Abstract P002: Long Term Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Health

BACKGROUND: Although the link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease has been controversial in recent decades, it remains a top global health concern. Most studies have assessed only the relationship between pollutant concentrations and morbidity or mortality in populous cities. In this study, we investigated the association of long term exposure to major air pollutants with current cardiovascular health. This outcome was a measure of health rather than disease, as measured by the Cardiovascular Health Index (CVHI) developed by the American Heart Association. METHODS: We analyzed 2011 data from 3007 counties across the US using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Area Health Resources File. Air Quality Index (AQI) for five major pollutants from 2001-2011; Ozone, Sulfur dioxide and Carbon monoxide and Fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter of 10 and ≤2.5 μm) were obtained from the EPA Air Quality System database. Categories were based on the 11-year average pollutant AQI level and using Jenks optimization method; persistently good, variant and persistently bad. Associations between categories and the mean CVHI were evaluated using Poisson regression models adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status at the individual and population level. RESULTS: PM2.5 was most frequently measured (938 counties) and carbon monoxide least frequently (224 counties). Correlations between pollutants were moderate and significant (p<0.0001), ranging from r=0.30 between CO and Oz to r=0.52 between SD and PM2.5. Four pollutants had 11-year average AQI levels significantly associated with increased mean CVHI score of individuals. Living in a county categorized as ‘persistently good’ or ‘variant’ AQI levels for ozone is significantly associated with an estimated 3% increase in CVHI (95% CI 0.1% - 5.0%) as compared to living in a county of ‘persistently bad’ AQI levels. In addition, living in a county of only ‘persistently good’ AQI levels for PM2.5 is significantly associated with an estimated 5% increase in CVHI (95% CI 3% - 9%) as compared to living in a county of ‘persistently bad’ AQI levels. Inverse relationships existed for both PM10 and carbon monoxide. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to tease apart the independent effects of individual air pollutants on health as humans are exposed to a mixture of gases. However we have shown that at the individual level, there is an association between long term exposure to air pollution and its effects on current cardiovascular health. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects exist at varying levels of subject characteristics.

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The Effects of Air Pollution on COVID-19 Infection and Mortality—A Review on Recent Evidence

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2020.580057 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Nurshad Ali ◽

Farjana Islam

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Nitrogen Dioxide ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Health Concern ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Short Term ◽

The World ◽

Harmful Effects

The outbreak of COVID-19 has created a serious public health concern worldwide. Although, most of the regions around the globe have been affected by COVID-19 infections; some regions are more badly affected in terms of infections and fatality rates than others. The exact reasons for such variations are not clear yet. This review discussed the possible effects of air pollution on COVID-19 infections and mortality based on some recent evidence. The findings of most studies reviewed here demonstrate that both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution especially PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may contribute significantly to higher rates of COVID-19 infections and mortalities with a lesser extent also PM10. A significant correlation has been found between air pollution and COVID-19 infections and mortality in some countries in the world. The available data also indicate that exposure to air pollution may influence COVID-19 transmission. Moreover, exposure to air pollution may increase vulnerability and have harmful effects on the prognosis of patients affected by COVID-19 infections. Further research should be conducted considering some potential confounders such as age and pre-existing medical conditions along with exposure to NO2, PM2.5 and other air pollutants to confirm their detrimental effects on mortalities from COVID-19.

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

10.21203/rs.3.rs-270757/v1 ◽

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.

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Impact of Long-Term Air Pollution on the Case Fatality Rate of COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-42283/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chang-kai Hou ◽

Ya-fei Qin ◽

Quan-lei Liu ◽

Xin-yu Yang ◽

Hao Wang

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Case Fatality Rate ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Fatality Rate ◽

Correlation Relationship ◽

Pollution Indicator

Abstract Background There is preliminary evidence of the long-term exposure to air pollution will affect the outcome of patients with COVID-19. More information is needed about relationship between long-term exposure to air pollution and case fatality rate (CFR) of patients with COVID-19.Methods In this study, we have collected the data of Air Quality Index (AQI), PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2 and O3 from 14 representative cities in China in the past 5 years, and calculated the case fatality rate of COVID-19 in the corresponding city. First, we explored correlation relationship between CFR and long-term air quality indicators. Then, we try to point out the air pollutants that affect the level of CFR and evaluated their predictive value.Results We have observed a positive correlation between the CFR and AQI (1-year, 3-year, 5-year), PM2.5 (1-year, 3-year, 5-year), and PM10 (1-year, 3-year, 5-year). Meanwhile, AQI (3-year, 5-year) and PM2.5 (1-year, 3-year, 5-year) were significantly higher in the high CFR group. Moderate predictive value of air pollution indicator to CFR such as AQI (1-year, 3-year, 5-year), PM2.5 (1-year, 3-year, 5-year) have been found.Conclusions Our results indicate that long-term exposure to the environment with severe air pollution is associated with CFR of COVID-19. Air pollutants such as PM2.5 may have potential ability to predict the CFR of COVID-19.

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Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and mortality rates because of circulatory and respiratory diseases in South Korea

10.21203/rs.2.23984/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jinhee Kwon ◽

Jeongeun Hwang ◽

Hahn Yi ◽

Hyun-Jin Bae ◽

Miso Jang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Air Quality ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Pm 10

Abstract Background : Associations between long-term exposure to common air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), ozone, and particulate matter (PM 10 ) and health consequences have been studied. We investigated spatial effects of exposure to air pollution on mortality by circulatory and respiratory diseases nation-wide and in metropolitan. Methods: Means of daily concentration of the common air pollutants from 2005 to 2016 were calculated by district unit using linear interpolation. Age-standardized mortality rates of people suffering from heart disease (HD); cerebrovascular disease (CVD); ischemic heart disease (IHD); pneumonia (PN) and chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) were acquired from population census data. Sub-divided comparisons were performed to adjust spatial heterogeneity. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between mortality rates and air pollutant concentrations were investigated. Multivariable linear regressions were performed to investigate associations considering confounding factors. Results: Air pollutant concentration in metropolitan was the highest, except SO 2 ; in particular, PM 10 concentration was higher than air quality standard (PM 10 : 55.27 µg/m 3 , air quality standard: 50.00 µg/m 3 , P<0.05). Pearson’s correlation coefficient between PM 10 and mortality rates was significant ( r =0.313, 0.596, 0.420, -0.277 and 0.523 for HD, CVD, IHD, PN, and CLRD, all P<0.05) in metropolitan. The powers of regression model for PM 10 , smoking rate, education level, and population density were 0.532 and 0.482 (adjusted R 2 ) for mortality rates of CVD and CLRD, respectively. Conclusion : Long-term exposure study with sub-divided analysis showed overall associations between air pollution exposure and circulatory and respiratory disease mortalities. PM 10 exposure was significantly associated with mortality of CVD and CLRD in metropolitan.

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Investigating a Potential Map of PM2.5 Air Pollution and Risk for Tourist Attractions in Hsinchu County, Taiwan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228691 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8691

Author(s):

Yuan-Chien Lin ◽

Hua-San Shih ◽

Chun-Yeh Lai ◽

Jen-Kuo Tai

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Health Risks ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Spatial Data Analysis ◽

Concentration Data ◽

Tourist Attractions ◽

Pollution Risk ◽

Risk Levels

In the past few years, human health risks caused by fine particulate matters (PM2.5) and other air pollutants have gradually received attention. According to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act of Taiwan’s Government enforced in 2017, “suspended particulate matter” has officially been acknowledged as a disaster-causing hazard. The long-term exposure to high concentrations of air pollutants negatively affects the health of citizens. Therefore, the precise determination of the spatial long-term distribution of hazardous high-level air pollutants can help protect the health and safety of residents. The analysis of spatial information of disaster potentials is an important measure for assessing the risks of possible hazards. However, the spatial disaster-potential characteristics of air pollution have not been comprehensively studied. In addition, the development of air pollution potential maps of various regions would provide valuable information. In this study, Hsinchu County was chosen as an example. In the spatial data analysis, historical PM2.5 concentration data from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TWEPA) were used to analyze and estimate spatially the air pollution risk potential of PM2.5 in Hsinchu based on a geographic information system (GIS)-based radial basis function (RBF) spatial interpolation method. The probability that PM2.5 concentrations exceed a standard value was analyzed with the exceedance probability method; in addition, the air pollution risk levels of tourist attractions in Hsinchu County were determined. The results show that the air pollution risk levels of the different seasons are quite different. The most severe air pollution levels usually occur in spring and winter, whereas summer exhibits the best air quality. Xinfeng and Hukou Townships have the highest potential for air pollution episodes in Hsinchu County (approximately 18%). Hukou Old Street, which is one of the most important tourist attractions, has a relatively high air pollution risk. The analysis results of this study can be directly applied to other countries worldwide to provide references for tourists, tourism resource management, and air quality management; in addition, the results provide important information on the long-term health risks for local residents in the study area.

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Guidance to Reduce the Cardiovascular Burden of Ambient Air Pollutants: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association

Circulation ◽

10.1161/cir.0000000000000930 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (23) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joel D. Kaufman ◽

Mitchell S.V. Elkind ◽

Aruni Bhatnagar ◽

Kirsten Koehler ◽

John R. Balmes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

American Heart Association ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

American Heart ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Heart Association ◽

Leadership Role ◽

Fine Particulate

In 2010, the American Heart Association published a statement concluding that the existing scientific evidence was consistent with a causal relationship between exposure to fine particulate matter and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and that fine particulate matter exposure is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Since the publication of that statement, evidence linking air pollution exposure to cardiovascular health has continued to accumulate and the biological processes underlying these effects have become better understood. This increasingly persuasive evidence necessitates policies to reduce harmful exposures and the need to act even as the scientific evidence base continues to evolve. Policy options to mitigate the adverse health impacts of air pollutants must include the reduction of emissions through action on air quality, vehicle emissions, and renewable portfolio standards, taking into account racial, ethnic, and economic inequality in air pollutant exposure. Policy interventions to improve air quality can also be in alignment with policies that benefit community and transportation infrastructure, sustainable food systems, reduction in climate forcing agents, and reduction in wildfires. The health care sector has a leadership role in adopting policies to contribute to improved environmental air quality as well. There is also potentially significant private sector leadership and industry innovation occurring in the absence of and in addition to public policy action, demonstrating the important role of public-private partnerships. In addition to supporting education and research in this area, the American Heart Association has an important leadership role to encourage and support public policies, private sector innovation, and public-private partnerships to reduce the adverse impact of air pollution on current and future cardiovascular health in the United States.

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Regional Features of Long-Term Exposure to PM2.5 Air Quality over Asia under SSP Scenarios Based on CMIP6 Models

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136817 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6817

Author(s):

Sungbo Shim ◽

Hyunmin Sung ◽

Sanghoon Kwon ◽

Jisun Kim ◽

Jaehee Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

East Asia ◽

Climate Model ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Coupled Model ◽

Surface Air Temperature ◽

Quality Controls ◽

Quality Guidelines

This study investigates changes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and air-quality index (AQI) in Asia using nine different Coupled Model Inter-Comparison Project 6 (CMIP6) climate model ensembles from historical and future scenarios under shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). The results indicated that the estimated present-day PM2.5 concentrations were comparable to satellite-derived data. Overall, the PM2.5 concentrations of the analyzed regions exceeded the WHO air-quality guidelines, particularly in East Asia and South Asia. In future SSP scenarios that consider the implementation of significant air-quality controls (SSP1-2.6, SSP5-8.5) and medium air-quality controls (SSP2-4.5), the annual PM2.5 levels were predicted to substantially reduce (by 46% to around 66% of the present-day levels) in East Asia, resulting in a significant improvement in the AQI values in the mid-future. Conversely, weak air pollution controls considered in the SSP3-7.0 scenario resulted in poor AQI values in China and India. Moreover, a predicted increase in the percentage of aged populations (>65 years) in these regions, coupled with high AQI values, may increase the risk of premature deaths in the future. This study also examined the regional impact of PM2.5 mitigations on downward shortwave energy and surface air temperature. Our results revealed that, although significant air pollution controls can reduce long-term exposure to PM2.5, it may also contribute to the warming of near- and mid-future climates.

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Contribution of Local and Transboundary Air Pollution to the Urban Air Quality of Fukuoka, Japan

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12040431 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 431

Author(s):

Ayako Yoshino ◽

Akinori Takami ◽

Keiichiro Hara ◽

Chiharu Nishita-Hara ◽

Masahiko Hayashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Gaseous Species ◽

Transboundary Air Pollution ◽

Local Air Pollution ◽

The City

Transboundary air pollution (TAP) and local air pollution (LAP) influence the air quality of urban areas. Fukuoka, located on the west side of Japan and affected by TAP from the Asian continent, is a unique example for understanding the contribution of LAP and TAP. Gaseous species and particulate matter (PM) were measured for approximately three weeks in Fukuoka in the winter of 2018. We classified two distinctive periods, LAP and TAP, based on wind speed. The classification was supported by variations in the concentration of gaseous species and by backward trajectories. Most air pollutants, including NOx and PM, were high in the LAP period and low in the TAP period. However, ozone was the exception. Therefore, our findings suggest that reducing local emissions is necessary. Ozone was higher in the TAP period, and the variation in ozone concentration was relatively small, indicating that ozone was produced outside of the city and transported to Fukuoka. Thus, air pollutants must also be reduced at a regional scale, including in China.

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Socioeconomic inequalities and exposure to traffic-related air pollution in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/0102-311x00168412 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 119-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Mateus Habermann ◽

Míriam Souza ◽

Rogério Prado ◽

Nelson Gouveia

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

Health Concern ◽

Traffic Density ◽

São Paulo ◽

The Relationship ◽

The City

Air pollution is a leading public health concern. In addition, poor populations have been reported as showing increased exposure to such pollution. The current study thus aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic status of the population exposed to vehicle-related air pollution in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The study used data from the 2010 Census on head-of-household’s mean monthly income and the percentage of households connected to the sewage system. Exposure to air pollutants was estimated according to traffic density in the census tract plus a 200m surrounding buffer. The relationship between exposure and socioeconomic variables was analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Exposure increased with increasing socioeconomic status (p < 0.001). The population with the highest socioeconomic status lives in the most polluted areas of the city. However, place of residence alone is not capable of measuring exposure. The study suggests that future epidemiological studies include other indicators of vulnerability.

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Pre-monsoon air quality over Lumbini, a world heritage site along the Himalayan foothills

10.5194/acp-2016-430 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dipesh Rupakheti ◽

Bhupesh Adhikary ◽

Puppala S. Praveen ◽

Maheswar Rupakheti ◽

Shichang Kang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Transport Model ◽

World Heritage ◽

World Heritage Site ◽

Pollution Level ◽

Pollution Transport ◽

Heritage Site

Abstract. Lumbini, in southern Nepal, is a UNESCO world heritage site of universal value as the birthplace of Buddha. Poor air quality in Lumbini and surrounding regions is a great concern for public health as well as for preservation, protection and promotion of Buddhist heritage and culture. We present here results from measurements of ambient concentrations of key air pollutants (PM, BC, CO, O3) in Lumbini, first of its kind for Lumbini, conducted during an intensive measurement period of three months (April–June 2013) in the pre-monsoon season. The measurements were carried out as a part of the international air pollution measurement campaign; SusKat-ABC (Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley – Atmospheric Brown Clouds). The ranges of hourly average concentrations were: PM10: 10.5–604.0 µg m−3, PM2.5: 6.1–272.2 µg m−3; BC: 0.3–30.0 µg m−3; CO: 125.0–1430.0 ppbv; and O3: 1.0–118.1 ppbv. These levels are comparable to other very heavily polluted sites throughout South Asia. The 24-h average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations exceeded the WHO guideline very frequently (94 % and 85 % of the sampled period, respectively), which implies significant health risks for the residents and visitors in the region. These air pollutants exhibited clear diurnal cycles with high values in the morning and evening. During the study period, the worst air pollution episodes were mainly due to agro-residue burning and regional forest fires combined with meteorological conditions conducive of pollution transport to Lumbini. Fossil fuel combustion also contributed significantly, accounting for more than half of the ambient BC concentration according to aerosol spectral light absorption coefficients obtained in Lumbini. WRF-STEM, a regional chemical transport model, was used to simulate the meteorology and the concentrations of pollutants. The model was able to reproduce the variation in the pollutant concentrations well; however, estimated values were 1.5 to 5 times lower than the observed concentrations for CO and PM10 respectively. Regionally tagged CO tracers showed the majority of CO came from the upwind region of Ganges valley. The model was also used to examine the chemical composition of the aerosol mixture, indicating that organic carbon was the main constituent of fine mode PM2.5, followed by mineral dust. Given the high pollution level, there is a clear and urgent need for setting up a network of long-term air quality monitoring stations in the greater Lumbini region.

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