Improving accuracy of air pollution exposure measurements: Statistical correction of a municipal low-cost airborne particulate matter sensor network

Air pollution is one of the most important environmental and public health concerns worldwide. Urban air pollution has been increasing since the industrial revolution due to rapid industrialization, mushrooming of cities, and greater dependence on fossil fuels in urban centers. Particulate matter (PM) is considered to be one of the main aerosol pollutants that causes a significant adverse impact on human health. Low-cost air quality sensors have attracted attention recently to curb the lack of air quality data which is essential in assessing the health impacts of air pollutants and evaluating land use policies. This is mainly due to their lower cost in comparison to the conventional methods. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial extent and distribution of ambient airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in Nairobi City County. Seven sites were selected for monitoring based on the land use type: high- and low-density residential, industrial, agricultural, commercial, road transport, and forest reserve areas. Calibrated low-cost sensors and cyclone samplers were used to monitor PM2.5 concentration levels and gravimetric measurements for elemental composition of PM2.5, respectively. The sensor percentage accuracy for calibration ranged from 81.47% to 98.60%. The highest 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 was observed in Viwandani, an industrial area (111.87 μg/m³), and the lowest concentration at Karura (21.25 μg/m³), a forested area. The results showed a daily variation in PM2.5 concentration levels with the peaks occurring in the morning and the evening due to variation in anthropogenic activities and the depth of the atmospheric boundary layer. Therefore, the study suggests that residents in different selected land use sites are exposed to varying levels of PM2.5 pollution on a regular basis, hence increasing the potential of causing long-term health effects.

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Abstract P391: Inhalation Of Airborne Particulate Matter Alters Cardiovascular Function Of Alzheimer-prone Mice

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.129.suppl_1.p391 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Devin R O'Piela ◽

Ty A Saldana ◽

David M Aslaner ◽

Matthew W Gorr ◽

Amy R Mackos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Transgenic Mouse ◽

Airborne Particulate Matter ◽

Transgenic Mouse Model ◽

Cardiovascular Dysfunction ◽

Airborne Particulate

Air pollution has detrimental effects on cardiovascular and lung function, and the extent of its pathological consequences continues to be uncovered. Recently, air pollution has been implicated in the development of Alzheimer Disease (AD) progression. AD and heart failure are common co-morbidities, giving reason to believe that cardiovascular dysfunction may contribute to AD. A known contributor to cardiovascular dysfunction-particulate matter (PM 2.5 , < 2.5 μm diameter)—is a critical component of air pollution and is considered a risk factor for heart failure and AD development. This co-morbidity pattern and shared environmental risk factor prompted the hypothesis that PM 2.5 contributes to cardiovascular dysfunction in a transgenic mouse model of AD. We tested our hypothesis by subjecting 6-month-old transgenic (APP) and non-carrier wildtype (WT) male mice to filtered air (FA) or PM 2.5 for 5 days/week, 6 hours/day for 3 months (n = 34). Following exposure, echocardiography, pressure-volume (PV) loops, and respiratory mechanics were performed to detect cardiac and pulmonary changes associated with genotype and exposure conditions among the 3-month group. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular anterior wall thickness in systole was significantly elevated among PM-exposed APP mice compared to FA-exposed APP controls. PV data demonstrated significant reduced end-systolic elastance in PM-exposed mice compared to FA-exposed mice in both WT and APP mouse models, demonstrating impaired contractility. PV loops also showed that the time constant of isovolumetric relaxation was increased in PM-exposed compared to FA-exposed WT mice. APP mice experienced higher lung resistance and central airway resistance with an increasing dose of methacholine. Taken together, these findings indicate airborne particulate matter exposure causes cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction in a transgenic mouse model of AD.

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Airborne particulate matter from livestock production systems: A review of an air pollution problem

Environmental Pollution ◽

10.1016/j.envpol.2009.07.011 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 158 (1) ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 151

Author(s):

María Cambra-López ◽

André J.A. Aarnink ◽

Yang Zhao ◽

Salvador Calvet ◽

Antonio G. Torres

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Production Systems ◽

Airborne Particulate Matter ◽

Livestock Production ◽

Airborne Particulate ◽

Pollution Problem

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Acute changes in DNA methylation in relation to 24 h personal air pollution exposure measurements: A panel study in four European countries

Environment International ◽

10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.026 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 120 ◽

pp. 11-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Nahid Mostafavi ◽

Roel Vermeulen ◽

Akram Ghantous ◽

Gerard Hoek ◽

Nicole Probst-Hensch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Panel Study ◽

European Countries ◽

Air Pollution Exposure ◽

Acute Changes ◽

Pollution Exposure ◽

Exposure Measurements

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Air pollution and the development of asthma from birth until young adulthood

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.00147-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 2000147 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ulrike Gehring ◽

Alet H. Wijga ◽

Gerard H. Koppelman ◽

Judith M. Vonk ◽

Henriette A. Smit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Asthma Incidence ◽

Mite Allergy ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Air Pollution Exposure ◽

Pollution Exposure ◽

The Impact

BackgroundAir pollution is associated with asthma development in children and adults, but the impact on asthma development during the transition from adolescence to adulthood is unclear. Adult studies lack historical exposures and consequently cannot assess the relevance of exposure during different periods of life. We assessed the relevance of early-life and more recent air pollution exposure for asthma development from birth until early adulthood.MethodsWe used data of 3687 participants of the prospective Dutch PIAMA (Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy) birth cohort and linked asthma incidence until age 20 years to estimated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), <10 μm (PM10), and 2.5–10 μm, and PM2.5 absorbance (“soot”) at the residential address. We assessed overall and age-specific associations with air pollution exposure with discrete time-hazard models, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsOverall, we found higher incidence of asthma until the age of 20 years with higher exposure to all pollutants at the birth address (adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) ranging from 1.09 (1.01–1.18) for PM10 to 1.20 (1.10–1.32) for NO2) per interquartile range increase) that were rather persistent with age. Similar associations were observed with more recent exposure defined as exposure at the current home address. In two-pollutant models with particulate matter, associations with NO2 persisted.ConclusionsExposure to air pollution, especially from motorised traffic, early in life may have long-term consequences for asthma development, as it is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma through childhood and adolescence into early adulthood.

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An optimized spatial proximity model for fine particulate matter air pollution exposure assessment in areas of sparse monitoring

International Journal of Geographical Information Science ◽

10.1080/13658816.2015.1095921 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 727-747 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Bin Zou ◽

Zhong Zheng ◽

Neng Wan ◽

Yonghong Qiu ◽

Jeff Gaines Wilson

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Spatial Proximity ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

Air Pollution Exposure ◽

Pollution Exposure

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Air pollution interventions and respiratory health: a systematic review

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease ◽

10.5588/ijtld.19.0417 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 150-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Saleh ◽

W. Shepherd ◽

C. Jewell ◽

N. L. Lam ◽

J. Balmes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Potential Health ◽

Exposure Reduction ◽

Air Pollution Exposure ◽

Pollution Exposure

BACKGROUND: Indoor and ambient air pollution exposure is a major risk to respiratory health worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Interventional trials have mainly focused on alternatives to cooking stoves, with mixed results. Beyond cooking, additional sources of particulate matter also contribute to the burden of air pollution exposure. This review explores evidence from current randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the clinical effectiveness of interventions to reduce particulate matter in LMICs.METHODS: Twelve databases and the grey literature (e.g., Government reports and policy papers) were searched. Eligible studies were RCTs conducted in LMICs aiming to reduce particulate exposure from any source and reporting on at least one clinical respiratory outcome (respiratory symptoms, lung function or clinical diagnoses). Data from relevant studies were systematically extracted, the risk of bias assessed and narrative synthesis provided.RESULTS: Of the 14 included studies, 12 tested ‘improved' cookstoves, most using biomass, but solar and bioethanol cookers were also included. One trial used solar lamps and another was an integrated intervention incorporating behavioural and environmental components for the treatment and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Of the six studies reporting child pneumonia outcomes, none demonstrated significant benefit in intention-to-treat analysis. Ten studies reported respiratory symptom outcomes with some improvements seen, but self-reporting made these outcomes highly vulnerable to bias. Substantial inter-study clinical and methodological heterogeneity precluded calculation of pooled effect estimates.CONCLUSION: Evidence from the RCTs performed to date suggests that individual household-level interventions for air pollution exposure reduction have limited benefits for respiratory health. More comprehensive approaches to air pollution exposure reduction must be developed so their potential health benefits can be assessed.

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