Application of capillary isotachophoresis (CITP) for the analysis of water extracts of the dust samples collected in different periods in air-filtration devices in Prague car traffic tunnels and in Parisian metro station is presented. The extracts were analyzed in cationic mode with a leading electrolyte (LE) of 10 mM KOH, 25 mM acetic acid, pH 4.4, and a terminating electrolyte (TE) of 10 mM beta-alanine, adjusted to pH 4.4 with acetic acid, and in anionic mode with LE 10 mM HCl, 20 mM histidine, pH 5.8 and TE 10 mM 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid, pH 3.7. Extracted amounts of UV-absorbing substances, including pollen allergens and organic pollutants, the number of the found components and concentrations of some inorganic ions (e.g. Cl-, K+, Na+, Ca2+) in the dust samples were determined. It was found that the extracted amounts of anionic components and their number were much higher than those of cationic components. Significant differences have been found in the analyses of the extracts of different origin. Much more material and more components were present in the extracts of samples from the pollen-rich period than from the pollen-free period, especially in anionic CITP mode.

• MeSH
• elektroforéza metody   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• voda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• voda MeSH

The health impacts of suspended particulate matter (SPM) are significantly associated with size-the smaller the aerosol particles, the stronger the biological effect. Quantitative evaluation of fine and ultrafine particles (FP and UFP) is, therefore, an integral part of ongoing epidemiological studies. The mass concentrations of SPM fractions (especially PM2.5, PM1.0, PM0.25) were measured in an industrial area using cascade personal samplers and a gravimetric method, and their mass ratio was determined. The results of PM2.5, PM1.0 were also compared with the reference measurement at stationary stations. The mean ratios PM2.5/SPM, PM1.0/SPM, and PM1.0/PM2.5 were 0.76, 0.65, and 0.86, respectively. Surprisingly, a mass dominance of UFP with an aerodynamic diameter <0.25 μm (PM0.25) was found with mean ratios of 0.43, 0.57, 0.67 in SPM, PM2.5 and PM1.0. The method used showed satisfactory agreement in comparison with reference measurements. The respirable fraction may consist predominantly of UFP. Despite the measures currently being taken to improve air quality, the most biologically efficient UFP can escape and remain in the air. UFP are currently determined primarily as particle number as opposed to the mass concentration used for conventional fractions. This complicates their mutual comparison and determination of individual fraction ratios.

• Klíčová slova
• fine and ultrafine fraction, mass concentration, respirable fraction, suspended particulate matter,
• MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• pevné částice analýza   MeSH
• prach MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• prach MeSH

High concentrations of airborne asbestos in the ambient air are still a serious problem of air quality in numerous localities around the world. Since 2002, elevated concentrations of asbestos minerals of unknown origin have been detected in the ambient air of Pilsen, Czech Republic. To determine the asbestos fibre sources in this urban air, a systematic study was conducted. First, 14 bulk dust samples were collected in Pilsen at nine localities, and 6 bulk samples of construction aggregates for gravel production were collected in a quarry in the Pilsen-Litice district. The quarry is the largest quarry in the Pilsen region and the closest quarry to the built-up urban area. X-ray diffraction of the asbestos minerals revealed that monoclinic amphibole (MA, namely actinolite based on subsequent SEM-EDX analysis) in the bulk samples accounted for < 1-33% of the mass and that the highest values were found in the bulk dust samples from the railway platform of the Pilsen main railway station. Simultaneously, 24-h samples of airborne particulate matter (PM) at three localities in Pilsen were collected. Actinolite was identified in 40% of the PM samples. The relationship between the meteorology and presence of actinolite in the 24 PM10 samples was not proven, probably due to the long sampling integration time. Therefore, highly time-and-size-resolved PM sampling was performed. Second, sampling of size-segregated aerosols and measurements of the wind speed (WS), wind direction (WD), precipitation (P) and hourly PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 were conducted in a suburban locality near the quarry in two monthly highly time-resolved periods (30, 60, 120 min). Three/eight PM size fractions were sampled by a Davis Rotating-drum Uniform-size-cut Monitor (3/8DRUM) and analysed for the presences of asbestos fibres by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Asbestos fibre detection in highly time-resolved PM samples and current WD and WS determination allows the apportionment directionality of asbestos fibre sources. The number of critical actinolite asbestos fibres (length ≥ 5 μm and width < 3 μm, 3:1) increased with the PM1-10/PM10 and PM2.5-10/PM10 ratios, WS > 2 m s-1 and precipitation < 1 mm. Additionally, the number of critical actinolite asbestos fibres was not related to a specific WD. Therefore, we conclude that the sources of airborne critical actinolite asbestos fibres in Pilsen's urban area are omnipresent. Frequent use of construction aggregates and gravel from the metamorphic spilite quarries in the Pilsen region and in many localities around the urban area is a plausible explanation for the omnipresence of the critical actinolite asbestos fibres concentration in Pilsen's ambient air. Mitigation strategies to reduce the concentrations of critical actinolite asbestos fibres must be developed. Continuous monitoring and performing SEM-EDX analysis of highly time-and-size-resolved PM samples, correlated with fast changing WS and WD, seems to be a strong tool for efficiently controlling the mitigation strategies of critical actinolite asbestos fibres.

• Klíčová slova
• Actinolite asbestos, DRUM sampler, Naturally occurring asbestos, SEM-EDX, X-ray powder diffraction,
• MeSH
• aerosoly analýza   MeSH
• azbest chemie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• pevné částice chemie   MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• aerosoly MeSH
• azbest MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• prach MeSH

• Klíčová slova
• DUST/determination *,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• prach MeSH

This research shows the size composition of airborne dust fractions in selected dairy barns down to the smallest particles, including factors that influence this composition. Measurements with a Dust-Track 8530 laser photometer took place in the summer at external temperatures of 29.5 to 36 °C. In barns with straw bedding, the average total dust concentration TDC was 66.98 ± 28.38 μg·m-3 (PM10 60.11 ± 19.93 μg·m-3, PM4 49.48 ± 13.76 μg·m-3, PM2.5 44.78 ± 10.18 μg·m-3, and PM1 38.43 ± 9.29 μg·m-3). In barns without straw bedding, the average TDC was 55.91 ± 36.6 μg·m-3, PM10 33.71 ± 13.86 μg·m-3, PM4 30.69 ± 15.29 μg·m-3, PM2.5 27.02 ± 13.38 μg·m-3, and PM1 22.93 ± 10.48 μg·m-3. The largest TDC of 108.09 ± 32.93 μg·m-3 (PM10 69.80 ± 18.70 μg·m-3, PM4 68.20 ± 18.41 μg·m-3, PM2.5 53.27 ± 14.73 μg·m-3, and PM1 38.46 ± 5.55 μg·m-3) was measured in an old cowshed with stanchion housing for 113 cows, straw bedding, and ventilation through windows. In a modern cowshed for loose housing of 440 lactating cows without straw bedding, with natural ventilation and 24 axial fans, TDC was 53.62 ± 49.52 μg·m-3, PM10 20.91 ± 5.24 μg·m-3, PM4 17.11 ± 3.23 μg·m-3, PM2.5 13.71 ± 0.92 μg·m-3, and PM1 12.69 ± 2.82 μg·m-3. In all investigated barns, a large proportion of airborne dust particles (54.38 ± 20.82% of TDC) consists of the smallest PM1 dust particles (from 12.69 ± 2.82 μg·m-3 to 48.48 ± 1.18 μg·m-3).

• Klíčová slova
• Dust-Track, PM fractions, calf, cattle, constructions, dairy cows, straw, ventilation,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Capillary electromigration methods, zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), have been used for evaluation of the efficiency of different extraction agents applied to the extraction of pollen allergens and organic pollutants from dust samples collected during different periods (before, during and after pollen seasons) and in different locations in air-filtration devices (car-traffic tunnel in Prague and a metro station in Paris). Water and acetic acid extracts were analyzed by CZE using acetic acid as background electrolyte (BGE). Water and alkaline water-SDS-buffer extracts were analyzed by MEKC in Tris-phosphate BGE with anionic detergent sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) micellar pseudophase. More material was extracted and more components were found in the water-buffer extracts than in the water extracts, and better resolution of the components was achieved by MEKC than by CZE. Significant differences have been found in the analyses of dust extracts of different origin. More material and more components have been found in the extracts of the dust collected in the pollen-rich period (March, April) than in the pollen-free period (December, January).

• MeSH
• alergeny chemie   MeSH
• elektroforéza kapilární metody   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• pyl chemie   MeSH
• spektrofotometrie ultrafialová MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alergeny MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• prach MeSH

In late March 2018, a large part of the Eastern Mediterranean experienced an extraordinary episode of African dust, one of the most intense in recent years, here referred to as the "Minoan Red" event. The episode mainly affected the Greek island of Crete, where the highest aerosol concentrations over the past 15 yeas were recorded, although impacts were also felt well beyond this core area. Our study fills a gap in dust research by assessing the multi-sectoral impacts of sand and dust storms and their socioeconomic implications. Specifically, we provide a multi-sectoral impact assessment of Crete during the occurrence of this exceptional African dust event. During the day of the occurrence of the maximum dust concentration in Crete, i.e. March 22nd, 2018, we identified impacts on meteorological conditions, agriculture, transport, energy, society (including closing of schools and cancellation of social events), and emergency response systems. As a result, the event led to a 3-fold increase in daily emergency responses compare to previous days associated with urban emergencies and wildfires, a 3.5-fold increase in hospital visits and admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations and dyspnoea, a reduction of visibility causing aircraft traffic disruptions (eleven cancellations and seven delays), and a reduction of solar energy production. We estimate the cost of direct and indirect effects of the dust episode, considering the most affected socio-economic sectors (e.g. civil protection, aviation, health and solar energy production), to be between 3.4 and 3.8 million EUR for Crete. Since such desert dust transport episodes are natural, meteorology-driven and thus to a large extent unavoidable, we argue that the efficiency of actions to mitigate dust impacts depends on the accuracy of operational dust forecasting and the implementation of relevant early warning systems for social awareness.

• Klíčová slova
• Aviation, Dust episode, Health, Impacts, Modelling, Monitoring, Solar radiation,
• MeSH
• aerosoly MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• pevné částice analýza   MeSH
• prach * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• aerosoly MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• prach * MeSH

The particle size distribution of particulate matter (PM) and concentrations of water-soluble ions were observed in airborne aerosol in the City of Ostrava (the Czech Republic, Moravian-Silesian Region) during winter 2016. The Ostrava area ranks among the most polluted areas not only within the Czech Republic but also in Europe due to the high concentration of industry, especially metallurgy, in this area. The selected water-soluble ions: were studied in different grain size classes of particulate matter separated into 7 fractions (from 0.0175 to 9.93 μm) collected by an electrical low pressure impactor ELPI+. Assessment of the influence of meteorological parameters and various sources of contamination (transportation, industry, and residential burning) in heavily environmentally-burdened urban areas was attempted. This study proved that (K)+ is related to metallurgical processes and its role as an indicator of biomass combustion is negligible. The highest concentrations of all water-soluble ions were determined in particles below 0.952 μm that is generally related to combustion processes. At increased air temperature (in the interval from 0 °C to 10 °C), concentrations of both dust particles and the sum of water-soluble ions are decreasing.

• Klíčová slova
• Cascade impactor ELPI(+), Enrichment factor, Meteorological parameters, Ostrava, Particulate matter, Water-soluble inorganic ions,
• MeSH
• aerosoly MeSH
• ionty MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• voda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Evropa MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Názvy látek
• aerosoly MeSH
• ionty MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• voda MeSH

In this study, we observed the effect of the application of soil dust enriched with risk elements (Cd, Pb, As and Zn) to leaf surfaces of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) while it was grown under hydroponic conditions. This study aimed to determine how low soil dust particulate matter (PM) doses affected the activity of or damaged the photosynthetic apparatus and how the uptake of risk elements was associated with both epigenetic changes (5-methylcytosine content, i.e., 5mC) and stress metabolism. During the study, we obtained many results pertaining to risk element contents and biochemical (total phenolic content (TPC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the amount of free amino acids (AAs)) and physiological (photosynthesis parameters: net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance, instantaneous water-use efficiency, maximum quantum yield of PSII, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and leaf water potential (WP)) plant features. The results showed an increase in MDA and 5mC. However, the transpiration rate, WP and free AAs decreased. In conclusion, contamination by very low doses of soil dust PM had no direct or significant effect on plant fitness, as shown by the TPC and 5mC content, which indicates that plants can overcome the oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of risk elements. From the above, we propose the use of epigenetic changes as biomarkers of potential changes in the activation of plant metabolism under stress caused by environmental pollution.

• MeSH
• chlorofyl metabolismus   MeSH
• fotosyntéza MeSH
• listy rostlin metabolismus   MeSH
• pevné částice * metabolismus   MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• rostliny metabolismus   MeSH
• salát (hlávkový) metabolismus   MeSH
• voda metabolismus   MeSH
• znečištění životního prostředí MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorofyl MeSH
• pevné částice * MeSH
• prach * MeSH
• půda MeSH
• voda MeSH

Air pollution is a high priority global health concern. The health damaging effects of ambient particulate matter (PM), a component of air pollution, are extensively documented, with 1.4% of deaths worldwide resulting from exposure to PM. A growing body of evidence suggests that mineral dust, found in PM, may contribute to some of these deleterious health impacts. Approximately half of atmospheric mineral dust originates from the Sahara Desert. This systematic but concise review summarizes the findings from recent literature exploring the adverse health effects of Saharan dust particles worldwide. The authors have shown that 1) PM contributes to all-cause and cause-specific mortality and morbidity; 2) the PM arising from Saharan dust contributes to excess all-cause and cause-specific mortality and morbidity; and 3) larger particle sizes may be more harmful than smaller particle sizes. However, there remain many questions regarding their effects on vulnerable patient populations, underlying mechanisms of action, and regional variations in both environmental and health effects. This review highlights the urgent need for continued and deeper analyses of this emerging public health issue. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(6):749-60.

• Klíčová slova
• Africa, Air Pollution, Northern Africa, Public Health, dust, particulate matter,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• minerály škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• morbidita MeSH
• mortalita MeSH
• pevné částice škodlivé účinky   chemie   MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• severní Afrika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• minerály MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH