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Atmosphere
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Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health
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Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 4662

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lorenzo Massimi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: particulate matter; chemical composition; air pollutant distribution; spatial distribution; seasonal variation; indoor/outdoor concentration; chemical fractionation; source tracer; source apportionment; receptor modeling; PMF; oxidative potential; oxidative stress; biomonitoring; element; environmental exposure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Atmosphere dedicates this Special Issue to advancing our understanding of the association between the health effects of particulate matter (PM) and its composition and sources. PM air pollution stands as one of the major risk factors for human health worldwide. Over the years, extensive research has revealed that several chemical–physical properties of PM influence its health effects. Recent studies have identified the generation of oxidative stress as one of the major mechanisms by which PM exerts its adverse biological effects. The ability of PM to induce oxidative stress is often estimated through cellular or acellular oxidative potential (OP) measurements. While various methods have been proposed in the literature, their capacity to accurately represent the toxicological pathways of PM interaction with living organisms has not yet been fully demonstrated.

Atmosphere invites submissions of multidisciplinary studies that employ both traditional and innovative approaches to evaluate the chemical–physical composition of PM and its relationships with health effects. Moreover, this Special Issue welcomes innovative studies for evaluating human and environmental biomonitoring exposure to PM air pollutants, facilitating the planning of necessary mitigation measures to safeguard public health.

Dr. Lorenzo Massimi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • particulate matter
  • element
  • air pollutant distribution
  • indoor/outdoor concentration
  • source apportionment
  • biomonitoring
  • environmental exposure
  • oxidative potential
  • oxidative stress

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2580 KiB  
Article
Low-Cost Pollen and Allergy Symptoms Monitoring with Beenose Sampler and Livepollen App: The Case Study of the Metz City, France, During Spring 2023
by Jean-Baptiste Renard, Sébastien Lefèvre and Gaëlle Glévarec
Atmosphere 2025, 16(3), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16030271 - 25 Feb 2025
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of pollen allergies and their health impact, coupled with the limitations of the current pollen measurement system, require the development of new monitoring strategies and better dissemination of the information to the population. The measurements of a Beenose real-time pollen [...] Read more.
The increasing prevalence of pollen allergies and their health impact, coupled with the limitations of the current pollen measurement system, require the development of new monitoring strategies and better dissemination of the information to the population. The measurements of a Beenose real-time pollen sensor located in Pouilly, near Metz (France), and a Hirst reference station in the centre of Metz, are considered for the study of the most allergenic species from 20 March to 25 June 2023, mainly Betulaceae and grass. These measurements, which are concordant, are correlated to symptom data obtained from the LivePollen app, which allows users to voluntarily report their allergic symptoms. Strong correlations are found between the symptom reports and the pollen concentrations shifted by one day, depending on the pollen species and the period of interest. The limitations of the data collection methods, the quality of user reports, and the influence of air quality are discussed. Such studies should be extended to other locations and time periods. Considering these promising first results, it seems that future real-time pollen monitoring can help allergy sufferers and healthcare professionals to better diagnose, anticipate, and reduce allergic crises by correlating their symptoms with pollen peaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health)
13 pages, 2427 KiB  
Article
The Hypothesis of the Interplay Between Air Particulate Matter PM2.5 and Acute Cellular Rejection Episodes Following Heart Transplantation
by Tomasz Urbanowicz, Krzysztof Skotak, Dominika Konecka-Mrówka, Hanna Wachowiak-Baszyńska, Rafał Skowronek, Jędrzej Sikora, Jakub Bratkowski, Jan Kaczmarek, Maksymilian Misiorny, Ewa Straburzyńska-Migaj, Jerzy Nożyński and Marek Jemielity
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020234 - 18 Feb 2025
Abstract
Background: In end-stage HF, interventional therapy is the treatment of choice, including mechanical circulatory support and heart organ transplantation. Acute cellular rejection is considered a major impediment to the long-term survival of cardiac allografts. The aim of this study is to point out a [...] Read more.
Background: In end-stage HF, interventional therapy is the treatment of choice, including mechanical circulatory support and heart organ transplantation. Acute cellular rejection is considered a major impediment to the long-term survival of cardiac allografts. The aim of this study is to point out a possible relationship underlying acute cellular rejection risk in heart organ recipients. Methods: A total of 30 (25 (83%) men and 5 (17%) women) heart organ recipients with a median (Q1–Q3) age of 49 (38–60) were enrolled in the analysis. The results from repeated hospitalizations due to protocolar endomyocardial biopsies performed between one and three months following the heart transplantation in relation air pollution exposure were taken into the analysis. Results: The median (Q1–Q3) observation time after organ transplantation was 92 (82–97) days. A significant difference in PM2.5 exposure between the rejection group (16.10 (14.24–17.61)) μg/m3 and the non-rejection group (11.97 (9.85–12.97)) μg/m3 was noticed (p < 0.001). The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for acute rejection prediction related to PM2.5 was 1.79 (1.11–2.89), p = 0.018. The reviewer operator curve for acute cellular rejection related to PM2.5 exposure was performed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.873, yielding a precision of 0.600 and an f-measure of 0.545. The predicted residual plots for PM2.5 indicated a 50% increased risk for PM2.5 above 16 μg/m3 and of 91% for PM2.5 above 20 μg/m3. Conclusions: The single-center study was performed on a limited number of heart organ recipients and was related to personalized individual calculations of PM2.5 exposure. The study represents a personalized approach and indicates possible links to the hypothesis, which should be verified on a higher volume of patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health)
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19 pages, 4884 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Vertical Profiles of Particulate Matter and Meteorological Variables up to 2.5 km in Altitude Using a Drone-Based Monitoring System
by Woo Young Kim, Sang Gu Lee, Handol Lee and Kang-Ho Ahn
Atmosphere 2025, 16(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16010093 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 385
Abstract
In this study, a drone-based measurement system equipped with miniaturized optical and condensation particle counters was deployed to investigate the vertical distribution of particulate matter and meteorological variables up to 2.5 km in altitude. Measurements captured at various altitudes demonstrated notable vertical variations [...] Read more.
In this study, a drone-based measurement system equipped with miniaturized optical and condensation particle counters was deployed to investigate the vertical distribution of particulate matter and meteorological variables up to 2.5 km in altitude. Measurements captured at various altitudes demonstrated notable vertical variations in particle concentration and significant correlations with meteorological factors, particularly relative humidity (RH). Near the surface, within a well-mixed boundary layer, particle concentrations remained stable despite RH changes, indicating both anthropogenic and natural influences. At higher altitudes, a clear positive relationship between RH and particle number concentration emerged, particularly for smaller particles, while temperature inversions and distinct wind patterns influenced aerosol dispersion. The unmanned aerial vehicle system’s robust performance, validated against standard meteorological tower data, underscores its potential for high-resolution atmospheric profiling. These insights are crucial for understanding particle behavior in diverse atmospheric layers and have implications for refining air quality monitoring and climate models. Future work should incorporate chemical analysis of aerosols to further expand these findings and assess their environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health)
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12 pages, 3041 KiB  
Article
High-Spatial Resolution Maps of PM2.5 Using Mobile Sensors on Buses: A Case Study of Teltow City, Germany, in the Suburb of Berlin, 2023
by Jean-Baptiste Renard, Günter Becker, Marc Nodorft, Ehsan Tavakoli, Leroy Thiele, Eric Poincelet, Markus Scholz and Jérémy Surcin
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1494; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121494 - 15 Dec 2024
Viewed by 675
Abstract
Air quality monitoring networks regulated by law provide accurate but sparse measurements of PM2.5 mass concentrations. High-spatial resolution maps of the PM2.5 mass concentration values are necessary to better estimate the citizen exposure to outdoor air pollution and the sanitary consequences. To address [...] Read more.
Air quality monitoring networks regulated by law provide accurate but sparse measurements of PM2.5 mass concentrations. High-spatial resolution maps of the PM2.5 mass concentration values are necessary to better estimate the citizen exposure to outdoor air pollution and the sanitary consequences. To address this, a field campaign was conducted in Teltow, a midsize city southwest of Berlin, Germany, for the 2021–2023 period. A network of optical sensors deployed by Pollutrack included fixed monitoring stations as well as mobile sensors mounted on the roofs of buses and cars. This setup provides PM2.5 pollution maps with a spatial resolution down to 100 m on the main roads. The reliability of Pollutrack measurements was first established with comparison to measurements from the German Environment Agency (UBA) and modelling calculations based on high-resolution weather forecasts. Using these validated data, maps were generated for 2023, highlighting the mean PM2.5 mass concentrations and the number of days per year above the 15 µg.m−3 value (the daily maximum recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021). The findings indicate that PM2.5 levels in Teltow are generally in the good-to-moderate range. The higher values (hot spots) are detected mainly along the highways and motorways, where traffic speeds are higher compared to inner-city roads. Also, the PM2.5 mass concentrations are higher on the street than on the sidewalks. The results were further compared to those in the city of Paris, France, obtained using the same methodology. The observed parallels between the two datasets underscore the strong correlation between traffic density and PM2.5 concentrations. Finally, the study discusses the advantages of integrating such high-resolution sensor networks with modelling approaches to enhance the understanding of localized PM2.5 variability and to better evaluate public exposure to air pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health)
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14 pages, 1823 KiB  
Article
Curcumin Protects Against PM2.5−Induced Pulmonary Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Responses by Blocking VEGFA and Renin−Angiotensin System (RAS) Components Expression
by Huan Xu, Haoyang Wang, Chongchong Zhang, Zhihui Liu, Qing Wen and Lun Song
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121440 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 812
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5 is the main component of air pollution causing pathological responses primarily in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, it is urgent to explore valid strategies to inhibit the adverse reactions induced by PM2.5. In our previous studies, we [...] Read more.
Fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5 is the main component of air pollution causing pathological responses primarily in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, it is urgent to explore valid strategies to inhibit the adverse reactions induced by PM2.5. In our previous studies, we have revealed that intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 evoked airway remodeling, pulmonary inflammatory, and oxidative stress responses in rat lungs by upregulating VEGFA levels in bronchial epithelial cells and by activating ANGII/AT1R axis activation in vascular endothelial cells. The same results were obtained when human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas−2B) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cells were exposed to PM2.5 in vitro. Curcumin is a dietary polyphenol with protective properties, including anti−inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study aims to determine the potential role of curcumin in protecting against PM2.5−induced adverse responses in the bronchial epithelium and vascular endothelium and the mechanism involved. To this end, we pretreated cells with curcumin (diluted 1000 times in sterile saline) for 2 h and then exposed them to PM2.5. Our results from RT−PCR, a luciferase reporter assay, and ELISA indicated that curcumin pretreatment effectively inhibited PM2.5−induced VEGFA elevation in Beas−2B cells by over 60% via blocking HIF1α accumulation and HIF1 transactivity, Moreover, curcumin also exerted a protective role in suppressing PM2.5−induced ANGII/AT1R axis components expression in HUVEC by over 90% via targeting the transcriptional factors, AP−1 and HIF1. Under the same conditions, curcumin pretreatment also blocked the downstream signaling events following ANGII/AT1R pathway activation, the increase in chemokines and cell adhesion molecules (sICAM−1, VCAM−1, E−Selectin, P−Selectin, IL−8, MCP−1) that drive monocyte−endothelial cell adhesion, as well as the elevated production of oxidative stress mediators (ROS and MDA) in HUVECs according to the data from immunofluorescence and flow cytometric assays. Most importantly, administration of curcumin resulted in an 80% reduction of the HIF1− and AP−1−dependent upregulation of VEGFA and AGT/AT1R axis components and impeding the resultant pro−inflammatory and oxidative responses in the lung of the rats exposed to PM2.5. Taking these data together, we disclosed the important role and mechanism of curcumin in protecting against PM2.5−induced adverse reactions in the bronchial epithelium and vascular endothelium. Curcumin might be used as a feasible and safe dietary agent to reduce the health risk of PM2.5. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health)
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Review

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56 pages, 1827 KiB  
Review
A Systematic Review of Indoor Environmental Quality in Passenger Transport Vehicles of Tropical and Subtropical Regions
by John Omomoluwa Ogundiran, Jean-Paul Kapuya Bulaba Nyembwe, James Ogundiran, Anabela Salgueiro Narciso Ribeiro and Manuel Gameiro da Silva
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020140 - 27 Jan 2025
Abstract
This systematic literature review (SLR) focuses on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in passenger transport vehicles within tropical and subtropical regions. It specifically examines indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort (TC), acoustic comfort (AC), and visual comfort (VC) of passenger vehicle cabins (PVCs) in [...] Read more.
This systematic literature review (SLR) focuses on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in passenger transport vehicles within tropical and subtropical regions. It specifically examines indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort (TC), acoustic comfort (AC), and visual comfort (VC) of passenger vehicle cabins (PVCs) in auto rickshaws, sedans, trucks, bus rapid transits (BRTs), buses, trains, trams, metro systems, aircraft and ferries of tropical and subtropical regions. The SLR used the PRISMA approach to identify and review scientific studies between 2000 and 2024 on the IEQ of PVCs in the tropics. Studies reviewed were found in SCOPUS, Web of Science, Science Direct, and EBSCO databases including relevant citation references. Findings reveal a significant geographical imbalance in research, with most studies concentrated in tropical Asia (78.2%), while sub-Saharan Africa (8.2%), South America (11.8%), and Oceania (1.8%) are considerably underrepresented. In 113 studies, most addressed IAQ and TC but limited attention to AC and VC. Moreover, fewer studies have jointly addressed all the IEQ parameters, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to IEQ for tropical PVCs. Several studies alluded to in-cabin commuter risk linked to PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These risks are exacerbated by traffic hotspots, poor ventilation, ambient pollution, overcrowding, and poor vehicle conditions. Additionally, thermal discomfort is compounded by extreme heat loads, inefficient HVAC systems, and high vehicle occupancy. Common gaps include a paucity of IEQ studies and inadequate IEQ regulations or adapted standards in developing tropics. Infrastructural and regulatory deficiencies have been identified, along with strategies for mitigation. Recommendations are for more holistic IEQ studies in the tropics, including exposure studies for emerging gaps in new indoor pollutants, integration of AI and IoT for sustainable ventilation strategies, and development of effective regulatory frameworks considering region-specific conditions. Finally, Policymakers are encouraged to establish localized IEQ standards, enforce regulations, and prioritize upgrades to transport infrastructure. The SLR findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions in developing tropical regions to address disparities in IEQ, ensuring healthier and more sustainable transport environments that could be replicated across transport systems worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Developments in Air Quality and Health)
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