Ambient Air Pollution: Respiratory Hazards to Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 1210-1213
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Clean Air Act ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Clean Air

Levels of many outdoor air pollutants decreased substantially after the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970; however, levels of ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter are still high enough to present hazards to children. Failure to meet the federal standards for these pollutants was a major force driving the adoption of the revised Clean Air Act of 1990. In addition, recent research indicates that acidic aerosols, for which there are no health-based standards, may be associated with adverse respiratory effects. As an ambient air pollutant, ozone is formed by the action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides and reactive hydrocarbons (both of which are emitted by motor vehicles and industrial sources). Ozone levels therefore tend to be highest on warm, sunny days, which are conducive to outdoor activities. In many areas ozone concentrations peak in the midafternoon, when children are likely to be playing outside. It is important to distinguish ground-level ozone air pollution from stratospheric ozone depletion by chlorofluorocarbons. These issues are unrelated. Carbon monoxide, a product of incomplete combustion, is emitted mainly from cars and other mobile sources. Airborne particulate matter is a variable and complex mixture of natural materials and substances released from numerous industries, motor vehicles, residential wood burning, construction and demolition, and other sources. Acidic aerosols are traceable mainly to combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels and to reactions of photochemical free radicals with nitrogen dioxide. Exposure to ambient air pollution in North America has been clearly associated with acute and subacute effects in epidemiologic investigations and in controlled exposure studies in environmental chambers.

scholarly journals Ambient air pollution and emergency department visits in Toronto, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mieczysław Szyszkowicz ◽  
Nicholas de Angelis
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Nitrogen Dioxide ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
A Value

AbstractTo investigate the acute impact of various air pollutants on various disease groups in the urban area of the city of Toronto, Canada. Statistical models were developed to estimate the relative risk of an emergency department visit associated with ambient air pollution concentration levels. These models were generated for 8 air pollutants (lagged from 0 to 14 days) and for 18 strata (based on sex, age group, and season). Twelve disease groups extracted from the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) were used as health classifications in the models. The qualitative results were collected in matrices composed of 18 rows (strata) and 15 columns (lags) for each air pollutant and the 12 health classifications. The matrix cells were assigned a value of 1 if the association was positively statistically significant; otherwise, they were assigned to a value of 0. The constructed matrices were totalized separately for each air pollutant. The resulting matrices show qualitative associations for grouped diseases, air pollutants, and their corresponding lagged concentrations and indicate the frequency of statistically significant positive associations. The results are presented in colour-gradient matrices with the number of associations for every combination of patient strata, pollutant, and lag in corresponding cells. The highest number of the associations was 8 (of 12 possible) obtained for the same day exposure to carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and days with elevated air quality health index (AQHI) values. For carbon monoxide, the number of the associations decreases with the increasing lags. For this air pollutant, there were almost no associations after 8 days of lag. In the case of nitrogen dioxide, the associations persist even for longer lags. The numerical values obtained from the models are provided for every pollutant. The constructed matrices are a useful tool to analyze the impact of ambient air pollution concentrations on public health.

scholarly journals Relationship between Air Pollutant Exposure and Gynecologic Cancer Risk

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5353
Author(s):  
Qiwei Yu ◽  
Liqiang Zhang ◽  
Kun Hou ◽  
Jingwen Li ◽  
Suhong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk

Exposure to air pollution has been suggested to be associated with an increased risk of women’s health disorders. However, it remains unknown to what extent changes in ambient air pollution affect gynecological cancer. In our case–control study, the logistic regression model was combined with the restricted cubic spline to examine the association of short-term exposure to air pollution with gynecological cancer events using the clinical data of 35,989 women in Beijing from December 2008 to December 2017. We assessed the women’s exposure to air pollutants using the monitor located nearest to each woman’s residence and working places, adjusting for age, occupation, ambient temperature, and ambient humidity. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were examined to evaluate gynecologic cancer risk in six time windows (Phase 1–Phase 6) of women’s exposure to air pollutants (PM2.5, CO, O3, and SO2) and the highest ORs were found in Phase 4 (240 days). Then, the higher adjusted ORs were found associated with the increased concentrations of each pollutant (PM2.5, CO, O3, and SO2) in Phase 4. For instance, the adjusted OR of gynecological cancer risk for a 1.0-mg m−3 increase in CO exposures was 1.010 (95% CI: 0.881–1.139) below 0.8 mg m−3, 1.032 (95% CI: 0.871–1.194) at 0.8–1.0 mg m−3, 1.059 (95% CI: 0.973–1.145) at 1.0–1.4 mg m−3, and 1.120 (95% CI: 0.993–1.246) above 1.4 mg m−3. The ORs calculated in different air pollution levels accessed us to identify the nonlinear association between women’s exposure to air pollutants (PM2.5, CO, O3, and SO2) and the gynecological cancer risk. This study supports that the gynecologic risks associated with air pollution should be considered in improved public health preventive measures and policymaking to minimize the dangerous effects of air pollution.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of SOx, NOx, and Primary Particulate Matter Control Strategies in the Improvement of Ambient PM Concentration in Taiwan

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Jiun-Horng Tsai ◽  
Ming-Ye Lee ◽  
Hung-Lung Chiang
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Clean Air Act ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Control Plan ◽  
Clean Air ◽  
Pm2.5 Concentration

The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) measurement was employed for evaluating the effectiveness of fine particulate matter control strategies in Taiwan. There are three scenarios as follows: (I) the 2014 baseline year emission, (II) 2020 emissions reduced via the Clean Air Act (CAA), and (III) other emissions reduced stringently via the Clean Air Act. Based on the Taiwan Emission Data System (TEDs) 8.1, established in 2014, the emission of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) was 73.5 thousand tons y−1, that of SOx was 121.3 thousand tons y−1, and that of NOx was 404.4 thousand tons y−1 in Taiwan. The CMAQ model simulation indicated that the PM2.5 concentration was 21.9 μg m−3. This could be underestimated by 24% in comparison with data from the ambient air quality monitoring stations of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA). The results of the simulation of the PM2.5 concentration showed high PM2.5 concentrations in central and southwestern Taiwan, especially in Taichung and Kaohsiung. Compared to scenario I, the average annual concentrations of PM2.5 for scenario II and scenario III showed reductions of 20.1% and 28.8%, respectively. From the results derived from the simulation, it can be seen that control of NOx emissions may improve daily airborne PM2.5 concentrations in Taiwan significantly and control of directly emitted PM2.5 emissions may improve airborne PM2.5 concentrations each month. Nevertheless, the results reveal that the preliminary control plan could not achievethe air quality standard. Therefore, the efficacy and effectiveness of the control measures must be considered to better reduce emissions in the future.

scholarly journals Insulin sensitizers prevent fine particulate matter-induced vascular insulin resistance and changes in endothelial progenitor cell homeostasis

2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (11) ◽  
pp. H1423-H1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Haberzettl ◽  
James P. McCracken ◽  
Aruni Bhatnagar ◽  
Daniel J. Conklin
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Insulin Sensitivity ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Endothelial Progenitor ◽  
Insulin Sensitizer ◽  
Circulating Levels

Exposure to fine particular matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Because blood vessels are sensitive targets of air pollutant exposure, we examined the effects of concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP) on vascular insulin sensitivity and circulating levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which reflect cardiovascular health. We found that CAP exposure for 9 days decreased insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation in the aorta of mice maintained on control diet. This change was accompanied by the induction of IL-1β and increases in the abundance of cleaved IL-18 and p10 subunit of Casp-1, consistent with the activation of the inflammasome pathway. CAP exposure also suppressed circulating levels of EPCs (Flk-1+/Sca-1+ cells), while enhancing the bone marrow abundance of these cells. Although similar changes in vascular insulin signaling and EPC levels were observed in mice fed high-fat diet, CAP exposure did not exacerbate diet-induced changes in vascular insulin resistance or EPC homeostasis. Treatment with an insulin sensitizer, metformin or rosiglitazone, prevented CAP-induced vascular insulin resistance and NF-κB and inflammasome activation and restored peripheral blood and bone marrow EPC levels. These findings suggest that PM2.5 exposure induces diet-independent vascular insulin resistance and inflammation and prevents EPC mobilization, and that this EPC mobilization defect could be mediated by vascular insulin resistance. Impaired vascular insulin sensitivity may be an important mechanism underlying PM2.5-induced vascular injury, and pharmacological sensitization to insulin action could potentially prevent deficits in vascular repair and mitigate vascular inflammation due to exposure to elevated levels of ambient air pollution. Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/particulate-matter-induced-vascular-insulin-resistance/ .

scholarly journals Ambient Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Peptic Ulcers in Taipei: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shang-Shyue Tsai ◽  
Hui-Fen Chiu ◽  
Chun-Yuh Yang
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Peptic Ulcer ◽  
Crossover Study ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Case Crossover

Very few studies have been performed to determine whether there is a relationship between air pollution and increases in hospitalizations for peptic ulcer, and for those that have occurred, their results may not be completely relevant to Taiwan, where the mixture of ambient air pollutants differ. We performed a time-stratified case-crossover study to investigate the possible association between air pollutant levels and hospital admissions for peptic ulcer in Taipei, Taiwan. To do this, we collected air pollution data from Taiwan's Environmental Protection Agency and hospital admissions for peptic ulcer data for the years 2009–2013 from Taiwan's National Health Insurance's research database. We used conditional logistic regression to analyze the possible association between the two, taking temperature and relative humidity into account. Risk was expressed as odds ratios and significance was expressed with 95% confidence intervals. In our single pollutant model, peptic ulcer admissions were significantly associated with all pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) on warm days (>23 °C). On cool days (<23 °C), peptic ulcer admissions were significantly associated with PM10, NO2, and O3. In our two-pollutant models, peptic ulcer admissions were significantly associated NO2 and O3 when combined with each of the other pollutants on warm days, and with PM10, NO2, and O3 on cool days. It was concluded that the likelihood of peptic ulcer hospitalizations in Taipei rose significantly with increases in air pollutants during the study period.

scholarly journals Air pollution interventions and respiratory health: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Saleh ◽  
W. Shepherd ◽  
C. Jewell ◽  
N. L. Lam ◽  
J. Balmes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Exposure Reduction ◽  
Air Pollution Exposure ◽  
Pollution Exposure

BACKGROUND: Indoor and ambient air pollution exposure is a major risk to respiratory health worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Interventional trials have mainly focused on alternatives to cooking stoves, with mixed results. Beyond cooking, additional sources of particulate matter also contribute to the burden of air pollution exposure. This review explores evidence from current randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the clinical effectiveness of interventions to reduce particulate matter in LMICs.METHODS: Twelve databases and the grey literature (e.g., Government reports and policy papers) were searched. Eligible studies were RCTs conducted in LMICs aiming to reduce particulate exposure from any source and reporting on at least one clinical respiratory outcome (respiratory symptoms, lung function or clinical diagnoses). Data from relevant studies were systematically extracted, the risk of bias assessed and narrative synthesis provided.RESULTS: Of the 14 included studies, 12 tested ‘improved' cookstoves, most using biomass, but solar and bioethanol cookers were also included. One trial used solar lamps and another was an integrated intervention incorporating behavioural and environmental components for the treatment and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Of the six studies reporting child pneumonia outcomes, none demonstrated significant benefit in intention-to-treat analysis. Ten studies reported respiratory symptom outcomes with some improvements seen, but self-reporting made these outcomes highly vulnerable to bias. Substantial inter-study clinical and methodological heterogeneity precluded calculation of pooled effect estimates.CONCLUSION: Evidence from the RCTs performed to date suggests that individual household-level interventions for air pollution exposure reduction have limited benefits for respiratory health. More comprehensive approaches to air pollution exposure reduction must be developed so their potential health benefits can be assessed.

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 Effects of AIR pollution on cardiopuLmonary disEaSe in urban and peri-urban reSidents in Beijing: protocol for the AIRLESS study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 15775-15792
Author(s):  
Yiqun Han ◽  
Wu Chen ◽  
Lia Chatzidiakou ◽  
Anika Krause ◽  
Li Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Disease ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Large Scale Field

Abstract. Beijing, as a representative megacity in China, is experiencing some of the most severe air pollution episodes in the world, and its fast urbanization has led to substantial urban and peri-urban disparities in both health status and air quality. Uncertainties remain regarding the possible causal links between individual air pollutants and health outcomes, with spatial comparative investigations of these links lacking, particularly in developing megacities. In light of this challenge, Effects of AIR pollution on cardiopuLmonary disEaSe in urban and peri-urban reSidents in Beijing (AIRLESS) was initiated, with the aim of addressing the complex issue of relating multi-pollutant exposure to cardiopulmonary outcomes. This paper presents the novel methodological framework employed in the project, namely (1) the deployment of two panel studies from established cohorts in urban and peri-urban Beijing, with different exposure settings regarding pollution levels and diverse sources; (2) the collection of detailed measurements and biomarkers of participants from a nested case (hypertensive) and control (healthy) study setting; (3) the assessment of indoor and personal exposure to multiple gaseous pollutants and particulate matter at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution with validated novel sensor technologies; (4) the assessment of ambient air pollution levels in a large-scale field campaign, particularly the chemical composition of particulate matter. Preliminary results showed that there is a large difference between ambient and personal air pollution levels, and the differences varied between seasons and locations. These large differences were reflected on the different health responses between the two panels.

scholarly journals Ambient Air Quality and General Health Outcomes in Nigde (Turkey) between 2011 and 2017

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ertan Kara ◽  
Hasan Göksel Özdilek ◽  
Emine Erman Kara ◽  
Fatih Balcı ◽  
Burcu Mestav
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Ambient Air Quality

Background: We aimed to provide information for health practitioners and other related people about the association between ambient air quality and adverse health outcomes in the general population of Nigde, a central Turkish city, within the context of current health data epidemiological evidence. Methods: The present study highlights the connection between health problems and time series of particulate matter (PM10) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) in Nigde, Turkey between 2011 and 2017. Significant morbidity is linked to ambient air pollution, resulting in a significant economic cost to society. Results: We found that the required funds to treat cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease triggered by ambient air pollution in Nigde, exceed 9 million US dollars per year, even when only the city center is taken into account. Conclusion: As Turkish cities grow and urban population density increases, air pollution issues need to be given priority in order to protect the health of the public and support sustainable development for future generations. It is recommended that particulate matter concentration in this urban center should be significantly reduced to minimize health problems.

scholarly journals Using Ultrasound-Treated Washout from Conifer Needles and Fresh Snow Samples in Air Pollution Monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
A. Kholodov ◽  
M. Tretyakova ◽  
K. Golokhvast
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Pollution Monitoring ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollution Monitoring ◽  
Conifer Needles ◽  
Fresh Snow ◽  
Snow Precipitation

Snow precipitation and snowpack are commonly used to assess the condition of the aerial environment. Another way to monitor air quality is to study trees and shrubs, which are natural barriers for capturing air pollution, including atmospheric particulate matter. The hypothesis of the current study was that using fresh snow precipitation and washout from vegetation for the monitoring of air pollution can produce comparable results. In this study, we compared the results of laser diffraction analysis of suspended particular matter in melted fresh snow and ultrasound-treated washout from conifer needles. The samples were collected at several sites in Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation, and analyzed according to the same scheme. We observed that the content of particulate matter with a smaller aerodynamic diameter in the ultrasound-treated washout from conifer needles was higher than that in the melted fresh snow. The content of PM10 in the ultrasound-treated washout from conifers was increased by 6–27% depending on the site, showing greater efficacy of this method. This method can be used as an alternative to the sampling of snow for the monitoring of ambient air pollution, taking into account several limitations.

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