Biopersistence and potential adverse health impacts of fibrous nanomaterials: what have we learned from asbestos?

Objectives: To describe the acute health impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in Louisiana as compared with the acute health impacts reported from prior crude oil spills. To predict potential chronic health impacts in Louisiana as compared with the chronic health impacts reported from prior crude oil spills.Setting: Offshore and onshore coastal southeastern Louisiana.Patients and participants: Oil spill offshore and onshore cleanup workers and the general population of coastal southeastern Louisiana.Interventions: Not applicable to an observational study.Main outcome measures: Adverse acute health effects of petrochemical and dispersant exposures in highly exposed offshore and onshore cleanup workers and the general population; prior chronic adverse health effects reported from prior oil spills; and predicted chronic adverse health effects based on intensity of chemical exposures and on seroprevalences of genetic polymorphisms.Results: Acute health effects in cleanup workers mirrored those reported in cleanup workers following prior oil spills as ranked by systems (and by symptoms). Acute health effects in lesser exposed members of the general population mirrored those reported in similar coastal residents following prior oil spills but differed from cleanup workers as ranked by systems (and symptoms).Conclusions: Subpopulations of cleanup workers and the general population with specific conditions or genetic polymorphisms in enzyme systems that detoxify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in petrochemicals and glycols in dispersants will require long-term surveillance for chronic adverse health effects including cancer, liver and kidney diseases, mental health disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

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An adaptation index to high summer heat associated with adverse health impacts in deprived neighborhoods

Climatic Change ◽

10.1007/s10584-015-1420-4 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 132 (2) ◽

pp. 279-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Diane Bélanger ◽

Belkacem Abdous ◽

Pierre Gosselin ◽

Pierre Valois

Keyword(s):

Health Impacts ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Summer Heat ◽

Deprived Neighborhoods ◽

Adaptation Index

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Examination of Air Pollution’s Relationship with COVID-19, Physical and Mental Health

Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine ◽

10.2478/jim-2020-0027 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 137-140

Author(s):

Hina Islam ◽

Irfan Sharif Shakoori ◽

Fauzia Aslam ◽

Gohar Ashraf ◽

Hammad Akram

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Organ Systems ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

AbstractAir pollution is a result of natural phenomena or human activities that can cause the release of harmful substances in the environment, leading to adverse health outcomes among living beings. Pollution is associated with adverse health impacts on multiple organ systems among humans. While the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are mainly affected, there are other health issues related to the eyes, skin, brain, blood, immunity, behavioral/mental well-being, and reproduction among exposed individuals. Air pollutants can especially have higher health impacts on people at the extremes of their ages (children and elderly) and on those suffering from underlying respiratory and heart issues. Pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide have respiratory effects among children and adults and are associated with increased respiratory diseases, asthma exacerbations, and related hospitalizations. Carbon monoxide interferes with transporting oxygen by forming carboxyhemoglobin leading to cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory problems. Particulate matter is a heterogeneous mixture of tiny particles of varying compositions found in the atmosphere and has a wide variety of severe health effects. Particulate matter emits from combustion, diesel engines, power generation, and wood-burning, and certain industrial activities. Lead is considered neurotoxic and has more severe consequences among children. Here we summarize characteristics of six criteria air pollutants and associated air quality risk assessment parameters known as the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI). The present manuscript also examines the impact of air pollution on human behavior, mental well-being, and neurological health consequences, as air pollution has been associated with cognitive decline, hyperactivity, dementia, anxiety, depression, aggression, and Alzheimer’s disease-related changes. Lastly, we also attempt to look into any relationship between air pollutants and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and examine its possible association with a higher COVID-19 incidence, complications, and mortality.

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1360Health impacts of a 4 month community-wide lockdown: a prospective longitudinal study in Victoria, Australia

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.240 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Griffiths ◽

Luke Sheehan ◽

Caryn van Vreden ◽

Dennis Petrie ◽

Malcolm Sim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Health Consequences ◽

Potential Health ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Background In response to the second wave of COVID-19 in Australia a 4 month community-wide lockdown resulted in Victoria, Australia. We explored the health impacts during lockdown and following its conclusion. Methods A cohort of 898 working-age Australians enrolled in a national longitudinal cohort study, completing surveys prior to, during, and following a Victorian lockdown during the southern hemisphere winter and early spring 2020. Mixed linear regression models examined health outcomes during and following the lockdown. Generalised estimating equations assessed changes in several determinants of health such as social interactions, engagement in work and finances. Results The Victorian lockdown had negative consequences for mental health and increased levels of psychological distress. These health impacts coincided with greater social isolation and cessation of work. Following the conclusion of lockdown, outcomes assessing mental health, work and social interactions had recovered to an extent whereby no significant long-lasting effects were identified compared to pre-lockdown conditions. Conclusions Extended community lockdowns have adverse health consequences. Governments should weigh the potential health impacts of lockdown with the benefits of reducing COVID-19 transmission. Services and programs to reduce the negative impacts of lockdown may include increases in mental health care, encouraging safe social interactions and financial support to maintain employment relationships. Longer-term follow-up is required to identify any persistent health effects of community lockdowns. Key messages Lockdowns result in adverse health consequences, and some quickly recover. Timely services and programs are encouraged to reduce negative impacts of lockdowns such as mental health supports and promoting safe interactions.

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Critical Review of Lead Pollution in Bangladesh

Journal of Health and Pollution ◽

10.5696/2156-9614-11.31.210902 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (31) ◽

Author(s):

Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder ◽

Abdullah Al Nayeem ◽

Mahmuda Islam ◽

Mohammed Mahadi Akter ◽

William S. Carter

Keyword(s):

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

River Sediments ◽

Fish Muscle ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

World Health ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Contaminated Sites ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Open Access Journals ◽

Pb Concentration

Background. Lead (Pb) poses a severe threat to human health and the environment. Worldwide Pb production and consumption have significantly increased along with unplanned industrialization and urbanization, lead smelting, and lead-acid battery processing. The improper management of Pb-containing elements is responsible for Pb pollution. Lead's persistence in nature and bioaccumulation in the food chain can lead to adverse health impacts. Objectives. The present study aims to describe Pb contaminated sites in Bangladesh and Pb concentration in the atmosphere, water, sediments, soil, vegetables, fish, and other foods in Bangladesh. Methods. The present study searched a total of 128 peer-reviewed articles based on a predefined set of criteria (keywords, peer-reviewed journals, and indexing in Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Springer, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Bangladesh Journals Online (BanglaJOL) and exclusion criteria (predatory journal and absence of full text in English) and finally selected 63 articles (58 research articles and five (5) reports). The relevant findings on Pb exposure, sources, routes, diet, and impacts in Bangladesh were combined and presented. Results. The reviewed studies identified 175 Pb contaminated sites through soil sample assessment in Bangladesh. The study determined Pb concentrations in air (0.09–376.58 μg/m3, mean 21.31 μg/m3), river water (0.0009–18.7 mg/l, mean 1.07 mg/l), river sediments (4.9–69.75 mg/kg, mean 32.08 mg/kg), fish (0.018–30.8 mg/kg, mean 5.01 mg/kg), soil (7.3–445 mg/kg, mean 90.34 mg/kg), vegetables (0.2–22.09 mg/kg, mean 4.33 mg/kg) and diet items (0.001–413.9 mg/kg, mean 43.22 mg/kg) of which 38.8%, 27.8%, 54.5%, 68.8%, 9.7% and 100% of samples, respectively, exceeded related World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Bangladesh Standard Testing Institution (BSTI) guidelines. The present study found that industrial soils are severely polluted with Pb (7.3–445 mg/kg) in Bangladesh. A high Pb concentration has been found in fish muscle and foods, including leafy and non-leafy vegetables collected from different places in Bangladesh. Conclusions. Lead-contaminated foods can enter the human body through dietary intake and consequently lead to long-term adverse health effects. This study may help policymakers to formulate national policies with effective mitigation plans to combat the adverse health impacts of Pb in Bangladesh. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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