Search Results (2,066)

Northern Thailand experiences recurrent seasonal haze driven by biomass burning (BB), which results in hazardous PM2.5 exposure and elevated environmental health risks. To address the need for timely and spatially resolved emission information, this study developed and evaluated an operational near-real-time (NRT) biomass-burning PM2.5 emission estimation system using the Fire INventory from NCAR version 2.5 (FINNv2.5). The objectives of this study are threefold: (1) to construct a high-resolution (≤1 km) NRT biomass-burning PM2.5 emission inventory for Northern Thailand; (2) to assess its temporal and spatial consistency with ground-based PM2.5 measurements and satellite fire observations; and (3) to examine its potential utility for informing environmental health risk management. The developed system captured short-lived, high-intensity burning episodes that defined the haze crisis, revealing a distinct peak period from late February to early April. Cumulative emissions from January to April 2024 exceeded 250,000 tons, dominated by Chiang Mai (25.8%) and Mae Hong Son (25.5%), which together contributed 51.3% of regional emissions. Strong correspondence with MODIS/VIIRS FRP (r = 0.79) confirmed the reliability of the NRT emission signal, while regression against observed PM2.5 concentrations indicated a substantial background burden (intercept = 40.41 μg m⁻³) and moderate explanatory power (R² = 0.448), reflecting additional meteorological and transboundary influences. Translating these relationships into operational metrics, an Emission Control Threshold of 1518 tons day⁻¹ was derived to guide targeted burn permitting and reduce population exposure during peak-risk periods. This NRT biomass-burning PM2.5 emission estimation framework offers timely emissions information that may support decision makers in environmental health risk management, including the development of early warnings, adaptive burn-permit strategies, and more coordinated responses across Northern Thailand. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced aberrant oncogenic signalling has been proposed to mediate the progression and development of pleural mesothelioma (PM). In this study, we demonstrate how ROS promote oncogenic signalling, especially in the context of cell migration and immune evasion via YB-1 phosphorylation in mesothelial and PM cell models. Xanthine (X)- and xanthine oxidase (XO)-generated ROS exposure led to increased migration and a more elongated cell shape in mesothelial and PM cells in live-cell videomicroscopy analyses. These effects were associated with the enhanced phosphorylation of ERK, AKT, and YB-1 and the elevated gene expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2, which were analysed with immunoblotting and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, respectively. The pharmacological inhibition of AKT (ipatasertib), MEK (trametinib), and RSK (BI-D1870) resulted in the reversal of ROS-induced effects, with the strongest effects observed upon the inhibition of YB-1 phosphorylation by BI-D1870. The results suggest that ROS exposure has a strong impact on cell migration and immune evasion not only in PM cells but also in mesothelial cells, from which PM arises. Interfering with ROS-responsive kinase pathways, particularly YB-1 phosphorylation, could counteract pro-migratory and immune-evasive effects in PM. Full article

Air pollution from lignite combustion represents a major environmental and public health concern, particularly for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the relationship between ambient air pollution and hospital admissions for Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in Western Macedonia, Greece—a region historically dominated by lignite mining and power generation. Air quality data for PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO_x from 2011–2014 and 2021 were analyzed alongside hospital admission records from four regional hospitals (Kozani, Ptolemaida, Florina, Grevena). Spatial analyses revealed significantly higher pollutant concentrations and cardiovascular admissions in high-exposure areas near power plants compared with the control area. Temporal analyses demonstrated a pronounced decline in pollutant levels between 2014 and 2021, coinciding with lignite phase-out and accompanied by a marked reduction in ACS and AF hospitalizations, particularly in the high-exposure areas of Ptolemaida and Florina. Correlation analyses indicated modest but significant positive associations between monthly pollutant concentrations and cardiovascular admissions. These findings provide real-world evidence that reductions in air pollution following lignite decommissioning were associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. The study underscores the medical importance of air quality improvement and highlights emission reduction as a critical strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention in transitioning energy regions. Full article

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical determinant of respiratory health and plays an essential role in asthma management. Exposure to indoor pollutants such as particulate matter (PM_2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and biological allergens can exacerbate asthma symptoms. This pilot quasi-experimental, one-group pretest–posttest study evaluated the combined effect of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers and tailored asthma education on the IAQ and asthma outcomes of 30 adults diagnosed with asthma. Indoor PM_2.5, total VOCs (tVOC), temperature, and relative humidity were monitored using low-cost air quality monitors across three home locations for 30 days, and participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments of asthma control (ACQ) and quality of life (AQLQ). The intervention reduced PM_2.5 concentrations from 21.32 µg/m³ to 18.19 µg/m³ (p < 0.001), while tVOC levels increased slightly from 237.05 ppb to 251.81 ppb (p = 0.02). The median ACQ scores improved from 1.17 to 0.50 (p < 0.001), the proportion of participants with well-controlled asthma (ACQ ≤ 0.75) rose from 30% to 66.7%, and the median AQLQ scores increased from 5.75 to 6.30 (p < 0.001). Participants in the intervention experienced significantly improved asthma control, quality of life, and indoor PM_2.5 levels, which underscores the significance of integrating environmental and educational strategies in adult asthma management. Full article

Airborne micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as a potential occupational exposure hazard, yet substance-specific workplace data remain limited. This study quantified airborne MNP concentrations during polyester microfiber production using a correlative SEM–Raman approach that enabled chemical identification and size-resolved particle characterization. The aerosol mixture at the workplace was dominated by sub-micrometer particles, with PET—handled onsite—representing the main process-related MNP type, and black tire rubber (BTR) forming a substantial background contribution. Across both sampling periods, total MNP particle number concentrations ranged between 6.2 × 10⁵ and 1.2 × 10⁶ particles/m³, indicating consistently high particle counts. In contrast, estimated MNP-related mass concentrations were much lower, with PM₁₀ levels of 12–15 µg/m³ and PM_2.5 levels of 1.3–1.6 µg/m³, remaining well below applicable occupational exposure limits and near or below 8 h-equivalent WHO guideline values. Comparison with earlier workplace and indoor studies suggests that previously reported concentrations were likely underestimated due to sampling strategies with low efficiency for small particles. Moreover, real-time optical measurements substantially underestimated particle number and mass in this study, reflecting their limited suitability for aerosols dominated by small or dark particles. Overall, the data show that workplace MNP exposure at the investigated site is driven primarily by very small particles present in high numbers but low mass. The findings underscore the need for substance-specific, size-resolved analytical approaches to adequately assess airborne MNP exposure and to support future development of MNP-relevant occupational health guidelines. Full article

Background and Objectives: Lung cancer in never-smokers (LCINS) has become a major global health concern, ranking as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Unlike smoking-related lung cancer, LCINS arises from complex interactions between environmental carcinogens and distinct genomic alterations. This review summarizes current evidence on environmental risks, molecular features, and therapeutic progress shaping lung cancer management. Methods: A narrative review was conducted to examine risk factors for lung cancer in non-smokers. Studies reporting driver mutations in never-smokers and smokers were identified across major lung cancer histological subtypes, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and large-cell carcinoma (LCC). In addition, PubMed was searched for phase III trials and studies on targeted therapies related to driver mutations published between 2016 and 2025. Results: Environmental factors such as cooking oil fumes, radon, asbestos, arsenic, and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) are strongly associated with LCINS through oxidative stress, DNA damage, and chronic inflammation. EGFR, PIK3CA, OS9, MET, and STK11 mutations are characteristic of never-smokers, in contrast to TP53 mutations, which are more common in smokers. Recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have improved survival and quality of life, emphasizing the importance of molecular profiling for treatment selection. Conclusions: LCINS represents a distinct clinical and molecular entity shaped by complex interactions between environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility. Genetic alterations promote tumor immune evasion, facilitating cancer development and progression. Continued advances in air quality control, molecular diagnostics, and precision therapies are essential for prevention, early detection, and reduction of the global disease burden. Full article

Seasonal biomass-burning haze in Northern Thailand produces sharp fluctuations in ambient fine particulate matter (PM), posing heightened health risks, particularly for individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). To identify PM-responsive biomarkers and assess whether metabolic status modifies these responses, we first performed small RNA sequencing in a discovery cohort using plasma samples collected during low- and high-PM periods. Thirteen circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) were differentially expressed, including reduced miR-542-3p and elevated miR-29a-3p, novelmiR-203, and novelmiR-754, with predicted targets enriched in immune and endoplasmic-reticulum stress pathways. These four miRNAs were quantified by RT-qPCR in a longitudinal cohort of adults with (n = 28) and without DM (n = 29) sampled at three PM-defined timepoints across one full haze cycle. In non-DM individuals, miR-542-3p decreased at peak exposure while miR-29a-3p and novelmiR-203 increased, with values returning toward baseline at re-exposure. DM participants showed altered baseline levels and attenuated or reversed seasonal changes. Plasma IL-8 rose markedly at peak PM in both groups, mirroring exosome concentration increases measured by NTA, indicating a transient systemic inflammatory response. In an independent clinical cohort, only miR-542-3p differed significantly between lung-cancer patients and healthy controls. These findings indicate that PM exposure reconfigures circulating miRNA, exosomal, and cytokine profiles, and that DM modifies these responses, highlighting miR-542-3p and miR-29a-3p as environmentally responsive and disease-relevant biomarker candidates. Full article

This study develops approaches for estimating the common percentile of Birnbaum–Saunders (BS) distributions and applies them to daily PM_2.5 concentration data from six monitoring stations in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Percentiles provide a robust representation of typical pollutant exposure, being less sensitive to outliers and suitable for skewed environmental data. Estimating the same percentile across multiple monitoring sites offers a standardized metric for regional air quality assessment, enabling meaningful comparisons and informing evidence-based environmental policy. Four statistical approaches—Generalized Confidence Interval (GCI), bootstrap, Bayesian, and Highest Posterior Density (HPD)—were employed to construct confidence intervals (CIs) for the common percentile. Simulation studies evaluated the methods in terms of average length (AL) and coverage probability (CP), showing that the GCI approach offers the best balance between precision and reliability. Application to real PM_2.5 data confirmed that the BS distribution appropriately models pollutant concentrations and that the common percentile provides a meaningful measure for environmental assessment. These findings highlight the GCI method as a robust tool for constructing CIs in environmental data analysis. Full article

Effective classroom ventilation is essential for indoor environmental quality (IEQ), comfort and health of schoolchildren, who spend substantial time indoors. This controlled observational study compared manual window airing (WA) with decentralized mechanical ventilation (DV) in six classrooms of two elementary schools during the winter infection period. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, salivary biomarkers, well-being, perceived comfort, and classroom-level IEQ were assessed through questionnaires, saliva samples and long-term monitoring. Ninety-eight schoolchildren participated (64 WA, 34 DV). Symptom-based outcomes of the WURSS-K questionnaire showed consistently lower illness burden in group DV, with several parameters reaching statistical significance and an absolute risk reduction of 7.8%. Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentrations were also significantly lower in group DV (approximately 39–59%, p ≤ 0.01). Sensitivity analyses showed positive associations of CO₂ and PM_2.5 with sIgA and indicated that PM_2.5 exposure accounted for group differences. Comfort perceptions mirrored measured IEQ: DV classrooms exhibited warmer, more stable thermal conditions, lower CO₂ and PM_2.5, and slightly better thermal and draught-related impressions. Overall, decentralized mechanical ventilation supported favorable IEQ and comfort and may influence mucosal immune activity through reduced particulate exposure, complementing the observed reduction in symptom burden. A multidimensional approach integrating medical outcomes with continuous IEQ monitoring proved valuable and should be expanded in larger, balanced cohort studies. Full article

Background: Low-cost particulate matter sensors have enabled new opportunities for exposure monitoring but require evaluation before application in epidemiological studies. This study assessed the performance of the SPS30 sensor integrated into the ARMIE portable monitoring sensor-node under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: Sensors were co-located with two comparison instruments—the optical DustTrak photometer and the combined Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS)—across multiple aerosol sources, including candle burning, cooking, cigarette smoke, and clean air, under both regular and high-humidity conditions. Calibration performance was evaluated using leave-one-sensor-out and leave-one-source-out approaches. Results: The ARMIE node demonstrated strong agreement with the DustTrak (r = 0.93–0.98) and maintained linear response characteristics across emission types. Calibration reduced mean errors and narrowed the limits of agreement. Agreement with the SMPS + APS was moderate (r = 0.74–0.94) and characterized by systematic underestimation at higher concentrations. Conclusions: Overall, the ARMIE node achieved high correlation with the DustTrak, demonstrating that low-cost optical sensors can reliably capture temporal variability in particle concentrations relative to mid-cost photometers. Full article

Air emissions from livestock farming, particularly ammonia (NH₃) and particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), constitute a major environmental and occupational health concern. The aim of this work was to assess the compliance with the Verification of Environmental Technologies for Agricultural Production (VERA) protocol in livestock emission monitoring studies and to propose the Adherence VERA Index (AVI) as a novel quantitative tool for standardizing methodological evaluation. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus, identifying 26 eligible studies published between January 2012 and June 2025. Data were extracted on farm characteristics, analytical methods, environmental variables, and emission outcomes, and evaluated across the five VERA protocol domains. The review revealed substantial methodological heterogeneity and overall suboptimal compliance with the VERA protocol, with frequent deficiencies in the reporting of key parameters such as ventilation rate, sampling strategy, and emission estimation methods. In this context, the AVI, by condensing core VERA requirements into a concise and operational metric, may facilitate protocol uptake and improve reporting compliance compared with the full VERA framework. Notably, several studies reported NH₃, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations exceeding occupational and environmental exposure thresholds, particularly in swine and poultry farms, highlighting critical risks to workers’ health. These findings underscore the need for enhanced standardization, integration of occupational health metrics, and improved air quality monitoring to ensure reliable exposure assessment and to safeguard both environmental and worker health in the livestock sector. Full article

Background: Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is an established systemic toxicant, yet its association with clinical skin aging remains incompletely characterized. Although pigmentary changes and wrinkles are commonly attributed to ultraviolet exposure, experimental and epidemiologic evidence suggests that long-term PM_2.5 exposure may contribute to extrinsic skin aging through oxidative, inflammatory, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated pathways. However, human studies specifically quantifying PM_2.5 exposure in relation to validated skin aging outcomes are sparse, and no prior meta-analysis has systematically synthesized this evidence. Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies reporting measured or modeled long-term PM_2.5 exposure and extractable quantitative associations with clinical skin aging outcomes. Methods: We performed a comprehensive PRISMA 2020-guided search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus (inception to 18 November 2025). Eligible studies included human participants, quantified long-term PM_2.5 exposure, validated clinical or imaging-based skin aging outcomes, and extractable effect estimates. Ratio-type effect measures (arithmetic mean ratios, geometric mean ratios, and odds ratios) were transformed to the natural-log scale, standardized to a common exposure contrast of per 10 µg/m³ PM_2.5, and synthesized as generic relative association metrics. Random-effects models with DerSimonian–Laird estimation and Hartung–Knapp adjustment were applied for pigmentary outcomes. VISIA imaging β-coefficients were synthesized narratively. Results: Four epidemiologic cohorts met predefined eligibility criteria. From these, we extracted seven PM_2.5-specific pigmentary effect estimates, one clinically assessed wrinkle estimate, and two VISIA imaging outcomes. The pooled relative association for pigmentary aging corresponded to a ratio of 1.11 per 10 µg/m³ PM_2.5 (95% CI, 0.82–1.50), indicating a directionally positive but statistically imprecise association compatible with both increased and unchanged pigmentary aging. All individual pigmentary estimates were directionally positive. A single cohort reported a 3.2% increase in wrinkle severity per 10 µg/m³ PM_2.5 (ratio 1.032). VISIA imaging showed significant worsening of brown spot severity (+9.5 percentile per 10 µg/m³), while wrinkle percentiles showed a non-significant change. Conclusions: Based on a comprehensive PRISMA-guided search, the available epidemiologic evidence suggests a consistent directionally positive association between long-term PM_2.5 exposure and pigmentary skin aging outcomes, with limited and uncertain evidence for wrinkle-related phenotypes. The current evidence base remains small, heterogeneous, and of low certainty. Accordingly, these findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and underscore the need for larger, longitudinal, and methodologically harmonized studies. (Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251231462) Full article

Indoor exposure to particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) remains a significant public health problem, especially in high-traffic areas, where outdoor pollution, building characteristics, and user activity jointly influence indoor air quality. This study aims to synthesise and compare the effectiveness of key technical solutions to reduce indoor PM concentrations in different types of buildings. A comprehensive review and comparative analysis of published experimental and field studies were conducted, covering residential, educational, office, medical, sports, and heritage buildings. The interventions evaluated included mechanical ventilation and filtration systems, portable HEPA air cleaners, integrated building envelope solutions, airflow optimisation strategies, and selected auxiliary technologies. Reported performance metrics such as baseline indoor and outdoor PM concentrations, air exchange rate (ACH), filter class, clean air delivery rate (CADR), and percentage reduction were systematically analysed. The results indicate that mechanical filtration, particularly high-efficiency HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) systems and HEPA filters, provide the most reliable and repeatable reductions in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, especially under controlled airflow and recirculation conditions. Integrated approaches that combine airtight building envelopes, mechanical ventilation, and local air purification achieved the highest overall effectiveness. The findings confirm that successful PM mitigation requires context-specific multicomponent strategies tailored to building type, outdoor pollution load, occupancy, and ventilation design. Full article

Background: Submarines represent extremely confined environments where breathing air is continuously recirculated for extended periods with minimal renewal, generating complex multipollutant atmospheres. Objectives: This critical narrative review aims to (i) summarize sources and composition of submarine indoor air, (ii) evaluate respiratory and cardiovascular risks for crews, and (iii) assess current purification technologies. Methods: A narrative review was conducted following PRISMA recommendations applicable to non-systematic reviews. The PubMed search covered all years from inception to September 2025, complemented by backward citation tracking and technical reports. Results: Eligible studies consistently report elevated levels of CO₂, VOCs, NO_X, CO, PM_2.5, and bioaerosols aboard submarines. Evidence from submariner cohorts and toxicological studies indicates risks of airway irritation, impaired mucociliary defenses, endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular stress, and neurobehavioral alterations. Conclusions: Submarine indoor air quality is a credible determinant of crew health. Existing filtration systems mitigate some risks but do not address multipollutant mixtures adequately. Improved real-time monitoring, advanced filtration, CFD-guided airflow optimization, and longitudinal medical surveillance are necessary. Full article

Industrial air emissions are major contributors to human exposure to toxic pollutants, posing significant health risks. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is increasingly used to quantify human toxicity impacts from industrial processes. Conventional LCA often overlooks spatial and temporal variability, limiting its ability to capture actual inhaled doses and exposure-driven impacts. To address this, we developed a site-dependent dynamic LCA (SdDLCA) framework that integrates conventional LCA with Enhanced Structural Path Analysis (ESPA) and atmospheric dispersion modeling. Applied to the production of double-glazed PVC windows for a residential project, the framework generates high-resolution, site-specific emission inventories for three key pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NO_x), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). Local concentration fields are compared with World Health Organization (WHO) air quality thresholds to identify hotspots and periods of elevated exposure. By coupling these fields with the ReCiPe 2016 endpoint methodology and localized demographic and meteorological data, SdDLCA quantifies human health impacts in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), providing a direct measure of inhalation toxicity. This approach enhances LCA’s ability to capture exposure-driven effects, identifies populations at greatest risk, and offers a robust, evidence-based tool to guide industrial planning and operations that minimize health hazards from air emissions. Full article