Ambient air pollution and health

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Reid ◽  
Giovanni Leonardi ◽  
Alex G. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Pollution Indices ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
The Impact

This chapter describes the impact of air pollution, including particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, on human health, through a case scenario where an increase in respiratory disease has been associated with changes in traffic density and increases in pollution indices. Background information on pollutants and air quality measurements is given based on WHO criteria. The importance of multidisciplinary input to such investigations is emphasized, involving specialists in toxicology and environmental science, as well as health protection staff. The role of geographical information systems in mapping air pollution levels to identify localities where guideline values are exceeded is emphasized, together with health impact assessments to monitor public health outcomes. The complex local, social, and political aspects that may arise are considered, and so endure engagement and communication with different interest groups. The final part clearly outlines currently unanswered questions and how they should be studied and managed in the future.

scholarly journals Air pollution and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Moderato ◽  
D Lazzeroni ◽  
A Biagi ◽  
T Spezzano ◽  
B Matrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
External Temperature ◽  
Pm 2.5 ◽  
Pm10 And Pm2.5 ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract Introduction Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death worldwide; it accounts for up to 50% of all cardiovascular deaths.It is well established that ambient air pollution triggers fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. However, the impact of air pollution on OHCA is still controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollutants on the incidence of OHCA in the urban area of Piacenza, Italy, one of the most polluted area in Europe. Methods From 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2017 day-by-day PM10 and PM2.5 levels, as well as climatic data, were extracted from Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) local monitoring stations. OHCA were extracted from the prospective registry of Community-based automated external defibrillator Cardiac arrest “Progetto Vita”. OHCA data were included: audio recordings, event information and ECG tracings. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between the risk of OHC, expressed as odds ratios (OR), associated with the PM10 and PM2.5 levels. Results Mean PM10 levels were 33±29 μg/m3 and the safety threshold (50 μg/m3) recommended by both WHO and Italian legislation has been exceeded for 535 days (17.5%). Mean PM 5 levels were 33±29 μg/m3. During the follow-up period, 880 OHCA were recorded on 750 days; the remaining 2174 days without OHCA were used as control days. Mean age of OHCA patients was 76±15 years; male gender was prevalent (55% male vs 45% female; <0.001). Concentration of PM10 and PM 2.5 were significantly higher on days with the occurrence of OHCA (PM10 levels: 37.7±22 μg/m3 vs 32.7±19 μg/m3; p<0.001; PM 2.5 levels: 26±16 vs 22±15 p<0.001). Risk of OHCA was significantly increased with the progressive increase of PM10 (OR: 1.009, 95% CI 1.004–1.015; p<0.001) and PM2.5 levels (OR 1.012, 95% CI 1.007–1.017; p<0.001). Interestingly, the above mentioned results remain independent even when correct for external temperature or season (PM 2.5 levels: p=0.01 – PM 10 levels: p=0.002), Moreover, dividing PM10 values in quintiles, a 1.9 fold higher risk of cardiac arrest has been showed in the highest quintile (Highest quintile cut-off: <48μg/m3) Conclusions In large cohort of patients from a high pollution area, both PM10 and PM2.5 levels are associated with the risk of Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. PM10 and PM2.5 levels and risk of OHCA Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Quantifying the Health and Wealth Benefits of Reducing Point Source Pollution: The Case of the Sugar Industry in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13252
Author(s):  
Sanaullah Panezai ◽  
Ubaid Ali ◽  
Alam Zeb ◽  
Muhammad Rafiq ◽  
Ayat Ullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Sugar Industry ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
The Impact

Air pollution is among the major causes of death and disease all around the globe. The prime impact of ambient air pollution is on the lungs through the respiratory system. This study aims to estimate the health cost due to air pollution from a Sugar Mill in the Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To determine the impact of pollution on respiratory illness, primary data were collected from 1141 individuals from 200 households living within a 3 km radius of the mill. The Household Production Method was used to drive the reduced-form Dose–Response Function and the Mitigation Cost Function for assessing the impact of pollution on health and then estimating the monetary cost associated with mitigating such illnesses. The results indicate that about 60% of the respondents living in the surrounding area of the mill suffered from different respiratory illnesses. The study estimates that by reducing the suspended particulate matter (SPM) level by 50%, the expected annual welfare gains to an individual living within a 3 km radius of the mill are US $20.21. The whole community residing within a 3 km radius of the mill will enjoy an estimated welfare gain of PKR. 70.67 million (US $0.511 million). If the pollution standard limits prescribed by the World Health Organization are followed, the expected monetary benefits to all the individuals living within a 3 km radius of the mill are PKR. 114.48 million (US $0.27 million) annually.

The impact of the congestion charging scheme on ambient air pollution concentrations in London

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (34) ◽  
pp. 5493-5500 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Atkinson ◽  
B. Barratt ◽  
B. Armstrong ◽  
H.R. Anderson ◽  
S.D. Beevers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Congestion Charging ◽  
Pollution Concentrations

scholarly journals The impact of ambient air pollution on suicide mortality: a case-crossover study in Guangzhou, China

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-Zhen Lin ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Yun-Feng Song ◽  
Ying-Xue Zhou ◽  
Shuang-Quan Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Crossover Study ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Case Crossover ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Impacts of Modifiable Factors on Ambient Air Pollution: A Case Study of COVID-19 Shutdowns

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Tanzer-Gruener ◽  
Jiayu Li ◽  
s. rose eilenberg ◽  
Allen Robinson ◽  
Albert Presto
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
The Impact

Modifiable sources of air pollution such as traffic, cooking, and electricity generation emissions can be modulated either by changing activity levels or source intensity. Although air pollution regulations typically target reducing emission factors rather than altering activity, the COVID-19 related closures offered a novel opportunity to observe and quantify the impact of activity levels of modifiable factors on ambient air pollution in real-time. We use data from a network of twenty-seven low-cost Real-time Affordable Multi-Pollutant (RAMP) sensor packages deployed throughout urban and suburban Pittsburgh along with data from EPA regulatory monitors. The RAMP locations were divided into four site groups based on land use (High Traffic, Urban Residential, Suburban Residential, and Industrial). Concentrations of PM2.5, CO, and NO2 following the COVID-related closures at each site group were compared to measurements from “business as usual” periods in March 2019 and 2020. Overall, PM2.5 concentrations decreased across the domain by 3 μg/m3. Intra-day variabilities of the pollutants were computed to attribute pollutant enhancements to specific emission sources (i.e. traffic and industrial emissions). There was no significant change in the industrial related intra-day variability of PM2.5 at the Industrial sites following the COVID-related closures. The morning rush hour induced CO and NO2 concentrations at the High Traffic sites were reduced by 57% and 43%, respectively, which is consistent with the observed reduction in commuter traffic (~50%). The morning rush hour PM2.5 enhancement from traffic emissions fell from ~1.5 μg/m3 to ~0 μg/m3 across all site groups. This translates to a reduction of 0.125 μg/m3 in the daily average PM2.5 concentration. If PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are tightened these calculations shed light on to what extent reductions in traffic related emissions are able to aid in meeting more stringent regulations.

scholarly journals Impacts of Modifiable Factors on Ambient Air Pollution: A Case Study of COVID-19 Shutdowns

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Tanzer-Gruener ◽  
Jiayu Li ◽  
s. rose eilenberg ◽  
Allen Robinson ◽  
Albert Presto
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
The Impact

Modifiable sources of air pollution such as traffic, cooking, and electricity generation emissions can be modulated either by changing activity levels or source intensity. Although air pollution regulations typically target reducing emission factors rather than altering activity, the COVID-19 related closures offered a novel opportunity to observe and quantify the impact of activity levels of modifiable factors on ambient air pollution in real-time. We use data from a network of twenty-seven low-cost Real-time Affordable Multi-Pollutant (RAMP) sensor packages deployed throughout urban and suburban Pittsburgh along with data from EPA regulatory monitors. The RAMP locations were divided into four site groups based on land use (High Traffic, Urban Residential, Suburban Residential, and Industrial). Concentrations of PM2.5, CO, and NO2 following the COVID-related closures at each site group were compared to measurements from “business as usual” periods in March 2019 and 2020. Overall, PM2.5 concentrations decreased across the domain by 3 μg/m3. Intra-day variabilities of the pollutants were computed to attribute pollutant enhancements to specific emission sources (i.e. traffic and industrial emissions). There was no significant change in the industrial related intra-day variability of PM2.5 at the Industrial sites following the COVID-related closures. The morning rush hour induced CO and NO2 concentrations at the High Traffic sites were reduced by 57% and 43%, respectively, which is consistent with the observed reduction in commuter traffic (~50%). The morning rush hour PM2.5 enhancement from traffic emissions fell from ~1.5 μg/m3 to ~0 μg/m3 across all site groups. This translates to a reduction of 0.125 μg/m3 in the daily average PM2.5 concentration. If PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are tightened these calculations shed light on to what extent reductions in traffic related emissions are able to aid in meeting more stringent regulations.

scholarly journals Ambient air pollution and in vitro fertilization treatment outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 2036-2043 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Boulet ◽  
Y Zhou ◽  
J Shriber ◽  
D M Kissin ◽  
H Strosnider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Live Birth ◽  
Oocyte Retrieval ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is air pollution associated with IVF treatment outcomes in the USA? SUMMARY ANSWER We did not find clear evidence of a meaningful association between reproductive outcomes and average daily concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and ozone (O3). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Maternal exposure to air pollution such as PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide or O3 may increase risks for adverse perinatal outcomes. Findings from the few studies using data from IVF populations to investigate associations between specific pollutants and treatment outcomes are inconclusive. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION Retrospective cohort study of 253 528 non-cancelled fresh, autologous IVF cycles including 230 243 fresh, autologous IVF cycles with a transfer of ≥1 embryo was performed between 2010 and 2012. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We linked 2010–2012 National ART Surveillance System data for fresh, autologous IVF cycles with the ambient air pollution data generated using a Bayesian fusion model available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. We calculated county-level average daily PM2.5 and O3 concentrations for three time periods: cycle start to oocyte retrieval (T1), oocyte retrieval to embryo transfer (T2) and embryo transfer +14 days (T3). Multivariable predicted marginal proportions from logistic and log-linear regression models were used to estimate adjusted risk ratios (aRR) and 95% CI for the association between reproductive outcomes (implantation rate, pregnancy and live birth) and interquartile increases in PM2.5 and O3. The multipollutant models were also adjusted for patients and treatment characteristics and accounted for clustering by clinic and county of residence. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE For all exposure periods, O3 was weakly positively associated with implantation (aRR 1.01, 95% CI 1.001–1.02 for T1; aRR 1.01, 95% CI 1.001–1.02 for T2 and aRR 1.01, 95% CI 1.001–1.02 for T3) and live birth (aRR 1.01, 95% CI 1.002–1.02 for T1; aRR 1.01, 95% CI 1.004–1.02 for T2 and aRR 1.02, 95% CI 1.004–1.03 for T3). PM2.5 was not associated with any of the reproductive outcomes assessed. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The main limitation of this study is the use of aggregated air pollution data as proxies for individual exposure. The weak positive associations found in this study might be related to confounding by factors that we were unable to assess and may not reflect clinically meaningful differences. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS More research is needed to assess the impact of air pollution on reproductive function. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) None.

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