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Atmosphere
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Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition)
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Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition)

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3997

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Thiago Nogueira

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Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo 05508-070, Brazil
Interests: aerosols; air pollution; air particulate matter; air quality; tropospheric ozone; VOCs; health assessment; elemental analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Taciana Toledo De Almeida Albuquerque

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Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6.627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
Interests: air pollution; air particulate matter; air quality; air quality modeling; air pollution control and modeling applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Manousos Ioannis Manousakas

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Guest Editor
Paul Scherrer Institute, Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, 5232, Villigen, PSI, Switzerland
Interests: aerosols; source apportionment; elemental analysis; PMF; PM; metals; air pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Néstor Y. Rojas

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 26-86, Colombia
Interests: air pollution; PM; source apportionment; atmospheric emission
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is the second edition in a series of publications dedicated to “Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere/special_issues/28T30FL4FA).

Air pollution is the world’s single greatest environmental risk to health. Some 6.5 million people across the world die prematurely every year from exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution. Nine out of ten people breathe outdoor air polluted beyond acceptable WHO guidelines levels.

Megacities (metropolitan areas with populations over 10 million) present a major global environmental challenge. Rapid population growth, unsustainable urban development, and increased energy demand by transportation, industrial, commercial, and residential activities have led to large emissions to the atmosphere, subjecting residents to the health risks associated with harmful pollutants and imposing heavy economic and social costs.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present original research articles and reviews that assess air pollution in metropolitan areas and megacities, including both experimental and monitoring studies and mathematical/numerical modeling studies. Topics to be covered include gas pollutant and urban aerosol observations, such as particulate matter chemical characterization and human exposure assessment.

Dr. Thiago Nogueira
Dr. Taciana Toledo De Almeida Albuquerque
Dr. Manousos Ioannis Manousakas
Dr. Néstor Y. Rojas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • air quality
  • air pollution
  • health

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 3844 KiB  
Article
Number Concentration, Size Distribution, and Lung-Deposited Surface Area of Airborne Particles in Three Urban Areas of Colombia
by Fabian L. Moreno Camacho, Daniela Bustos Quevedo, David Archila-Peña, Jorge E. Pachón, Néstor Y. Rojas, Lady Mateus-Fontecha and Karen Blanco
Atmosphere 2025, 16(5), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050558 - 7 May 2025
Viewed by 156
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter is a major pollutant globally due to its impact on atmospheric processes and human health. Depending on their aerodynamic size, particles can penetrate the respiratory system, with ultrafine particles (UFPs) reaching the bloodstream and affecting vital organs. This study investigates [...] Read more.
Airborne particulate matter is a major pollutant globally due to its impact on atmospheric processes and human health. Depending on their aerodynamic size, particles can penetrate the respiratory system, with ultrafine particles (UFPs) reaching the bloodstream and affecting vital organs. This study investigates the particle number size distribution (PNSD), particle number concentration (PNC), and lung-deposited surface area (LDSA) in Bogotá, Cali, and Palmira, Colombia. Measurements were conducted at four sites representing different urban and industrial backgrounds using an Electrical Low-Pressure Impactor (ELPI+). Due to the availability and operation of the device, observations were limited to a few days, so the results of this study are indicative and not generalized for the cities. UFP concentrations were highest in Cali (28,399 cm−3), three times higher than in San Cristóbal, Bogotá. Fine particles (FPs) exhibited similar patterns across the three cities, with higher concentrations in San Cristóbal (2421 cm−3). Coarse particles (CPs) were most prevalent in Palmira (41.37 cm−3), and the highest LDSA values were recorded in Palmira and Cali (>80 µm2/cm3), indicating a higher potential for respiratory deposition. These findings highlight the importance of PNSD in health risk assessment in urban areas, providing valuable insights for future studies and strategies to manage air quality in Colombia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition))
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32 pages, 13922 KiB  
Article
Urban Air Pollution in the Global South: A Never-Ending Crisis?
by Rasa Zalakeviciute, Jesus Lopez-Villada, Alejandra Ochoa, Valentina Moreno, Ariana Byun, Esteban Proaño, Danilo Mejía, Santiago Bonilla-Bedoya, Yves Rybarczyk and Fidel Vallejo
Atmosphere 2025, 16(5), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050487 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 408
Abstract
Among the challenges the human population needs to address are threats of global pandemics, increasing socioeconomic inequality, especially in developing countries, and anthropogenic climate change. The latter’s effect has been amplified with the arrival of 2023/24 El Niño, causing an exceptional drought in [...] Read more.
Among the challenges the human population needs to address are threats of global pandemics, increasing socioeconomic inequality, especially in developing countries, and anthropogenic climate change. The latter’s effect has been amplified with the arrival of 2023/24 El Niño, causing an exceptional drought in the Amazon basin, significantly affecting fire conditions and hydroelectric power production in several South American countries, including Ecuador. This study analyzes five criteria pollutants—carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5)—during 2019–2024 in Quito, Ecuador, a high-elevation tropical metropolis. Despite long-term efforts to regulate emissions, air pollution levels continue to rise, driven by overlapping crises, including energy shortages, political unrest, and extreme weather events. The persistent failure to improve air quality underscores the vulnerability of developing nations to climate change-induced energy instability and the urgent need for adaptive, diversified, and resilient future energy planning. Without immediate shifts in climate adaptation policies, cities like Quito will continue to experience worsening air quality, with severe implications for public health and environmental sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition))
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23 pages, 12968 KiB  
Article
Visualization Study on Trends and Hotspots in the Field of Urban Air Pollution in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities: A Bibliometric Analysis via Science Mapping
by Xingzhou Li, Xuxu Guo, Jing Chen and Chuanjian Yi
Atmosphere 2025, 16(4), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040430 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 456
Abstract
Air pollution poses a significant challenge to environmental sustainability and inhibits economic and social development. In urban areas, the combined effects of high population density, industrial concentration, and the urban heat island effect make pollution control even more complex and demanding. Most studies [...] Read more.
Air pollution poses a significant challenge to environmental sustainability and inhibits economic and social development. In urban areas, the combined effects of high population density, industrial concentration, and the urban heat island effect make pollution control even more complex and demanding. Most studies on urban air pollution focus on specific pollution sources or localized areas, lacking a systematic approach tailored to the unique environmental conditions of megacities. Herein, this study employs bibliometric analysis based on the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection, incorporating 3109 research articles on urban air pollution, including metropolitan areas and megacities, published between 2000 and 2024. By constructing a knowledge framework, this research reveals the thematic networks and evolutionary trends in the air pollution field. The findings indicate that key research themes, such as aerosols, air quality, and urban heat islands, have emerged as focal points. These themes, while relatively distinct, are interconnected, forming a three-dimensional framework of pollutants–health effects–monitoring, and governance. Moreover, the disciplinary network exhibits a clear convergence trend, with a shift from single-discipline studies to a more interdisciplinary approach. In terms of international collaboration, a bipolar structure led by the United States and China has taken shape. Through a multidimensional analysis of urban air pollution, this study identifies research hotspots and highlights the critical role of interdisciplinary and international cooperation in advancing urban air pollution control. By addressing the gap in cross-disciplinary, multi-perspective research, this work enhances the overall understanding of urban environmental policies and provides valuable insights for promoting global urban sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition))
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14 pages, 2997 KiB  
Article
Causal Relationship Between Urban Air Pollution and Pulmonary Embolism: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
by Xiang Pei, Yuhang Jiang, Zheng Wang and Xiaoyun Zhao
Atmosphere 2025, 16(4), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040384 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 220
Abstract
Background: As urbanization progresses, the resulting air pollution has become an increasingly severe public health issue, known to exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies suggest that it may also affect blood coagulation mechanisms. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used [...] Read more.
Background: As urbanization progresses, the resulting air pollution has become an increasingly severe public health issue, known to exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies suggest that it may also affect blood coagulation mechanisms. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to explore the causal relationship between air pollution and pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: This study employs MR techniques, using genetic variants associated with air pollution exposure to assess their impact on VTE. Data from large-scale genomic studies, including the UK Biobank and OpenGWAS, were analyzed to explore the relationship between genetic susceptibility to air pollution and the risk of pulmonary embolism. The study also conducted multivariable MR analysis, adjusting for potential confounders such as smoking and BMI. Results: The study finds that long-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 significantly increases the risk of pulmonary embolism, with the association for PM2.5 being the most significant. The study also indicates that pollutants like PM2.5–10, NO2, and NOx have a smaller but still notable impact on PE risk. Multivariable MR analysis confirmed the robustness of these results, further highlighting the role of air pollution in thrombosis. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study emphasizes the significant causal relationship between air pollution and PE, providing evidence that pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, and NOx contribute to thrombotic events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition))
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19 pages, 4122 KiB  
Article
Aerodynamic and Dry Deposition Effects of Roadside Trees on NOx Concentration Changes on Roadways and Sidewalks
by Yeon-Uk Kim, Seung-Bok Lee, Chang Hyeok Kim, Seonyeop Lee and Kyung-Hwan Kwak
Atmosphere 2025, 16(3), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16030344 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 335
Abstract
This study analyzes changes in NOx concentrations due to the aerodynamic and dry deposition effects of roadside trees in the Jongno area, a central business district of Seoul, Republic of Korea, using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The simulation results indicate [...] Read more.
This study analyzes changes in NOx concentrations due to the aerodynamic and dry deposition effects of roadside trees in the Jongno area, a central business district of Seoul, Republic of Korea, using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The simulation results indicate that the on-road NOx concentration was slightly increased (2.09%) due to the aerodynamic effect of roadside trees. However, the dry deposition effect of roadside trees had a greater impact on reducing NOx concentrations (−2.77%) along sidewalks. It was observed that the reduction in NOx concentration due to the dry deposition effect of roadside trees was likely to offset the increase in NOx concentrations due to the aerodynamic effect of roadside trees, resulting in an overall decrease in NOx concentrations. Furthermore, sensitivity tests showed that the increase in NOx concentrations due to the aerodynamic effects of roadside trees was intensified along sidewalks when ambient wind speeds were high, while the decrease in NOx concentration was proportional to the deposition velocity of roadside trees. Therefore, roadside trees should be planted where aerodynamic effects do not significantly increase NOx concentrations in order to improve near-road air quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition))
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22 pages, 4257 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Low-Carbon Policies on Air Quality in China’s Metropolitan Areas: Evidence from a Difference-in-Differences Study
by Xuejiao Niu and Ying Liu
Atmosphere 2025, 16(3), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16030339 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 343
Abstract
Climate change and air pollution are intrinsically interconnected as carbon dioxide and air pollutants are co-emitted during fossil fuel combustion. Low-carbon policies, aimed at mitigating carbon emissions, are also anticipated to yield co-benefits for air quality; however, the extent to which regional low-carbon [...] Read more.
Climate change and air pollution are intrinsically interconnected as carbon dioxide and air pollutants are co-emitted during fossil fuel combustion. Low-carbon policies, aimed at mitigating carbon emissions, are also anticipated to yield co-benefits for air quality; however, the extent to which regional low-carbon policies can effectively achieve significant reductions in air pollutant levels remains uncertain. In China, the implementation of the low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy has reduced carbon emissions, but further research is needed to examine its effectiveness regarding achieving air quality co-benefits. Adopting a difference-in-differences model with a 19-year national database of air quality, this study examines whether the LCCP policy improves air quality in China’s metropolitan areas and explores how these policy initiatives address their air pollution challenges. The results indicate that, following the implementation of the LCCP policy, the mean, maximum, and standard deviation of the AQI in pilot cities decreased significantly by 9.3%, 20.8%, and 19.8%, respectively, compared to non-pilot cities. These results suggest that the LCCP policy significantly improves air quality and provide evidence that this improvement is facilitated by advancements in green technology, industrial restructuring, and the optimization of urban planning and landscape design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition))
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14 pages, 666 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Effect of Air Pollution on COPD Exacerbations: AIREPOC Cohort in Bogotá, Colombia
by Astrid Berena Herrera López, Néstor Y. Rojas, Horacio Riojas-Rodríguez, José Luis Texcalac-Sangrador, Carlos A. Torres-Duque, Alejandro Casas Herrera, María Patricia Arbeláez, Víctor Herrera and Laura Andrea Rodríguez-Villamizar
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121449 - 30 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1327
Abstract
(1) Background: Evidence on the association between air pollution and the risk of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is scarce and inconsistent. We aimed to analyze the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Evidence on the association between air pollution and the risk of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is scarce and inconsistent. We aimed to analyze the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and exacerbation of COPD (COPD-E) in Bogotá, Colombia. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 722 COPD patients in the AIREPOC program of the Fundación Neumológica Colombiana between 2018 and 2021. Exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was estimated for residential locations using the inverse squared-distance weighted regression (IDWR) method. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for the first COPD-E during follow-up using Cox models, adjusted for meteorological, demographic, and clinical variables. (3) Results: COPD-E was associated with long-term exposure to PM2.5 (HR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.02–1.05) and NO2 (HR: 1.05, 95%CI: 1.03–1.07), controlling for the effect of quality of life, history of COPD-E, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) pre-bronchodilator, and exposure to solar radiation. An association was found between COPD-E and concentrations ≥ 25 µg/m3 of NO2 (HR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.12–1.98) but not with concentrations ≥ 15 µg/m3 of PM2.5. (4) Conclusions: This study suggests that people with COPD exposed to higher concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2 had an increased risk of COPD-E. Solar radiation was also associated with an increased risk of COPD-E. The results highlight the importance of continuing efforts to reduce air pollution. COPD patients should be aware of air quality indices and follow the recommendations, as well as participate in air governance spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities (Second Edition))
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