Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.5
3.9
Journals
Toxics
Special Issues
Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health
share announcement

Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Pollution and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 9190

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Qian Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: heavy metal; light-absorbing carbonaceous particles; health risks; toxics source apportionment; atmospheric pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Hongmei Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Interests: personal exposure to air pollutants and their health effects; emission characteristics; source apportionment
Dr. Tian Chang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, China
Interests: volatile organic compounds and their health risk; ultrafine particles; air pollution control
Dr. Peng Wei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 251100, China
Interests: air quality; atmospheric pollution; air pollution studies; exposure modeling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) has an adverse effect on human health. High PM burdens are a major trigger for the frequent occurrence of severe pollution weather regionally and even globally. Many PM constituents, such as heavy metal elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their derivatives, have been identified as toxics and hazardous substances, which have severe carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. An increasing number of epidemiological and cohort studies have reported that these hazardous substances in fine or ultrafine PM exposure are closely associated with lung, cardiovascular, and even neurological injuries.

Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes studies from different countries focusing on the health effects of atmospheric PM emissions, such as health risk and exposure modeling. Interregional, international, and historical studies are highly encouraged in this Special Issue. We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics including, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  1. Analysis of the hazardous substances in PM and evaluate their health risk.
  2. Assessment of the carcinogenic potential of specific air pollutants and their related increased risk of various types of cancer.
  3. Evaluate the health effects of various atmospheric PM chemical compositions from anthropogenic sources.
  4. Toxic and health effects or epidemiological investigations of personal exposure to atmospheric pollutants.
  5. Occupational exposure; the potential health effects of specific pollution sources on surrounding residents or employees.
  6. Control of PM hazardous compounds using advanced technologies.

Dr. Qian Zhang
Prof. Dr. Hongmei Xu
Dr. Tian Chang
Dr. Peng Wei
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. Toxics 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 2600 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 risk assessment
  • atmospheric emissions
  • personal exposure
  • particulate matter
  • toxic pollutants
  • optical characteristics
  • secondary organic aerosol
  • source apportionment

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 4668 KiB  
Article
Identification and Time Series Analysis of PM2.5 and O3 Associated Health Risk Prevention and Control Areas
by Xinyu Huang, Bin Zou and Shenxin Li
Toxics 2025, 13(5), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050356 - 29 Apr 2025
Abstract
Air pollution of PM2.5 and O3 is a global health concern. Traditional approaches for identifying air pollution control areas mainly relied on pollutant concentrations, neglecting population distribution and exposure. This study proposes a method to divide these areas from a health [...] Read more.
Air pollution of PM2.5 and O3 is a global health concern. Traditional approaches for identifying air pollution control areas mainly relied on pollutant concentrations, neglecting population distribution and exposure. This study proposes a method to divide these areas from a health risk perspective, comparing their objectivity and rationality with the government-defined key regions. The results show that for PM2.5, the health risk population and average risk rates in the prevention and control areas were 0.993 million (0.1286%), 1.030 million (0.1283%), and 1.023 million (0.1202%) in 2010, 2015, and 2020, significantly higher than in the key areas: 0.778 million (0.1252%), 0.834 million (0.1278%), and 0.825 million (0.1212%). Similarly, for O3, the figures in the prevention and control areas were 0.096 million (0.01228%), 0.095 million (0.01243%), and 0.110 million (0.01316%), also higher than in the key areas: 0.0757 million (0.01218%), 0.078 million (0.01189%), and 0.090 million (0.01315%). Additionally, the Gini coefficients for PM2.5, O3, and overall health risks in the prevention and control areas were lower (0.182, 0.203, 0.284) compared to those in the key areas (0.207, 0.216, 0.292). This study provides a method for defining air pollution control regions based on health risks, offering significant insights for pollution zoning and prevention strategies Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2095 KiB  
Article
Evidence for Coordinated Control of PM2.5 and O3: Long-Term Observational Study in a Typical City of Central Plains Urban Agglomeration
by Chenhui Jia, Guangxuan Yan, Xinyi Yu, Xue Li, Jing Xue, Yanan Wang and Zhiguo Cao
Toxics 2025, 13(5), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050330 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 101
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Ozone (O3) pollution have emerged as the primary environmental challenges in China in recent years. Following the implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, a substantial decline in PM2.5 concentrations [...] Read more.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Ozone (O3) pollution have emerged as the primary environmental challenges in China in recent years. Following the implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, a substantial decline in PM2.5 concentrations was observed, while O3 concentrations exhibited an increasing trend across the country. Here, we investigated the long-term trend of O3 from 2015 to 2022 in Xinxiang City, a typical city within the Central Plains urban agglomeration. Our findings indicate that the hourly average O3 increased by 3.41 μg m−3 yr−1, with the trend characterized by two distinct phases (Phase I, 2015–2018; Phase II, 2019–2022). Interestingly, the increasing rate of O3 concentration in Phase I (7.89 μg m−3) was notably higher than that in Phase II (2.89 μg m−3). The Random Forest (RF) model was employed to identify the key factors influencing O3 concentrations during the two phases. The significant dropping of PM2.5 in Phase I could be responsible for the O3 increase. In Phase II, the reductions in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and unfavorable meteorological conditions were the major drivers of the continued increase in O3. The Observation-Based Model (OBM) was developed to further explore the role of PM2.5 in O3 formation. Our results suggest that PM2.5 can influence O3 concentrations and the chemical sensitivity regime through heterogeneous reactions and changes in photolysis rates. In addition, the relatively high concentration of PM2.5 in Xinxiang City in recent years underscores its significant role in O3 formation. Future efforts should focus on the joint control of PM2.5 and O3 to improve air quality in the Central Plains urban agglomeration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 10620 KiB  
Article
Characteristics and Health Risks of Trace Metals in PM2.5 Before and During the Heating Period over Three Years in Shijiazhuang, China
by Qingxia Ma, Shuangshuang Zou, Dongli Hou, Qingxian An, Peng Wang, Yunfei Wu, Renjian Zhang, Jinting Huang, Jing Xue and Lei Gu
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040291 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 225
Abstract
To explore the characteristics of PM2.5 and assess the health risks to residents in Shijiazhuang before and during the heating period in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the hourly concentrations of PM2.5 and its nine selected trace elements were determined. The results [...] Read more.
To explore the characteristics of PM2.5 and assess the health risks to residents in Shijiazhuang before and during the heating period in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the hourly concentrations of PM2.5 and its nine selected trace elements were determined. The results showed that the mass concentrations of PM2.5 were 80.32 ± 50.21 μg m−3 (2019), 69.97 ± 41.91 μg m−3 (2020) and 58.70 ± 41.97 μg m−3 (2021) during the heating period, representing greatly improved air quality. The PM2.5 levels in the heating period were 1.04~1.60 times greater than those before the heating period, while the total selected trace element concentrations were about 1.44~1.97 times higher, indicating that strict control for PM2.5 in the heating period should be imposed. The overall hazard quotient (HQ) of the nine selected trace elements in the heating period were 1.08~1.42 times higher than those before the heating period, while the total cancer risks (CR) were decreased by 29.04% (2020) and 3.50% (2021). There were high health risks not only in local areas, but also in the south of Hebei, the north of Henan, and southern and central Shanxi. The health risks increased by 1.21~2.26 times from clean levels to heavy pollution levels. The leading element of HQ was Mn, while the dominant elements of CR varied from As to Co. Increases in PM2.5 concentrations and HQ from before the heating period to during the heating period were observed, and there was even an inverse CR change between before the heating period and during the heating period, further identifying that air pollution control was efficient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 4767 KiB  
Article
Disentangling Multiannual Air Quality Profiles Aided by Self-Organizing Map and Positive Matrix Factorization
by Stefano Fornasaro, Aleksander Astel, Pierluigi Barbieri and Sabina Licen
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020137 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 971
Abstract
The evaluation of air pollution is a critical concern due to its potential severe impacts on human health. Currently, vast quantities of data are collected at high frequencies, and researchers must navigate multiannual, multisite datasets trying to identify possible pollutant sources while addressing [...] Read more.
The evaluation of air pollution is a critical concern due to its potential severe impacts on human health. Currently, vast quantities of data are collected at high frequencies, and researchers must navigate multiannual, multisite datasets trying to identify possible pollutant sources while addressing the presence of noise and sparse missing data. To address this challenge, multivariate data analysis is widely used with an increasing interest in neural networks and deep learning networks along with well-established chemometrics methods and receptor models. Here, we report a combined approach involving the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) algorithm, Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA), and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to disentangle multiannual, multisite data in a single elaboration without previously separating the sites and years. The approach proved to be valid, allowing us to detect the site peculiarities in terms of pollutant sources, the variation in pollutant profiles during years and the outliers, affording a reliable interpretation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 3208 KiB  
Article
Particle Size-Dependent Monthly Variation of Pollution Load, Ecological Risk, and Sources of Heavy Metals in Road Dust in Beijing, China
by Cong Men, Donghui Li, Yunqi Jing, Ke Xiong, Jiayao Liu, Shikun Cheng and Zifu Li
Toxics 2025, 13(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010040 - 7 Jan 2025
Viewed by 856
Abstract
Road dust carries various contaminants and causes urban non-point source pollution in waterbodies through runoff. Road dust samples were collected in each month in two years and then sieved into five particle size fractions. The concentrations of ten heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, [...] Read more.
Road dust carries various contaminants and causes urban non-point source pollution in waterbodies through runoff. Road dust samples were collected in each month in two years and then sieved into five particle size fractions. The concentrations of ten heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe) in each fraction were measured. The particle size fraction load index, coefficient of divergence, and Nemerow integrated risk index were used to analyze the temporal variation of pollution load and ecological risk in different particle size fractions. The advanced three-way model and wavelet analysis were used in quantitative identification and time-series analysis of sources. Results showed that both the pollution load and ecological risk of most heavy metals showed a decreasing trend from the finest fraction (P1) to the coarsest fraction (P5). The frequency of heavy metals in P1 posing extreme risk was about two times that of P5. Main types of heavy metal sources were similar among different fractions, whereas the impact intensity of these sources varied among different fractions. Traffic exhaust tended to accumulate in finer particles, and its contribution to Cu in P5 was only 35–55% of that in other fractions. Construction contributed more to coarser particles, and its contribution to Pb was increased from 45.34% in P1 to 65.35% in P5. Wavelet analysis indicated that traffic exhaust showed periodicities of 5–8 and 10–13 months. Fuel combustion displayed the strongest periodicity of 12–15 months, peaking in winter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2492 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Variation Characteristics and Health Risks of Atmospheric Hg in the Largest City in Northwestern China
by Yuqi Pang, Hongmei Xu, Mengyun Yang, Bin Zhang, Liyan Liu, Sulin Chen, Jing Xue, Hui Zhang and Zhenxing Shen
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120935 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 680
Abstract
In this study, gaseous element mercury (GEM) and gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) in the atmosphere were continuously observed at a minute resolution from 1 April 2019 to 31 December 2020 in urban Xi’an, the largest central city in Northwestern China. The concentrations of [...] Read more.
In this study, gaseous element mercury (GEM) and gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) in the atmosphere were continuously observed at a minute resolution from 1 April 2019 to 31 December 2020 in urban Xi’an, the largest central city in Northwestern China. The concentrations of GEM and GOM drastically fluctuated within the ranges of 0.022–297 ng/m3 and 0.092–381 pg/m3, showing average values of 5.78 ± 7.36 ng/m3 and 14.2 ± 20.8 pg/m3, respectively. GEM and GOM showed a decreasing trend of 0.121 ng/m3 and 0.472 pg/m3 per month, respectively, which we believe was mainly caused by anthropogenic sources, especially by a reduction in coal-fired emissions, rather than meteorological factors. The significant positive correlation between GEM and PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and CO, as well as Cr, As, and Pb in PM2.5 also proves that. GEM showed a higher concentration at nighttime than daytime, while an M-shaped diurnal trend was observed for GOM. The hazard quotient of GEM for both males and females decreased at a rate of 0.003 per month, and children aged 2–5 were more sensitive to non-carcinogenic health risks. The changing trends, controlling factors, and human health risks of Hg in the atmosphere are necessary and crucial to study for improving our understanding of the impacts of Hg in Northwestern China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 6232 KiB  
Article
Towards Cleaner Cities: Estimating Vehicle-Induced PM2.5 with Hybrid EBM-CMA-ES Modeling
by Saleh Alotaibi, Hamad Almujibah, Khalaf Alla Adam Mohamed, Adil A. M. Elhassan, Badr T. Alsulami, Abdullah Alsaluli and Afaq Khattak
Toxics 2024, 12(11), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110827 - 19 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1108
Abstract
In developing countries, vehicle emissions are a major source of atmospheric pollution, worsened by aging vehicle fleets and less stringent emissions regulations. This results in elevated levels of particulate matter, contributing to the degradation of urban air quality and increasing concerns over the [...] Read more.
In developing countries, vehicle emissions are a major source of atmospheric pollution, worsened by aging vehicle fleets and less stringent emissions regulations. This results in elevated levels of particulate matter, contributing to the degradation of urban air quality and increasing concerns over the broader effects of atmospheric emissions on human health. This study proposes a Hybrid Explainable Boosting Machine (EBM) framework, optimized using the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES), to predict vehicle-related PM2.5 concentrations and analyze contributing factors. Air quality data were collected from Open-Seneca sensors installed along the Nairobi Expressway, alongside meteorological and traffic data. The CMA-ES-tuned EBM model achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 2.033 and an R2 of 0.843, outperforming other models. A key strength of the EBM is its interpretability, revealing that the location was the most critical factor influencing PM2.5 concentrations, followed by humidity and temperature. Elevated PM2.5 levels were observed near the Westlands roundabout, and medium to high humidity correlated with higher PM2.5 levels. Furthermore, the interaction between humidity and traffic volume played a significant role in determining PM2.5 concentrations. By combining CMA-ES for hyperparameter optimization and EBM for prediction and interpretation, this study provides both high predictive accuracy and valuable insights into the environmental drivers of urban air pollution, providing practical guidance for air quality management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5674 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Complex Emission Dynamics in Port Areas Using High-Density Air Sensor Network
by Jun Pan, Ying Wang, Xiaoliang Qin, Nirmal Kumar Gali, Qingyan Fu and Zhi Ning
Toxics 2024, 12(10), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100760 - 19 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
Cargo terminals, as pivotal hubs of mechanical activities, maritime shipping, and land transportation, are significant sources of air pollutants, exhibiting considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity due to the complex and irregular nature of emissions. This study employed a high-density air sensor network with 17 sites [...] Read more.
Cargo terminals, as pivotal hubs of mechanical activities, maritime shipping, and land transportation, are significant sources of air pollutants, exhibiting considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity due to the complex and irregular nature of emissions. This study employed a high-density air sensor network with 17 sites across four functional zones in two Shanghai cargo terminals to monitor NO and NO2 concentrations with high spatiotemporal resolution post sensor data validation against regulatory monitoring stations. Notably, NO and NO2 concentrations within the terminal surged during the night, peaking at 06:00 h, likely due to local regulations on heavy-duty diesel trucks. Spatial analysis revealed the highest NO concentrations in the core operational areas and adjacent roads, with significantly lower levels in the outer ring, indicating strong emission sources and limited dispersion. Employing the lowest percentile method for baseline extraction from high-resolution data, this study identified local emissions as the primary source of NO, constituting over 80% of total emissions. Elevated background concentrations of NO2 suggested a gradual oxidation of NO into NO2, with local emissions contributing to 32–70% of the total NO2 concentration. These findings provide valuable insights into the NO and NO2 emission characteristics across different terminal areas, aiding decision-makers in developing targeted emission control policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3697 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Indoor Air Quality in Schools: Is the Indoor Environment a Haven during High Pollution Episodes?
by Li Sun, Peng Wei, Dane Westerdahl, Jing Xue and Zhi Ning
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080564 - 2 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1588
Abstract
Pollution data were collected at five schools in Hong Kong using low-cost, sensor-based monitors both indoors and outdoors during two consecutive high pollution episodes. The pollutants monitored included NO2, O3, PM2.5, and PM10, which were [...] Read more.
Pollution data were collected at five schools in Hong Kong using low-cost, sensor-based monitors both indoors and outdoors during two consecutive high pollution episodes. The pollutants monitored included NO2, O3, PM2.5, and PM10, which were also used as input to a health risk communication protocol known as Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). CO2 was also measured simultaneously. The study aimed to assess the relationship between indoor pollutant concentrations and AQHI levels with those outdoors and to evaluate the efficacy of building operating practices in protecting students from pollution exposure. The results indicate that the regular air quality monitoring stations and outdoor pollutant levels at schools exhibit similar patterns. School AQHI levels indoors were generally lower than those outdoors, with PM10 levels showing a larger proportional contribution to the calculated values indoors. NO2 levels in one school were in excess of outdoor values. CO2 monitored in classrooms commonly exceeded indoor guidelines, suggesting poor ventilation. One school that employed air filtration had lower indoor PM concentrations compared to other schools; however, they were still similar to those outdoors. O3 levels indoors were consistently lower than those outdoors. This study underscores the utility of on-site, sensor-based monitoring for assessing the health impacts of indoor and community exposure to urban air pollutants. The findings suggest a need for improved ventilation and more strategic air intake placement to enhance indoor air quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4458 KiB  
Article
Microscopic Characterization of Individual Aerosol Particles in a Typical Industrial City and Its Surrounding Rural Areas in China
by Yunfei Su, Yuhan Long, Xunzhe Yao, Chunying Chen, Wei Sun, Rui Zhao and Junke Zhang
Toxics 2024, 12(7), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12070525 - 22 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1490
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze individual aerosol particles collected in Lanzhou (urban site) and its surrounding areas (rural site) in early 2023. The results revealed that from the pre-Spring Festival period to the Spring Festival period, the main pollutants at the [...] Read more.
Transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze individual aerosol particles collected in Lanzhou (urban site) and its surrounding areas (rural site) in early 2023. The results revealed that from the pre-Spring Festival period to the Spring Festival period, the main pollutants at the urban site decreased significantly, while the PM2.5 and SO2 concentrations increased at the rural site. During the entire sampling period, the main particles at the urban site were organic matter (OM), secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA), and OM-SIA particles, while those at the rural site were OM, SIA, and soot particles. The degree of external mixing of single particles in both sites increased from the pre-Spring Festival period to the Spring Festival period. The proportion of the OM particles increased by 11% at the urban site, and the proportion of SIA particles increased by 24% at the rural site. During the Spring Festival, the aging of the soot particles was enhanced at the urban site and weakened at the rural site. At the urban site, the SIA particle size was more strongly correlated with the thickness of the OM coating during the pre-Spring Festival period, while the correlation was stronger at the rural site during the Spring Festival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 1384 KiB  
Review
Emission Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds from Material Extrusion Printers Using Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene and Polylactic Acid Filaments in Printing Environments and Their Toxicological Concerns
by Yuan Gao, Yawei Xue, Chenyang Sun, Luhang She and Ying Peng
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040276 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 247
Abstract
The utilization of 3D printing releases a multitude of harmful gas pollutants, posing potential health risks to operators. Materials extrusion (ME; also known as fused deposition modeling (FDM)), a widely adopted 3D printing technology, predominantly employs acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) as [...] Read more.
The utilization of 3D printing releases a multitude of harmful gas pollutants, posing potential health risks to operators. Materials extrusion (ME; also known as fused deposition modeling (FDM)), a widely adopted 3D printing technology, predominantly employs acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) as printing materials, with the respective market shares of these materials reaching approximately 75%. The extensive usage of ABS and PLA during the ME process leads to significant volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, thereby deteriorating the quality of indoor air. Nevertheless, information regarding the emission characteristics of VOCs and their influencing factors, as well as the toxicological impacts of the printing processes, remains largely unknown. Herein, we thoroughly reviewed the emission characteristics of VOCs released during ME printing processes using ABS and PLA in various printing environments, such as chambers, laboratories, and workplaces, as well as their potential influencing factors under different environmental conditions. A total of 62 VOC substances were identified in chamber studies using ABS and PLA filaments; for example, styrene had an emission rate of 0.29–113.10 μg/min, and isopropyl alcohol had an emission rate of 3.55–56.53 μg/min. Emission rates vary depending on the composition of the filament’s raw materials, additives (such as dyes and stabilizers), printing conditions (temperature), the printer’s condition (whether it has closure), and other factors. Additionally, we reviewed the toxicological concerns associated with hazardous VOC species commonly detected during the ME printing process and estimated cancer and non-cancer risks for users after long-term inhalation exposure. Potential health hazards associated with inhalation exposure to benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, styrene, and other substances were identified, which were calculated based on concentrations measured in real indoor environments. This study provides valuable insights for future research on the development of ME printing technologies and offers suggestions to reduce VOC emissions to protect users. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Emissions Characteristics and Its Impact on Human Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-11
Back to TopTop