Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particles

Transformed from p-phenylenediamines (PPDs) antioxidant, PPD-derived quinones (PPD-Qs) have recently been recognized as emerging contaminants due to their potential negative impacts on the environment and human health. While there have been measurements of airborne PPD-Qs, the size distribution of P...

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Main Authors: Kaihui Xia, Meng Qin, Mingming Han, Xianming Zhang, Xiaoguo Wu, Mingyuan Liu, Shang Liu, Xinkai Wang, Wei Liu, Zhouqing Xie, Renmin Yuan, Qifan Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Environment International
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025000807
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author Kaihui Xia
Meng Qin
Mingming Han
Xianming Zhang
Xiaoguo Wu
Mingyuan Liu
Shang Liu
Xinkai Wang
Wei Liu
Zhouqing Xie
Renmin Yuan
Qifan Liu
author_facet Kaihui Xia
Meng Qin
Mingming Han
Xianming Zhang
Xiaoguo Wu
Mingyuan Liu
Shang Liu
Xinkai Wang
Wei Liu
Zhouqing Xie
Renmin Yuan
Qifan Liu
author_sort Kaihui Xia
collection DOAJ
description Transformed from p-phenylenediamines (PPDs) antioxidant, PPD-derived quinones (PPD-Qs) have recently been recognized as emerging contaminants due to their potential negative impacts on the environment and human health. While there have been measurements of airborne PPD-Qs, the size distribution of PPD-Qs and the impact of particle size on PPD transformation chemistry remain largely unknown. Here, through the measurements of atmospheric particles in three megacities in China (Beijing, Xi’an, and Hefei), we find that PPD-Qs are widely distributed in these cities. Further analysis of the size-fractioned particles in Hefei indicates that 48 % of PPD-Qs reside in coarse particles. Given that previous studies mainly focus on the measurement of PPD-Qs in fine particles, the previously reported PPD-Q concentrations and the corresponding human exposure dosages are likely to be significantly underestimated. Furthermore, the ratio of PPD-Q to PPD concentration (PPD-Q/PPD) for particles with size range of 0.056 − 0.1 μm is up to 3 times higher than that with size range of 10 − 18 μm, highlighting the key role of particle size in determining the atmospheric oxidation reactivity of PPDs. Model simulations reveal a size-dependent pattern for the estimated concentration of particulate PPD-Qs in human body. In addition, we also demonstrate that PPD-Qs can induce the formation of cellular reactive oxygen species, suggesting that they may pose risks to human health. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of considering the particle size effect when evaluating the reaction potential and exposure risk of airborne PPD-Qs.
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spelling doaj-art-138d80a2795f41fa841e3054bc5f5b8e2025-08-20T02:14:34ZengElsevierEnvironment International0160-41202025-03-0119710932910.1016/j.envint.2025.109329Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particlesKaihui Xia0Meng Qin1Mingming Han2Xianming Zhang3Xiaoguo Wu4Mingyuan Liu5Shang Liu6Xinkai Wang7Wei Liu8Zhouqing Xie9Renmin Yuan10Qifan Liu11Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, ChinaDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, CanadaDepartment of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, ChinaDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, CanadaAnhui Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Water and Soil Pollution Control and Remediation, School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, ChinaDivision of Ambient Air Monitoring, China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Beijing 100012, ChinaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USADepartment of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, ChinaDepartment of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, ChinaDepartment of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, ChinaSchool of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, ChinaDepartment of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Beijing 100190, China; Corresponding author.Transformed from p-phenylenediamines (PPDs) antioxidant, PPD-derived quinones (PPD-Qs) have recently been recognized as emerging contaminants due to their potential negative impacts on the environment and human health. While there have been measurements of airborne PPD-Qs, the size distribution of PPD-Qs and the impact of particle size on PPD transformation chemistry remain largely unknown. Here, through the measurements of atmospheric particles in three megacities in China (Beijing, Xi’an, and Hefei), we find that PPD-Qs are widely distributed in these cities. Further analysis of the size-fractioned particles in Hefei indicates that 48 % of PPD-Qs reside in coarse particles. Given that previous studies mainly focus on the measurement of PPD-Qs in fine particles, the previously reported PPD-Q concentrations and the corresponding human exposure dosages are likely to be significantly underestimated. Furthermore, the ratio of PPD-Q to PPD concentration (PPD-Q/PPD) for particles with size range of 0.056 − 0.1 μm is up to 3 times higher than that with size range of 10 − 18 μm, highlighting the key role of particle size in determining the atmospheric oxidation reactivity of PPDs. Model simulations reveal a size-dependent pattern for the estimated concentration of particulate PPD-Qs in human body. In addition, we also demonstrate that PPD-Qs can induce the formation of cellular reactive oxygen species, suggesting that they may pose risks to human health. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of considering the particle size effect when evaluating the reaction potential and exposure risk of airborne PPD-Qs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025000807PPD antioxidantPPD-quinoneEmerging contaminantsParticle size effectAtmospheric transformation
spellingShingle Kaihui Xia
Meng Qin
Mingming Han
Xianming Zhang
Xiaoguo Wu
Mingyuan Liu
Shang Liu
Xinkai Wang
Wei Liu
Zhouqing Xie
Renmin Yuan
Qifan Liu
Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particles
Environment International
PPD antioxidant
PPD-quinone
Emerging contaminants
Particle size effect
Atmospheric transformation
title Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particles
title_full Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particles
title_fullStr Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particles
title_full_unstemmed Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particles
title_short Elucidating the size distribution of p‑Phenylenediamine-Derived quinones in atmospheric particles
title_sort elucidating the size distribution of p phenylenediamine derived quinones in atmospheric particles
topic PPD antioxidant
PPD-quinone
Emerging contaminants
Particle size effect
Atmospheric transformation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025000807
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