudon, Rino Morent, Nathalie De Geyter, Leonarda Francesca Liotta, Jean-Francois Lamonier
Summary: Cu (10 wt%) materials were prepared on silica nanotubes via two synthetic approaches, co-synthesis and wetness impregnation. The Cu-based silica nanotubes showed the best performance in toluene oxidation, with a lower T-50 (306 °C) compared to the reference catalyst (345 °C). The excellent catalytic properties were attributed to the finely dispersed copper (II) species on the surface of silica nanotubes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria V. Grabchenko, Natalia V. Dorofeeva, Valery A. Svetlichnyi, Yurii V. Larichev, Valeria La Parola, Leonarda Francesca Liotta, Sergei A. Kulinich, Olga V. Vodyankina
Summary: The dry reforming of methane using supported Ni catalysts on SBA-15 modified by CeMnOx mixed oxides with different Ce/Mn ratios has been studied. The modification enhances the catalytic performance and stability, with the catalyst at a Ce/Mn ratio of 9 achieving the best results.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marten in't Veld, Peeyush Khare, Yufang Hao, Cristina Reche, Noemi Perez, Andres Alastuey, Jesus Yus-Diez, Nicolas Marchand, Andre S. H. Prevot, Xavier Querol, Kaspar R. Daellenbach
Summary: This study found that organic aerosols (OA) are the dominant contributor to the oxidative potential of airborne particulate matter in northeastern Spain. The chemical composition of PM10 was analyzed at two sampling stations in Barcelona city and Montseny Natural Park, and it was found that Barcelona had significantly higher concentrations of water-soluble OA compared to Montseny due to the anthropogenic emissions in the city.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Dikaia E. Saraga, Xavier Querol, Regina M. B. O. Duarte, Noel J. Aquilina, Nuno Canha, Elena Gomez Alvarez, Milena Jovasevic-Stojanovic, Gabriel Beko, Steigvile Bycenkiene, Renata Kovacevic, Kristina Plauskaite, Nicola Carslaw
Summary: Source apportionment for indoor air pollution is challenging due to the complexity and variability of indoor sources, as well as the interconnectedness with the outdoor environment. This paper reviews the current understanding of source apportionment techniques, targeted pollutants, and identified sources, while highlighting limitations and knowledge gaps in this research field.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristina Gonzalez-Florez, Martina Klose, Andres Alastuey, Sylvain Dupont, Jeronimo Escribano, Vicken Etyemezian, Adolfo Gonzalez-Romero, Yue Huang, Konrad Kandler, George Nikolich, Agnesh Panta, Xavier Querol, Cristina Reche, Jesus Yus-Diez, Carlos Perez Garcia-Pando
Summary: The particle size distribution (PSD) of emitted mineral dust is dependent on factors such as friction velocity, wind direction, and event type. Dry deposition is identified as a potential cause for the variability in PSD. Dry deposition could represent a large proportion of the emission of both super-coarse particles and smaller particles. The differences in PSDs between regular events and haboob events may be due to differences in dust source fetch and resistance of soil aggregates to fragmentation.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Agnesh Panta, Konrad Kandler, Andres Alastuey, Cristina Gonzalez-Florez, Adolfo Gonzalez-Romero, Martina Klose, Xavier Querol, Cristina Reche, Jesus Yus-Diez, Carlos Perez Garcia-Pando
Summary: The chemical and morphological properties of mineral dust aerosols emitted by wind erosion from arid and semi-arid regions are crucial for understanding climate, ecosystems, air quality, and socio-economic sectors. In this study, we analyzed individual dust particles collected during a field campaign in the Moroccan Sahara to gain insights into their elemental composition and morphology. We identified eight major particle types and found that clay minerals and quartz were the dominant constituents. We also analyzed the mixing state and size distribution of iron-rich and feldspar particles, which are important for understanding the effects of dust on radiation and clouds.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
