Search results for " Air pollutant"

La qualità dell’aria indoor: una priorità ambientale e sanitaria

2009

Toxicological investigations in a fatal and non-fatal accident due to hydrogen sulphide (H2S)poisoning

2019

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the most toxic natural gas and represents a not rare cause of fatal events in workplaces. We report here a serious accidental poisoning by hydrogen sulphide inhalation involving six sailors. Three of them died while the other three survived and were transported to the emergency room. No greenish discolouration of the body, that could be a feature of these type of deaths, was observed at autopsy. Given that blood and/or urine H2S detection does not allow to discriminate if it is related to inhalation or to putrefactive processes, the determination of thiosulphate, H2S main metabolite, is decisive. The succession of fatal events reported here can be rebuilt b…

Background element content of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea: A supra-national state of art implemented by novel field data from Italy

2018

Abstract In biomonitoring, the knowledge of background element content (BEC) values is an essential pre-requisite for the correct assessment of pollution levels. Here, we estimated the BEC values of a highly performing biomonitor, the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, by means of a careful review of literature data, integrated by an extensive field survey. Methodologically homogeneous element content datasets, reflecting different exposure conditions across European and extra-European countries, were compiled and comparatively analysed. Element content in samples collected in remote areas was compared to that of potentially enriched samples, testing differences between medians for 2…

Effects of air pollution particles (ultrafine and fine particulate matter) on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress – Implications for cardiova…

2020

Environmental pollution is a major cause of global mortality and burden of disease. All chemical pollution forms together may be responsible for up to 12 million annual excess deaths as estimated by the Lancet Commission on pollution and health as well as the World Health Organization. Ambient air pollution by particulate matter (PM) and ozone was found to be associated with an all-cause mortality rate of up to 9 million in the year 2015, with the majority being of cerebro- and cardiovascular nature (e.g. stroke and ischemic heart disease). Recent evidence suggests that exposure to airborne particles and gases contributes to and accelerates neurodegenerative diseases. Especially, airborne t…

C4 plant isotopic composition (delta13C) evidence for urban CO2 pollution in the city of Cotonou, Benin (West Africa).

2006

9 pages; International audience; The carbon isotopic composition (delta13C) of plants can reveal the isotopic carbon content of the atmosphere in which they develop. The delta13C values of air and plants depend on the amount of atmospheric fossil fuel CO2, which is chiefly emitted in urban areas. A new indicator of CO2 pollution is tested using the delta13C variation in a C4 grass: Eleusine indica. A range of about 4 per thousand delta units was observed at different sites in Cotonou, the largest city in the Republic of Benin. The highest delta13C values, from -12 per thousand to -14 per thousand, were found in low traffic zones; low delta13C values, from -14 per thousand to -16 per thousan…

Diffuse soil gas emissions of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) from hydrothermal-volcanic systems: An innovative approach by using the static closed-c…

2016

This study was aimed to test a new methodological approach to carry out measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) diffusively emitted from soils in hydrothermal-volcanic environments. This method was based on the use of a static closed-chamber (SCC) in combination with a Lumex® RA-915M analyzer that provides GEM measurements in a wide range of concentrations (from 2 to 50,000 ng m-3). Gas samples were collected at fixed time intervals from the SCC positioned on the ground (time-series samples). The Lumex® inlet port was equipped with a three-way Teflon valve allowing the free entrance of air through a carbon trap, in order to: (i) prevent disturbance to the Lumex® operative flow rate …

Transporta plūsmu kustības ātruma un strukturālo izmaiņu modelēšana Valdemāra ielas kanjona posmos

2015

Bakalaura darba ietvaros pētīta autotransporta radītā atmosfēras piesārņojuma izplatība Rīgā, Valdemāra ielas kanjonā. Kā indikators ietekmes novērtēšanai izmantotas slāpekļa dioksīda koncentrācijas, kuras cieši korelē ar transporta līdzekļu plūsmas intensitāti; bez tam regulāri tiek pārsniegti slāpekļa dioksīdam noteiktie stundas un gada normatīvi. Piesārņojuma izplatība novērtēta izmantojot matemātisko modelis OSPM, kurš speciāli izstrādāts transporta radītā piesārņojuma dispersijai un raksturošanai. Darbā aprakstīta transporta plūsmas dinamika dažādiem dienu profiliem un izveidota datu bāze modelēšanai, raksturota piesārņojuma problemātika ielu kanjonos, modelēšanas ceļā novērtēta apbūve…

Photodegradation of selected phthalates on mural painting surfaces under UV light irradiation

2014

Abstract The esters of phthalic acid are considered as hazardous pollutants due to their mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and are also classified as endocrine disruptor chemicals. Several compounds of this class of substances for decades, and probably even now, were used as softeners in water-based synthetic paintings. Surfaces and structures, such as house walls painted with phthalates based paintings, can be a concern to construction workers engaged in demolition, restore and paint removal activities if they are not protected from hazardous dust inhalation. In this paper we report the results of an investigation about phthalate ester degradation by direct UV irradiation at 254 nm. The result…

An Epidemiological Study to Investigate Links between Atmospheric Pollution from Farming and SARS-CoV-2 Mortality.

2022

Exposure to atmospheric particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. We hypothesized that long-term exposure to farming-related air pollutants might predispose to an increased risk of COVID-19-related death. To test this hypothesis, we performed an ecological study of five Italian Regions (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Sicily), linking all-cause mortality by province (administrative entities within regions) to data on atmospheric concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ammonia (NH3), which are mainly produced by agricultural activities. The study outcome was change in all-cause mortality during March–Apri…

Greenhouse gases from wastewater treatment — A review of modelling tools

2016

Nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted from wastewater treatment that contribute to its carbon footprint. As a result of the increasing awareness of GHG emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), new modelling, design, and operational tools have been developed to address and reduce GHG emissions at the plant-wide scale and beyond. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art and the recently developed tools used to understand and manage GHG emissions from WWTPs, and discusses open problems and research gaps. The literature review reveals that knowledge on the processes related to N2O formation, especially due to autotrophic biomass, is still incompl…