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Atmosphere
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Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air
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Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 4291

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Guo-Ping Chang-Chien

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833301, Taiwan
Interests: persistent organic pollutants; PFAS; microplastics; tire wear particles; contaminants of emerging concerns; potentially toxic elements; transportation; exposure
Dr. Justus Kavita Mutuku

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833301, Taiwan
Interests: PAHs; nitro-PAHs; PFAS; microplastics; tire wear particles; contaminants of emerging concerns; potentially toxic elements; exposure; CFD

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to bring together leading researchers worldwide to consolidate cutting-edge research that explores the intricate interactions between airborne POPs, microplastics, and the atmosphere. Air pollution by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and microplastics is a major environmental concern, and its impact on human health is increasingly recognised. Their unique properties, such as resistance to degradation, bioaccumulation in food chains, and widespread presence in the environment, call for attention from researchers. This is a relatively new and understudied area of research.

The potential risks posed by POPs and microplastics in the air, including inflammation, cancer, birth defects, and endocrine disruption among other health problems, call for a comprehensive examination to understand their toxicity and impacts on ecosystems and atmospheric processes. This critical information is required to develop strategies to reduce exposure.

This Special Issue will focus on the following key areas:

  • Chemical Characterisation: the comprehensive analysis of the composition, sources, and distribution of airborne POPs and microplastics in the air.
  • Transport and Fate: the application of novel methods to investigate the distribution of POPs and microplastics in the air, including atmospheric transport, deposition, and fate of these pollutants on local, regional, and global scales.
  • Toxicological Impacts: exposure to POPs and microplastics and health risk assessments and impacts to wildlife and ecosystems.
  • Atmospheric Processes: exploration of the influence of these pollutants on atmospheric processes, such as radiative forcing and cloud formation.

We look forward to your valuable submissions.

Best regards,

Prof. Dr. Guo-Ping Chang-Chien
Dr. Justus Kavita Mutuku
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

  • persistent organic pollutants
  • microplastics
  • emerging contaminants
  • chemical characterisation
  • meta-analyses
  • modelling approaches
  • exposure assessment
  • atmospheric chemistry

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1748 KiB  
Article
Emissions of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Dibenzofurans during Coffee Roasting: Exploring the Influence of Roasting Methods and Formulations
by Li-Man Lin, I-Jen Chen, Bo-Wun Huang, Nicholas Kiprotich Cheruiyot and Guo-Ping Chang-Chien
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091127 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 888
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions during the roasting of green Arabica coffee and coffee formulations containing alcohol, sugar, and honey were investigated in this study. Fast and slow roasting methods, which took 5.62 and 9.65 min to achieve a light roast, respectively, [...] Read more.
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions during the roasting of green Arabica coffee and coffee formulations containing alcohol, sugar, and honey were investigated in this study. Fast and slow roasting methods, which took 5.62 and 9.65 min to achieve a light roast, respectively, were used to evaluate the emissions. The concentrations in the flue gas during the fast roasting of green coffee (0.0296 ng Nm−3 and 0.00364 ng WHO-TEQ Nm−3) were 13.9% and 70.5% higher than during slow roasting, respectively. However, this was only the trend for some formulations, and no significant differences in concentrations were found between the methods at p = 0.05. Thus, the slow roasting method might not necessarily reduce formation when additives are included. The emission factors were 2.86 ng kg−1 and 0.352 ng WHO-TEQ kg−1, and 4.17 ng kg−1 and 0.176 ng WHO-TEQ kg−1 for the fast and slow roasting of green coffee, respectively. Further investigations are warranted to understand the formation mechanism, assess potential health risks, and explore mitigation strategies. These findings have implications for both coffee processing industries and regulatory bodies, as understanding the impact of roasting methods and additives could inform the development of cleaner production practices and targeted emission reduction policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
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16 pages, 2083 KiB  
Article
Quantifying Future Annual Fluxes of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxin and Dibenzofuran Emissions from Sugarcane Burning in Indonesia via Grey Model
by Lailatus Siami, Yu-Chun Wang and Lin-Chi Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1078; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091078 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 587
Abstract
The open burning of sugarcane residue is commonly used as a low-cost and fast method during pre-harvest and post-harvest periods. However, this practice releases various pollutants, including dioxins. This study aims to predict polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs or dioxins) emissions using the [...] Read more.
The open burning of sugarcane residue is commonly used as a low-cost and fast method during pre-harvest and post-harvest periods. However, this practice releases various pollutants, including dioxins. This study aims to predict polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs or dioxins) emissions using the grey model (GM (1,1)) and to map the annual flux spatial distribution at the provincial level from 2023 to 2028. An annual emission inventory at the provincial level was developed using the activity rate of dry crop residue from national agencies and literature, following the guidelines set by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Emission distributions from 2016 to 2022 were then mapped. The average PCDD/F emission values show significant variation among the provinces, averaging 309 pg TEQ/year. Spatially, regions with intensive sugarcane production, such as Lampung and East Java consistently show high emissions, often exceeding 400 pg/m2. Emissions calculated using the UNEP emission factor tend to be higher compared to other factors, due to its generic nature and lack of regional specificity. Emission predictions using GM (1,1) indicate that North Sumatra is expected to experience a steady increase in PCDD/Fs emissions, whereas South Sumatra and Lampung are projected are projected to see a slight decline. This forecast assumes no changes in regional intervention strategies. Most regions in Java Island show a gradual increase in emissions, except for East Java, which is predicted to have a slight decline from 416 pg/year in 2023 to 397 pg/year in 2028. Additionally, regions such as Gorontalo and parts of East Java are projected to remain ‘hotspots’ with consistently high emissions, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. To address emission hotspots, this study emphasizes the need for cleaner agricultural practices, enhanced enforcement of environmental regulations, and the integration of advanced monitoring technologies to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of PCDD/F emissions in Indonesia. Future studies should consider developing monthly emissions profiles to better account for local agricultural practices and seasonal conditions. The emission data generated in this study, which include both spatial and temporal distributions, are valuable for air quality modeling studies and can help assess the impact of current and future emissions on ambient air quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
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11 pages, 1475 KiB  
Article
The Long-Term Monitoring of Atmospheric Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxin Dibenzofurans at a Background Station in Taiwan during Biomass Burning Seasons in El Niño and La Niña Events
by Shih Yu Pan, Yen-Shun Hsu, Yuan Cheng Hsu, Tuan Hung Ngo, Charles C.-K. Chou, Neng-Huei Lin and Kai Hsien Chi
Atmosphere 2024, 15(8), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15081002 - 20 Aug 2024
Viewed by 551
Abstract
To measure the long-range transport of PCDD/Fs, a background sampling site at Mt. Lulin station (Taiwan) was selected based on meteorological information and its location relative to burning events in Southeast Asia. During regular sampling periods, a higher concentration of PCDD/Fs was recorded [...] Read more.
To measure the long-range transport of PCDD/Fs, a background sampling site at Mt. Lulin station (Taiwan) was selected based on meteorological information and its location relative to burning events in Southeast Asia. During regular sampling periods, a higher concentration of PCDD/Fs was recorded in 2008 at Mt. Lulin station during La Niña events, with levels reaching 390 fg I-TEQ/m3. In contrast, a higher concentration of 483 fg I-TEQ/m3 was observed in 2013 during biomass burning events. This indicates that La Niña affects the ambient PCDD/F concentrations. The ratio of ΣPCDD/ΣPCDF was 0.59, suggesting significant long-range transport contributions from 2007 to 2023. From 2007 to 2015, the predominant species was 2,3,4,7,8-PCDF, accounting for 25.3 to 39.6% of the total PCDD/Fs. From 2018 onward, 1,2,3,7,8-PCDD became more dominant, accounting for 15.0 to 27.1%. According to the results from the receptor model PMF (n = 150), the sources of PCDD/Fs were identified as dust storms and monsoon events (19.3%), anthropogenic activity (28.5%), and biomass burning events (52.2%). The PSCF values higher than 0.7 highlighted potential PCDD/F emission source regions for Mt. Lulin during biomass burning events, indicating high PSCF values in southern Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
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18 pages, 2502 KiB  
Article
Impact of Integrating Flameless Combustion Technology and Sludge–Fly Ash Recirculation on PCDE Emissions in Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Systems
by Sheng-Lun Lin, Lu-Lu Duan, Jhong-Lin Wu, Chien-Er Huang and Meng-Jie Song
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060710 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 913
Abstract
Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), persistent environmental pollutants, are found in flue gas from incinerators. While air pollution control systems (APCSs) capture pollutants, the resulting sludge/fly ash (SFA) requires further treatment due to residual PCDEs and other harmful substances. This study investigated a hazardous [...] Read more.
Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), persistent environmental pollutants, are found in flue gas from incinerators. While air pollution control systems (APCSs) capture pollutants, the resulting sludge/fly ash (SFA) requires further treatment due to residual PCDEs and other harmful substances. This study investigated a hazardous waste thermal treatment system (HAWTTS) utilizing flameless combustion technology alongside a multistage APCS (scrubbers, cyclone demisters, bag houses). SFA from the APCS was recirculated for secondary combustion. PCDE levels were measured before and after each unit within the HAWTTS. The HAWTTS achieved a remarkable overall PCDE removal efficiency of 99%. However, the incinerator alone was less effective for low-chlorine PCDEs. Scrubbers and bag houses exhibited lower removal efficiencies (17.8% and 30.9%, respectively) due to the memory effect. Conversely, the cyclone demister achieved a high removal rate (98.2%). Following complete APCS treatment, PCDE emissions were significantly reduced to 1.02 ng/Nm3. While SFA still contained some PCDEs, the flameless combustion’s uniform temperature distribution enhanced combustion efficiency, minimizing overall PCDE emissions. This system demonstrates significant potential for mitigating PCDE pollution from incinerators. Further research could focus on optimizing treatment processes to address residual PCDEs in SFA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
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Review

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15 pages, 648 KiB  
Review
Phytotoxicity Testing of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
by Selenge Tumurbaatar, Nora Kováts and Katalin Hubai
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091143 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 648
Abstract
Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have well-known phytotoxicity on higher plants. However, while numerous bioindication studies have been targeted on how different symptoms indicate the deleterious effects of PAHs in the field, laboratory-scale phytotoxicity tests are much rarer. While ecotoxicity tests might rely [...] Read more.
Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have well-known phytotoxicity on higher plants. However, while numerous bioindication studies have been targeted on how different symptoms indicate the deleterious effects of PAHs in the field, laboratory-scale phytotoxicity tests are much rarer. While ecotoxicity tests might rely on the very same end-points as bioindication studies, they have to comply with quality assurance criteria, repeatability being the most important. As such, proper reporting involves the description of the test compound, experimental design and conditions, test organism used, and end-points measured. The recent review intends to give an overview of studies available in the literature complying with these requirements. PAHs occur in the atmosphere both in gaseous form and bound to particles. As plants are exposed to both phases, test protocols available represent different exposure pathways, fumigation chambers vs. direct foliar treatment. Reported studies, therefore, are grouped based on the exposure route they intend to simulate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
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