scholarly journals Near-Source Risk Functions for Particulate Matter Are Critical When Assessing the Health Benefits of Local Abatement Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6847
Author(s):  
David Segersson ◽  
Christer Johansson ◽  
Bertil Forsberg
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Pollution Abatement ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
World Health ◽  
Exposure Model ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Uncertainty Range ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Abatement Strategies

When mortality or other health outcomes attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are estimated, the same exposure–response function (ERF) is usually assumed regardless of the source and composition of the particles, and independently of the spatial resolution applied in the exposure model. While several recent publications indicate that ERFs based on exposure models resolving within-city gradients are steeper per concentration unit (μgm−3), the ERF for PM2.5 recommended by the World Health Organization does not reflect this observation and is heavily influenced by studies based on between-city exposure estimates. We evaluated the potential health benefits of three air pollution abatement strategies: electrification of light vehicles, reduced use of studded tires, and introduction of congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg, using different ERFs. We demonstrated that using a single ERF for PM2.5 likely results in an underestimation of the effect of local measures and may be misleading when evaluating abatement strategies. We also suggest applying ERFs that distinguish between near-source and regional contributions of exposure to PM2.5. If separate ERFs are applied for near-source and regional PM2.5, congestion charges as well as a reduction of studded tire use are estimated to be associated with a significant reduction in the mortality burden in both Gothenburg and Stockholm. In some scenarios the number of premature deaths is more than 10 times higher using separate ERFs in comparison to using a single ERF irrespective of sources as recommended by the WHO. For electrification, the net change in attributable deaths is small or within the uncertainty range depending on the choice of ERF.

scholarly journals Efficiency of the EU Environmental Policy in Struggling with Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5): How Agriculture Makes a Difference?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 4984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bazyli Czyżewski ◽  
Anna Matuszczak ◽  
Łukasz Kryszak ◽  
Andrzej Czyżewski
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Environmental Policy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Pollution Abatement ◽  
World Health ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions are an important global issue as air pollutants lead to approximately 7 million deaths per year (World Health Organization). In an attempt to combat this global threat, countries in the European Union (EU) allocate relatively large funds for environmental policies. The main goal of this paper is to assess the long-term efficiency of the EU countries’ environmental policy in reducing the pressure of particulates pollution on the natural environment. For this purpose, multilevel panel regression models based on seminal within–between specification are used. The models are run for a panel of 25 EU countries for the years 2004–2016. In the investigations, we tried to capture the effect of the share of utilized agricultural area (UAA) in non-urban areas of the analyzed countries, as it may potentially influence policy efficiency. It was found that environmental spending in all main categories (pollution abatement, biodiversity, R&D, and environmental protection) had a significant impact on decreasing pollution pressure; however, the policy was more efficient in countries which had a lower share of UAA in their non-urban areas. The study emphasized that the impact of “pollution abatement” expenditure may be underestimated in basic panel models.

scholarly journals Carbonaceous Aerosols in Fine Particulate Matter of Santiago Metropolitan Area, Chile

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Toro Araya ◽  
Robert Flocchini ◽  
Rául G. E. Morales Segura ◽  
Manuel A. Leiva Guzmán
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
The United States ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosol ◽  
World Health ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽  
Fine Particulate

Measurements of carbonaceous aerosols in South American cities are limited, and most existing data are of short term and limited to only a few locations. For 6 years (2002–2007), concentrations of fine particulate matter and organic and elemental carbon were measured continuously in the capital of Chile. The contribution of carbonaceous aerosols to the primary and secondary fractions was estimated at three different sampling sites and in the warm and cool seasons. The results demonstrate that there are significant differences in the levels in both the cold (March to August) and warm (September to February) seasons at all sites studied. The percent contribution of total carbonaceous aerosol fine particulate matter was greater in the cool season (53 ± 41%) than in the warm season (44 ± 18%). On average, the secondary organic carbon in the city corresponded to 29% of the total organic carbon. In cold periods, this proportion may reach an average of 38%. A comparison of the results with the air quality standards for fine particulate matter indicates that the total carbonaceous fraction alone exceeds the World Health Organization standard (10 µg/m3) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency standard (15 µg/m3) for fine particulate matter.

scholarly journals Daily Exposure to Air Pollution Particulate Matter Is Associated with Atrial Fibrillation in High-Risk Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6017
Author(s):  
Elisa Gallo ◽  
Franco Folino ◽  
Gianfranco Buja ◽  
Gabriele Zanotto ◽  
Daniele Bottigliengo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cardiac Resynchronization ◽  
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators ◽  
Daily Exposure ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Pm2.5 And Pm10

Several epidemiological studies found an association between acute exposure to fine particulate matter of less than 2.5 μm and 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5 and PM10) and cardiovascular diseases, ventricular fibrillation incidence and mortality. The effects of pollution on atrial fibrillation (AF) beyond the first several hours of exposure remain controversial. A total of 145 patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (ICD-CRT), or pacemakers were enrolled in this multicentric prospective study. Daily levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were collected from monitoring stations within 20 km of the patient’s residence. A Firth Logistic Regression model was used to evaluate the association between AF and daily exposure to PM2.5 and PM10. Exposure levels to PM2.5 and PM10 were moderate, being above the World Health Organization (WHO) PM2.5 and PM10 thresholds of 25 μg/m3 and 50 μg/m3, respectively, on 26% and 18% of the follow-up days. An association was found between daily levels of PM2.5 and PM10 and AF (95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 1.34–2.40 and 1.44–4.28, respectively) for an increase of 50 µg/m3 above the WHO threshold. Daily exposure to moderate PM2.5 and PM10 levels is associated with AF in patients who are not prone to AF.

scholarly journals A review of particulate matter emissions and impacts on human health: A focus on Canadian agricultural and rural emission sources

2018 ◽  
pp. 6.09-6.21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Spencer ◽  
Bill Van Heyst
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Inorganic Aerosols ◽  
Particulate Matter Emissions ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Particulate matter (PM) has been documented in an increasing number of research studies as having a known or suspected negative impact on human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.1 million deaths were caused by ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 2010. While many Canadian studies focus on health impacts from PM2.5, there is a gap with respect to rural sourced PM2.5 and health impacts in these areas. This paper reviews the impact PM2.5 has on Canadians’ health, investigates where PM2.5 data is being gathered, and outlines the sources of PM2.5 reported. Secondary inorganic aerosols that are formed in and around animal production facilities due to the higher prevalence of ammonia gas is of particular interest. The conclusion drawn is that the reporting and gathering of rural sourced PM2.5 data is lacking, leading to a gap in the data used to determine the impacts on Canadian human health.

scholarly journals Particulate matter of different sizes associated with acute lower respiratory infection outpatient visits in children: a counterfactual analysis in Guangzhou, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Liang ◽  
Qiong Meng ◽  
Qiaohuan Yang ◽  
Na Chen ◽  
Chuming You
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Respiratory Infection ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
World Health ◽  
Acute Lower Respiratory Infection ◽  
Lower Respiratory Infection ◽  
Outpatient Visits ◽  
Short Term Exposure

Abstract Background The burden of lower respiratory infection is primarily borne by developing countries. However, the association between particulate matter of different sizes and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) outpatient visits in developing countries is less studied. Methods We obtained data on ALRI outpatient visits (N = 105,639) from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China between 2013 and 2019. Over-dispersed generalized additive Poisson models were employed to evaluate the excess risk (ER) associated with particulate matter [inhalable particulate matter (PM10), coarse particulate matter (PMc), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5)]. Counterfactual analyses were used to examine the potential percent reduction of ALRI outpatient visits if the levels of air pollution were as low as those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Results There were 35,310 pneumonia, 68,218 bronchiolitis, and 2,111 asthma outpatient visits included. Each 10 µg/m3 increase of three-day moving averages of particulate matter was associated with significant ER [95% confidence interval (CI)] of outpatient visits of pneumonia [PM2.5: 3.71% (2.91%, 4.52%); PMc: 9.19% (6.94%, 11.49%); PM10: 4.36% (3.21%, 5.52%)], bronchiolitis [PM2.5: 3.21% (2.49%, 3.93%); PMc: 9.13% (7.09%, 11.21%); PM10: 3.12% (2.10%, 4.15%)], and asthma [PM2.5: 3.45% (1.18%, 5.78%); PMc: 11.69% (4.45%, 19.43%); PM10: 3.33% (0.26%, 6.49%)]. The association between particulate matter and pneumonia outpatient visits was stronger among male patients and in cold seasons. Counterfactual analyses suggested that PM2.5 was associated with the largest potential decline of ALRI outpatient visits [pneumonia: 3.89%, 95% CI: (3.24%, 5.52%); bronchiolitis: 4.35% (3.06%, 4.82%); asthma: 5.98% (1.92%, 10.37%)] if the air pollutants were reduced to the level of the reference guidelines. Conclusion Short-term exposure to PM2.5, PMc, and PM10 is associated with significant risk of ALRI outpatient visits, among which PM2.5 is associated with the highest potential decline in outpatient visits if it could be reduced to the WHO recommended level.

scholarly journals Exposure to Household Air Pollution from Biomass Cookstoves and Levels of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) among Honduran Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Benka-Coker ◽  
Maggie Clark ◽  
Sarah Rajkumar ◽  
Bonnie Young ◽  
Annette Bachand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Exhaled Nitric Oxide ◽  
Household Air Pollution ◽  
Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Fine Particulate

Household air pollution is estimated to be responsible for nearly three million premature deaths annually. Measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) may improve the limited understanding of the association of household air pollution and airway inflammation. We evaluated the cross-sectional association of FeNO with exposure to household air pollution (24-h average kitchen and personal fine particulate matter and black carbon; stove type) among 139 women in rural Honduras using traditional stoves or cleaner-burning Justa stoves. We additionally evaluated interaction by age. Results were generally consistent with a null association; we did not observe a consistent pattern for interaction by age. Evidence from ambient and household air pollution regarding FeNO is inconsistent, and may be attributable to differing study populations, exposures, and FeNO measurement procedures (e.g., the flow rate used to measure FeNO).

scholarly journals Large global variations in measured airborne metal concentrations driven by anthropogenic sources

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob McNeill ◽  
Graydon Snider ◽  
Crystal L. Weagle ◽  
Brenna Walsh ◽  
Paul Bissonnette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
World Health ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Metal Concentrations

AbstractGlobally consistent measurements of airborne metal concentrations in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are important for understanding potential health impacts, prioritizing air pollution mitigation strategies, and enabling global chemical transport model development. PM2.5 filter samples (N ~ 800 from 19 locations) collected from a globally distributed surface particulate matter sampling network (SPARTAN) between January 2013 and April 2019 were analyzed for particulate mass and trace metals content. Metal concentrations exhibited pronounced spatial variation, primarily driven by anthropogenic activities. PM2.5 levels of lead, arsenic, chromium, and zinc were significantly enriched at some locations by factors of 100–3000 compared to crustal concentrations. Levels of metals in PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded health guidelines at multiple sites. For example, Dhaka and Kanpur sites exceeded the US National Ambient Air 3-month Quality Standard for lead (150 ng m−3). Kanpur, Hanoi, Beijing and Dhaka sites had annual mean arsenic concentrations that approached or exceeded the World Health Organization’s risk level for arsenic (6.6 ng m−3). The high concentrations of several potentially harmful metals in densely populated cites worldwide motivates expanded measurements and analyses.

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