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Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (2nd...
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Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (2nd Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 10580

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Hong Geng

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030031, China
Interests: aerosol
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a follow-up of the first Special Issue, entitled “Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere/special_issues/F13HARCL6U) published in Atmosphere.

The multifaceted health effects of atmospheric particulate matter  (e.g., PM2.5 or PM10) have raised broader, stronger concerns in recent years, calling for comprehensive environmental health risk assessments to provide new insights into their relations to composition analysis. Atmospheric particulate matter are a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. Their major chemical constituents include mineral dust, water-soluble ions (e.g., NO3−, SO42−, Cl−, NH4+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), organic carbon (OC),  elemental carbon (EC), and metals. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as deserts, oceans, and forests, or they can be chemically produced in the air through reactions involving precursor gasses, such as NOx, SO2, and NH3, emitted from both anthropogenic and natural sources. Specific components of atmospheric particulate matter or different toxic substances adsorbed in them often lead to un-agreeable results of epidemiological and toxicological health risk assessments. This raises an urgent necessity to rapidly and accurately determine the components of atmospheric particulate matter and identify their contributions to relevant toxicological effects. Understanding the quantitative contribution of different components is crucial for correctly assessing their toxicities and exposure risks on human health. Based on various monitoring and detection methods, a clear observation of the particle size, shape, mixing state, and element or group constituents and specific identification of particulate species such as mineral dust, sea-spray aerosols, different types of organic carbon (particularly microplastics and biogenic aerosols), carbon-rich particles (such as soot, tar balls, and char) and heavy metal-containing particles can be performed and their corresponding toxicities in vivo and in vitro can be determined and assessed. With the promising development of machine-learning and artificial intelligence techniques, predictive toxicology through the investigation of their quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) using model calculation has become more and more popular. In this Special Issue, we aim to promote the publication of papers focusing on the characterization and determination of atmospheric particulate matter and estimating, modeling, and forecasting their toxicities and health effects. These include laboratory studies and measurement protocols, methodological approaches, a comparison of acellular and in vitro or in vivo approaches, the influence of chemical composition and indoor/outdoor sources on health impacts, the correlation of health indicators with source apportionment results, and an assessment of health effects related to oxidative stress and population exposure. In particular, whether original research papers or review articles, the Special Issue invites, but it is not limited to, studies with the following focuses:

  • Proposing new measurement techniques and analysis  approaches on particulate matter’s components;
  • Estimating particle toxicities and health impacts using physical, chemical, statistical, and artificial intelligence methods;
  • Emphasizing the impacts of atmospheric particulate matter on human health in both indoor and outdoor environments;
  • Proposing new tools and indicators for assessing toxicological effects and adverse health impacts of atmospheric particulate matter;
  • Assessing the exposure risk to human health relating to compositions of airborne particulate matter;
  • Modeling the dynamics of the different compositions of particles to predict their toxicities and health effects.

Prof. Dr. Hong Geng
Guest Editor

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

  • atmospheric particulate matter
  • bulk and single-particle analysis
  • chemical composition
  • toxicity
  • predictive toxicology
  • health impacts

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 2613 KB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Ambient PM2.5 and O3 with Natural Temperature Variability on Non-Accidental and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Historical Time Series Analysis in Urban Taiyuan, China
by Huan Zhou, Hong Geng, Jingjing Tian, Li Wu, Zhihong Zhang and Daizhou Zhang
Atmosphere 2025, 16(8), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080971 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 566
Abstract
Climate change and air pollution are associated with a range of health outcomes, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Evaluation of the synergic effects of air pollution and increasing natural temperature on mortality is important for understanding their potential joint health effects. In this [...] Read more.
Climate change and air pollution are associated with a range of health outcomes, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Evaluation of the synergic effects of air pollution and increasing natural temperature on mortality is important for understanding their potential joint health effects. In this study, the modification effects of air temperature on the short-term association of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) with non-accidental death (NAD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality were evaluated by using the generalized additive model (GAM) combined with the distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) in urban areas of Taiyuan, a representative of energy and heavy industrial cities in Northern China. The data on the daily cause-specific death numbers, air pollutants concentrations, and meteorological factors were collected from January 2013 to December 2019, and the temperature was divided into low (<25th percentile), medium (25–75th percentile), and high (>75th percentile) categories. Significant associations of PM2.5 and O3 with NAD and CVD mortality were observed in single-effect analysis. A statistically significant increase in the effect estimates of PM2.5 and O3 on NAD and CVD mortality was also observed on high-temperature days. But the associations of those were not statistically significant on medium- and low-temperature days. At the same temperature level, the effects of PM2.5 and O3 on the CVD mortality were larger than those on NAD (1.74% vs. 1.21%; 1.67% vs. 0.57%), and the elderly and males appeared to be more vulnerable to both higher temperatures and air pollution. The results suggest that the acute effect of PM2.5 and O3 on NAD and CVD mortality in urban Taiyuan was enhanced by increasing temperatures, particularly for the elderly and males. It highlights the importance of reducing PM2.5 and O3 exposure in urban areas to reduce the public health burden under the situation of global warming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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25 pages, 2841 KB  
Article
Festive Pollution: A Global Concern—A Comparative Study of Diwali in India and New Year’s Eve in Poland
by Anamika Roy, Mamun Mandal, Sneha Kumari Binha, Dinesh Prasad, Robert Popek, Arkadiusz Przybysz and Abhijit Sarkar
Atmosphere 2025, 16(4), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16040442 - 10 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1976
Abstract
Festivals are significant markers of cultural heritage and community traditions. Nevertheless, every year, significant increases in pollution levels are recorded during celebratory events, due to the overuse of firecrackers. This study evaluated gaseous and particulate matter (PM) concentrations using a gas and particulate [...] Read more.
Festivals are significant markers of cultural heritage and community traditions. Nevertheless, every year, significant increases in pollution levels are recorded during celebratory events, due to the overuse of firecrackers. This study evaluated gaseous and particulate matter (PM) concentrations using a gas and particulate sampler, alongside noise levels measured by a sound level meter, during the pre-to-post-Diwali period of 2023 and 2024 in Malda, India, and PM concentrations in Warsaw, Poland in 2024, using a DustAir dust meter. The results indicated that during Diwali, the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM1 exceeded the standard set by the World Health Organization, while gaseous pollutants remained within acceptable limits. Since no standards set for PM1 exist, PM2.5 criteria were utilized as a benchmark. Additionally, on New Year’s Eve in Warsaw, concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 surpassed the standard around midnight, while gaseous pollutants remained within the standard range. An elemental analysis revealed 13 elements in Diwali PM samples, with toxic metals like arsenic and cadmium more prevalent in PM1. The risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects through ingestion was higher for children compared to adults. The findings of this study could potentially raise awareness among researchers and policymakers, prompting them to develop sustainable substitutes for firecrackers and sparklers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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25 pages, 3107 KB  
Article
Socioeconomic and Health Impacts of Dust Storms in Southwest Iran
by Neamat MalAmiri, Alireza Rashki, Ali Al-Dousari and Dimitris G. Kaskaoutis
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020159 - 31 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2957
Abstract
Dust storms are frequent meteorological phenomena in the arid and semi-arid regions of Khuzestan province (KHP) in southwest Iran. These storms result in significant social and economic repercussions that extend beyond mere meteorological and climatic disturbances. Over the past decade, they have become [...] Read more.
Dust storms are frequent meteorological phenomena in the arid and semi-arid regions of Khuzestan province (KHP) in southwest Iran. These storms result in significant social and economic repercussions that extend beyond mere meteorological and climatic disturbances. Over the past decade, they have become the primary cause of substantial environmental and socio-economic damage in the region. In this study, we aim to assess the economic impacts of sand/dust storms (SDSs) on human health, agriculture (specifically Estamran dates), and migration in KHP. Our findings reveal the following economic consequences: Respiratory diseases incurred a financial loss of approximately USD 14 million, with more than 450 individuals requiring hospitalization at a cost exceeding USD 0.04 million between April and July 2022. In addition, cardiovascular diseases related to SDSs resulted in costs exceeding USD 1.9 million within the same time frame. Cities near the sources of dust storms experienced a cumulative damage cost of approximately USD 6.8 million. The local population in these cities also suffered more significant adverse effects compared to those in cities farther from the influence of dust storms in southwest Iran. We further evaluated the impact of SDSs on the quality of Estamran dates by analyzing 20 samples from key Estamran date production areas in KHP, including Ahvaz, Abadan, Khorramshahr, and Shadegan. The cost of damages (COD) in this sector was estimated at around USD 18.3 million, with Shadegan bearing the brunt of the loss at approximately USD 8.3 million. SDSs also have an important social economic impact due to deterioration of living conditions and migration in KHP. In total, the socio-economic costs of SDSs in these three sectors amounted to about USD 39 million. This is particularly concerning considering that Khuzestan province contributed 14.8% to Iran’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020, representing 50% of the economic output of southwestern provinces. Therefore, the current findings represent an alarming situation regarding the socio-economic impacts of dust storms in SW Iran. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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26 pages, 2875 KB  
Article
Temporal Variations, Air Quality, Heavy Metal Concentrations, and Environmental and Health Impacts of Atmospheric PM2.5 and PM10 in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia
by Hattan A. Alharbi, Ahmed I. Rushdi, Abdulqader Bazeyad and Khalid F. Al-Mutlaq
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1448; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121448 - 30 Nov 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3544
Abstract
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) samples were collected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to assess air quality, quantify, heavy metal concentrations, and evaluate related ecological and health risks. This study’s uniqueness stems from its focused and detailed analysis of PM pollution in Riyadh, including an [...] Read more.
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) samples were collected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to assess air quality, quantify, heavy metal concentrations, and evaluate related ecological and health risks. This study’s uniqueness stems from its focused and detailed analysis of PM pollution in Riyadh, including an extensive assessment of heavy metal concentrations across different PM sizes by applying diverse pollution and health indices. This brings to light critical health and ecological issues and provides foundation for targeted pollution control efforts in the region. The study focused on two PM size fractions, PM2.5 and PM10 and analyzed the presence of heavy metals, including iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Results showed significantly higher levels of PM10 (223.12 ± 66.12 µg/m3) compared to PM2.5 (35.49 ± 9.63 µg/m3), suggesting that local dust is likely a primary source. Air quality varied from moderate to unhealthy, with PM10 posing substantial risks. Heavy metal concentrations in PM2.5 followed the order Fe (13.14 ± 11.66 ng/m3) > As (2.87 ± 2.08 ng/m3) > Cu (0.71 ± 0.51 ng/m3) > Zn (0.66 ± 0.46 ng/m3) > Cr 0.50 ± 0.23 ng/m3) > Pb (0.14 ± 0.10 ng/m3) > Ni (0.03 ± 0.04 ng/m3) > Cd (0.004 ± 0.002 ng/m3) > Ag (0.003 ± 0.003 ng/m3) > Co (0.002 ± 0.004 ng/m3). In PM10, they followed the order Fe (743.18 ± 593.91 ng/m3) > As (20.12 ± 13.03 ng/m3) > Cu (10.97 ± 4.66 ng/m3) > Zn (9.06 ± 5.50 ng/m3) > Cr (37.5 ± 2.70 ng/m3) > Ni (1.72 ± 01.54 ng/m3) > Pb (1.11 ± 0.64 ng/m3) > Co (0.25 ± 0.28 ng/m3) > Ag (0.10 ± 0.26 ng/m3) > Cd (0.04 ± 0.02 ng/m3). Enrichment factor analysis revealed elevated levels for the metals Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, and Pb. Pollution indices indicated various contamination levels, with Ag and As showing particularly high contamination and ecological risks. The study highlighted significant health concerns, especially from As, which poses a substantial long-term carcinogenic threat. The findings emphasize the urgent need to reduce hazardous metal levels in Riyadh’s air, especially with high child exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 1268 KB  
Review
Perspectives on the Presence of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) in Ambient Particulate Matters and Their Potential Implications for Health Risk
by Senlin Lu, Jiakuan Lu, Xudong Wang, Kai Xiao, Jingying Niuhe, Xinchun Liu and Shinichi Yonemochi
Atmosphere 2025, 16(7), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16070876 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 560
Abstract
Environmental persistent free radicals (EPFRs) represent a class of long-lived, redox-active species with half lives spanning minutes to months. Emerging as critical environmental pollutants, EPFRs pose significant risks due to their persistence, potential for bioaccumulation, and adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. [...] Read more.
Environmental persistent free radicals (EPFRs) represent a class of long-lived, redox-active species with half lives spanning minutes to months. Emerging as critical environmental pollutants, EPFRs pose significant risks due to their persistence, potential for bioaccumulation, and adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This review critically synthesizes recent advancements in understanding EPFR formation mechanisms, analytical detection methodologies, environmental distribution patterns, and toxicological impacts. While progress has been made in characterization techniques, challenges persist—particularly in overcoming limitations of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and spin-trapping methods in complex environmental matrices. Key knowledge gaps remain, including molecular-level dynamics of EPFR formation, long-term environmental fate under varying geochemical conditions, and quantitative relationships between chronic EPFR exposure and health outcomes. Future research priorities could focus on: (1) atomic-scale mechanistic investigations using advanced computational modeling to resolve formation pathways; (2) development of next-generation detection tools to improve sensitivity and spatial resolution; and (3) integration of EPFR data into region-specific air-quality indices to enhance risk assessment and inform mitigation strategies. Addressing these gaps will advance our capacity to mitigate EPFR persistence and safeguard environmental and public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composition Analysis and Health Effects of Atmospheric Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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