Understanding the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health Effects of Air Pollution in the Context of Cumulative Exposomic Impacts.

Poor air quality accounts for more than 9 million deaths a year globally according to recent estimates. A large portion of these deaths are attributable to cardiovascular causes, with evidence indicating that air pollution may also play an important role in the genesis of key cardiometabolic risk factors. Air pollution is not experienced in isolation but is part of a complex system, influenced by a host of other external environmental exposures, and interacting with intrinsic biologic factors and susceptibility to ultimately determine cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. Given that the same fossil fuel emission sources that cause climate change also result in air pollution, there is a need for robust approaches that can not only limit climate change but also eliminate air pollution health effects, with an emphasis of protecting the most susceptible but also targeting interventions at the most vulnerable populations. In this review, we summarize the current state of epidemiologic and mechanistic evidence underpinning the association of air pollution with cardiometabolic disease and how complex interactions with other exposures and individual characteristics may modify these associations. We identify gaps in the current literature and suggest emerging approaches for policy makers to holistically approach cardiometabolic health risk and impact assessment.

Personal Strategies to Reduce the Cardiovascular Impacts of Environmental Exposures.

Ubiquitous environmental exposures increase cardiovascular disease risk via diverse mechanisms. This review examines personal strategies to minimize this risk. With regard to fine particulate air pollution exposure, evidence exists to recommend the use of portable air cleaners and avoidance of outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality. Other evidence may support physical activity, dietary modification, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, and indoor and in-vehicle air conditioning as viable strategies to minimize adverse health effects. There is currently insufficient data to recommend specific personal approaches to reduce the adverse cardiovascular effects of noise pollution. Public health advisories for periods of extreme heat or cold should be observed, with limited evidence supporting a warm ambient home temperature and physical activity as strategies to limit the cardiovascular harms of temperature extremes. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure can be reduced by avoiding contact with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance-containing materials; blood or plasma donation and cholestyramine may reduce total body stores of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. However, the cardiovascular impact of these interventions has not been examined. Limited utilization of pesticides and safe handling during use should be encouraged. Finally, vasculotoxic metal exposure can be decreased by using portable air cleaners, home water filtration, and awareness of potential contaminants in ground spices. Chelation therapy reduces physiological stores of vasculotoxic metals and may be effective for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Synergistic approaches to elevate indoor air quality: A holistic examination of classroom refinement, air exchange optimization, and flooring material impact.

This research endeavors to elevate indoor air quality within aging school environments by concentrating on refining interior finishing materials and windows. Renovations, encompassing window and floor remodeling in classrooms, aim to mitigate particulate matter (PM) infiltration and enhance air exchange rates. Utilizing SPS30 sensors for the analysis of 0.3-2.5 µm particles, with a focus on their implications for human health, the study evaluated air exchange rates, deposition rates, infiltration rates, and particle generation during classroom activities. Post-renovation results demonstrated a noteworthy decrease in air exchange rates, indicating an enhancement in airtightness. The investigation delves into particle generation with various flooring materials, accentuating the importance of opting for durable and low-particle-generating alternatives. Health risk assessments, considering multiple exposure routes (inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion), revealed reduced risks post-renovation, particularly for children. To further optimize indoor air quality, the study suggests the implementation of air purification systems. Examination of PM generation during student activities showcased a substantial reduction post-renovation. This study underscores the positive influence of architectural enhancements on indoor air quality while acknowledging the necessity for holistic solutions and continuous research.

Phosphocholine-induced energy source shift alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction in lung cells caused by geospecific PM2.5 components.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is globally recognized for its adverse implications on human health. Yet, remain limited the individual contribution of particular PM2.5 components to its toxicity, especially considering regional disparities. Moreover, prevention solutions for PM2.5-associated health effects are scarce. In the present study, we comprehensively characterized and compared the primary PM2.5 constituents and their altered metabolites from two locations: Taiyuan and Guangzhou. Analysis of year-long PM2.5 samples revealed 84 major components, encompassing organic carbon, elemental carbon, ions, metals, and organic chemicals. PM2.5 from Taiyuan exhibited higher contamination, associated health risks, dithiothreitol activity, and cytotoxicities than Guangzhou's counterpart. Applying metabolomics, BEAS-2B lung cells exposed to PM2.5 from both cities were screened for significant alterations. A correlation analysis revealed the metabolites altered by PM2.5 and the critical toxic PM2.5 components in both regions. Among the PM2.5-down-regulated metabolites, phosphocholine emerged as a promising intervention for PM2.5 cytotoxicities. Its supplementation effectively attenuated PM2.5-induced energy metabolism disorder and cell death via activating fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting Phospho1 expression. The highlighted toxic chemicals displayed combined toxicities, potentially counteracted by phosphocholine. Our study offered a promising functional metabolite to alleviate PM2.5-induced cellular disorder and provided insights into the geo-based variability in toxic PM2.5 components.

Pollen and sub-pollen particles: External interactions shaping the allergic potential of pollen.

Pollen allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, are triggered by exposure to airborne pollen. They are a considerable global health burden, with their numbers expected to rise in the coming decades due to the advent of climate change and air pollution. The relationships that exist between pollens, meteorological, and environmental conditions are complex due to a lack of clarity on the nature and conditions associated with these interactions; therefore, it is challenging to describe their direct impacts on allergenic potential clearly. This article attempts to review evidence pertaining to the possible influence of meteorological factors and air pollutants on the allergic potential of pollen by studying the interactions that pollen undergoes, from its inception to atmospheric traversal to human exposure. This study classifies the evidence based on the nature of these interactions as physical, chemical, source, and biological, thereby simplifying the complexities in describing these interactions. Physical conditions facilitating pollen rupturing for tree, grass, and weed pollen, along with their mechanisms, are studied. The effects of pollen exposure to air pollutants and their impact on pollen allergenic potential are presented along with the possible outcomes following these interactions, such as pollen fragmentation (SPP generation), deposition of particulate matter on pollen exine, and modification of protein levels in-situ of pollen. This study also delves into evidence on plant-based (source and biological) interactions, which could indirectly influence the allergic potential of pollen. The current state of knowledge, open questions, and a brief overview of future research directions are outlined and discussed. We suggest that future studies should utilise a multi-disciplinary approach to better understand this complex system of pollen interactions that occur in nature.

Formaldehyde Exposure Racial Disparities in Southeast Texas.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) exposures during a full year were calculated for different race/ethnicity groups living in Southeast Texas using a chemical transport model tagged to track nine emission categories. Petroleum and industrial emissions were the largest anthropogenic sources of HCHO exposure in Southeast Texas, accounting for 44% of the total HCHO population exposure. Approximately 50% of the HCHO exposures associated with petroleum and industrial sources were directly emitted (primary), while the other 50% formed in the atmosphere (secondary) from precursor emissions of reactive compounds such as ethylene and propylene. Biogenic emissions also formed secondary HCHO that accounted for 11% of the total population-weighted exposure across the study domain. Off-road equipment contributed 3.7% to total population-weighted exposure in Houston, while natural gas combustion contributed 5% in Beaumont. Mobile sources accounted for 3.7% of the total HCHO population exposure, with less than 10% secondary contribution. Exposure disparity patterns changed with the location. Hispanic and Latino residents were exposed to HCHO concentrations +1.75% above average in Houston due to petroleum and industrial sources and natural gas sources. Black and African American residents in Beaumont were exposed to HCHO concentrations +7% above average due to petroleum and industrial sources, off-road equipment, and food cooking. Asian residents in Beaumont were exposed to HCHO concentrations that were +2.5% above average due to HCHO associated with petroleum and industrial sources, off-road vehicles, and food cooking. White residents were exposed to below average HCHO concentrations in all domains because their homes were located further from primary HCHO emission sources. Given the unique features of the exposure disparities in each region, tailored solutions should be developed by local stakeholders. Potential options to consider in the development of those solutions include modifying processes to reduce emissions, installing control equipment to capture emissions, or increasing the distance between industrial sources and residential neighborhoods.

Atmospheric pollen concentrations and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients visits in Beijing: time series analysis using a generalized additive model.

To investigate the correlation between the daily visits of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in hospital clinic and pollen concentrations in Beijing. We collected daily visits of COPD patients of Beijing Shijitan Hospital from April 1st, 2019 to September 30th, 2019. The relationship between pollen concentrations and COPD patient number was analyzed with meteorological factors, time trend, day of the week effect and holiday effect being controlled by the generalized additive model of time series analysis. R4.1.2 software was applied to generate Spearman correlation coefficient, specific and incremental cumulative effect curves of relative risks as well as the response and three-dimensional diagrams for the exposure lag effect prediction. The fitting models were used to predict the lag relative risk and 95% confidence intervals for specific and incremental cumulative effects of specific pollen concentrations. The number of COPD patients was positively correlated with pollen concentration. When pollen concentration increased by 10 grains/1000 mm2, the peak value of the specific cumulative effect appeared on day0, with the effect gone on day4 and a lag time of 4 days observed, whereas the incremental cumulative effect's peak value was shown on day17, and the effect disappeared on day18, with a lag time of 18 days. The results showed that pollen concentration was not only positively correlated with the number of COPD patients, but also had a bimodal lag effect on COPD visits in the hospital at Beijing.

Evaluating the adverse effects and mechanisms of nanomaterial exposure on longevity of C. elegans: A literature meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis of multi-transcriptome data.

Exposure to large-size particulate air pollution (PM2.5 or PM10) has been reported to increase risks of aging-related diseases and human death, indicating the potential pro-aging effects of airborne nanomaterials with ultra-fine particle size (which have been widely applied in various fields). However, this hypothesis remains inconclusive. Here, a meta-analysis of 99 published literatures collected from electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library; from inception to June 2023) was performed to confirm the effects of nanomaterial exposure on aging-related indicators and molecular mechanisms in model animal C. elegans. The pooled analysis by Stata software showed that compared with the control, nanomaterial exposure significantly shortened the mean lifespan [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -2.30], reduced the survival rate (SMD = -4.57) and increased the death risk (hazard ratio = 1.36) accompanied by upregulation of ced-3, ced-4 and cep-1, while downregulation of ctl-2, ape-1, aak-2 and pmk-1. Furthermore, multi-transcriptome data associated with nanomaterial exposure were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE32521, GSE41486, GSE24847, GSE59470, GSE70509, GSE14932, GSE93187, GSE114881, and GSE122728) and bioinformatics analyses showed that pseudogene prg-2, mRNAs of abu, car-1, gipc-1, gsp-3, kat-1, pod-2, acdh-8, hsp-60 and egrh-2 were downregulated, while R04A9.7 was upregulated after exposure to at least two types of nanomaterials. Resveratrol (abu, hsp-60, pod-2, egrh-2, acdh-8, gsp-3, car-1, kat-1, gipc-1), naringenin (kat-1, egrh-2), coumestrol (egrh-2) or swainsonine/niacin/ferulic acid (R04A9.7) exerted therapeutic effects by reversing the expression levels of target genes. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the necessity to use phytomedicines that target hub genes to delay aging for populations with nanomaterial exposure.

Exposure risk to rural Residents: Insights into particulate and gas phase pesticides in the Indoor-Outdoor nexus.

Rural residents are exposed to both particulate and gaseous pesticides in the indoor-outdoor nexus in their daily routine. However, previous personal exposure assessment mostly focuses on single aspects of the exposure, such as indoor or gaseous exposure, leading to severe cognition bias to evaluate the exposure risks. In this study, residential dust and silicone wristbands (including stationary and personal wearing ones) were used to screen pesticides in different phases and unfold the hidden characteristics of personal exposure via indoor-outdoor nexus in intensive agricultural area. Mento-Carlo Simulation was performed to assess the probabilistic exposure risk by transforming adsorbed pesticides from wristbands into air concentration, which explores a new approach to integrate particulate (dust) and gaseous (silicone wristbands) pesticide exposures in indoor and outdoor environment. The results showed that particulate pesticides were more concentrated in indoor, whereas significantly higher concentrations were detected in stationary outdoor wristbands (p < 0.05). Carbendazim and chlorpyrifos were the most frequently detected pesticides in dust and stationary wristbands. Higher pesticide concentration was found in personal wristbands worn by farmers, with the maximum value of 2048 ng g-1 for difenoconazole. Based on the probabilistic risk assessment, around 7.1 % of farmers and 2.6 % of bystanders in local populations were potentially suffering from chronic health issues. One third of pesticide exposures originated mainly from occupational sources while the rest derived from remoting dissipation. Unexpectedly, 43 % of bystanders suffered the same levels of exposure as farmers under the co-existence of occupational and non-occupational exposures. Differed compositions of pesticides were found between environmental samples and personal pesticide exposure patterns, highlighting the need for holistic personal exposure measurements.

[Allergies in the light of global environmental changes]. / Allergien im Lichte globaler Umweltveränderungen.

BACKGROUND: The increase in allergies began worldwide with the onset of the Great Acceleration. Environmental pollution and climate change now threaten to cancel out decades of success in health research. OBJECTIVE: A summary of environmental influences is provided, which not only shows the significant increase in the prevalence of allergies worldwide but also that of noncommunicable diseases. The effects of the climate crisis on allergies and the multifactorial and interfunctional relationships with other environmental changes are described in detail. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to obtain an overview of the possible effects of global environmental changes on allergies, a wide range of literature was evaluated and the study results were prepared and summarized. RESULTS: A large number of allergens are influencing the human exposome on a daily basis. These allergens are triggered by environmental changes, such as air pollution in the ambient air and indoors, chemicals in everyday objects or residues in food. People are sensitized by the interaction of allergens and pollutants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of allergies is stagnating in industrialized countries. This is probably just the calm before the storm. The accelerating effects of global warming could make pollen and air pollutants even more aggressive in the future. Urgent action is therefore needed to minimize environmental pollution and mitigate climate change.

Engineering green wall botanical biofiltration to abate indoor volatile organic compounds: A review on mechanisms, phyllosphere bioaugmentation, and modeling.

Indoor air pollution affects the global population, especially in developed countries where people spend around 90% of their time indoors. The recent pandemic exacerbated the exposure by relying on indoor spaces and a teleworking lifestyle. VOCs are a group of indoor air pollutants with harmful effects on human health at low concentrations. It is widespread that plants can remove indoor VOCs. To this day, research has combined principles of phytoremediation, biofiltration, and bioremediation into a holistic and sustainable technology called botanical biofiltration. Overall, it is sustained that its main advantage is the capacity to break down and biodegrade pollutants using low energy input. This differs from traditional systems that transfer VOCs to another phase. Furthermore, it offers additional benefits like decreased indoor air health costs, enhanced work productivity, and well-being. However, many disparities exist within the field regarding the role of plants, substrate, and phyllosphere bacteria. Yet their role has been theorized; its stability is poorly known for an engineering approach. Previous research has not addressed the bioaugmentation of the phyllosphere to increase the performance, which could boost the system. Moreover, most experiments have studied passive potted plant systems at a lab scale using small chambers, making it difficult to extrapolate findings into tangible parameters to engineer the technology. Active systems are believed to be more efficient yet require more maintenance and knowledge expertize; besides, the impact of the active flow on the long term is not fully understood. Besides, modeling the system has been oversimplified, limiting the understanding and optimization. This review sheds light on the field's gains and gaps, like concepts, experiments, and modeling. We believe that embracing a multidisciplinary approach encompassing experiments, multiphysics modeling, microbial community analysis, and coworking with the indoor air sector will enable the optimization of the technology and facilitate its adoption.

How do the main components influence the VOCs emission characteristics and formation pathways during moso bamboo heat treatment?

Bamboo heat treatment will cause plenty of release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere which are important precursors for ozone (O3) formation. In this study, dewaxed bamboo was heat-treated at 180 °C for 2 h to investigate the emission characteristics and the formation pathways of VOCs during heat treatment by removing different main components. The results showed that aldehydes (22.61%-57.54%) and esters (14.64%-38.88%) are the primary VOCs released during heat treatment. These compounds mainly originate from the degradation of hemicellulose, lignin, cellulose, and the linkage bonds between them in bamboo. During the bamboo heat treatment, the degradation of CO, CH, and CO bonds in hemicellulose results in the release of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 3-furfural, and 1-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate. The breakage of benzene ring group and the CO and CH bonds of lignin leading to the emission of VOCs including m-Formylphenol, Vanillin, and Syringaldehyde. The degradation of aliphatic CH, CC, and CO bonds in the amorphous region of cellulose contributes to an enhanced release of alcohols, olefins, and alkanes. It is calculated that acids (28.92%-59.47%), esters (10.10%-22.03%) and aldehydes (17.88%-39.91%) released during heat treatment contributed more to Ozone Formation Potential (OFP).

Enhancing air treatment through controlled fabrication of transition metal-doped titanium dioxide nanocomposites for photocatalytic toluene degradation.

Rapid industrial growth and urbanization have resulted in a significant rise in environmental pollution issues, particularly indoor air pollutants. As a result, it is crucial to design and develop technologies and/or catalysts that are not only cost-effective but also promising high performance and practical applicability. However, achieving this goal has been so far remained a challenging task. Herein, a series of transition metal M - TiO2 (M = W, Fe, Mn) nanocrystals was prepared for photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), i.e., toluene. Of the nanocomposites tested, W-TiO2 showed significantly improved photocatalytic activity for VOC degradation under UV irradiation compared to the others. In particular, the optimized W dopant amount of 0.5 wt% resulted in the outstanding degradation performance of toluene (96%) for the obtained W-TiO2(0.5%) nanocomposite. Moreover, W-TiO2(0.5%) nanocomposite exhibited good stability for 32 h working under high toluene concentration (10 ppm) compared to the pristine TiO2. The current work demonstrates the potential usage of M - TiO2 nanocrystals, particularly W-TiO2(0.5%), as a promising photocatalyst for efficient VOCs degradation.

Attributing Atmospheric Phosphorus in the Himalayas: Biomass Burning vs Mineral Dust.

Atmospheric phosphorus is a vital nutrient for ecosystems whose sources and fate are still debated in the fragile Himalayan region, hindering our comprehension of its local ecological impact. This study provides novel insights into atmospheric phosphorus based on the study of total suspended particulate matter at the Qomolangma station. Contrary to the prevailing assumptions, we show that biomass burning (BB), not mineral dust, dominates total dissolved phosphorus (TDP, bioavailable) deposition in this arid region, especially during spring. While total phosphorus is mainly derived from dust (77% annually), TDP is largely affected by the transport of regional biomass-burning plumes from South Asia. During BB pollution episodes, TDP causing springtime TDP fluxes alone accounts for 43% of the annual budget. This suggests that BB outweighs dust in supplying bioavailable phosphorus, a critical nutrient, required to sustain Himalayas' ecological functions. Overall, this first-hand field evidence refines the regional and global phosphorus budget by demonstrating that BB emission, while still unrecognized, is a significant source of P, even in the remote mountains of the Himalayas. It also reveals the heterogeneity of atmospheric phosphorus deposition in that region, which will help predict changes in the impacted ecosystems as the deposition patterns vary.

Size-distribution and driving factors of aerosol oxidative potential in rural kitchen microenvironments of northeastern India.

This study reports size-resolved dithiothreitol (DTT)-based oxidative potential (OP: total and water-soluble) in rural kitchens using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), firewood (FW), and mixed biomass (MB) fuels in northeastern (NE) India. In comparison to LPG, volume-normalized total OP (OPtotal(v)DTT) was enhanced by a factor of ∼5 in biomass-using kitchens (74 ± 35 to 78 ± 42 nmol min-1 m-3); however, mass-normalized total OP (OPtotal(m)DTT) was similar between LPG and FW users and higher by a factor of 2 in MB-using kitchens. The water-insoluble OP (OPwi(v, m)DTT) fraction in OPtotal(v, m)DTT was greater than 50% across kitchens. Size distributions across kitchens and OPDTT categories ranged from unimodal to trimodal. OPws(v)DTT was driven by metals as well as organics across size fractions while OPwi(v)DTT was majorly constrained by metals with an increasing importance of organics in fine particles of biomass-using kitchens. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that Cu and Ba explained 71% of the OPtotal(v)DTT variability in LPG-using kitchens, while water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and Ba were responsible for 44% variability in FW-using kitchens. Finally, the high internal dose of OPtotal(v)DTT (28-31 nmol min-1 m-3) in biomass-using kitchens established the severity of oxidative stress on the exposed population.

Indoor and Personal PM2.5 Samples Differ in Chemical Composition and Alter Zebrafish Behavior Based on Primary Fuel Source.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been linked to diverse human health impacts. Little is known about the potential heterogeneous impacts of PM2.5 generated from different indoor fuel sources and how exposure differs between personal and indoor environments. Therefore, we used PM2.5 collected by one stationary sampler in a kitchen and personal samplers (female and male participants), in homes (n = 24) in Kheri, India, that used either biomass or liquified petroleum gas (LPG) as primary fuel sources. PM2.5 samples (pooled by fuel type and monitor placement) were analyzed for oxidative potential and chemical composition, including elements and 125 organic compounds. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were acutely exposed to varying concentrations of PM2.5 and behavioral analyses were conducted. We found relatively high PM2.5 concentrations (5-15 times above World Health Organization daily exposure guidelines) and varied human health-related chemical composition based on fuel type and monitor placement (up to 15% carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon composition). Altered biological responses, including changes to mortality, morphology, and behavior, were elicited by exposure to all sample types. These findings reveal that although LPG is generally ranked the least harmful compared to biomass fuels, chemical characteristics and biological impacts were still present, highlighting the need for further research in determining the safety of indoor fuel sources.

Long-Term Exposure to Low-Level PM2.5 and Mortality: Investigation of Heterogeneity by Harmonizing Analyses in Large Cohort Studies in Canada, United States, and Europe.

BACKGROUND: Studies across the globe generally reported increased mortality risks associated with particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5µm (PM2.5) exposure with large heterogeneity in the magnitude of reported associations and the shape of concentration-response functions (CRFs). We aimed to evaluate the impact of key study design factors (including confounders, applied exposure model, population age, and outcome definition) on PM2.5 effect estimates by harmonizing analyses on three previously published large studies in Canada [Mortality-Air Pollution Associations in Low Exposure Environments (MAPLE), 1991-2016], the United States (Medicare, 2000-2016), and Europe [Effects of Low-Level Air Pollution: A Study in Europe (ELAPSE), 2000-2016] as much as possible. METHODS: We harmonized the study populations to individuals 65+ years of age, applied the same satellite-derived PM2.5 exposure estimates, and selected the same sets of potential confounders and the same outcome. We evaluated whether differences in previously published effect estimates across cohorts were reduced after harmonization among these factors. Additional analyses were conducted to assess the influence of key design features on estimated risks, including adjusted covariates and exposure assessment method. A combined CRF was assessed with meta-analysis based on the extended shape-constrained health impact function (eSCHIF). RESULTS: More than 81 million participants were included, contributing 692 million person-years of follow-up. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality associated with a 5-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 were 1.039 (1.032, 1.046) in MAPLE, 1.025 (1.021, 1.029) in Medicare, and 1.041 (1.014, 1.069) in ELAPSE. Applying a harmonized analytical approach marginally reduced difference in the observed associations across the three studies. Magnitude of the association was affected by the adjusted covariates, exposure assessment methodology, age of the population, and marginally by outcome definition. Shape of the CRFs differed across cohorts but generally showed associations down to the lowest observed PM2.5 levels. A common CRF suggested a monotonically increased risk down to the lowest exposure level. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12141.

Elevated ozone effects on potato leaf physiology, growth, and yield: a meta-analysis.

Potato is an important crop worldwide and threatened by various environmental stresses, including elevated ozone (e[O3]). Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the effect of e[O3] on potato plants and how it varies depending upon different experimental conditions. Regarding plant growth and biomass, e[O3] significantly decreased shoot biomass by 18% and belowground biomass by 35%, while it increased the leaf area index by 19% and total number of injured leaves by 146%. As for yield, e[O3] significantly decreased the total tuber number by 21%. A relatively pronounced effect of e[O3] on the stomatal conductance was observed when exposure lasted 31-60 days, which was significantly greater than that after exposure lasted 96-311 days. The overall quantity of leaves was mainly decreased by higher (100-150 ppb) than lower (30-80 ppb) concentrations of e[O3] compared to ambient O3. The effect of e[O3] on the total tuber number was significant mainly when exposure lasted 31-90 days and was greater in plants grown in growth chambers than those planted in open-top chambers and glasshouses. The effect of e[O3] stress on physiology, growth, and yield varied among cultivars, with some cultivars showing marked tolerance relative to other cultivars. The findings can guide strategies to manage the negative impacts of e[O3] stress on potato production.

Characterizing VOCs emissions of coal chemical enterprise in China: a case study in five coal chemical enterprises.

Coal chemical-induced climate change has become a global concern. However, the dearth of comprehensive case studies and fundamental data has obstructed the accurate quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. This has failed to equip coal chemical industries with the necessary guidelines to implement effective emission reduction strategies. In response to this, the present study meticulously examined and contrasted the VOCs emissions from five distinct coal chemical enterprises in China. This was achieved through the application of life cycle assessment (LCA), a tool used to discern the primary factors influencing VOCs emissions and to identify potential avenues for VOCs emissions reduction. The analysis revealed that BT exhibited the highest emission intensity (5.58E-04 tons/ton), followed by ED (4.89E-04 tons/ton), YL (4.23E-04 tons/ton), XJ (2.94E-04 tons/ton), and SM (1.74E-04 tons/ton). Among these enterprises, coal-to-olefins enterprises predominantly discharged VOCs via sewage treatment (average 69.12%), while coal-to-methanol enterprises primarily emitted VOCs during circulating water cooling (40.02%). In coal-to-oil enterprises, storage and blending emerged as the principal source of VOCs emissions (56.83%). As a result, this study advocates that coal chemical enterprises concentrate on curbing VOCs emissions from highly concentrated wastewater, regulating the concentration of purgeable organic carbon in circulating water cooling systems, and instituting effective treatment methods for methanol storage tank emissions. These findings proffer invaluable insights for devising VOCs control measures in regions affected by intensive coal chemical production.