Achille Marconi

Air pollution and lung function among susceptible adult subjects: a panel study

BackgroundAdverse health effects at relatively low levels of ambient air pollution have consistently been reported in the last years. We conducted a time-series panel study of subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) to evaluate whether daily levels of air pollutants have a measurable impact on the lung function of adult subjects with pre-existing lung or heart diseases.MethodsTwenty-nine patients with COPD, asthma, or IHD underwent repeated lung function tests by supervised spirometry in two one-month surveys. Daily samples of coarse (PM10–2.5) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter were collected by means of dichotomous samplers, and the dust was gravimetrically analyzed. The particulate content of selected metals (cadmium, chrome, iron, nickel, lead, platinum, vanadium, and zinc) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) were obtained from the regional air-quality monitoring network. The relationships between concentrations of air pollutants and lung function parameters were analyzed by generalized estimating equations (GEE) for panel data.ResultsDecrements in lung function indices (FVC and/or FEV1) associated with increasing concentrations of PM2.5, NO2 and some metals (especially zinc and iron) were observed in COPD cases. Among the asthmatics, NO2 was associated with a decrease in FEV1. No association between average ambient concentrations of any air pollutant and lung function was observed among IHD cases.ConclusionThis study suggests that the short-term negative impact of exposure to air pollutants on respiratory volume and flow is limited to individuals with already impaired respiratory function. The fine fraction of ambient PM seems responsible for the observed effects among COPD cases, with zinc and iron having a potential role via oxidative stress. The respiratory function of the relatively young and mild asthmatics included in this study seems to worsen when ambient levels of NO2 increase.

Impact of fine and ultrafine particles on emergency hospital admissions for cardiac and respiratory diseases.

Background: Little is known about the short-term effects of ultrafine particles. Methods: We evaluated the effect of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 &mgr;m (PM10), ≤2.5 &mgr;m (PM2.5), and ultrafine particles on emergency hospital admissions in Rome 2001–2005. We studied residents aged ≥35 years hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, lower respiratory tract infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Information was available for factors indicating vulnerability, such as age and previous admissions for COPD. Particulate matter data were collected daily at one central fixed monitor. A case-crossover analysis was performed using a time-stratified approach. We estimated percent increases in risk per 14 &mgr;g/m3 PM10, per 10 &mgr;g/m3 PM2.5, and per 9392 particles/mL. Results: An immediate impact (lag 0) of PM2.5 on hospitalizations for acute coronary syndrome (2.3% [95% confidence interval = 0.5% to 4.2%]) and heart failure (2.4% [0.3% to 4.5%]) was found, whereas the effect on lower respiratory tract infections (2.8% [0.5% to 5.2%]) was delayed (lag 2). Particle number concentration showed an association only with admissions for heart failure (lag 0–5; 2.4% [0.2% to 4.7%]) and COPD (lag 0; 1.6% [0.0% to 3.2%]). The effects were generally stronger in the elderly and during winter. There was no clear effect modification with previous COPD. Conclusions: We found sizeable acute health effects of fine and ultrafine particles. Although differential reliability in exposure assessment, in particular of ultrafine particles, precludes a firm conclusion, the study indicates that particulate matter of different sizes tends to have diverse outcomes, with dissimilar latency between exposure and health response.

Saharan dust and associations between particulate matter and daily mortality in Rome, Italy.

Background: Outbreaks of Saharan-Sahel dust over Euro-Mediterranean areas frequently induce exceedances of the Europen Unions 24-hr standard of 50 μg/m3 for particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤ than 10 μm (PM10). Objectives: We evaluated the effect of Saharan dust on the association between different PM fractions and daily mortality in Rome, Italy. Methods: In a study of 80,423 adult residents who died in Rome between 2001 and 2004, we performed a time-series analysis to explore the effects of PM2.5, PM2.5–10, and PM10 on natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory mortality. We defined Saharan dust days by combining light detection and ranging (LIDAR) observations and analyses from operational models. We tested a Saharan dust–PM interaction term to evaluate the hypothesis that the effects of PM, especially coarse PM (PM2.5–10), on mortality would be enhanced on dust days. Results: Interquartile range increases in PM2.5–10 (10.8 μg/m3) and PM10 (19.8 μg/m3) were associated with increased mortality due to natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory causes, with estimated effects ranging from 2.64% to 12.65% [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–25.42%] for the association between PM2.5–10 and respiratory mortality (0- to 5-day lag). Associations of PM2.5–10 with cardiac mortality were stronger on Saharan dust days (9.73%; 95% CI, 4.25–15.49%) than on dust-free days (0.86%; 95% CI, –2.47% to 4.31%; p = 0.005). Saharan dust days also modified associations between PM10 and cardiac mortality (9.55% increase; 95% CI, 3.81–15.61%; vs. dust-free days: 2.09%; 95% CI, –0.76% to 5.02%; p = 0.02). Conclusions: We found evidence of effects of PM2.5–10 and PM10 on natural and cause-specific mortality, with stronger estimated effects on cardiac mortality during Saharan dust outbreaks. Toxicological and biological effects of particles from desert sources need to be further investigated and taken into account in air quality standards.

Exposure to fine and ultrafine particles from secondhand smoke in public places before and after the smoking ban, Italy 2005

Background: A smoking ban in all indoor public places was enforced in Italy on 10 January 2005. Methods: We compared indoor air quality before and after the smoking ban by monitoring the indoor concentrations of fine (<2.5 μm diameter, PM2.5) and ultrafine particulate matter (<0.1 μm diameter, UFP). PM2.5 and ultrafine particles were measured in 40 public places (14 bars, six fast food restaurants, eight restaurants, six game rooms, six pubs) in Rome, before and after the introduction of the law banning smoking (after 3 and 12 months). Measurements were taken using real time particle monitors (DustTRAK Mod. 8520 TSI; Ultra-fine Particles Counter-TRAK Model 8525 TSI). The PM2.5 data were scaled using a correction equation derived from a comparison with the reference method (gravimetric measurement). The study was completed by measuring urinary cotinine, and pre-law and post-law enforcement among non-smoking employees at these establishments Results: In the post-law period, PM2.5 decreased significantly from a mean concentration of 119.3 μg/m3 to 38.2 μg/m3 after 3 months (p<0.005), and then to 43.3 μg/m3 a year later (p<0.01). The UFP concentrations also decreased significantly from 76 956 particles/cm3 to 38 079 particles/cm3 (p<0.0001) and then to 51 692 particles/cm3 (p<0.01). Similarly, the concentration of urinary cotinine among non-smoking workers decreased from 17.8 ng/ml to 5.5 ng/ml (p<0.0001) and then to 3.7 ng/ml (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The application of the smoking ban led to a considerable reduction in the exposure to indoor fine and ultrafine particles in hospitality venues, confirmed by a contemporaneous reduction of urinary cotinine.

Aerosol Particle Number Concentration Measurements in Five European Cities Using TSI-3022 Condensation Particle Counter over a Three-Year Period during Health Effects of Air Pollution on Susceptible Subpopulations

Abstract In this study, long-term aerosol particle total number concentration measurements in five metropolitan areas across Europe are presented. The measurements have been carried out in Augsburg, Barcelona, Helsinki, Rome, and Stockholm using the same instrument, a condensation particle counter (TSI model 3022). The results show that in all of the studied cities, the winter concentrations are higher than the summer concentrations. In Helsinki and in Stockholm, winter concentrations are higher by a factor of two and in Augsburg almost by a factor of three compared with summer months. The winter maximum of the monthly average concentrations in these cities is between 10,000 cm-3 and 20,000 cm-3, whereas the summer min is ˜;5000–6000 cm-3. In Rome and in Barcelona, the winters are more polluted compared with summers by as much as a factor of 4–10. The winter maximum in both Rome and Barcelona is close to 100,000 cm-3, whereas the summer minimum is >10,000 cm-3. During the weekdays the maximum of the hourly average concentrations in all of the cities is detected during the morning hours between 7 and 10 a.m. The evening maxima were present in Barcelona, Rome, and Augsburg, but these were not as pronounced as the morning ones. The daily maxima in Helsinki and Stockholm are close or even lower than the daily minima in the more polluted cities. The concentrations between these two groups of cities are different with a factor of about five during the whole day. The study pointed out the influence of the selection of the measurement site and the configuration of the sampling line on the observed concentrations.

Two-Years of Fine and Ultrafine Particles Measurements in Rome, Italy

Long-term aerosol measurements have been conducted at two sites in Rome, Italy, April 2001 through March 2003, in a traffic-oriented site, and at an urban background site, close to the city center. The main objective was to establish validated and consistent data sets of particle number concentrations (PNC) in Rome to be used for epidemiological analyses of cardiovascular health effects. Particle number concentrations were measured by a condensation particle counter (CPC 3022A, TSI). Other pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, CO, NO2, NO, NOx, O3) were simultaneously measured at the traffic-oriented site. During the study period, the mean (standard deviation) 24-h PNC values were 4.69 × 104 (1.99 × 104) cm−3 and 2.46 × 104 (1.10 × 104) cm−3, respectively, at the traffic-oriented site and at the urban background site. Mean (standard deviation) 24-h mass concentration of PM2.5 was 23.1 (11.9) μg m−3, while for PM10 it was 41.3 (17.9) μg m−3. Higher values for all the pollutants, except ozone, were recorded during the winter period in comparison with the summer period, and a higher variability of the results was also observed during cold months. The comparison between the daily PNC measured at the two sites showed a good correlation (r = .74). CO (r = .77), NO (r = .82), and NOX (r = .83) were all highly correlated with PNC (simultaneous obs. number 576). The diurnal and seasonal pattern of PNC can be attributed to the combined effect of motor vehicle emissions and meteorological conditions.

A comparison of two air samplers for recovery of indoor bioaerosols

SummaryA preliminary study was performed using two sampling instruments for airborne bacteria and fungi collection. A Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (RCS) and the open-faced type membrane filter sampler (Sartorius MD8) were compared for evaluating their capability of viable particles recovery. 61 series of parallel samples were collected in the air of a microbiological laboratory. Bacteria and fungi per cubic metre of air were enumerated using appropriate culture media and reported in terms of colony forming units (CFU). Performances of the two instruments for fungi were comparable and significantly correlated, particularly when the Rose Bengal Agar (RBA) medium was used (geometric mean: 237 CFU/m3 for RCS and 247 CFU/m3 for MD8; correlation coefficient: 0.78). Bacterial counts from MD8 resulted consistently lower than those obtained from RCS. The observed high variability suggests the existence of selective collection efficiencies which tend to underestimate the actual occurrence of airborne microrganisms.

Asbestos Fiber Removal During Effluent Wastewater Treatment. Pilot Plant Evaluation

Abstract A pilot plant study has been undertaken to optimize coagulation and filtration pretreatment for asbestotioform fiber removal from industrial waste water. Experiments were conducted to compare the effectiveness of simple sand filtration and magnesium oxide filtration. The first tests showed that magnesium oxide is an excellent medium to filter asbestos and operates longer than sand, flow rate being equal. Based on laboratory jar testes, the optimum pH range for flocculation-destabilization was defined. Asbestiform fiber reduction during effluent treatment, after flocculation-sedimentation and filtration, was also evaluated. The arificial asbestos suspensions were prepared using a well-defined water and following the same details already published elsewhere. For determinations of asbestos fibers in the liquid samples methods that involve filtering the liquids through a polycarbonate or cellulosic filter of 0.2 μm pore size were used. Accurate fiber counts were carried out using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high magnification phase light microscopy.