Environmental science and pollution research international
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Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · Oct 2016
Phytodesalinization potential of Typha angustifolia, Juncus maritimus, and Eleocharis palustris for removal of de-icing salts from runoff water.
Typha angustifolia, Juncus maritimus, and Eleocharis palustris were evaluated for de-icing salt removal from runoff water. Plants were exposed to a range of de-icing salt levels (0.2, 0.7, 4, 8, and 13 dS m(-1)) in laboratory-scale subsurface constructed wetlands (CWs) for 2 months under greenhouse conditions. Effluent characteristics, plant height, biomass, and Cl and Na removal rates and uptake were monitored. ⋯ Plant height and biomass were stimulated at low de-icing salt levels, but, at higher levels, T. angustifolia and E. palustris growth was inhibited (tolerance index ∼67 and 10 %, respectively, in the worst cases). Salt amounts in aboveground biomass in g m(-2) differed among levels and ranged as follows: 13.6-29.1 (Cl), 4.2-9.3 (Na; T. angustifolia); 7.0-12.0 (Cl), 2.7-6.4 (Na; J. maritimus); and 0.9-7.6 (Cl), 0.3-1.6 (Na; E. palustris). Chloride and Na translocation decreased with de-icing salt increase in T. angustifolia, while no significant differences were found in J. maritimus, which is interesting for harvesting purposes.
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Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · Sep 2016
Blood cadmium in Chinese adults and its relationships with diabetes and obesity.
The aim of this study is to evaluate blood cadmium levels (BCLs) in Chinese adults and explore whether blood cadmium is associated with diabetes or obesity. This study included 5544 adults from a cross-sectional SPECT-China study. BCL and blood lead level (BLL) was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. ⋯ Surprisingly, BCL had a negative relationship with prevalence of overweight. In conclusion, BCL in Chinese adults was much higher than in other developed countries and was influenced by gender, smoking, and residential area. BCL was positively related to prediabetes while negatively related to overweight.
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Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · Apr 2016
Metal uptake of Nerium oleander from aerial and underground organs and its use as a biomonitoring tool for airborne metallic pollution in cities.
The analysis of the airborne particulate matter-PM-incorporated to plant leaves may be informative of the air pollution in the surroundings, allowing their use as biomonitoring tools. Regarding metals, their accumulation in leaves can be the result of both atmospheric incorporation of metallic PM on aboveground plant organs and root uptake of soluble metals. In this study, the use of Nerium oleander leaves as a biomonitoring tool for metallic airborne pollution has been assessed. ⋯ Scanning electron microscopy showed the capture of airborne pollution particles in the large and abundant substomatal chambers of N. oleander leaves. Altogether, results indicate that N. Oleander, as a metal resistant plant by metal exclusion, is a suitable candidate as a biomonitoring tool for airborne metal pollution in urban areas.
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Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · Oct 2015
Review Meta AnalysisShort-term exposure to particulate air pollution and risk of myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
A growing number of studies have associated short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter air pollution (PM) and risk of specific cardiovascular events, just as myocardial infarction (MI). However, the results of the recent studies were inconsistent; therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. To synthetically quantify the association between short-term exposure to PM and risk of MI, a meta-analysis was conducted to combine the estimates of effect for a relationship between short-term exposure to PM10, PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 10 μm, 2.5 μm in diameter) and risk of MI. ⋯ The risk of PM2.5 exposure was relatively greater than PM10. In the subgroup analysis by study design, location, quality score, and lag exposure, the results were basically consistent with the former overall results in PM2.5 but slightly changed in PM10. Short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) was a risk factor for MI, and the results further confirmed the discovery in the previous meta-analysis.
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Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · Oct 2015
Characterization of particulate matter concentrations and bioaerosol on each floor at a building in Seoul, Korea.
Particulate matter (PM) in buildings are mostly sourced from the transport of outdoor particles through a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and generation of particle within the building itself. We investigated the concentrations and characteristic of indoor and outdoor particles and airborne bacteria concentrations across four floors of a building located in a high-traffic area. In all the floors we studied (first, second, fifth, and eighth), the average concentrations of particles less than 10 μm (PM10) in winter for were higher than those in summer. ⋯ Results indicated that the airborne bacteria remained at their highest concentration throughout the weekday period and varied by students' activity. The correlation coefficient (R (2)) and slope of linear approximation for the concentrations of particulate matter were used to evaluate the relationship between the indoor and outdoor particulate matter. These results can be used to predict both the indoor particle levels and the risk of personal exposure to airborne bacteria.