Determinants of ultrafine particles,black carbon,nitrogen dioxide,and carbon monoxide concentrations inside vehicles in the Paris area: PUF-TAXI study

This study presents real-time concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants during 499 trips conducted by 50 Parisian taxi drivers from PUF-TAXI project. Ultrafine particles (UFP), black carbon (BC), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)/carbon monoxide (CO) were measured inside vehicles by Diffusion Size Classifier Miniature^®, microAeth^®, and Gas-Pro^®, respectively, for nine hours. Vehicle/trip data characteristics were collected by questionnaires and on ambient conditions by monitoring stations. The associations between pollutant levels and their potential determinants were analyzed using generalized estimating equation model. Determinants of in-vehicle pollutants levels were identified: (1) ambient factors (meteorology and ambient pollution)—affecting BC, NO_2, and CO; (2) vehicle characteristics—affecting all pollutants; and (3) trip-related driving habits—affecting UFP, BC, and CO. We highlight that commuters can, therefore, avoid high in-vehicle air pollutant concentrations mainly by (1) closing windows and activating air-conditioning under air recirculation mode in congested traffic; (2) smooth driving; and (3) maintaining cabin air filters.     

Evaluation of 1-dimensional nanomaterials release during electrospinning and thermogravimetric analysis

The growing research interests with engineered nanomaterials in academic laboratories and manufacturing facilities pose potential safety risks to students and workers. New nanoparticle substances, compositions, and processing approaches are developed regularly, creating new health risks which may not have been addressed previously. Accordingly, the Institute of Occupational Medicine conducted field studies at Texas A&M University (TAMU) to characterize possible particle emissions during processing and fabrication of carbon nanotubes, copper nanowires, and polymeric fibers. The nature of the monitoring work carried out at TAMU was to investigate the potential release of 1D nanomaterials to air from activities associated with synthesis, handling, thermal gravimetric analysis, and electrospinning processes, and evaluate the effectiveness of the utilized control measures. The potential nanoparticle release to air from each activity was investigated using a combination of particle detection instrumentations, coupled with standard filter-based sampling techniques. The analyses indicated that a measurable quantity of free carbon nanosphere aggregates was detected during these activities; however, no free MWCNTs or nanowires were detected. Scanning electron microscopy identified the presence of carbon nanospheres aggregates on the filters. While the control measures used at TAMU are effective in containing the nanomaterial release during processing, poor handling and occupational hygiene practices can increase the risk of employee exposure to the nanomaterials.     

Acute health effects from exposure to indoor ultrafine particles—A randomized controlled crossover study among young mild asthmatics

Particulate matter is linked to adverse health effects, however, little is known about health effects of particles emitted from typical indoor sources. We examined acute health effects of short-term exposure to emissions from cooking and candles among asthmatics. In a randomized controlled double-blinded crossover study, 36 young non-smoking asthmatics attended three exposure sessions lasting 5 h: (a) air mixed with emissions from cooking (fine particle mass concentration): (PM_2.5: 96.1 μg/m³), (b) air mixed with emissions from candles (PM_2.5: 89.8 μg/m³), and c) clean filtered air (PM_2.5: 5.8 μg/m³). Health effects (spirometry, fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide [FeNO], nasal volume and self-reported symptoms) were evaluated before exposure start, then 5 and 24 h after. During exposures volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particle size distributions, number concentrations and optical properties were measured. Generally, no statistically significant changes were observed in spirometry, FeNO, or nasal volume comparing cooking and candle exposures to clean air. In males, nasal volume and FeNO decreased after exposure to cooking and candles, respectively. Participants reported additional and more pronounced symptoms during exposure to cooking and candles compared to clean air. The results indicate that emissions from cooking and candles exert mild inflammation in asthmatic males and decrease comfort among asthmatic males and females.     

高温后钢筋-混凝土界面黏结性能分析

基于均匀分布压力作用的厚壁圆筒模型,将钢筋混凝土拉拔试件变形钢筋周围的受高温损伤混凝土保护层按应力状态分为内外两部分,对内层开裂混凝土认为其产生弥散裂缝,并考虑其抗拉软化特性,同时引入高温后混凝土弹性模量、抗拉强度、断裂能的劣化,通过对受高温损伤钢筋-混凝土间黏结破坏时的极限状态进行理论分析,推导得出高温后钢筋-混凝土界面黏结强度的计算方法,建立了与钢筋、混凝土的尺寸、材性相关的高温后钢筋-混凝土界面黏结强度模型。基于混凝土开裂半径与端部滑移之间的线性关系,建立了高温后界面黏结应力-端部滑移关系。对模型计算结果与已有高温后钢筋与混凝土黏结性能试验所得数据进行比较,共对比了118组黏结强度、15组黏结应力-端部滑移关系。结果表明:该理论分析模型具有很高的准确性,可广泛适用于不同参数拉拔试验的高温后界面黏结强度的分析与预测。     

高温后活性粉末混凝土SHPB试验研究

利用分离式Hopkinson压杆(SHPB)系统,采用铅片作为整形器,分别对常温下及400,600,800℃高温过火后的活性粉末混凝土(RPC)试样进行单轴冲击压缩试验,研究应变率及温度对RPC材料动态力学性能及变形破坏特性的影响规律.结果表明:常温下及高温过火后,RPC材料的动态抗压强度、破碎程度及吸收能量均具有明显的应变率效应,而峰值应变、初始弹性模量及能量吸收率的应变率相关性较弱,且温度对应变率效应没有明显影响;高温过火后,不同应变率下RPC材料的动态抗压强度、初始弹性模量及能量吸收率均有所降低,而峰值应变增大.     

Exposure to ultrafine particles in children until 18 years of age: A systematic review

Airborne ultrafine particles (UFP) have been related to adverse health effects, but exposure in vulnerable population groups such as children is still not well understood. We aim to review the scientific literature regarding personal exposure to UFP in different microenvironments in populations until 18 years of age. The bibliographical search was carried out in July 2019 using the online database PubMed and was completed with references in articles found in the search. We selected the studies that used continuous counters and measured UFP levels in both specific microenvironment (houses, schools, transport, etc) and personal exposure. Finally, 32 studies fulfilled the criteria: of these, 10 analyzed personal exposure and 22 examined UFP levels in the microenvironment (especially in schools or nurseries (18/22)) and five in various microenvironments (including dwellings and means of transport, where exposure levels were higher). The characteristics of the microenvironments with the greatest levels of UFP were being close to heavy traffic or near cooking and cleaning activities. This review revealed the wide differences in exposure assessment methodologies that could lead to a lack of uniform and comparable information about the real UFP exposure in children.     

Comparison of next-generation portable pollution monitors to measure exposure to PM2.5 from household air pollution in Puno,Peru

Assessment of personal exposure to PM_2.5 is critical for understanding intervention effectiveness and exposure-response relationships in household air pollution studies. In this pilot study, we compared PM_2.5 concentrations obtained from two next-generation personal exposure monitors (the Enhanced Children MicroPEM or ECM; and the Ultrasonic Personal Air Sampler or UPAS) to those obtained with a traditional Triplex Cyclone and SKC Air Pump (a gravimetric cyclone/pump sampler). We co-located cyclone/pumps with an ECM and UPAS to obtain 24-hour kitchen concentrations and personal exposure measurements. We measured Spearmen correlations and evaluated agreement using the Bland-Altman method. We obtained 215 filters from 72 ECM and 71 UPAS co-locations. Overall, the ECM and the UPAS had similar correlation (ECM ρ = 0.91 vs UPAS ρ = 0.88) and agreement (ECM mean difference of 121.7 µg/m³ vs UPAS mean difference of 93.9 µg/m³) with overlapping confidence intervals when compared against the cyclone/pump. When adjusted for the limit of detection, agreement between the devices and the cyclone/pump was also similar for all samples (ECM mean difference of 68.8 µg/m³ vs UPAS mean difference of 65.4 µg/m³) and personal exposure samples (ECM mean difference of −3.8 µg/m³ vs UPAS mean difference of −12.9 µg/m³). Both the ECM and UPAS produced comparable measurements when compared against a cyclone/pump setup.     

Review of the characteristics and possible health effects of particles emitted from laser printing devices

Many studies have shown that the use of laser printing devices (LPDs) contributes to the release of particles into the indoor environment. However, after more than two decades of research, the physicochemical properties of LPD-emitted particles and the possible health effects from exposure to particles are still heavily debated. We therefore carried out a critical review of the published studies around emissions and health effects of LPD-emitted particles, aiming at elucidating the nature of these particles and their potential health risks. Realizing the varying methodologies of the studies, a classification of the reviewed studies is adopted, resulting in three categories of emission studies (chamber experiment, office/room measurement, and photocopy shop measurement), and three types of health studies (in vitro/animal studies, human studies in the real world, and human studies in controlled settings). The strengths and limitations of each type of study are discussed in-depth, which in turn helps to understand the cause of divergent results. Overall, LPD-emitted particles are mainly condensed or secondary-formed semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), while solid toner particles account for a very small fraction. The health risk from exposure to LPD-emitted particles is small compared with the health risk from exposure to ambient particles.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and PAH exposure in 4-year-old Spanish children

Aims:

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), among the main compounds present in polluted urban air, is of concern for children's health. Childhood exposure to PAH was assessed by urinary monitoring of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a pyrene metabolite, investigating its association with exposure to air pollution and other factors related to PAH in air.

Methods:

A group of 174 4-year-old children were recruited and a questionnaire on their indoor and outdoor residential environment was completed by parents. At the same time, environmental measurements of traffic-related air pollution (NO₂) were carried out. A urine sample was collected from each child in order to analyze 1-OHP using HPLC with fluorescence detection, correcting for creatinine concentrations. Non-parametric tests and regression analyses were used to identify environmental factors that influence 1-OHP excretion.

Results:

Mean urinary 1-OHP concentration was 0.061 μmol/mol creatinine, ranging from 0.004 to 0.314 μmol/mol. Non-parametric tests and regression analysis showed positive and significant associations (P ≤ 0.05) between 1-OHP and predicted residential exposure to NO₂ (which was based on outdoor environmental measurements and geo-statistical analysis), self-reported residential vehicle traffic, passive smoking and cooking appliance. 1-OHP levels tended to be higher among children living in urban areas (0.062 μmol/mol vs. 0.058 μmol/mol for children living in rural areas) but differences were not significant (P = 0.20).

Conclusion:

In Southern Spain, concentrations of urinary 1-OHP were in the lower range of those generally reported for children living in non-polluted areas in Western Europe and the USA. Traffic-related air pollution, passive smoking and cooking appliance influenced urinary 1-OHP level in the children, which should be prevented due to the health consequences of the inadvertent exposure to PAH during development.     

Experimental analysis of cross-laminated timber panels in fire

Design models of timber structures in fire usually take into account the loss in cross-section due to charring of wood. For cross-laminated timber panels in fire only little information on charring is available. The paper describes and discusses the results of an extensive testing programme on the fire behaviour of cross-laminated timber panels under ISO-fire exposure. The fire tests were performed on the small horizontal furnace (1.0×0.8 m) at the Empa in Duebendorf. Particular attention is given to the comparison of the fire behaviour of cross-laminated timber panels with homogeneous timber panels. The results of the fire tests showed that the fire behaviour of cross-laminated timber panels is strongly influenced by the behaviour of the adhesive used for bonding the cross-laminated timber panels. Depending on the properties of the adhesives at elevated temperatures falling off of the charred layers was clearly observed during the fire tests, leading to increased charring rates in comparison to homogeneous timber panels. This is the same effect as observed for initially protected timber members after the fire protection has fallen off. For the specimens where no falling off of the charred layers was observed the fire behaviour was similar to that of homogeneous timber panels.