Cadmium and particulate matter toxicity
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HIGH RESOLUTION MICROSCOPY IMAGES OF CELLS FROM THE (A) CONTROL, (B) URBAN 125ΜG/ML, OR (C) URBAN 500ΜG/ML EXPOSURE CONDITIONS CAPTURED USING A 60X OBJECTIVE. ACTIN (RED), NUCLEI (BLUE), AND THE HISTONE PHOSPHORYLATION ΓH2AX (GREEN). EACH IMAGE IS DISPLAYED WITH THE SAME BIT RANGE TO SHOW THE INCREASE IN INTENSITY OF ΓH2AX AS PM EXPOSURE CONCENTRATION INCREASES.
view moreCREDIT: ENGELS ET AL.
Particulate matter causes health problems for those who inhale the fine droplets and particles, but the chemical composition of the mixture matters—and can vary widely across space and time. Lydia Contreras and colleagues characterize the consequences of varying levels of exposure to three chemically distinct particulate matter mixes, sourced from the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), in a human bronchial epithelial cell model. Following exposures, the authors measured changes in gene expression and cell morphology. NIST’s “Urban” and “Fine” particulate matter mixes, which were collected in St. Louis, Missouri and Prague, Czech Republic, respectively, induced significant changes in gene expression. Particulate matter collected from a diesel engine produced fewer changes. Higher exposures caused more significant changes. Different particulate matter mixes also induced different morphological changes, with exposure to the “Urban” and “Fine” mixtures causing cells to become smaller and more rounded than exposure to the “Diesel” mix. These small rounded cells had signs of significant DNA damage. Next, the authors worked to identify which chemicals were responsible for these changes. Cadmium levels varied between the three mixes tested. Further, when the “Diesel” mix was supplemented with cadmium, it induced changes similar to that of the “Urban” and “Fine” mixes. This indicated that cadmium is at least partially responsible for differences in DNA damage and toxicity between the mixtures, according to the authors.
JOURNAL
PNAS Nexus
ARTICLE TITLE
Particulate matter composition drives differential molecular and morphological responses in lung epithelial cells
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
28-Dec-2023
Reducing PM2.5 disparity in China: Progress and challenges
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GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT.
view moreCREDIT: ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) is a critical pollutant affecting air quality and public health. In China, rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to severe PM2.5 pollution, posing significant health risks and environmental concerns. The Chinese government has implemented various clean air policies to tackle this issue, and the PM2.5 concentrations have dropped significantly in China since 2013. However, few studies have evaluated temporal trends of the spatial disparity in PM2.5 concentrations from 2013 to 2020 in China, and their associations with socioeconomic factors.
A pivotal study, published in Eco-Environment & Health (Volume 2, 2023), has examined the evolution of PM2.5 pollution disparity in China from 2013 to 2020, revealing both progress and persistent challenges in air quality management.
This study used high-resolution data to analyze the temporal trends of the spatial disparity in PM2.5 concentrations and their relationship with economic factors across China from 2013 to 2020. The difference in PM2.5 between highly and less polluted areas decreased, indicating that the absolute disparity decreased over time. However, cities with high PM2.5 levels in 2013 remained heavily polluted in 2020, and vice versa, suggesting that the relative disparity persisted.
The study also found an inverted U-shaped relationship between PM2.5 levels and economic development in China. Overall, economic growth initially worsens air quality before potentially leading to improvement once a certain threshold is reached. The negative effects in less-developed regions tended to diminish over time, and economic development tended to promote cleaner air in developed areas of China. This finding aligns with the Environmental Kuznets Curve theory.
The study's lead researcher, Dr. Xia Meng, highlighted the importance of understanding PM2.5 disparities to inform targeted air quality improvement strategies and promote environmental equality.
This research provides critical insights for policymakers to develop nuanced strategies that address both economic growth and environmental protection. It underscores the need for region-specific air quality policies. The study marks a significant step in understanding the dynamics of PM2.5 pollution in China and sets a foundation for future efforts to achieve environmental justice and health equity.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.007
Funding information
The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC3702705); The National Natural Science Foundation of China (82003413, 92043301 and 82030103).
About Eco-Environment & Health
Eco-Environment & Health (EEH) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal designed for publications on the frontiers of the ecology, environment and health as well as their related disciplines. EEH focuses on the concept of "One Health" to promote green and sustainable development, dealing with the interactions among ecology, environment and health, and the underlying mechanisms and interventions. Our mission is to be one of the most important flagship journals in the field of environmental health.
JOURNAL
Eco-Environment & Health
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Not applicable
ARTICLE TITLE
Evolution in disparity of PM2.5 pollution in China
New study reveals perfluoroalkyl acids accelerate DNA degradation, highlighting potential ecological risks
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GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT.
view moreCREDIT: ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs), infamous for their persistence and widespread environmental presence, have long been a concern due to their toxicological impacts. However, the specific ecological consequences of their interaction with environmental DNA (eDNA) have remained largely unexplored. eDNA, the environmental gene pool, plays a crucial role in monitoring ecosystem biodiversity and assessing the ecotoxicological effects of pollutants.
Recent research published in the journal Eco-Environment & Health (Volume 2, 2023) reveals groundbreaking insights into how typical PFAAs accelerate the degradation of DNA. The study has uncovered that PFAAs, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, significantly expedite the enzymatic degradation of DNA, even at low concentrations. This discovery sheds light on the molecular ecological effects of PFAAs and underscores potential environmental risks.
The study employed modern techniques such as gel electrophoresis, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and density functional theory calculations followed by symmetry-adapted perturbation theory analysis, to analyze the interaction between various PFAAs and DNA. It was observed that PFAAs bind with AT base pairs in DNA through van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding, leading to a looser DNA structure. This alteration makes DNA more susceptible to enzymatic degradation. Notably, the effect was pronounced even at PFAA concentrations as low as 0.02 mg/L, establishing a non-linear dose-effect relationship.
Professor Lei Xiang, a leading author of the study from Jinan University, stated, “Our research provides new insights into how PFAAs interact with DNA at a molecular level. We’ve demonstrated for the first time the significant effect these substances have on accelerating DNA enzymatic degradation, a finding that could have far-reaching implications for understanding the ecological impact of these persistent pollutants.”
The findings have critical implications for understanding the ecological risks posed by PFAAs. The study’s global ecological risk evaluation revealed medium to high molecular ecological risks in several countries, including the USA, Canada, and China, due to PFAA contamination. This highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive environmental monitoring and stricter regulations regarding the use and disposal of PFAAs.
This study serves as a wake-up call, urging scientists and policymakers to pay closer attention to the hidden ecological impacts of “forever chemicals” like PFAs. By unraveling the complex operation of molecules in our environment, we can safeguard the health of ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for all.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.09.002
Funding information
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (42030713, 42107221, 42177187); Fundamental Research Funds for the Cornell University (21622109); The Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2020A1515110535, 2018A030310629).
About Eco-Environment & Health
Eco-Environment & Health (EEH) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal designed for publications on the frontiers of the ecology, environment and health as well as their related disciplines. EEH focuses on the concept of “One Health” to promote green and sustainable development, dealing with the interactions among ecology, environment and health, and the underlying mechanisms and interventions. Our mission is to be one of the most important flagship journals in the field of environmental health.
JOURNAL
Eco-Environment & Health
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Not applicable
ARTICLE TITLE
Insights into the enzymatic degradation of DNA expedited by typical perfluoroalkyl acids
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