Spatial and seasonal variations of atmospheric microplastics in high and low population density areas at the intersection of tropical and subtropical regions.

There is limited information regarding spatial and seasonal variations of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) and factors influencing MPs at the intersection of tropical and subtropical regions. A one-year study was conducted at sites in a high-population-density village (HPDV) and a low-population-density village (LPDV) in Taiwan to investigate the characteristics and influencing factors of airborne MPs. The predominant shapes, sizes, and polymer compositions of MPs were fragments, 3 to 25 and 26-50 μm, and polyamide at both sites.

Influence of agricultural activity in corn farming on airborne microplastic in surrounding elementary school.

Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in agricultural soils, and agricultural activities have been identified as an important factor influencing the abundance of MPs in the air. However, no studies have investigated whether agricultural activities are contributors to airborne MPs in buildings near farms. We collected airborne MP samples using an active sampling method from an elementary school near corn farms during different cultivation stages to assess the impact of agricultural activities on MPs in the study school near farms.

Investigation of source and infiltration of toxic metals in indoor PM using Pb isotopes during a season of high pollution in an urban area.

Lead (Pb) isotope ratio has been applied in source investigation for particulate matter in size < 2.5 μm. However, arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) are carcinogenic to human and their isotope analysis is difficult.

Impact of agricultural activity on PM and its compositions in elementary schools near corn and rice farms.

Agricultural activity is an important source of particulate matter <2.5 μm in size (PM) in rural areas. In Taiwan, many elementary schools are surrounded by farms, and studies investigating the impact of agricultural activity on air quality in schools are required.

Investigating the associations between organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and fine particles in paired indoor and outdoor air: A probabilistic prediction model for deriving OPFRs in indoor environments.

Contaminants of emerging concern such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are associated with atmospheric fine particles (PM), which pose the greatest health risk in the world. However, few surveys have explored the interaction between PM and OPFRs in residential paired indoor/outdoor environments. 11 priority OPFRs and PM were investigated across 178 paired indoor and outdoor air samples taken from 89 children's households in southern Taiwan, across cold and warm seasons.

A study to characterize the lead isotopic fingerprint in PM emitted from incense stick and cigarette burning.

The incense sticks and cigarettes burning are key sources of particulate matter with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm (PM) in indoor and outdoor air. While lead (Pb) isotope ratios provide valuable insights into the origin of particle pollution, their applicability for investigating these source remains unclear.

Seasonal and source characteristics of organophosphorus flame retardants in air and house dust in Taiwan residential microenvironments: Implications for young children's exposure and risk assessment using a probabilistic approach.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are prevalent in multiple industries. They have gradually replaced brominated flame retardants in recent years. Eleven OPFRs were collected from indoor air and house dust in two primary activity spaces--bedrooms and living rooms.

Psychometric properties of a novel instrument for evaluating indoor air pollution health literacy in adults.

This study aimed to develop and validate the psychometric properties of a novel instrument that measures Indoor Air Pollution Health Literacy (IAPHL). The qualitative phase was conducted to design questions based on the conceptual model of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire. We developed a 38-item instrument covering 12 constructs, that is, four information competencies within three health domains to assess IAPHL.

Spatial and seasonal variations in the carbon and lead isotopes of PM in air of residential buildings and their applications for source identification.

To understand isotope distributions of PM in residential buildings and apply them for source identification, carbon (δC) and lead (Pb) isotope ratios in indoor and outdoor air of residential buildings were analyzed. Moreover, factor analysis (FA) was employed to investigate sources, which were compared through isotopic analyses. The average δC values of indoor air are -26.

Impact of mold growth on di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate emission from moist wallpaper.

Flood damage can increase indoor concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and molds in households with wallpaper. Wallpaper water content can affect its DEHP emission into indoor environments; however, the influence of mold growth on this DEHP emission remains unclear. Here, we evaluated whether mold growth affects DEHP emission from moist wallpaper (moist WP).

Gas-phase and PM-bound phthalates in nail salons: characteristics, exposure via inhalation, and influencing factors.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of, exposure to, and factors influencing gas-phase and PM-bound phthalates (PAEs) in nail salons. Data on both indoor and outdoor gas-phase and PM-bound PAEs, carbon dioxide (CO), temperature, and relative humidity were collected in nail salons. We also used questionnaires to survey building characteristics and occupants' behaviors.

Estimations of infiltration factors of diurnal PM and heavy metals in children's bedrooms.

Children are the sensitive population to fine particulate matter (PM ) exposure and spend most of their time in bedroom. Infiltration factor (F ) can be used to calculate the fraction of total indoor PM with outdoor origin to increase the accuracy of exposure assessment. However, studies have ignored the diurnal variations of PM F values, and a few studies have estimated F values for heavy metals in PM in children's bedrooms.

Stable C and N isotopes of PM and size-segregated particles emitted from incense stick and cigarette burning.

This work measured the δC and δN signatures in PM and size-segregated particles emitted from incense stick and cigarette burning in different brands or nicotine contents for pollution source identification indoors. Three popular brands of incense stick and cigarette were selected for experiments. A personal environmental monitoring sampler and a Sioutas cascade impactor were used to collect PM and size-segregated particles, respectively, for isotopic signatures analyses.

Isotopic signatures and source apportionment of Pb in ambient PM.

Particulate lead (Pb) is a primary air pollutant that affects society because of its health impacts. This study investigates the source sectors of Pb associated with ambient fine particulate matter (PM) over central-western Taiwan (CWT) with new constraints on the Pb-isotopic composition. We demonstrate that the contribution of coal-fired facilities is overwhelming, which is estimated to reach 35 ± 16% in the summertime and is enhanced to 57 ± 24% during the winter monsoon seasons.

Characteristics and influencing factors of airborne microplastics in nail salons.

Airborne microplastic particles (MPs) are emerging contaminants. Although some studies have investigated the characteristics of indoor MPs in homes or offices, information regarding MPs in nail salons with potentially higher MP pollution is unavailable. In this study, we collected indoor and outdoor air samples from nail salons to analyze the concentrations, physical characteristics, and polymers of MPs and further assessed the exposure through inhalation and influencing factors.

Influence of Indoor Temperature Exposure on Emergency Department Visits Due to Infectious and Non-Infectious Respiratory Diseases for Older People.

Previous studies have demonstrated that outdoor temperature exposure was an important risk factor for respiratory diseases. However, no study investigates the effect of indoor temperature exposure on respiratory diseases and further assesses cumulative effect. The objective of this study is to study the cumulative effect of indoor temperature exposure on emergency department visits due to infectious (IRD) and non-infectious (NIRD) respiratory diseases among older adults.

Chemical and stable isotopic characteristics of PM emitted from Chinese cooking.

This study investigated the characteristics of air pollutants generated from preparing Chinese cuisine and analyzed the isotopic compositions of carbon and nitrogen in particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 μm (PM) to source apportionment study. The CO and CO concentrations and temperatures were measured using suitable instruments in real time during cooking, including stir-fry, fry, deep-fry, hot-pot, and mixed cooking, and periods with non-cooking.

Development of Hourly Indoor PM Concentration Prediction Model: The Role of Outdoor Air, Ventilation, Building Characteristic, and Human Activity.

Exposure to indoor particulate matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM) is a critical health risk factor. Therefore, measuring indoor PM concentrations is important for assessing their health risks and further investigating the sources and influential factors.

Cumulative effect of indoor temperature on cardiovascular disease-related emergency department visits among older adults in Taiwan.

Studies have demonstrated that exposure to extreme outdoor temperatures increases cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity. However, people spend 80%-90% of their time indoors, and the cumulative effects of exposure to high or low temperature on the risk of cardiovascular diseases had not been considered. This study investigated the cumulative effects of high or low indoor temperature exposure on the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Application of a stable carbon isotope for identifying Broussonetia papyrifera pollen.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether δC values can be used to identify pollen specie in the atmosphere. A Burkard 7-day recording volumetric spore trap was used to collected pollens in the atmosphere in Tainan City, Taiwan, from January 2 to December 28, 2006, and a light microscope was used to identify the pollen species and concentrations. A Burkard cyclone sampler was used to collect particulate matter and an elemental analyzer with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer was used to analyze the δC values.

Association of Dietary Patterns With Global and Domain-Specific Cognitive Decline in Chinese Elderly.

Background: Significant differences exist between eastern and western diets, and the way in which Chinese dietary intake relates to specific cognitive domains remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association between dietary patterns (DPs) and cognitive decline in Chinese elderly.

Setting: Participants were recruited from the elderly health checkup program of a teaching hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

Performance Metrics for Selecting Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Late-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

Previous genome-wide association studies using P-values to select single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have suffered from high false-positive and false-negative results. This case-control study recruited 713 late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) cases and controls aged ≥65 from three teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan from 2007 to 2010. Performance metrics were used to select SNPs in stage 1, which were then genotyped to another dataset (stage 2).

Long-term allergen exposure induces adipose tissue inflammation and circulatory system injury.

The purpose of this study was to study whether allergen exposure can induce inflammation and lower the anti-inflammation levels in serum and in adipose tissues, and further develop cardiovascular injury. Our data showed that heart rate was significantly higher in the OVA-challenged mice compared to control mice. Moreover, there were higher expressions of pro-inflammation genes in the OVA-challenged mice in adipose tissues, and the expressions of anti-inflammation genes were lower.

Association between indoor air pollutant exposure and blood pressure and heart rate in subjects according to body mass index.

This study investigates the effects of high body mass index (BMI) of subjects on individual who exhibited high cardiovascular disease indexes with blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) when exposed to high levels of indoor air pollutants. We collected 115 office workers, and measured their systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and HR at the end of the workday. The subjects were divided into three groups according to BMI: 18-24 (normal weight), 24-27 (overweight) and >27 (obese).

Allergen exposure induces adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance.

This study investigates whether exposure to allergen elicits insulin resistance as a result of adipose tissue inflammation. Male C57BL/6 mice were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) allergen for 12 weeks, and blood and adipose tissue samples were collected at 24h after the last challenge. Levels of adhesion molecules, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and adipokines in the blood were analyzed, and fasting homeostasis model assessment was applied to determine insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).