Micronutrient-rich dietary intake is associated with a reduction in the effects of particulate matter on blood pressure among electronic waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie, Ghana

Abstract Background: Informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) releases particulate matter (PM) into the ambient air. Human exposure to PM has been reported to induce adverse effects on cardiovascular health. However, the impact of PM on the cardiovascular health of e-waste recyclers in Ghana has not been studied. Although intake of micronutrient-rich diet is known to modify these PM-induced adverse health effects, no data are available on the relationship between micronutrient status of e-waste recyclers and the reported high-level exposure to PM.Objectives: We investigated whether intake of micronutrient-rich diets ameliorates the adverse effects of ambient exposure to PM2.5 on blood pressure (BP).Methods: This study was conducted from March 2017 to October 2018; involving the measurement of breathing zone PM2.5 using real-time monitor. Dietary micronutrient (Fe, Ca, Mg, Se, Zn, and Cu) intake was assessed using a 2-day 24-hour recall, whiles cardiovascular indices such as systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) and pulse pressure (PP) were measured using a sphygmomanometer. Ordinary least-squares regression models were used to estimate the joint effects of ambient exposure to PM2.5 and dietary micronutrient intake on cardiovascular health outcomes. The results: Fe was consumed in adequate quantities. However, Ca, Se, Zn, Mg, and Cu were inadequately consumed among e-waste recyclers and controls. Dietary Ca and Fe intake were associated with reduced SBP and PP of e-waste recyclers. Although PM2.5 levels were higher in e-waste recyclers, the controls exceeded the WHO 24-hour guideline value (25µg/m3). Exposure to 1µg/m3 of PM2.5 was associated with increased HR of e-waste recyclers by 0.06 bpm; implying informal recycling of e-waste may be a risk factor for tachycardia. Also, dietary Fe intake was associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure levels of e-waste recyclers.Conclusions: Consistent adequate dietary Fe intake was associated with reduced effects of PM2.5 on SBP of e-waste recyclers overtime. However, as all other micronutrients are essential in ameliorating adverse effects of PM on cardiovascular health, nutrition-related policy dialogues are necessary to educate informal e-waste recyclers and the general population on specific nutrients of concern and their impact on the exposure to ambient air pollutants.

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Abstract 17345: Particulate Matter and Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease in a Nationwide Cohort of Men

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.132.suppl_3.17345 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Jaime E Hart ◽

Jarvis T Chen ◽

Robin C Puett ◽

Jeff D Yanosky ◽

Eric B Rimm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

High Blood Pressure ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Ambient Exposure ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Chronic exposures to particulate matter (PM) have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. We examined the impact of long-term exposures to PM on the risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke among members of the nationwide all-male Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) prospective cohort. Methods: HPFS members were followed biennially between 1986-2006 to obtain information on incident disease and to update information on CVD risk factors. Time-varying ambient PM 10 , PM 2.5-10 , and PM 2.5 for the previous 12 months were calculated from monthly predictions at the address level. Multivariate adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate [HR (95%CI)] for the association between each fraction of PM and each outcome among 43,371 CVD-free members of the HPFS, adjusting for risk factors and other potential confounders. We also assessed effect modification by region of the country, BMI, smoking status, and comorbidities (hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, and diabetes). Sensitivity analyses were conducted restricting the population to men who provided residential (N=15,395), as opposed to work, addresses. Results: The mean (SD) levels of 12-month average PM 10 , PM 2.5-10 , and PM 2.5 were 20.7 (6.2), 8.4 (4.7) and 12.3 (3.4) μg/m 3 . In the full population, there was only modest evidence of increased risks of incident CHD or stroke with increasing PM exposures. Associations with stroke were modified by region, hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, and diabetes, with larger effects among those with comorbid conditions and in the Northeast and South. CHD, but not stroke, dose-responses were stronger among those who provided residential as opposed to work addresses; each 10 μg/m 3 increase, was associated with increases in overall CHD [1.10 (95%CI: 1.01-1.20), 1.09 (0.97-1.23), and 1.14 (0.98-1.32) for PM 10 , PM 2.5-10 , and PM 2.5 , respectively]. Conclusions: In this cohort of US men, PM exposures were only modestly associated with elevated risks of CHD and stroke. Comorbidities and region modified the associations with stroke, and residential ambient exposures were more associated with CHD than work ambient exposure.

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The impact of measures to reduce ambient air PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations originating from road dust, evaluated for a street canyon in Helsinki

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-19-11199-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (17) ◽

pp. 11199-11212 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Stojiljkovic ◽

Mari Kauhaniemi ◽

Jaakko Kukkonen ◽

Kaarle Kupiainen ◽

Ari Karppinen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Air Quality ◽

Street Canyon ◽

Dust Emission ◽

Road Dust ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Air Quality Measurements ◽

Emission Models ◽

The Impact ◽

Quality Measurements

Abstract. We have numerically evaluated how effective selected potential measures would be for reducing the impact of road dust on ambient air particulate matter (PM10). The selected measures included a reduction of the use of studded tyres on light-duty vehicles and a reduction of the use of salt or sand for traction control. We have evaluated these measures for a street canyon located in central Helsinki for four years (2007–2009 and 2014). Air quality measurements were conducted in the street canyon for two years, 2009 and 2014. Two road dust emission models, NORTRIP (NOn-exhaust Road TRaffic Induced Particle emissions) and FORE (Forecasting Of Road dust Emissions), were applied in combination with the Operational Street Pollution Model (OSPM), a street canyon dispersion model, to compute the street increments of PM10 (i.e. the fraction of PM10 concentration originating from traffic emissions at the street level) within the street canyon. The predicted concentrations were compared with the air quality measurements. Both road dust emission models reproduced the seasonal variability of the PM10 concentrations fairly well but under-predicted the annual mean values. It was found that the largest reductions of concentrations could potentially be achieved by reducing the fraction of vehicles that use studded tyres. For instance, a 30 % decrease in the number of vehicles using studded tyres would result in an average decrease in the non-exhaust street increment of PM10 from 10 % to 22 %, depending on the model used and the year considered. Modelled contributions of traction sand and salt to the annual mean non-exhaust street increment of PM10 ranged from 4 % to 20 % for the traction sand and from 0.1 % to 4 % for the traction salt. The results presented here can be used to support the development of optimal strategies for reducing high springtime particulate matter concentrations originating from road dust.

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The Impact of a Yearlong Diabetes Prevention Program-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiovascular Health Metrics

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/21501327211029816 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272110298

Author(s):

Susan M. Devaraj ◽

Bonny Rockette-Wagner ◽

Rachel G. Miller ◽

Vincent C. Arena ◽

Jenna M. Napoleone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Lifestyle Intervention ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Diabetes Prevention ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Diabetes Prevention Program ◽

Behavioral Risk ◽

Community Based ◽

The Impact

Introduction The American Heart Association created “Life’s Simple Seven” metrics to estimate progress toward improving US cardiovascular health in a standardized manner. Given the widespread use of federally funded Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)-based lifestyle interventions such as the Group Lifestyle Balance (DPP-GLB), evaluation of change in health metrics within such a program is of national interest. This study examined change in cardiovascular health metric scores during the course of a yearlong DPP-GLB intervention. Methods Data were combined from 2 similar randomized trials offering a community based DPP-GLB lifestyle intervention to overweight/obese individuals with prediabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Pre/post lifestyle intervention participation changes in 5 of the 7 cardiovascular health metrics were examined at 6 and 12 months (BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, physical activity). Smoking was rare and diet was not measured. Results Among 305 participants with complete data (81.8% of 373 eligible adults), significant improvements were demonstrated in all 5 risk factors measured continuously at 6 and 12 months. There were significant positive shifts in the “ideal” and “total” metric scores at both time points. Also noted were beneficial shifts in the proportion of participants across categories for BMI, activity, and blood pressure. Conclusion AHA-metrics could have clinical utility in estimating an individual’s cardiovascular health status and in capturing improvement in cardiometabolic/behavioral risk factors resulting from participation in a community-based translation of the DPP lifestyle intervention.

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Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Temperature on Acute Myocardial Infarction in Korea

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094822 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4822

Author(s):

Jiyoung Shin ◽

Jongmin Oh ◽

In Sook Kang ◽

Eunhee Ha ◽

Wook Bum Pyun

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Cold Season ◽

Short Term ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

Short Term Exposure ◽

The Impact

Background/Aim: Previous studies have suggested that the short-term ambient air pollution and temperature are associated with myocardial infarction. In this study, we aimed to conduct a time-series analysis to assess the impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and temperature on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among adults over 20 years of age in Korea by using the data from the Korean National Health Information Database (KNHID). Methods: The daily data of 192,567 AMI cases in Seoul were collected from the nationwide, population-based KNHID from 2005 to 2014. The monitoring data of ambient PM2.5 from the Seoul Research Institute of Public Health and Environment were also collected. A generalized additive model (GAM) that allowed for a quasi-Poisson distribution was used to analyze the effects of PM2.5 and temperature on the incidence of AMI. Results: The models with PM2.5 lag structures of lag 0 and 2-day averages of lag 0 and 1 (lag 01) showed significant associations with AMI (Relative risk [RR]: 1.011, CI: 1.003–1.020 for lag 0, RR: 1.010, CI: 1.000–1.020 for lag 01) after adjusting the covariates. Stratification analysis conducted in the cold season (October–April) and the warm season (May–September) showed a significant lag 0 effect for AMI cases in the cold season only. Conclusions: In conclusion, acute exposure to PM2.5 was significantly associated with AMI morbidity at lag 0 in Seoul, Korea. This increased risk was also observed at low temperatures.

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Personal exposure to particulate matter and heart rate variability among informal electronic waste workers at Agbogbloshie: a longitudinal study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-12241-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Afua A. Amoabeng Nti ◽

Thomas G. Robins ◽

John Arko Mensah ◽

Duah Dwomoh ◽

Lawrencia Kwarteng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Electronic Waste ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Continuous Exposure ◽

Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Informal electronic waste recycling activities are major contributors to ambient air pollution, yet studies assessing the effects or relationship between direct/continuous exposure of informal e-waste workers to particulate matter and cardiovascular function are rare. Methods Repeated measurements of fractions of PM2.5, PM10–2.5, and PM10 in personal air of informal e-waste workers, (n = 142) and a comparable group (n = 65) were taken over a period of 20 months (March 2017 to November, 2018). Concurrently, 5-min resting electrocardiogram was performed on each participant to assess resting heart rate variability indices. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the association between PM fractions and cardiac function. Results SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF and LH/HF ratio were all associated with PM. Significant associations were observed for PM2.5 and Mean NN (p = 0.039), PM10 and SDNN (p = 0.035) and PM 10–2.5 and LH/HF (p = 0.039). A 10 μg/m3 increase in the concentrations of PM 2.5, PM10–2.5, and PM10 in personal air was associated with reduced HRV indices and increased resting HR. A 10 μg/m3 per interquartile (IQR) increase in PM10–2.5 and PM10, decreased SDNN by 11% [(95% CI: − 0.002- 0.000); (p = 0.187)] and 34% [(95% CI: − 0.002-0.001); (p = 0.035)] respectively. However, PM2.5 increased SDNN by 34% (95% CI: − 1.32-0.64); (p = 0.493). Also, 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10–2.5 and PM10 decreased RMSSD by 27% [(− 1.34–0.79); (p = 0.620)], 11% [(− 1.73, 0.95); (p = 0.846)] and 0.57% [(− 1.56–0.46); (p = 0.255%)]. Conclusion Informal e-waste workers are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease from cardiac autonomic dysfunction as seen in reduced HRV and increased heart rate.

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Abstract P366: Examining the Impact of Captivity in Men and Women on the Slaves Returning to South Sudan

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.129.suppl_1.p366 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Joseph Feldman ◽

Cholene Espinoza ◽

Brian J Beckord ◽

Niketa Kumar ◽

William Chaplin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

South Sudan ◽

Independent State ◽

Men And Women ◽

South Sudanese ◽

Normal Ranges ◽

Health Assessments ◽

In Captivity ◽

The Impact

Background: South Sudan became an independent state on July 9 2011, after having endured two civil wars with Republic of the Sudan lasting 51 years. Over the 51 years approximately 300,000 South Sudanese were abducted and in held in captivity in the Republic of the Sudan. The South Sudanese abductees suffered abuse and deprivation. Presently it is estimated that 35,000 are still in captivity. Assessing the health status of returning South Sudanese citizens immediately after their return is imperative. The aim of this report is to examine the effect of captivity on heart rate, (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and basic chemistry panel between men and women. Methods: In March of 2013, an American medical team performed health assessments for 48 hours in the state of Bahr el Gazal located in the northwest region of South Sudan. All returnees received health assessments within four days of their return. Health assessments defined as returnees’ demographics, along with their full history and physical examination. During physical exam height, weight, SBP, DBP, and HR, electrolytes and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were recorded and analyzed. Results: Analysis was run on 186 participants, 50.5% (94) male, and 49.5% (92) female. Females were significantly younger at age of abduction, whereas men spent a significantly longer time in captivity (Table). SBP and DBP were significantly higher in males compared to females, even after adjusting for Age (p = 0.002, p = 0.036). HR was significantly less in males compared with females, even when adjusting for age (p < 0.001). BUN was significantly lower in females compared to males adjusting for age (p < 0.001) Conclusion: Although a majority of measurements in both men and women slaves returning to South Sudan fell within normal ranges, it is crucial to continue to monitor this group’s cardiovascular health because their deprivation while in captivity may have significantly impacted their health and risk for long term cardiovascular disease.

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The Impact of Blood Pressure Dipping Status on Cognition, Mobility, and Cardiovascular Health in Older Adults Following an Exercise Program

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/2333721418770333 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 233372141877033 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Narlon C. Boa Sorte Silva ◽

Michael A. Gregory ◽

Dawn P. Gill ◽

Cheri L. McGowan ◽

Robert J. Petrella

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Blood Pressure Dipping ◽

The Impact

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Prediction of source contributions to urban background PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations in European cities: a case study for an episode in December 2016 using EMEP/MSC-W rv4.15 and LOTOS-EUROS v2.0 – Part 1: The country contributions

Geoscientific Model Development ◽

10.5194/gmd-13-1787-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1787-1807 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Matthieu Pommier ◽

Hilde Fagerli ◽

Michael Schulz ◽

Alvaro Valdebenito ◽

Richard Kranenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Emission Reduction ◽

Total Concentration ◽

Large Fraction ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Grid Cells ◽

Source Attribution ◽

European Cities ◽

Guideline Value ◽

The Impact

Abstract. A large fraction of the urban population in Europe is exposed to particulate matter levels above the WHO guideline value. To make more effective mitigation strategies, it is important to understand the influence on particulate matter (PM) from pollutants emitted in different European nations. In this study, we evaluate a country source contribution forecasting system aimed at assessing the domestic and transboundary contributions to PM in major European cities for an episode in December 2016. The system is composed of two models (EMEP/MSC-W rv4.15 and LOTOS-EUROS v2.0), which allows the consideration of differences in the source attribution. We also compared the PM10 concentrations, and both models present satisfactory agreement in the 4 d forecasts of the surface concentrations, since the hourly concentrations can be highly correlated with in situ observations. The correlation coefficients reach values of up to 0.58 for LOTOS-EUROS and 0.50 for EMEP for the urban stations; the values are 0.58 for LOTOS-EUROS and 0.72 for EMEP for the rural stations. However, the models underpredict the highest hourly concentrations measured by the urban stations (mean underestimation of 36 %), which is to be expected given the relatively coarse model resolution used (0.25∘ longitude × 0.125∘ latitude). For the source attribution calculations, LOTOS-EUROS uses a labelling technique, while the EMEP/MSC-W model uses a scenario having reduced anthropogenic emissions, and then it is compared to a reference run where no changes are applied. Different percentages (5 %, 15 %, and 50 %) for the reduced emissions in the EMEP/MSC-W model were used to test the robustness of the methodology. The impact of the different ways to define the urban area for the studied cities was also investigated (i.e. one model grid cell, nine grid cells, and grid cells covering the definition given by the Global Administrative Areas – GADM). We found that the combination of a 15 % emission reduction and a larger domain (nine grid cells or GADM) helps to preserve the linearity between emission and concentrations changes. The nonlinearity, related to the emission reduction scenario used, is suggested by the nature of the mismatch between the total concentration and the sum of the concentrations from different calculated sources. Even limited, this nonlinearity is observed in the NO3-, NH4+, and H2O concentrations, which is related to gas–aerosol partitioning of the species. The use of a 15 % emission reduction and of a larger city domain also causes better agreement on the determination of the main country contributors between both country source calculations. Over the 34 European cities investigated, PM10 was dominated by domestic emissions for the studied episode (1–9 December 2016). The two models generally agree on the dominant external country contributor (68 % on an hourly basis) to PM10 concentrations. Overall, 75 % of the hourly predicted PM10 concentrations of both models have the same top five main country contributors. Better agreement on the dominant country contributor for primary (emitted) species (70 % is found for primary organic matter (POM) and 80 % for elemental carbon – EC) than for the inorganic secondary component of the aerosol (50 %), which is predictable due to the conceptual differences in the source attribution used by both models. The country contribution calculated by the scenario approach depends on the chemical regime, which largely impacts the secondary components, unlike the calculation using the labelling approach.

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Cardiovascular adaptations to particle inhalation exposure: molecular mechanisms of the toxicology

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00026.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 319 (2) ◽

pp. H282-H305

Author(s):

Amina Kunovac ◽

Quincy A. Hathaway ◽

Mark V. Pinti ◽

Andrew D. Taylor ◽

John M. Hollander

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Cardiovascular System ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Clinical Decision Making ◽

Inhalation Exposure ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Consumer Products ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Particle Inhalation ◽

The Impact

Ambient air, occupational settings, and the use and distribution of consumer products all serve as conduits for toxicant exposure through inhalation. While the pulmonary system remains a primary target following inhalation exposure, cardiovascular implications are exceptionally culpable for increased morbidity and mortality. The epidemiological evidence for cardiovascular dysfunction resulting from acute or chronic inhalation exposure to particulate matter has been well documented, but the mechanisms driving the resulting disturbances remain elusive. In the current review, we aim to summarize the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are directly linked to cardiovascular health following exposure to a variety of inhaled toxicants. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the biochemical changes in the cardiovascular system following particle inhalation exposure and to highlight potential biomarkers that exist across multiple exposure paradigms. We attempt to integrate these molecular signatures in an effort to provide direction for future investigations. This review also characterizes how molecular responses are modified in at-risk populations, specifically the impact of environmental exposure during critical windows of development. Maternal exposure to particulate matter during gestation can lead to fetal epigenetic reprogramming, resulting in long-term deficits to the cardiovascular system. In both direct and indirect (gestational) exposures, connecting the biochemical mechanisms with functional deficits outlines pathways that can be targeted for future therapeutic intervention. Ultimately, future investigations integrating “omics”-based approaches will better elucidate the mechanisms that are altered by xenobiotic inhalation exposure, identify biomarkers, and guide in clinical decision making.

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