Abstract  Nanjing and the surrounding area have experienced two consecutive serious air pollution events from late October to early November in 2009. The first event was long-lasting haze pollution, and the second event was resulted from the mixed impact of crop residue burning and local transportation. The effects of regional transport and local sources on the two events were discussed by cluster analysis, using surface meteorological observations, air pollution index, satellite remote sensing of fire hot spots data and back trajectory model. The results showed that the accumulation-mode aerosol number concentrations were higher than those of any other aerosol modes in the two pollution processes. The peak value of aerosol particle number concentrations shifted to large particle size compare with the previous studies in this area. The ratio of SO4(2-)/NO3(-) was 1.30 and 0.99, indicating that stationary sources were more important than traffic sources in the first event and the reverse in the second event. Affected by the local sources from east and south, the particle counts below 0.1 microm gradually accumulated in the first event. The second event was mainly affected by a short-distance transport from northeast and local sources from southwest, especially south, the concentration of aerosol particles was higher than those in other directions, indicating that the sources of crop residue burning were mainly in this direction.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the measures for securing quality air for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympics Games on air pollution index (API) in Beijing and forecast the aftereffects.

METHODS: The time-distribution of API in Beijing from 2004 to 2008 was described. The time sequence analysis was used and the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) was chosen to establish an API forecasting model to predict the API in December, 2008.

RESULTS: From 2004 to 2008, the average API in March (120 +/- 66) was the highest followed by November (116 +/- 72) and the average API in July (83 +/- 28) was the lowest followed by August (77 +/- 27). The proportion of "excellent" and "good" days from 2004 to 2008 were 9.56% (35/366), 54.37% (199/366), 8.49% (31/365), 54.52% (199/365), 7.12% (26/365 ), 58.90% (215/365 ), 8.77% (32/365), 58.63% (214/365), 16.67% (61/366), 58.20% (213/366) respectively, with an increasing trend year by year (chi2(trend) = 11.397, P = 0.001). The model of ARIMA (1, 0, 0) fitted well; according to the prediction of the ARIMA (1, 0, 0) model, the decrease of API that attributed to interim measures during the Olympic Games was 37. 1% and the average API of December was 82.

CONCLUSION: The interim measures during the Olympic Games were effective on promoting air quality. After the Olympic Games, air quality would still remain good.

Abstract  From 18 September 2005 to 13 September 2006 in Beijing, 166 TSP samples were collected at three sites in southern suburb, downtown and northern suburb, respectively. Lead and other 28 elements were determined for those samples by ICP-AES and ICP-MS methods. The lead average concentration of one year in southern suburb, downtown and northern suburb was 179, 142 and 102 ng x m(-3), respectively. Source identification and apportionment were carried out using absolute principal component analysis (APCA) method. Five groups of sources were recognized. The sources are nonferrous metallurgy (55.6%), coal combustion (16.9%), construction dust (11.8%) and soil dust (10.2%), respectively. Major sources of aerosol lead in Beijing were from nonferrous metallurgy industry. Lead associated with coal combustion and other sources were evenly distributed over three sites. However, industrial leadwas apparently at different levels at three sites, higher in southern suburb and lower in northern suburb. The lead concentration originated from nonferrous metallurgy at three sites from southern suburb, downtown to northern suburb was 113, 77.0 and 44.2 ng x m(-3), respectively, implying that the major sources for industrial lead were from the south to the Beijing. There is considerable space for reduction of aerosol lead concentration in Beijing. The main object for lead pollution discharge reduction and environmental management measures should aim at nonferrous metallurgy, especially for the field of lead metallurgy located at the south area to the Beijing. The calculation result based on the same chemical analysis data also shows that major source for TSP in Beijing is of soil dust and construction dust, accounting for 72.3%. The other sources such as coal combustion and nonferrous metallurgy account for 13.4% and 9.5%, respectively.

Abstract  The paper gives the results of 4-year monitoring of the total mutagenic activity of snow samples from different Magnitogork areas in a test for induction of dominant lethal mutations (DLM) in the gametes of Drosophila melanogaster. An association was first found between the rate of DLM and the content of some chemical compounds in the ambient air and snow samples; moreover all the substances present in the samples, which had found genotoxic effects, showed a positive correlation with the rate of DLM. Furthermore, direct correlations were first established between the rate of DLM and the air pollution index and morbidity rates in 5-7-year-old children residing in the areas under study. The findings allow the test for induction of dominant lethal mutations (DLM) in the gametes of Drosophila melanogaster to be recommended due to its unique informative and prognostic value for monitoring ambient air pollution and for extensive use in the risk assessment system.

Abstract  Based on the monitoring data of NO2, O3, SO2, PM, visibility, regional air quality index (RAQI) and the atmospheric transport and diffusion data from Nov. 4, 2010 to Dec. 10, 2010 in Guangzhou area, the variations of air quality and meteorological conditions during the Guangzhou Asian Games were analyzed. It was found that, during the Asian Games, the air quality was better than the air quality before or after the Asian Games. The visibility was greater than the visibility before or after the Asian Games, while the concentrations of PM1 and PM2.5 were lower. The correlation coefficient between visibility and the concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 indicated anti-correlation relationships. Daily and hourly concentrations of NO2 and SO2 met the primary ambient air quality standards, whereas the daily concentration of PM10 and hourly concentration of O3 met the secondary ambient air quality standards. Pollutants had been well controlled during the Asian Games. The concentration of SO2 in Guangzhou was influenced by local sources and long distance transmission, while the concentration of NO2 was significantly influenced by local sources. The emissions of NO2, SO2 and PM10 surrounding Guangzhou had a trend to affect the concentrations in Guangzhou, but the situation of O3 was opposite, the relatively high concentration of O3 in Guangzhou had tendency to be transported to the surrounding areas. The pollution meteorology conditions in the period of Asian Games were better than the conditions before or after the Asian Games. The decrease in the concentrations during the Asian Games did not only benefit from the emission control by the government, but also from the good meteorological conditions.

Abstract  In order to monitor the distribution of atmospheric air ion and particulates in Tianzhu Mountain region, two observation points were established in Tianzhu Mountain in April, 1989. The results showed that the average concentration of air anode ion was 680/cm3, cathode ion 650/cm3. the range of single electrode coefficient is comfortable feeling, air quality index is 0.71 up to standard B grade (clean air), Total average concentration of suspended particulates was 0.242 mg/m3, average concentration of inhalation particulates was 0.168 mg/m3. Seventy percent particulates had diameters less than 10 microns, and thirty percent greater than 10 microns in total suspended particulates.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effect of particulate matter in air on the mortality of stroke.

METHODS: Using time-stratified case-crossover study design, an association was examined between stroke mortality and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of < 10 microm (PM10) of 2002 - 2004 in Hangzhou city. Meanwhile, the acute health effect of other gaseous pollutants (sulfur dioxide, SO2 and nitrogen dioxide, NO2) was also analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 9906 deaths of stroke were included. The crude stroke mortality was 83.54 per 100 000. After being adjusted for meteorological factors, when an increase of 10 microg/m3 in PM10, SO2 and NO2 in three days was noticed, it appeared that the increases of mortality of stroke were 0.56% (95% CI: 0.14%-0.99%), 1.62% (95% CI: 0.26% - 3.01%) and 2.07% (95% CI: 0.54% - 3.62%) respectively. There was no distinct association in multi-pollutant models. In sensitivity analysis, the associations were found in all single-pollutant models but not statistically significant in multi-pollutant models after replacing the missing values.

CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the short-term elevation in PM10 as well as SO2 and NO2 daily concentrations were related to the increase of stroke mortality in Hangzhou city.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the concentration of ambient inhalable particulate matter (PM10) and population mortality for cerebrovascular diseases and to explore the impact of PM10 on cerebrovascular diseases.

METHODS: Data including meteorological factors, air pollutants (NO2, SO2 and PM10) and cerebrovascular disease mortality in one district of Beijing from 2004 to 2008 were collected and both symmetric bidirectional case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression model were used to analyze the associations among them.

RESULTS: After adjusting the influence of meteorological factors as daily average temperature and relative humidity, the single pollutant model showed that there was no significant lag effect. In the multi-pollutant model, the effect of the every 105.43 µg/m(3) increase of ambient PM10 had a larger impact on the daily death of the cerebrovascular diseases with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The effect of ambient PM10 pollution on daily death of cerebrovascular diseases was significant for females, 65 year-olds and in winter season.

CONCLUSION: Our data showed that elevated levels of ambient PM10 was positively associated with the increase of cerebrovascular disease mortality. The elevated levels of ambient PM10 could lead to the increase of the daily mortality on cerebrovascular diseases for females, elderly who were 65 or older and in winter seasons.

Abstract  INTRODUCTION: Ambient air pollution, particularly in densely populated urban areas, is a major risk factor for the health of the exposed population. The respiratory tract is the primary target for air pollutants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of' long-term exposure to air pollution and incidence of respiratory symptoms and diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Measurements of air pollutants: sulphur dioxide and soot particles, were carried out daily at the Institute of Public Health in Nis at two locations, in Nis and in Niska Banja, during the period 1999-2003. The Air Quality Index was calculated for both areas. The investigation included 654 women, nonsmokers, between 20-30 years of age, from two areas with different levels of common air pollutants. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases was determined on the basis of a modified WHO standard questionnaire completed by doctors.

RESULTS: The obtained results show that examinees from Nis had a statistically higher prevalence of some respiratory symptoms (cough with cold and phlegm) whereas women from Niska Banja had a statistically significantly higher prevalence of lower respiratory tract diseases.

CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to low concentrations of air pollutants is a contributing factor to the development of respiratory symptoms and diseases.

Abstract  Environmental factor is one of the most accurate indicators of determining the health of the population, especially in childhood and adolescence. A significant increase in the amount of data on the status of school health and the environment are the most precise and correct, in view of causation, to evaluate an individual's health at prenosological level in the presence of a specialized database of automated systems. The aim of our study--the study of fundamental interactions and patterns of environmental factors in general and neuropsychiatric disease in schoolchildren of the city of Chelyabinsk. Revealed that among the multi-pollutant air Chelyabinsk first and second rank positions are occupied by selectively harmful to the central nervous system (lead, arsenic, manganese), or have complex adverse effects on the central nervous system, combined with damaging effects on the respiratory and cardio-vascular, urogenital system and blood forming organs, involving the immune mechanism (chromium compounds, lead, arsenic, carbon monoxide and manganese).

Abstract  INTRODUCTION: In 2009 the limit value of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in ambient air of 1.0 ng/m3 has been exceeded in the urban district of Taranto near to the industrial area, where a several large plants are located, including an integrated cycle steel plant.

OBJECTIVE: To identify emission sources and quantify relative contribution to the PAHs levels; to estimate health impact associated to PAHs exposure in general population.

METHODS: Multivariate receptor models have been used. Concentration of PAHs measured in 4 location in Taranto in 2008-2009 have been analyzed. 5 different models estimated profiles of unknown sources and identified significant chemical species. To compute the lung cancer risk the WHO unit risk estimate for BaP (8.7 x 10(5) ng/m3) has been adopted.

RESULTS: Models employed identify 3 to 4 emission sources. Estimated profiles have been compared with measured ones. Based on the average annual BaP level measured (1.3 ng/m3), 2 attributable cancer cases in the district Taranto population are estimated to result from a life-time exposure.

CONCLUSIONS: Among different emissive sources, the analysis identifies theoretical sources whose profiles, compared with observed data, allow to identify dominant contributions to PAHs pollution and to design corrective actions to reduce environmental and health impact.

Abstract  INTRODUCTION: Air quality is a public health issue and this article includes a reminder of the related causes and issues and a description of the monitoring of ambient air quality in France. It also provides a review of major developments in recent years of the pollutants measured.

BACKGROUND: Emissions of major air pollutants have declined significantly since the 1970s, and this is reflected in an overall improvement in the quality of ambient air. Nevertheless, various forms of air pollution remain a concern (in the case of photochemical pollution) and health data show that air pollution is still a cause of morbidity and mortality.

VIEWPOINTS: The fight against air pollution must remain a priority and requires multi-pollutant and multi-effect approaches. The National Health and Environment Program adopted during the Grenelle environment stakeholder consultation processes includes targets for reducing human exposure to air pollution, especially particulate matter, as well as measures to improve indoor air quality.

CONCLUSIONS: In a context dominated by the struggle against the emission of greenhouse gases, problems of air quality should not be underestimated and policies relating to climate protection must be taken into account.

Abstract  BACKGROUND: In recent years, much attention has been given to review reports on the early effects of air pollution on health, measured through daily series of deaths and/or hospital admissions. A number of large planned meta-analyses (in which methods for data retrieval and processing are commonly planned a priori for all participating centers) are on going both in the US and in Europe. The National Mortality, Morbidity and Air Pollution Study included data from 90 US cities, whereas APHEA (Air Pollution and Health, a European Approach) considers data from about 30 european cities. The present paper summarizes methods and findings of MISA, a meta-analysis of data from 8 Italian cities. It belongs to an ad hoc supplement of Epidemiologia & Prevenzione (Epidemiol Prev 2001; 25 (2) Suppl: 1-72), the official Journal of the Italian Association of Epidemiology, which contains a full description of the study. MISA was launched on March 2000, within the project "Statistics, Environment and Health" (GRASPA), funded by the Italian Ministry of Education. Additional support was given by the Authorities of the 8 participating cities (from North to South: Turin, Milan, Verona, Ravenna, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Palermo). DAILY HEALTH DATA: Deaths certificate and hospital admission data have been collected respectively from the Local Health Authority and regional files. The same programme for retrieval of data on selected hospital admissions for acute conditions was used in the 8 cities. Main data are summarized in Table 1. DAILY CONCENTRATION OF POLLUTANTS: Most data were obtained from Regional Environmental Protection Agencies, which are responsible for environmental monitoring since 1993. Verona, Palermo and Milan (1990-94) data were obtained from local sources. Monitors with more than 25% of missing data were excluded. Meteorological data were collected by the same monitors and completed with data from monitors situated in the suburbs or (in Milan and Bologna) in the airport. The monitors were selected by a group of experts to ensure comparability. For SO2 and NO2 daily averages of hourly measurements were used, whereas concentrations of ozone and CO were estimated as the maximum 8 hours moving average. Total suspended particulate or PM10 were measured as 24 hours deposition. All analyses used the whole range of observed values (Table 2). Daily data were considered as missing when more than 25% of hourly data were not available. Missing data in one monitor were imputed as average of data from the remaining monitors weighted by the ratio between the specific monitor's year average and the general year average of all the selected city monitors. Missing data in one day were imputed as average of four days (preceding and following day, the same day of the previous and following weeks). In the city of Florence and Palermo PM10 concentrations were available. For the other cities we applied a conversion factor from PTS to PM10 (0.6 for Turin and 0.8 for all the others) estimated through validation studies. Ozone concentrations were used only where background monitors were available (Turin, Verona, Bologna and Florence) and limited to the warm season (May through September). METHODS: A common protocol for the city-specific analyses was defined on the basis of a structured exploratory analysis. The adopted basic model was a Generalized Additive Model for Poisson data. Effect estimates were age-adjusted (0-64, 65-74, 75+) and formal tests of interaction pollutant-age were conducted. In the first two age groups, indicator variables for seasonality were specified, and cubic splines with fixed number of degree of freedom were specified for the last age group and for all age groups for the morbidity data. (Abstract Truncated).

Abstract  The LAURE (5) of 30 december, 1996, sets the preventive, monitoring, reduction or suppression of atmospheric pollution objectives and the goals for preserving air quality. Heading 1--Article 4 of the law states in particular that the right to information on air quality and its impact on the environment is recognised as the right of every person on French territory. The decree of 10 january, 2000, about the air-quality index is derived from this determination to information for all, stated as an important element in the policy for air-quality management. This decree provides definitions of the ATMO index with "standards 2000" and the recommendations required for its calculation. Previously (1992 and before), certain local agencies had developed their own index. Naturally these indices showed sizeable differences. The effort provided by the Ministry of the Environment, ADEME and the monitoring agencies, enabled the definition of a single index for the whole of the large urban areas (> 100,000 inhabitants). The index gives a common language to the non-specialist public, which can now understand the overall air quality in different urban areas. As all aggregate indicators of the same kind, the ATMO index is designed as a tool that makes it possible to translate in a quantitative and simple way the synthesis of numerous measurement data recorded daily by official air-quality monitoring agencies (AASQA).

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of air pollution on stroke mortality in Tianjin, China, and to providea basis for stroke control and prevention.

METHODS: Total data of mortality surveillance were collected by Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meteorological data and atmospheric pollution data were from Tianjin Meteorological Bureau and Tianjin Environmental Monitoring Center, respectively. Generalized additive Poisson regression model was used in time-series analysis on the relationship between air pollution and stroke mortality in Tianjin. Single-pollutant analysis and multi-pollutant analysis were performed after adjustment for confounding factors such as meteorological factors, long-term trend of death, "days of the week" effect and population.

RESULTS: The crude death rates of stroke in Tianjin were from 136.67 in 2001 to 160.01/100000 in 2009, with an escalating trend (P = 0.000), while the standardized mortality ratios of stroke in Tianjin were from 138.36 to 99.14/100000, with a declining trend (P = 0.000). An increase of 10 µg/m³ in daily average concentrations of atmospheric SO₂, NO₂ and PM₁₀ led to 1.0105 (95%CI: 1.0060 ∼ 1.0153), 1.0197 (95%CI: 1.0149 ∼ 1.0246) and 1.0064 (95%CI: 1.0052 ∼ 1.0077), respectively, in relative risks of stroke mortality. SO₂ effect peaked after 1-day exposure, while NO₂ and PM₁₀ effects did within 1 day.

CONCLUSION: Air pollution in Tianjin may increase the risk of stroke mortality in the population and induce acute onset of stroke. It is necessary to carry out air pollution control and allocate health resources rationally to reduce the hazard of stroke mortality.

Abstract  Based on the daily air pollution index (API), primary pollutant, air quality level and status of 42 cities in China during 2001-2010, the characteristics of air quality were analyzed. The results showed that the atmosphere was significantly influenced by consumption of coal. The primary pollutant was PM10, and the air quality status was excellent (0 < API < 50), good (50 < API <100) and slightly polluted (100 < API < 150) in the majority. The air pollution status varied seasonally, which was the most serious in winter, and slightest in summer. The air quality was better and better in the observed period generally; The spatial distribution of urban air environment displayed a worsening trend from the south to the north and from the coasts to the inland; The local emission and natural dust transmission from the Northwest China was the main sources of urban air pollution; The air pollutants were impacted by the meteorological elements, and the air pollution index correlated linearly with precipitation, wind speed and temperature inversion; The distribution of weather conditions, which was affected by the terrain, also could influence the air quality; In addition, the human activities had both positive and negative functions on the urban air quality.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: Using case-crossover design to explore the association between ambient air pollution and the hospital emergency room visits for respiratory diseases (International Classification of Diseases, tenth vision ICD-10: J00-J99) in Beijing, China. METHODS: Data regarding the daily hospital emergency room visits of the respiratory diseases (ICD-10: J00-J99) were obtained in 2004.01.01 - 2005.12.31, from the Peking University Third Hospital and data on relevant air pollution and meteorological factors from the local municipal environmental monitoring center and meteorology bureau of Beijing, respectively. Time-stratified case-crossover technique was used to evaluate their relationships. Results from the bi-directional control sampling approach were compared with unidirectional approach. RESULTS: Using a unidirectional control sampling approach, the results obtained from a conditional logistic regression model (multi-pollutant model) after adjusting for meteorological variables, showed that the ORs of the hospital emergency room visits for the respiratory diseases associated with each 10 µg/m(3) increment of PM(10), SO(2), NO(2) were 1.010 (95%CI: 1.005 - 1.014), 1.010 (95%CI: 1.001 - 1.018), 0.996 (95%CI: 0.983 - 1.009) respectively. In the bi-directional control sampling approach, the ORs were 1.002 (95%CI: 0.998 - 1.005), 1.011 (95%CI: 1.003 - 1.018), 1.012 (95%CI: 1.001 - 1.022). CONCLUSION: Results from this study provided evidence that higher levels of ambient air pollutants increased the risk of hospital emergency room visits for respiratory diseases.

Abstract  Seasonal characteristics, annual variations and trend of PM10 and the causes of the PM10 long-term trend in Lanzhou were studied for the period of 2001-2007 using daily air pollution index (API) data and detrending technique. Results indicate that air quality in Lanzhou has been improved since 2001. The annual averaged PM10 concentration decreased from 236 microg x m(-3) in 2001 to 127 microg x m(-3) in 2007 and the number of days satisfying the Chinese Grade I and II air quality standard increased 2.3 times as 2001, but there still have 25% days exceeding the national Grade II air quality standard. Monthly mean PM10 concentration undergoes a seasonal change characterized by higher values in November, December and January to March. The maximum monthly average PM10 concentrations appear in December (271 microg x m(-3)) followed by March (245 microg x m(-3)) while it is low during summer months (May to October) with monthly average PM10 concentrations below 150 microg x m(-3). 61.2% of moderate pollution and 50.6% of serious pollution days occurred in winter and 67.4% of Grade I and II days occurred in summer and autumn. Analyses show that annual mean PM10 concentrations decreased at a rate of 12.6% over the past 7 years which correlates well with the reductions in anthropogenic dust emissions. The occurrence of blowing dust and floating dust can modulate the overall trend of PM10, which explains about 21% of the inter-annual variations of PM10 during 2001-2007. The changes of local meteorological conditions have little effect on the overall trend of PM10 concentrations. The improvement of air quality in Lanzhou is mainly due to the reduction of local emissions, with contributions from the variation of natural dust emissions due to annual variations of blowing and floating dust events. To further improvement of the air quality in Lanzhou, it is advisable to not only implement effective emission control strategies but also improve surrounding ecological environment.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: To monitor indoor air quality index in a few Italian hospitality industry venues before and after the implementation of the smoking ban in January 2005.

DESIGN: Indoor PM2.5 measurements were carried out in four Milan restaurants during evening hours in the period January-February 2004, and again in January-February 2005, with concurrent outdoor PM2.5 monitoring. The measures were recorded with a portable laser-operated aerosol analyzer with a sampling time of 2 minutes, calibrated by comparison with gravimetric method

RESULTS: PM2.5 ranged between 187+/-52 and 709+/-180 mg/m3, and between 24+/-10 e 141+/-28 mg/m3 (p <0.0001) in the years 2004 and 2005, respectively. After the 2005 smoking ban, overall indoor fine particle pollution decreased by values in the range from 81 to 96%.

CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of a small sample, the study showed a good compliance with the smoking ban in the hospitality industry which resulted in a remarkable improvement in air quality index. Smoking ban thus appears to achieve the aims of protecting people from exposure to an unwanted dangerous pollutant such as environmental tobacco smoke.

Abstract  A comprehensive hygienic evaluation was done of the ambient air pollution in urban industrial centers of the Dnepropetrovsk Province. Substantiated as priority pollutants were nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and benz(a)-pyren. Air pollution was at its greatest in Krivoi Rog and Dneprodzerzhinsk, with the aggregated atmospheric air pollution index being 34,9 and 34,5 respectively. The chief metals in the air were found to be lead, cadmium, manganese and copper. The results obtained served as a scientific justification for a block of ecologohygienic monitoring of the region.