Road-traffic-related air pollution contributes to skin barrier alteration and growth defect of sensory neurons.

The effects of air pollution on health are gaining increasing research interest with limited data on skin alterations available. It was suggested that air pollution is a trigger factor for sensitive skin (SS). However, this data was based on surveys with a lack of experimental data.

Acute and repeated exposures of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells culture to particles from a coloured pyrotechnic smoke.

Coloured pyrotechnic smokes are frequently used in the military field and occasionally by civilians, but their health hazards have been little studied. The main concern could rise from inhalation of smoke particles. Our previous study showed that acute exposure to particles from a red signalling smoke (RSS) induced an antioxidant and inflammatory responses in small airway epithelial cells.

Low cost and renewable HS-biofilter inoculated with .

The use of biogas to produce hydrogen is currently gaining more attention. One of the drawbacks for the valorization of biogas is the presence of HS, a hazardous molecule that can cause damage in the metallic internal structures of industries. In this study, the HS-removal performance of a fungi-based biofilter was investigated.

Oxidative stress response in pulmonary cells exposed to different fractions of PM from urban, traffic and industrial sites.

The aim of this work was to study the relationship between oxidative stress damages and particulate matter (PM) chemical composition, sources, and PM fractions. PM (PM with equivalent aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 and 0.

Oxidative potential and in vitro toxicity of particles generated by pyrotechnic smokes in human small airway epithelial cells.

Pyrotechnic smokes are widely used in civilian and military applications. The major issue arise from the release of particles after smoke combustion but the health risks related to their exposure are poorly documented whereas toxicity of airborne particles on the respiratory target are very well known. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the in vitro toxicity of the particle fraction of different pyrotechnic smokes.

Renal impairment assessment on adults living nearby a landfill: Early kidney dysfunction biomarkers linked to the environmental exposure to heavy metals.

The aim of this study was to assess the integrity and kidney overall functional capacity of subjects exposed to landfill emissions. Urine and blood levels of Pb and Cd, and several of the newly biomarkers of nephrotoxicity (Kim Injury Molecule 1 (KIM-1), alpha-1 Microglobulin (α1 M), beta-2 Microglobulin (β2 M), Cystatin-C (Cyst C), Clusterin, alpha-glutathione S-transferase (GSTα), pi-glutathione S-transferase (GSTπ), Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), Calbindin, Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), Osteopontin (OPN), (Retinol Binding Protein(RBP), Liver-type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein (FABP-1), Trefoil Factor 3 (TFF3), Collagen VI) were measured in order to assess glomerular and tubule damage in adults living near a landfill. Our results indicate glomerular dysfunction in exposed subjects, and supported evidence of necrosis of proximal and distal tubule epithelial cells as specific biomarkers began to appear in the urine.

Toxicological appraisal of the chemical fractions of ambient fine (PM) and quasi-ultrafine (PM) particles in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells.

New toxicological research is still urgently needed to improve the current knowledge about the induction of some underlying mechanisms of toxicity by the different chemical fractions of ambient particulate matter (PM). This in vitro study sought also to better evaluate and compare the respective toxicities of fine particles (PM) and their inorganic and organic chemical fractions, and the respective toxicities of the organic chemical fractions of PM and quasi-ultrafine particles (PM). Human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were also exposed for 6-48 h to relatively low doses of PM and their organic extractable (OEM) and non-extractable (NEM) fractions, and the organic extractable fraction (OEM) of PM.

Toxicological responses of BEAS-2B cells to repeated exposures to benzene, toluene, m-xylene, and mesitylene using air-liquid interface method.

In order to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, the European REACH regulation (1907/2006) recommends substituting toxic molecules with compounds that are less harmful to human health and the environment. Toluene is one of the most frequently used solvents in industries despite its toxicity. The objective of this study is to better understand and compare the toxicity of toluene and its homologues in a bronchial cell model.

Influence of the environmental relative humidity on the inflammatory response of skin model after exposure to various environmental pollutants.

The skin is an essential barrier, protecting the body against the environment and its numerous pollutants. Several environmental pollutants are known to affect the skin, inducing premature aging through mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and impairment of skin functions. Even climate conditions can impact the skin.

Comparative study on gene expression profile in rat lung after repeated exposure to diesel and biodiesel exhausts upstream and downstream of a particle filter.

Biodiesel is considered as a valuable and less toxic alternative to diesel. However, cellular and molecular effects of repeated exposure to biodiesel emissions from a recent engine equipped with a diesel particle filter (DPF) remain to be characterized. To gain insights about this point, the lung transcriptional signatures were analyzed for rats (n = 6 per group) exposed to filtered air, 30% rapeseed biodiesel (B30) blend or reference diesel (RF0), upstream and downstream a DPF, for 3 weeks (3 h/day, 5 days/week).

A prospective pilot study of the T-lymphocyte response to fine particulate matter exposure.

Exposure to air pollution is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Once the fine atmospheric particulate matter (FP) is inhaled, some of its compounds can pass through the lungs and reach the bloodstream where they can come into contact with immune cells. Exposure to FP particularly affects sensitive populations such as the elderly.

Cellular response and extracellular vesicles characterization of human macrophages exposed to fine atmospheric particulate matter.

Exposure to fine atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is one of the major environmental causes involved in the development of inflammatory lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. When PM is penetrating in the pulmonary system, alveolar macrophages represent the first line of defense, in particular by triggering a pro-inflammatory response, and also by their ability to recruit infiltrating macrophages from the bone marrow. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the gene expression and cytokine production involved in the toxicological and inflammatory responses of infiltrating macrophages, as well as the Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) production, after their exposure to PM.

In vitro toxicological evaluation of emissions from catalytic oxidation removal of industrial VOCs by air/liquid interface (ALI) exposure system in repeated mode.

Toxicity of toluene and by-products formed during its catalytic oxidative degradation was studied in human bronchial BEAS-2B cells repeatedly exposed. BEAS-2B cells were exposed using an Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) System (Vitrocell®) for 1 h per day during 1, 3 or 5 days to gaseous flows: toluene vapors (100 and 1000 ppm) and outflow after catalytic oxidation of toluene (10 and 100%). After exposure to gaseous flow, cytotoxicity, inflammatory response and Xenobiotic Metabolism Enzymes (XME) gene expression were investigated.

Investigation on the near-field evolution of industrial plumes from metalworking activities.

In a context where a significant fraction of the population lives near industrial areas, the main objectives of this study are to provide (a) new data on PM chemical compositions, heavy-metal concentrations and trace gases released by metalworking activities and (b) new information on the near-field evolution (up to about a thousand meters) of such industrial plumes in terms of particle chemical composition and size distribution. For that purpose, a one-month field campaign was performed in an industrial area near the city of Dunkirk (Northern France), combining measurements of atmospheric dynamics and physico-chemical characterization of air masses. Comparisons between several elemental ratios (mainly Mn/Fe), particle size distributions and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations at the stacks and at a near-field site suggest that plumes of a ferromanganese alloy plant were quickly mixed with pollutants emitted by other sources (mainly other industries, possibly traffic and sea spray), in particular a neighboring steelworks, before reaching the sampling site.

Individual exposure level following indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure in Dakar (Senegal).

The consequences of indoor and outdoor air pollution on human health are of great concern nowadays. In this study, we firstly evaluated indoor and outdoor air pollution levels (CO, CO, NO, NO, PM) at an urban site in Dakar city center and at a rural site. Then, the individual exposure levels to selected pollutants and the variations in the levels of biomarkers of exposure were investigated in different groups of persons (bus drivers, traders working along the main roads and housemaids).

An in vitro model to evaluate the impact of environmental fine particles (PM) on skin damage.

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) has significant effects on human health mainly leading to cardio-respiratory diseases. However very few data are available regarding the impact of PM on the skin, so to better understand the impact of fine particle (PM) on both inflammatory response and epidermal structure, we exposed a reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) to several doses of PM collected in Cotonou (Benin, West Africa). After 24 h of exposure, inflammatory response, histological observations, and gene expression related to oxidative stress, antioxidant defense and structural damages were determined.

An integrated functional and transcriptomic analysis reveals that repeated exposure to diesel exhaust induces sustained mitochondrial and cardiac dysfunctions.

Diesel exhaust (DE) contributes to air pollution, an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanisms by which DE exposure induces cardiovascular dysfunction remain unknown and there is still debate on the contribution of the primary particulate matter (PM) fraction compared to the gaseous phase. Although the mitochondria play a key role in the events leading to cardiovascular diseases, their role in DE-induced cardiovascular effects has not been investigated.

Physico-chemical characterization and in vitro inflammatory and oxidative potency of atmospheric particles collected in Dakar city's (Senegal).

Exposure to atmospheric pollutants has been recognized as a major risk factor of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Fine particles (PM) and a coarser fraction (PM) sampled at an urban site in Dakar (HLM), characterized by high road traffic emissions, were compared with particles sampled at a rural area, Toubab Dialaw located about 40 km from Dakar. The physicochemical characteristics of samples revealed that PMs differ for their physical (surface area) and chemical properties (in terms of CHN, metals, ions, paraffins, VOCs and PAHs) that were 65-75% higher in urban samples.

Influence of ship emissions on NO, SO, O and PM concentrations in a North-Sea harbor in France.

The influence of in-port ship emissions on gases and PM concentrations has been estimated in the port city of Calais, northern France, one of the busiest harbor in Europe, with numerous rotations of ferries or roll-on/roll-off cargo in average per day. NO, SO, O and PM concentrations were continuously measured over a three-month period, as well as real-time particle size distribution. A rural site located at Cape Gris-Nez, 20km from Calais, was considered to deduce intrinsic contribution of ship emissions at the harbor city.

Chemical characterization of fine and ultrafine PM, direct and indirect genotoxicity of PM and their organic extracts on pulmonary cells.

Particulate matter in ambient air constitutes a complex mixture of fine and ultrafine particles composed of various chemical compounds including metals, ions, and organics. A multidisciplinary approach was developed by studying physico-chemical characteristics and mechanisms involved in the toxicity of particulate atmospheric pollution. PM and PM including ultrafine particles were sampled in Dunkerque, a French industrialized seaside city.

Fine and ultrafine atmospheric particulate matter at a multi-influenced urban site: Physicochemical characterization, mutagenicity and cytotoxicity.

Particulate Matter (PM) air pollution is one of the major concerns for environment and health. Understanding the heterogeneity and complexity of fine and ultrafine PM is a fundamental issue notably for the assessment of PM toxicological effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of a multi-influenced urban site PM, with or without the ultrafine fraction.

Characterisation and seasonal variations of particles in the atmosphere of rural, urban and industrial areas: Organic compounds.

Atmospheric aerosol samples (PM2.5-0.3, i.

In vitro short-term exposure to air pollution PM2.5-0.3 induced cell cycle alterations and genetic instability in a human lung cell coculture model.

Although its adverse health effects of air pollution particulate matter (PM2.5) are well-documented and often related to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory response, recent evidence support the role of the remodeling of the airway epithelium involving the regulation of cell death processes. Hence, the overarching goals of the present study were to use an in vitro coculture model, based on human AM and L132 cells to study the possible alteration of TP53-RB gene signaling pathways (i.

A Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Optical Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Environmental Methane in Dunkirk (France).

A room-temperature continuous-wave (CW) quantum cascade laser (QCL)-based methane (CH4) sensor operating in the mid-infrared near 8 μm was developed for continuous measurement of CH4 concentrations in ambient air. The well-isolated absorption line (7F2,4 ← 8F1,2) of the ν4 fundamental band of CH4 located at 1255.0004 cm(-1) was used for optical measurement of CH4 concentration by direct absorption in a White-type multipass cell with an effective path-length of 175 m.

Monitoring survey of the use patterns and pesticide residues on vegetables in the Niayes zone, Senegal.

The main objective of this work was to determine the impact of pesticide use practices on vegetables contamination in the Niayes zone of Dakar. A preliminary survey involving 200 farmers, showed the application of pesticides belonging to different groups on vegetable crops. Use practices in terms of application intervals and methods, measuring tools and dosage were not in compliance with good agricultural practices.