scholarly journals Using Digital Technology to Protect Health in Prolonged Poor Air Quality Episodes: A Case Study of the AirRater App during the Australian 2019–20 Fires

Fire ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Sharon L. Campbell ◽  
Penelope J. Jones ◽  
Grant J. Williamson ◽  
Amanda J. Wheeler ◽  
Christopher Lucani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Aid Decision

In the southern hemisphere summer of 2019–20, Australia experienced its most severe bushfire season on record. Smoke from fires affected 80% of the population, with large and prolonged exceedances of the Australian National Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) recorded in all major population centers. We examined if AirRater, a free smartphone app that reports air quality and tracks user symptoms in near real-time, assisted those populations to reduce their smoke exposure and protect their health. We distributed an online survey to over 13,000 AirRater users to assess how they used this information during the 2019–20 bushfire season, and why it was helpful to aid decision-making in reducing personal smoke exposure. We received responses from 1732 users (13.3%). Respondents reported the app was highly useful, supporting informed decision-making regarding daily activities during the smoke-affected period. Commonly reported activities supported by information provided through the app were staying inside (76%), rescheduling or planning outdoor activities (64%), changing locations to less affected areas (29%) and informing decisions on medication use (15%). Innovative and easy-to-use smartphone apps such as AirRater, that provide individual-level and location-specific data, can enable users to reduce their exposure to environmental hazards and therefore protect their health.

Can digital technology help reduce smoke exposure and protect health in extreme air quality events?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Campbell ◽  
P J Jones ◽  
A J Wheeler ◽  
C Lucani ◽  
G J Williamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Environmental Hazards ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities

Abstract Background In the southern hemisphere summer of 2019-2020, Australia experienced its most severe bushfire season on record. Smoke from fires affected 80% of the population, with large exceedances of the Australian National Air Quality Standard for particulate air pollution recorded in all major population centres during this period. We examined if emerging and innovative digital technology can assist extreme smoke-affected populations to reduce their exposure and protect their health. Methods AirRater is a free smartphone app that tracks air quality and user symptoms in near real-time. We distributed an online survey to over 13,000 app users to assess how they used this information during the 2019-20 bushfire season, and if the app was helpful in decision-making around reducing personal smoke exposure. Results We received responses from 1732 users (13.3%). Respondents reported that the app was highly useful, supporting informed decisions regarding daily activities during the smoke-affected period. Commonly reported activities supported by information provided through the app were staying inside (76%), rescheduling or planning outdoor activities (64%), changing locations to less affected areas (29%) and informing decisions on medication use (15%). Conclusions Smartphone apps enable users to reduce smoke exposure and protect their health by providing individual-level and location-specific data. Furthermore, digital technology such as AirRater provides the potential to provide insight into the community impacts of environmental hazards such as bushfire smoke. Key messages Smartphone apps enable users to reduce their smoke exposure and protect their health. These emerging technologies can help public health authorities to understand the community impact of environmental hazards.

Assessing ventilation strategies in a school with observed indoor air problems

Facilities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrika Uotila ◽  
Arto Saari ◽  
Juha-Matti Kalevi Junnonen ◽  
Lari Eskola
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Target Number ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Existing Building ◽  
Ventilation Strategies

Purpose Poor indoor air quality in schools is a worldwide challenge that poses health risks to pupils and teachers. A possible response to this problem is to modify ventilation. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to pilot a process of generating alternatives for ventilation redesign, in an early project phase, for a school to be refurbished. Here, severe problems in indoor air quality have been found in the school. Design/methodology/approach Ventilation redesign is investigated in a case study of a school, in which four alternative ventilation strategies are generated and evaluated. The analysis is mainly based on the data gathered from project meetings, site visits and the documents provided by ventilation and condition assessment consultants. Findings Four potential strategies to redesign ventilation in the case school are provided for decision-making in refurbishment in the early project phase. Moreover, the research presents several features to be considered when planning the ventilation strategy of an existing school, including the risk of alterations in air pressure through structures; the target number of pupils in classrooms; implementing and operating costs; and the size of the space that ventilation equipment requires. Research limitations/implications As this study focusses on the early project phase, it provides viewpoints to assist decision-making, but the final decision requires still more accurate calculations and simulations. Originality/value This study demonstrates the decision-making process of ventilation redesign of a school with indoor air problems and provides a set of features to be considered. Hence, it may be beneficial for building owners and municipal authorities who are engaged in planning a refurbishment of an existing building.

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter on mortality among the elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (29) ◽  
pp. eaba5692 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Wu ◽  
D. Braun ◽  
J. Schwartz ◽  
M. A. Kioumourtzoglou ◽  
F. Dominici
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Current Standards

Many studies link long-term fine particle (PM2.5) exposure to mortality, even at levels below current U.S. air quality standards (12 micrograms per cubic meter). These findings have been disputed with claims that the use of traditional statistical approaches does not guarantee causality. Leveraging 16 years of data—68.5 million Medicare enrollees—we provide strong evidence of the causal link between long-term PM2.5 exposure and mortality under a set of causal inference assumptions. Using five distinct approaches, we found that a decrease in PM2.5 (by 10 micrograms per cubic meter) leads to a statistically significant 6 to 7% decrease in mortality risk. Based on these models, lowering the air quality standard to 10 micrograms per cubic meter would save 143,257 lives (95% confidence interval, 115,581 to 170,645) in one decade. Our study provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of the link between long-term PM2.5 exposure and mortality, even at levels below current standards.

Performance Measurement to Aid Decision Making in the Budgeting Process for Apartment-Building Construction: Case Study Using MCDA-C

2013 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogério Cabral de Azevedo ◽  
Rogério Tadeu de Oliveira Lacerda ◽  
Leonardo Ensslin ◽  
Antônio Edésio Jungles ◽  
Sandra Rolim Ensslin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Apartment Building ◽  
Aid Decision ◽  
Budgeting Process

scholarly journals Decision Support For Human Rights: A Case Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
David C. Farwell
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Amnesty International ◽  
Membership Management ◽  
Action Network ◽  
Aid Decision ◽  
Computerized System ◽  
Urgent Action

A computerized system has been developed for the preparation and dispatch of telegrams by the Amnesty International USA Urgent Action Network. The system includes automation of billing procedures, funds receipt management, and membership management for a 2000 volunteer database. The system currently produces and sends an average of 1000 telegrams, world-wide, each month. This paper describes the decision tasks and the tools created to aid decision-making for the Telegram Pledge Program.

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