Air pollution is one of the major environmental issues. It can cause adverse health effects such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and high mortality rates. High population density is a huge contributory factor of air pollution in cities and urbanized areas. The third biggest city of the Czech Republic, Ostrava the subject of this thesis, is one of the most densely polluted areas of the country. The main air pollutants of concern are suspended particles and poly aromatic hydrocarbons. Ostrava's high proportion of heavy industry is a major source of air pollution compared to the rest of the Czech Republic. Other sources of air pollution are transport, local heating and possibly a pollution transfer from a neighboring industrial region in Poland. This thesis deals mainly with long term time series, including air pollutants (PM10, SO2, NOx), and meteorological variables. Information about the opening and closing of industrial plants can be considered as an added value to this work. The purpose of this data thesis is to compare the concentration levels before and after the closing or opening of particular industrial plants in the city of Ostrava during the last 35 years. So far no one has utilized these data sets for comprehensive analyses. Key words: Urban area, Emission, PM10, SO2, Industry

7 Abstract Air pollution has a great impact on human health, with acute consequences possibly resulting even in death. It is therefore important to inform the public about up-to-date air quality and its impact on health in a simple and easily undestandable way. Air quality indices seems to be ideal for this purpouse, but there is large variety of them. In this master thesis, the air quality index most suitable for the capital city of Prague has been searched for. A comparison of the following indices has been carried out based on available data: of following indicies based on avaible data (concentration of O3, PM10, NO2, SO2 a CO): Air Quality Index, Aggregate Air Quality Index, Revised Air Quality Index, Common Air Quality Index a Pollution Index and their modifications according to european standards. As a criterion of aptness of a particular index, a degree of correlation between the index itself and corresponding health problems (daily count of deaths, daily count of deaths caused by diseases of the respiratory system, daily count of deaths caused by diseases of circulatory system, daily count of hospitalization caused by diseases of the respiratory system, daily count of hospitalization caused by diseases of circulatory system) of the local population has been chosen. This relationship was verified...

Ambient air pollution, including airborne particulate matter (PM) derived from combustion of fossil fuels (FF) or biomass (BM), has detrimental inflammatory effects on human health. Myeloid antigen presenting cells, including dendritic cells (DCs) regulate immune responses in the airway and sample inhaled PM. This study tests the hypothesis that PM interacts with multiple environmental sensing pathways in DCs with outcomes that depend on particle size and composition as determined by combustion source. The effects of different sized PM (< 10μm, PM10; < 2.5μm, PM2.5), derived from the combustion of FF or BM, on human monocyte-derived or ex vivo sputum DCs, were examined. DC activation status, cytokine production and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signalling were assessed by flow-cytometry, multiplex ELISA and qRT-PCR, following exposure to PM. Pathway-specific antagonists were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Particle size and combustion source influenced the effects of PM on DCs. Irrespective of combustion source, PM10 but not PM2.5, induced MoDC maturation and stimulated production of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-18, indicative of inflammasome activation. These responses were dependent, at least in part, on TLR4 as was the induction of IDO by PM10. AhR signalling was induced by PM in both MoDC and ex vivo sputum DC. It was stimulated by both PM10 and PM2.5 and was induced more strongly by BM-derived PM. AhR activation was independent of DC maturation and TLR4 signalling. Additionally, BM- but not FF-derived PM increased NADH levels in DC suggestive of altered metabolism. Thus, PM induces a complex programme of DC activation, influenced by size and combustion source, which includes classical maturation, inflammasome dependent cytokine release and AhR signalling as well as potential metabolic changes. In the airway, exposure to different PM and the changes in DCs induced by them may lead to altered responses to inhaled antigen.

Ambient air pollution has been associated with restricted fetal growth, which is linked with adverse respiratory health in childhood. We assessed the effect of maternal exposure to low concentrations of ambient air pollution on birthweight. We pooled data from 14 population-based mother-child cohort studies in 12 European countries. Overall, the study population included 74-178 women who had singleton deliveries between Feb 11, 1994, and June 2, 2011, and for whom information about infant birthweight, gestational age, and sex was available. The primary outcome of interest was low birthweight at term (weight <2500 g at birth after 37 weeks of gestation). Mean concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2·5 μm (PM2·5), less than 10 μm (PM10), and between 2·5 μm and 10 μm during pregnancy were estimated at maternal home addresses with temporally adjusted land-use regression models, as was PM2·5 absorbance and concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides. We also investigated traffic density on the nearest road and total traffic load. We calculated pooled effect estimates with random-effects models. A 5 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM2·5 during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of low birthweight at term (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1·18, 95% CI 1·06-1·33). An increased risk was also recorded for pregnancy concentrations lower than the present European Union annual PM2·5 limit of 25 μg/m3 (OR for 5 μg/m3 increase in participants exposed to concentrations of less than 20 μg/m3 1·41, 95% CI 1·20-1·65). PM10 (OR for 10 μg/m3 increase 1·16, 95% CI 1·00-1·35), NO2 (OR for 10 μg/m3 increase 1·09, 1·00-1·19), and traffic density on nearest street (OR for increase of 5000 vehicles per day 1·06, 1·01-1·11) were also associated with increased risk of low birthweight at term. The population attributable risk estimated for a reduction in PM2·5 concentration to 10 μg/m3 during pregnancy corresponded to a decrease of 22% (95% CI 8-33%) in cases of low birthweight at term. Exposure to ambient air pollutants and traffic during pregnancy is associated with restricted fetal growth. A substantial proportion of cases of low birthweight at term could be prevented in Europe if urban air pollution was reduced. / The European Union

The research focuses on the environmental problem of volatile organic compounds in ambient air of petrol filling stations. The literature review of the issues, arising from petrol-related VOCs, with actual and proposed VOC emissions trends in Europe, have been performed. Besides petrol filling station’s typical technology layout, petrol nature and composition, applicable petrol vapour recovery solutions and their efficiency were examinated. The volatile organic compounds’ experimental research in two petrol stations of typical technology layout in Vilnius city under similar extreme meteorological conditions (VOC air pollution episodes with low winds, stable stratification and suspended photochemical removal) is done. The emitted from petrol stations VOC experiment is based on air pumped sampling in glass gas pipette and further determination using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. The experimental results, presented by means of tables and diagrams, are analysed and discussed. The available results of the experiment are loaded into the environmental model “ALOHA” for air pollution evaluation and concentrations prediction in the ambient air under different meteorological conditions and technological emergency situations (petrol spillage) at petrol filling station. The research is summarized in conclusions and recommendations. / Tyrimas skirtas aplinkos oro taršos problemai lakiaisiais organiniais junginiais, išsiskiriančiais nuo benzino degalinių. Atlikta svarstomos aplinkosauginės problemos literatūros apžvalga. Apžvelgti oro taršos pasekmės skatinamos LOJ išsiskyrimų nuo benzino degalinių, aktualios ir numatomos LOJ emisijų tendencijos Europoje, tipinis benzino degalinės technologijos išsidėstymas, benzino sudėtis ir svarbiausios LOJ garų formavimui benzino savybės, taikomi garų grąžinimo sprendiniai ir jų efektyvumas. Detaliai aprašytas LOJ eksperimentinis tyrimas, atliktas dviejose Vilniaus miesto tipinės technologijos degalinėse esant panašioms kraštutinėms (LOJ taršos epizodai prie silpnų vėjų, stabilios stratifikacijos ir suspenduoto fotocheminio šalinimo) meteorologiniams sąlygoms. LOJ mėginių ėmimui panaudotas aktyvus metodas su aspiracija į dujines pipetes, LOJ koncentracijos nustatytos dujinės chromatografijos su liepsnos jonizacijos detektoriumi metodu. Tyrimo rezultatai, pateikti lentelių ir diagramų pavidalu, aptarti ir įvertinti. Eksperimento duomenys įkelti į oro kokybės modelį “ALOHA”, siekiant nustatyti LOJ pernašą ir sudaryti LOJ koncentracijų prognozė benzino degalinių aplinkos ore prie skirtingų meteorologinių parametrų ir avarinių technologinių situacijų (benzino išsiliejimas). Tiriamąjį darbą reziumuoja išvados ir rekomendacijos.

La grossesse est une période sensible et déterminante pour le développement de l’enfant et l’état de santé à l’âge adulte. L'adaptation biologique et physiologique de l'organisme face à des « stresseurs » physiques et psychosociaux au cours de cette période peut ainsi exercer ses effets à l'âge adulte (et possiblement sur plusieurs générations). Cette toxicité différée suppose intrinsèquement la nécessité d’étudier les conséquences des expositions environnementales au cours de la vie foetale et ce suivant une approche holistique intégrant autant les facteurs de risque à des niveaux micro (caractéristiques individuelles) et macro (expositions physiques externes et contexte psycho-social). Etant donné l’hétérogénéité du territoire breton dans lequel s’inscrit ce travail de thèse, nous avons cherché à explorer l’impact des inégalités sociales et de l’environnement physique (pollution atmosphérique) sur l’issue de la grossesse (croissance foetale et risque de prématurité) indépendamment chez des femmes enceintes résidant dans des zones urbaines et rurales. Ce travail s’est appuyé sur les données issues de la cohorte bretonne mère-enfant PELAGIE, qui a inclus 3421 femmes enceintes entre 2002- 2006. Les paramètres anthropométriques et l’âge gestationnel à la naissance ont été renseignés à l’accouchement par le personnel médical. Le contexte urbain et rural breton a été caractérisé à partir de la définition des unités urbaines de l’INSEE. Les concentrations annuelles de pollution atmosphérique (dioxyde d’azote (NO2)) ont été modélisées à une échelle de 100 m à partir d’un modèle de "land-use regression" développé à l’échelle européenne. Enfin, le niveau socio-économique des IRIS a été estimé à l’aide d’un indice de désavantage social - construit à partir des données du recensement de l’INSEE et dont la validité et l’adaptabilité à des territoires à la fois urbains et ruraux a été examinée au préalable. Nos résultats suggèrent une influence délétère d’un contexte de vie socioéconomique défavorable sur la croissance intra-utérine, spécifiquement chez les femmes résidant en milieu rural. Nous avons également observé une augmentation du risque de prématurité associée à des niveaux > 16.4 μg.m-3 de NO2 dans l’air, à l’inverse, uniquement chez les femmes résidant dans des zones urbaines. Les associations entre l’exposition à la pollution atmosphérique et les marqueurs de la croissance intra-utérine, bien que sexe-spécifiques, ne semblent en revanche pas varier sensiblement suivant le gradient urbain-rural. Ce travail confirme la nécessité d’évaluer l’influence des inégalités sociales et environnementales sur le développement intra-utérin et de considérer l’importance et le rôle du contexte de vie, notamment urbain-rural, dans la formation de ces inégalités. / Pregnancy is a sensitive and critical period for the development of the child and the health of adults-to-be. The biological and physiological adaptation of the body dealing physical and psychosocial stressors during this period may exert its effects in adulthood (and possibly over several generations). This delayed toxicity presupposes intrinsically the need to study the effects of exposure to environmental risk factors during fetal life using a holistic approach involving risk factors at both the micro (individual characteristics) and the macro level (physical and psycho-social context). Given the heterogeneity of the Breton territory in which this work was conducted, we explored whether the impact of social inequalities and the physical environment (air pollution) on birth outcomes (fetal growth and the risk of prematurity) could be modified according to an urban or rural place of residence. This work was based on data collected as part of the Breton mother-child cohort PELAGIE, which had included 3421 pregnant women between 2002- 2006. The anthropometric parameters and gestational age at birth were measured by medical personnel at delivery. We defined urban and rural areas according to the definition of “urban units” from the National Census Bureau (INSEE). The annual concentrations of air pollution (nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) were estimated using a land-use regression modeled at a 100 m scale and developed as part of an European project. Finally, neighbourhood deprivation was estimated using a composite index developed at census blocks level and whose use was legitimated over both urban and rural areas. Neighbourhood deprivation was associated with an increased risk of infants with fetal growth restriction, only for women living in rural areas. We also observed an increased risk of preterm birth associated with NO2 concentrations > 16.4 μg.m-3, only among women residing in urban areas. The associations between air pollution and fetal growth, although sex-specific, did not seem on the other hand, to vary significantly according to the urban-rural spectrum. This work confirms the need to explore the influence of both social and environmental inequalities on intrauterine development, and to assess the role of place-based factors, such as the urban-rural context, in shaping these inequalities.

The problems of particulate matter air pollution were analyzed, statistical data about particulate matter pollution in the world and in Lithuania were presented, necessity of particulate matter concentration assessment in the air of Žirmūnai and Žvėrynas districts of Vilnius were described, the main aims and tasks of work were described in the final master work. The data of Lithuanian air quality stations were analyzed too, and it was assessed that Vilnius is one of the most particulate matter polluted Lithuanian cities. The biggest concentrations of this pollutant during analyzed period were fixed in the Žirmūnai and Žvėrynas air quality stations. The methodology of investigation of particulate matter concentration in the air of Žirmūnai and Žvėrynas districts was described; places of measurement points, operation of a real time monitor „Microdust pro“ were characterized and the results of recording were presented, too. The model of particulate matter carry in Žvėrynas district with the help of „Phoenics“ modelling programme was made. The data of investigation (results of recording particulate matter concentration) and calculated results were compared, conclusions and suggestions given. The work has 6 chapters: introduction, the ambient air pollution with particulate matter; investigation of particulate matter concentration in the air of Vilnius districts, mathematical modelling of particulate matter concentration in the air of Žvėrynas district, general conclusions and... [to full text]