Ozone/toxicity* ; Air Pollution/analysis* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; China/epidemiology* ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Mortality ; Particulate Matter/analysis*

Objective: To screen the differential methylation sites, genes and pathways of air pollution fine particles (PM(2.5)) on human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells by methylation chip and bioinformation technology, so as to provide scientific basis for further study of the toxicological mechanism of PM(2.5) on HBE cells. Methods: In August 2020, HBE cells were infected with 10 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml PM(2.5) aqueous solution for 24 h, namely PM(2.5) 10 μg/ml exposure group (low dose group) and PM(2.5) 50 μg/ml exposure group (high dose group) ; uninfected HBE cells were used as control group. The DNA fragments were hybridized with the chip, the chip scanned and read the data, analyzed the data, screened the differential methylation sites, carried out GO analysis and KEGG analysis of the differential methylation sites, and analyzed the interaction relationship of the overall differential methylation sites by functional epigenetic modules (FEMs). Results: Compared with the control group, 127 differential methylation sites were screened in the low-dose group, including 89 genes, including 55 sites with increased methylation level and 72 sites with decreased methylation level. The differential methylation sites were mainly concentrated in the Body region and UTR region. Compared with the control group, 238 differential methylation sites were screened in the high-dose group, including 168 genes, of which 127 sites had increased methylation level and 111 sites had decreased methylation level. The differential heterotopic sites were mainly concentrated in the Body region and UTR region. Through FEMs analysis, 8 genes with the most interaction were screened, of which 6 genes had significant changes in methylation level. MALT1 gene related to apoptosis was found in the heterotopic site of methylation difference in low-dose group; PIK3CA and ARID1A genes related to carcinogenesis were found in the heterotopic sites of methylation difference in high-dose group; TNF genes related to tumor inhibition were found in the results of FEMs analysis. Conclusion: After PM(2.5) exposure to HBE cells, the DNA methylation level is significantly changed, and genes related to apoptosis and carcinogenesis are screened out, suggesting that the carcinogenic mutagenic effect of PM(2.5) may be related to DNA methylation.
Air Pollutants/toxicity* ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/analysis* ; Carcinogenesis ; DNA Methylation ; Humans ; Particulate Matter/toxicity* ; Technology

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the associations of PM
Air Pollutants/toxicity* ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Particulate Matter/analysis*

OBJECTIVES: The association between concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O), and emergency ambulance dispatches (EADs) for asthma was explored in the central Sichuan Basin of southwestern China for the first time. METHODS: EADs for asthma were collected from the Chengdu First-Aid Command Center. Pollutant concentrations were collected from 24 municipal environmental monitoring centers and including SO, NO, CO, daily 8-h mean concentrations of O (O-8 h), and particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM). The climatic data were collected from the Chengdu Municipal Meteorological Bureau. All data were collected from years spanning 2013-2017. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: After controlling for temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure, IQR increases in SO (13 μg/m), NO (17 μg/m), and CO (498 μg/m) were associated with 18.8%, 11.5%, and 3.1% increases in EADs for asthma, respectively. The associations were strongest for EADs and SO, NO, and CO levels with 3-, 5-, and 1-day lags, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study provides additional data to the limited body of literature for potential health risks arising from ambient gaseous pollutants. The results of the study suggest that increased concentrations of SO, NO, and CO were positively associated with emergency ambulance dispatches for asthma in Chengdu, China. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of individual air pollutants on asthma.
Air Pollutants ; analysis ; toxicity ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Carbon Monoxide ; analysis ; toxicity ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; Cross-Over Studies ; Emergency Medical Dispatch ; statistics & numerical data ; Environmental Monitoring ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; analysis ; toxicity ; Ozone ; analysis ; toxicity ; Particle Size ; Particulate Matter ; analysis ; toxicity ; Risk ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; toxicity

PURPOSE: The study aims to classify schools based on traffic pollutants and their complex sources, to assess the environment, to determine the state of allergic diseases among students using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in children (ISAAC) questionnaire, and to assess their connection to air pollutants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of seven schools were divided into three categories according to the characteristics of their surrounding environments: three schools in traffic-related zones, two schools in complex source zones I (urban), and two schools in complex source zones II (industrial complex). ISAAC questionnaires were administered and the 4404 completed questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of asthma treatment during the past 12 months showed a significant increase (p<0.05) with exposure to NO2 [1.67, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.03-2.71] in the complex source zones. The frequency of allergic rhinitis treatment during the past 12 months increased significantly with exposure to Black Carbon (1.60, 95% CIs 1.36-1.90) (p<0.001), SO2 (1.09, 95% CIs 1.01-1.17) (p<0.05), NO2 (1.18, 95% CIs 1.07-1.30) (p<0.01) for all subjects. CONCLUSION: In terms of supporting children's health, care, and prevention related to major spaces for children, such as school zones, spaces used in coming to and leaving school, playgrounds, and classrooms are essential to ensuring not only the safety of children from traffic accidents but also their protection from local traffic pollutants and various hazardous environmental factors.
Adolescent ; Air Pollutants/*adverse effects ; Air Pollution/*adverse effects ; Asthma/chemically induced/*epidemiology/*etiology ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/chemically induced/*epidemiology ; Schools ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vehicle Emissions/analysis/toxicity

OBJECTIVES: The deleterious effects of air pollution on various health outcomes have been demonstrated. However, few studies have examined the effects of air pollution on liver enzyme levels. METHODS: Blood samples were drawn up to three times between 2008 and 2010 from 545 elderly individuals who regularly visited a community welfare center in Seoul, Korea. Data regarding ambient air pollutants (particulate matter < or =2.5 mum [PM2.5], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], ozone [O3], carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide) from monitoring stations were used to estimate air pollution exposure. The effects of the air pollutants on the concentrations of three liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase [gamma-GTP)]) were evaluated using generalized additive and linear mixed models. RESULTS: Interquartile range increases in the concentrations of the pollutants showed significant associations of PM2.5 with AST (3.0% increase, p=0.0052), ALT (3.2% increase, p=0.0313), and gamma-GTP (5.0% increase, p=0.0051) levels; NO2 with AST (3.5% increase, p=0.0060) and ALT (3.8% increase, p=0.0179) levels; and O3 with gamma-GTP (5.3% increase, p=0.0324) levels. Significant modification of these effects by exercise and alcohol consumption was found (p for interaction <0.05). The effects of air pollutants were greater in non-exercisers and heavy drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to air pollutants such as PM2.5, NO2, and O3 is associated with increased liver enzyme levels in the elderly. These adverse effects can be reduced by exercising regularly and abstinence from alcohol.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Air Pollutants/analysis/*toxicity ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; *Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; Environmental Exposure ; *Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Liver/*drug effects/enzymology ; Male ; Nitrogen Dioxide/chemistry/toxicity ; Ozone/chemistry/toxicity ; Particulate Matter/analysis/toxicity ; Sulfur Dioxide/chemistry/toxicity ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase/blood

OBJECTIVETo understand the exposed positions and levels of indium and its compounds in manufacture of liquid crystal displays, and to evaluate the degree of occupational hazard from indium and its compounds.

METHODSOn-site investigation of occupational health, occupational hazard monitoring, and occupational health examination were used to evaluate the degree of occupational hazard from indium and its compounds in three manufacturers of liquid crystal display panel in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

RESULTSThe time-weighted average (TWA) and short-term exposure limit (STEL) concentrations of indium and its compounds to which sputtering machine operating positions were exposed were less than 0.002~0.004 mg/m³ and 0.006~0.007 mg/m³, respectively, both of which complied with the National Hygienic Standard (PC-TWA = 0.1 mg/m³; PC-STEL = 0.3 mg/m³); the TWA and STEL concentrations of indium and its compounds to which grinding positions were exposed were 0.114~2.98 mg/m³ and 0.31~10.02 mg/m³, respectively, both of which exceeded the National Hygienic Standard with the highest concentration 33-fold higher than the standard. No significant health damages were found in exposed workers according to the results of occupational health examination.

CONCLUSIONThe grinding positions are the key to the control of occupational hazard from indium and its compounds in manufacture of liquid crystal display panel. The workers should be equipped with the anti-particulate full-face respirator, which is an effective way to prevent occupational hazard from indium and its compounds.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; toxicity ; China ; Data Display ; Humans ; Indium ; toxicity ; Liquid Crystals ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Occupational Health ; Risk Assessment ; Threshold Limit Values

OBJECTIVETo investigate the short-term association between outdoor air pollution and outpatient visits for acute bronchitis, which is a rare subject of research in the mainland of China.

METHODSA time-series analysis was conducted to examine the association of outdoor air pollutants with hospital outpatient visits in Shanghai by using two-year daily data (2010-2011).

RESULTSOutdoor air pollution was found to be associated with an increased risk of outpatient visits for acute bronchitis in Shanghai. The effect estimates of air pollutants varied with the lag structures of the concentrations of the pollutants. For lag06, a 10 μg/m(3) increase in the concentrations of PM10, SO(2), and NO(2) corresponded to 0.94% (95% CI: 0.83%, 1.05%), 11.12% (95% CI: 10.76%, 11.48%), and 4.84% (95% CI: 4.49%, 5.18%) increases in hospital visits for acute bronchitis, respectively. These associations appeared to be stronger in females (P<0.05). Between-age differences were significant for SO(2) (P<0.05), and between-season differences were also significant for SO(2) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur analyses have provided the first evidence that the current air pollution level in China has an effect on acute bronchitis and that the rationale for further limiting air pollution levels in Shanghai should be strengthened.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Air Pollutants ; analysis ; toxicity ; Ambulatory Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Bronchitis ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; analysis ; toxicity ; Particulate Matter ; analysis ; toxicity ; Seasons ; Sex Factors ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; toxicity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish the method of detecting the concentrations of chlorpyrifos in air of workplace with high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC).

METHODSAccording to standards of methods for determining the chemical substances in workplace air, chlorpyrifos in the air was collected by silicone tube, then dissolved by acetonitrile and determined by high performance liquid chromatography with UV-detector.

RESULTSThere was a linear relationship within the range of 0 ∼ 10.0 µg/ml, and regression equation was y = 5206.1x - 104.7, correlation coefficient was 0.9999, the detection limit was 0.006 µg/ml. The lowest detected concentration was 0.001 mg/m(3) (sampling volume 4.5 L). The average recoveries was 98.3% ∼ 102.5%. The within-run precision was 1.96% ∼ 4.39%, the between-run precision was 2.76% ∼ 5.87%. The desorption efficiencies were 99.0% ∼ 103.3% and the sampling efficiencies were 94%. The samples in silicone tube could be stored for 15 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONThe present method could meet with the requirements of Guide for establishing occupational health standards-Part 4 Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace and be feasible for determination of chlorpyrifos in workplace air.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chlorpyrifos ; analysis ; toxicity ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Limit of Detection ; Reproducibility of Results ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo explore the hepatic toxicity and the exposure biomarkers of N, N-Dimethylacetamide.

METHODSOne hundred forty five objects were chosen by stratified random sampling method. The investigation was performed using questionnaire and physical examination. The air concentrations of DMAC in the workshops were monitored. The urine samples were collected and analyzed after work everyday or at the weekend. The correlation between the air concentrations of DMAC in the workshops and the concentrations of urinary NMAC wee analyzed by regression.

RESULTSThe air concentration of DMAC in the spinning workshop was higher than others. The morbidity of abnormal hepatic function was 12.4%, 61.1% of workers with abnormal hepatic function appeared in one year after exposure to DMAC in the workshops ( r=0.44, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal heptic function was found in workers exposed to DMAC for short period. The concentration of urinary NMAC can serve as the exposure biomarker of DMAC.

Acetamides ; toxicity ; urine ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workplace ; Young Adult