Paris air quality monitoring for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics: focus on air pollutants and pollen.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to air pollution can affect the health of individuals with respiratory disease, but may also impede the health and performance of athletes. This is potentially relevant for people travelling to and competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games (OPG) in Paris. We describe anticipated air quality in Paris based on historical monitoring data and describe the impact of the process on the development of monitoring strategies for future international sporting events. METHODS: Air pollutant data for July to September 2020-2023 and pollen data for 2015-2022 were provided by Airparif (particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3)) and RNSA stations in the Paris region. Airparif's street-level numerical modelling provided spatial data for the OPG venues. RESULTS: The maximum daily mean PM2.5 was 11±6 µg/m3 at traffic stations, below the WHO recommended daily air quality threshold (AQT). Daily NO2 concentrations ranged from 5±3 µg/m3 in rural areas to 17±14 µgm3 in urban areas. Near traffic stations, this rose to 40±24 µg/m3 exceeding the WHO AQT. Both peaked around 06:00 and 20:00 UTC (coordinated universal time). The ambient O3 level exceeded the AQT on 20 days per month and peaked at 14:00 UTC. The main allergenic taxa from June to September was Poaceae (ie, grass pollen variety). CONCLUSION: Air pollutant levels are expected to be within accepted air quality thresholds at the Paris OPG. However, O3 concentrations may be significantly raised in very hot and clear conditions and grass pollen levels will be high, prompting a need to consider and manage this risk in susceptible individuals.

Impact of the particle mixing state on the hygroscopicity of internally mixed sodium chloride-ammonium sulfate single droplets: a theoretical and experimental study.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is the main constituent of sea-salt aerosols. During atmospheric transport, sea-salt aerosols can interact with gases and other particles including secondary aerosols containing ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4). This paper reports on the deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) of internally mixed sodium chloride-ammonium sulfate (NaCl/(NH4)2SO4) coarse particles by means of an acoustic levitation system fitted with a confocal Raman microscope (CRM). The chemical composition and physical state of individual levitated particles of different initial NaCl mole fractions were monitored during the deliquescence cycle by CRM. Experimental results were compared to the data predicted by the thermodynamic model E-AIM (Extended-Aerosol Inorganics Model). We demonstrated that NH4Cl, Na2SO4 and NH4NaSO4·2H2O are formed in recrystallized particles and coexist with NaCl and (NH4)2SO4. All these products are randomly distributed within the particles. Deliquescence curves described two or three-stage phase transitions depending on the initial composition of the droplet. Significant discrepancies between the model and the laboratory experiments were observed for NaCl mole fractions varying between 0.40 and 0.77 due to a divergence between the predicted and the truly present products in the particles' solid fraction during the humidification cycle.

A Review of the Effects of Major Atmospheric Pollutants on Pollen Grains, Pollen Content, and Allergenicity.

This review summarizes the available data related to the effects of air pollution on pollen grains from different plant species. Several studies carried out either on in situ harvested pollen or on pollen exposed in different places more or less polluted are presented and discussed. The different experimental procedures used to monitor the impact of pollution on pollen grains and on various produced external or internal subparticles are listed. Physicochemical and biological effects of artificial pollution (gaseous and particulate) on pollen from different plants, in different laboratory conditions, are considered. The effects of polluted pollen grains, subparticles, and derived aeroallergens in animal models, in in vitro cell culture, on healthy human and allergic patients are described. Combined effects of atmospheric pollutants and pollen grains-derived biological material on allergic population are specifically discussed. Within the notion of "polluen," some methodological biases are underlined and research tracks in this field are proposed.

Reactive and nonreactive ozone uptake during aging of oleic acid particles.

The ozonolysis of submicrometer (150 nm) oleic acid (OL) particles in an aerosol flow tube has been studied for a wide range of initial ozone concentrations from 25 ppb to 1100 ppb. Both reactants were monitored, as well as the four main reaction products (nonanal, azelaic acid, nonanoic acid, and 9-oxononanoic), by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, high resolution-time of flight-aerosol mass spectrometer, proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometer, and ozone analyzer. The values for the initial uptake coefficients derived from each reactant decay are in the same range: γO3-0 = (1.5 ± 0.1) × 10(-3) and γOL-0 = (1.0 ± 0.2) × 10(-3). The ozone uptake coefficient is highly decreased when particles are in an advanced oxidized state (γO3-∞ = 5 × 10(-5)). Concerning reaction products, nonanal was mainly observed in the gas-phase (∼80%) with a carbon yield of ∼29%. Nonanoic, azelaic, and 9-oxonanonoic acids have been quantified in the condensed phase with carbon yields of respectively 6.6%, 5.3%, and 31.4%. The changes in chemical composition induce a slight rise in particle density, whereas the aerodynamic particle diameter increases by 10%. The initial molar quantities of ozone and OL were chosen to obtain different initial stoichiometries in order to explore conditions where either of them is the limiting reactant. Drastic changes in reactivity were observed as a function of the initial stoichiometry. In conditions where OL was the initial limiting reactant, up to a total of four molecules of O3 were lost from the gas phase, whereas only one OL molecule was consumed.

Direct photodegradation of internally mixed sodium chloride and malonic acid single aerosols: Impact of the photoproducts on the hygroscopic properties of the particles.

Sea-salt aerosols (SSA) are one of the key natural aerosols in our atmosphere, consisting predominantly of sodium chloride (NaCl). Throughout their atmospheric transport, these aerosols undergo complex internal mixing, giving rise to a rich variety of inorganic and organic species, including dicarboxylic acids. This study investigates firstly the composition and deliquescence properties of coarse particles containing pure malonic acid (MA2, CH2(COOH)2) and internally mixed NaCl and MA2, by means of an acoustic levitation system coupled with a Raman microspectrometer. Secondly, we report here the first experimental observation and characterization of the products arising from photochemical reactions under UV-Visible irradiation (338 ≤ λ ≤ 414 nm) in the absence of an oxidant under acoustic levitation conditions in MA2 and NaCl/MA2 aerosols. Furthermore, the impact of photodegradation on the hygroscopic properties of these particles is examined. We confirmed the irreversible formation of monosodium malonate (NaMA, HOOCCH2COONa), which coexists with NaCl or MA2 on non-irradiated particles. We also demonstrated the formation of oxalic acid (OA2, HOOC-COOH) within irradiated MA2 droplets and the appearance of glyoxylic acid (GlyA, HCOCOOH) in NaCl containing droplets. The photolysis process exerts a marked effect on the hygroscopic properties of the particles, resulting in a shift in deliquescence transitions toward higher relative humidity (RH) values. This study contributes to the understanding of the intricate physicochemical processes involved in SSA during their atmospheric transport. Likewise, this work sheds light on the impacts of these types of aerosols on cloud formation and climate change.

Uptake of ozone by allergenic pollen grains.

Ozone exacerbates allergy symptoms to certain pollens. The molecular mechanisms by which ozone affects pollen grains (PGs) and allergies are not fully understood, especially as the effects of pollutants may vary depending on the type of pollen. In this work, pollens of 22 different taxa were exposed under laboratory conditions to ozone (100 ppb) to quantify the ozone uptake by the PGs. The ozone uptake was highly variable among the 22 taxa tested. The highest ozone uptake per PG was measured on Acer negundo PGs (2.5 ± 0.2 pg∙PG-1). On average, tree pollens captured significantly more ozone than herbaceous pollens (average values of 0.5 and 0.02 pg∙PG-1, respectively). No single parameter (such as the number of apertures, pollen season, pollen size, or lipid fraction) could predict a pollen's ability to take up ozone. Lipids seem to act as a barrier to ozone uptake and play a protective role for some taxa. After inhalation of PGs, pollen-transported ozone could be transferred to mucous membranes and exacerbate symptoms through oxidative stress and local inflammation. Although the amount of ozone transported is small in absolute terms, it is significant compared to the antioxidant capacity of nasal mucus at a microscale. This mechanism of pollen-induced oxidative stress could explain the aggravation of allergic symptoms during ozone pollution episodes.

Heterogeneous reactivity of chlorine atoms with ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate particles.

In this laboratory study, model particles of ammonium sulfate (AS) and ammonium nitrate (AN) were exposed to chlorine atoms and uptake experiments were performed in a coated wall flow tube reactor coupled to a molecular beam mass spectrometer. The reactive surfaces were prepared by coating the inner surface of the reactor using two different methods: either by depositing size-selected particles on the halocarbon wax or by spray depositing thin films using a constant output atomizer. The observed uptake coefficients vary for (NH(4))(2)SO(4), ranging from γ(Cl)(AS)≈ 1 × 10(-3) for size-selected particles to γ(Cl)(AS)≈ 6 × 10(-2) for thin films prepared by spray. An uptake coefficient of γ(Cl)(AN)≈ 2.5 × 10(-3) of Cl˙ on size-selected NH(4)NO(3) particles was measured. A heterogeneous recombination of Cl atoms to from Cl(2) molecules was observed for the two surfaces. Furthermore, an ageing process was observed for AS particles, this phenomenon leading to the formation of new chlorine species on the solid substrate.

Development of a new flow reactor for kinetic studies. Application to the ozonolysis of a series of alkenes.

A new flow reactor has been developed to study ozonolysis reactions at ambient pressure and room temperature (297 ± 2 K). The reaction kinetics of O(3) with 4-methyl-1-pentene (4M1P), 2-methyl-2-pentene (2M2P), 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene (tM1P), 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentene (tM2P) and α-pinene have been investigated under pseudo-first-order conditions. Absolute measurements of the rate coefficients have been carried out by recording O(3) consumption in excess of organic compound. Alkene concentrations have been determined by sampling adsorbent cartridges that were thermodesorbed and analyzed by gas-chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection. Complementary experimental data have been obtained using a 250 L Teflon smog chamber. The following ozonolysis rate coefficients can be proposed (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)): k(4M1P) = (8.23 ± 0.50) × 10(-18), k(2M2P) = (4.54 ± 0.96) × 10(-16), k(tM1P) = (1.48 ± 0.11) × 10(-17), k(tM2P) = (1.25 ± 0.10) × 10(-16), and k(α-pinene) = (1.29 ± 0.16) × 10(-16), in very good agreement with literature values. The products of tM2P ozonolysis have been investigated, and branching ratios of (21.4 ± 2.8)% and (73.9 ± 7.3)% have been determined for acetone and 2,2-dimethyl-propanal, respectively. Additionally, a new nonoxidized intermediate, 2-methyl-1-propene, has been identified and quantified. A topological SAR analysis was also performed to strengthen the consistency of the kinetic data obtained with this new flow reactor.

Risk assessment of pollen allergy in urban environments.

According to WHO, by 2050, at least one person out of two will suffer from an allergy disorder resulting from the accelerating air pollution associated with toxic gas emissions and climate change. Airborne pollen, and associated allergies, are major public health topics during the pollination season, and their effects are further strengthened due to climate change. Therefore, assessing the airborne pollen allergy risk is essential for improving public health. This study presents a new computational fluid dynamics methodology for risk assessment of local airborne pollen transport in an urban environment. Specifically, we investigate the local airborne pollen transport from trees on a university campus in the north of France. We produce risk assessment maps for pollen allergy for five consecutive days during the pollination season. The proposed methodology could be extended to larger built-up areas for different weather conditions. The risk assessment maps may also be integrated with smart devices, thus leading to decision-aid tools to better guide and protect the public against airborne pollen allergy.

Heterogeneous reactivity of chlorine atoms with sodium chloride and synthetic sea salt particles.

The uptake of chlorine atoms on sodium chloride (NaCl) and synthetic sea salt (SSS) particles was studied using a discharge flow reactor coupled to a molecular beam mass spectrometer. The reactive surfaces were prepared by coating the inner surface of the reactor using two different methods: either by depositing size-selected particles on halocarbon wax or by spray depositing thin films using a constant output atomizer. The observed uptake coefficients of Cl˙ on NaCl particles are γ(NaCl)(Cl) ≈ 2 × 10(-2) for size-selected particles or γ(NaCl)(Cl) ≈ 5 × 10(-2) for thin films and for SSS particles γ(SSS)(Cl) ≈ 4 × 10(-3). Heterogeneous recombination of Cl atoms to Cl(2) molecules was observed for the two solid surfaces. The study was performed over the temperature range 258 to 353 K. The temperature dependence of the uptake was observed and the heat of adsorption of Cl˙ on NaCl particles was estimated at Q(ads) = 63 kJ mol(-1) assuming an Eley-Rideal mechanism. The role of surface adsorbed water has also been shown. The atmospheric implications of these findings are discussed briefly.

Organic and aqueous extraction of lipids from birch pollen grains exposed to gaseous pollutants.

The lipid fraction of birch pollen grains (BPGs) is not yet fully described, although pollen lipid molecules may play a role in the allergic immune response. The mechanisms by which atmospheric pollutants modify allergenic pollen grains (PGs) are also far from being elucidated despite high potential effects on allergic sensitization. This work is a contribution to a better description of the lipid profile (both external and cytoplasmic) of BPGs and of alterations induced by gaseous air pollutants. Several lipid extractions were performed using organic and aqueous solvents on BPGs following exposure to ozone and/or nitrogen dioxide and under conditions favoring the release of internal lipids. Ozone reacted with alkenes to produce aldehydes and saturated fatty acids, while nitrogen dioxide was shown to be unreactive with lipids. NO2 exhibited a protective effect against the reactivity of alkenes with ozone, probably by competition for adsorption sites. The decreased reactivity of ozone during simultaneous exposure to NO2/O3 raised the possibility of a Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. Oxidation reactions induced by exposure of BPGs to ozone did not substantially modify the extraction of lipids by aqueous solvent, suggesting that the bioaccessibility of lipids was not modified by oxidation. On the contrary, the rupture of PGs appeared to be a key factor in enhancing the bioaccessibility of bioactive lipid mediators (linoleic and α-linolenic acids) in an aqueous solution. The internal lipid fraction of BPGs has specific characteristics compared with external lipids, with more abundant hexadecanoic acid, tricosanol, and particularly unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic acids). Several mechanisms of action of gaseous pollutants on allergenic pollen were identified in this study: gaseous air pollutants can (i) modify the external lipid fraction by reactivity of alkenes, (ii) adsorb on the surface of PGs and be a source of oxidative stress after inhalation of PGs, and (iii) promote the release of cytoplasmic bioactive lipids by facilitating pollen rupture.

Biochemical composition of Phleum pratense pollen grains: A review.

The Poaceae family is composed of 12,000 plant species. Some of these species produce highly allergenic anemophilous pollen grains (PGs). Phleum pratense pollen grains (PPPGs) emerged as a model for studies related to grass allergy. The biochemical composition of allergenic PGs has not yet been fully described despite potential health effects of PG constituents other than allergenic proteins. This review brings together the information available in literature aiming at creating a comprehensive picture of the current knowledge about the chemical composition of allergenic PGs from timothy grass. PPPGs have an average diameter between 30-35 µm and the mass of a single PG was reported between 11 and 26 ng. The pollen cytoplasm is filled with two types of pollen cytoplasmic granules (PCGs): the starch granules and the polysaccharide particles (p-particles). Starch granules have a size between 0.6-2.5 µm with an average diameter of 1.1 µm (estimated number of 1000 granules per PG) while p-particles have a size ranging around 0.3 to 0.4 µm (estimated number between 61,000-230,000 p-particles per PG). The rupture of PG induces the release of PCGs and the dispersion of allergens in the inhalable fraction of atmospheric aerosol. PPPGs are composed of sporopollenin, sugars, polysaccharides, starch, glycoproteins (including allergens), amino-acids, lipids, flavonoids (including isorhamnetin), various elements (the more abundant being Si, Mg and Ca), phenolic compounds, phytoprostanoids, carotenoids (pigments) metals and adsorbed pollutants. PPPG contains about a hundred different proteins with molecular masses ranging from 10 to 94 kDa, with isoelectric points from 3.5-10.6. Among these proteins, allergens are classified in eleven groups from 1 to 13 with allergens from groups 1 and 5 being the major contributors to Phl p pollen allergy. Major allergen Phl p 5 was quantified in PPPGs by several studies with concentration ranging from 2.7 and 3.5 µg.mg-1 in unpolluted environment. Values for other allergens are scarce in literature; only one quantitative assessment exists for allergen groups Phl p 1, 2 and 4. The extractible lipid fraction of PPPGs is estimated between 1.7-2.2% of the total PG mass. The main chemical families of lipids reported in PPPGs are: alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, di- and tri-hydroxylated fatty acids, aldehydes and sterols. Several lipid compounds with potential adjuvant effects on allergy have been specifically quantified in PPPGs: E2-like prostaglandin (PGE2), B4-like leukotriene (LTB4), unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids and their hydroxylated derivatives), adenosine, vitamins and phenolic compounds. Some other biochemical characteristics such as NAD(P)H oxidase, protease activity and pollen microbiome were described in the literature. The bioaccessibility in physiological conditions has not been described for most biochemicals transported by allergenic PPPGs. There is also a considerable lack of knowledge about the potential health effects of pollen constituents other than allergens. The variability of pollen composition remains also largely unknown despite its importance for plant reproduction and allergy in an environment characterized by chemical pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Chlorination and thermal degradation of 2-chlorodibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran by CuCl2 or CuCl at 350 degrees C.

Chlorination and thermal degradation of 2-chlorodibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran were investigated using sealed tubes at 350 degrees C in the presence of CuCl(2) or CuCl. Twelve organic species, including polychlorobenzenes, were identified and quantified as a function of residence time. Time behaviours of PCDDs and PCDFs regarding destruction processes were compared. The formation of polychlorobenzenes from the thermal heterogeneous degradation of PCDDs was only a minor pathway but it could contribute to the good linear correlation observed between the concentration of polychlorobenzenes and those of PCDD/Fs in the emissions of municipal solid waste incinerators.

Uptake of ozone and modification of lipids in Betula Pendula pollen.

Pollen allergy risk is modified by air pollutants, including ozone, but the chemical modifications induced on pollen grains are poorly understood. Pollen lipidic extract has been shown to act as an adjuvant to the allergenic reaction and therefore, the modification of lipids by air pollutants could have health implications. Birch pollen was exposed in vitro to ozone to explore the reactivity of O3 on its surface and on its lipidic fraction. Uptake coefficients of ozone were determined for ozone concentration of 117 ppb on the surface of native birch pollen (8.6 ±â€¯0.8 × 10-6), defatted pollen (9.9 ±â€¯0.9 × 10-6), and for crushed pollen grains (34±3 × 10-6). The mass of ozone uptaken was increased by a factor of four for crushed pollen compared to native pollen showing a higher susceptibility to ozone of cytoplasmic granules and broken pollen grains. A total mass of extractible lipids of 27 mg per gram of birch pollen was found and a fraction of these lipids was identified and quantified (fatty acids, alkanes, alkenes and aldehydes). The distribution of lipids was modified by ozone exposure of 115 and 1000 ppb for 16 h with the following reactivity: consumption of alkene, formation of aldehydes and formation of nonanoic acid and octadecanoic acid. The quantity of ozone trapped in the lipidic fraction during 15 min at 115 ppb is enough to contribute to the reactivity of one-third of the alkenes demonstrating that pollen could be susceptible to an atmospheric increase of ozone concentration even for a very short duration complicating the understanding of the link between pollen allergy and pollution.

Thermal degradation of 2-chlorophenol promoted by CuCl2 or CuCl: formation and destruction of PCDD/Fs.

The oxidative degradation of 2-chlorophenol in air (equivalence ratio phi=0.8) was investigated at 350 degrees C by using the sealed tube technique under different conditions: in the gas phase and in the presence of copper chlorides (CuCl2 and CuCl in different proportions). Not only PCDD/Fs but carbon oxides and other organic products such as chlorophenols, chlorobenzenes, tetrachloroethylene and tetrachlorocyclopentenedione were quantified in order to evaluate the relative importance of reaction pathways. Additional experiments were performed to analyse the degradation products of octachlorodibenzodioxin and 2-monochlorodibenzodioxin. Although it was stated that chlorobenzenes could be formation precursors for PCDD/Fs, experimental data obtained in this work show that chlorobenzenes can also be degradation products of PCDD/Fs.

Experimental study on the thermal oxidation of 2-chlorophenol in air over the temperature range 450-900 degrees C.

The thermal oxidation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) in air was investigated using a perfectly stirred reactor at 1 atm over the temperature range 450-900 degrees C. The relative concentration of 2-CP was 1,000 ppm V (equivalence ratio Phi=0.03). About fifty organic products were identified as trace species. The concentration profiles of 2-CP, carbon oxides as well as those of seventeen major organic intermediates and six non-to-lower chlorinated dioxins and furans were presented as a function of temperature for a residence time of 2s. The most abundant intermediate products were carbon monoxide, 2H-pyran-2-one, chlorobenzene, 4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione, phenol, benzofuran, 2-chlorohydroquinone and 2-indanone. These concentration profiles have revealed that temperatures of at least 900 degrees C were needed to completely oxidize 2-CP, CO and all other organic byproducts to carbon dioxide. Reaction pathways accounting for the formation of most observed products are proposed.

Chemical modification of coating of Pinus halepensis pollen by ozone exposure.

Pollen coating, located on the exine, includes an extractible lipid fraction. The modification of the pollen coating by air pollutants may have implications on the interactions of pollen with plant stigmas and human cells. Pinus halepensis pollen was exposed to ozone in vitro and the pollen coating was extracted with organic solvent and analyzed by GC-MS. Ozone has induced chemical changes in the coating as observed with an increase in dicarboxylic acids, short-chain fatty acids and aldehydes. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde was identified as the main reaction product and its formation was shown to occur both on native pollen and on defatted pollen. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde is very likely formed via the ozonolysis of acid coumaric-like monomers constitutive of the sporopollenin. Modification of pollen coating by air pollutants should be accounted for in further studies on effect of pollution on germination and on allergenicity.

Kinetic of NO2 uptake by Phleum pratense pollen: chemical and allergenic implications.

Phleum pratense pollen was exposed to NO(2) in a reactor allowing a continuous analysis of NO(2) concentration by FTIR. The uptake coefficient of NO(2) on pollen was calculated postulating a first order kinetic reaction and a value of (1.1 ± 0.1) x 10(-7) was determined. NO(2) uptake was faster when the pollen water content was increased and when the pollen was pre-treated with ozone. The effect of NO(2) exposure on pollen allergic properties was investigated by quantifying Th2- and Th1-associated chemokines in a model of human dendritic cells. Cellular analysis clearly showed that cells exposed to fumigated pollen favored the production of chemokines known to promote Th2-cell responses. Altogether these data demonstrate that NO(2) uptake by pollen directly correlates with increased Th2 response in human cells,and are in favor of the involvement of NO(2) pollution in the increase of allergic diseases.