scholarly journals Mortality in US Hemodialysis Patients Following Exposure to Wildfire Smoke

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1824-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzhi Xi ◽  
Abhijit V. Kshirsagar ◽  
Timothy J. Wade ◽  
David B. Richardson ◽  
M. Alan Brookhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Place Of Death ◽  
Environmental Stressor ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Rate Ratios

BackgroundWildfires are increasingly a significant source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has been linked to adverse health effects and increased mortality. ESKD patients are potentially susceptible to this environmental stressor.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective time-series analysis of the association between daily exposure to wildfire PM2.5 and mortality in 253 counties near a major wildfire between 2008 and 2012. Using quasi-Poisson regression models, we estimated rate ratios (RRs) for all-cause mortality on the day of exposure and up to 30 days following exposure, adjusted for background PM2.5, day of week, seasonality, and heat. We stratified the analysis by causes of death (cardiac, vascular, infectious, or other) and place of death (clinical or nonclinical setting) for differential PM2.5 exposure and outcome classification.ResultsWe found 48,454 deaths matched to the 253 counties. A 10-μg/m3 increase in wildfire PM2.5 associated with a 4% increase in all-cause mortality on the same day (RR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.01 to 1.07) and 7% increase cumulatively over 30 days following exposure (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12). Risk was elevated following exposure for deaths occurring in nonclinical settings (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.12), suggesting modification of exposure by place of death. “Other” deaths (those not attributed to cardiac, vascular, or infectious causes) accounted for the largest portion of deaths and had a strong same-day effect (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.12) and cumulative effect over the 30-day period. On days with a wildfire PM2.5 contribution >10 μg/m3, exposure accounted for 8.4% of mortality.ConclusionsWildfire smoke exposure was positively associated with all-cause mortality among patients receiving in-center hemodialysis.

Extreme concentrations of fine particulate matter and black carbon during commute

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika S. Brand ◽  
Thiago Nogueira ◽  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
Maria de Fatima Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Black Carbon ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Extreme Value Distribution ◽  
Road Vehicles ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Commuter Exposure ◽  
Evening Peak

<p>Commuters are vulnerable to traffic air pollutants, especially to fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) and black carbon (BC) because of their proximity to on-road vehicles. Both pollutants have been extensively associated to adverse health effects (i.e., stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancer). Therefore, this work aims to investigate the extreme concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and BC occurrence in commuters in the megacity of São Paulo, Brazil. We carried out a field campaign measuring the commuter exposure to PM<sub>2.5</sub> and BC concentrations inside buses, cars and undergrounds in São Paulo during morning and evening peak-hours. We fitted an Extreme Value Distribution to the collected data to investigate the behavior of the extreme values in the different transport modes and periods of the day. The results suggest that higher concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and BC occur more frequently inside buses, followed by cars and undergrounds. Extreme concentrations for both pollutants are more likely to happen during morning peak-hours when compared to evening peak-hours. Our findings add further evidence that the transport mode and period of the day affect substantially the PM<sub>2.5</sub> and BC exposure in commuters. Furthermore, the results are quite useful for supporting urban policies that consider the improvement of the efficiency of air filtering systems inside public transport and private cars.</p>

scholarly journals Impacts of Fine Particulate Matter from Wildfire Smoke on Respiratory and Cardiovascular Health in California

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Heaney ◽  
Jennifer D Stowell ◽  
Jia Coco Liu ◽  
Rupa Basu ◽  
Miriam E. Marlier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Fine Particulate

scholarly journals High Levels of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Concentrations from Burning Solid Fuels in Rural Households of Butajira, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6942
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Tamire ◽  
Abera Kumie ◽  
Adamu Addissie ◽  
Mulugeta Ayalew ◽  
Johan Boman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Cooking Practices ◽  
Mean Concentration

The use of solid fuel, known to emit pollutants which cause damage to human health, is the primary energy option in Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study was to measure the level of household air pollution by using the 24-h mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 150 randomly recruited households in rural Butajira, Ethiopia. Data relating to household and cooking practices were obtained by conducting face-to-face interviews with the mothers. The 24-h mean (standard deviation) and median PM2.5 concentrations were 410 (220) and 340 µg/m3, respectively. Households using only traditional stoves and those who did not open the door or a window during cooking had a significantly higher mean concentration compared with their counterparts. There is a statistically significant correlation between the mean concentration of PM2.5 and the self-reported cooking duration. The pollution level was up to 16 times higher than the WHO 24-h guideline limit of 25 μg/m3, thus leaving the mothers and children who spend the most time at the domestic hearth at risk of the adverse health effects from solid fuel use in Ethiopia. Thus, effective short- and long-term interventions are urgently needed.

scholarly journals Insufficient Sleep Correlates with the Natural Environment, Health Behaviors, and Selected Causes of Death

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Insufficient Sleep ◽  
Vehicle Accidents ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Maximum Air Temperature

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of insufficient sleep in the contiguous US and show how insufficient sleep correlates with selected natural environment factors, health behaviors, and causes of death. Design: An ecologic study design was used with measurements for each variable on the county level. Setting: A total of 3,108 counties in the contiguous US. Measures: Measurements were on the county level, which included altitude, sunlight, ambient air temperature, PM2.5, and precipitation, and selected health behaviors and causes of death. Results: Higher altitude is associated with better sleep, but this association is explained by lower average daily fine particulate matter, maximum air temperature, and precipitation at higher altitude. Improved sleep duration correlates with less air pollution, moderate sleeping temperatures, and less precipitation, which likely correlates with better health behaviors. Sufficient sleep may further improve by lower tobacco smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and better diet. After accounting for the environmental and health behavior variables, insufficient sleep no longer had a direct effect on the causes of death, except for injury and motor vehicle accidents. Conclusions: Better sleep duration occurs at lower altitude and in places where there is less average daily fine particulate matter, more moderate maximum air temperature, and lower precipitation. Better sleep duration also correlates with less tobacco smoking, obesity and physical inactivity, and better diet. After accounting for the environmental and health behavior variables, insufficient sleep continues to have a direct influence on death, except rates associated with injury and motor vehicle accidents.

scholarly journals Sub-Clinical Effects of Outdoor Smoke in Affected Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Thomas O’Dwyer ◽  
Michael J. Abramson ◽  
Lahn Straney ◽  
Farhad Salimi ◽  
Fay Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Many Australians are intermittently exposed to landscape fire smoke from wildfires or planned (prescribed) burns. This study aimed to investigate effects of outdoor smoke from planned burns, wildfires and a coal mine fire by assessing biomarkers of inflammation in an exposed and predominantly older population. Participants were recruited from three communities in south-eastern Australia. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were continuously measured within these communities, with participants performing a range of health measures during and without a smoke event. Changes in biomarkers were examined in response to PM2.5 concentrations from outdoor smoke. Increased levels of FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) (β = 0.500 [95%CI 0.192 to 0.808] p < 0.001) at a 4 h lag were associated with a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 levels from outdoor smoke, with effects also shown for wildfire smoke at 4, 12, 24 and 48-h lag periods and coal mine fire smoke at a 4 h lag. Total white cell (β = −0.088 [−0.171 to −0.006] p = 0.036) and neutrophil counts (β = −0.077 [−0.144 to −0.010] p = 0.024) declined in response to a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5. However, exposure to outdoor smoke resulting from wildfires, planned burns and a coal mine fire was not found to affect other blood biomarkers.

scholarly journals Future climate and adverse health effects caused by fine particulate matter air pollution: case study for Poland

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 705-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Tainio ◽  
Katarzyna Juda-Rezler ◽  
Magdalena Reizer ◽  
Aleksander Warchałowski ◽  
Wojciech Trapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Fine Particulate

scholarly journals Who Among the Elderly Is Most Vulnerable to Exposure to and Health Risks of Fine Particulate Matter From Wildfire Smoke?

2017 ◽  
Vol 186 (6) ◽  
pp. 730-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Coco Liu ◽  
Ander Wilson ◽  
Loretta J. Mickley ◽  
Keita Ebisu ◽  
Melissa P. Sulprizio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Fine Particulate

scholarly journals Using Low-Cost Sensors to Assess Fine Particulate Matter Infiltration (PM2.5) during a Wildfire Smoke Episode at a Large Inpatient Healthcare Facility

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9811
Author(s):  
Phuong D. M. Nguyen ◽  
Nika Martinussen ◽  
Gary Mallach ◽  
Ghazal Ebrahimi ◽  
Kori Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Fine Particulate

Wildfire smoke exposure is associated with a range of acute health outcomes, which can be more severe in individuals with underlying health conditions. Currently, there is limited information on the susceptibility of healthcare facilities to smoke infiltration. As part of a larger study to address this gap, a rehabilitation facility in Vancouver, Canada was outfitted with one outdoor and seven indoor low-cost fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sensors in Air Quality Eggs (EGG) during the summer of 2020. Raw measurements were calibrated using temperature, relative humidity, and dew point derived from the EGG data. The infiltration coefficient was quantified using a distributed lag model. Indoor concentrations during the smoke episode were elevated throughout the building, though non-uniformly. After censoring indoor-only peaks, the average infiltration coefficient (range) during typical days was 0.32 (0.22–0.39), compared with 0.37 (0.31–0.47) during the smoke episode, a 19% increase on average. Indoor PM2.5 concentrations quickly reflected outdoor conditions during and after the smoke episode. It is unclear whether these results will be generalizable to other years due to COVID-related changes to building operations, but some of the safety protocols may offer valuable lessons for future wildfire seasons. For example, points of building entry and exit were reduced from eight to two during the pandemic, which likely helped to protect the building from wildfire smoke infiltration. Overall, these results demonstrate the utility of indoor low-cost sensors in understanding the impacts of extreme smoke events on facilities where highly susceptible individuals are present. Furthermore, they highlight the need to employ interventions that enhance indoor air quality in such facilities during smoke events.

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