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PubMed2006

Spatio-temporal fluxes in particulate organic carbon in a tropical coastal lagoon.

Temporal and spatial variations in particulate organic carbon (POC) in relation to primary production, chlorophyll a, phaeophytin, plankton abundance, secondary production and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were studied monthly for 1 year from April 1996 to March 1997 in a shallow tropical coastal lagoon on the southwest coast of India. Though temporal variations in all components were significant, spatial variabilities were not statistically significant. POC values range from 200 to 5690 mg C m(3) h(-1), while primary production, chlorophyll a, and phaeophytin varied between 0.02 and 14.53 mg C m(-3) h(-1), 0.87 and 23.11 mg m(-3) and 3.02 and 30.581 mg m(-3), respectively. Phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance varied from 0.01 to 655.5 x 10(5) no m(-3) and negligible to 7.08 x 10(5) no m(-3) respectively; secondary production from 10 to 490 mg C m(-3) and SPM between 0.38 and 74.43 x 10(4) mg m(-3) during this study. Temporally, postmonsoon months were observed to have the highest concentrations of POC in the lagoon waters. The bulk of the POC pool in the lagoon was composed of secondary producers (72%), followed by chlorophyll a (21%), phaeophytin (7%) and suspended particulate matter of inorganic origin (< 0.1%).

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Compounds in urban air compete with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin for binding to the receptor protein.

Acetone extracts of filter-collected urban airborne particulate matter contain compounds which can competitively inhibit 2,3,7,8-[1,6-3H]tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) binding to the rat liver TCDD-receptor protein. The concentration of conventional polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or chlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans cannot account for more than 1-30% of the observed competition for [3H]TCDD binding to the receptor protein. The difference in potency between samples collected in urban areas during different periods of the year and a background sample is 25-400-fold. Collecting samples in the presence of increased concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, nitrous acid, nitric acid or ozone did not increase the amount of compounds with receptor affinity. However, with nitrogen dioxide and especially with nitric acid, a substantial increase of the mutagenic effects in the Ames Salmonella assay in the absence of mammalian activation as well as a degradation of several PAHs were noted. Affinity for the TCDD-receptor protein, mutagenicity in the absence of mammalian metabolic activation in the Ames Salmonella assay and PAH-content are characteristics of urban particulate matter showing the presence of compounds, that represent potential health risks. The compounds with affinity for the receptor may constitute a group of substances different from both conventional PAHs and direct-acting mutagens.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2006

Residual indoor contamination from world trade center rubble fires as indicated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon profiles.

The catastrophic destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) on Sept. 11, 2001 (9/11) created an immense dust cloud followed by fires that emitted smoke and soot into the air of New York City (NYC) well into December. Outdoor pollutant levels in lower Manhattan returned to urban background levels after about 200 days as the fires were put out and the debris cleanup was completed. However, particulate matter (PM) from the original collapse and fires also penetrated into commercial and residential buildings. This has created public concern because WTC dust is thought to cause adverse pulmonary symptoms including "WTC cough" and reduced lung capacity. Additionally, some recent studies have suggested a possible link between exposure to WTC contamination and other adverse health effects. Distinguishing between normal urban pollutant infiltration and residual WTC dust remaining in interior spaces is difficult; efforts are underway to develop such discriminator methods. Some progress has been made in identifying WTC dust by the content of fibers believed to be associated with the initial building collapse. There are also contaminants created by the fires that burned for 100 days in the debris piles of the building rubble. Using WTC ambient air samples, we have developed indicators for fire related PM based on the relative amounts of specific particle bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the mass fraction of PAHs per mass of PM. These two parameters are combined, and we show a graphical method for discriminating between fire sources and urban particulate sources as applied to samples of settled dusts. We found that our PAHs based discriminator method can distinguish fire source contributions to WTC related particulate matter and dusts. Other major building fires or large open burn events could have similar PAHs characteristics. We found that random samples collected approximately 3.5 years after the WTC event from occupied indoor spaces (primarily residential) in the New York area are not statistically distinguishable from contemporary city background.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2000

Toxicity of diesel engine exhausts in an in vitro model of lung slices in biphasic organotypic culture: induction of a proinflammatory and apoptotic response.

Precision-cut rat lung slices in organotypic culture placed in a biphasic air/liquid system were used for this study. This model allowed pathological as well as cellular and molecular biology investigations to be carried out. Slices were exposed to a continuous flow of diluted diesel exhaust, with a pO2 adjusted to 20% to avoid hypoxia-induced effects. The exposure system allowed five exhaust concentrations from the same diesel engine to be studied concomitantly, and also allowed the impact of removing the particulate matter using a filter cap on the exposure vials to be evaluated. Lung slices were exposed for 3 or 6 h to whole or filtered diesel exhaust. DNA integrity was characterized by two different techniques: (1) an ELISA for the determination of nucleosomes, and (2) the histochemical TUNEL method. By the TUNEL method, apoptotic cells were detected after a 6-h exposure followed by an incubation period of 18 h in a controlled atmosphere comprising 5% CO2/95% O2. Under these conditions, apoptotic nuclei were more frequent in slices exposed to diesel exhaust than in control slices. Cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta) in the culture medium was measured using an ELISA technique. After a 3-h exposure only TNF-alpha was detected and increased in the culture medium of lung slices exposed to diesel exhaust. Under the same conditions, nucleosome levels in the slices increases in a dose-dependent way. In conclusion, whole diesel exhaust induced an inflammatory response and DNA alterations which were reduced by filtration, thus indicating the important role of the particulate matter in diesel exhaust.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Temperature, air pollution, and hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases among elderly people in Denver.

Daily measures of maximum temperature, particulate matter less than or equal to 10 micro m in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), and gaseous pollution (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide) were collected in Denver, Colorado, in July and August between 1993 and 1997. We then compared these exposures with concurrent data on the number of daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases in men and women > 65 years of age. Generalized linear models, assuming a Poisson error structure for the selected cardiovascular disease hospital admissions, were constructed to evaluate the associations with air pollution and temperature. After adjusting the admission data for yearly trends, day-of-week effects, ambient maximum temperature, and dew point temperature, we studied the associations of the pollutants in single-pollutant models with lag times of 0-4 days. The results suggest that O3 is associated with an increase in the risk of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction, coronary atherosclerosis, and pulmonary heart disease. SO2 appears to be related to increased hospital stays for cardiac dysrhythmias, and CO is significantly associated with congestive heart failure. No association was found between particulate matter or NO2 and any of the health outcomes. Males tend to have higher numbers of hospital admissions than do females for all of the selected cardiovascular diseases, except for congestive heart failure. Higher temperatures appear to be an important factor in increasing the frequency of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, and are associated with a decrease in the frequency of visits for coronary atherosclerosis and pulmonary heart disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Alveolar retention and clearance of insoluble particles in rats simulated by a new physiology-oriented compartmental kinetics model.

A physiology-oriented compartmental kinetics model of alveolar retention of inhaled insoluble particulate matter in rat lungs was proposed in a recent paper, (W. Stöber, P.E. Morrow, and M.D. However, 1989, Fundam. App. Toxicol. 13, 823-843), and the retention patterns obtained with the model for a hypothetical set of input data appeared to simulate phenomena which were observed in inhalation studies with Fischer 344 rats. The present paper represents the results of applying the new model for simulations of the actual experimental retention data of five different inhalation studies with Fischer 344 rats exposed to three different materials. The experimental data showed that model adjustments had to be made in order to account for clearance effects that appeared to be influenced by the age of the animals. After these adjustments were made and an appropriate set of values for the model parameters describing the respective exposure conditions was used, the model was constrained to represent the empirical data of all of the studies by one unique set of parameter values. Changes in particular values of this set were considered to be acceptable only if they reflected changes of relevant properties of the inhaled particulate matter. The final simulations did not completely comply with this self-imposed criterion. However, the degree of compliance and the simulation quality achieved with a minimum of parameter variations seem to be unprecedented in retention modeling. The results of the study encourage attempts for further refining the present model.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Short term respiratory health effects of ambient air pollution: results of the APHEA project in Paris.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To quantify the short term respiratory health effects of ambient air pollution in the Paris area. DESIGN: Time series analysis of daily pollution levels using Poisson regression. SETTING: Paris, 1987-92. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Air pollution was monitored by measurement of black smoke (BS) (15 monitoring stations), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter less than 13 microns in diameter (PM13), and ozone (O3) (4 stations). Daily mortality and general admissions to public hospitals due to respiratory causes were considered. The statistical analysis was based on a time series procedure using linear regression modelling followed by a Poisson regression. Meterological variables, epidemics of influenza A and B, and strikes of medical staff were included in the models. The mean daily concentration of PM13 and daily 1 hour maximum of SO2 significantly affected daily mortality from respiratory causes. An increase in the concentration of PM13 of 100 micrograms/m3 above its 5th centile value increased the risk of respiratory death by 17%. PM13 and BS were also associated with hospital admissions due to all respiratory diseases (4.1% increased risk when the BS level exceeded its 5th centile value by 100 micrograms/m3). SO2 levels consistently influenced hospital admissions for all respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. Asthma was also correlated with NO2 levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that even though the relative risk is weak in areas with low levels of pollution, ambient air pollution, and especially particulate matter and SO2, nonetheless require attention because of the number of people exposed and the existence of high risk groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Long term effects of exposure to automobile exhaust on the pulmonary function of female adults in Tokyo, Japan.

AIMS: To investigate the chronic effects of air pollution caused mainly by automobiles in healthy adult females. METHODS: Respiratory symptoms were investigated in 5682 adult females who had lived in the Tokyo metropolitan area for three years or more in 1987; 733 of them were subjected to pulmonary function tests over eight years from 1987 to 1994. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of air pollution they were exposed to during the study period. The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter were the highest in group 1, and the lowest in group 3. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms in group 1 were higher than those in groups 2 and 3, except for wheezing. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant differences in persistent phlegm and breathlessness. The subjects selected for the analysis of pulmonary function were 94, 210, and 102 females in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The annual mean change of FEV(1) in group 1 was the largest (-0.020 l/y), followed by that in group 2 (-0.015 l/y), and that in group 3 (-0.009 l/y). Testing for trends showed a significant larger decrease of FEV(1) with the increase in the level of air pollution. CONCLUSIONS: The subjects living in areas with high levels of air pollution showed higher prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and a larger decrease of FEV(1) compared with those living in areas with low levels of air pollution. Since the traffic density is larger in areas with high air pollution, the differences among the groups may reflect the effect of air pollution attributable to particulate matter found in automobile exhaust.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Mercury distribution in abiotic and biological compartments within several estuarine systems from Argentina: 1980-2005 period.

Total mercury contents from both abiotic and biological compartments within several estuaries from Argentina have been studied since the 1980s. The assessment of mercury occurrence in surface sediments, suspended particulate matter and crab and fish species from Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Bahía Blanca estuary and Samborombón Bay (in La Plata river estuary) are included in the present study. All samples were analyzed through Cold Vapor-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, following internationally standardized methods. In all cases analytical quality was checked against international reference materials. During the 1980s, Hg contents in sediments and SPM, as well as in edible fish species from Bahía Blanca estuary were significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of the 1990s and 2000s, and the large industrial nucleus located in the northern margin of this estuary was elsewhere identified as the main source of this metal. A permanent monitoring program carried out in 1986 and that is being implemented up to the present has demonstrated that Hg concentration values have significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared to the values of the 1980s. Both, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon and Samborombón Bay have intermediate mercury levels in their biological compartments. In both cases, the possible occurrence of remote sources of this metal was considered. Even though, Hg values as determined in sediments and suspended particulate matter from Samborombón Bay were the highest ones for the whole analyzed period. Both mercury bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes were evaluated in the studied estuaries, as well as the potential qualification of estuarine foodstuffs for human consumption.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Adenoviral E1A modulates inflammatory mediator expression by lung epithelial cells exposed to PM10.

We examined the hypothesis that ambient particulate matter with a diameter of <10 microm (PM(10))-induced lung inflammation is amplified by latent adenovirus infection. Inflammatory mediator expression in response to PM(10) exposure was compared between adenovirus E1A-transfected A549 alveolar epithelial cells and cells transfected with control plasmid. Messenger RNA was measured by the RNase protection assay and protein by ELISA or immunocytochemistry. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and IL-8 mRNA and protein were increased in E1A-positive cells exposed to 500 microg/ml PM(10). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA and protein were unchanged in E1A-positive cells but increased in E1A-negative cells after 100 and 500 microg/ml PM(10) exposure. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed increased NF-kappaB and decreased specificity protein 1 nuclear binding in E1A-positive cells exposed to PM(10). These results indicate that E1A modulates cytokine and adhesion molecule expression in epithelial cells in a manner that could amplify PM(10)-induced lung inflammation. We suggest that this amplified inflammatory response may contribute to the pathogenesis of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with exposure to particulate matter air pollution.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗
PubMed1981

The identification of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivatives in mutagenic fractions of diesel particulate extracts.

The soluble organic fraction (SOF) of particulate matter from diesel exhaust (from point sources, ambient air, etc.) contains hundreds of organic constituents. Norman-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been used to separate the SOF into subfractions suitable for subsequent chemical analysis and bioassays. These fractions consist of non-polar(PAH), moderately polar (transition) and highly polar constituents. The non-polar fractions have been well characterized and consist of PAH and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The specific compounds present in the transition and polar fractions are for the most part unknown. This analytical information has been difficult to obtain since these compounds are highly labile, polar, of low volatility and in very low concentrations when compared to the bulk of material found in the SOF. Mutagenicity tests using the Ames Salmonella typhimurium assay indicate that the transition fraction accounts for most of the mutagenicity when compared to the non-polar (PAH) and polar fractions. A variety of chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques are described that have been used to determine the composition of the HPLC fractions. More than one hundred species have been identified in the transition fraction of diesel particulate matter using high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC)/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), HPLC and direct-probe high resolution mass spectrometry. It has been found that the transition fraction contains mostly PAH derivatives consisting of hydroxy, ketone, quinone, carboxaldehyde, acid anhydride and dihydroxy derivatives of PAH. Three nitro-PAH species have been tentatively identified and 1-nitropyrene positively identified in the transition fraction. The 1-nitropyrene was found to account for approximately 45% and 30% of the direct-acting mutagenicity observed for the transition fraction and total extract, respectively. The HPLC separation procedure was shown to give better than 95% recovery of the mass and mutagenic activity. The problem of PAH oxidation during the analytical procedures and possible effect on bioassay results are discussed.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Performance of the RespiCon personal aerosol sampler in forest products industry workplaces.

The RespiCon is a multistage virtual impactor that can be used as either a personal or an area sampler. Particles collected on the first stage of the RespiCon represent the respirable fraction of airborne particulate matter. Particles collected on the first and second stages represent the thoracic fraction, and particles collected on the first, second, and third stages represent the inhalable fraction. The RespiCon is available in two versions, one with photometric aerosol detection and a gravimetric version. In this study, the performance of the gravimetric version was examined in various forest products industry facilities. The precision of the RespiCon was assessed and its performance was compared with that of both a respirable cyclone and an inhalable dust sampler. In addition, some RespiCon samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy to determine physical particle size distribution. Under the conditions of this testing, the RespiCon appeared to be reasonably precise. For most sampling locations there was a close correspondence between measurements made with the RespiCon and the CIS personal inhalable sampler or the BGI-4 respirable cyclone. The results of microscopic examination of filters from the RespiCon were consistent with expected performance characteristics. The RespiCon is a useful sampling device for those situations in which it is important to simultaneously collect either personal or area samples of the respirable, thoracic, and inhalable fractions of airborne particulate matter.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Effects of curved inlet tubes on air flow and particle deposition in bifurcating lung models.

In vivo bifurcating airways are complex and the airway segments leading to the bifurcations are not always straight, but curved to various degrees. How do such curved inlet tubes influence the motion as well as local deposition and hence the biological responses of inhaled particulate matter in lung airways? In this paper steady laminar dilute suspension flows of micron-particles are simulated in realistic double bifurcations with curved inlet tubes, i.e., 0 degrees < or =theta< or =90 degrees, using a commercial finite-volume code with user-enhanced programs. The resulting air-flow patterns as well as particle transport and wall depositions were analyzed for different flow inlet conditions, i.e., uniform and parabolic velocity profiles, and geometric configurations. The curved inlet segments have quite pronounced effects on air-flow, particle motion and wall deposition in the downstream bifurcating airways. In contrast to straight double bifurcations, those with bent parent tubes also exhibit irregular variations in particle deposition efficiencies as a function of Stokes number and Reynolds number. There are fewer particles deposited at mildly curved inlet segments, but the particle deposition efficiencies at the downstream sequential bifurcations vary much when compared to those with straight inlets. Under certain flow conditions in sharply curved lung airways, relatively high, localized particle depositions may take place. The findings provide necessary information for toxicologic or therapeutic impact assessments and for global lung dosimetry models of inhaled particulate matter.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

Fine particulate air pollution and mortality in 20 U.S. cities, 1987-1994.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution in cities has been linked to increased rates of mortality and morbidity in developed and developing countries. Although these findings have helped lead to a tightening of air-quality standards, their validity with respect to public health has been questioned. METHODS: We assessed the effects of five major outdoor-air pollutants on daily mortality rates in 20 of the largest cities and metropolitan areas in the United States from 1987 to 1994. The pollutants were particulate matter that is less than 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. We used a two-stage analytic approach that pooled data from multiple locations. RESULTS: After taking into account potential confounding by other pollutants, we found consistent evidence that the level of PM10 is associated with the rate of death from all causes and from cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. The estimated increase in the relative rate of death from all causes was 0.51 percent (95 percent posterior interval, 0.07 to 0.93 percent) for each increase in the PM10 level of 10 microg per cubic meter. The estimated increase in the relative rate of death from cardiovascular and respiratory causes was 0.68 percent (95 percent posterior interval, 0.20 to 1.16 percent) for each increase in the PM10 level of 10 microg per cubic meter. There was weaker evidence that increases in ozone levels increased the relative rates of death during the summer, when ozone levels are highest, but not during the winter. Levels of the other pollutants were not significantly related to the mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: There is consistent evidence that the levels of fine particulate matter in the air are associated with the risk of death from all causes and from cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. These findings strengthen the rationale for controlling the levels of respirable particles in outdoor air.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2000

Real-time single particle mass spectrometry: a historical review of a quarter century of the chemical analysis of aerosols

Real-time single particle mass spectrometry, or continuous aerosol mass spectrometry, was originally developed in the 1970s for the purpose of identifying the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter in real-time. Although this technique has continued to evolve throughout the following decades, the fundamental characteristic of this method remains the same, involving the continuous introduction of solid particle or liquid droplets directly into the ion source region of a mass spectrometer. Continuous sample introduction allows for the chemical analysis of single airborne particles in real-time. A number of mass analyzers have been employed in real-time single particle mass spectrometry. The original real-time single particle mass spectrometer used a magnetic sector mass analyzer. Quadrupole, double-focusing, and ion trap mass spectrometers have also been utilized. The majority of the current real-time single particle mass spectrometry techniques use time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In the literature, a variety of general names have been applied to real-time single particle mass spectrometry methods. These names include direct-inlet mass spectrometry, on-line laser microprobe mass spectrometry, particle analysis by mass spectrometry, particle beam mass spectrometry, and rapid-single particle mass spectrometry. This review covers real-time single particle mass spectrometry techniques that were developed from 1973 through 1998, specifically for analyzing airborne particulate matter, including environmental aerosols, biological aerosols, and clean-room aerosols. Because the majority of the historical and current real-time single particle mass spectrometers have been employed for atmospheric aerosols, this topic is the primary focus of this review. This review does not include on-line mass spectrometry methods that are employed as a detector for other instrumental methods, such as liquid chromatography.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

The use of ultra filtration in trace metal speciation studies in sea water.

During this work, size fractionation technique "ultra filtration" is used in speciation studies of trace elements in the coastal sea water. Filtration is the most commonly used method to fractionate trace metal species, but often only "dissolved" and "particulate" fraction. The purpose of the present study is to determine colloidal and suspended particulate concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Mn in sea water. Suspended particulate matter were separated in three different size groups namely (>2.7 microm, <2.7->0.45 microm and <0.45->0.22 microm) by suction filtration using cellulose acetate and nitrate filter membranes. Thereafter to concentrate the solution with colloidal particle <0.22 microm-1.1 nm (0.5 k Nominal Molecular Weight cut-off Limit {NMWL}), the solution obtained from filtration through <0.22 microm, is sequentially passed through the ultra-filtration membranes having pore diameters of 14 nm (300 k NMWL), 3.1 nm (50 k NMWL), 2.2 nm (30 k NMWL), 1.6 nm (10 k NMWL) and 1.1 nm (0.5 k NMWL) by using Stirred Ultra-filtration Cells, operating in concentration mode. The concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Mn were measured in suspended and dissolved fraction by ion chromatography, ICP-AES and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The salinity of the solution in various dissolved fractions of sequential filtration varies between 30.89-34.22 parts per thousand. The maximum concentrations of colloidal Zn, Cu, Ni and Mn in dissolved fraction were in <2.2->1.6 nm fraction. In case of Fe, colloidal fractions <2.2->1.6 nm and <1.6-<1.1 nm shows higher concentration. The concentration of Zn, Cu, Ni and Mn increase with decrease in size in suspended particulate matter, while the reverse is observed in case of Fe. This size separation data that specifies the partitioning of metals between dissolved and suspended solid phases is necessary for developing physically based models of metal transport in aquatic system.

Benzopyrans↗
PubMed2004

Incineration of healthcare wastes: management of atmospheric emissions through waste segregation.

The amount of atmospheric pollutants emitted through the incineration of healthcare wastes can be estimated using emission factors. Emission factors have been published without including sufficient information about the types of wastes incinerated. This paper reports the first emission factors estimated for the incineration of wastes segregated into different types according to the Portuguese legislation. One controlled-air incinerator without air pollution control devices was used in the research. The main objectives of the study were: (i) to estimate the emission factors for particulate matter, dioxins, heavy metals and gaseous pollutants, according to the type of waste incinerated; (ii) to evaluate the quality of atmospheric emissions; and (iii) to define a methodology for the management of atmospheric emissions, evaluating the influence of type of waste incinerated and of the segregation method used on the emitted amounts. It was concluded that: (i) when emission factors are not associated with the type of incinerated mixture, the utility of the emission factors is highly doubtful; (ii) without appropriate equipment to control atmospheric pollution, incineration emissions exceed legal limits, neglecting the protection of human health (the legal limit for pollutant concentrations could only be met for NO(x), all other concentrations were higher than the maximum allowed: dioxins, 93-710 times; Hg, 1.3-226 times; CO, 11-24 times; SO(2), 2-5 times; and HCl, 9-200 times); (iii) rigorous segregation methodologies must be used to minimize atmospheric emissions, and incinerate only those wastes that should be incinerated according to the law. A rigorous segregation program can result in a reduction of the amount of waste that should be incinerated by 80%. A reduction in the quantity of waste incinerated results in a reduction on the amounts of pollutants emitted: particulate matter, 98%; dioxins, 99.5%; As, Cd, Cr, Mn and Ni, respectively, 90%, 92%, 84%, 77% and 92%; Hg and Pb, practically eliminated; SO(2) and NO(x), 93%; and CO and HCl, more than 99%.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1998

Personal sampling of particles in adults: relation among personal, indoor, and outdoor air concentrations.

To investigate the validity of outdoor particulate matter with a 50% cutoff diameter of 10-microm (PM10) concentrations as a measure of exposure in time series studies, the association between personal and outdoor concentrations, within subjects, over time was investigated. Repeated measurements of personal, indoor, and outdoor PM10 were conducted among 37 nonsmoking, 50- to 70-year-old adults, living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1994. Regression analyses were conducted for each subject separately, and the distribution of the individual regression and correlation coefficients was investigated. Furthermore, the extent to which differences among personal, indoor, and outdoor concentrations could be explained was studied. The median Pearson's R between personal and outdoor concentrations was 0.50. Excluding days with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) improved the correlation to a median R of 0.71. The estimated cross-sectional correlations were lower, 0.34 and 0.50, respectively. Outdoor concentrations (mean, 42 microg/m3) exceeded indoor concentrations (mean, 35 microg/m3) but underestimated personal exposures (mean, 62 microg/m3). The major part of the difference between personal and outdoor concentrations could be attributed to exposure to ETS, living along a busy road, and time spent in a vehicle. The results show a reasonably high correlation between personal and outdoor PM10 within individuals, providing support for the use of ambient PM10 concentrations as a measure of exposure in epidemiologic studies linking the day-to-day variation in particulate matter air pollution to the day-to-day variation in health endpoints such as mortality, hospital admissions, respiratory symptoms, and lung function.

Aged↗