scholarly journals Exposure assessment of elemental carbon, ultrafine particles, and crystalline silica at highway toll booths

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 200380-0
Author(s):  
Jungah Shin ◽  
Boowook Kim ◽  
Jeonghoon Lee ◽  
Joon Sig Jung ◽  
Yong Chul Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Elemental Carbon ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Crystalline Silica ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Occupational Lung Cancer

Highway toll booth workers have been reported to be at an increased risk of occupational lung cancer. Moreover, insufficient studies have been performed on exposure assessment of workers at highway toll booths. Elemental carbon (EC), black carbon (BC), and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) concentrations were measured at highway toll booths in Gyeongsangbuk-do (Republic of Korea). The particle number (PN) concentration and size distribution of ultrafine particle were measured using three SMPS devices. The average concentration of the EC inside the booth was 3.3 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, with the maximum being 5.8 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. The concentrations of EC were highest for booths that operated exclusively for trucks. The average PN concentration inside the booth was 3.54 × 10<sup>4</sup> cm<sup>-3</sup>, approximately 5-fold higher than the reference indoor background. The average BC concentration in the booths were approximately 8 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, and the instantaneous peak concentration was 271 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. The RCS was below the detection limit in all samples. This study revealed that toll workers were most frequently exposed to diesel engine particle less than 100 nm, with an extremely high respiratory deposition rate. Therefore, a respiratory protection program is necessary to safeguard these workers against vehicle-related pollutants.

scholarly journals Impact on Ultrafine Particles Concentration and Turbulent Fluxes of SARS-CoV-2 Lockdown in a Suburban Area in Italy

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
Antonio Donateo ◽  
Adelaide Dinoi ◽  
Gianluca Pappaccogli
Keyword(s):  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Turbulent Fluxes ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Suburban Area ◽  
Observation Site ◽  
Meteorological Forcing ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
Measurement Area

In order to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, governments have implemented several restrictive measures (lockdown, stay-in-place, and quarantine policies). These provisions have drastically changed the routines of residents, altering environmental conditions in the affected areas. In this context, our work analyzes the effects of the reduced emissions during the COVID-19 period on the ultrafine particles number concentration and their turbulent fluxes in a suburban area. COVID-19 restrictions did not significantly reduce anthropogenic related PM10 and PM2.5 levels, with an equal decrement of about 14%. The ultrafine particle number concentration during the lockdown period decreased by 64% in our measurement area, essentially due to the lower traffic activity. The effect of the restriction measures and the reduction of vehicles traffic was predominant in reducing concentration rather than meteorological forcing. During the lockdown in 2020, a decrease of 61% in ultrafine particle positive fluxes can be observed. At the same time, negative fluxes decreased by 59% and our observation site behaved, essentially, as a sink of ultrafine particles. Due to this behavior, we can conclude that the principal particle sources during the lockdown were far away from the measurement site.

scholarly journals Exposure to Ultrafine Particles in the Ferroalloy Industry Using a Logbook Method

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2546
Author(s):  
Rikke Bramming Jørgensen ◽  
Ida Teresia Kero ◽  
Aleksander Blom ◽  
Esten Eide Grove ◽  
Kristin von Hirsch Svendsen
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Respirable Particles ◽  
Exposure Estimation ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Personal Sampling ◽  
Time Weighted Average ◽  
Stationary Sampling

Background: It is difficult to assess workers’ exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) due to the lack of personal sampling equipment available for this particle fraction. The logbook method has been proposed as a general method for exposure assessment. This method measures the time and concentration components of the time-weighted average concentration separately and could be suitable for investigation of UFP exposure. Objectives: In this study, we have assessed workers’ exposure to UFP in a ferrosilicon plant. The main tasks of the furnace workers were identified, and the logbook method was used in combination with stationary measurements of UFP taken as close to the identified task areas as possible. In order to verify the results, respirable particles were collected using stationary sampling in close proximity to the UFP measuring instrument, and personal full-shift sampling of respirable particles was performed simultaneously. Thus, exposure to respirable particles determined using the logbook method could be compared to the results of standard measurement. Methods: The particle number concentration of ultrafine particles was determined using a NanoScan SMPS. Respirable particle concentration and exposure were determined using a sampling train consisting of a pump, filter, filter cassettes, and SKC Cyclone for the respirable fraction. Attendance times for workers at each work location were registered via thorough observations made by the research team. Results: The logbook method for exposure estimation based on stationary sampling equipment made it possible to calculate UFP exposure for workers operating the furnaces at a ferrosilicon plant. The mid-size furnace and the large furnace were evaluated separately. The workers operating the largest furnace were exposed to 1.47 × 104 particles/cm3, while workers operating the mid-size furnace were exposed to 2.06 × 104 particles/cm3, with a mean of 1.74 × 104 particles/cm3. Substantial contributions from the casting area, ladle transport corridor, and both tapping areas were made. Exposure to respirable particles was 2.04 mg/m3 (logbook); 2.26 mg/m3 (personal sampling) for workers operating the large-sized furnace, 3.24 mg/m3 (logbook); 2.44 mg/m3 (personal sampling) for workers operating the medium-sized furnace, and 2.57 mg/m3 (logbook); 2.53 mg/m3(personal sampling) on average of all tappers. The average ratio of these two methods’ results was 1.02, which indicates that the logbook method could be used as a substitute for personal sampling when it is not possible to perform personal sampling, at least within this industry. Conclusions: The logbook method is a useful supplement for exposure assessment of UFP, able to identify the most polluted areas of the workplace and the contribution of different work tasks to the total exposure of workers, enabling companies to take action to reduce exposure.

scholarly journals Fine and Ultrafine Particle Pollution Before and After a Smoking ban in the Catering Industry in Vienna

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-28
Author(s):  
Annika K. Sima ◽  
Anna-Lena M. Szettele ◽  
Manfred Neuberger
Keyword(s):  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Particle Number ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Smoking Ban ◽  
Catering Industry ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Particle Pollution ◽  
Compliance With The Law ◽  
Lung Deposited Surface Area

In the catering industrytobacco smoke was the primary source of fine and ultrafine particles, which are well known for their health-damaging effects. As shown in studies, attempts to reduce passive smoking in the catering industry of Vienna, like separated smoking rooms, failed to reduce fine and ultrafine particle concentrations effectively. On November 1st 2019, an enlarged non-smoker’s protection law was introduced, including a total smoking-ban in the catering industry. 40 hospitality venues with areas for smokers and non-smokers before the ban had been selected as typical Viennese cafes, pubs, bars and discotheques to be sampled unannounced. Concentrations of fine particle mass (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) and ultrafine particle number (PNC) and lung deposited surface area (LDSA) could be measured before and after the introduction of the smoking-ban in 39 venues at nearly identical locations and under comparable circumstances. Results showed a statistically significant decline in both fine and ultrafine particle concentrations in the former smoking areas for all parameters as well as in the former non-smoking areas for PM2.5, PM1 and LDSA. After the ban concentrations in former smoking areas and non-smoking areas showed no significant differences any more. From these results the smoking-ban successfully removed particles from breathing air of guests and staff, however, some outliers in the study after the ban point to the necessity of repeated controls in Vienna. Also, outside Vienna the compliance with the law should be controlled in the Austrian hospitality industry.

scholarly journals Ultrafine particles altered gut microbial population and metabolic profiles in a sex-specific manner in an obese mouse model

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kundi Yang ◽  
Mengyang Xu ◽  
Jingyi Cao ◽  
Qi Zhu ◽  
Monica Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
Phosphate Buffer Solution ◽  
Biodiesel Fuel ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obese Mouse ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Obese Mice ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractEmerging evidence has highlighted the connection between exposure to air pollution and the increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and comorbidities. Given the recent interest in studying the effects of ultrafine particle (UFP) on the health of obese individuals, this study examined the effects of gastrointestinal UFP exposure on gut microbial composition and metabolic function using an in vivo murine model of obesity in both sexes. UFPs generated from light-duty diesel engine combustion of petrodiesel (B0) and a petrodiesel/biodiesel fuel blend (80:20 v/v, B20) were administered orally. Multi-omics approaches, including liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) based targeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, semi-quantitatively compared the effects of 10-day UFP exposures on obese C57B6 mouse gut microbial population, changes in diversity and community function compared to a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) control group. Our results show that sex-specific differences in the gut microbial population in response to UFP exposure can be observed, as UFPs appear to have a differential impact on several bacterial families in males and females. Meanwhile, the alteration of seventy-five metabolites from the gut microbial metabolome varied significantly (ANOVA p < 0.05) across the PBS control, B0, and B20 groups. Multivariate analyses revealed that the fuel-type specific disruption to the microbial metabolome was observed in both sexes, with stronger disruptive effects found in females in comparison to male obese mice. Metabolic signatures of bacterial cellular oxidative stress, such as the decreased concentration of nucleotides and lipids and increased concentrations of carbohydrate, energy, and vitamin metabolites were detected. Furthermore, blood metabolites from the obese mice were differentially affected by the fuel types used to generate the UFPs (B0 vs. B20).

scholarly journals Ultrafine Particle and Fiber Production in Micro-Gravity

1986 ◽  
Vol 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
George W. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Test ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Inert Gas ◽  
Reduced Gravity ◽  
Fiber Production ◽  
Evaporation And Condensation ◽  
Gravity Driven ◽  
Micro Gravity

AbstractWe have investigated the technique of evaporation and condensation of material in an inert gas (ECIIG) for the purpose of preparing ultrafine particles (of order 10 nm in diameter) with a narrow distribution of sizes. Gravity driven convection increases the rate of coalescence of the particles leading to larger sizes and a broader distribution. Here we report on analysis and experiments to investigate coalescence of particles. The possibility of reducing coalescence in micro-gravity is discussed. An experimental test in reduced gravity to be performed in a KC135 aircraft is described briefly.

scholarly journals Simultaneous coastal measurements of ozone deposition fluxes and iodine-mediated particle emission fluxes with subsequent CCN formation

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 20567-20597 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Whitehead ◽  
G. McFiggans ◽  
M. W. Gallagher ◽  
M. J. Flynn
Keyword(s):  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Particle Emission ◽  
Deposition Fluxes ◽  
Ozone Deposition ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Emission Fluxes

Abstract. Here we present the first observations of simultaneous ozone deposition fluxes and ultrafine particle emission fluxes over an extensive infra-littoral zone. Fluxes were measured by the eddy covariance technique at the Station Biologique de Roscoff, on the coast of Brittany, north-west France. This site overlooks a very wide (3 km) littoral zone controlled by very deep tides (9.6 m) exposing extensive macroalgae beds available for significant iodine mediated photochemical production of ultrafine particles. The aspect at the Station Biologique de Roscoff provides an extensive and relatively flat, uniform fetch within which micrometeorological techniques may be utilized to study links between ozone deposition to macroalgae (and sea water) and ultrafine particle production. Ozone deposition to seawater at high tide was significantly slower (vd[O3]=0.302±0.095 mm s−1) than low tidal deposition. A statistically significant difference in the deposition velocities to macroalgae at low tide was observed between night time (vd[O3]=1.00±0.10 mm s−1) and daytime (vd[O3]=2.05±0.16s−1) when ultrafine particle formation results in apparent particle emission. Very high emission fluxes of ultrafine particles were observed during daytime periods at low tides ranging from 50 000 particles cm−2 s−1 to greater than 200 000 particles cm−2 s−1 during some of the lowest tides. These emission fluxes exhibited a significant relationship with particle number concentrations comparable with previous observations at another location. Apparent particle growth rates were estimated to be in the range 17–150 nm h−1 for particles in the size range 3–10 nm. Under certain conditions, particle growth may be inferred to continue to greater than 120 nm over tens of hours; sizes at which they may readily behave as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) under reasonable supersaturations that may be expected to pertain at the top of the marine boundary layer. These results link direct depositional loss and photochemical destruction of ozone to the formation of particles and hence CCN from macroalgal emissions at a coastal location.

scholarly journals Laboratory and field evaluation of the Aerosol Dynamics Inc. concentrator (ADIc) for aerosol mass spectrometry

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Saarikoski ◽  
Leah R. Williams ◽  
Steven R. Spielman ◽  
Gregory S. Lewis ◽  
Arantzazu Eiguren-Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Concentration Factor ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Ultrafine Particle ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Aerosol Dynamics ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Road Paving

Abstract. An air-to-air ultrafine particle concentrator (Aerosol Dynamics Inc. concentrator; ADIc) has been designed to enhance on-line chemical characterization of ambient aerosols by aerosol mass spectrometry. The ADIc employs a three-stage, moderated water-based condensation growth tube coupled to an aerodynamic focusing nozzle to concentrate ultrafine particles into a portion of the flow. The system can be configured to sample between 1.0–1.7 L min−1 with an output concentrated flow between 0.08–0.12 L min−1, resulting in a theoretical concentration factor (sample flow/output flow) ranging from 8 to 21. Laboratory tests with monodisperse particles show that the ADIc is effective for particles as small as 10 nm. Laboratory experiments conducted with the Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) showed no shift in the particle size after the ADIc, as measured by the AMS particle time-of-flight. The ADIc-AMS system was operated unattended over a one-month period near Boston, Massachusetts. Comparison to a parallel AMS without the concentrator showed concentration factors of 9.7 ± 0.15 and 9.1 ± 0.1 for sulfate and nitrate, respectively, when operated with a theoretical concentration factor of 10.5 ± 0.3. Concentration factor of organics was lower, possibly due to the presence of large particles from nearby road-paving operations, and a difference in aerodynamic lens cutoff between the two AMS instruments. Another field deployment was carried out in Helsinki, Finland. Two ~ 10-day measurement periods showed good correlation for the concentrations of organics, sulfate, nitrate and ammonium measured with an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) after the ADIc, and a parallel AMS without the concentrator. Additional experiments with an AMS alternating between the ADIc and a bypass line demonstrated that the concentrator did not change the size distribution or the chemistry of the ambient aerosol particles.

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