Prenatal Exposure to Source-Specific Fine Particulate Matter and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In this study, associations between prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 9 sources and development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were assessed in a population-based retrospective pregnancy cohort in southern California. The cohort included 318,750 mother-child singleton pairs.

Skyrocketing pollution: assessing the environmental fate of July 4th fireworks in New York City.

Background: Pyrotechnic displays often lead to significant increases in poor air quality. The widespread environmental fate-involving air, water, and spatial-temporal analyses-of fireworks-produced pollutants has seldom been investigated.

Objective: This study examined the environmental fate of pollutants from the largest fireworks event in the U.

Toxicological assessment of E-cigarette flavored E-liquids aerosols using Calu-3 cells: A 3D lung model approach.

Scientific progress and ethical considerations are increasingly shifting the toxicological focus from in vivo animal models to in vitro studies utilizing physiologically relevant cell cultures. Consequently, we evaluated and validated a three-dimensional (3D) model of the human lung using Calu-3 cells cultured at an air-liquid interface (ALI) for 28 days. Assessment of seven essential genes of differentiation and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, in conjunction with mucin (MUC5AC) staining, validated the model.

Particulate matter concentration and composition in the New York City subway system.

This study investigated the concentration and composition of particulate matter (PM) in the New York City subway system. Realtime measurements, at a one-second cadence, and gravimetric measurements were performed inside train cars along 300 kilometers of nine subway lines, as well as on 333 platforms from 287 subway stations. The mean (±SD) PM concentration on the underground platforms was 142 ± 69 μg/m versus 29 ± 20 μg/m for aboveground stations.

Investigation of a river-tunnel effect on PM concentrations in New York City subway stations.

It is well-documented that subway stations exhibit high fine particulate matter (PM) concentrations. Little is known about the potential of river-tunnels to increase PM concentrations in subways. We hypothesized a "river-tunnel" effect exists: Stations adjacent to poorly ventilated tunnels that travel beneath rivers exhibit higher PM concentrations than more distant stations.

Concentration and Composition in Subway Systems in the Northeastern United States.

Objectives: The goals of this study were to assess the air quality in subway systems in the northeastern United States and estimate the health risks for transit workers and commuters.

Methods: We report real-time and gravimetric concentrations and particle composition from area samples collected in the subways of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York/New Jersey (NYC/NJ); and Washington, District of Columbia. A total of 71 stations across 12 transit lines were monitored during morning and evening rush hours.