An evaluation of source apportionment of fine OC and PM by multiple methods: APHH-Beijing campaigns as a case study.

This study aims to critically evaluate the source apportionment of fine particles by multiple receptor modelling approaches, including carbon mass balance modelling of filter-based radiocarbon (C) data, Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis on filter-based chemical speciation data, and PMF analysis on Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS-PMF) or Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM-PMF) data. These data were collected as part of the APHH-Beijing (Atmospheric Pollution and Human Health in a Chinese Megacity) field observation campaigns from 10 November to 12 December in winter 2016 and from 22 May to 24 June in summer 2017. C analysis revealed the predominant contribution of fossil fuel combustion to carbonaceous aerosols in winter compared with non-fossil fuel sources, which is supported by the results from other methods.

Sources of particulate-matter air pollution and its oxidative potential in Europe.

Particulate matter is a component of ambient air pollution that has been linked to millions of annual premature deaths globally. Assessments of the chronic and acute effects of particulate matter on human health tend to be based on mass concentration, with particle size and composition also thought to play a part. Oxidative potential has been suggested to be one of the many possible drivers of the acute health effects of particulate matter, but the link remains uncertain.

Oxidative stress-induced inflammation in susceptible airways by anthropogenic aerosol.

Ambient air pollution is one of the leading five health risks worldwide. One of the most harmful air pollutants is particulate matter (PM), which has different physical characteristics (particle size and number, surface area and morphology) and a highly complex and variable chemical composition. Our goal was first to comparatively assess the effects of exposure to PM regarding cytotoxicity, release of pro-inflammatory mediators and gene expression in human bronchial epithelia (HBE) reflecting normal and compromised health status.

A Comprehensive Nontarget Analysis for the Molecular Reconstruction of Organic Aerosol Composition from Glacier Ice Cores.

Ice cores are climate archives suitable for the reconstruction of past atmospheric composition changes. Ice core analysis provides valuable insight into the chemical nature of aerosols and enables constraining emission inventories of primary emissions and of gas-phase precursors. Changes in the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can affect formation rates and mechanisms as well as chemical composition of aerosols during the preindustrial era, key information for understanding aerosol climate effects.

Inorganic Salt Interference on CO in Aerodyne AMS and ACSM Organic Aerosol Composition Studies.

Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) and Aerodyne aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) mass spectra are widely used to quantify organic aerosol (OA) elemental composition, oxidation state, and major environmental sources. The OA CO fragment is among the most important measurements for such analyses. Here, we show that a non-OA CO signal can arise from reactions on the particle vaporizer, ion chamber, or both, induced by thermal decomposition products of inorganic salts.

Health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet: an update of research over the last 5 years.

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been reported to be protective against the occurrence of several diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that the MedDiet could counter diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, obesity, pulmonary diseases, and cognition disorders. Adoption of a MedDiet was associated with beneficial effects on the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant cellular and circulating biomarkers as well as with regulation of gene polymorphisms involved in the atherosclerotic process.