Mgt 102 Ambient Environment

[michael edward badolato jr]

Though other exposures can be major  - such as indoor tobacco smoke - the ambient (general surrounding) environment of combustion byproducts - along with genetic predisposition - is usually the principle cause or supporting factor in MCS (MCS 2).

Combustion byproducts include chemicals in the gas phase, particle agglomerates with adsorbed hydrocarbons, and singlet nonagglomerated nanoparticles - less than .01 micron in at least one dimension. The particulate aspect - 75 wide on the tip of a pin - is troublesome: residence time, difficulty of removal, carriers of chemical quantity, and stimulators of C-fiber sensory nerves with inflammation and alteration of the neuroinflammatory system characteristic of MCS (Veronesi 2001).

These particles represent antigen - much like bacteria or viruses - burdening the immune system. In reactivity with sensory nerves there is a non specific immune response (Inoue 2005, Bascom 1992 MCS 6). Persistent insoluble oxidative - such as microscopic fibers and splinters of smoke - predispose to infections requiring antibiotics - and fibrosis develops - some woodsmoke particles staying the remainder of a lifetime (AU gov review 2002 , Kleeman 1999).

More rapidly soluble and metabolized sulfates - and hydrocarbon fractions of carbonaceous particulate in the exhaust of liquid fuels leaving relatively inert carbon cores behind - are proinflammatory with an extended response - elevation of plasma cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in MCS people - and penetrating to oxidative events in the brain (Lucchini 2011, Block 2009, 2004, Calderon-Garciduenas 2010, 2008, 2000).

Residential woodburning may be the worst. EPA certification of woodstoves having a secondary combustion chamber misled the public into thinking they are safe. Low oxygen combustion chambers put out toxics - the fine particle emission continues - and they can be used as household trash incinerators (ALA 1999).

Diesel exhaust may be most concentrated near interstates and railroad lines. Though considered number one ambient cause of cancer (OEHHA 2007)  - nothing has stopped widespread use in school buses, construction equipment, delivery vehicles and pickup trucks. A battlefield advantage going further on less (G2mil.com 2001) - diesel with a catalytic converter has been promoted. While causing fatal disease - pretend you are driving a tank (Veronesi 2005, Block 2004).

Emissions from 2 and 4 stroke engines such as motorcycles, lawn mowers, and ATV's include high amounts of partially combusted fuel - painful and destructive (NAC 2006, EPA 2001).

Propane and white gas (Coleman fuel)  are no better - each imparting their characteristic toxicity (US Dept Energy 2012, 2011, OEHHA 2003).

Catalytic converters on vehicles with gasoline engines brought reduction in CO (carbon monoxide) and HC (hydrocarbon) but convert SO2  (sulfur dioxide) into more toxic sulfur compounds including sulfate particles. Recently, lower sulfur levels in fuel were mandated - the situation is a lesser degree of horrible (Gertler 2002, Maricq 2002a, 2002b, US DOT FHA 2000, Cadle 1999, Kittelson 1998, SAE 1994).

Whether chimney or tailpipe - emissions attain effective stack height - rising slightly due to initial heat - but then usually neutral cone - producing a horizontal plume with the wind - the bottom flattened and compacted along the ground. With inversion conditions - warm air over cold - top of cone also flattens limiting upward mixing (Chapter 4).

Agricultural burning, industrial sources, oil refineries, and coal fired power plants are hazards - especially within 70 miles - considering horizontal pluming.

Since 1970 - coal fired generating stations have been built on a scale never seen before. A 2000 MW station burns approx 1000 tons of coal per hour - equal to 40,000 50 lb bags of dog food - 660 bags per minute - 11 every second (AEC New Madrid 2012).

Clean coal proclaims 90% SO2 removal - leaving nearly 6,000 tons emitted per year from plants of that size - no small force - along with NOx, fly ash, mercury, and CO2 (EPA Emissions Tracking 2012). These 40,000 50 lb bags per hour are often delivered by diesel railroad - transferring carbon and other pollutants to the atmosphere, oceans, and lakes - in an effort to end life on earth.

Sulfur dioxide from coal plants forms sulfate in the atmosphere at a rate of 2 - 4% per hour midday solar radiation. These very fine particles - in the size range of .1 to 1.0 micron - similar to the wavelength of visible light - maximize light scattering effect and are largely (50%) responsible for regional haze and visibility reduction - along with elemental carbon, primary organic particles, and nitrate aerosol - resulting from diesel, gasoline, coal, residential wood, and forest burn, petrochemical industry, solvent evaporation, and livestock waste. Natural removal is slow with a relatively uniform concentration of aerosol acid sulfate up to 600 miles from the source of emissions (NRC 1993, 1980) 

Visibility in the eastern half of the US is 10-30 miles. Were pollution absent - visual range would be over 100 miles - only limited by curvature of the earth (EPA Chapter 6).

Although episodic and often disproximate, 60-90,000 wildfires consume 2 to nearly 10 million acres of forest and rangeland each year in the US - mostly in the West from May to October (Current Wildfires). Several million more acres are prescribed burns. 

MCS people, pine, fir, and juniper (cedar) are not the greatest combination. Though less significant than combustion byproducts, emissions of methylbutenol (especially pine) and monoterpenes - make coniferous forests  a local chem lab - including formation of acetone (Goldstein 2001, 2000, Guenther 2000, Schade 2000, Geron 2000, Fantechi 1998, Benjamin 1996).

 

References

AEC. New Madrid Power plant 2012

ALA Government relations position: residential wood combustion. 1999 Courtesy of burning issues.org 

Australian gov environment. Review of literature on residential firewood use, wood-smoke and air toxics. Tech report no. 4 Environment Australia June 2002

MCS 2 The Etiology of MCS. mcsmultiplechemicalsensitivity.ning.com 2015

Bascom R. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Respiratory Disorder. Tox and Ind H 8:4;221-28 1992. Badolato Jr. M.E. MCS 6 Neurogenic Inflammation: Delayed Effects. mcsmultiplechemicalsensitivity.ning.com

Block M.L.and Calderon-Garciduenas L. Air pollution: mechanisms of neuroinflammation & CNS disease. Trends Neuro 32(9): 506-16 2009

Block M.L. et al. Nanometer size diesel exhaust particles are selectively toxic to dopaminergic neurons; the role of microglia, phagocytosis, and NADPH oxidase. FASEB 10.1096/fj.041945fje 2004

Cadle S.H et al. Composition of light duty motor vehicle particulate matter in the Denver, Colorado area. Env Sc Tech 33;14: 2328-39 1999

Calderon-Garciduenas L. et al. Urban air pollution: influence on olfactory function and pathology in exposed children and young adults. Exp Tox Pathol 62:91-102 2010

Calderon-Garciduenas L. et al. Long-term air pollution exposure is associated with neuroinflammation, an altered innate immune response, disruption of the blood brain barrier, ultrafine particulate deposition, and accumulation of amyloid beta-42 and alpha-synuclein in children and young adults. Tox Pathol 36: 289-310 2008

Calderon-Garciduenas L. et al. Respiratory tract pathology and cytokine imbalance in clinically healthy children chronically and sequentially exposed to air pollutants. Med Hyp 55(5): 373-378 2000

Chapter 4 Dispersion of Pollutants http://www.rrcap.ait.asia/male/manual/national/04chapter4.pdf

Current Fire Incidents, Active Fire Mapping Program, USDA Forest Service

EPA Quarterly emissions tracking 2012

EPA Environmental fact sheet: Environmental impact of recreational vehicles and other nonroad engines. Sept 2001

EPA Chapter 6. Protecting visibility: an EPA report to congress. Approx 1980

G2mil.com. Meyer C. Cooler M1 Abrams tank engines 2001

Gertler A.W. et al. Real world particulate matter and gaseous emissions from motor vehicles in a highway tunnel. Res Resp Health Eff Int Jan;107: 5-56 disc 79-92 2002

Inoue K-i. et al. Effects of nanoparticles on antigen-related airway inflammation in mice. Resp Res 6:106 2005

Kittelson D.B. Engines and nanoparticles: a review. J Aerosol Sci 29: 575-88 1998

Kleeman M.J. et al. Size and composition distribution of fine particle matter emitted from woodburning, meat charbroiling, and cigarettes. Env Sc Tech 33;20: 3516-23 1999

Lucchini R.G. et al. Neurological impacts from inhalation of pollutants and the nose-brain connection. Neurotox (2011) doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2011.12.001 in press

Maricq M.M. The effects of the catalytic converter and fuel sulfur level on motor vehicle particulate matter emissions from gasoline vehicles. Env Sc Tech Jan 15;36(2): 276-82 2002

Maricq M.M. The effects of the catalytic converter and fuel sulfur ... Env Sc Tech 36;2: 283-89 2002

NAC National Automotive Council. Jalal A. Pollution by 2 stroke engines. Nigerian conference on clean air, clean fuels and vehicles 2006

NRC. National Research Council. Protecting Visibility in National Parks and Wilderness Areas. National Academy Press 1993

National Research Council. Sulfur Oxides. National Academy Press 1980.

OEHHA Ca.gov Office of Health Hazard Assessment and the American Lung Association fact sheet: Health effects of diesel exhaust 2007

OEHHA. Department of toxic substances control. Coleman fuel 2003                                                                                                                               

SAE. Society of Automotive Engineers. Schematic of diesel particles and vapor phase compounds. SAE Paper no. 940233 1994 (Walsh car lines)

Veronesi B. et al. Effects of subchronic exposure to concentrated ambient particles VII Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in APO E-1 mice. Inhal Tox 17; 4-5: 235-41 2005

Veronesi B. and Oortgiesen M. Neurogenic inflammation and particulate matter (PM) air pollutants. Neurotox 22: 795-810 2001

US Department of Energy. Alternative fuels and advanced vehicles data center. Propane emissions 2012 

US Department of Energy. Alternative fuels and advanced vehicles data center.Pollutants and health 2011 

US DOT FHA Addendum to the 1997 Federal Highway Cost Allocation Study. Final report. May 2000

 

Biogenic:

Benjamin M. et al. Low-emitting urban forests: a taxonomic methodology for assigning isoprene and monoterpene emission rates. Atmos Env 30;9: 1437-52 1996

Fantechi G. et al. Mechanistic studies of the atmospheric oxidation of methylbutenol by OH radicals, ozone, and NO3 radicals. Atmos Env 32;20: 3457-3556 1998

Geron C. et al. A review and synthesis of monoterpene speciation from forests in the United States. Atmos Env 34: 1761-81 2000

Goldstein A.H. and Schade G.W. Whole ecosystem measurements of biogenic hydrocarbon emissions. Final Report ARB award no. 98-328. State of Cal Air Resources Board 2001

Goldstein A.H. and Schade G.W. Quantifying biogenic and anthropogenic contributions to acetone mixing ratios in a rural environment. Atmos Env 34:29-30: 4997-5006 2000

Guenther A. et al. Natural emissions of non methane VOC, CO, and NOx from North America. Atmos Env 34: 2205-30 2000

Schade G. et al. Canopy and leaf level 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol fluxes from a ponderosa pine plantation. Atmos Env 34: 3535-44 2000