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Climate Change and New Challenges for Rural Communities: Particulate Matter Matters

Author

Listed:
  • Isabelle Racine Miousse

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
    Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rachel B. Hale

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Scott Alsbrook

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA)

  • Gunnar Boysen

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA)

  • Tanya Broadnax

    (Rural Community Alliance, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA)

  • Carleisha Murry

    (Rural Community Alliance, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA)

  • Candace Williams

    (Rural Community Alliance, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA)

  • Chul Hyun Park

    (Clinton School of Public Service, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA)

  • Robert Richards

    (Clinton School of Public Service, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA)

  • Justin Reedy

    (Department of Communication, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA)

  • Marie-Cécile Chalbot

    (Department of Biological Sciences, New York City College of Technology, City University of New York, New York, NY 10018, USA)

  • Ilias G. Kavouras

    (Department of Environmental, Occupational and Geospatial Health Sciences, City University of New York, New York, NY 10018, USA)

  • Igor Koturbash

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA)

Abstract

Climate change presents multiple challenges to rural communities. Here, we investigated the toxicological potential of the six types of particulate matter most common to rural Arkansas: soil, road, and agricultural dusts, pollen, traffic exhaust, and particles from biomass burning in human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs). Biomass burning and agricultural dust demonstrated the most potent toxicological responses, exhibited as significant ( p < 0.05) up-regulation of HMOX1 (oxidative stress) and TNFα (inflammatory response) genes as well as epigenetic alterations (altered expression of DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 , DNMT3A , and DNMT3B , enzymatic activity, and DNA methylation of alpha satellite elements) that were evident at both 24 h and 72 h of exposure. We further demonstrate evidence of aridification in the state of Arkansas and the presence of winds capable of transporting agricultural dust- and biomass burning-associated particles far beyond their origination. Partnerships in the form of citizen science projects may provide important solutions to prevent and mitigate the negative effects of the rapidly evolving climate and improve the well-being of rural communities. Furthermore, the identification of the most toxic types of particulate matter could inform local policies related to agriculture, biomass burning, and dust control.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabelle Racine Miousse & Rachel B. Hale & Scott Alsbrook & Gunnar Boysen & Tanya Broadnax & Carleisha Murry & Candace Williams & Chul Hyun Park & Robert Richards & Justin Reedy & Marie-Cécile Chalbot, 2023. "Climate Change and New Challenges for Rural Communities: Particulate Matter Matters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16192-:d:1285230
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