Critical Review
Ecological and human health risks of atmospheric microplastics (MPs): a review
Microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere are ubiquitous and persistent emerging pollutants which have been an environmental issue of global concern.
Critical Review
Snow particles physiochemistry: feedback on air quality, climate change, and human health
During the last several decades, numerous researchers have provided evidence that physical and biogeochemical processes at air-snow/ice-water interfaces are very complex, and, in many cases, interlinked.
Paper
Variability in air quality, ozone formation potential by VOCs, and associated air pollution attributable health risks for Delhi's inhabitants
The present long-term study has been conducted with dual objectives: firstly, to monitor the spatio-temporal variation of ambient air quality parameters and secondly, to evaluate the impact of air pollutants on the Delhi population.
Paper
Patterns and drivers of maternal personal exposure to PM2.5 in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya
Maternal PM2.5 exposures in informal settlements in Nairobi exceeded WHO air quality targets, with low-quality cooking fuel use identified as the most important non-ambient source.
Paper
Oxidative potential of fine particulate matter emitted from traditional and improved biomass cookstoves
Reduced PM2.5 emissions from improved cookstoves do not necessarily equate to reduced exposure to toxic PM2.5, due to changes in PM2.5 chemical composition and toxic potency.
Paper
Nycterohemeral airborne fungal and bacterial communities and health risks of potential pathogens in Shanghai
Urbanization-influenced airborne microorganisms and megacity bioaerosols have garnered particular attention due to their importance in the atmospheric environment.
Paper
Size dependent effectiveness of engineering and administrative control strategies for both short- and long-range airborne transmission control
Using a size-dependent transmission model linking short- and long-range airborne transmission, we re-estimate the effectiveness of control strategies in mitigating airborne transmission, while concurrently underscoring the need to consider droplet size in airborne transmission dynamics.
Paper
Atmospheric aging modifies the redox potential and toxicity of humic-like substances (HULIS) from biomass burning
Atmospheric aging through diverse reaction pathways modifies redox potential and composition of organic aerosols, leading to varied dynamic behaviors of aerosols in the respiratory system and endpoint toxic results.
Paper
Evaluating reduced-form modeling tools for simulating ozone and PM2.5 monetized health impacts
Reduced-form modeling approaches are an increasingly popular way to rapidly estimate air quality and human health impacts related to changes in air pollutant emissions.
Paper
Influence of ambient and endogenous H2O2 on reactive oxygen species concentrations and OH radical production in the respiratory tract
A multiphase kinetic model analysis quantifies effects of air pollutants on reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress in the respiratory tract.
Paper
Particulate matter in a lockdown home: evaluation, calibration, results and health risk from an IoT enabled low-cost sensor network for residential air quality monitoring
Low-cost sensor analysis of indoor air quality.
Paper
Effectiveness of wearing face masks against traffic particles on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Particle pollution on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City forces the use of face masks. They do reduce particle exposure with varying efficiencies under real wearing conditions that may differ from the efficiencies reported by their manufacturers.
Paper
Emerging investigator series: deposited particles and human lung lining fluid are dynamic, chemically-complex reservoirs leading to thirdhand smoke emissions and exposure
Tobacco combustion products in deposited particles and bodily reservoirs enable persistent thirdhand smoke contamination and transport.
Paper
Changes to lung surfactant monolayers upon exposure to gas phase ozone observed using X-ray and neutron reflectivity
Lung surfactant at the air water interface reacts with ozone leading to changes in surface tension, film thickness, structure.
Paper
Human health risk assessment of atmospheric mercury inhalation around three artisanal small-scale gold mining areas in Indonesia
To clarify the human health risk of inhalation of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), we measured GEM concentrations in three artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas of Palu (Central Sulawesi), Muara Aman (Benkulu in Sumatra), and Palangka Raya (Central Kalimantan).
About this collection
It is increasingly accepted that deteriorating air quality is associated with higher prevalence of certain short and long term health issues. This topic collection highlights important research published in Environmental Science: Atmospheres investigating the relationship between atmospheric composition and human health. The topics covered include risks to human health through inhalation of different atmospheric components (such as micro plastics, ozone, heavy metals), sources of potentially harmful species (including indoor environments), and modelling simulations of health impacts. Such studies help to form a strong knowledge base that can support the development of management strategies aimed at improving air quality and health.