Effects of ambient PM2.5 and particle-bound metals on the healthy residents living near an electric arc furnace: A community- based study

Chi-Jung Chung; Chih-Da Wu; Bing-Fang Hwang; Chin-Ching Wu; Ping-Hsuan Huang; Chih-Te Ho; Hui-Tsung Hsu

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138799

Effects of ambient PM_2.5 and particle-bound metals on the healthy residents living near an electric arc furnace: A community- based study

Sci Total Environ. 2020 Aug 1:728:138799. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138799. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Authors

Chi-Jung Chung¹, Chih-Da Wu², Bing-Fang Hwang³, Chin-Ching Wu⁴, Ping-Hsuan Huang⁴, Chih-Te Ho⁵, Hui-Tsung Hsu⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
² Department of Geomatics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Adjunct Assistant Research Fellow, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
³ Department of Occupational Safety and Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: hthsu@mail.cmu.edu.tw.

PMID: 32361581
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138799

Abstract

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) emitted from electric arc furnaces (EAFs) poses health concerns. However, little research has been done on the impact of EAF on the health of community residents. This cross-sectional study conducted a PM_2.5 exposure assessment and health examination of community residents living near an EAF. A total of 965 residents aged 40-90 years were recruited. The residents' exposure to PM_2.5 was categorized according to the distance of their residence from the EAFs (<500, 500-1000, 1000-1500, 1500-2000, and > 2000 m). Average ambient PM_2.5 concentrations were estimated using a hybrid kriging/land-use regression (LUR) model. In addition, we selected two air-sampling sites to monitor the 2-year levels of PM_2.5 and particle-bound metals. A spot urine sample and blood samples were collected and ten heavy metal concentrations in the blood were analyzed. Inflammation- and oxidative stress-related biomarkers were measured. The associations between environmental factors and a biochemical examination were estimated using a generalized linear model. Active air sampling and hybrid kriging/LUR model simulation indicated increased levels of PM_2.5 near the EAF. The metal concentrations in PM_2.5 included Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, As, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Al, which also significantly increased near the EAF. PM_2.5 levels were significantly associated with an increased total cholesterol-high-density lipoprotein (TC/HDL) ratio. High levels of PM_2.5 and malondialdehyde were associated with a 1.72-fold increased risk of TC/HDL ratio ≥ 4 (95% CI: 1.12-2.65) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Blood Pb levels were significantly associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate but negatively associated with distance from the EAF. The results show that people living near EAFs should pay more attention to adverse health problems, including atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease associated with exposure to PM_2.5 and particle-bound metals.

Keywords: Electric arc furnace; Heavy metals; Land-use regression model; PM(2.5); TC/HDL ratio.

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants / analysis*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Environmental Monitoring
Metals, Heavy / analysis*
Particulate Matter / analysis

Substances

Air Pollutants
Metals, Heavy
Particulate Matter