Abstract  This planning document is intended to provide enough specificity to facilitate consultation with CASAC, as well as for public review, in order to obtain advice on the overall scope, approaches, and key issues in advance of conducting the UVA and presentation of results in the first draft of the UVA. NCEA has compiled and assessed the latest available policy-relevant science available to produce a first draft of the ISA and related Annexes (US EPA, 2008b), which we have reviewed and used in the development of the approaches described below. This includes information on atmospheric chemistry, source emissions, air quality, urban visibility conditions, public perception/preference studies and other PM-related welfare effects. CASAC consultation on this planning document coincides with its review of the first draft ISA. CASAC and public comments on this document will be taken into consideration in the development of the first draft UVA, the preparation of which will coincide and draw from the second draft ISA. The second draft UVA will draw on the final ISA and will reflect consideration of CASAC and public comments on the first draft UVA. The final UVA will reflect consideration of CASAC and public comments on the second draft UVA.

Abstract  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is presently conducting a review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). Sections 108 and 109 of the Clean Air Act (Act) govern the establishment and periodic review of the NAAQS. The NAAQS are to be based on air quality criteria, which are to accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of identifiable effects on public health or welfare that may be expected from the presence of the pollutant in ambient air. The EPA Administrator is to promulgate and periodically review, at no later than five-year intervals, 'primary' (health-based) and 'secondary' (welfare-based) NAAQS for such pollutants. Based on periodic reviews of the air quality criteria and standards, the Administrator is to make revisions in the air quality criteria and standards, and to promulgate any new standards, as may be appropriate. The Act also requires that an independent scientific review committee advise the Administrator as part of this NAAQS review process, a function performed by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).

Abstract  Forty-five percent of adults had at least one of three diagnosed or undiagnosed chronic conditions—hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes; one in eight adults (13%) had two of these conditions; and 3% of adults had all three chronic conditions. Nearly one in seven U.S. adults (15%) had one or more of these conditions undiagnosed. Non-Hispanic black persons were more likely than non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American persons to have at least one of the three conditions (diagnosed or undiagnosed). Non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white persons were more likely than Mexican-American persons to have both diagnosed or undiagnosed hypertension and hyper-cholesterolemia. Non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American persons were more likely than non-Hispanic white persons to have both diagnosed or undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes.

Abstract  Background: Studies have shown that long-term exposure to air pollution increases mortality. However, evidence is limited for air-pollution levels below the most recent National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Previous studies involved predominantly urban populations and did not have the statistical power to estimate the health effects in underrepresented groups. Methods: We constructed an open cohort of all Medicare beneficiaries (60,925,443 persons) in the continental United States from the years 2000 through 2012, with 460,310,521 person-years of follow-up. Annual averages of fine particulate matter (particles with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm [PM2.5]) and ozone were estimated according to the ZIP Code of residence for each enrollee with the use of previously validated prediction models. We estimated the risk of death associated with exposure to increases of 10 μg per cubic meter for PM2.5 and 10 parts per billion (ppb) for ozone using a two-pollutant Cox proportional-hazards model that controlled for demographic characteristics, Medicaid eligibility, and area-level covariates. Results: Increases of 10 μg per cubic meter in PM2.5 and of 10 ppb in ozone were associated with increases in all-cause mortality of 7.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1 to 7.5) and 1.1% (95% CI, 1.0 to 1.2), respectively. When the analysis was restricted to person-years with exposure to PM2.5 of less than 12 μg per cubic meter and ozone of less than 50 ppb, the same increases in PM2.5 and ozone were associated with increases in the risk of death of 13.6% (95% CI, 13.1 to 14.1) and 1.0% (95% CI, 0.9 to 1.1), respectively. For PM2.5, the risk of death among men, blacks, and people with Medicaid eligibility was higher than that in the rest of the population. Conclusions: In the entire Medicare population, there was significant evidence of adverse effects related to exposure to PM2.5 and ozone at concentrations below current national standards. This effect was most pronounced among self-identified racial minorities and people with low income. (Supported by the Health Effects Institute and others.)

Abstract  A transport event in April 2001 brought substantial quantities of mineral dust from Asian deserts to the U.S. atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). The dust was seen in large amounts throughout the ABL in the U.S., with almost no reduction in concentrations. It was estimated that the amount of Asian dust in the continental U.S. ABL in mid-April 2001 was 1.1 E5 metric tons, a value comparable to the daily emission flux of all U.S. sources of particulate matter (PM) less then 10 urn diameter (PM10). In some regions, the Asian dust, combined with local pollution, elevated urban PM to levels associated with adverse health effects. The April 2001 event appears to be the largest Asian dust event ever observed in the U.S., and its effects provide evidence that air pollution issues must be viewed in a global context. In late April 1998, satellites, ground-based lidar, and surface sites observed a large cloud of dust as it moved from Asia to North America. At the time, this was believed to be the largest Asian dust event ever seen in North America [Husar et aL, 2001] .An even larger Asian dust cloud was observed in April 2001. The concurrent ACE-Asia experiment provided a large number of observations as this air mass left the Asian continent [Huebert et aL, 2003] .The arrival of this air mass over North America has been documented using surface and satellitebased, remotely sensed data [Thulasiraman et aL, 2002], aircraft observations [Price et aL, 2003], and with a transport model [Gong et al., 2003] .This article describes the influence this dust event had on the U.S. ABL.

Abstract  Volume II of the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) - Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States - evaluates the risks American society faces as a result of climate change and highlights actions underway across the country to address those risks. NCA4 Vol. II communicates what climate change means for communities across the country, focusing on impacts and risks affecting the things and places we value. The report also elevates the visibility of successful adaptation actions throughout the ten NCA4 regions (including, for the first time, the U.S. Caribbean), with the hope that communities elsewhere in the country can learn from these experiences. This poster will: (1) present the Summary Findings for NCA4 Vol. II and (2) highlight key aspects of the report Overview, which includes core sections on Economy & Infrastructure, Natural Environment & Ecosystem Services, and Human Health & Well-Being that synthesize findings from the underlying report. The Summary Findings and Overview were developed by an author team composed of the NCA4 Director, Federal Steering Committee members, and U.S. Global Change Research Program staff and member agency experts. They were developed in parallel with the underlying report chapters and went through the same rigorous review process.

Abstract  We have utilized a transendothelial lymphocyte chemotaxis assay to identify and purify a lymphocyte chemoattractant in supernatants of mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed identity with monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), a chemoattractant previously thought to be specific for monocytes. Recombinant MCP-1 is chemoattractive for purified T lymphocytes and for CD3+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood lymphocyte preparations. The T-cell response to MCP-1 is dose-dependent and chemotactic, rather than chemokinetic. Phenotyping of chemoattracted T lymphocytes shows they are an activated memory subset. The response to MCP-1 by T lymphocytes can be duplicated in the absence of an endothelial monolayer and the majority of T-lymphocyte chemotactic activity in mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatants can be neutralized by antibody to MCP-1. Thus, MCP-1 is the major lymphocyte chemoattractant secreted by mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and is capable of acting as a potent T-lymphocyte, as well as monocyte, chemoattractant. This may help explain why monocytes and T lymphocytes of the memory subset are always found together at sites of antigen-induced inflammation.

Abstract  In this study we provide guidance on the biologically most relevant dose metric for pulmonary toxicity of biopersistent, spherical nanoparticles (NPs). A retrospective analysis of nine in vivo studies on particle-induced, acute pulmonary toxicity in animal models (mouse, rat) was performed encompassing five different types of nanomaterials (polystyrene, titanium dioxide, carbonaceous materials, transition metal oxides (Co, Ni, Zn) and hydrothermally synthesized a-quartz) with a wide range of primary particle diameters (9-535 nm) and mass-specific BET surface areas (6-800 m(2)/g). The acute influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) into the lungs after intratracheal instillation of NPs was chosen as a toxicological endpoint for acute lung inflammation. The allometrically scaled toxicological data were investigated with respect to various dose metrics, namely (primary) particle number, joint length, BET and geometric surface area, volume and mass.

Surface area is identified as the biologically most relevant dose metric for spherical NPs explaining about 80% of the observed variability in acute pulmonary toxicity (R-2=0.77). None of the other dose metrics explains more than 50% of the observed variability in pulmonary inflammation. Moreover, using surface area as the dose metric allows identification of material-based toxicity classes independent of particle size. Typical materials without intrinsic toxicity - here referred to as low-solubility, low toxicity (LSLT) materials show low surface-specific toxicity with an EC50 dose of 175 m(2)/g-lung (geometric mean; sigma(g)=2.2), where EC50 represents the dose inducing 50% of the maximum effect (here 30% PMN). In contrast, transition metal oxides (here Co, Ni, Zn) materials known for their intrinsic toxicity - display a 12-fold enhanced surface-specific toxicity compared to LSLT particles (EC50 = 15 m(2)/g-lung).

This analysis implies that surface-related modes of action are driving acute pulmonary toxicity for the types of NPs investigated here. The relevance of other dose metrics such as number and volume is acknowledged in the context of different modes of action, namely shape-induced toxicity (fiber paradigm) and extremely high particle lung burden (overload conditions), respectively. So which dose metric should be monitored by aerosol scientists involved in health related aerosol exposure measurements? The short answer is - all of them (except length), but there is a strong preference towards surface area. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Abstract  During the last decades, many studies have been carried out on environmental monitoring in specific sites aiming at their protection and conservation; however, researches focused on the direct implications, in terms of quantitative evaluation of stone deterioration, of these monitoring actions are still scarce. This experimental work aims at monitoring the degradation processes affecting historical buildings constituted by carbonate stones. Specifically, specimens of Carrara marble and two limestones largely used in the Sicilian Baroque architecture, namely Noto and Comiso stones, were exposed outdoor in two Italian sites (Catania and Palermo), which are characterized by different environmental conditions. The field exposure test lasted two years. Both the substrates and the deposited particulate collected at the end of the exposure underwent several analytical investigations including: i) optical microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, colorimetric analysis and roughness analysis, for the characterization of stone substrates before exposure; ii) ion chromatography (IC), infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), for the characterization of the particulate deposited on stone surfaces. The obtained results highlighted blackening and yellowing processes of the carbonate substrates, chiefly on those specimens exposed in Palermo where such processes were more noticeable. Furthermore, the high concentration of sulphates and heavy metals detected (mainly in Palermo site) pointed out that both cities are mainly interested by mobile emission sources such as vehicular traffic. Additionally, analyses demonstrated the key-role of intrinsic features of the lithotypes in the degradation processes. In this regard, the higher porosity and surface roughness of Noto stone explains the major deposition of particulate with respect to the other two examined carbonate rocks. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Importance: Historically, otolaryngologists have focused on nasal resistance to airflow and minimum airspace cross-sectional area as objective measures of nasal obstruction using methods such as rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry. However, subjective sensation of nasal patency may be more associated with activation of cold receptors by inspired air than with respiratory effort.

Objective: To investigate whether subjective nasal patency correlates with nasal mucosal temperature in healthy individuals.

Design, Setting, and Participants: Healthy adult volunteers first completed the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and a unilateral visual analog scale to quantify subjective nasal patency. A miniaturized thermocouple sensor was then used to record nasal mucosal temperature bilaterally in 2 locations along the nasal septum: at the vestibule and across from the inferior turbinate head.

Main Outcomes and Measures: Nasal mucosal temperature and subjective patency scores in healthy individuals.

Results: The 22 healthy adult volunteers (12 [55%] male; mean [SD] age, 28.3 [7.0] years) had a mean (SD) NOSE score of 5.9 (8.4) (range, 0-30) and unilateral VAS score of 1.2 (1.4) (range, 0-5). The range of temperature oscillations during the breathing cycle, defined as the difference between end-expiratory and end-inspiratory temperatures, was greater during deep breaths (mean [SD] change in temperature, 6.2°C [2.6°C]) than during resting breathing (mean [SD] change in temperature, 4.2°C [2.3°C]) in both locations (P < .001). Mucosal temperature measured at the right vestibule had a statistically significant correlation with both right-side visual analog scale score (Pearson r = -0.55; 95% CI, -0.79 to -0.17; P = .008) and NOSE score (Pearson r = -0.47; 95% CI, -0.74 to -0.06; P = .03). No other statistically significant correlations were found between mucosal temperature and subjective nasal patency scores. Nasal mucosal temperature was lower (mean of 1.5°C lower) in the first cavity to be measured, which was the right cavity in all participants.

Conclusions and Relevance: The greater mucosal temperature oscillations during deep breathing are consistent with the common experience that airflow sensation is enhanced during deep breaths, thus supporting the hypothesis that mucosal cooling plays a central role in nasal airflow sensation. A possible correlation was found between subjective nasal patency scores and nasal mucosal temperature, but our results were inconsistent. The higher temperature in the left cavity suggests that the sensor irritated the nasal mucosa, affecting the correlation between patency scores and mucosal temperature. Future studies should consider noncontact temperature sensors to prevent mucosa irritation.

Level of Evidence: NA.

Abstract  The modern rise in obesity and its strong association with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes have elicited interest in the underlying mechanisms of these pathologies. The discovery that obesity itself results in an inflammatory state in metabolic tissues ushered in a research field that examines the inflammatory mechanisms in obesity. Here, we summarize the unique features of this metabolic inflammatory state, termed metaflammation and defined as low-grade, chronic inflammation orchestrated by metabolic cells in response to excess nutrients and energy. We explore the effects of such inflammation in metabolic tissues including adipose, liver, muscle, pancreas, and brain and its contribution to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. Another area in which many unknowns still exist is the origin or mechanism of initiation of inflammatory signaling in obesity. We discuss signals or triggers to the inflammatory response, including the possibility of endoplasmic reticulum stress as an important contributor to metaflammation. Finally, we examine anti-inflammatory therapies for their potential in the treatment of obesity-related insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

Abstract  Soiling can cause large reductions in solar energy system production. To study the spatial variability of soiling, transmission loss and mass accumulation of particulates on photovoltaic (PV) cover plates were measured at five sites across the continental United States. Three sites were in the Front Range of Colorado in rural, suburban, and urban areas representing a semi-arid environment. One site was in Cocoa Florida in a hot and humid environment, and the final site was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a hot and arid environment. Total suspended particulate concentrations (TSP) were measured simultaneously at each site. Comparisons between transmission loss and mass accumulation measurements are made. Both mass accumulation and ambient TSP are shown to have some predictive power for transmission loss. Mean deposition velocities of 1.5 cm/s were observed. For every g/m(2) of PM deposited on the PV cover plate, a 2.8% reduction in transmission was observed independent of site. These results provide a method for estimating soiling rates at sites across the United States.

Abstract  Traditional and current data collection and classification treat race and Hispanic origin as two separate and distinct concepts in accordance with guidelines from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In contrast, the practice of some organizations, researchers, and media is to show race and Hispanic origin together as one concept. The introduction of the option to report more than one race added more complexity to the presentation and comparison of these data. This document provides U.S. Census Bureau guidance to the user community on how to handle the interpretation of race and Hispanic origin data.

Abstract  BACKGROUND: Poor dietary patterns and obesity, established risk factors for chronic disease, have been linked to neighborhood deprivation, neighborhood minority composition, and low area population density. Neighborhood differences in access to food may have an important influence on these relationships and health disparities in the U.S. This article reviews research relating to the presence, nature, and implications of neighborhood differences in access to food.

METHODS: A snowball strategy was used to identify relevant research studies (n=54) completed in the U.S. and published between 1985 and April 2008.

RESULTS: Research suggests that neighborhood residents who have better access to supermarkets and limited access to convenience stores tend to have healthier diets and lower levels of obesity. Results from studies examining the accessibility of restaurants are less consistent, but there is some evidence to suggest that residents with limited access to fast-food restaurants have healthier diets and lower levels of obesity. National and local studies across the U.S. suggest that residents of low-income, minority, and rural neighborhoods are most often affected by poor access to supermarkets and healthful food. In contrast, the availability of fast-food restaurants and energy-dense foods has been found to be greater in lower-income and minority neighborhoods.

CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood disparities in access to food are of great concern because of their potential to influence dietary intake and obesity. Additional research is needed to address various limitations of current studies, identify effective policy actions, and evaluate intervention strategies designed to promote more equitable access to healthy foods.

Abstract  We measured serum dBPA in non-pregnant and pregnant female rhesus monkeys, fetuses and amniotic fluid. dBPA was administered by a daily oral bolus or sc implantation of Silastic capsules; both resulted in daily average serum unconjugated dBPA concentrations of <1ng/ml. We observed lower serum concentrations of unconjugated dBPA in pregnant females relative to pre-pregnancy values, and generally lower concentrations in fetal serum than in maternal serum. Differences in pharmacokinetics of dBPA were evident between pre-pregnancy, early and late pregnancy, likely reflecting changes in maternal, fetal and placental physiology. The serum ratio of conjugated to unconjugated dBPA after continuous sc release of dBPA was similar to values reported in human biomonitoring studies and markedly lower than with oral administration, suggesting oral bolus exposure is not an appropriate human exposure model. We report elsewhere that there were numerous adverse effects on fetuses exposed to very low serum dBPA in these studies.

Abstract  This one-hundred-and-ninth Volume of the IARC Monographs presents evaluations of the carcinogenic hazards to humans arising from exposure to outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) contained in polluted outdoor air. A summary of the findings has been published in The Lancet Oncology (Loomis et al., 2013).

Abstract  Lung cancer has long been a major health problem in China. This study aimed to examine the temporal trend and spatial pattern of lung cancer mortality in Shandong Province from 1970 to 2013. Lung cancer mortality data were obtained from Shandong Death Registration System and three nationwide retrospective cause-of-death surveys. A Purely Spatial Scan Statistics method with Discrete Poisson models was used to detect possible high-risk spatial clusters. The results show that lung cancer mortality rate in Shandong Province increased markedly from 1970-1974 (7.22 per 100,000 person-years) to 2011-2013 (56.37/100, 000). This increase was associated with both demographic and non-demographic factors. Several significant spatial clusters with high lung cancer mortality were identified. The most likely cluster was located in the northern region of Shandong Province during both 1970-1974 and 2011-2013. It appears the spatial pattern remained largely consistent over the last 40 years despite the absolute increase in the mortality rates. These findings will help develop intervention strategies to reduce lung cancer mortality in this large Chinese population.