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Atmosphere
Special Issues
Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment
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Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (9 December 2021) | Viewed by 13863

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Anna Lenart-Boroń

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Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Interests: antibiotics in water; antimicrobial resistance; bacterial biodiversity; circular economy; wastewater treatment; water quality; water ecosystems in mountain areas
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Maria Chmiel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Interests: environmental microbiology; microbiological air pollution; bioaerosols; bacteria; fungi; environmental health and exposure; occupational health and exposure; antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Prof. Dr. Ian Colbeck

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
Interests: physico-chemical properties of aerosols; indoor air quality and health impacts of aerosols; nanoparticles in the environment; environment–society interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Particulate matter is the sum of the solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. The airborne particles, the size, composition and origin of which can vary greatly, can transport biological, organic or inorganic substances, as well as viruses, bacteria or fungi. The exposure to such contaminants in indoor and outdoor environments is associated with a range of acute and/or chronic adverse health effects, the most common being respiratory system problems, allergies, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue and headaches.

The concentrations of particulate matter and PM-associated microorganisms vary, depending on a number of different factors. Some of those factors have been widely studied, while others still need to be examined or even identified. Additionally, the number and type of factors affecting the concentrations and/or particle sizes of particulate matter and bioaerosols differ depending on whether we are dealing with indoor or outdoor environments. A thorough examination of even those factors that have already been identified is beyond the scope of one comprehensive piece of research.

Bearing this in mind, this Special Issue aims to gather high-quality and novel manuscripts concerning the content of particulate matter in the air of various types of environments along with the associated biological, organic or inorganic airborne pollutants, as well as the broadly understood health effects thereof.

Prof. Dr. Anna Lenart-Boroń
Prof. Dr. Maria Chmiel
Prof. Dr. Ian Colbeck
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • indoor air quality
  • outdoor air quality
  • bioaerosols
  • bacteria
  • fungi
  • particulate matter
  • health effects
  • health risk assessment
  • exposure
  • contaminants
  • toxicity
  • epidemiology
  • airborne microorganisms

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 171 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment”
by Ian Colbeck
Atmosphere 2023, 14(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14010080 - 30 Dec 2022
Viewed by 963
Abstract
The Lancet Commission on pollution and health found particulate matter to be responsible for 4 [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

17 pages, 1680 KiB  
Article
Culturable Filamentous Fungi in the Air of Recreational Areas and Their Relationship with Bacteria and Air Pollutants during Winter
by Katarzyna Góralska, Szymon Lis, Weronika Gawor, Filip Karuga, Krystian Romaszko and Ewa Brzeziańska-Lasota
Atmosphere 2022, 13(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13020207 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3217
Abstract
One of the greatest environmental health problems to arise in recent years is air pollution. Inorganic and organic particles are important components of air aerosol. The potential of air microbiota as an indicator of air quality is gaining increasing research interest. The aim [...] Read more.
One of the greatest environmental health problems to arise in recent years is air pollution. Inorganic and organic particles are important components of air aerosol. The potential of air microbiota as an indicator of air quality is gaining increasing research interest. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the level of fungal contamination and the levels of bacteria and smog particles in outdoor air in recreational areas during the heating season. A quantitative and qualitative mycological evaluation and quantitative bacteriological evaluation of air quality in 10 selected parks were performed. The numbers of microorganisms in the air were correlated with smog levels. The mean prevalence of fungi was 18.96 ± 15.43–23.30 ± 26.70 CFU/m3 of air and the mean bacterial count was 74.06 ± 130.89–268.04 ± 126.10 CFU/m3. Among the isolated fungi, clinically significant species were identified: four species belonged to Risk Group 2, and 17 to Risk Group 1. The predominant genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria. The total number of bacteria demonstrated a positive correlation with the size of the park, air temperature and ozone level during sampling, and a negative correlation with humidity, pressure and smog parameters (CO, NO, NO2 and NOx). The qualitative and quantitative composition of bioaerosols can be used as a bioindicator for environmental monitoring. There is a need for more efficient monitoring of airborne pollutants and microorganisms to learn about the structure of the air biota, the mechanisms regulating their occurrence, and to identify potential threats to human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment)
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26 pages, 5391 KiB  
Article
Microbiological Aerosol, Particulate Matter Concentrations and Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus spp. in the Premises of Poland’s Oldest Agricultural School
by Anna Lenart-Boroń, Dagmara Drab and Justyna Chrobak
Atmosphere 2021, 12(8), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12080934 - 21 Jul 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2084
Abstract
Bioaerosol, particulate matter concentration and antibiotic resistance of airborne Staphylococcus was assessed in animal and public premises (classroom, sports hall, horse stable, cowshed, newborn calf shed and outdoor background control site) of Poland’s oldest agricultural school. The concentration and size distribution of bacteria, [...] Read more.
Bioaerosol, particulate matter concentration and antibiotic resistance of airborne Staphylococcus was assessed in animal and public premises (classroom, sports hall, horse stable, cowshed, newborn calf shed and outdoor background control site) of Poland’s oldest agricultural school. The concentration and size distribution of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and staphylococci were assessed with a six stage Andersen impactor. Particulate matter (PM10, PM4, PM2.5 and PM1) was determined using the DustTrak aerosol monitor. The Staphylococcus species were determined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and antimicrobial resistance was assessed using disk diffusion. Bioaerosol concentrations differed significantly between sampling points, with the highest levels of all microorganisms occurring in the newborn calf shed. The proportion of respirable fraction exceeded 60% in all sites, indicating potential harmfulness to exposed people. Mean concentrations of particulate matter were the smallest in school rooms and the highest in the newborn calf shed. Neither particulate matter nor microbial aerosol exceeded threshold values for workplaces. Among thirty-four isolated staphylococcal strains, S. equorum (35%), S. succinus (26%) and S. xylosus (15%) were the most prevalent. Resistance to macrolides (erythromycin) and lincosamides (clindamycin) was the most frequent. One strain was methicillin-resistant. Farm animals are significant sources of bioaerosol and therefore attention should be paid with respect to maintaining appropriate sanitary conditions and hygiene of premises and animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment)
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12 pages, 1169 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Resistance in Isolates of Aspergillus from a Pig Farm
by John Kerr White, Jeppe Lund Nielsen, Jan Struckmann Poulsen and Anne Mette Madsen
Atmosphere 2021, 12(7), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12070826 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2289
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in fungal isolates is increasing on a global scale. Despite knowledge that pig farmers are occupationally exposed to infectious species of fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., little is known regarding their potential exposure to antifungal-resistant Aspergillus spp. The aim of this [...] Read more.
Antibiotic resistance in fungal isolates is increasing on a global scale. Despite knowledge that pig farmers are occupationally exposed to infectious species of fungi, such as Aspergillus spp., little is known regarding their potential exposure to antifungal-resistant Aspergillus spp. The aim of this study is to obtain knowledge regarding the antifungal resistance profiles of isolates of Aspergillus species taken from different source materials—including airborne dust, surface dust, faeces, and straw—within a pig farm. The EUCAST broth microdilution method was used for testing antifungal resistance from 43 isolates of Aspergillus sampled in 3 periods inside a Danish pig farm. Seven species of Aspergillus were obtained, including A. candidus (n = 5), A. fumigatus (n = 5), A. glaucus (n = 13), A. nidulans (n = 2), A. niger (n = 15), A. terreus (n = 1), and A. versicolor (n = 2). Overall, 27.9% of the Aspergillus isolates displayed resistance against at least one antifungal, and 11.6% of Aspergillus isolates displayed resistance against multiple antifungals. The most abundant group exhibiting antifungal resistance was affiliated with the species A. niger, with isolates exhibiting resistance to itraconazole, voriconazole, and caspofungin. One isolate of A. glaucus and two isolates of A. versicolor were resistant to amphotericin B (MIC ≥ 2 mg/L amphotericin B). Antibiotic-resistant fungi were found on all three sampling days. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

19 pages, 335 KiB  
Review
Review: Particulate Matter Emissions from Aircraft
by Bethan Owen, Julien G. Anet, Nicolas Bertier, Simon Christie, Michele Cremaschi, Stijn Dellaert, Jacinta Edebeli, Ulf Janicke, Jeroen Kuenen, Ling Lim and Etienne Terrenoire
Atmosphere 2022, 13(8), 1230; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13081230 - 03 Aug 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3966
Abstract
The contribution of aircraft operations to ambient ultrafine particle (UFP) concentration at and around airports can be significant. This review article considers the volatile and non-volatile elements of particulate matter emissions from aircraft engines, their characteristics and quantification and identifies gaps in knowledge. [...] Read more.
The contribution of aircraft operations to ambient ultrafine particle (UFP) concentration at and around airports can be significant. This review article considers the volatile and non-volatile elements of particulate matter emissions from aircraft engines, their characteristics and quantification and identifies gaps in knowledge. The current state of the art emission inventory methods and dispersion modelling approaches are reviewed and areas for improvement and research needs are identified. Quantification of engine non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) is improving as measured certification data for the landing and take-off cycle are becoming available. Further work is needed: to better estimate nvPM emissions during the full-flight; to estimate non-regulated (smaller) engines; and to better estimate the emissions and evolution of volatile particles (vPM) in the aircraft exhaust plume. Dispersion modelling improvements are also needed to better address vPM. As the emissions inventory data for both vPM and nvPM from aircraft sources improve, better estimates of the contribution of aircraft engine emissions to ambient particulate concentrations will be possible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Matter Content and Health Risk Assessment)
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