scholarly journals Individual- and Household-Level Interventions to Reduce Air Pollution Exposures and Health Risks: a Review of the Recent Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-440
Author(s):  
Ryan W. Allen ◽  
Prabjit Barn
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Household Level ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Purpose of Review We reviewed recent peer-reviewed literature on three categories of individual- and household-level interventions against air pollution: air purifiers, facemasks, and behavior change. Recent Findings High-efficiency particulate air/arresting (HEPA) filter air purifier use over days to weeks can substantially reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations indoors and improve subclinical cardiopulmonary health. Modeling studies suggest that the population-level benefits of HEPA filter air purification would often exceed costs. Well-fitting N95 and equivalent respirators can reduce PM2.5 exposure, with several randomized crossover studies also reporting improvements in subclinical cardiovascular health. The health benefits of other types of face coverings have not been tested and their effectiveness in reducing exposure is highly variable, depends largely on fit, and is unrelated to cost. Behavior modifications may reduce exposure, but there has been little research on health impacts. Summary There is now substantial evidence that HEPA filter air purifiers reduce indoor PM2.5 concentrations and improve subclinical health indicators. As a result, their use is being recommended by a growing number of government and public health organizations. Several studies have also reported subclinical cardiovascular health benefits from well-fitting respirators, while evidence of health benefits from other types of facemasks and behavior changes remains very limited. In situations when emissions cannot be controlled at the source, such as during forest fires, individual- or household-level interventions may be the primary option. In most cases, however, such interventions should be supplemental to emission reduction efforts that benefit entire communities.

scholarly journals Modeling the Impact of an Indoor Air Filter on Air Pollution Exposure Reduction and Associated Mortality in Urban Delhi Household

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1391
Author(s):  
Jiawen Liao ◽  
Wenlu Ye ◽  
Ajay Pillarisetti ◽  
Thomas F. Clasen
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Air Filter ◽  
Indoor Exposure ◽  
Pm2.5 Exposure ◽  
The Impact

Indoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a prominent health concern. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of long-term use of indoor air filters for reduction of PM2.5 exposure and associated decrease in adverse health impacts in urban India. We conducted 20 simulations of yearlong personal exposure to PM2.5 in urban Delhi using the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s CONTAM program (NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Simulation scenarios were developed to examine different air filter efficiencies, use schedules, and the influence of a smoker at home. We quantified associated mortality reductions with Household Air Pollution Intervention Tool (HAPIT, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA). Without an air filter, we estimated an annual mean PM2.5 personal exposure of 103 µg/m3 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 93, 112) and 137 µg/m3 (95% CI: 125, 149) for households without and with a smoker, respectively. All day use of a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter would reduce personal PM2.5 exposure to 29 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3, respectively. The reduced personal PM2.5 exposure from air filter use is associated with 8–37% reduction in mortality attributable to PM2.5 pollution in Delhi. The findings of this study indicate that air filter may provide significant improvements in indoor air quality and result in health benefits.

Cardiovascular health among Philadelphia adolescents: analysis of youth risk behaviour data, 2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 748-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare M. Lenhart ◽  
Janna Manjelievskaia ◽  
Andrea Echeverri ◽  
Freda Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Urban Adolescents ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
American Heart ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Heart Health ◽  
Behaviour Data

AbstractImproving population-level cardiovascular health is a public health priority. Guided by the American Heart Association's metrics for ideal heart health, we examined the prevalence of behavioural heart health indicators using a representative sample of urban adolescents. Less than 1% (0.6%) of the sample had ideal heart health. The alarmingly low percentage of ideal behavioural heart health suggests that primary prevention approaches to address cardiovascular health in youth are warranted.

scholarly journals Associations between air pollution and outpatient visits for arrhythmia in Hangzhou, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingwei Wang ◽  
Juan Chen ◽  
Zhi Zhang ◽  
Ping Yu ◽  
Wentao Gan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Aged Population ◽  
Outpatient Visits ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Harmful Effects

Abstract Background Arrhythmia is a common cardiovascular event that is associated with increased cardiovascular health risks. Previous studies that have explored the association between air pollution and arrhythmia have obtained inconsistent results, and the association between the two in China is unclear. Methods We collected daily data on air pollutants and meteorological factors from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2016, along with daily outpatient visits for arrhythmia in Hangzhou, China. We used a quasi-Poisson regression along with a distributed lag nonlinear model to study the association between air pollution and arrhythmia morbidity. Results The results of the single-pollutant model showed that each increase of 10 μg/m3 of Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), Coarse particulate matter (PM10), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Ozone (O3) resulted in increases of 0.6% (− 0.9, 2.2%), 0.7% (− 0.4, 1.7%), 11.9% (4.5, 19.9%), 6.7% (3.6, 9.9%), and − 0.9% (− 2.9, 1.2%), respectively, in outpatient visits for arrhythmia; each increase of 1 mg/m3 increase of carbon monoxide (CO) resulted in increase of 11.3% (− 5.9, 31.6%) in arrhythmia. The short-term effects of air pollution on arrhythmia lasted 3 days, and the most harmful effects were observed on the same day that the pollution occurred. Results of the subgroup analyses showed that SO2 and NO2 affected both men and women, but differences between the sexes were not statistically significant. The effect of SO2 on the middle-aged population was statistically significant. The effect of NO2 was significant in both the young and middle-aged population, and no significant difference was found between them. Significant effects of air pollution on arrhythmia were only detected in the cold season. The results of the two-pollutants model and the single-pollutant model were similar. Conclusions SO2 and NO2 may induce arrhythmia, and the harmful effects are primarily observed in the cold season. There is no evidence of PM2.5, PM10, CO and O3 increasing arrhythmia risk. Special attention should be given to sensitive populations during the high-risk period.

scholarly journals Health Impacts of Ambient Biomass Smoke in Tasmania, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Borchers-Arriagada ◽  
Andrew J. Palmer ◽  
David M.J.S. Bowman ◽  
Grant J. Williamson ◽  
Fay H. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Biomass Smoke ◽  
Island State ◽  
Ed Visits

The island state of Tasmania has marked seasonal variations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations related to wood heating during winter, planned forest fires during autumn and spring, and bushfires during summer. Biomass smoke causes considerable health harms and associated costs. We estimated the historical health burden from PM2.5 attributable to wood heater smoke (WHS) and landscape fire smoke (LFS) in Tasmania between 2010 and 2019. We calculated the daily population level exposure to WHS- and LFS-related PM2.5 and estimated the number of cases and health costs due to premature mortality, cardiorespiratory hospital admissions, and asthma emergency department (ED) visits. We estimated 69 deaths, 86 hospital admissions, and 15 asthma ED visits, each year, with over 74% of impacts attributed to WHS. Average yearly costs associated with WHS were of AUD$ 293 million and AUD$ 16 million for LFS. The latter increased up to more than AUD$ 34 million during extreme bushfire seasons. This is the first study to quantify the health impacts attributable to biomass smoke for Tasmania. We estimated substantial impacts, which could be reduced through replacing heating technologies, improving fire management, and possibly implementing integrated strategies. This would most likely produce important and cost-effective health benefits.

scholarly journals The role of cardiovascular disease in the relationship between air pollution and incident dementia: a population-based cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sindana D Ilango ◽  
Hong Chen ◽  
Perry Hystad ◽  
Aaron van Donkelaar ◽  
Jeffrey C Kwong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Dementia Diagnosis ◽  
Incident Dementia ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Evidence suggests a link between air pollution and dementia. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be a potential determinant of dementia. This motivated us to quantify the contribution of CVD to the association between air pollution and dementia. Methods A cohort of Canadian-born residents of Ontario, who participated in the 1996–2003 Canadian Community Health Surveys, was followed through 2013 or until dementia diagnosis. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was estimated with a 3-year average and 5-year lag before dementia diagnosis. Incident CVD was evaluated as a mediator. We used multi-level Cox proportional and Aalen additive hazard regression models, adjusting for individual- and neighbourhood-level risk factors to estimate associations with NO2 and PM2.5. We estimated the total, direct and indirect effects of air pollution on dementia through cardiovascular disease. Results This study included 34 391 older adults. At baseline, the mean age of this cohort was 59 years. The risk of dementia was moderately higher among those more exposed to NO2 (hazard ratio (HR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99–1.19; and 100 additional cases per 100 000 [standard error (SE) <100x10-5]) and PM2.5 [(HR 1.29, 95% CI 0.99–1.64; 200 additional cases per 100 000] [SE 100x10-5]) after adjusting for covariates; however, these estimates are imprecise. A greater proportion of the relationship between PM2.5 and dementia was mediated through CVD than NO2 for both scales. Conclusions These results suggest some of the association between air pollution and dementia is mediated through CVD, indicating that improving cardiovascular health may prevent dementia in areas with higher exposure to air pollution.

scholarly journals Air Pollution and Gerontological Constructs Among Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 270-271
Author(s):  
Mara McAdams-DeMarco ◽  
Miranda Jones ◽  
Yijing Feng ◽  
Jeremy Walston ◽  
Nadia Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
End Stage Kidney Disease ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
End Stage ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Frailty is triggered by inflammatory pathways among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Exposure to air pollution is associated with increased inflammation and as such may be a determinant of frailty in patients with ESKD. Therefore, we sought to estimate the impact of household-level exposure to fine particulate matter (particles <2.5μm in diameter [PM2.5]) on frailty and other gerontological constructs among patients with ESKD. We leveraged a prospective, two-center cohort study of 1,482 adults with ESKD (2014-2019) from 40 US states. The physical frailty phenotype (PFP), SPPB, ADL/IADL dependence and 3MS global cognitive impairment were assessed at transplant evaluation. Household-level air pollution was estimated as annual average PM2.5 concentrations at each participant’s address using SEDAC national air pollution data. We estimated the odds of these gerontologic constructs using adjusted logistic regression by quartiles of PM2.5 concentrations accounting for confounders including socioeconomic status. Compared to patients with PM2.5 concentrations in the lowest quartile (<9.3µg/m3), those with exposure to the 3rd quartile (10.0-11.1µg/m3) had 1.50-fold (95%CI:1.04-2.17) increased odds of frailty. However, exposure to PM2.5 concentrations in the second (9.3-10.0µg/m3) and fourth quartiles (>11.1µg/m3) were not significant. Those with PM2.5 in the 3rd (OR=1.60, 95%CI:1.19-2.16) or 4th (OR=1.61, 95%CI:1.20-2.16) quartile had an increased risk of having dependence in ADLs or IADLs. PM2.5 was not associated with SPPB or cognitive impairment. Among ESKD patients, fine particulate matter was associated with greater frailty and dependence burden, although these association may not be linear. Further study of the role of inflammation on these associations are needed.

Vicious Cycle of Economic Growth, Pm2.5 and COVID-19 Case of G7 Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rıdvan Karacan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Panel Cointegration ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Population Exposure ◽  
Causality Analysis ◽  
G7 Countries

<p>Today, production is carried out depending on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels pollute the air as they contain high levels of carbon. Many studies have been carried out on the economic costs of air pollution. However, in the present study, unlike the former ones, economic growth's relationship with the COVID-19 virus in addition to air pollution was examined. The COVID-19 virus, which was initially reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and affected the whole world, has caused many cases and deaths. Researchers have been going on studying how the virus is transmitted. Some of these studies suggest that the number of virus-related cases increases in regions with a high level of air pollution. Based on this fact, it is thought that air pollution will increase the number of COVID-19 cases in G7 Countries where industrial production is widespread. Therefore, the negative aspects of economic growth, which currently depends on fossil fuels, is tried to be revealed. The research was carried out for the period between 2000-2019. Panel cointegration test and panel causality analysis were used for the empirical analysis. Particulate matter known as PM2.5[1] was used as an indicator of air pollution. Consequently, a positive long-term relationship has been identified between PM2.5 and economic growth. This relationship also affects the number of COVID-19 cases.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>[1] "Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant that poses the greatest risk to health globally, affecting more people than any other pollutant (WHO, 2018). Chronic exposure to PM2.5 considerably increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in particular (WHO, 2018). For these reasons, population exposure to (outdoor or ambient) PM2.5 has been identified as an OECD Green Growth headline indicator" (OECD.Stat).</p>

scholarly journals Protective population behavior change in outbreaks of emerging infectious disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evans K. Lodge ◽  
Annakate M. Schatz ◽  
John M. Drake
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Emerging Infections ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Susceptible Population ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Zoonotic Viruses ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Background During outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infections, the lack of effective drugs and vaccines increases reliance on non-pharmacologic public health interventions and behavior change to limit human-to-human transmission. Interventions that increase the speed with which infected individuals remove themselves from the susceptible population are paramount, particularly isolation and hospitalization. Ebola virus disease (EVD), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are zoonotic viruses that have caused significant recent outbreaks with sustained human-to-human transmission. Methods This investigation quantified changing mean removal rates (MRR) and days from symptom onset to hospitalization (DSOH) of infected individuals from the population in seven different outbreaks of EVD, SARS, and MERS, to test for statistically significant differences in these metrics between outbreaks. Results We found that epidemic week and viral serial interval were correlated with the speed with which populations developed and maintained health behaviors in each outbreak. Conclusions These findings highlight intrinsic population-level changes in isolation rates in multiple epidemics of three zoonotic infections with established human-to-human transmission and significant morbidity and mortality. These data are particularly useful for disease modelers seeking to forecast the spread of emerging pathogens.

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