Impact of Air Pollution on Lung Function among Preadolescent Children in Two Cities in Poland

Ambient air pollution impairs lung development in children, particularly in industrialized areas. The air quality in Zabrze, a city located in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region of Poland, is among the worst in Europe. We compared lung function and the frequency of respiratory or allergic symptoms between children living in Zabrze and those living in Gdynia, a city on the Baltic coast, which has the best long-term air quality in Poland. We enrolled children aged 9–15 years from both cities who were able to perform a spirometry. The following spirometry variables were measured for all participants: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume during the first second of expiration (FEV1), FEV1/FVC index, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The frequencies of respiratory or allergic symptoms were taken from a survey completed by the participants’ parents. In total, 258 children from Gdynia and 512 children from Zabrze were examined. The mean values of FVC, FEV1, and PEF were significantly greater among children in Gdynia than those reported in Zabrze (p ≤ 0.032), and the frequencies of seasonal rhinorrhea (p = 0.015) or coughing episodes (p = 0.022) were significantly higher in Zabrze than in Gdynia. In conclusion, lung function was significantly impaired in children living in Zabrze, an area which is associated with poor air quality. Strategies to improve air quality in the Silesia region are urgently needed.

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Ambient air pollution exposure and lung function assessment of filling station attendants in Ibadan, Nigeria

Reviews on Environmental Health ◽

10.1515/reveh-2018-0027 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 211-218

Author(s):

Toluwanimi Mobolade Oni ◽

Godson R.E.E. Ana

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Lung Function ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

World Health ◽

Health Administration ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Filling Station

Abstract Background There is an increasing range of adverse health effects associated with air pollution at very low concentrations. Few studies have assessed respiratory parameters among filling station attendants. Objectives This study assessed air pollutants; particulate matter (PM10) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) concentrations at filling stations as well as determined forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) levels among filling station attendants. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess PM10 and TVOC concentrations at 20 systematically selected filling stations in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Ibadan for 2 months using a Thermo Scientific pDR 1500 PM10 monitor and SF2000-TVOC meter. FEV1 and PEFR levels were measured in order to assess the effect of exposure to PM10 and TVOC on lung function of 100 filling station attendants using a PIKO-1 Electronic peakflow/FEV1 meter. Results Total mean PM10 concentrations (μg/m3) in the morning (43.7±16.5) and afternoon (27.8±7.9) were significantly lower (p<0.01) than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limit (50 μg/m3). Total mean TVOC concentrations (ppm) in the morning (12.0±3.4) and afternoon (5.6±2.4) were however significantly higher (p<0.01) than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guideline limit (3 ppm). Mean FEV1 for filling station attendants was 1.63±0.39 and PEFR was 171.7±45.9. Conclusion Filling stations are hotspots for the emission of VOCs and PM10. However, filling station attendants in this study are at risk of exposure to high concentrations of VOCs but not PM10. FEV1 and PEFR values among filling station attendants were very low which could possibly be attributed to extended exposure to air pollutants. Regular medical examinations should also be conducted on filling station attendants in order to aid early detection of deviations in their health status.

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Association of ambient pollution with inhaler use among patients with COPD: a panel study

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2017-104808 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 75 (5) ◽

pp. 382-388 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sheryl Magzamen ◽

Assaf P Oron ◽

Emily R Locke ◽

Vincent S Fan

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Panel Study ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Supplemental Oxygen ◽

Coarse Fraction ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Chronic Obstructive

BackgroundStudies have linked ambient air pollution to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) healthcare encounters. However, the association between air quality and rescue medication use is unknown.ObjectivesWe assessed the role of air pollution exposure for increased short-acting beta-2-agonist (SABA) use in patients with COPD through use of remote monitoring technology.MethodsParticipants received a portable electronic inhaler sensor to record the date, time and location for SABA use over a 3-month period. Ambient air pollution data and meteorological data were collected from a centrally located federal monitoring station. Mixed-effects Poisson regression was used to examine the association of daily inhaler use with pollutant levels. Four criteria pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3 and NO2), two particulate matter species (elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon), estimated coarse fraction of PM10 (PM10–2.5) and four multipollutant air quality measures were each examined separately, adjusting for covariates that passed a false discovery rate (FDR) screening.ResultsWe enrolled 35 patients with COPD (94.3% male and mean age: 66.5±8.5) with a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted of 44.9+17.2. Participants had a median of 92 observation days (range 52–109). Participants’ average SABA inhaler use ranged from 0.4 to 13.1 puffs/day (median 2.8). Controlling for supplemental oxygen use, long-acting anticholinergic use, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale and influenza season, an IQR increase in PM10 concentration (8.0 µg/m3) was associated with a 6.6% increase in daily puffs (95% CI 3.5% to 9.9%; FDR <0.001). NO2 and EC concentration were also significantly associated with inhaler use (3.9% and 2.9% per IQR increase, respectively).ConclusionsExposure to increased ambient air pollution were associated with a significant increase in SABA use for patients with COPD residing in a low-pollution area.

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Adult lung function and long-term air pollution exposure. ESCAPE: a multicentre cohort study and meta-analysis

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/09031936.00130014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 38-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 166

Author(s):

Martin Adam ◽

Tamara Schikowski ◽

Anne Elie Carsin ◽

Yutong Cai ◽

Benedicte Jacquemin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Lung Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Coarse Fraction ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Longitudinal Change ◽

Pollution Effects

The chronic impact of ambient air pollutants on lung function in adults is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution with lung function in adult participants from five cohorts in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE).Residential exposure to nitrogen oxides (NO2, NOx) and particulate matter (PM) was modelled and traffic indicators were assessed in a standardised manner. The spirometric parameters forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) from 7613 subjects were considered as outcomes. Cohort-specific results were combined using meta-analysis.We did not observe an association of air pollution with longitudinal change in lung function, but we observed that a 10 μg·m−3 increase in NO2 exposure was associated with lower levels of FEV1 (−14.0 mL, 95% CI −25.8 to −2.1) and FVC (−14.9 mL, 95% CI −28.7 to −1.1). An increase of 10 μg·m−3 in PM10, but not other PM metrics (PM2.5, coarse fraction of PM, PM absorbance), was associated with a lower level of FEV1 (−44.6 mL, 95% CI −85.4 to −3.8) and FVC (−59.0 mL, 95% CI −112.3 to −5.6). The associations were particularly strong in obese persons.This study adds to the evidence for an adverse association of ambient air pollution with lung function in adults at very low levels in Europe.

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Chronic effects of air pollution on lung function after lung transplantation in the Systems prediction of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (SysCLAD) study

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.00206-2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 1600206 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Meriem Benmerad ◽

Rémy Slama ◽

Karine Botturi ◽

Johanna Claustre ◽

Antoine Roux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Lung Function ◽

Lung Transplantation ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Chronic Exposure ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Lung Transplant Recipients

An irreversible loss in lung function limits the long-term success in lung transplantation. We evaluated the role of chronic exposure to ambient air pollution on lung function levels in lung transplant recipients (LTRs).The lung function of 520 LTRs from the Cohort in Lung Transplantation (COLT) study was measured every 6 months. The levels of air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with an aerodynamic cut-off diameter of x µm (PMx) and ozone (O3)) at the patients' home address were averaged in the 12 months before each spirometry test. The effects of air pollutants on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in % predicted were estimated using mixed linear regressions. We assessed the effect modification of macrolide antibiotics in this relationship.Increased 12-month levels of pollutants were associated with lower levels of FVC % pred (−2.56%, 95% CI −3.86–−1.25 for 5 µg·m−3of PM10; −0.75%, 95% CI −1.38–−0.12 for 2 µg·m−3of PM2.5and −2.58%, 95% CI −4.63–−0.53 for 10 µg·m−3of NO2). In patients not taking macrolides, the deleterious association between PM and FVC tended to be stronger and PM10was associated with lower FEV1.Our study suggests a deleterious effect of chronic exposure to air pollutants on lung function levels in LTRs, which might be modified with macrolides.

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Air Quality Assessment in the State of Kuwait during 2012 to 2017

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12060678 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 678

Author(s):

Adeeba Al-Hurban ◽

Sawsan Khader ◽

Ahmad Alsaber ◽

Jiazhu Pan

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Meteorological Factors ◽

Ambient Air ◽

The State ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Northeast Monsoon ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Industrial Areas ◽

The State Of Kuwait

This study aimed to examine the trend of ambient air pollution (i.e., ozone (O3), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), benzene (C6H6) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 microns (PM10), and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) at 10 monitoring stations located in the main residential and industrial areas in the State of Kuwait over 6 years (2012–2017). We found that the SO2 level in industrial areas (0.065 ppm) exceeded the allowable range of SO2 in residential areas (0.030 ppm). Air pollution variables were defined by the Environmental Public Authority of Kuwait (K-EPA). In this study, integrated statistical analysis was performed to compare an established air pollution database to Kuwait Ambient Air Quality Guidelines and to determine the association between pollutants and meteorological factors. All pollutants were positively correlated, with the exception of most pollutants and PM10 and O3. Meteorological factors, i.e., the ambient temperature, wind speed and humidity, were also significantly associated with the above pollutants. Spatial distribution mapping indicated that the PM10 level remained high during the southwest monsoon (the hot and dry season), while the CO level was high during the northeast monsoon (the wet season). The NO2 and O3 levels were high during the first intermonsoon season.

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Air Quality Profile in an Enclosed Car Park

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.567.3 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 567 ◽

pp. 3-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nurul Izma Mohammed ◽

Nurfadhilah Othman ◽

Khairul Bariyah Baharuddin

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Health Effects ◽

Sulphur Dioxide ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Kuala Lumpur ◽

Short Supply ◽

Car Park

Complaints on poor air quality in an enclosed car park have been raised up among the public, which might cause serious health effects to the drivers, passengers, and labours who are working at the premises. Improper design of mechanical ventilation systems in a car park would result in a poor indoor environment. The exhaust emission of motor vehicle contains a variety of potentially harmful substances encompassing carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, and fine particulates. In Kuala Lumpur, there is a great demand but a short supply of lands and building spaces. Thus, a large multi-storey underground car parks is a common solution for both, the government and developers. Although the health effects of the motor vehicle emissions and ambient air pollution are already known, but due to the nature of enclosed multi-storey car parks, these health risks are predicted to be intensified. Thus, it is crucial to investigate and evaluate the status of the air pollution in the enclosed car parks with emphasis on sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxides (NO2). Samples were collected in one of the famous shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur using a GrayWolf Advanced Sense Direct Sense; Toxic Gas Test Meters from 8 am until 5 pm on weekdays and weekends. The results demonstrate that the concentrations of SO2 and NO2 on weekends is higher than weekdays. Besides, the concentrations for both weekdays and weekends have exceeded the standard limit set by the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline (MAAQG).

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COVID-19 national lockdown in Morocco: impacts on air quality and public health

10.1101/2020.07.05.20146589 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kenza Khomsi ◽

Houda Najmi ◽

Hassan Amghar ◽

Youssef Chelhaoui ◽

Zineb Souhaili

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Pollution Reduction ◽

Industrial Activities ◽

Large Cities ◽

Almost All ◽

Quality Status

AbstractOn the 20th April 2020, the end date of the first strict lockdown period in Morocco, 2 403 410 cases of the corona Virus were confirmed globally. The number of Morocco confirmed cases attended 2990, while 12 746 were suspected and 143 deaths were recorded. Due to the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 worldwide and in Morocco, almost all avoidable activities in the country were prohibited since the kingdom announced activities reduction on March 16, 2020 and then general lockdown with reduced industrial activities on March 20, 2020.This study aims at comparing the air quality status in Casablanca and Marrakech, two large cities from Morocco, before the pandemic and during the lockdown situation to show whether COVID-19 compelled-anthropogenic activities lockdown may have saved lives by restraining ambient air pollution than by preventing infection.We found that, during the quarantine, NO2 dropped by -12 μg/m3 in Casablanca and -7 μg/m3 in Marrakech. PM2·5 dropped by -18 μg/m3 in Casablanca and -14 μg/m3 in Marrakech. CO dropped by -0.04 mg/m3 in Casablanca and -0.12 mg/m3 in Marrakech. This air pollution reduction had created human health benefits and had reduced mortality and saved lives mainly from cardiovascular diseases.

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Application of Low-Cost Air Quality Monitoring Sensor to Assess the Exposure of Ambient Air Pollution Due to PM2.5 and PM10

Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering - Sustainability in Environmental Engineering and Science ◽

10.1007/978-981-15-6887-9_16 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135-148

Author(s):

Md. Noman Munshi ◽

S. M. Nihab Ahsan ◽

Md. Shafinur Rahman ◽

M. Tauhid Ur Rahman

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Low Cost ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Quality Monitoring ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality Monitoring ◽

Pm2.5 And Pm10

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Ambient Air Quality in the Czech Republic: Past and Present

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos11020214 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 214 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Iva Hůnová

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Air Quality ◽

Transition Period ◽

Ground Level ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Ambient Air Quality ◽

Limit Values ◽

Pollution Impacts

Based on an analysis of related core papers and reports, this review presents a historical perspective on ambient air pollution and ambient air quality development in the modern-day Czech Republic (CR) over the past seven decades, i.e., from the 1950s to the present. It offers insights into major air pollution problems, reveals the main hot spots and problematic regions and indicates the principal air pollutants in the CR. Air pollution is not presented as a stand-alone problem, but in the wider context of air pollution impacts both on human health and the environment in the CR. The review is arranged into three main parts: (1) the time period until the Velvet Revolution of 1989, (2) the transition period of the 1990s and (3) the modern period after 2000. Obviously, a major improvement in ambient air quality has been achieved since the 1970s and 1980s, when air pollution in the former Czechoslovakia culminated. Nevertheless, new challenges including fine aerosol, benzo[a]pyrene and ground-level ozone, of which the limit values are still vastly exceeded, have emerged. Furthermore, in spite of a significant reduction in overall emissions, the atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, in particular, remains high in some regions.

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