Histological and Endocrine Effects of Chronic Exposure to MP2.5 Derived from Wood Smoke in the Uterus of Nulliparous Adult Rats

SUMMARY: The study explores the relationship between chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sourced from wood smoke, and the histological structure and endocrine function of the uterus in nulliparous adult rats. It assesses potential structural changes in the uterus that could impact reproductive health, viewing PM2.5 exposure as a possible risk factor. A controlled experiment was conducted in a city known for high air pollution levels, exposing rats to filtered and unfiltered air conditions, thus mimicking human PM2.5 exposure. Histological findings indicated a significant increase in collagen density and uterine wall thickness in PM2.5 exposed subjects, suggesting a reproductive function risk. However, no significant differences were observed in progesterone and estradiol hormone levels, pointing to the complex relationship between PM2.5 exposure and its endocrine impact, and emphasizing the need for further studies for a deeper understanding. This work highlights the importance of thoroughly investigating the long-term effects of PM2.5 pollution on reproductive health, underlining the significance of considering environmental exposure as a critical factor in reproductive health research.

El estudio explora la relación entre la exposición crónica a partículas finas (PM2,5), procedentes del humo de leña, y la estructura histológica y la función endocrina del útero en ratas adultas nulíparas. Evalúa posibles cambios estructurales en el útero que podrían afectar la salud reproductiva, considerando la exposición a PM2,5 como un posible factor de riesgo. Se llevó a cabo un experimento controlado en una ciudad conocida por sus altos niveles de contaminación del aire, exponiendo ratas a condiciones de aire filtrado y sin filtrar, imitando así la exposición humana a PM2,5. Los hallazgos histológicos indicaron un aumento significativo en la densidad del colágeno y el grosor de la pared uterina en sujetos expuestos a PM2,5, lo que sugiere un riesgo para la función reproductiva. Sin embargo, no se observaron diferencias significativas en los niveles de las hormonas progesterona y estradiol, lo que apunta a la compleja relación entre la exposición a PM2,5 y su impacto endocrino, y enfatiza la necesidad de realizar más estudios para una comprensión más profunda. Este trabajo destaca la importancia de investigar a fondo los efectos a largo plazo de la contaminación por PM2,5 en la salud reproductiva, subrayando la importancia de considerar la exposición ambiental como un factor crítico en la investigación de la salud reproductiva.

Individual and interactive effects of atmospheric PM2.5 and O3 on mortality of circulatory system diseases in Ningxia / 环境与职业医学

Background The impact of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) on the mortality of circulatory system diseases cannot be ignored. However, whether the interaction between PM2.5 and O3 can affect population health is rarely reported and requires study. Objective To investigate the individual and interactive impacts of atmospheric PM2.5 and O3 on the mortality of circulatory system diseases in the population of Ningxia region. Methods The data of 119647 deaths due to circulatory system diseases, daily average concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, and meteorological data in Ningxia from 2013 to 2020 were retrieved. PM2.5 was divided into low, medium, and high concentrations according to the primary and secondary national limits (35 and 75 μg·m−3) of the Ambient air quality standards. Similarly, O3 was divided into low, medium, and high concentrations according to the national limits (100 and 160 μg·m−3). Using a generalized additive mixed model based on quasi Poisson distribution, the impacts of atmospheric PM2.5 and O3 as well as their interaction on the mortality of circulatory system diseases were analyzed using the population data of Ningxia region. Results During the target period, males and the ≥ 65 year group accounted for larger proportions of deaths due to circulatory system diseases (55.47% and 79.87% respectively). The daily average concentration of PM2.5 (40.25 μg·m−3) exceeded the national primary limit. In the single pollution model, the highest cumulative lag effects for mortality from circulatory system diseases were PM2.5 exposure over previous 1 d (lag01) and O3 exposure for previous 2 d (lag02), and their excess risk (ER) values were 1.03% (95%CI: 0.67%, 1.40%) and 1.02% (95%CI: 0.57%, 1.50%), respectively. The results of concentration stratification analysis showed that the most significant risks of death from circulatory system diseases [ER (95%CI): 1.12% (0.32%, 1.92%) and 0.95% (0.13%, 1.79%) respectively] were found at medium PM2.5 and O3 concentrations. The interaction analysis revealed that under, a synergistic effect on the risk of death from circulatory system diseases was identified (relative excess risk due to interaction=3.08%, attributable proportion of interaction=2.90%, synergy index=1.89) when considering the coexistence of PM2.5 and O3 above the primary limit. As the concentrations of PM2.5 and O3 increased, the synergistic effect increased the risk of death from circulatory system diseases in the general population, men, women, and the ≥ 65 years group. Conclusion Both atmospheric PM2.5 and O3 can increase the risk of death from circulatory system diseases, and the two pollutants have a synergistic effect on the risk of death from circulatory system diseases.

Source analysis and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric PM2.5 in a district of Taizhou City from 2019 to 2021 / 环境与职业医学

Background Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), one of the main components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), have a certain impact on ambient air quality, and long-term exposure to PAHs may pose potential health risks to human beings. Objective To identify the distribution characteristics and sources of PAHs in atmospheric PM2.5 in a district of Taizhou City from 2019 to 2021, and to evaluate the health risks of PAHs to the population in the area through the inhalation pathway. Methods From 2019 to 2021, air PM2.5 sampling was carried out at a state-controlled surveillance point in a district of Taizhou City for 7 consecutive days on the 10th-16th of each month, the sampling time was 24 h·d−1, and the sampling flow rate was 100 L·min−1. PM2.5 mass concentration was calculated by gravimetric method. A total of 16 PAHs were determined by ultrasonic extraction-liquid chromatography. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the distribution charac teristics of PAHs concentrations by years and seasons, characteristic ratio and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze their sources, and a lifetime carcinogenic risk (ILCR) model was used to assess the health risk of PAHs. Results From 2019 to 2021, the annual average concentrations [M (P25, P75)] of ∑PAHs in atmospheric PM2.5 in the selected district of Taizhou City were 6.52 (2.46, 10.59), 8.52 (4.56, 12.29), and 3.72 (1.51, 7.11) ng·m−3, respectively, and the annual benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) excess rates (national limit: 1 ng·m−3) were 27.38% (23/84), 47.62% (40/84), and 19.04% (16/84), respectively, both presenting 2020> 2019 > 2021 (P<0.001, P<0.05). The ∑PAHs concentration distribution showed a seasonal variation, with the highest value in winter and the lowest value in summer (P<0.05). Among the atmospheric PM2.5 samples, the proportion of 5-ring PAHs was the highest, the proportion of 2-3-ring PAHs was the lowest; the proportion of 2-4-ring PAHs showed a yearly upward trend, and the proportion of 5-6-ring PAHs showed yearly downward trend (P<0.05). The characteristic ratio and PCA results suggested that the sources of sampled PAHs were mainly mixed sources such as dust, fossil fuel (natural gas), coal combustion, industrial emissions, and motor vehicle exhaust emissions. The ILCR (RILCR) of PAHs by inhalation for men, women, and children were 1.83×10−6, 2.35×10−6, and 2.04×10−6, respectively, and the annual average RILCR was 2.07×10−6, all greater than 1×10−6. Conclusion For the sampled time period, the main sources of PAHs pollution in atmospheric PM2.5 in the target district of Taizhou City are dust, fossil fuel (natural gas), coal combustion, industrial emissions, motor vehicle emissions, etc., and PAHs may have a potential carcinogenic risk to local residents.

Short-term effects of air pollutants on outpatient volume of respiratory diseases in Guiyang / 环境与职业医学

Background Affected by concentration, composition, and population tolerance of air pollutants, the relationship between air pollutants and population health has regional differences. There is still a research gap in Guiyang. Objective To explore the short-term effects of air pollutant concentrations in low-pollution areas on the outpatient volume of respiratory diseases. Methods Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between air pollutants, meteorological factors, and respiratory outpatient volume from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2020 in Guiyang City. A single pollutant distribution lag nonlinear model and a multi-pollutant interaction model were established based on Poisson distribution. A three-dimensional diagram was drawn to display the relationship between air pollutants and respiratory outpatient volume. Quantitative analysis was conducted on the attribution risk and lag effect of air pollutant concentration on outpatient volume of respiratory diseases in Guiyang City. Results The results of the single pollutant model showed that fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) elevated the outpatient volume of respiratory diseases. The maximum relative risk (RR) and 95%CI values of PM2.5, NO2,CO, and SO2 appeared on Day 2, 0, 5, and 6, respectively, which were 1.019 (1.015, 1.023), 1.146 (1.122, 1.171), 1.129 (1.116, 1.143), and 1.046(1.040, 1.052), respectively. For every quartile concentration increment of PM2.5, NO2, CO, or SO2, the outpatient volume of respiratory diseases increased by 0.943% (0.111%, 1.782%), 4.050% (3.573%, 4.529%), 0.595% (0.317%, 0.874%), or 0.667% (0.235%, 1.100%), respectively. The maximum RR (95%CI) of O3 was 1.015 (1.007, 1.023) and appeared on Day 0. The results of multi-pollutant model showed that PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2, and O3 all elevated the outpatient volume of respiratory diseases. The maximum RR values of PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2 and O3 appeared on Day 14, 0, 5, 7 and 0, respectively, which were 1.027 (1.021, 1.034), 1.213 (1.179, 1.248), 1.059 (1.043, 1.074), 1.016 (1.005, 1.026), and 1.024 (1.015, 1.033), respectively. Compared with the single pollutant model, the RR values of PM2.5, NO2, and O3 on the outpatient volume of respiratory diseases in the multi-pollutant model showed an upward trend, while the RR values of CO and SO2 in the multi-pollutant model showed a downward trend. Conclusion The impact of low concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, CO, and SO2 on human health cannot be ignored.

Ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract attenuates particulate matterinduced oxidative stress and inflammation in keratinocytes and zebrafish

@#Objective: To evaluate the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction derived from Sargassum pallidum extract against particulate matter (PM)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in HaCaT cells and zebrafish. Methods: HaCaT cells and zebrafish were used to evaluate the protective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract against PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. The production of nitric oxide (NO), intracellular ROS, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the expression levels of COX-2, iNOS, and NF-κB were evaluated in PM-induced HaCaT cells. Furthermore, the levels of ROS, NO, and lipid peroxidation were assessed in the PM-exposed zebrafish model. Results: The ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract significantly decreased the production of NO, intracellular ROS, and PGE2 in PM-induced HaCaT cells. In addition, the fraction markedly suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibited the expression levels of COX-2, iNOS, and NF-κB. Furthermore, it displayed remarkable protective effects against PM-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress, represented by the reduction of NO, ROS, and lipid peroxidation in zebrafish. Conclusions: The ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract exhibits a protective effect against PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation both in vitro and in vivo and has the potential as a candidate for the development of pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products.

Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in PM2.5 in Pudong of Shanghai and population health assessment / 环境与职业医学

Background In the Global Burden of Disease research, it has been found that atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution significantly harms human health. Currently, there is limited research on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) that exhibit high toxicity effects in PM2.5 . Objective By studying the spatiotemporal distribution and variation characteristics of PCDD/Fs in PM2.5 in Pudong area of Shanghai, to assess the associated population health risk. Methods This study set up 28 sampling points in Pudong area. One sample of PM2.5 was collected during winter (February 2022) and summer (July 2022) at each site, with a sampling period lasting 24 h. The concentration of PM2.5 was measured by membrane filter method, and the content of 17 kinds of 2,3,7,8-substituted chlorinated PCDD/Fs in the samples was analyzed using isotope dilution. Seasonal variations (winter and summer) in the concentrations of PM2.5 and PCDD/Fs were evaluated, sources of PCDD/Fs pollution were tracing by principal component analysis, and health risks to the population from respiratory exposure to PCDD/Fs were estimated by VLIER-HUMAAN model. Results The PM2.5 concentrations in the 28 samples ranged from 10 to 126 μg·m−3, while the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in PM2.5 ranged from 58 to 2625 fg·m−3. The concentration of PM2.5 during winter (11-126 μg·m−3) was higher than that during summer (10-60 μg·m−3). The concentration range of PCDD/Fs in winter was from 58 to 2625 fg·m−3, which corresponded to a range of toxic equivalent quantity (WHO-TEQ) concentration from 2.99 to 40.97 fg·m−3 when taking World Health Organization's toxic equivalency factor (WHO-TEQ); the concentration range of PCDD/Fs in summer was from 72 to 446 fg·m−3, which corresponded to a range of WHO-TEQ concentration from 2.66 to 16.61 fg·m−3. This range in summer was significantly lower than that observed in winter. The results of principal component analysis revealed that waste incineration was the primary source of PCDD/Fs in winter PM2.5 in the area, whereas traffic emissions emerged as the main source in summer. The assessment of Pudong residents' respiratory exposure to PCDD/Fs in PM2.5 showed significantly higher exposure of children in summer and winter than that of adults, indicating higher susceptibility of children to air pollutants. Both the hazard ratios (HR) for children and adults were below 1, while the cancer risks (CR) ranged from 8.41×10−8 to 2.35×10−6. Notably, during winter, the CR at 4 locations slightly exceeds 1×10−6, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk. Conclusion The overall pollution level of PCDD/Fs in PM2.5 in Pudong area is relatively low, but it shows clear seasonal patterns. Waste incineration and traffic are the main sources of PCDD/Fs in PM2.5 in the area. Although the cancer risk of exposure to PCDD/Fs in PM2.5 for children or adults is relatively low, there is a certain risk at some locations in winter, necessitating additional monitoring and control.

Research progress on regulation of gut microbiota abundance induced by ambient particulate matter exposure / 环境与职业医学

Particulate matter (PM) is the main air pollutant in China. Due to its wide distribution and difficulties in control, PM has been widely concerned. PM mainly enters human body through respiratory exposure and can cause a variety of health problems. Recent studies have shown that PM exposure is also associated with the occurrence and development of digestive system diseases, as it can enter human body indirectly through the respiratory tract or directly through the digestive tract. Gut microbiota (GM) is a group of microorganisms located in the intestinal epithelium mucosa and intestinal lumen. GM is large in number and rich in functions, and its homeostasis plays an important role in the intestinal health of individuals and even the health of the body. Because GM may mediate the health effects induced by environmental factors, more and more studies have focused on the effects of ambient PM on GM. In this review, we summarized the effects of a variety of ambient PM on GM homeostasis, focusing on five major phyla including Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia, and discussed their main functions and the effects of PM on their homeostasis and abundance.

Research progress on effect of air pollution on depression and potential mechanisms / 环境与职业医学

Air pollution is a global issue that threatens human health. In recent years, more and more studies have found that air pollution is closely related to the occurrence of depression. As a serious neuropsychiatric disorder whose incidence is rising rapidly year by year, depression has become an invisible killer of public health. At present, studies on the correlation between air pollution and depression are still very limited, and the underlying molecular mechanisms by which air pollution affects depression are not clear. Based on existing epidemiological and toxicological studies, this paper provided a review of the relationship between air pollution and depression and the possible biological mechanisms, with a focus on the relationship between air pollution and depression indicators and the possible factors affecting depression such as types of air pollutants, exposure time, age and health status of study subjects. In addition, the potential roles of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neurogenesis, and apoptosis in the process of air pollution-induced depression were also discussed in order to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of air pollution-induced depression.

Association between short-term exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter and ozone and inflammatory indicators in peripheral blood of patients with pneumonia / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo explore the association between short-term exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter （PM2.5） and ozone （O3） and systemic inflammatory indicators in patients with pneumonia， and to identify the susceptible populations. MethodsFrom September 2018 to April 2020， data of 1 480 patients admitted for pneumonia was collected from a tertiary hospital in Taiyuan City. Generalized additive models （GAMs） were used to explore the associations between PM2.5 and O3 exposure and inflammatory indicators of patients with pneumonia； and to explore the susceptibility factors and susceptible populations to PM2.5 and O3 exposures through stratified analyses. ResultsThe short-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with changes in peripheral blood C-reation protein （CRP）， erythrocyte sedimentation （ESR）， easinophil （EOS）， neutrophil （NEU） and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio （NLR） in patients with pneumonia， and there were different degrees of hysteresis effects， with the effect values reaching a maximum at lag03， lag03， lag0， lag03， lag03， respectively， which were 4.13% （95%CI： 0.43%‒7.84%）， 3.10% （95%CI： 0.24%‒5.97%）， 5.27% （95%CI： 3.12%‒7.42%）， 1.85% （95%CI： 0.36%‒3.34%）， and 2.53% （95%CI： 0.53%‒4.74%） for every 10 μg·m-3 of PM2.5. The changes in O3 concentration were associated with the elevation of peripheral blood PCT and ESR in patients with pneumonia， and their effect values all reached the maximum at lag01 d， every 1 μg·m-3 of O3 elevation increased by 0.38% （95%CI： 0.04%‒0.73%） and 0.47% （95%CI： 0.19%‒0.76%）， respectively. Stratified analyses showed that the associations of PM2.5 with peripheral blood CRP， ESR， NEU， and NLR in pneumonia patients were more significant in males， the elderly， and those with onset in the cold season； the associations of O3 with peripheral blood PCT and ESR in pneumonia patients were more significant in the elderly and those with onset in the warm season， and the peripheral blood CRP and PCT in female patients with pneumonia were more susceptible to the changes of O3. ConclusionShort-term exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 and O3 are positively associated with changes in inflammatory indicators in patients with pneumonia， and the effects of PM2.5 on patients with pneumonia are more extensive than those of O3， with a longer lag effect. In addition， elderly patients with pneumonia are more sensitive to air pollution， male patients with pneumonia are more sensitive to PM2.5， and female patients with pneumonia are more sensitive to O3. Cold and warm seasons can exacerbate the effects of PM2.5 and O3 on inflammatory indicators in patients with pneumonia， respectively， and the patients must be protected well.

Analysis of PM2.5 pollution in Urumqi City from 2016 to 2023 and construction of a prediction model / 预防医学

Objective@#To analyze the characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2016 to 2023 and establish a prediction model, so as to provide the reference for air pollution prevention and control.@*Methods@#PM2.5 monitoring data of Urumqi City from 2016 to 2023 were collected through the website of Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China. The changing trend of PM2.5 concentration was analyzed using temporal chart and seasonal index. PM2.5 monthly average concentrations from 2016 to 2023 were used to establish an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, and the data in 2023 was fitted and compared with the actual values, using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) to evaluate the effectiveness of the model, and PM2.5 monthly average concentration from 2024 to 2025 was predicted.@*Results@#PM2.5 daily average concentration in Urumqi City showed a decreasing trend from 2016 to 2023 (rs=-0.239, P<0.001), with high seasonal indexes in January, February and December, indicating certain seasonal characteristics. The optional model was ARIMA (1, 0, 0) (1, 1, 0)12, with the value of Akaike information criterion, corrected Akaike information criterion, and Bayesian information criterion being 727.38, 727.88 and 737.10, respectively. PM2.5 monthly average concentration in 2023 was fitted and compared with the actual values, with an absolute error range of 0.31-7.45 μg/m3, a relative error range of 0.01-0.53, and MAPE of 14.42%. PM2.5 monthly average concentration in Urumqi City from 2024 to 2025 was predicted to be consistent with the trend from 2016 to 2023.@*Conclusions@#PM2.5 concentration in Urumqi City showed a tendency towards a decline from 2016 to 2023, and was relatively high in winter. ARIMA (1, 0, 0) (1, 1, 0)12 can be used for short-term prediction of PM2.5 pollution in Urumqi City.

Airborne PM2.5 and Parkinson's disease: An updated meta-analysis / 环境与职业医学

Background An association between atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been suggested by previous studies, but the results of current epidemiological studies are still inconclusive. Objective To systematically evaluate the relationship between exposure to ambient PM2.5 and the risk of PD, as well as to explore potential influencing factors, aiming to provide scientific evidence for formulating early prevention strategies for PD. Methods Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, China National Know-ledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database were queried. The search terms included Parkinson's disease, particulate matter 2.5, and PM2.5 in both Chinese and English. Cohort studies examining the association between atmospheric PM2.5 exposure and the risk of PD were collected and searched from the inception of each database to June 26, 2023. The identified literature was screened, and the basic information of the included studies and their research subjects, outcome indicators, quantitative results of each study, as well as the information required by bias risk assessment were extracted. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was employed to assess the risk of literature bias. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias analysis were conducted in Stata 15.0 software. Results Twelve cohort studies were identified. A total of 17443136 participants with follow-up periods ranging from 3.5 to 22 years were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis, utilizing a random-effects model, revealed that PD risk was elevated by 6% after exposure to PM2.5 [HR=1.06 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.11), P=0.006]. The subgroup analysis demonstrated that exposure to PM2.5 increased PD risk by 6% in North America [HR=1.06 (95%CI: 1.00, 1.12), P=0.033] and by 17% in East Asia [HR=1.17 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.33), P=0.020]. However, the effect was not statistically significant in Europe. PD risk exhibited a 7% rise [HR=1.07 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.14), P=0.011] in individuals aged 60 years and older, which was different from that in individuals younger than 60 years. Exposure to various concentrations of PM2.5 was observed to associate with an elevated risk of PD. The inclusion of adjustments for PD-related comorbidities did not alter the conclusion that ambient PM2.5 exposure might elevate the risk of PD. The studies with a follow-up duration exceeding 5 years and reporting more than 1000 PD cases suggested a significant increase in the risk of PD due to ambient PM2.5 exposure [HR=1.06 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.12), P=0.012; HR=1.06 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.11), P=0.027, respectively]. Conversely, no significant association was identified between ambient PM2.5 exposure and the risk of PD within the cohorts with a follow-up duration of less than 5 years and reporting fewer than 1000 PD cases [HR=1.09 (95%CI: 0.95, 1.26), P=0.214; HR=1.12 (95%CI: 0.98, 1.02), P=0.092, respectively]. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results were stable. The publication bias analysis and the combined trim-and-fill method showed that the results were robust. Conclusion The risk of PD could be increased by ambient PM2.5 exposure and influenced by age and area. The research results might be affected by the duration of follow-up and the quantity of PD cases reported.

Effects of PM2.5 sub-chronic exposure on liver metabolomics in mice / 环境与职业医学

Background Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can disrupt the metabolic homeostasis of the liver and accelerate the progression of liver diseases, but there are few studies on the effects of sub-chronic PM2.5 exposure on the liver metabolome. Objectives To investigate the effects of sub-chronic exposure to concentrated PM2.5 on hepatic metabolomics in mice by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and to identify potentially affected metabolites and metabolic pathways. Methods Twelve male C57BL/6J (6 weeks old) mice were randomly divided into two groups: a concentrated PM2.5 exposure group and a clean air exposure group. The mice were exposed to concentrated PM2.5 using the "Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System" at Fudan University. The exposure duration was 8 h per day, 6 d per week, for a total of 8 weeks. The mice's liver tissues were collected 24 h after the completion of exposure. LC-MS was performed to assess changes in the hepatic metabolome. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and t-test were employed to identify differentially regulated metabolites between the two groups under the conditions of variable important in projection (VIP)≥1.0 and P<0.05. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 software and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Results A total of 297 differentially regulated metabolites were identified between the concentrated PM2.5 exposure group and the clean air group. Among these metabolites, 142 were upregulated and 155 were downregulated. A total of 38 metabolic pathways were altered, with 7 pathways showing significant perturbation (P<0.05). These pathways involved amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, as well as cofactor and vitamin metabolism. The 7 significant metabolic pathways were pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis; purine metabolism; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; and fructose and mannose metabolism. Conclusion The results from metabolomics analysis suggest that sub-chronic exposure to PM2.5 may disrupt hepatic energy metabolism and induce oxidative stress damage. Aspartic acid, succinic acid, ornithine, fumaric acid, as well as purine and xanthine derivatives, were identified as potential early biomarkers of hepatic response to sub-chronic PM2.5 exposure.

Effects of long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter on diabetes mellitus and the moderating effects of diet / 环境与职业医学

Background Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may increase the risk of diabetes, and a healthy diet can effectively control fasting blood glucose levels. However, it is unclear whether dietary factors have a moderating effect on the risk of diabetes associated with atmospheric PM2.5 exposure. Objective To investigate the association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and diabetes in rural areas of Ningxia, and potential interaction of long-term exposure to atmospheric PM2.5 and diet on diabetes. Methods The study subjects were selected from the baseline survey data of the China Northwest Cohort-Ningxia (CNC-NX) , a natural population cohort. A total of 13917 subjects were included, excluding participants with missing covariate information. We utilized the annual average ambient PM2.5 concentration from 2014 to 2018 as the long-term exposure level. Logistic regression and multiple linear regression were employed to analyze the associations of long-term atmospheric PM2.5 exposure with diabetes and fasting blood glucose levels. Stratification by frequency of vegetable consumption, frequency of fruit consumption, and salty taste was used to examine moderating effects on the diabetes risk associated with atmospheric PM2.5 exposure. Results The mean age of the 13917 subjects was (56.8±10.0) years, and the prevalence of diabetes was 9.8%. Between 2014 and 2018, the average annual concentration of PM2.5 was (38.10±4.67) μg·m−3. The risk (OR) of diabetes was 1.018 (95%CI: 1.005, 1.032) and the fasting blood glucose was increased by 0.011 (95%CI: 0.004, 0.017) mmol·L−1 for each 1 μg·m−3 increase in PM2.5 concentration. Compared to those who consumed vegetables < 1 time per week, individuals who consume vegetables 1-3 times per week and ≥4 times per week had a reduced risk of developing diabetes by 27.1% (OR=0.729, 95%CI: 0.594, 0.893) and 16.8% (OR=0.832, 95%CI: 0.715, 0.971) respectively. Similarly, when compared to those who consumed fruits <1 time per week, individuals who consumed fruits 1-3 times per week and ≥4 times per week exhibited a reduced risk of diabetes by 16.4% (OR=0.836, 95%CI: 0.702, 0.998) and 18.2% (OR=0.818, 95%CI: 0.700, 0.959) respectively. Fasting blood glucose decreased by 0.202 (95%CI: -0.304, -0.101) mmol·L−1 in participants who ate vegetables 1-3 times per week. The effect of salty taste on diabetes and fasting blood glucose was not significant. The results of stratified analysis by dietary factors and PM2.5 concentration showed that the risks of diabetes were increased in the low PM2.5 pollution-low vegetable intake frequency group and the high PM2.5 pollution-low vegetable intake frequency group compared with the low PM2.5 pollution-high vegetable intake frequency group, with OR values of 3.987 (95%CI: 2.943, 5.371) and 1.433 (95%CI: 1.143, 1.796) respectively. The risk of diabetes was 50.1% higher in participants with high PM2.5 pollution and low fruit intake frequency than in participants with low PM2.5 pollution and high fruit intake frequency (OR=1.501, 95%CI: 1.171, 1.926). No interaction was found between salty taste and PM2.5 on diabetes. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 is associated with an increased fasting blood glucose and an elevated risk of diabetes in rural Ningxia population. Increasing the frequency of weekly consumption of vegetables or fruits may have a certain protective effect against diabetes occurrence, as well as a moderating effect on diabetes and fasting blood glucose levels associated with long-term exposure to atmospheric PM2.5.

Disease burden due to PM2.5 pollution before and after air quality improvement in Shijiazhuang / 环境与职业医学

Background Air pollution has gradually become a major environmental and public health problem faced by countries around the world. Hazy weather not only affects the health of the population, but also poses a threat to social and public safety. China has successively promulgated policies such as the "Ten Articles on Atmosphere" and the Three-year action plan to fight air pollution, aiming to improve ambient air quality. It is clear that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has accomplished the set targets and improved air quality according to the environmental monitoring data of 2017. Objective To assess air quality improvements through the evaluation of the disease burden due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in Shijiazhuang City before and after the air quality improvement from 2014 to 2021, including fatalities and health economic losses attributed to PM2.5 pollution. Methods Data on causes of death, PM2.5 concentrations, the number of permanent residents at the end of the year, gross regional product, and disposable income per capita in urban areas of Shijiazhuang were collected from 2014 to 2021. Total, non-accidental, circulatory, and respiratory deaths due to PM2.5 pollution were estimated by global exposure mortality models (GEMM). Health and economic losses due to selected diseases were calculated by value of statistical life (VOSL). Results During the study period, the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in Shijiazhuang was highest in 2014, and began to decline year by year in 2017, but all exceeded the current national limit of the second level of ambient air quality standards (35 μg·m−3). The total deaths, non-accidental deaths, circulatory disease deaths, and respiratory disease deaths attributed to PM2.5 pollution from 2014 to 2021 were 41326, 40246, 21792, and 5022, respectively; the associated health economic losses were 37.362, 36.369, 19.695, and 4.535 billion yuan, respectively. From the perspective of improved air quality, both the number of attributed deaths and health economic losses had declined in a volatile manner since 2017, with a significant decrease in 2019. If the average annual concentration of PM2.5 reached the second-level limit of China's ambient air quality standard (35 μg·m−3), the total deaths, non-accidental deaths, and deaths from circulatory diseases and respiratory diseases due to PM2.5 pollution would deducted by about 17000, 16000, 9000, and 2000, respectively; the corresponding health and economic losses would decreased by 15.201, 14.761, 7.959, and 1.859 billion yuan, respectively. If the average annual concentration of PM2.5 reached the latest PM2.5 air quality guidelines (5 μg·m−3) proposed by the World Health Organization, the total deaths, non-accidental deaths, circulatory disease deaths, and respiratory disease deaths due to PM2.5 pollution would deducted by 36000, 35000, 19000, and 4000, respectively, and the corresponding health and economic losses would reduced by 32.673, 31.796, 17.211, and 3.969 billion yuan, respectively. Conclusion PM2.5 pollution can lead to severe mortality burden and economic loss. Under the implementation of the State Council's "Ten Articles on Atmosphere" and the Three-year action plan to fight air pollution, Shijiazhuang's PM2.5 concentration and health economic losses have been significantly reduced, and further control of PM2.5 pollution can achieve greater health benefits and economic gains, affirming the positive results of local air pollution prevention work.

Association of short-term exposure to ambient PM1 with hospital admissions for angina in older adults / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the association of short-term exposure to ambient submicron particulate matter (PM1) with hospital admissions for angina in older adults. Methods A case-crossover study was conducted among 46 687 older adults hospitalized for angina from 2016 to 2019 in Guangzhou medical institutions. Grid data on ambient PM1 concentrations in Guangzhou were obtained from the ChinaHighAirPollutants (CHAP) dataset. Exposure to PM1 was assessed according to each subject's residential addresses. Conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the the exposure-response association between PM1 and hospital admissions for angina. Results From 2016 to 2019, the average exposure level of PM1 on the same day of hospital admissions (lag 0) for angina was 21.0 ± 11.5 μg/m3. The results of main model analysis showed that lag 0 day exposure to ambient PM1 was significantly associated with a higher odds of hospital admissions for angina in older adults. Each 10 μg/m3 increase of PM1 exposure level was significantly associated with a 1.31% (95% CI: 0.05%, 2.59%) increased odds of angina admissions. Results from a two-pollutant model adjusting for O3 showed that the association between short-term exposure to PM1 and odds of hospitalization for angina remained stable. According to the results of the above model, it was estimated that the excess hospitalization attributable to ambient PM1 exposure accounted for 2.46% (95% CI: 0.09%, 4.76%) of the total admissions in Guangzhou during 2016-2019, corresponding to 1539 (95% CI: 54, 2976) admissions. No significant effect modification on the associations was observed by sex, age, or season. Conclusion Short-term exposure to ambient PM1 was significantly associated with an increased odds of hospital admissions for angina in older adults.

Optimizing outdoor smoking points outside large exhibition halls based on real-time on-site PM2.5 and CO2 monitoring / 环境与职业医学

Background Improper settings of outdoor smoking points in public places may increase the risk of secondhand smoke exposure among the population. Conducting research on air pollution in and around smoking spots and related influencing factors can provide valuable insights for optimizing the setting of outdoor smoking points. Objective To investigate the influence of the number of smokers at outdoor smoking points and the distance on the diffusion characteristics of surrounding air pollutants, in order to optimize the setting of outdoor smoking points. Methods Surrounding the exhibition halls in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), two outdoor smoking points were randomly selected, one on the first floor (ground level) and the other on the second floor (16 m above ground), respectively. At 0, 3, 6, and 9 m from the smoking points in the same direction, validated portable air pollutant monitors were used to measure the real-time fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations for consecutive 5 d during the exhibition, as well as the environmental meteorological factors at 0 m with weather meters including wind speed, wind direction, and air pressure. An open outdoor atmospheric background sampling point was selected on each of the two floors to carry out parallel sampling. Simultaneously, the number of smokers at each smoking point were double recorded per minute. The relationships between the number of smokers, distance from the smoking points, and ambient PM2.5 and CO2 concentrations were evaluated by generalized additive regression models for time-series data after adjustment of confounders such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Results The median numbers of smokers at smoking points on the first and second floors were 6 [interquartile range (IQR): 3, 9] and 9 (IQR: 6, 13), respectively. Windless (wind speed <0.6 m·s−1) occupied most of the time (85.9%) at both locations. The average concentration of ambient PM2.5 at the smoking points (0 m) [mean ± standard deviation, (106±114) μg·m−3] was 4.2 times higher than that of the atmospheric background [(25±7) μg·m−3], the PM2.5 concentration showed a gradient decline with the increase of distance from the smoking points, and the average PM2.5 concentration at 9 m points [(35±22) μg·m−3] was close to the background level (1.4 times higher). The maximum concentration of CO2 [(628±23) μmol·mol−1] was observed at 0 m, and its average value was 1.3 times higher than that of the atmospheric background [(481±40) μmol·mol−1], and there was no gradient decrease in CO2 concentration with increasing distance at 0, 3, 6, and 9 m points. The regression analyses showed that, taking smoking point as the reference, every 3 m increase in distance was associated with a decrease of ambient PM2.5 by 24.6 [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 23.5, 25.8] μg·m−3 (23.2%) and CO2 by 54.1 (95%CI: 53.1, 55.1) μmol·mol−1 (8.6%). Every one extra smoker at the smoking point was associated with an average increase of PM2.5 and CO2 by 2.0 (95%CI: 1.7, 2.8) μg·m−3 and 1.0 (95%CI: 0.7，1.2) μmol·mol−1, respectively. The sensitivity analysis indicated that, under windless conditions, the concentrations of PM2.5 and CO2 at the smoking points were even higher but the decreasing and dispersion characteristics remained consistent. Conclusion Outdoor smoking points could significantly increase the PM2.5 concentrations in the surrounding air and the risks of secondhand smoke exposure, despite of the noticeable decreasing trend with increasing distance. Considering the inevitable poor dispersion conditions such as windless and light wind, outdoor smoking points are recommended to be set at least 9 m or farther away from non-smoking areas.

Study progress on monitoring technologies and health effects of air quality in urban rail transit / 环境与职业医学

With the acceleration of urbanization, urban rail transit systems have become one of the most important modes of transportation in modern cities. Urban rail transit systems operate in enclosed or semi-enclosed environments, characterized by poor air circulation and high passenger flow. During the period of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases in autumn and winter, air quality and pathogenic microorganism monitoring in public places have attracted much attention. This article provided a detailed introduction to air pollutants and their sources related to urban rail transit, including chemical pollutants, such as particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, and microbial aerosols. Based on identified air pollutants related to urban rail transit, this paper reviewed the research progress on air quality monitoring technologies for chemical pollution factors and microbial aerosols. Finally, a summary of the health effects of chemical pollutants and microbial aerosols was provided, along with suggestions for monitoring and improving air quality tailored to the characteristics of urban rail transit systems. Through a review of previous studies, carrying out research on air quality monitoring technologies and associated health effects related to urban rail transit is of great significance and values for air quality management, urban development, and public health.

Assessment of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of different settings and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan / Avaliação de material particulado (MP) no ar ambiente de diferentes configurações e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant causing serious health problems. The aim of the present study was to find out concentration of PM in ambient air and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan. Twenty-three samples were taken at various educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries in Haripur city. Concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) and PM10 (µg/m3) was measured with Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A portable PM counter. The results revealed that values of both PM2.5 and PM10 were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m3 for PM10) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA) in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries investigated. Furthermore, significant (p<0.05) variation was found in the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas, and industries studied. The concentration of PM2.5 was positively correlated with the concentration of PM10 in all the sampling sites. Therefore, from 1-14 scale standard of health index, the values of PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited that the ambient air quality of Haripur city Pakistan is under high risk. If the regulatory authorities such as Environmental Protection Agency, Health Department and Local Government monitor PM pollution in different settings of Haripur city, then a decrease can be possible in the pollution level. The remedies that can be taken to overcome the problem of ambient air pollution such as PM are plantation of trees at the sites where there are higher levels of air pollutants and use of masks on personal protection basis along with implementation of pollution control system in industries of Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur city, Pakistan.

O material particulado (MP) é um importante poluente do ar que causa sérios problemas de saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a concentração de MP no ar ambiente e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão. Vinte e três amostras foram coletadas em várias instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias na cidade de Haripur. A concentração de MP2,5 (µg/m3) e MP10 (µg/m3) foi medida por meio do contador de MP portátil Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A. Os resultados revelaram que os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 estavam acima dos limites permitidos (35 µg/m3 para MP2,5 e 150 µg/m3 para MP10) estabelecidos pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental do Paquistão (Pak-EPA) em todas as instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias investigadas. Além disso, foi encontrada variação significativa (p < 0,05) na concentração de MP2,5 e MP10 em todos os locais estudados. A concentração de MP2,5 correlacionou-se positivamente com a concentração de MP10 em todos os locais de amostragem. Portanto, a partir da escala padrão 1-14 do índice de saúde, os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 mostraram que a qualidade do ar ambiente na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão, está sob alto risco. Se as autoridades reguladoras, como a Pak-EPA, o Departamento de Saúde e o governo local, monitorarem a poluição por MP em diferentes configurações da cidade de Haripur, pode ser que haja uma diminuição no nível de poluição. As medidas que podem ser tomadas para superar o problema da poluição do ar ambiente, como o MP, são o plantio de árvores nos locais onde há maiores níveis de poluentes atmosféricos, o uso de máscaras e a implantação de sistema de controle de poluição nas propriedades industriais de Hattar, na cidade Haripur, Paquistão.

Assessment of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air of different settings and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan

Abstract Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant causing serious health problems. The aim of the present study was to find out concentration of PM in ambient air and its associated health risk in Haripur city, Pakistan. Twenty-three samples were taken at various educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries in Haripur city. Concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) and PM10 (µg/m3) was measured with Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A portable PM counter. The results revealed that values of both PM2.5 and PM10 were above the permissible limits (35 µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 150 µg/m3 for PM10) set by Environmental Protection Agency Pakistan (Pak-EPA) in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas and industries investigated. Furthermore, significant (p 0.05) variation was found in the concentration of both PM2.5 and PM10 in all the educational institutes, hospitals, recreational areas, and industries studied. The concentration of PM2.5 was positively correlated with the concentration of PM10 in all the sampling sites. Therefore, from 1-14 scale standard of health index, the values of PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited that the ambient air quality of Haripur city Pakistan is under high risk. If the regulatory authorities such as Environmental Protection Agency, Health Department and Local Government monitor PM pollution in different settings of Haripur city, then a decrease can be possible in the pollution level. The remedies that can be taken to overcome the problem of ambient air pollution such as PM are plantation of trees at the sites where there are higher levels of air pollutants and use of masks on personal protection basis along with implementation of pollution control system in industries of Hattar Industrial Estate Haripur city, Pakistan.

Resumo O material particulado (MP) é um importante poluente do ar que causa sérios problemas de saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a concentração de MP no ar ambiente e sua associação com o risco à saúde na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão. Vinte e três amostras foram coletadas em várias instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias na cidade de Haripur. A concentração de MP2,5 (µg/m3) e MP10 (µg/m3) foi medida por meio do contador de MP portátil Youngteng YT-HPC 3000A. Os resultados revelaram que os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 estavam acima dos limites permitidos (35 µg/m3 para MP2,5 e 150 µg/m3 para MP10) estabelecidos pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental do Paquistão (Pak-EPA) em todas as instituições de ensino, hospitais, áreas recreativas e indústrias investigadas. Além disso, foi encontrada variação significativa (p 0,05) na concentração de MP2,5 e MP10 em todos os locais estudados. A concentração de MP2,5 correlacionou-se positivamente com a concentração de MP10 em todos os locais de amostragem. Portanto, a partir da escala padrão 1-14 do índice de saúde, os valores de MP2,5 e MP10 mostraram que a qualidade do ar ambiente na cidade de Haripur, Paquistão, está sob alto risco. Se as autoridades reguladoras, como a Pak-EPA, o Departamento de Saúde e o governo local, monitorarem a poluição por MP em diferentes configurações da cidade de Haripur, pode ser que haja uma diminuição no nível de poluição. As medidas que podem ser tomadas para superar o problema da poluição do ar ambiente, como o MP, são o plantio de árvores nos locais onde há maiores níveis de poluentes atmosféricos, o uso de máscaras e a implantação de sistema de controle de poluição nas propriedades industriais de Hattar, na cidade Haripur, Paquistão.

Concentración atmosférica de material particulado previo a la pandemia por COVID-19 en Colombia

Introducción: El SARS-CoV-2 se transmite principalmente por vía aérea, en la cual influyen factores ambientales como el material particulado. Objetivos: Determinar la concentración media de material particulado 10 en cinco estaciones de monitoreo ambiental en Santa Marta (Colombia) para evaluar el riesgo incremental o predisposición de morbimortalidad por COVID-19, previo inicio de la pandemia. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en una muestra de cinco estaciones de monitoreo ambiental sobre la concentración de material particulado. La información se obtuvo de la base de datos "Calidad de Aire del Departamento del Magdalena" del sitio web de datos abiertos del Gobierno de Colombia. Resultados: En las cinco estaciones ambientales la concentración media anual de material particulado superó o se acercó a 50 µg/m3, el límite permitido por año en Colombia, y casi triplicó lo establecido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Entre el 13-30 % de las concentraciones diarias de material particulado 10 superaron los 75 µg/m3: umbral en el país. Entretanto, el 50-75 % de las concentraciones excedieron la dosis diaria de referencia en organismos internacionales. Los mayores niveles de contaminación se observaron en el sector sur. Conclusiones: En todas las estaciones gran parte de las concentraciones diarias y la media anual sobrepasaron el límite de material particulado 10. Esto aumentó el riesgo establecido de COVID-19, y se presume la predisposición para morbimortalidad por esta enfermedad, en la ciudad de Santa Marta, antes del inicio de la pandemia.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted mainly by the airborne route, which is influenced by environmental factors such as particulate matter. Objectives: To determine the mean concentration of particulate matter 10 in five environmental monitoring stations in Santa Marta (Colombia) to evaluate the incremental risk or predisposition of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, prior to the onset of the pandemic. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study in a sample of five environmental monitoring stations on the concentration of particulate matter. The information was obtained from the database "Calidad de Aire del Departamento del Magdalena" of the open data website of the Colombian government. Results: In the five environmental stations the annual average concentration of particulate matter exceeded or approached 50 µg/m3, the limit allowed per year in Colombia, and almost tripled that established by the WHO. Between 13-30% of the daily concentrations of particulate matter exceeded 75 µg/m3: the threshold in the country. Meanwhile, 50-75 % of the concentrations exceeded the daily reference dose in international organizations. The highest pollution levels were observed in the southern sector. Conclusions: In all stations a large part of the daily concentrations and the annual mean exceeded the limit for particulate matter 10. This increased the established risk of COVID-19, and the predisposition for morbimortality due to this disease in the city of Santa Marta, before the beginning of the pandemic, is presumed.