scholarly journals Design of Polymeric Nanofiber Gauze Mask to Prevent Inhaling PM2.5 Particles from Haze Pollution

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingzhou Li ◽  
Yan Gong

Recently, PM2.5 (particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 micron or less) has become a major health hazard from the polluted air in many cities in China. The regular gauze masks are used to prevent inhaling the PM2.5 fine particles; however, those masks are not able to filter out the PM2.5 because of the large porosity of the mask materials. Some well-prevented masks usually have poor breathability, which increases other health risks. In this study, a polysulfone based nanofiber for mask filtration material was synthesized by electrospinning. That nanofiber mask material was characterized by SEM, air permeability test, and PM2.5 trapping experiment. The results indicate that nanofiber mask material can efficiently filter out the PM2.5 particles and simultaneously preserve a good breathability. We attribute such improvement to the nanoscaled fibers, having the same porosity as that of regular gauze mask but with extremely reduced local interfiber space.

1997 ◽  
Vol 16 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 339-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis J. Paustenbach ◽  
Brent L. Finley ◽  
Thomas F. Long

The health risks posed by soil pollutants are generally thought to be due to soilingestion and have often resulted in massive regulatory efforts to remedy such contamination. The contribution of this route to the actual human health hazard has been questioned, however, as soil removal alone seems to have little influence on the body burdens of soil contaminants in exposed individuals. Ongoing research also has repeatedly and substantially reduced the estimates of soilingested daily. Because comparatively little time is spent outdoors by most individuals, exposure to soil brought indoors, present as house dust, is now thought to be nearly as important as the directingestion of soil. Exposure via house dust has not been studied specifically, but several observations suggest that it may be important. Dust is largely composed of fine particles of tracked-in soil. The smaller dust particles cling to surfaces better than soil, and contaminant concentrations are often higher in house dust. Fine particles are likely to be more bioavailable, and degradation is slower indoors. Contaminants thus may be concentrated and more readily available in the areas most frequented. In some studies, contaminant levels in dust are correlated more closely with body burdens of contaminants than other sources, suggesting that this route should be considered when assessing risks from soil. Until more research addressing exposure to dust is conducted, recommendations for assessing potential health risks from this pathway are provided.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeniyi JohnPaul Adewumi

Abstract Expanded urbanization particularly in developing nations have as of late become a significant source of worry because of their adverse consequences on the environment. This study was conducted to determine the extent of pollution, sources, and potential ecological and health risks associated with heavy metals in Akure region, Nigeria's soils and street dusts. Thirty-four samples including 16 soils and street dusts samples each were gathered with two control samples gathered from a suburb a long way from the city. To collect fine particles, they were air dried and sieved. Chemical analysis of samples werecarried out utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) at Sustainable laboratory, a certified laboratory in Akure, Nigeria. Metals analysed were: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe. Contamination, ecological and health hazard evaluations were carried out utilizing universally acceptable indices. Potential sources were disentangle utilizing measurable technique like bivariate, factor and hierarchical cluster analyses. Results uncovered that the mean amount of Pb, Zn and Fe in street dusts were: 32.33 mg/kg, 72.53 mg/kg, and 115.21 mg/kg separately while in soil tests it was 34.34 mg/kg, 67.76 mg/kg, and 115.21 mg/kg. The examination further showed that metals particularly Cr present slight to high ecological dangers. Health hazard evaluation uncovered that the occupants of the area particularly kids are more inclined to non-cancer-causing health risks. Metals were mostly from anthropogenic sources. To reduce the impact of toxic metals in the city, it is proposed that ecological enactment and mindfulness be practiced.


2021 ◽  
pp. 103016
Author(s):  
Daniel Cheriyan ◽  
Khusniddin Khamraev ◽  
Jae-ho Choi

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Long ◽  
Naifang Bei ◽  
Jiarui Wu ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
Tian Feng ◽  
...  

Abstract. Although aggressive emission control strategies have been implemented recently in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei area (BTH), China, pervasive and persistent haze still frequently engulfs the region during wintertime. Afforestation in BTH, primarily concentrated in the Taihang and Yanshan Mountains, has constituted one of the controversial factors exacerbating the haze pollution due to its slowdown of the surface wind speed. We report here an increasing trend of forest cover in BTH during 2001–2013 based on long-term satellite measurements and the impact of the afforestation on the fine particles (PM2.5) level. Simulations using the Weather Research and Forecast model with chemistry reveal that the afforestation in BTH since 2001 generally deteriorates the haze pollution in BTH to some degree, enhancing PM2.5 concentrations by up to 6 % on average. Complete afforestation or deforestation in the Taihang and Yanshan Mountains would increase or decrease the PM2.5 level within 15 % in BTH. Our model results also suggest that implementing a large ventilation corridor system would not be effective or beneficial to mitigate the haze pollution in Beijing.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHRAVAN KUMAR ◽  
Manish Kumar Jain

Abstract Women spend relatively more time in indoor conditions in developing countries. Exposure to various indoor air pollutants leads them to higher health risks according to Household air quality in which they reside. Particulate matter (PM) exposure with their exposure duration inside the household plays a significant role in women's Respiratory problems. We measured size segregated particulate matter concentrations in 63 residences at different locations. Respiratory dust depositions (RDDs) for 118 women in their different respiratory regions like head-airway (HD), tracheobronchial (TB), and alveolar (AL) region for the three PM size fractions (PM10, PM2.5 & PM1) were investigated. For different positions like Light exercise and the Sitting condition, RDD values found for AL region was 0.091 µgmin− 1 (SD: 0.067, 0.012–0.408) and 0.028 µgmin− 1 (SD: 0.021, 0.003–0.126) for PM10, 0.325 µgmin− 1 (SD: 0.254, 0.053–1.521) and 0.183 µgmin− 1 (SD: 0.143, 0.031–0.857) for PM2.5, 0.257 µgmin− 1 (SD: 0.197, 0.043–1.04) and 0.057 µgmin− 1 (SD: 0.044, 0.009–0.233) respectively for PM1 to females. RDDs values in the AL region significantly increases as PM10 (11%), PM2.5 (68%), and PM1 (21%), confirm that for women, the AL region is the most prominent affected zone by fine particles (PM2.5).


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Mohd Abid ◽  

The scope of Unani medicine is increasing day by day as people are becoming more interested in herbal and organic world. However, Unani (herbal) knowledge needs to be coupled with scientific documented research done to verify its efficacy. The aim of this paper is to provide updated knowledge on hypertension and its management in the Unani system of medicine. Hypertension is a major health hazard globally especially in developed countries. In the Unani system of medicine, there are mudirrat (diuretics) to reduce body fluids and minerals, and musakkin (relaxants) and munawwim (sedatives) are also advised by Unani physicians to reduce anxiety. Unani physician, Razi recommends venesection for this particular ailment. Unani physicians have given the concept of hypertension as “Imtila-ba-Hasb-ul-Auiya” and have said that this occurs due to sue-e-mizaj damwi and comes under the heading of Imtila. Literally ‘Imtala’ means gathering and fullness of the body with madda (fluids). To be precise, it means there is a buildup of normal or abnormal fluids in the body. Unani physicians were all aware of the concept of Zaghta e damwi (blood pressure). Systole as ‘Zaghta-e-Inqabazi’ and diastole as ‘Zaghta-e-Inbesati’ is well depicted in the Unani literature. Most of the world’s population, mainly in developing countries, use herbal medicines for primary health care because of their ancient tradition, culture, and minor side effects. Various kinds of research have been conducted regarding the hypotensive and antihypertensive therapeutic values of local medicinal plants in the recent past, and they have provided evidence for the antihypertensive effects of some of these plants.


Author(s):  
Swaha Satpathy ◽  
Arjun Patra ◽  
Bharti Ahirwar

AbstractPostmenopausal osteoporosis, a silent epidemic, has become a major health hazard, afflicting about 50% of postmenopausal women worldwide and is thought to be a disease with one of the highest incidences in senile people. It is a chronic, progressive condition associated with micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue that results in low bone mass, decreased bone strength that predisposes to an increased risk of fracture. Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men due to reduction in estrogen during menopause which leads to decline in bone formation and increase in bone resorption activity. Estrogen is able to suppress the production of proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-7 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). This is why these cytokines are elevated in postmenopausal women. In this review article we have made an attempt to collate the various methods and parameters most frequently used for screening of antiosteoporotic activity in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Pertaining to ovariectomized animal model, this is the most appropriate model for studying the efficacy of different drugs to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis.


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