United States Department of Transportation
i
Trace Metals in Airborne Particulate Matter and Genomic Characterization of Associated Microorganisms: Insights into Health Effects from an Industrialized, Near-Roadway Site in Houston
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2023-09-01
[PDF-1.65 MB]
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Edition:Final Report January 2020 – December 2022
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Abstract:This research simultaneously measured major/trace metals and microorganism diversity in airborne particulate matter ≤ 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter. The objectives were to (i) analyze the elemental composition of PM10, (ii) perform source apportionment to quantify vehicular contributions, and (iii) implement state-of-the-art next generation sequencing tools to evaluate airborne microorganism diversity and prevalence. Filter samples were collected over a 9-day period spanning August 10–August 18, 2018, at Clinton Drive in Houston, Texas (latitude 29.73372; longitude −95.25759). Source apportionment modeling resolved vehicular emissions, resuspended local soil/road dust, and construction activities as major PM10 sources. Coincidentally, our sampling campaign captured a strong African dust event in Houston. Hence, all our results include a foreign component of aerosol mass, chemistry, and microbiology. Estimated vehicular emissions ranged between ~4.6–11.2 μg/m3, averaging 7 μg/m3. This constituted ~11 percent of the measured total PM10 mass on average. Estimated contributions from local soil and road dust were between ~8.0–28.5 μg/m3, averaging 19.9 μg/m3. This constituted ~31 percent of the measured total PM10 mass on average. Opportunistic human, plant, or animal pathogenic bacterial species were identified including Escherichia coli, Propionibacterium acnes, Roseomonas mucosa, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Several genera listed in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) global priority pathogens list of multidrug and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and tuberculosis were detected including Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, Haemophilus, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. Fungi responsible for invasive human diseases such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium spp., and Talaromyces spp. that are listed as being priority pathogens for global public health by WHO appeared in nearly every sample along with all four most prominent allergenic fungal genera, viz. Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium.
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