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Atmosphere
Special Issues
Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability
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Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 3 November 2025 | Viewed by 8306

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniele Contini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC), National Research Council (CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: atmosphere composition; aerosol sources; health-related effects of aerosols; receptor models; turbulent fluxes; particle deposition; nucleation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesca Costabile

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (ISAC), National Research Council (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: air quality; atmospheric aerosol; health effects; characterization of ultrafine particles; combustion generated aerosol and urban areas; black carbon and carbonaceous aerosol, and relevant toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that Atmosphere is now compiling a collection of outstanding papers in the field of “Urban air pollution and health”.

Earth is continuously urbanising, and there are new pressing urban issues in the scientific community, such as the triple crisis of urban pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change, as well as their cascading hazards. Urban living is synonymous with higher multiple exposures to several environmental stressors, such as traffic-related air pollution, urban heat island, and landscape transformation. A new urban science is auspicable to face these isuues, bringing multiple disciplines together and characterised by a transdisciplinary approach.

We encourage papers focusing on associations between multiple types of urban exposures (air pollution, noise, heat, and artificial light, including effects associated with a lack of greenspace and weather extremes) and human health. In this context, we welcome studies focussing on the effects of criteria pollutants, fine particulate matter, and emerging or unregulated pollutants (e.g., ultrafine particles and black carbon). In addition, studies that explore toxicological indicators, features of particulate matter that induce oxidative stress (e.g., oxidative potential), and epidemiological outcomes of atmospeheric pollutants in urban areas are encouarged.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish a set of insightful and influential papers composed of either original contributions or reviews. All papers in this Special Issue will be collected into a printed edition book.

Dr. Daniele Contini
Dr. Francesca Costabile
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 pollution
  • ultrafine particles
  • black carbon
  • pollutants of emerging concern
  • toxicology
  • epidemiology
  • exposome
  • one health
  • oxidative stress

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 2073 KiB  
Article
Allergic Asthma in the Municipalities of the Palynological Network of the Community of Madrid and Its Interrelation with the Concentration of Tree Pollen and Atmospheric Pollutants
by Javier Chico-Fernández and Esperanza Ayuga-Téllez
Atmosphere 2025, 16(4), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040425 - 5 Apr 2025
Viewed by 283
Abstract
Although the benefits of trees in cities are of great variety and value, attention must also be paid to the consequences for public health of the presence of pollen aeroallergens in the atmosphere, which are likely to interact with air pollutants, influencing the [...] Read more.
Although the benefits of trees in cities are of great variety and value, attention must also be paid to the consequences for public health of the presence of pollen aeroallergens in the atmosphere, which are likely to interact with air pollutants, influencing the alteration of the immune system, facilitating allergic reactions, and enhancing the symptoms of asthmatic patients. This study analyses (using multiple linear regression calculations performed with the data analysis tool Statgraphics Centurion 19) the interaction of the concentration of six types of tree pollen (Cupressaceae, Olea, Platanus, Pinus, Ulmus, and Populus) and six atmospheric pollutants (O3, PM10 and PM2.5, NO2, CO, and SO2), on asthma care episodes in the Community of Madrid (CAM). In most of the calculated equations, the adjusted R2 value is higher than 30%, and in all cases, the P-value of the models obtained is lower than 0.0001. Therefore, almost all models obtained in the study period for asthma are statistically significant. Olea is the pollen type most frequently associated with asthma (followed by Pinus and Populus), in all the years studied. In the same period, O3 is the most common air pollutant in the equations obtained for asthma. Stronger interrelations with asthma are generally found in more urban municipalities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability)
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19 pages, 9173 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Impact of Road Layout Patterns on Pedestrian-Level Ventilation Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
by Zhenxing Li, Bijun Han, Yaqi Chu, Yu Shi, Na Huang and Tiemao Shi
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020123 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 630
Abstract
The development of new energy vehicles and road dust removal technologies presents opportunities for constructing urban ventilation systems based on road patterns. However, the impact of road system layouts on pedestrian-level wind environments remains insufficiently understood. This study utilizes the general-purpose CFD software [...] Read more.
The development of new energy vehicles and road dust removal technologies presents opportunities for constructing urban ventilation systems based on road patterns. However, the impact of road system layouts on pedestrian-level wind environments remains insufficiently understood. This study utilizes the general-purpose CFD software Phoenics to analyze the effects of road orientation, width, density, and intersection configurations on block ventilation. The standard k-ε model and three-dimensional steady-state RANS equations are employed to calculate pedestrian-level mean air age as an indicator of ventilation efficiency. Grid convergence analysis and validation against previous wind tunnel measurements were conducted. Results show that road layouts influence overall ventilation efficiency by affecting airflow volume, direction, and velocity. Optimal ventilation occurs when road orientation aligns with the prevailing wind at 0° or exceeds 70°. Recommended widths for trunk, secondary, and local roads are 46 m, 30 m, and 18 m, respectively. Lower densities of local road systems enhance ventilation, while higher densities of trunk and secondary roads are beneficial. Intersection configurations impact airflow distribution, with windward segments aiding lateral ventilation of side roads. Finally, ventilation design strategies for road systems are proposed, offering potential for leveraging urban road networks to construct efficient ventilation systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability)
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10 pages, 811 KiB  
Article
Association of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality and Ambient Temperature Variation in Shanghai, China: Beyond Air Quality Index PM2.5
by Qi Li, Shizhen Li, Ting Zhai, Shan Jin, Chunfang Wang, Bo Fang and Tian Xia
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020119 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 927
Abstract
Evidence from megacity registry data regarding the independent association between ambient temperature and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, after accounting for Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), remains scarce. In this study, we collected 308,116 CVD mortality cases in Shanghai from 2015 to 2020. [...] Read more.
Evidence from megacity registry data regarding the independent association between ambient temperature and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, after accounting for Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), remains scarce. In this study, we collected 308,116 CVD mortality cases in Shanghai from 2015 to 2020. The distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was utilized. The daily PM2.5 concentration was transformed using a natural spline (ns) function and integrated into the model for adjustment. The DLNM analysis revealed that the exposure–response curve between daily temperature and CVD mortality approximated an inverted “J” shape, consistent for both women and men. The minimum mortality temperature (MMT) for total CVD mortality was 25 °C, with an MMT of 26 °C for females and 24 °C for males. The highest relative risk (RR) of CVD mortality was 2.424 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.035, 2.887] at the lowest temperature of −6.1 °C, with 2.244 (95% CI: 1.787, 2.818) for female and 2.642 (95% CI: 2.100, 3.326) for male. High temperatures exert acute and short-term effects, with the peak risk occurring on the day of exposure. In contrast, the risk from low temperature peaks on day 3 of the lag time and subsequently declines until days 16–21. This study offers evidence-based support for the prevention of temperature-induced CVD mortality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability)
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15 pages, 1582 KiB  
Article
The Atmospheric Deposition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Metropolitan City of Rome in the Year 2022/2023
by Giuseppe Ianiri, Gaetano Settimo, Maria Eleonora Soggiu, Marco Inglessis, Sabrina Di Giorgi and Pasquale Avino
Atmosphere 2025, 16(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16010020 - 27 Dec 2024
Viewed by 785
Abstract
The measurement of atmospheric deposition fluxes is an excellent tool for assessing the contamination of territory and the subsequent exposure of the population to major contaminants through the food chain. In this context, the aim of this study was to measure the polycyclic [...] Read more.
The measurement of atmospheric deposition fluxes is an excellent tool for assessing the contamination of territory and the subsequent exposure of the population to major contaminants through the food chain. In this context, the aim of this study was to measure the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) deposition fluxes in the city of Rome (ISS Station) during the year 2022/2023 at two different heights above the ground (vertical profile), in order to evaluate the influence that the vertical profile has on PAH deposition. Two measuring positions were identified, one at street level and one at a height of 20 m. The collection of bulk atmospheric depositions was carried out approximately every 30 days, and the PAHs were determined according to the indications given in ISTISAN Report 06/38 and Standard UNI EN 15980:2011. The results show that throughout the year, the deposition rates of settleable dust were always higher at the lower (annual average of 48.5 mg m−2 day−1) collection position than at the higher position (annual average of 17.5 mg m−2 day−1). Despite this difference, the concentrations and profiles of the main PAHs analyzed, as indicated in EU Directive 2024/2881, in the dust collected at the two positions were almost similar, showing that the vertical profile did not influence the composition and concentration of PAHs in the collected settleable dust. Furthermore, a comparison of the deposition rates of sedimentable dust and PAHs with the legislative references currently present in Europe was made, highlighting that in the city of Rome during the monitoring period of this study, the values of dust and PAHs were lower than the limit and guide values and were also in line with other Italian urban locations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability)
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15 pages, 3618 KiB  
Article
Modeling of Air Quality near Indian Informal Settlements Where Limited Local Monitoring Data Exist
by Ryan W. Hirst, Myra J. Giesen, Maria-Valasia Peppa, Kelly Jobling, Dnyaneshwari Jadhav, S. Ziauddin Ahammad, Anil Namdeo and David W. Graham
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1072; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091072 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1154
Abstract
The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with migration rates often exceeding the infra-structural capacity in cities across the developing world. As such, many migrants must reside in informal settlements that lack civil and health protection infrastructure, including air quality monitoring. Here, geospatial inverse [...] Read more.
The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with migration rates often exceeding the infra-structural capacity in cities across the developing world. As such, many migrants must reside in informal settlements that lack civil and health protection infrastructure, including air quality monitoring. Here, geospatial inverse distance weighting and archived Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) air quality data for neighboring stations from 2018 to 2021 were used to estimate air conditions in five informal settlements in Delhi, India, spanning the 2020 pandemic lockdown. The results showed that WHO limits for PM2.5 and NO2 were exceeded regularly, although air quality improved during the pandemic. Air quality was always better during the monsoon season (44.3 ± 3.47 and 26.9 ± 2.35 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and NO2, respectively) and poorest in the post-monsoon season (180 ± 15.5 and 55.2 ± 3.59 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and NO2). Differences in air quality among settlements were explained by the proximity to major roads and places of open burning, with NO2 levels often being greater near roads and PM2.5 levels being elevated near places with open burning. Field monitoring was performed in 2023 at three settlements and local CPCB stations. Air quality at settlements and their closest station were not significantly different (p < 0.01). However, field data showed that on-site factors within settlements, such as cooking, ad hoc burning, or micro-scale industry, impact air quality on local scales, suggesting health risks are greater in informal settlements because of greater unregulated activity. City-scale models can estimate mean air quality concentrations at unmonitored locations, but caution is needed because such models can miss local exposures that may have the greatest impact on local health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability)
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Review

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15 pages, 3383 KiB  
Review
A Critical Review on the Experimental Setups Used to Assess the Efficiency of Respirators Against Ambient Particulate Matter
by Sasan Faridi, Fatemeh Yousefian, Sadegh Niazi, Mohammad Rezvani Ghalhari, Ata Rafiee, Roy M. Harrison, Robert D. Brook, Daniele Contini, Prashant Kumar, Kazem Naddafi, Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand and Christopher Carlsten
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1447; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121447 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1098
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses significant health risks, prompting public health organizations to recommend the use of respirators and facemasks (RFMs) to mitigate exposure. Consequently, interest in their usage has increased, leading to several studies assessing the efficiency of these personal-level [...] Read more.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses significant health risks, prompting public health organizations to recommend the use of respirators and facemasks (RFMs) to mitigate exposure. Consequently, interest in their usage has increased, leading to several studies assessing the efficiency of these personal-level interventions against various fractions of ambient particulate matter (PM). We conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify relevant studies and address the following objectives: (1) explore the efficiency of RFMs in reducing ambient PM; (2) discuss discrepancies in efficiencies reported; (3) critique the experimental setups used to evaluate the efficiency of RFMs; and (4) propose recommendations for future research. Five relevant studies we reviewed reported significantly lower RFM effectiveness against ambient PM, with a size-dependent efficiency that decreases for smaller PM fractions. Variations in the reported efficiencies were primarily attributed to design-related factors, resulting in poor facial fit. Therefore, it is crucial to consider standardizing and properly designing these products. These studies overlooked essential factors, such as using dummy heads with flexible textures that mimic human skin. The use of rigid-textured dummy heads, as seen in previous studies, may fail to accurately represent real-world conditions. We recommend researchers take into account diverse facial profiles in their experiments. Moreover, it is essential to consider facial characteristics in the design of RFMs. We believe the evidence supports the increasing need for the adoption of appropriate guidelines and regulations to govern RFM suppliers at both national and international levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability)
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17 pages, 336 KiB  
Review
Occurrence of Microplastics in the Atmosphere: An Overview on Sources, Analytical Challenges, and Human Health Effects
by Fabiana Carriera, Cristina Di Fiore and Pasquale Avino
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070863 - 21 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2402
Abstract
The rapid spread and accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in environmental ecosystems result from extensive plastic usage. MPs have been found in both indoor and outdoor air. Outdoor MP levels vary widely across global cities, with reported ranges from 36 to 118 MPs m [...] Read more.
The rapid spread and accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in environmental ecosystems result from extensive plastic usage. MPs have been found in both indoor and outdoor air. Outdoor MP levels vary widely across global cities, with reported ranges from 36 to 118 MPs m−2 day−1. However, differing measurement units complicate comparisons. Indoor MPs are particularly concerning due to the significant amount of time people spend indoors. For instance, MP concentrations in workplaces like reception areas and nail salons were found to be 309 ± 214 and 46 ± 55 MPs m−3, respectively. Technological limitations hinder the identification of MPs, with methods like µ-ATR-FTIR, µ-FTIR, and µ-Raman identifying MPs of different sizes. MPs smaller than 0.3 µm pose a health risk as they can be internalized in lung cells, while MPs larger than 10 µm are too large to enter alveolar macrophages. This review highlights the current understanding of airborne MPs, focusing on their sources, transport, and deposition mechanisms. It aims to provide a foundation for further studies to deeply assess the presence, abundance, and occurrence of MPs in aerosols, a subject that remains underexplored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Air Pollution Exposure and Health Vulnerability)
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