Study on serum perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure status of community residents in Songjiang District， Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of serum perfluoroalkyl substances （PFASs） exposure and potential influencing factors among community residents in Songjiang District， Shanghai. MethodsIn August 2021， residents who underwent routine health checkups in a community in Songjiang District， Shanghai were recruited as study subjects. The inclusion criteria were adult residents who had lived in the area for more than 3 years， had no occupational exposure history， no underlying diseases， were not pregnant， and were able to complete the questionnaire independently and sign the informed consent form. A questionnaire survey was conducted and venous blood samples were collected. The concentrations of 15 PFASs in serum were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）. Ordered multi-class logistic regression， interquartile range （IQR）， and odds ratio （OR） were used to explore the influencing factors and risk magnitude of serum PFASs concentrations. ResultsOf the 15 PFASs， 14 were detected， and the detection rates of 7 PFASs were higher than 50%. The highest detected concentrations among the PFASs were PFOS （perfluorooctane sulfonate）， PFOA （perfluorooctanoic acid）， and PFHxS （perfluorohexane sulfonate）， with median concentrations of 48.61 μg∙L-1， 37.29 μg∙L-1， and 36.51 μg∙L-1， respectively. The strongest correlation was between PFDA and PFUnDA （r=0.93， P<0.05）， followed by PFOS and PFDA （r=0.86， P<0.05）. Age， frequency of plastic product use， time spent indoors per day， personal annual income， tea consumption， and daily water intake were potential factors for exposure to PFASs. Among them， age was positively correlated with PFASs； tea consumption was positively correlated with PFNA and PFOA； PFHpA was negatively correlated with the frequency of plastic product use and personal annual income； and PFOS was negatively correlated with the time spent indoors per day. ConclusionThe exposure to serum PFASs among community residents in Songjiang District was relatively serious， and the main components were traditional PFOA， PFOS， and PFHx. Different sociodemographic characteristics had varying degrees of influence on the concentrations of PFASs in serum. The impact of PFASs exposure on the health of community residents deserves further investigation.

Pollution characteristics and sources of PM2.5 during heating and non-heating periods in Urumqi City in 2021 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To understand the pollution characteristics and sources of PM2.5 in the atmosphere during heating and non-heating periods in Urumqi City in 2021, and provide scientific basis for pollution control during different periods. Method A total of 188 air samples were collected from area A and area B of Urumqi City, and 12 metal elements and 5 water-soluble ions were quantitatively analyzed, and the pollution sources were analyzed by enrichment factor method and principal component analysis method. Results In 2021, the mass concentrations of PM2.5 in areas A and B of Urumqi were 45.0 (20.0, 158) µg/m3 and 28.0 (17.5, 66.0) µg/m3, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-2.870, P<0.05). During the heating period, the concentrations were 110 (68.0, 250) µg/m3 and 61.0 (31.0, 88.0) µg/m3, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (Z=-3.822, P<0.01). During the non-heating period, the concentrations were 18.0 (13.0, 22.3) µg/m3 and 18.0 (12.8, 22.0) µg/m3, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (Z=-0.596, P>0.05). The SNA (the sum of SO42-, NO3-and NH4+) accounted for 71.7% and 23.4% of PM2.5 in A area during heating and non-heating periods, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-8.057, P<0.01); the corresponding proportions in B area were 60.7% and 24.9%, with statistically significant difference (Z=-6.672, P<0.01). During the heating and non-heating periods, the ratios of NO3-/SO42-are 0.63 and 0.54 in A area were 0.63 and 0.54, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-2.382, P<0.05); and the corresponding ratios in B area were 0.72 and 0.53, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=-3.182, P<0.05). The ratio of NO3- to SO42- was less than 1 in both heating and non-heating periods in the two areas. and the correlation between five water-soluble ions was significant (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient between NH4+ and SO42-, NO3-and Cl- in A and B areas during heating periods were all >0.9, indicating that NH4+and SO42-, NO3- and Cl- bind in (NH4)2SO4, NH4HSO4, NH4NO3, and NH4Cl. During non-heating periods, the correlation between NH4+ and each ion was slightly lower. During heating periods in area A, Sb, As, Cd, Pb, and Tl were severely enriched (EF>100). During non-heating periods in the same area, As, Cd, Pb, Tl, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100). During heating periods in area B, Sb, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100), and during non-heating periods in the same area, Sb, Cd, and Hg were severely enriched (EF>100). Coal emission, photochemical secondary pollution, motor vehicle exhaust, dust and industrial pollution were the main sources of PM2.5 pollution in the two areas, and the contribution rate of fixed sources was higher than that of mobile sources. Conclusion In 2021, the mass concentration of PM2.5, water-soluble ions and metal elements in Urumqi City were higher in area A than area B, the heating period was higher than the non-heating period, the excess rate of area A was higher than that in area B, and the contribution rate of fixed air pollution was greater than that of mobile sources.

Pollution characteristics, long-term variation trend, and health risk assessment of lead in ambient PM2.5 in Jinan / 环境与职业医学

Background A number of studies have shown that heavy metals in atmospheric PM2.5 have impacts on human health, while studies on the impact of long-term and low-concentration exposure to lead in PM2.5 on human health are limited. Objective To investigate the pollution characteristics of lead in ambient PM2.5 and assess its chronic health risks. Methods Daily PM2.5 concentration data in Jinan from 2014 to 2019 were collected, and the year-by-year trend of PM2.5 concentration was analyzed. Licheng District (an industrial area) and Shizhong District (a residential area) were elected to install an ambient PM2.5 monitoring stationrespectively. The sampling instrument was a 100 L·min−1 high-flow PM2.5 sampler, with a cumulative sampling time of 20-24 h per day, using a quartz fiber filter membrane for lead detection and a glass fiber filter membrane for PM2.5 determination. The sampling frequency was 7 consecutive days per month from the 10th to the 16th (A total of 493 d were sampled and some were missing; 172 d during the heating period and 321 d during the non-heating period). Two PM2.5 samples were collected in one monitoring site each day. A total of 986 samples were collected in one monitoring site. The lead content in PM2.5 samples was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentration of PM2.5 was measured by weighing method. The annual average concentration and enrichment factor of lead in PM2.5, the change trend of lead content per unit mass of PM2.5, and the difference between heating period and non-heating period from 2014 to 2019 were estimated. Technical guide for environment health risk assessment of chemical exposure (WS/T 777-2021) was used to assess the health risks of exposure to lead in PM2.5. Results The average annual concentration of lead in PM2.5 ranged from 23.2 ng·m−3 to 154.7 ng·m−3. The average concentration in heating period from 2015 to 2019 was higher than that in non-heating period, and the differences in 2015, 2017, and 2019 were statistically significant (P < 0.01 or 0.001). The enrichment factors ranged from 200 to 1342 in 2014 to 2019. The average enrichment factors in heating period in 2015, 2017, and 2018 was higher than those in non-heating period, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05 or 0.001). The lead contents per unit mass of PM2.5 ranged from 493 ng·mg−1 to 1944 ng·mg−1, and the differences between heating period and non-heating period in 2014, 2017, and 2018 were statistically significant (P < 0.05 or 0.001). The average annual concentration and enrichment factor of lead in PM2.5 showed a downward trend, and thus the lead content per unit mass of PM2.5 also decreased. From 2014 to 2019, the carcinogenic risk of lead in PM2.5 in Jinan ranged from 1.69×10−8 to 2.45×10−6, showing a significant downward trend year by year, and the 95th percentile decreased by 3%-46% from the previous year. The carcinogenic risk level of lead was reduced to an acceptable level (<1×10−6) after 2017. Conclusion From 2015 to 2019, lead concentration and enrichment factor in PM2.5 increase during heating period compared with non-heating period, but it is not completely consistent of lead content in PM2.5 per unit mass. From 2014 to 2016, exposure to lead in PM2.5 may elevate carcinogenic risk to human. After 2017, the carcinogenic risks of exposure to lead in PM2.5 are at an acceptable level.

Characteristics and source analysis of heavy metal pollution in environment in Guizhou Province / 环境与职业医学

Heavy metal pollution poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. Guizhou is a province with apparent regional features of heavy metal pollution such as lead, zinc, mercury, and arsenic in agriculture and mining soils. The coefficient of variation results showed that heavy metal pollution in the soils of agricultural planting areas and mine caves was closely related to human activities, and arsenic and zinc were greatly affected by human activities. In the water environment, mercury pollution presents in mine cave water samples, and cadmium, mercury, and lead pollution present in scenic park water samples. The results of single-factor pollution index showed that mercury in mine cave water samples and cadmium, mercury, and lead in scenic park water samples were graded as severe pollution. The results of Nemero pollution index showed the highest comprehensive pollution level of heavy metals was in scenic park water samples. In atmospheric dust fall, cadmium, mercury, lead are the most prominent pollution. Potential risks to ecological environment were identified for cadmium and mercury in all study areas and lead in other areas outside Wanshan. The results of integrated potential ecological risk index indicated a high-risk level of heavy metal pollution in atmospheric dust fall in the current study area. At present, the heavy metal pollutants in the environment of Guizhou are mainly originated from natural factors such as geological background content and soil-forming parent material, and human activities such as mining, metal smelting, agricultural activities, and sewage irrigation. The analysis showed serious heavy metal pollution in the environment of Guizhou, which caused harm to the local environment. It is crucial that environmental protection measures be taken during human activities.

Pollution characteristics of total volatile organic compounds in indoor air of urban residential buildings in China / 环境与职业医学

Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) are the main indoor pollutants. Long-term exposure to excessive TVOCs will cause acute and chronic adverse health effects. In order to understand current indoor TVOCs pollution in urban residential buildings in China, we searched related literature of indoor TVOCs in urban residential buildings published in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Web of Science, and PubMed from 2000 to 2021, and analyzed the pollution characteristics and main sources of indoor TVOCs in urban residential buildings in China. The results showed that the average TVOCs concentration range in urban residential buildings in China was 0.18-1.45 mg·m−3, which was widely distributed and exceeded the relevant national standard. The concentrations of TVOCs in bedrooms, study rooms, and kitchens were relatively high among different rooms. Indoor sources such as decoration materials and human activities after moving in were the main sources of TVOCs, and the concentration of TVOCs decreased the most in 4-6 months after the completion of decoration. However, extending the vacancy time after the completion of decoration is not the best method to effectively remove indoor TVOCs, especially for the areas where indoor air pollutants severely exceeding the national limit, it is necessary to control pollution sources to reduce indoor TVOCs concentration. For the study of indoor air TVOCs, future study directions could be the ratio of indoor and outdoor TVOCs concentration and the analysis of indoor human activities and other pollution sources.

2.5 in Xi'an / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To analyze the pollution characteristics of 12 kinds of metals and metalloid elements in PM2.5 in Xi'an city, and to assess the health risks. Methods In 2018, PM2.5 samples were collected regularly every month at two monitoring points in Lianhu District and Yanta District of Xi'an City. The content of twelve metal and metalloid elements (Sb, Al, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, and Ti) in the samples were determined. The test results were statistically analyzed and evaluated according to different regions and seasons. The health risk assessment model recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was used to assess the health risks of the metal and metalloid elements. Results A total of 165 PM2.5 samples were collected and analyzed. The qualified rates of As and Cd were 51.52% and 83.03%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between regions (P＞0.05). The qualified rate of As in each season from high to low was summer> autumn> winter> spring. The average concentration of As was 8.21 ng/m3, being 1.37 times higher than the standard. The average concentration of As in each season exceeded the standard, and the order from high to low was winter> spring> autumn> summer. The average concentrations of other elements did not exceed the standard. HQ value and HI value of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mn, Ni, Hg, Ti and Se were all less than 1. The ILCR value of carcinogenic elements As, Cd, Cr and Ni was between 3.63×10-07 ~2.58×10-05. The ILCR value was highest for As, followed by Cr. The ILCR value was highest in winter, followed by spring and autumn, and lowest in summer. The order of ILCR value was adult males> adult females> children and adolescents. Conclusion The pollution of metal and metalloid elements in the atmospheric PM2.5 in Xi'an in the winter is most serious. Arsenic and chromium in PM2.5 pose a higher potential health risk to the population through the respiratory route.

Pollution characteristics and risk assessment of carcinogenicity or non-carcinogenicityonheavy metalsin Particulate Matter 2.5 in Shenzhen / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To assess the pollution characteristics and risk assessment of carcinogenicity or non-carcinogenicity on heavy metals in PM2.5 in Shenzhen.@*Methods@#PM2.5 samples were collected monthly from the year of 2014 to 2015, and analyzed by seasons. 12 heavy metal elements (Pb, Hg, Mn, Sb, Al, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Ni, Se, Tl) in PM2.5 were detected by ICP-MS spectrometry. Health risk assessment was conducted using the recommended United States Environmental Protection Agency (USA EPA) model.@*Results@#The median of PM2.5 concentration was 45.10 μg/m3 in Longgang district of Shenzhen. The non-carcinogenecity risks of the metals in PM2.5 existed in spring, autumn and winter (HQ>1). Three metal elements including As, Mn and Cd have higher HQ levels. The carcinogenecity risk levels in four seasons were winter, autumn, spring and summer, respectively. The carcinogenecity risks in four seasons were between 10-6 to 10-4. As, Cr and Cd have higher carcinogenicityrisks.@*Conclusion@#The heavy metals in PM2.5 have both carcinogenecity risk and non-carcinogenecity risk to residents in Longgang district of Shenzhen, the occupational health management must be continuously strengthened, the further research and the measures for prevention and control should be considered.