scholarly journals Early-life exposure to ambient fine particulate air pollution and infant mortality: pooled evidence from 43 low- and middle-income countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1125-1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nihit Goyal ◽  
Mahesh Karra ◽  
David Canning
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Neonatal Mortality ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Particulate Air Pollution ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background Many low- and middle-income countries are experiencing high and increasing exposure to ambient fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5). The effect of PM2.5 on infant and child mortality is usually modelled using concentration response curves extrapolated from studies conducted in settings with low ambient air pollution, which may not capture its full effect. Methods We pool data on more than half a million births from 69 nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys that were conducted in 43 low- and middle-income countries between 1998 and 2014, and we calculate early-life exposure (exposure in utero and post partum) to ambient PM2.5 using high-resolution calibrated satellite data matched to the child’s place of residence. We estimate the association between the log of early-life PM2.5 exposure, both overall and separated by type, and the odds of neonatal and infant mortality, adjusting for child-level, parent-level and household-level characteristics. Results We find little evidence that early-life exposure to overall PM2.5 is associated with higher odds of mortality relative to low exposure to PM2.5. However, about half of PM2.5 is naturally occurring dust and sea-salt whereas half is from other sources, comprising mainly carbon-based compounds, which are mostly due to human activity. We find a very strong association between exposure to carbonaceous PM2.5 and infant mortality, particularly neonatal mortality, i.e. mortality in the first 28 days after birth. We estimate that, at the mean level of exposure in the sample to carbonaceous PM2.5—10.9 µg/m3—the odds of neonatal mortality are over 50% higher than in the absence of pollution. Conclusion Our results suggest that the current World Health Organization guideline of limiting the overall ambient PM2.5 level to less than 10 µg/m³ should be augmented with a lower limit for harmful carbonaceous PM2.5.

scholarly journals Diurnal variability of fine-particulate pollution concentrations: data from 14 low- and middle-income countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-214
Author(s):  
R. Dobson ◽  
K. Siddiqi ◽  
T. Ferdous ◽  
R. Huque ◽  
M. Lesosky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Diurnal Variability ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BACKGROUND: Scientific understanding of indoor air pollution is predominately based on research carried out in cities in high‐income countries (HICs). Less is known about how pollutant concentrations change over the course of a typical day in cities in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).OBJECTIVE: To understand how concentrations of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) change over the course of the day outdoors (across a range of countries) and indoors (using measurements from Dhaka, Bangladesh).DESIGN: Data on PM2.5 concentrations were gathered from 779 households in Dhaka as part of the MCLASS II (Muslim Communities Learning About Second‐hand Smoke in Bangladesh) project, and compared to outdoor PM2.5 concentrations to determine the temporal variation in exposure to air pollution. Hourly PM2.5 data from 23 cities in 14 LMICs, as well as London (UK), Paris (France) and New York (NY, USA), were extracted from publicly available sources for comparison.RESULTS: PM2.5 in homes in Dhaka demonstrated a similar temporal pattern to outdoor measurements, with greater concentrations at night than in the afternoon. This pattern was also evident in 19 of 23 LMIC cities.CONCLUSION: PM2.5 concentrations are greater at night than during the afternoon in homes in Dhaka. Diurnal variations in PM2.5 in LMICs is substantial and greater than in London, Paris or New York. This has implications for public health community approaches to health effects of air pollution in LMICs.

Household Air Pollution in Low and Middle Income Countries

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline A. Ochieng ◽  
Cathryn Tonne ◽  
Sotiris Vardoulakis ◽  
Jan Semenza
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
National Level ◽  
Household Air Pollution ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Biomass Fuels ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Household air pollution from use of solid fuels (biomass fuels and coal) is a major problem in low and middle income countries, where 90% of the population relies on these fuels as the primary source of domestic energy. Use of solid fuels has multiple impacts, on individuals and households, and on the local and global environment. For individuals, the impact on health can be considerable, as household air pollution from solid fuel use has been associated with acute lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and other illnesses. Household-level impacts include the work, time, and high opportunity costs involved in biomass fuel collection and processing. Harvesting and burning biomass fuels affects local environments by contributing to deforestation and outdoor air pollution. At a global level, inefficient burning of solid fuels contributes to climate change. Improved biomass cookstoves have for a long time been considered the most feasible immediate intervention in resource-poor settings. Their ability to reduce exposure to household air pollution to levels that meet health standards is however questionable. In addition, adoption of improved cookstoves has been low, and there is limited evidence on how the barriers to adoption and use can be overcome. However, the issue of household air pollution in low and middle income countries has gained considerable attention in recent years, with a range of international initiatives in place to address it. These initiatives could enable a transition from biomass to cleaner fuels, but such a transition also requires an enabling policy environment, especially at the national level, and new modes of financing technology delivery. More research is also needed to guide policy and interventions, especially on exposure-response relationships with various health outcomes and on how to overcome poverty and other barriers to wide-scale transition from biomass fuels to cleaner forms of energy.

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