scholarly journals Efficiency of Commercial Face Masks in PM2.5 Prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Methas Arunnart

Background: Thailand has a high air pollution crisis especially in particle matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) which affects health quality. People should prevent themselves by using face masks. However, there are many types of commercial face masks. Each type of face mask does not have the same efficiency. Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of commercial face masks including supplement filter of face masks in PM2.5 reduction under breathing simulation. Methods: A tool for evaluating the efficiency of face masks in PM2.5 filtered under breathing simulation was created. Comparisons of the efficiency of each face mask and supplement filter were performed. Results: N95 mask had the highest efficiency (97.2%) followed by surgical mask (56.3% - 83.2%), cotton cloth mask (40.9% - 42.4%), muslin cloth mask (37.8%), and sponge mask (33.5%), respectively. In the part of the supplement filter, the carbon filter had the highest efficiency (88.3% - 98.8%) followed by face wash tissue (63.3%) and air filter for air conditioner (43.3%), respectively. Conclusions: N95 mask or surgical mask for PM2.5 prevention should be used in the high air pollution area. If unable to supply, cloth mask with a supplement filter was an alternative solution, and also a carbon filter was recommended.  

Author(s):  
George B. Cunningham ◽  
Pamela Wicker ◽  
Brian P. McCullough

Air and water pollution have detrimental effects on health, while physical activity opportunities have a positive relationship. The purpose of this study was to explore whether physical activity opportunities moderate the relationships among air and water pollution, and measures of health. Aggregate data were collected at the county level in the United States (n = 3104). Variables included the mean daily density of fine particle matter (air pollution), reported cases of health-related drinking water violations (water pollution), subjective ratings of poor or fair health (overall health), the number of physically and mentally unhealthy (physical and mental health, respectively), and the percentage of people living in close proximity to a park or recreation facility (access to physical activity). Air and water pollution have a significant positive effect on all measures of residents’ poor health, while physical activity opportunities only have a negative effect on overall health and physical health. Access to physical activity only moderates the relationship between air pollution and all health outcomes. Since physical activity behavior can be more rapidly changed than some causes of pollution, providing the resident population with better access to physical activity can represent an effective tool in environmental health policy.


1972 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 134-145
Author(s):  
Warren G. Wood ◽  
James M. Mathiesen ◽  
John S. Mgebroff

AbstractThe rapid, quantitative and qualitative analysis of particulates on air filter samples is becoming increasingly important as more air pollution sampling stations are set up throughout the countiy. Although atomic absorption provides a sensitive technique for the analysis of many elements, the disadvantages of complex sample preparation, sample destruction and the necessity to analyze one element at a time make this technique unsuitable for a large volume of samples. X-ray energy spectroscopy when combined with automated sample handling and the latest dedicated data reduction systems provides a technique which enables the analyst to process large numbers of samples and obtain precise quantitative and qualitative data rapidly. This paper will describe the preparation and analysis of typical air filter type samples, and the steps taken to identify the elements in the samples and obtain computerized reduction of the data in μg/cm2, ppm or percent.


Author(s):  
Mark R Miller ◽  
David E Newby

Abstract The cardiovascular effects of inhaled particle matter (PM) are responsible for a substantial morbidity and mortality attributed to air pollution. Ultrafine particles, like those in diesel exhaust emissions, are a major source of nanoparticles in urban environments, and it is these particles that have the capacity to induce the most significant health effects. Research has shown that diesel exhaust exposure can have many detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system both acutely and chronically. This review provides an overview of the cardiovascular effects on PM in air pollution, with an emphasis on ultrafine particles in vehicle exhaust. We consider the biological mechanisms underlying these cardiovascular effects of PM and postulate that cardiovascular dysfunction may be implicated in the effects of PM in other organ systems. The employment of multiple strategies to tackle air pollution, and especially ultrafine particles from vehicles, is likely to be accompanied by improvements in cardiovascular health.


Author(s):  
Andi Dala Aprilla ◽  
Rafidah Rafidah

ABSTRACT     Air pollution causes changes in the composition of air from its normal state. One of the triggers for air pollution such as Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The presence of CO and SO2 in basements with a certain amount and being in a long time will disrupt human health. The objective of the research is to determine the air quality at Makassar Trans Studio. The design of the research is observational research using descriptive approach through measuring levels of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide using Odalog 7000. The result of the research shows that on weekdays the levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) for daytime were 1.6 bds while at night it was 2.4 bds. While sulfur dioxide (SO2) for the daytime is 0.01 bds while at night is 0 bds. While the holiday of carbon monoxide (CO) for daytime is 3.9 bds while at night is 2.1 bds. While sulfur dioxide (SO2) for the daytime is 0.01 bds while at night is 0 bds. From these results the level of Carbon Monoxide (CO) is still below the specified quality standard (25 bds) and the levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are still below the standard set quality (2 bds). Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the air quality in parking basement of Makassar Trans Studio is still below the Threshold value according to SNI 19-0232-2005. It is recommended for the mall manager to always supervise and monitor the air filter and place the exhaust fan.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Rasool Entezar Mahdi ◽  
Mousa Ghelichi Ghojogh ◽  
Hojjat Kargar ◽  
Saeed Minaee Mehr

Introduction: Air pollution induced by human activities is one of major challenges faced by Iran, as well as the world . The AirQ model was used to evaluate the cardiovascular and respiratory diseases attributable to the exposure to suspended particles of less than 10 µm in Urmia city of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, in 2015. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted in Urmia in 2015. The hourly data of the PM10 (particle matter up to 10 µm) pollutant were extracted as the raw material from the Environmental Health Center. The health effects of suspended particles of less than 10 µm were estimated by statistical analysis using the World Health Organization’s AirQ model.Results:  According to the results concentration of PM10 was higher in the cold seasons compared with the warm seasons. The annual average of PM10 concentration was 3.9 times higher than that prescribed as per the standards of clean air in Iran. In addition, the cumulative numbers of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in the city of Urmia in the median estimate were 287 and 744 cases, respectively. Conclusion: As a consequently, air pollution in the Urmia city has contributed significantly to the rate of hospitalizations and deaths of people in 2015. Therefore, authorities should make appropriate, sustainable, and applicable strategies based on comprehensive research to control the Urmia air pollution crisis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjørn Sætterstrøm ◽  
Marie Kruse ◽  
Henrik Brønnum-Hansen ◽  
Jakob Hjort Bønløkke ◽  
Esben Meulengracht Flachs ◽  
...  

Objective. The aim of this study was to develop a method to assess the potential effects of air pollution mitigation on healthcare costs and to apply this method to assess the potential savings related to a reduction in fine particle matter in Denmark.Methods. The effects of air pollution on health were used to identify “exposed” individuals (i.e., cases). Coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer were considered to be associated with air pollution. We used propensity score matching, two-part estimation, and Lin’s method to estimate healthcare costs. Subsequently, we multiplied the number of saved cases due to mitigation with the healthcare costs to arrive to an expression for healthcare cost savings.Results. The potential cost saving in the healthcare system arising from a modelled reduction in air pollution was estimated at €0.1–2.6 million per 100,000 inhabitants for the four diseases.Conclusion. We have illustrated an application of a method to assess the potential changes in healthcare costs due to a reduction in air pollution. The method relies on a large volume of administrative data and combines a number of established methods for epidemiological analysis.


Author(s):  
Jiawen Liao ◽  
Wenlu Ye ◽  
Ajay Pillarisetti ◽  
Thomas F. Clasen

Indoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a prominent health concern. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of long-term use of indoor air filters for reduction of PM2.5 exposure and associated decrease in adverse health impacts in urban India. We conducted 20 simulations of yearlong personal exposure to PM2.5 in urban Delhi using the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s CONTAM program (NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Simulation scenarios were developed to examine different air filter efficiencies, use schedules, and the influence of a smoker at home. We quantified associated mortality reductions with Household Air Pollution Intervention Tool (HAPIT, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA). Without an air filter, we estimated an annual mean PM2.5 personal exposure of 103 µg/m3 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 93, 112) and 137 µg/m3 (95% CI: 125, 149) for households without and with a smoker, respectively. All day use of a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter would reduce personal PM2.5 exposure to 29 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3, respectively. The reduced personal PM2.5 exposure from air filter use is associated with 8–37% reduction in mortality attributable to PM2.5 pollution in Delhi. The findings of this study indicate that air filter may provide significant improvements in indoor air quality and result in health benefits.


1971 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold H. Kassarjian

A gasoline that claimed to reduce automotive emissions was introduced in a high air pollution area. This article reports the results of a study, completed six weeks after the introduction of the new product. The study examined consumer reaction toward the product and uncovered some of the marketing correlates of attitudes toward air pollution.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-138
Author(s):  
Adeeb Fae ◽  
Bandar E Almansouri ◽  
Diane E Heck ◽  
Hong Duck Kim

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represented as inflammatory complication of chronic bronchitis which is characterized by oxidative stress driven phenotypic changes likely enlarged alveoli and increased mucus along with tightened smooth muscle which exaggerate pathological consequences such as breathing problems. The association between COPD and obesity as a metabolic disorder following a variety of environmental stressors include lifestyle change (e.g., diet and e-smoking or marijuana) and air pollution are less likely to be evaluated. People who are suffering with COPD developed extensive suffocation and difficulty breathing, which ultimately leads to fatal conditions in severe cases, for example lung cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Previous studies showed metabolic disorder like obesity appeared as a risk determinant to COPD like breathing problem or deep vein thrombosis and its genetic modification resulted from abnormality of molecular dynamics turned out key trigger in case of immune alteration and inflammation following exposure of several environmental factors which could be linked with comorbidity in secondary chronic diseases pairing with other metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, cancer or fatty liver disease). Lifestyle changes along with physical activities and management of the diet is worth to reduce COPD symptomatic firing. However, environmental factors like air pollution or particle matter owing to industrialization and urbanization include a variety of dust within indoor life, certain type of e-smoke also triggers the establishment of emphysema and enhances the progression of COPD aligned with molecular alteration in the lung tissue or interaction between different organs. Prediction and prevention skills as key tools of health management and evaluation in case of COPD remains unclear. Integrative care includes clinic assessment (e.g., the body mass index, diets, and metabolic profile using survey following physician guidance) could be coupled cellular and topological interaction between obesity and COPD supplemented with advanced functional and genetic variation utilize human genomics study like single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). To understand the impact of environmental risk better (e.g., air pollution or particle matter) on pathogenesis of disease or onset of the disease underlying the pulmonary system stratified lifestyle, age, metabolic disorders, diets, and medications, we envision exploring risks such as disease barrier and social determinants along with detection tools which may assess molecular dynamics and their alteration following stress might be associated with COPD in the pathogenesis. Environmental stressors (e.g., air pollution, particle matter, food addictive chemicals, and stress) as epigenetic modifiers could attribute to early phase of COPD onset and pathogenesis which reflect the molecular dynamics and redirection of networking pathways depending on gut immunity. Profiling of secondary metabolites is worth to explicate intervention of metabolism cascade owing to alter molecular sensitivity and connectivity. Utilized multi-dimensional omics such as metabolomics, genomics with exome sequencing, and epigenomics, prevention and prediction skills could visualize a new angle of disease diagnostic under the platform of integrative health care and surveillance supporting to patient’s quality of life.


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