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Atmosphere
Special Issues
Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants
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Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 June 2024) | Viewed by 10725

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Haider A. Khwaja

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
Interests: acid rain; cloud water chemistry; water and human health issues; health impacts of air pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Azhar Siddique

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environment and Sustainability Center, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
Interests: air pollution studies; air quality; water quality; public health; environmental chemistry; environmental science; environmental analysis; health risk assessment; environmental pollution; environmental monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mirza M. Hussain

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Wadsworth Center, New York state Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
Interests: air quality; particulate matter; atmospheric pollution; air pollution studies; air sampling; aerosol chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air pollution has caused significant concern worldwide due to its widespread nature, damage to our environment, and risk to human health. Globally, air pollution contributes to 8.3 million premature deaths, 275 million Daily Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and a burden of USD 4.6 trillion annually. Exposure to air pollutants comprises contributions from outdoor, indoor, commuting, and time-activity patterns in different microenvironments. Both long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution have been linked to various diseases, e.g., cardiopulmonary diseases, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, neurodegenerative diseases, mental health issues, pregnancy losses, reduced birth weight, and decreased life expectancy. Although the biological mechanisms underlying these adverse health effects remain obscure, significant progress to uncover them has been made. This Special Issue, “Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants”, will provide a platform allowing the scientific community to promote their investigations and ideas, using both conventional and emerging tools, to tackle the issue. The current issue will focus on, but is not limited to, the following areas:
  • Indoor air pollution;
  • Organic and inorganic contaminants;
  • Bioaerosols;
  • Measurements, forecasting and modeling of indoor air quality;
  • Source apportionment;
  • Air quality and human health impacts;
  • Exposure assessment;
  • Epidemiology;
  • Toxicology;
  • Characterization, communication, and management of risk.

Dr. Haider A. Khwaja
Dr. Azhar Siddique
Dr. Mirza M. Hussain
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
  • health effects
  • gaseous pollutants
  • particulate matter exposure
  • epidemiological studies
  • bioaerosols

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1644 KiB  
Article
Formate Emission in the Mainstream Aerosols of Heated Tobacco Products Distributed in Japan
by Masaki Kawaguchi and Yoshika Sekine
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091045 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1265
Abstract
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are newly developed nicotine delivery systems via the inhalation of mainstream aerosols generated during the heating of tobacco leaf materials. Previous studies have shown that the amount of chemicals generated is much lower than that generated by conventional combustible [...] Read more.
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are newly developed nicotine delivery systems via the inhalation of mainstream aerosols generated during the heating of tobacco leaf materials. Previous studies have shown that the amount of chemicals generated is much lower than that generated by conventional combustible cigarettes. However, little attention has been paid to formate, a conjugated base of formic acid with potentially toxic effects on human health. This study aims to understand the actual emission levels and behaviour of formate in mainstream aerosols produced by commercially available HTP devices in Japan. Aerosols were generated from four types of devices with regular and menthol-type flavours using a vaping machine following the CRM 81 puffing protocol. Formate was tapped in 5 mM sodium carbonate solution and subsequently analysed using ion chromatography. The results showed that the total emission amount of formate ranged from 0.0027 ± 0.0031 to 0.27 ± 0.055 mg L−1, varying with heating temperature and flavour type. Moreover, the majority of formate existed in a particulate form due to the weak-basic property of the aerosol, and the formate emission level was much greater than the workplace exposure limit for the direct inhalation of mainstream aerosols. The formate in the mainstream aerosol can be considered a health concern, when using “high-temperature type” HTPs over a long period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants)
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11 pages, 238 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Perceived Indoor Air Quality in the Classrooms of Slovenian Primary Schools and Its Association with Indoor Air Quality Factors, for the Design of Public Health Interventions
by An Galičič, Jan Rožanec, Andreja Kukec, Sašo Medved and Ivan Eržen
Atmosphere 2024, 15(8), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15080995 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1259
Abstract
From a public health perspective, it is necessary to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools. This study aims to assess the state of perceived IAQ in Slovenian school classrooms and its association with the selected IAQ factors to improve the understanding of [...] Read more.
From a public health perspective, it is necessary to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools. This study aims to assess the state of perceived IAQ in Slovenian school classrooms and its association with the selected IAQ factors to improve the understanding of perceived IAQ for designing public health interventions aimed to improve IAQ in schools. A national cross-sectional study was performed in all 454 Slovenian primary schools in the school year 2019/2020. The questionnaires were filled out by the 3rd-grade teachers with the support of the caretakers. Teachers rated the IAQ in the classroom as the worst in winter. We found that the teachers’ perceived IAQ in the classroom is statistically significantly associated with the micro location of the school and some of the IAQ factors. Poor IAQ is associated with reduced manual airing of classrooms due to the thermal comfort of the occupants. Interventions should be aimed at improving occupants’ adaptive behaviors to increase the frequency of natural ventilation in classrooms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants)
19 pages, 9519 KiB  
Article
Potential Health Risks of Indoor Particulate Matter Heavy Metals in Resource-Constrained Settings of South Africa
by Busisiwe Shezi, Nkosana Jafta and Rajen N Naidoo
Atmosphere 2024, 15(8), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15080911 - 30 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1564
Abstract
Evidence suggests that pollutants like particulate matter and heavy metals significantly impact health. This study investigated the determinants and sources of indoor PM2.5 heavy metals and assessed the health risk to children in Durban. Thirty households of mothers participating in the mother [...] Read more.
Evidence suggests that pollutants like particulate matter and heavy metals significantly impact health. This study investigated the determinants and sources of indoor PM2.5 heavy metals and assessed the health risk to children in Durban. Thirty households of mothers participating in the mother and child in the environment (MACE) birth cohort study were assessed for PM2.5 heavy metals. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify the determinants of PM2.5 heavy metals, while Pearson correlation and principal component analysis identified their sources. The health risk for children was assessed using measured metal concentrations. Proximity to industry, wall type, house age, and presence of windows increased some PM2.5 heavy metals, while cross ventilation reduced indoor PM2.5 As and Cu levels. Pearson correlation and principal component analysis indicated household, traffic, industrial, and natural sources as potential contributors. The health index was greater than 1, and cancer risk values for PM2.5 As and Pb exceeded acceptable levels. The findings highlight the toxicity of indoor air due to heavy metals and the potential for adverse health outcomes in children. To protect vulnerable groups, it is essential to prevent exposure to high-risk metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants)
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12 pages, 1479 KiB  
Article
Airborne Culturable Fungi in the Indoor and Outdoor Environments of Shrines in Chennai, India
by Sripriya Nannu Shankar, Bhuvaneswari Srinivasan and Udaya Prakash Nyayiru Kannaian
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070754 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1258
Abstract
The diversity and concentrations of airborne fungi in the environments of 58 temples across a metropolitan city (Chennai) in India were investigated. Air samples from indoors (within 2 m of the Sanctum sanctorum) and outdoors (at least 10 m away from the [...] Read more.
The diversity and concentrations of airborne fungi in the environments of 58 temples across a metropolitan city (Chennai) in India were investigated. Air samples from indoors (within 2 m of the Sanctum sanctorum) and outdoors (at least 10 m away from the Sanctum sanctorum) were collected using the Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (RCS). Of the 90 species isolated, 7 belonged to Zygomycota, 5 to Ascomycota and the remaining 78 to Mitosporic fungi. A total of 3470 colonies were isolated from the indoor environment, which was 13.73% higher than the total recorded outdoors (3051 colonies). An average of 747.7 and 657.5 CFU/m3 of air was recorded in the indoor and outdoor environments, respectively. The predominant species identified in both environments were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Cladosporium cladosporioides. While most of the fungal species isolated are considered allergens and pathogens, they can also deteriorate the architecture of shrines. This study indicates the need to implement control measures to minimize the risks of exposure to bioaerosols in public spaces such as shrines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants)
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18 pages, 3490 KiB  
Article
Ventilation Strategies for Mitigating Indoor Air Pollutants in High-Rise Residential Buildings: A Case Study in Dubai
by Chuloh Jung and Naglaa Sami Abdelaziz Mahmoud
Atmosphere 2023, 14(11), 1600; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14111600 - 26 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4033
Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of different ventilation methods in reducing indoor air pollutants in newly constructed residential buildings, focusing on indoor air quality (IAQ) in Dubai. The paper highlights the growing concern for IAQ in response to residents’ increasing awareness of their [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effectiveness of different ventilation methods in reducing indoor air pollutants in newly constructed residential buildings, focusing on indoor air quality (IAQ) in Dubai. The paper highlights the growing concern for IAQ in response to residents’ increasing awareness of their well-being and environmental sustainability. The study examines the concentrations of formaldehyde (HCHO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) in bedrooms and living rooms before and after implementing various ventilation methods during the construction phase. The findings indicate that mechanical exhaust ventilation, mainly through bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, was highly effective in reducing HCHO levels. Combining kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans demonstrated the most significant reduction in HCHO concentrations. Similarly, reductions in VOCs, such as ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene, were observed with different ventilation methods. Natural ventilation also proved effective in reducing pollutant concentrations. The results emphasize the importance of implementing appropriate ventilation strategies to improve IAQ in residential buildings. However, the study acknowledges the limitations of a single-location measurement and recommends further research to validate the findings across different building types and locations. Additionally, long-term studies are necessary to assess the sustained effects of ventilation methods on IAQ. The study highlights the significance of addressing IAQ concerns in residential buildings and suggests potential research directions to explore other ventilation strategies and their energy efficiency implications. Ultimately, this research contributes to developing healthier and sustainable living environments by promoting effective ventilation strategies to mitigate indoor air pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Impacts Related to Indoor Air Pollutants)
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