scholarly journals Quantifying the Health and Wealth Benefits of Reducing Point Source Pollution: The Case of the Sugar Industry in Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13252
Author(s):  
Sanaullah Panezai ◽  
Ubaid Ali ◽  
Alam Zeb ◽  
Muhammad Rafiq ◽  
Ayat Ullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Sugar Industry ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
The Impact

Air pollution is among the major causes of death and disease all around the globe. The prime impact of ambient air pollution is on the lungs through the respiratory system. This study aims to estimate the health cost due to air pollution from a Sugar Mill in the Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To determine the impact of pollution on respiratory illness, primary data were collected from 1141 individuals from 200 households living within a 3 km radius of the mill. The Household Production Method was used to drive the reduced-form Dose–Response Function and the Mitigation Cost Function for assessing the impact of pollution on health and then estimating the monetary cost associated with mitigating such illnesses. The results indicate that about 60% of the respondents living in the surrounding area of the mill suffered from different respiratory illnesses. The study estimates that by reducing the suspended particulate matter (SPM) level by 50%, the expected annual welfare gains to an individual living within a 3 km radius of the mill are US $20.21. The whole community residing within a 3 km radius of the mill will enjoy an estimated welfare gain of PKR. 70.67 million (US $0.511 million). If the pollution standard limits prescribed by the World Health Organization are followed, the expected monetary benefits to all the individuals living within a 3 km radius of the mill are PKR. 114.48 million (US $0.27 million) annually.

scholarly journals Comparison of Metropolitan Cities for Mortality Rates Attributed to Ambient Air Pollution Within the Context of SDGs Using the AirQ Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Cihat Kahraman ◽  
Nüket Sivri
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Marmara Region ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Metropolitan Cities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In the present study, the air pollution dynamics of the metropolitan cities of Balıkesir, Bursa, İstanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya and Tekirdağ in the Marmara Region, which is the geographical region with the highest urban and industrial activity in Turkey, were examined for the time period between 2016 and 2019. Annual changes in the cities in terms of air pollution, which was examined with a focus on the PM2.5 parameter as indicated by United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), differences in the cities by years, and the seasonal changes in air pollution in the cities were investigated. Additionally, mortality rates attributed to air pollution were calculated with the AirQ+ software based on integrated exposure-response function recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN using city-scale statistics of fatal disease cases that can be attributed to air pollution. It was determined that all cities in the Marmara Region study area exceeded the limit PM2,5 values specified by the European Union (EU) in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 while only Kocaeli and Tekirdağ were below the limit values in 2019. The limit values specified by the WHO were exceeded in all cities in each year. A total of 46.920 premature deaths attributed to the exceedance of WHO limit values were calculated for the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 with 11.895, 13.853, 11.748 and 9.429, respectively.Determining national limit values for the PM2.5 parameter, which is among the most important factors of air pollution, and monitoring it in a sustainable manner using a sufficient number of well-equipped stations is of great importance. This way, national, regional and urban action plans regarding the impact of air pollution on human health, as indicated by UN SDGs, can be prepared.

scholarly journals Air pollution in Kigali, Rwanda: spatial and temporal variability, source contributions, and the impact of car-free Sundays

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
The Impact

Ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate mass (PM2.5) and ozone (O3), is associated with premature human mortality and other health effects, but monitoring is scarce to non-existent in large parts of Africa. Lower-cost real-time affordable multi-pollutant (RAMP) monitors and a black carbon monitor were deployed in Kigali, Rwanda to fill the air quality data gap here. PM2.5 data were corrected using data from a coincident, short-term campaign that used standard filter-based gravimetry, while gas data were verified by collocation with reference carbon monoxide (CO) and O3 monitors at the Rwanda Climate Observatory at Mt Mugogo, Rwanda. Over March 2017-July 2018, the ambient average PM2.5 in Kigali was 52 µg/m3, significantly higher than World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Target 1. Study average BC was 4 µg/m3, comparable to mid-sized urban areas in India and China and significantly higher than BC in cities in developed countries. Spatial variability across Kigali is limited, while PM2.5 at Mt Mugogo is moderately correlated with PM2.5 in Kigali. A sharp diurnal profile is observed in both PM2.5 and BC, with the Absorption Angstrom Exponent (AAE) indicating that the morning peak is associated with rush-hour traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) while the late evening peak can be attributed to both traffic and domestic biofuel use. PM2.5 in the dry seasons is almost two times that during the following wet seasons while BC is 40-60% higher. Local sources contribute at least half the ambient PM2.5 during wet seasons and one-fourth during dry seasons. Vehicular restrictions on some Sundays appear to reduce PM2.5 and BC by 10-12 µg/m3 and 1 µg/m3 respectively, but this needs further investigation. Dry season ozone in Kigali can exceed WHO guidelines. These lower-cost monitors can play an important role in the continued monitoring essential to track the effectiveness of pollution-control policies recently implemented in Rwanda.

scholarly journals Air pollution and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Moderato ◽  
D Lazzeroni ◽  
A Biagi ◽  
T Spezzano ◽  
B Matrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
External Temperature ◽  
Pm 2.5 ◽  
Pm10 And Pm2.5 ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract Introduction Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death worldwide; it accounts for up to 50% of all cardiovascular deaths.It is well established that ambient air pollution triggers fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. However, the impact of air pollution on OHCA is still controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollutants on the incidence of OHCA in the urban area of Piacenza, Italy, one of the most polluted area in Europe. Methods From 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2017 day-by-day PM10 and PM2.5 levels, as well as climatic data, were extracted from Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) local monitoring stations. OHCA were extracted from the prospective registry of Community-based automated external defibrillator Cardiac arrest “Progetto Vita”. OHCA data were included: audio recordings, event information and ECG tracings. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between the risk of OHC, expressed as odds ratios (OR), associated with the PM10 and PM2.5 levels. Results Mean PM10 levels were 33±29 μg/m3 and the safety threshold (50 μg/m3) recommended by both WHO and Italian legislation has been exceeded for 535 days (17.5%). Mean PM 5 levels were 33±29 μg/m3. During the follow-up period, 880 OHCA were recorded on 750 days; the remaining 2174 days without OHCA were used as control days. Mean age of OHCA patients was 76±15 years; male gender was prevalent (55% male vs 45% female; <0.001). Concentration of PM10 and PM 2.5 were significantly higher on days with the occurrence of OHCA (PM10 levels: 37.7±22 μg/m3 vs 32.7±19 μg/m3; p<0.001; PM 2.5 levels: 26±16 vs 22±15 p<0.001). Risk of OHCA was significantly increased with the progressive increase of PM10 (OR: 1.009, 95% CI 1.004–1.015; p<0.001) and PM2.5 levels (OR 1.012, 95% CI 1.007–1.017; p<0.001). Interestingly, the above mentioned results remain independent even when correct for external temperature or season (PM 2.5 levels: p=0.01 – PM 10 levels: p=0.002), Moreover, dividing PM10 values in quintiles, a 1.9 fold higher risk of cardiac arrest has been showed in the highest quintile (Highest quintile cut-off: <48μg/m3) Conclusions In large cohort of patients from a high pollution area, both PM10 and PM2.5 levels are associated with the risk of Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. PM10 and PM2.5 levels and risk of OHCA Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Health and Economic Impacts Assessment of O3 Exposure in Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11646
Author(s):  
José Texcalac-Sangrador ◽  
Magali Hurtado-Díaz ◽  
Eunice Félix-Arellano ◽  
Carlos Guerrero-López ◽  
Horacio Riojas-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Uncertainty Interval ◽  
Avoidable Deaths

Health effects related to exposure to air pollution such as ozone (O3) have been documented. The World Health Organization has recommended the use of the Sum of O3 Means Over 35 ppb (SOMO35) to perform Health Impact Assessments (HIA) for long-term exposure to O3. We estimated the avoidable mortality associated with long-term exposure to tropospheric O3 in 14 cities in Mexico using information for 2015. The economic valuation of avoidable deaths related to SOMO35 exposure was performed using the willingness to pay (WTP) and human capital (HC) approaches. We estimated that 627 deaths (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 227–1051) from respiratory diseases associated with the exposure to O3 would have been avoided in people over 30 years in the study area, which confirms the public health impacts of ambient air pollution. The avoidable deaths account for almost 1400 million USD under the WTP approach, whilst the HC method yielded a lost productivity estimate of 29.7 million USD due to premature deaths. Our findings represent the first evidence of the health impacts of O3 exposure in Mexico, using SOMO35 metrics.

Ambient air pollution and health

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Reid ◽  
Giovanni Leonardi ◽  
Alex G. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Pollution Indices ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
The Impact

This chapter describes the impact of air pollution, including particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, on human health, through a case scenario where an increase in respiratory disease has been associated with changes in traffic density and increases in pollution indices. Background information on pollutants and air quality measurements is given based on WHO criteria. The importance of multidisciplinary input to such investigations is emphasized, involving specialists in toxicology and environmental science, as well as health protection staff. The role of geographical information systems in mapping air pollution levels to identify localities where guideline values are exceeded is emphasized, together with health impact assessments to monitor public health outcomes. The complex local, social, and political aspects that may arise are considered, and so endure engagement and communication with different interest groups. The final part clearly outlines currently unanswered questions and how they should be studied and managed in the future.

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

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.

The impact of the congestion charging scheme on ambient air pollution concentrations in London

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (34) ◽  
pp. 5493-5500 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Atkinson ◽  
B. Barratt ◽  
B. Armstrong ◽  
H.R. Anderson ◽  
S.D. Beevers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Congestion Charging ◽  
Pollution Concentrations
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