Introduction: The rapid urbanization and heavy traffic in cities raise concerns about health and environmental risks from Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). This study analyses the levels of contamination, origins, and exposure hazards of 10 PTEs (Fe, As, Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni) in dust from five public vehicles and five motor parks in Abuja, Nigeria.
Materials and methods: Digested samples of park dust were analysed for Fe, Pb, Zn, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni (ten PTEs) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). PTE sources were ascertained using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) alongside contamination indicators comprising of Enrichment Factor, Geo accumulation Index, Contamination Factor and Ecological Risk Factor. A new pollution indicator, the Nemerov Integrated Risk Index (NIRI), was evaluated for consistency with existing methods. Exposure risks (cancer and non-cancer causing) were assessed for commuters.
Results: PMF revealed five PTE sources: brake/engine wear (50%), vehicular body wear (1%), tyre wear/lubrication leaks (12%), coal combustion (6%), and vehicular emissions (31%). Cd exhibited the highest contamination levels across all indices. NIRI results aligned with traditional indices, confirming severe Cd pollution. Health risk assessments showed insignificant noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for adults and children, though children were more vulnerable.
Conclusion: Traffic-related activities were the dominant sources of PTEs in Abuja’s vehicle and motor park dusts. Cadmium (Cd) exhibited the highest enrichment, exceeding background levels and posing high ecological risk particularly for children, while other PTEs presented low health risks. This study underlines the necessity for targeted mitigation and non-stop monitoring to reduce PTE exposure in urban transit environments.

Introduction: Haul roads are one of the main sources of dust in mines. Dust pollution not only causes lung diseases, but also reduces the useful vision of machine drivers, slows down trucks, and interferes with transportation operations. On the other hand, machines' operation in dust increases their depreciation and fuel consumption. The popular spraying method is used in mines to overcome this problem. To suppress dust on mining roads, water and oil mulch are commonly used. The first method requires a large amount of water, and the second method has undesirable environmental effects. Therefore, an appropriate alternative method should be found. According to the results, the proposed method may be effective in dust suppression. This  process causes both environmental and operational difficulties, includinghigh water consumption, inefficiency in hot and dry areas, and costly water supply in many regions, not to mention its cultural value, soil liquefaction,
traffic by the irrigation process, imposing repairing and maintaining costs for sprinklers and ramps, etc.
Materials and methods: Soil stabilization is a technique that enhances the engineering and mechanical characteristics of soil, such as its strength, stiffness, formation, and loading capacity using technology and proper materials. The present research aimed at finding out how the physical and strength properties could be improved with the addition of optimum ratios of sugar beet molasses to the ramp soils to make the unpaved roads within the Abyek cement mine region stronger and more durable.
Results: As analytical tests for soils containing additives with specified weight percentages, Atterberg limits, compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), and direct shear tests were conducted. The incorporation of sugar beet molasses into both soils resulted in an 11.6% reduction in Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and increased the Maximum Dry Density (MDD) to 1.955 g/cm³ for AB01 soil and 1.942 g/cm³ for AB02 soil.
Conclusion: The optimal result was obtained from direct shear and unconfined compressive tests by adding 2% molasses for AB02 soil and 1% molasses for AB01 soil.

Introduction: Atmospheric aerosol particles significantly impact ecosystems, global climate, cultural heritage, and public health. Air pollution is a major global health concern, contributing to roughly one quarter of total global mortality, with fine Particulate Matter (PM₂.₅) being particularly harmful. Long-term exposure to elevated PM₂.₅ and gaseous pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide increases the risk of severe health effects, including chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Materials and methods: Air quality trends in Uzbekistan, primarily in Tashkent, were analyzed using Air Quality Index (AQI) data, focusing on wintertime PM₂.₅ levels. Health outcomes were assessed through statistical analysis of Ministry of Health records from 2012 to 2024, with particular attention to respiratory tract infection–related mortality. Comparative analysis was performed between urban and rural populations, and vulnerable groups, including children and senior citizens, were identified.
Results: Analysis revealed that wintertime PM₂.₅ concentrations in Tashkent were approximately six times higher than World Health Organization recommended limits. Statistical evaluation indicated a significant 24.94%
increase in respiratory tract infection–related deaths in Tashkent during the study period (p<0.05), whereas rural areas showed no significant growth. Urban air pollution, primarily from residential heating and anthropogenic
activities, was identified as a major contributor. Children and elderly populations were most affected.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the substantial health impacts of urban air pollution in Uzbekistan, particularly in low- and middle-income urban settings. The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted air quality management strategies to mitigate pollution-related health risks, protect vulnerable populations, and improve public health outcomes.

Introduction: The nature of heavy pollution incidence that plagues the South East Asian (SEAR) Region and the African region demands the understanding of air pollution dynamics within these regions to inform policy formulation to improve environmental health. This study therefore aims to grasp the transformation of air pollutants in the last 10 years in the two regions and their potential to influence respiratory health.
Materials and methods: This study used the 6th edition of the ambient air quality data from the WHO website, which was revised and published on January 22, 2024. 1609 dataset was used for this research, spanning the 16
countries.

Results: The results of the analysis show that in the last 10 years, the mean PM₁₀ (64.15 ± 40.38 g/m³), PM_2.5 (22.98 ± 23.65 g/m³ ), and NO₂ (8.83 ± 7.99 g/m³) were 64.15 ± 40.38 g/m³, 22.98 ± 23.65 g/m³, and 8.83 ± 7.99 g/m³, respectively. Consequently, the air quality index for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 stands at 57.73 and 96.59 for the African Region and 55.53 and 74.61 for SEAR, indicating a satisfactory air quality. The principal component analysis showed that NO₂ exposure and monitoring explained 39.91% of the variance in the
data, while component 2 (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) explained 19.43%. The regression model showed that PM₁₀ temporal coverage can be used to predict NO₂ concentration. Indicating that better cover for PM₁₀ can be used to estimate NO₂ concentration.
Conclusion: This study has highlighted that temporal coverage can be a useful means for air pollutant estimation. Hence, governments should increase monitoring of air pollutants, in this peak era of industrialisation to capture the many unquantified contaminants.

Introduction: The rapid rate of industrial growth in Delta State, Nigeria, has led to an increase in the emission of airborne pollutants, including Particulate Matter (PM_2.5), Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which pose a threat to the environment and the health of the population. This paper utilises Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) to simulate the dispersion of pollutants and assess the risks associated with exposure in four industrial areas: Warri/Ekpan, Aladja, Ughelli, and Kwale.
Materials and methods: Simulations in three-dimensional CFD of ANSYS Fluent 2024 R1 were conducted using the actual meteorological, topographic and emission parameters provided in NiMet and EIA data. The NavierStokes equations were solved with the Realisable k-epsilon turbulence model. The model results were georeferenced and interpreted in ArcGIS Pro 3.2, generating exposure maps by combining the pollutant fields with the population fields. The Hazard Index (HI) and Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) were used in quantifying health risks in accordance with USEPA guidelines.
Results: The concentrations of VOCs and PM_2.5 in the air were 115.6 µg/m³ and 56.2 µg/m³, respectively, which exceeded the WHO levels. HI values were 14.7-21.4 (adults) and 26.138.0 (children), and LCR values (1.710;- 3.210; -3) represented that there was carcinogenic risk.

Conclusion: CFDH-HRA was the most accurate in predicting risks of pollution and exposure, highlighting hotspots in critical zones near Warri and Aladja. The importance of adopting CFD-based control and monitoring
to achieve SDGs 3, 9, 11, and 13 lies in creating a cleaner and healthier environment.

Introduction: Air fresheners and scented candles release harmful chemicals indoors, potentially posing health risks with prolonged exposure.
Materials and methods: This study investigated the effects of inhaling emissions from these products on growth and locomotor activity in rats. Forty rats (180–200g) were randomly assigned to four groups: air freshener (A), scented candle (B), combined exposure (D), and control (C). Exposures were conducted in a controlled inhalation chamber for 10, 20, and 30 days (1 h/day), with 15 min of direct exposure. Environmental parameters (Particulate Matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀), Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs), Formaldehyde (HCHO), temperature, and humidity) were monitored at three time intervals: 0–15 min (emission), 15–30 min (without emission), and 30–60 min (without emission), using a portable monitoring device.
Results: Significant increases (P≤0.05) in PM_2.5, PM₁₀, TVOC, and HCHO were observed in group D compared to other groups. Rats in group D showed reduced growth rate and locomotor activity.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that combined exposure worsens indoor air quality and may impair physiological and behavioral health.

Introduction: This descriptive-ecological study investigated the seasonal, diurnal, and spatial variations of Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration in Urmia's (Northwest of Iran) ambient air over a six-month period, spanning Winter and Spring.
Materials and methods: Sampling was conducted at 20 stations selected from various urban locations. At each station, a portable environmental gas analyzer was used to measure CO concentration during both morning and evening peak traffic hours.
Results: The results revealed a significant seasonal and diurnal pattern. The highest CO means were observed in the cold months (January and February), peaking at an average of 6.19 ppm in January evenings. This increase is strongly linked to temperature inversion and heightened heating system usage. Statistical analysis confirmed a highly significant difference (P<0.001) in CO means across months and between morning and evening hours, with concentrations being significantly higher in the evening. Although monthly averages are generally below the 8-h national standard (9 ppm), their proximity to the limit and the registration of high peaks (up to 15.10 ppm) indicate a potential health risk during winter. Spatially, zoning maps showed the central, high-traffic area acts as the main pollution hotspot.
Conclusion: The study highlights that even short-term peak CO exposure can be significant, potentially causing headache and behavioral effects. Additionally, the river and surrounding open spaces help reduce pollution, emphasizing the need for integrated air quality management strategies that account for both seasonal and diurnal variations. These findings underscore the critical need for integrated management strategies sensitive to both the time of day and the season.

Globally, air pollution is responsible for over 7 million premature deaths annually and accounts for more than 3% of disability-adjusted life years lost. The harmful effects of air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), are far-reaching, significantly contributing to the prevalence and progression of coronary artery disease, respiratory illnesses, and lung disorders. Although the adverse health consequences of PM are well-documented, the precise biological mechanisms driving these outcomes remain incompletely understood. In recent years, the field of epigenetics has shed light on PM-induced epigenetic changes, with a focus on DNA methylation, providing a promising framework for exploring these mechanisms. A growing body of evidence highlights the strong association between PM exposure and alterations in DNA methylation patterns across the genome, suggesting that these modifications play a pivotal role in mediating the biological and health effects of PM exposure. This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationship between DNA methylation and PM exposure. Representative epidemiological and experimental studies emphasize the connections between PM-induced methylation alterations and the indirect impact of DNA methylation on health. By providing valuable insights into gene-specific alterations, the review contributes to a deeper understanding of the potential implications of PM exposure on DNA methylation and its broader health consequences.