scholarly journals The Threat of Ambient Air Pollution in Kathmandu, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhuvan Saud ◽  
Govinda Paudel
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Current Scenario

Air pollution has been a major problem of 21st century for both developed and developing world. It has a negative impact on various environmental aspects which directly or indirectly affect the quality of human health. Nepal, especially Kathmandu, in the current situation, is observing rapid urbanization and various infrastructure development projects. As a result, these sorts of human activities have been responsible for increasing air pollution in an enormous rate inside Kathmandu Valley. Chronic exposure of deteriorated air increases the chance of Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) like lung disease, heart disease, and cancers. Short term exposures also invite respiratory diseases and allergy. This review is an attempt to summarize the updated knowledge on the threat of air pollution on public health and discuss the sources of air pollutants in Kathmandu. We reviewed the literatures that were published in PMC, MEDLINE, life science journals, and organization official websites and finally came up with the findings and their interpretation that reveal the current scenario in the context of Kathmandu’s air quality status and its impact on human health. The knowledge about the invisible killer’s role in causing acute and chronic diseases may help in finding out the answer of the question regarding its effect and prevention.

Air pollution and public health: the challenges for Delhi, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Kumar Sharma ◽  
Palak Baliyan ◽  
Prashant Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Bronchial Asthma ◽  
Suspended Particulate Matter ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Aerodynamic Diameter ◽  
Suspended Particulate

AbstractMitigating the impact of pollution on human health worldwide is important to limit the morbidity and mortality arising from exposure to its effect. The level and type of pollutants vary in different urban and rural settings. Here, we explored the extent of air pollution and its impacts on human health in the megacity of Delhi (India) through a review of the published literature. The study aims at describing the extent of air pollution in Delhi, the magnitude of health problems due to air pollution and the risk relationship between air pollution and associated health effects. We found 234 published articles in the PubMed search. The search showed that the extent of air pollution in Delhi has been described by various researchers from about 1986 onwards. We synthesized the findings and discuss them at length with respect to reported values, their possible interpretations and any limitations of the methodology. The chemical composition of ambient air pollution is also discussed. Further, we discuss the magnitude of health problem with respect to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), bronchial asthma and other illnesses. The results of the literature search showed that data has been collected in last 28 years on ambient air quality in Delhi, though it lacks a scientific continuity, consistency of locations and variations in parameters chosen for reporting. As a result, it is difficult to construct a spatiotemporal picture of the air pollution status in Delhi over time. The number of sites from where data have been collected varied widely across studies and methods used for data collection is also non-uniform. Even the parameters studied are varied, as some studies focused on particulate matter ≤10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) and those ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), and others on suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM). Similarly, the locations of data collection have varied widely. Some of the sites were at busy traffic intersections, some on the terraces of offices and residential houses and others in university campuses or airports. As a result, the key question of the extent of pollution and its distribution across various parts of the city could be inferred. None of the studies or a combination of them could present a complete picture of the burden of diseases like COPD, bronchial asthma and other allergic conditions attributable to pollution in Delhi. Neither could it be established what fraction of the burden of the above diseases is attributable to ambient air pollution, given that other factors like tobacco smoke and indoor air pollution are also contributors to the causation of such diseases. In our discussion, we highlight the knowledge gaps and in the conclusion, we suggested what research can be undertaken to fill the these research gaps.

scholarly journals Legal aspects of the resolutions determining the acceptable types and quality of fuels under Polish legislation

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Kinga Makuch
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Air Quality Improvement ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The article focuses on the selected aspects of introducing a resolution by a self-government of a province, which allows to determine the acceptable types and quality of fuels. The impact of polluted air on human health is significant. The actions carried out by the local authorities should be aimed on seeking effective air protection remedies; nonetheless, the scale of these activities seems to be still insignificant. One of the legal mechanisms is introducing resolutions determining the acceptable types and quality of fuels by a self-government of a province in order to protect the health of Polish residents and reduce the negative impact of air pollution on the environment. The question, however, is whether such resolutions could be audited with respect to the execution of such a resolution and whether they effectively lead to air quality improvement.

Ambient air pollution and its influence on human health and welfare: an overview

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (20) ◽  
pp. 24815-24830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alsaid Ahmed Almetwally ◽  
May Bin-Jumah ◽  
Ahmed A. Allam
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution

scholarly journals Impact of nitrogen and climate change interactions on ambient air pollution and human health

2012 ◽  
Vol 114 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 121-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Peel ◽  
Richard Haeuber ◽  
Valerie Garcia ◽  
Armistead G. Russell ◽  
Lucas Neas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution

scholarly journals Air of Uncertainty from pollution profiteers: Status of ambient air quality of sawmill industry in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morufu Raimi ◽  
Timothy Kayode Samson ◽  
Ajayi Bankole Sunday ◽  
Adio Zulkarnaini Olalekan ◽  
Odipe Oluwaseun Emmanuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ambient Air Quality ◽  
Direct Reading ◽  
Life Years

Abstract We can’t stop breathing, but we can do something about the quality of air that we breathe. Clean fresh air is indispensable ingredient for a good life quality. Individuals poses the right towards expecting that the breathed air will not harm people. Thus, fighting air pollution will not only improve health outcomes, productivity, and well-being, it’s also essential toward reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas as well as fighting climate change. For examples, a third of the global population is at risk from unhealthy of ambient air pollutants concentrations, with the loss of approximately 6.4 million healthy-life-years attributed specifically to chronic exposure to ambient particulate matter. Expert panels have consistently rated air pollution as a greater health hazard than water pollution. Pollution of air is the leading source of unexplained and undiagnosed diseases, besides have remained associated with a variety of serious human health risks, and in fact, a threshold has not been established under which these pollutants exert no adverse effects. This study evaluates ambient air quality at major sawmill sites in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. “Measurements of Air pollution were accurately carried out using direct reading, automatic in situ gas monitors; Hand held mobile multi-gas monitor with model AS8900 [Combustible (LEL), and Oxygen (O2)], BLATN with model BR – Smart Series air quality monitor (PM10, Formaldehyde) and air quality multimeter with model B SIDE EET100 (Dust (PM2.5), VOC, Temperature and Relative Humidity)”. The outcomes disclosed among others, the average concentrations of CO, O2 as well as other measured parameters for instance formaldehyde (HcHo) etc., they are also consistently low as well as within acceptable range in terms of National as well as Global monitoring standards for air quality indices. However, there are few exceptions for instance the average volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations, PM2.5, PM10 as well as Combustible (LEL) respectively, which are higher when compared to National and Global standards. This high figure is due to pollutant amount existing in the sawmills air environment resulting from input of influents from activities of the sawmill. However, as a result, air pollution in the city of Ilorin is found to be increasingly polluted and are of major health concern because of their synergistic action. Due to the high evidences and values, it can lead to a remarkable rise in over-all figure of hospital visits/ patients’ admissions with acute respiratory illnesses as soon as air pollutants level remained high. Hence, there is the need for an aggressive control of ambient air pollution.

scholarly journals Exposure to Environmental and Occupational Particulate Air Pollution as a Potential Contributor to Neurodegeneration and Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirini Dimakakou ◽  
Helinor Johnston ◽  
George Streftaris ◽  
John Cherrie
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
General Decline ◽  
Increased Risk

It has been hypothesised that environmental air pollution, especially airborne particles, is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and neurodegenerative conditions. However, epidemiological evidence is inconsistent and has not been previously evaluated as part of a systematic review. Our objectives were to carry out a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence on the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and T2DM and neurodegenerative diseases in adults and to identify if workplace exposures to particles are associated with an increased risk of T2DM and neurodegenerative diseases. Assessment of the quality of the evidence was carried out using the GRADE system, which considers the quality of the studies, consistency, directness, effect size, and publication bias. Available evidence indicates a consistent positive association between ambient air pollution and both T2DM and neurodegeneration risk, such as dementia and a general decline in cognition. However, corresponding evidence for workplace exposures are lacking. Further research is required to identify the link and mechanisms associated with particulate exposure and disease pathogenesis and to investigate the risks in occupational populations. Additional steps are needed to reduce air pollution levels and possibly also in the workplace environment to decrease the incidence of T2DM and cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Ambient air pollution and depressive symptoms

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mieczyslaw Szyszkowicz ◽  
Brian H Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Clinically Significant

Background. Depression is among the most common mental health problems. Depression interferes with daily functioning and quality of life. Many factors can contribute to depression and air pollution can initiate or intensify symptoms of depression. Methods. Case-crossover method was used to study associations between emergency department (ED) visits for depression and ambient air pollution. The statistical analysis was applied for patients of different ages. Results. Positive and statistically significant results, (communicated as odds ratios), were obtained for exposure to ambient carbon monoxide and ED visits for depression. Discussion. The presented results support the hypothesis that recent exposures to ambient levels of air pollutants can contribute clinically significant worsening in depression symptoms leading to ED visits. As the results suggest the associations are age dependent.

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