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

RATIONALE: Evidence of short-term effects of ultrafine particles (UFP) on health is still inconsistent and few multicenter studies have been conducted so far especially in Europe. OBJECTIVES: Within the UFIREG project, we investigated the short-term effects of UFP and fine particulate matter (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm [PM2.5]) on daily cause-specific hospital admissions in five Central and Eastern European cities using harmonized protocols for measurements and analyses. METHODS: Daily counts of cause-specific hospital admissions focusing on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were obtained for Augsburg and Dresden (Germany), 2011-2012; Chernivtsi (Ukraine), 2013 to March 2014; and Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Prague (Czech Republic), 2012-2013. Air pollution and meteorologic data were measured at fixed monitoring sites in all cities. We analyzed city-specific associations using confounder-adjusted Poisson regression models and pooled the city-specific effect estimates using metaanalysis methods. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A 2,750 particles/cm3 increase (average interquartile range across all cities) in the 6-day average of UFP indicated a delayed and prolonged increase in the pooled relative risk of respiratory hospital admissions (3.4% [95% confidence interval, -1.7 to 8.8%]). We also found increases in the pooled relative risk of cardiovascular (exposure average of lag 2-5, 1.8% [0.1-3.4%]) and respiratory (6-d average exposure, 7.5% [4.9-10.2%]) admissions per 12.4 μg/m3 increase (average interquartile range) in PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated delayed and prolonged effects of UFP exposure on respiratory hospital admissions in Central and Eastern Europe. Cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions increased in association with an increase in PM2.5. Further multicenter studies are needed using harmonized UFP measurements to draw definite conclusions on health effects of UFP.

• Klíčová slova
• cardiovascular, hospital admissions, particulate matter, respiratory, ultrafine particles,
• MeSH
• hospitalizace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci epidemiologie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pevné částice * MeSH
• poruchy dýchání epidemiologie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• zdraví ve městech statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Německo epidemiologie   MeSH
• Slovinsko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Ukrajina epidemiologie   MeSH
• velkoměsta MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• pevné částice * MeSH

This study presents the results of pilot measurement, where the exposure of fine and ultrafine particulate matter was monitored. The measurement was performed in welding workplace, where these particles are produced unintentionally. The measurement consisted of collecting information and measuring the concentration of particles in the workplace, where data collection was focused only on inhalation exposure. During welding, primarily 300 nm size particles are produced, and their concentration is strongly influenced by the welding material, type of welding and suction. The particles are amorphous in terms of morphology and contain manganese, iron and silicon, which can cause neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, the results indicate the importance of monitoring oral exposure.

• Klíčová slova
• fine and ultrafine particulate matter, health, risk assessment, work environment,
• MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pevné částice analýza   MeSH
• pracoviště MeSH
• svařování * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH

This paper presents a complex and extensive experimental evaluation of fine particle emissions released by an FDM 3D printer for four of the most common printing materials (ABS, PLA, PET-G, and TPU). These thermoplastic filaments were examined at three printing temperatures within their recommended range. In addition, these measurements were extended using various types of printing nozzles, which influenced the emissions considerably. This research is based on more than a hundred individual measurements for which a standardized printing method was developed. The study presents information about differences between particular printing conditions in terms of the amount of fine particles emitted as well as the particle size distributions during printing periods. This expands existing knowledge about the emission of ultrafine particles during 3D printing, and it can help reduce the emissions of these devices to achieve cleaner and safer 3D printer operations.

• Klíčová slova
• 3D printing, air quality, emissions, fine particles, size distribution, thermoplastics,
• MeSH
• 3D tisk MeSH
• pevné částice * analýza   MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• znečištění vzduchu ve vnitřním prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• pevné částice * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Evidence on health effects of ultrafine particles (UFP) is still limited as they are usually not monitored routinely. The few epidemiological studies on UFP and (cause-specific) mortality so far have reported inconsistent results. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the UFIREG project was to investigate the short-term associations between UFP and fine particulate matter (PM)<2.5μm (PM2.5) and daily (cause-specific) mortality in five European Cities. We also examined the effects of PM<10μm (PM10) and coarse particles (PM2.5-10). METHODS: UFP (20-100nm), PM and meteorological data were measured in Dresden and Augsburg (Germany), Prague (Czech Republic), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Chernivtsi (Ukraine). Daily counts of natural and cardio-respiratory mortality were collected for all five cities. Depending on data availability, the following study periods were chosen: Augsburg and Dresden 2011-2012, Ljubljana and Prague 2012-2013, Chernivtsi 2013-March 2014. The associations between air pollutants and health outcomes were assessed using confounder-adjusted Poisson regression models examining single (lag 0-lag 5) and cumulative lags (lag 0-1, lag 2-5, and lag 0-5). City-specific estimates were pooled using meta-analyses methods. RESULTS: Results indicated a delayed and prolonged association between UFP and respiratory mortality (9.9% [95%-confidence interval: -6.3%; 28.8%] increase in association with a 6-day average increase of 2750particles/cm(3) (average interquartile range across all cities)). Cardiovascular mortality increased by 3.0% [-2.7%; 9.1%] and 4.1% [0.4%; 8.0%] in association with a 12.4μg/m(3) and 4.7μg/m(3) increase in the PM2.5- and PM2.5-10-averages of lag 2-5. CONCLUSIONS: We observed positive but not statistically significant associations between prolonged exposures to UFP and respiratory mortality, which were independent of particle mass exposures. Further multi-centre studies are needed investigating several years to produce more precise estimates on health effects of UFP.

• Klíčová slova
• Central Europe, Mortality, Particulate matter, Time series, Ultrafine particles,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci mortalita   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• pevné částice škodlivé účinky   analýza   MeSH
• poruchy dýchání mortalita   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• příčina smrti MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• teoretické modely MeSH
• velikost částic * MeSH
• velkoměsta epidemiologie   MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH
• velkoměsta epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH

In the past several decades, a variety of efforts have been made in the United States to improve air quality, and ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations have been used as a metric to evaluate the efficacy of environmental policies. However, ambient PM concentrations result from a combination of source emission rates and meteorological conditions, which also change over time. Dispersion normalization was recently developed to reduce the influence of atmospheric dispersion and proved an effective approach that enhanced diel/seasonal patterns and thus provides improved source apportionment results for speciated PM mass and particle number concentration (PNC) measurements. In this work, dispersion normalization was incorporated in long-term trend analysis of 11-500 nm PNCs derived from particle number size distributions (PNSDs) measured in Rochester, NY from 2005 to 2019. Before dispersion normalization, a consistent reduction was observed across the measured size range during 2005-2012, while after 2012, the decreasing trends slowed down for accumulation mode PNCs (100-500 nm) and reversed for ultrafine particles (UFPs, 11-100 nm). Through dispersion normalization, we showed that these changes were driven by both emission rates and dispersion. Thus, it is important for future studies to assess the effects of the changing meteorological conditions when evaluating policy effectiveness on controlling PM concentrations. Before and after dispersion normalization, an evident increase in nucleation mode particles was observed during 2015-2019. This increase was possibly enabled by a cleaner atmosphere and will pose new challenges for future source apportionment and accountability studies.

• Klíčová slova
• Accountability, Dispersion normalization, Particle number concentrations, Trends,
• MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• New York MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH

Air quality in the Moravian-Silesian Region and especially in the Ostrava agglomeration represents a very important factor influencing the environment and health of the local population. The area has been burdend for more than two centuries with rapid development of the mining industry and related metallurgical and chemical production. As a result, hundreds of tons of pollutants have progressively been released into the atmosphere. Some of them have been gradually eliminated from the environment; others, such as some heavy metals, remain locally present and burden the local landscape. Ultrafine particles (UFPs; diameter less than 100 nm) are ubiquitous in urban air and an acknowledged risk to human health. Therefore, recurrent situations when statutory limits for airborne dust and selected chemical pollutants are exceeded require more detailed research focused on the sources, paths of propagation, chemical composition and morphology of ultrafine aerosol (UFA). In order to comply with these objectives measurements were carried out directly in production halls and the vicinity of industrial technologies with expected high UFA emission. In line with global trends, focus is increasingly placed on solid aerosols with particle sizes below 1 µm and, where appropriate, on nanoparticles. This is mainly due to a much greater penetration of these particles into an organism and a subsequent initiation of some serious diseases.

• Klíčová slova
• airborne dust, nanoparticles in the air, particle number concentration, scanning electron microscopy, ultrafine aerosol,
• MeSH
• aerosoly analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• nanočástice analýza   MeSH
• prach MeSH
• průmysl MeSH
• velikost částic * MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• aerosoly MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• prach MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this quantitative study is to assess the impact of fine particles air pollution in major cities of Slovakia. The study aims to estimate number of premature deaths from long-term exposure to fine particles PM2.5 in eight regional capitals of Slovakia in the period 2016-2020. Consequently, the study aims to conduct a comparative analysis using secondary derived indicators. METHODS: For calculations of estimated premature deaths from long-term exposure to fine particles PM2.5 air pollution we used standardized methodology developed by the World Health Organization and the European Environment Agency. RESULTS: The annual average of estimated premature deaths from PM2.5 air pollution in the studied period was in Bratislava 353, Košice 219, Prešov 84, Žilina 90, Banská Bystrica 76, Nitra 73, Trnava 59, and Trenčín 52. In relative terms per 1,000 inhabitants Bratislava had annual average 1.14 of estimated premature deaths, Košice 1.32, Prešov 1.38, Žilina 1.61, Banská Bystrica 1.35, Nitra 1.35, Trnava 1.27, and Trenčín 1.31. Bratislava as the largest city in Slovakia recorded the smallest relative number of estimated premature deaths. The worst results were recorded by the city of Žilina. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated number of premature deaths from long-term exposure to particulate matter air pollution in the regional capitals decreased in the given period. The most of the regional capitals with the exception of Bratislava and Žilina, showed similar levels of estimated premature deaths. However, the current geopolitical situation and rising energy prices threaten return to solid fuel burning which is the largest source of particulate matter air pollution in Slovakia and thus reversing positive trends.

• Klíčová slova
• air pollution, fine particulate matter, premature deaths,
• MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• předčasná smrt MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH

Although extensive research has shown the pathological effect of fine and ultrafine airborne particles, clear evidence of association of environmental exposure to them and inflammatory changes in human nasal mucosa is missing. Meanwhile, pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis, despite being a disease with high prevalence in the population, is still unclear. The increasing evidence of the pro-inflammatory properties of these particles raises the question of their possible role in chronic rhinosinusitis. The presented study focused on detection of microsized anorganic particles and clusters of nanosized anorganic particles in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis by Raman microspectroscopy and comparison of their composition to histologic findings. The results were compared to the findings in mucosa obtained from cadavers with no history of chronic rhinosinusitis. Solid particles were found in 90% of tissue samples in the group with chronic rhinosinusitis, showing histologic signs of inflammation in 95%, while in the control group, the particles were found in 20% of samples, with normal histologic findings in all of them. The main detected compounds were graphite, TiO2, amorphous carbon, calcite, ankerite and iron compounds. The results are in accordance with the premise that exogenous airborne particles interact with the nasal mucosa and possibly deposit in it in cases where the epithelial barrier is compromised in chronic rhinosinusitis.

• Klíčová slova
• Raman microspectroscopy, airborne pollutants, chronic rhinosinusitis, fine and ultrafine particles, micro- and nanosized particles, nanotoxicology,
• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nosní sliznice patologie   MeSH
• rýma * MeSH
• sinusitida * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

A new aerosol sampler based on the original version of Aerosol Counterflow Two-Jets Unit (ACTJU) is described. The ACTJU collector, connected with a water-based Condensation Growth Unit (CGU) placed upstream of the ACTJU, accomplished the quantitative collection of fine and ultrafine aerosol particles down to a few nanometers in diameter. Condensation of water vapor in the CGU enlarges nanometer sized particles to larger sizes in the supermicrometer range and the formed droplets are then collected into water in the ACTJU collector. The continuous collection of aerosols with the CGU-ACTJU sampler allows for the time-resolved measurement of changes in the concentration of particulate constituents. Coupling of the CGU-ACTJU sampler with on-line detection devices allows in-situ automated analysis of water-soluble aerosol components with high time resolution of 1 s (e.g., FIA detection for nitrite or nitrate) or 1 h (e.g., IC detection with preconcentration step for inorganic anions). Under the optimum conditions (the air flow rate of 10 L min-1 and water flow rate of 1.5 mL min-1), the limit of detection (IC including the preconcentration) for particulate fluoride, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, sulphate and phosphate is 2.53, 6.64, 24.2, 16.8, 0.12 and 5.03 ng m-3, respectively. The apparatus is sufficiently robust for its application at routine monitoring of aerosol composition in real-time.

• Klíčová slova
• Aerosol collection, Air monitoring, Atmospheric aerosols, Chemical composition,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH