Computer simulations of the impact of air pollution on the quality of life and health risks in Bulgaria

While the negative influence of environmental pollution on the respiratory system is well established, especially for people with bronchial hyper-reactivity, the impact of particulate matter on quality of life in asthma patients is not well understood. Three hundred adult asthma patients were recruited for a study; for each patient, the daily concentrations of particulate matter of 2.5 µm or less in diameter (PM2.5) were recorded from air quality monitoring stations. The study was conducted over two weeks. After two weeks, the patients filled out the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), evaluating the quality of their lives throughout the monitored period. Patients exposed to a higher concentration of PM2.5 had significantly lower AQLQ scores. Every 10 µg/m3 of an increase in the concentration of PM2.5 resulted in a decrease of the AQLQ score by 0.16. All domains of quality of life (symptoms, activity limitations, emotional functioning, and environmental stimuli) assessed in the questionnaire were negatively affected by PM2.5. These findings provide an important argument in favor of educating physicians and patients and raising awareness about the detrimental health effects of air pollution. Improving the quality of life of people with asthma requires an immediate and substantial reduction of air pollution.

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Analysis of the impact of vehicles on air pollution in Ulan-Ude

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202127304004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 273 ◽

pp. 04004

Author(s):

Liudmila Grigoryeva ◽

Anfisa Dmitrieva ◽

Oyuna Ayurova ◽

Valerii Hertuev ◽

Darma Markhaev

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Road Network ◽

Quality Characteristics ◽

Atmospheric Air ◽

The Road ◽

Key Indicators ◽

The Impact

In recent years, urban ecology has become one of the key indicators for evaluating the citizens’ quality of life. The article studies the road network situation in Ulan-Ude, as well as the impact of vehicle emissions on the quality characteristics of the city’s atmospheric air from 2010 to 2019. The features of the application of various methods for assessing the level of pollutants from vehicles on the example of Ulan-Ude are described. The dynamics of changes in the main pollutants including sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxides, and other impurities, is revealed. Ways to reduce the air pollution from vehicles in Ulan-Ude are proposed.

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Assessment of the public health status under the influence of odourous emission components of food and agro-industrial enterprises

Hygiene and Sanitation ◽

10.47470/0016-9900-2021-100-12-1359-1365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 100 (12) ◽

pp. 1359-1365

Author(s):

Mikhail E. Goshin ◽

Zul’fiia F. Sabirova ◽

Olga V. Budarina ◽

Faina I. Ingel ◽

Zinaida V. Shipulina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

Endocrine System ◽

Industrial Complex ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Atmospheric Air ◽

Digestive Organs ◽

The Impact

Introduction. This paper studied the impact of atmospheric air pollution by odourous emissions of enterprises on the health, quality of life, and various somatic and emotional disorders in the population of the neighbouring residential areas. Material and methods. According to official medical statistics, the analysis of the incidence rate of residents of a municipality with a population of about 50 thousand people, where there are objects of the agro-industrial complex and food industry that are sources of pronounced odours data. The study of the influence of air pollution with odourous substances on health, emotional state and quality of life was conducted by a questionnaire survey of residents living at various distances from enterprises that are sources of odours. Results. The incidence rate of digestive system diseases in the studied municipality is 1.6 and 1.9 times higher than in Russia. The incidence rate of endocrine system diseases and metabolic disorders is 2.2 and 2.4 times higher, respectively. The survey results showed the presence of several sources of “offensive” odours in the municipality, primarily the enterprises for the production of bone meal and instant coffee. The survey enabled to identify the priority pathologies in residents of the nearest territories: diseases of the endocrine system, digestive organs, and circulatory system, the frequency of which decreases with distance from enterprises, which is consistent with the results of the study on the incidence rate in the present territory. This may be because odours present in the atmospheric air contribute to the state of maladaptive stress, the main targets of which are the digestive organs and the endocrine system. Conclusion. Atmospheric air pollution with odourous substances is one of the indicators affecting the health of the population and making a significant contribution to the formation of the incidence structure of residential areas located near the sources of odours.

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Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00055 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 2097-2108

Author(s):

Robyn L. Croft ◽

Courtney T. Byrd

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

The Self ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Adults Who Stutter ◽

And Gender ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

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