P. Gursumeeran Satsangi

Bio: P. Gursumeeran Satsangi is an academic researcher from Savitribai Phule Pune University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Radical & Cytosine. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 17 publications receiving 320 citations.

Characterization of particulate matter and its related metal toxicity in an urban location in South West India

Abstract: This study reports the quantification of the toxicity of particulate matter (PM)-bound metals and their possible associated risks to human health. For assessment of PM, 24-h samples of PM(10) and PM2.5 were collected by Mini Vol-TAS sampler at an urban site of Pune. Samples were sequentially extracted with ultrapure water and concentrated HNO3 and analyzed for "soluble" and "total" metals. Factor analysis identified the resuspension of road dust due to traffic, biomass burning, construction activities, and wind-blown dust as possible sources that played an important role for overall pollution throughout the year. Water-soluble proportion was found to be ≤ 20 % for Cr, Co, Fe, and Al; ≥ 50 % for Sr, Cd, Ca, and Zn; and a substantial proportion (~25-45 %) for Mn, Ba, K, Na, Ni, Mg, Cu, and Pb metals in PM(10). For PM2.5, the water-soluble proportion was ≤ 20 % for Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, and Al, while Sr, K, and Cd were mostly soluble (> 50 %) and Cu, Ba, Mn, Ca, Zn, Pb, Na, and Mg were substantially soluble (~25-45 %). In the present study, among the toxic metals, Cd and Pb show higher concentration in the soluble fraction and thus represent the higher bioavailability index and especially are harmful to the environment and exposed person. Risk calculations with a simple exposure assessment method showed that the cancer risks of the bioavailable fractions of Cr, Cd and Ni were greater than the standard goal.

Chemical fractionation and health risk assessment of particulate matter-bound metals in Pune, India

Abstract: The present study deals with the assessment of sequential extraction of particulate matter (PM)-bound metals and the potential health risks associated with them in a growing metropolitan city (Pune) of India. The average mass concentration of both PM2.5-10 and PM2.5 exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Significant seasonal variation in mass concentration was found for both size fractions of PM with higher values in winter season and lower in monsoon. Chemical species of the studied trace metals in PM exhibited significant differences, due to difference in sources of pollution. Metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cr in both size fractions and Zn and Co in fine fraction were more efficiently extracted in mobile fractions showing their mobile nature while Ni and Fe showed reduced mobility. Fe showed the highest concentrations among all the analyzed elements in both coarse (PM2.5-10) and fine (PM2.5) PM, while Cd showed least concentration in both size fractions. PCA identified industrial emissions, vehicular activity, coal combustion, diesel exhaust, waste incineration, electronic waste processing, constructional activities, soil, and road dust as probable contributors responsible for the metallic fraction of PM. All the metals showed varying contamination in PM samples. The contamination was higher for fine particles than coarse ones. The average global contamination factor was found to be 27.0-34.3 in coarse and fine PM, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) estimated for Cd, Co, and Ni (both total and easily accessible concentrations) exceeded the safe level (HQ = 1), indicating that these metals would result in non-carcinogenic health effects to the exposed population. The HQ ranged from 9.1 × 10-5 for Cu (coarse) to 8.3 for Ni (fine) PM. The cancer risk for Cd, Ni, and Cr in both sized PM were much higher than the acceptable limits of USEPA.

World air particulate matter: sources, distribution and health effects

Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) is both a major driver of climate change and a source of toxicity for health. In the upper atmosphere, particulate matter modifies the earth radiation budget, cloud formation and acts as a reaction center for air pollutants. In the lower atmosphere, particulate matter changes atmospheric visibility and alters biogeochemical cycles and meteorology. Most critical effects are observed in ambient air, where particulate matter degrades human health. Here we review the sources, spatial and temporal variability, and toxicity of PM10, the particulate matter having particle sizes 10 micrometers or less in diameter, in world regions. For that we analyzed information from the world wide web and databases from government organizations after the year 2000. Findings show that PM10 is a major risk in both developed and developing countries. This risk is more severe in Asian countries compared to Europe and USA, where decreasing trends are recorded during the last two decades. Meteorological factors modify particulate matter variations at local and regional levels. PM2.5/PM10 ratio provides information of particulate matter sources under different environment conditions. Crustal matter, road traffic and combustion of fuels are major sources of particulate matter pollution. Health studies indicate that long-term exposure to particulate matter has multiple health effects in people from all age groups. Identification of possible sources and their control with regular epidemiological monitoring could decrease the impact of particulate matter pollution.

Chemical exposure-response relationship between air pollutants and reactive oxygen species in the human respiratory tract

Abstract: Air pollution can cause oxidative stress and adverse health effects such as asthma and other respiratory diseases, but the underlying chemical processes are not well characterized. Here we present chemical exposure-response relations between ambient concentrations of air pollutants and the production rates and concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the human respiratory tract. In highly polluted environments, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) containing redox-active transition metals, quinones, and secondary organic aerosols can increase ROS concentrations in the ELF to levels characteristic for respiratory diseases. Ambient ozone readily saturates the ELF and can enhance oxidative stress by depleting antioxidants and surfactants. Chemical exposure-response relations provide a quantitative basis for assessing the relative importance of specific air pollutants in different regions of the world, showing that aerosol-induced epithelial ROS levels in polluted megacity air can be several orders of magnitude higher than in pristine rainforest air.