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A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 9400

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yanju Liu

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Guest Editor

Institute of Analysis and Testing, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100089, China
Interests: air quality; heavy metals; dust storm; toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Qingyang Liu

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Guest Editor

College of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: air pollution; health effects; oxidative potential; climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Target 3.9 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to significantly reduce the number of deaths and diseases caused by exposure to air, water, and soil pollution. It is estimated that 3.3 million premature deaths can be attributed to exposure to outdoor air pollution, which includes the impacts of anthropogenic sources and natural sources. In addition, air pollution originating from energy use has been found to contribute to a warming climate, leading to an increase in extreme heat and weather events (e.g., floods and droughts), and reductions in agricultural production.

There is strong and consistent epidemiologic evidence that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and related mortality. There are several hypothesized biological mechanisms by which exposure to air pollution may result in cardiopulmonary diseases. Systemic inflammation has been found to be likely a crucial mediator. Prior findings from epidemiologic studies have suggested that air pollution from diverse sources differentially contributes to adverse health outcomes across a range of settings.

The purpose of this Special Issue in Atmosphere is to provide an overview of recent “Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures”. We are pleased to invite you to submit original papers, reviews, and short communications that focus on the association between air pollution and adverse health outcomes across a range of settings.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

air pollution;
environmental epidemiology;
toxicology;
risk assessment and risk management;
environmental chemistry;
other related topics.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Yanju Liu
Dr. Qingyang Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

air quality
particulate matter
indoor air quality
emission inventory and monitoring
health effects
environmental epidemiology
toxicology
risk assessment
risk management
source apportionment

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 3024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Susceptibility to Particulate Matter-Induced Cardiac Remodeling and Senescence: A Comparative Study in Young and Aged Mice

by Dunia Waked, Gabriel Henrique Rodella Guedes, Raissa Macedo, Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva, Mariana Matera Veras and Ana Paula Cremasco Takano

Atmosphere 2025, 16(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16010109 - 19 Jan 2025

Viewed by 429

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological and toxicological studies have shown that inhalation of particulate matter (PM), a major component of air pollution, is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Cellular senescence and other aging mechanisms are also key factors in the development and progression of CVD. This study aims to investigate age-related susceptibility to cardiac remodeling and senescence due to PM exposure. Methods: Young and old male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to filtered or polluted air for six months using an ambient particle concentrator. Cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and markers of cellular senescence (p53, p21, p-H2AX, and lipofuscin) in the myocardium were evaluated in the experimental groups. Results: PM exposure induces signs of cardiac remodeling, including cardiomyocyte enlargement and increased fibrosis, in young mice, along with elevated p53 expression. However, no significant alterations in cardiac structure or senescence markers were observed between aged mice exposed or not to PM. Conclusions: Our study indicates that younger individuals may be more vulnerable to the cardiovascular effects of chronic PM than older individuals exposed later. Further studies are needed to explore detailed mechanisms of this age-dependent response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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12 pages, 2736 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Nanoparticles as an Air Pollutant on Angulin-1/Lipolysis-Stimulated Lipoprotein Receptor in Asthma

by DaYeon Hwang, Min-Hyeok An, Pureun-Haneul Lee, Jung-Hyun Kim, Yunha Nam, Shinhee Park, Ae-Rin Baek and An-Soo Jang

Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1532; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121532 - 20 Dec 2024

Viewed by 532

Abstract

Background: The tricellular tight junction protein angulin-1/lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is linked to numerous signal transduction pathways that govern gene expression, epithelial cell function, and morphogenesis. The effect of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on LSR and asthma remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of TiO₂ on LSR expression in asthma. Methods: A TiO₂-induced animal model of asthma was established using BALB/c mice and cell lines using normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) lung cells and we examined LSR, RAGE, and TGFβ expression using this model. Additionally, we analyzed plasma-LSR concentrations and their correlation with clinical variables in asthma patients and control subjects. Results: The LSR concentrations in patients with asthma were lower compared to controls, and were correlated with lung function and inflammatory cell ratio. In NHBE cells treated with Derp1, LSR protein expression was reduced and changed by exposure to TiO₂, whereas TGFβ expression was increased and changed. In mouse lungs, LSR expression was significantly reduced in OVA mice and changed in OVA/TiO₂ mice. Conclusion: Circulating LSR levels were decreased and correlated with clinical variables in patients with asthma, and they were influenced by TiO₂ exposure in mice, suggesting the potential involvement of LSR in asthma pathogenesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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12 pages, 2384 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Preliminary Study of Air Pollution and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Mendelian Randomization Study

by Chunhan Shan, Liwen Chen, Huayan Mo, Xin Chen, Chen Han, Fangbiao Tao and Hui Gao

Atmosphere 2024, 15(11), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15111285 - 27 Oct 2024

Viewed by 874

Abstract

The chief aim of this research is to investigate the causality of air pollutants and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Two-sample Mendelian randomization was conducted, employing genetic variants connected with air pollution as instrumental variables. Sixteen adverse pregnancy outcomes were extracted as the main outcome measures from the genome-wide association study (GWAS). The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was conducted as the primary analysis method. This study found that there were causal association between NO₂ and pre-eclampsia (weighted median: OR = 1.30, 95% CI = [1.03–1.64], p = 0.029) and between PM2.5 and placental abruption (IVW: OR = 10.94, 95% CI = [1.28–93.45], p = 0.029). There were potential causal relationships between NO₂ and gestational hypertension (IVW: OR = 1.14, 95% CI = [0.99–1.30], p = 0.060); NO₂ and placental abruption (IVW: OR = 1.97, 95% CI = [0.90–4.28], p = 0.089); NOx and fetal growth restriction (IVW: OR = 0.06, 95% CI = [0.99–1.12], p = 0.089); PM2.5 and slow fetal growth and fetal malnutrition (MR–Egger: OR = 54,240.95, 95% CI = [2.08–1,411,757,729.46], p = 0.059); PM10 and hyperemesis gravidarum (MR–Egger: OR = 0.12, 95% CI = [0.02–0.97], p = 0.086); PM10 and preterm birth (weighted median: OR = 1.60, 95% CI = [0.95–2.70], p = 0.075); and PM10 and spontaneous abortion (weighted median: OR = 1.60, 95% CI = [0.95–2.70], p = 0.075). There was no pleiotropy, but there was some heterogeneity. In conclusion, air pollution has a causal effect on several adverse pregnancy outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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16 pages, 2712 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Population-Level Exposure to PM_2.5, NO₂, Greenness (NDVI), Accessible Greenspace, Road Noise, and Rail Noise in England

by Sophia Garkov, Lorraine Dearden and Ai Milojevic

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1197; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101197 - 8 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1141

Abstract

Air pollution, greenspace and noise are interrelated environmental factors with the potential to influence human health outcomes. Research has measured these exposures in diverse ways across the globe, but no study has yet performed a country-wide analysis of air pollution, greenspace, and noise in England. This study examined cross-sectional PM_2.5, NO₂, greenness, accessible greenspace, road noise, and rail noise exposure data at all residential postcodes in England (n = 1,227,681). Restricted cubic spline models were fitted between each environmental exposure and a measure of socioeconomic status, the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) rank. Population-weighted exposures by IMD deciles, urbanicity, and region were subsequently estimated. Restricted cubic spline models were also fitted between greenness and each other environmental exposure in the study. The results show some evidence of inequalities in exposure to air pollutants, greenspace, and noise across England. Notably, there is a socioeconomic gradient in greenness, NO₂, PM_2.5, and road noise in London. In addition, NO₂, PM_2.5, and road noise exposure decrease as greenness increases in urban areas. Concerningly, almost all air pollution estimates in our study exceed international health guidelines. Further research is needed to elucidate the socioeconomic patterns and health impacts of air pollution, greenspace, and noise over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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13 pages, 1652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex-Specific Effects of Combined Heavy Metal Exposure on Blood Pressure: A Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression Analysis

by In-Gwon Kim, Seonmi Hong, Sojeong Yim, Jang-Hun Jeong, Kyunghi Choi, Ju-Hee Lee, Young-Seoub Hong, Sang-Yong Eom, Heon Kim and Yong-Dae Kim

Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1157; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101157 - 27 Sep 2024

Viewed by 931

Abstract

High blood pressure (BP) is a significant risk factor for heart and brain diseases. Previous studies have suggested that heavy metals including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) contribute to hypertension. This study examined the combined effects of heavy metals on blood pressure, considering sex differences. A health impact survey was conducted among 561 residents living near waste incineration facilities in Cheongju, Korea. Blood samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure was measured. Multiple linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) methods were used to evaluate the relationship between heavy metal exposure and BP. Men had higher blood Hg and Pb concentrations, whereas women had higher Cd levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant association between heavy metals and systolic blood pressure. However, Cd was significantly associated with increased diastolic blood pressure for the total group and women, whereas Pb was associated with increased diastolic blood pressure in men. In the BKMR analysis, the joint effect of the three metals was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure for individuals below the 45th percentile and above the 55th percentile in men. These findings underscore the importance of considering sex differences in environmental health studies and public health strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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12 pages, 1873 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Method Proposed for the Estimation of Exposure to Atmospheric Pollution through the Analysis of Black Pigments on the Lung Surface

by Dunia Waked, Mariana Matera Veras, Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva and Ana Paula Cremasco Takano

Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091126 - 17 Sep 2024

Viewed by 906

Abstract

Megacities can be considered excellent laboratories for studying the effects of the urban environment on human health. Typically, exposure to pollution is estimated according to daily or annual averages of pollutant concentrations, collected at monitoring stations, using satellite data for remote sensing of pollutant levels, considering proximity to major roads, or through personal exposure monitoring with portable sensors. However, these approaches fall short in identifying individual exposure values over a lifetime. It is well established that individuals living in large urban areas inhale atmospheric particles containing carbonaceous components, resulting in the deposition of black pigments in lung tissue, known as black carbon or anthracosis. This study aims to detail the procedures for assessing the deposition of such pigments, which serve as an estimate of an individual’s exposure to atmospheric pollution particles. Data collection involves administering detailed questionnaires and capturing lung images in the autopsy room. The analysis is based on macroscopic quantification of black pigments, supplemented by an evaluation of personal habits and the clinical histories of the individuals. This method of estimating lifetime exposure to inhaled particles provides a valuable tool for understanding the correlation between urban living and its potential health effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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12 pages, 2197 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Risk Associations between Air Pollution Exposure and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Residential Retrospective Cohort Study

by Elisa Bustaffa, Cristina Mangia, Liliana Cori, Marco Cervino, Fabrizio Bianchi and Fabrizio Minichilli

Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091113 - 13 Sep 2024

Viewed by 885

Abstract

The population of the Venafro Valley (Southern Italy) faces various type of air pollution problems (industrial facilities, traffic, and biomass combustion). To estimate exposure to various pollution sources, a multi-stage random forest model was used, integrating particulate matter (PM) data with satellite observations, land-use patterns, and meteorological information generating maps of PM_2.5 concentration. Four distinct PM_2.5 exposure categories were established using the quartile method. To assess the association between PM_2.5 and cause-specific mortality and morbidity, a time-dependent and sex-specific Cox multiple regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for age classes. In addition, the hazard ratios were accompanied by a probability measure of the strength of the evidence toward a hypothesis of health risk associated with the exposure under study (1−p value). The whole cohort was exposed to PM_2.5 annual levels exceeding the 5 µg/m³ limit recommended by the World Health Organization. Mortality excesses were observed in class 3 for both sexes for cardiac heart diseases. Excesses of cardiovascular diseases were observed for both sexes in class 3 and 4. The study highlights significant signals warranting mitigation actions, which regional authorities are currently considering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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12 pages, 1164 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Levels of Dry Deposition Submicron Black Carbon on Plant Leaves and the Associated Oxidative Potential

by Ying Xu and Qingyang Liu

Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010127 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1545

Abstract

There is a need for monitoring air pollution associated with black carbon (BC) using a passive monitor is required in remote areas where the measurements are absent. In this pilot study, we developed a quantitative method to determine dry deposition submicron BC using dual-wavelength ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Furthermore, we measured the levels of dry deposition BC on plant leaves from 30 plant species located in urban Nanjing using the established method. The oxidative potential of BC on plant leaves as passive bio-monitoring samplers was assessed. The concentrations of black carbon (BC) on tree leaves varied from 0.01 to 1.6 mg m⁻². Significant differences in levels of BC across leaves from different tree types were observed. The values of oxidative potential in deposited particles of leaf samples were observed to be in the range of 33–46 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ using the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay and 18–32 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ using the ascorbic acid (AA) assay, respectively. In comparison, the oxidative potential of BC-dominated mass in water extracts of leaf samples was in the range of 5–35 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ measured using the DTT assay and 2 to 12 nmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ using the AA assay, respectively. We found variations in the levels of OP across the leaves of different tree types were not large, while the levels of OP in terms of BC-dominated mass varied greatly. These results indicate that the established method with dual-wavelength ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy could provide a simple tool to determine submicron BC in plant leaves of the passive monitor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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Review

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16 pages, 3820 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Review of the Mechanisms of Liquid-Phase Transformation of Atmospheric Phenolic Compounds: Implications for Air Quality and Environmental Health

by Yuyan Yang, Xingru Li, Min Cai and Kaitao Chen

Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091040 - 28 Aug 2024

Viewed by 900

Abstract

Phenolic compounds (PhCs) are aromatic compounds with benzene rings that have one or more hydroxyl groups. They are found or formed in the atmosphere due to various factors such as combustion processes, industrial emissions, oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other photochemical reactions. Due to properties such as relatively high Henry’s law constants and moderate/high water solubility, PhCs are vulnerable to reactions in atmospheric liquid phase conditions with high relative humidity, fog or cloudy conditions. PhCs can lead to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), which can have negative effects on atmospheric conditions and human health. Changes in the optical properties of PhCs impact solar radiation absorption and scattering, potentially influencing climate. Additionally, PhCs may interact with other atmospheric constituents, potentially affecting cloud or fog formation and properties, which in turn can impact climate and precipitation patterns. Therefore, monitoring and controlling the emission of PhCs is essential. This paper discusses the transformation processes of PhCs in the atmosphere, including direct conversion of phenol, nitrate-induced and nitrite-induced reactions, hydroxylation reactions and oxidation processes involving triplet excited state organics, also providing a detailed analysis of the transformation processes. The findings lay a theoretical foundation for the future monitoring and control of atmospheric pollutants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)

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