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Lugon L, Sartelet K, Kim Y, Vigneron J, Chrétien O. Simulation of primary and secondary particles in the streets of Paris using MUNICH. Faraday Discuss 2021; 226:432-456. [PMID: 33237094 DOI: 10.1039/d0fd00092b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
High particle concentrations are observed in the streets. Regional-scale chemistry-transport models are not able to reproduce these high concentrations, because their spatial resolution is not fine enough. Local-scale models are usually employed to simulate the high concentrations in street networks, but they often adopt substantial simplifications to determine background concentrations and use simplified chemistry. This study presents the new version of the local-scale Model of Urban Network of Intersecting Canyons and Highways (MUNICH) that integrates background concentrations simulated by the regional-scale chemistry-transport model Polair3D, and uses the same complex chemistry module as Polair3D, SSH-aerosol, to represent secondary aerosol formation. Gas and aerosol concentrations in Paris streets are simulated with MUNICH, considering a street-network with more than 3800 street segments, between 3 May and 30 June. Comparisons with PM10 and PM2.5 measurements at several locations of Paris show that the high PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations are well represented. Furthermore, the simulated chemical composition of fine particles corresponds well to a yearly measured composition. To understand the influence of the secondary pollutant formation, several sensitivity simulations are conducted. Simulations with and without gas-phase chemistry show that the influence of gas-phase chemistry on the formation of NO2 is large (37% on average over May and across all modelled streets), but the influence on condensables is lower (less than 2% to 3% on average at noon for inorganics and organics), but may reach more than 20% depending on the street. The assumption used to compute gas/particle mass transfer by condensation/evaporation is important for inorganic and organic compounds of particles, as using the thermodynamic equilibrium assumption leads to an overestimation of the organic concentrations by 4.7% on average (up to 31% at noon depending on the streets). Ammonia emissions from traffic lead to an increase in inorganic concentrations by 3% on average, reaching 26% depending on the street segments. Not taking into account gas-phase chemistry and aerosol dynamics in the modelling leads to an underestimation of organic concentrations by about 11% on average over the streets and time, but this underestimation may reach 51% depending on the streets and the time of the day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lya Lugon
- CEREA, Joint Laboratory École des Ponts ParisTech/EDF R&D, Université Paris-Est, Champs-sur-Marne, France.
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Edlund KK, Killman F, Molnár P, Boman J, Stockfelt L, Wichmann J. Health Risk Assessment of PM 2.5 and PM 2.5-Bound Trace Elements in Thohoyandou, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18031359. [PMID: 33540914 PMCID: PMC7908426 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We assessed the health risks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) ambient air pollution and its trace elemental components in a rural South African community. Air pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. PM2.5 samples were previously collected, April 2017 to April 2018, and PM2.5 mass determined. The filters were analyzed for chemical composition. The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) health risk assessment method was applied. Reference doses were calculated from the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, South African National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and US EPA reference concentrations. Despite relatively moderate levels of PM2.5 the health risks were substantial, especially for infants and children. The average annual PM2.5 concentration was 11 µg/m3, which is above WHO guidelines, but below South African NAAQS. Adults were exposed to health risks from PM2.5 during May to October, whereas infants and children were exposed to risk throughout the year. Particle-bound nickel posed both non-cancer and cancer risks. We conclude that PM2.5 poses health risks in Thohoyandou, despite levels being compliant with yearly South African NAAQS. The results indicate that air quality standards need to be tightened and PM2.5 levels lowered in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Kilbo Edlund
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; (F.K.); (P.M.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Felicia Killman
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; (F.K.); (P.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Peter Molnár
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; (F.K.); (P.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Johan Boman
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden;
| | - Leo Stockfelt
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden; (F.K.); (P.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Janine Wichmann
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Gezina 0031, South Africa;
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Lederer AM, Fredriksen PM, Nkeh-Chungag BN, Everson F, Strijdom H, De Boever P, Goswami N. Cardiovascular effects of air pollution: current evidence from animal and human studies. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 320:H1417-H1439. [PMID: 33513082 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00706.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution is a global health concern. Particulate matter (PM)2.5, a component of ambient air pollution, has been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the pollutants that poses the greatest threat to public health. Cardiovascular health effects have been extensively documented, and these effects are still being researched to provide an overview of recent literature regarding air pollution-associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in humans. Additionally, potential mechanisms through which air pollutants affect the cardiovascular system are discussed based on human and additional animal studies. We used the strategy of a narrative review to summarize the scientific literature of studies that were published in the past 7 yr. Searches were carried out on PubMed and Web of Science using predefined search queries. We obtained an initial set of 800 publications that were filtered to 78 publications that were relevant to include in this review. Analysis of the literature showed significant associations between air pollution, especially PM2.5, and the risk of elevated blood pressure (BP), acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac arrhythmia, and heart failure (HF). Prominent mechanisms that underlie the adverse effects of air pollution include oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, autonomic imbalance, and thrombogenicity. The current review underscores the relevance of air pollution as a global health concern that affects cardiovascular health. More rigorous standards are needed to reduce the cardiovascular disease burden imposed by air pollution. Continued research on the health impact of air pollution is needed to provide further insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Maria Lederer
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Frans Everson
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Hans Strijdom
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,Department of Health Sciences, Alma Mater Europaea Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
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Wu Y, Fu R, Lei C, Deng Y, Lou W, Wang L, Zheng Y, Deng X, Yang S, Wang M, Zhai Z, Zhu Y, Xiang D, Hu J, Dai Z, Gao J. Estimates of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Burden Attributable to Particulate Matter Pollution and Its 30-Year Change Patterns: A Systematic Analysis of Data From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:689079. [PMID: 34484113 PMCID: PMC8414895 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.689079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological trends of type 2 diabetes mellitus attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution remain unclear. Here, we estimated spatiotemporal trends of type 2 diabetes mellitus burden attributable to PM2.5 pollution, including ambient particulate matter pollution (APMP) and household air pollution (HAP), from 1990-2019. METHODS Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and were analyzed by age, sex, year, and location. Joinpoint regression analysis was applied in the analysis of temporal trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus burden over the 30 years. RESULTS Globally, PM2.5 pollution contributed to 292.5 thousand deaths and 13 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019. APMP ranked third among all risk factors, causing an increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus burden from 1990, whereas the impact of HAP significantly fell during the same period. Both APMP and HAP contributed the most to deaths and DALYs of type 2 diabetes mellitus among older people. However, the age-standardized death and DALY rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus attributable to APMP were greater among males and people in the middle socio-demographic index countries, especially in Southern Sub-Saharan Africa. For HAP, type 2 diabetes mellitus burden was modestly higher in females and was highest in Oceania, which was the only region with an increase from 1990. CONCLUSIONS PM2.5 pollution resulted in substantial and increasing type 2 diabetes mellitus burden worldwide. Hence, governments and health systems should take steps to reduce air pollution to mitigate this increasing burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Rongguo Fu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chen Lei
- Department of Endocrinology, The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yujiao Deng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Weiyang Lou
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xinyue Deng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Si Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhen Zhai
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuyao Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Dong Xiang
- Celilo Cancer Center, Oregon Health Science Center affiliated Mid-Columbia Medical Center, The Dalles, OR, United States
| | - Jingjing Hu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zhijun Dai
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Gao, ; Zhijun Dai,
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Gao, ; Zhijun Dai,
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55
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Tonne C, Adair L, Adlakha D, Anguelovski I, Belesova K, Berger M, Brelsford C, Dadvand P, Dimitrova A, Giles-Corti B, Heinz A, Mehran N, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Pelletier F, Ranzani O, Rodenstein M, Rybski D, Samavati S, Satterthwaite D, Schöndorf J, Schreckenberg D, Stollmann J, Taubenböck H, Tiwari G, van Wee B, Adli M. Defining pathways to healthy sustainable urban development. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106236. [PMID: 33161201 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Goals and pathways to achieve sustainable urban development have multiple interlinkages with human health and wellbeing. However, these interlinkages have not been examined in depth in recent discussions on urban sustainability and global urban science. This paper fills that gap by elaborating in detail the multiple links between urban sustainability and human health and by mapping research gaps at the interface of health and urban sustainability sciences. As researchers from a broad range of disciplines, we aimed to: 1) define the process of urbanization, highlighting distinctions from related concepts to support improved conceptual rigour in health research; 2) review the evidence linking health with urbanization, urbanicity, and cities and identify cross-cutting issues; and 3) highlight new research approaches needed to study complex urban systems and their links with health. This novel, comprehensive knowledge synthesis addresses issue of interest across multiple disciplines. Our review of concepts of urban development should be of particular value to researchers and practitioners in the health sciences, while our review of the links between urban environments and health should be of particular interest to those outside of public health. We identify specific actions to promote health through sustainable urban development that leaves no one behind, including: integrated planning; evidence-informed policy-making; and monitoring the implementation of policies. We also highlight the critical role of effective governance and equity-driven planning in progress towards sustainable, healthy, and just urban development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn Tonne
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Linda Adair
- Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2524, USA
| | - Deepti Adlakha
- School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, 39-123 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Anguelovski
- ICREA Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, 08010 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; IMIM Medical Research Institute, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kristine Belesova
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Maximilian Berger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christa Brelsford
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Payam Dadvand
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Asya Dimitrova
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Billie Giles-Corti
- RMIT University, La Trobe Street, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nassim Mehran
- Humboldt University, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - François Pelletier
- United Nations Population Division, 2 United Nations Plaza, Rm. DC2-1950, New York, NY 10017 USA
| | - Otavio Ranzani
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marianne Rodenstein
- Goethe University, Westend Campus - PEG Building, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diego Rybski
- Potsdam Institute for Climate, P.O. Box 60 12 03, Potsdam 14412, Germany
| | - Sahar Samavati
- Tarbiat Modares University, Jalal Ale Ahmad Highway, 9821 Tehran, Iran
| | - David Satterthwaite
- International Institute for Environment and Development, Unit, 80-86 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8NH, UK
| | - Jonas Schöndorf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schreckenberg
- ZEUS GmbH, Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research, Sennbrink 46, D-58093 Hagen, Germany
| | - Jörg Stollmann
- Institute of Architecture, TU Berlin, Strasse des 17.Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannes Taubenböck
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Oberpfaffenhofen, Münchener Str. 20, 82234 Weßling, Germany
| | - Geetam Tiwari
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016, India
| | - Bert van Wee
- Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Mazda Adli
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Williams J, Petrik L, Wichmann J. PM 2.5 chemical composition and geographical origin of air masses in Cape Town, South Africa. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2020; 14:431-442. [PMID: 33042291 PMCID: PMC7539287 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-020-00947-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 in the indoor and outdoor environment has been linked in epidemiology studies to the symptoms, hospital admissions and development of numerous health outcomes including death. The study was conducted during April 2017 and April 2018. PM2.5 samples were collected over 24 h and every third day. The mean PM2.5 level was 13.4 μg m-3 (range: 1.17-39.1 μg m-3). PM2.5 levels exceeded the daily World Health Organization air quality guideline (25 μg m-3) on 14 occasions. The mean soot level was 1.38 m-1 × 10-5 (range: 0 to 5.38 m-1 × 10-5). Cl-, NO3 -, SO4 2-, Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na and Zn were detected in the PM2.5 samples. The geographical origin of air masses that passed Cape Town was estimated using the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory software. Four air masses were identified in the cluster analysis: Atlantic-Ocean-WSW, Atlantic-Ocean-SW, Atlantic-Ocean-SSW and Indian-Ocean. The population of Cape Town may experience various health outcomes from the outdoor exposure to PM2.5 and the chemical composition of PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Williams
- Environmental and Nano Sciences Group, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Leslie Petrik
- Environmental and Nano Sciences Group, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Janine Wichmann
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Awokola BI, Okello G, Mortimer KJ, Jewell CP, Erhart A, Semple S. Measuring Air Quality for Advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and Practicality of Longitudinal Ambient PM 2.5 Measurement Using Low-Cost Sensors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7243. [PMID: 33023037 PMCID: PMC7579047 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution in urban cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is an important public health problem with models and limited monitoring data indicating high concentrations of pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5). On most global air quality index maps, however, information about ambient pollution from SSA is scarce. We evaluated the feasibility and practicality of longitudinal measurements of ambient PM2.5 using low-cost air quality sensors (Purple Air-II-SD) across thirteen locations in seven countries in SSA. Devices were used to gather data over a 30-day period with the aim of assessing the efficiency of its data recovery rate and identifying challenges experienced by users in each location. The median data recovery rate was 94% (range: 72% to 100%). The mean 24 h concentration measured across all sites was 38 µg/m3 with the highest PM2.5 period average concentration of 91 µg/m3 measured in Kampala, Uganda and lowest concentrations of 15 µg/m3 measured in Faraja, The Gambia. Kampala in Uganda and Nnewi in Nigeria recorded the longest periods with concentrations >250µg/m3. Power outages, SD memory card issues, internet connectivity problems and device safety concerns were important challenges experienced when using Purple Air-II-SD sensors. Despite some operational challenges, this study demonstrated that it is reasonably practicable and feasible to establish a network of low-cost devices to provide data on local PM2.5 concentrations in SSA countries. Such data are crucially needed to raise public, societal and policymaker awareness about air pollution across SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babatunde I. Awokola
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing & Statistics (CHICAS), Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK;
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
- Department of Clinical Services, Medical Research Council Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, P.O. Box 273 Banjul, Gambia
| | - Gabriel Okello
- Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge, 2 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1QA, UK;
- African Centre for Clean Air, P.O. Box 4357 Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kevin J. Mortimer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK
| | - Christopher P. Jewell
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing & Statistics (CHICAS), Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK;
| | - Annette Erhart
- Disease Control & Elimination Theme, Medical Research Council Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, P.O. Box 273 Banjul, Gambia;
| | - Sean Semple
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK;
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58
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Ren JC, Liu H, Zhang GH, Wang T, Li J, Dong T, Wu H, Xia ZL. Interaction effects of environmental response gene polymorphisms and benzene exposure on telomere length in shoe-making workers. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 255:126841. [PMID: 32416388 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Benzene is a globally occurring environmental and occupational pollutant that causes leukemia. To better understand telomere length (TL) as a function of benzene toxicity, we recruited 294 shoe-making workers and 102 controls from Wenzhou, China in 2011. Biomarkers of TL, cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) frequency, and white blood cells (WBC) were measured. In total, 18 polymorphic sites in environmental response genes, including metabolic and DNA repair genes, were analyzed. Results indicate that benzene exposure led to a longer TL at a threshold of 32 mg/m3-year of cumulative exposure dose (CED). Furthermore, the TL was longer in members of the damaged group, when evaluated for MN frequency (P < 0.001) and reduced WBC (P < 0.001), than in those of the normal group. Workers carrying genotype TT (β = 0.32, P = 0.042) in rs3212986 of ERCC1 and genotype TC (β = 0.24, P = 0.082) in rs1051740 of mEH exon3 were associated with a longer TL as compared to the wild-type group. TA (β = -0.53, P < 0.001) in rs6413432 of CYP2E1 was associated with a shorter TL. Benzene exposure interacted with the TA type in rs6413432 (β = 0.003, 95% CI: 0, 0.006, P = 0.042) and the CC type in rs1051740 (β = 0.007, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.013, P = 0.015) after adjusting for confounding factors. Our results indicate that benzene induces an increase in TL at a threshold of CED ≥32mg/m3-year. Rs1051740, rs3212986, and rs6413432 were found to be involved in benzene-induced telomere growth; in particular, rs1051740 and rs6413432 interacted with the benzene exposure, resulting in an extended TL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Chao Ren
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Huan Liu
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Guang-Hui Zhang
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Tongshuai Wang
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jingzhi Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Tingting Dong
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Hantian Wu
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhao-Lin Xia
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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59
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Masekela R, Vanker A. Lung Health in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: Addressing the Need for Cleaner Air. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E6178. [PMID: 32858786 PMCID: PMC7504680 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution is increasingly recognized as a global health emergency with its impacts being wide ranging, more so for low- and middle-income countries where both indoor and outdoor pollution levels are high. In Africa, more than 80% of children live in households which use unclean sources of energy. The effects of both indoor and outdoor pollution on lung health on children who are the most vulnerable to their effects range from acute lower respiratory tract infections to long-term chronic health effects. We reviewed the literature on the effects of air pollution in children in Sub-Saharan Africa from prenatal exposure, infancy and school-going children. Data from Sub-Saharan Africa on quantification of exposures both indoor and outdoor mainly utilizes modelling or self-reporting. Exposures to biomass not only increases the risk of acute respiratory tract infections in young children but also increases the risk of carriage of pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract. Although there is limited evidence of association between asthma and pollution in African children, airway hyper-responsiveness and lower lung function has been demonstrated in children with higher risk of exposure. Interventions at a policy level to both quantify the exposure levels at a population level are urgently needed to address the possible interventions to limit exposure and improve lung health in children in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Refiloe Masekela
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4013, South Africa
| | - Aneesa Vanker
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa;
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Clark SN, Alli AS, Brauer M, Ezzati M, Baumgartner J, Toledano MB, Hughes AF, Nimo J, Bedford Moses J, Terkpertey S, Vallarino J, Agyei-Mensah S, Agyemang E, Nathvani R, Muller E, Bennett J, Wang J, Beddows A, Kelly F, Barratt B, Beevers S, Arku RE. High-resolution spatiotemporal measurement of air and environmental noise pollution in Sub-Saharan African cities: Pathways to Equitable Health Cities Study protocol for Accra, Ghana. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035798. [PMID: 32819940 PMCID: PMC7440835 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Air and noise pollution are emerging environmental health hazards in African cities, with potentially complex spatial and temporal patterns. Limited local data are a barrier to the formulation and evaluation of policies to reduce air and noise pollution. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We designed a year-long measurement campaign to characterise air and noise pollution and their sources at high-resolution within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), Ghana. Our design uses a combination of fixed (year-long, n=10) and rotating (week-long, n =~130) sites, selected to represent a range of land uses and source influences (eg, background, road traffic, commercial, industrial and residential areas, and various neighbourhood socioeconomic classes). We will collect data on fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), weather variables, sound (noise level and audio) along with street-level time-lapse images. We deploy low-cost, low-power, lightweight monitoring devices that are robust, socially unobtrusive, and able to function in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) climate. We will use state-of-the-art methods, including spatial statistics, deep/machine learning, and processed-based emissions modelling, to capture highly resolved temporal and spatial variations in pollution levels across the GAMA and to identify their potential sources. This protocol can serve as a prototype for other SSA cities. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This environmental study was deemed exempt from full ethics review at Imperial College London and the University of Massachusetts Amherst; it was approved by the University of Ghana Ethics Committee (ECH 149/18-19). This protocol is designed to be implementable in SSA cities to map environmental pollution to inform urban planning decisions to reduce health harming exposures to air and noise pollution. It will be disseminated through local stakeholder engagement (public and private sectors), peer-reviewed publications, contribution to policy documents, media, and conference presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra N Clark
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Abosede S Alli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Brauer
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Majid Ezzati
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Abdul Latif Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jill Baumgartner
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mireille B Toledano
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - James Nimo
- Department of Physics, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Jose Vallarino
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel Agyei-Mensah
- Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ernest Agyemang
- Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ricky Nathvani
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Emily Muller
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - James Bennett
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, UK
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jiayuan Wang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Beddows
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Frank Kelly
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Benjamin Barratt
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sean Beevers
- MRC Center for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Raphael E Arku
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Rother HA. Controlling and preventing climate-sensitive noncommunicable diseases in urban sub-Saharan Africa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 722:137772. [PMID: 32199361 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Research continues to highlight the link between climate change and health outcomes. There is, however, limited evidence in research, policies and in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) about the impact of environmental factors on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) for people living in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Important is that 80% of NCDs are taking place in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and linked to a third of the deaths in SSA. The question is, what would these statistics look like if environmental risk factors (e.g., pollution, chemicals) for NCDs, linked to climate change, were prevented and controlled. This article presents a framework for understanding climatic pathways' impacts on climate-sensitive NCDs and achieving the SDGs. It further explains how current global mitigation interventions in high income urban settings, with implied health co-benefits for NCD reduction (i.e., promoting use of less polluting vehicles, bicycles, walking, public transport, green spaces), experience major implementation challenges in SSA cities (i.e., too costly, lack of availability, poor road conditions, gender and cultural norms, security problems). Recommendations are made for applying this framework to control climate change impacts on NCDs and achieving the SDGs in SSA cities. These include, support for more research on the climate - NCD nexus, ensuring health professional training includes sustainable health education, and including a focus on climate change and health in primary and secondary school curricula. Further recommendations for addressing climate-sensitive NCDs and urban environmental health towards achieving and sustaining the SDGs, are linked to promoting climate-sensitive and health policies and governance, as well as controlling the influence of advertising. Lastly, improving communication of research findings for policy makers and the public in a manner for informed policy making, and how to comprehend this information to promote the reduction and prevention of NCDs in urban SSA, is key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna-Andrea Rother
- Division of Environmental Health, and Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Rd., Observatory 7925, South Africa.
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Everson F, Martens DS, Nawrot TS, Goswami N, Mthethwa M, Webster I, Mashele N, Charania S, Kamau F, De Boever P, Strijdom H. Personal exposure to NO 2 and benzene in the Cape Town region of South Africa is associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length in women. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:108993. [PMID: 31830692 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution exposure is a major global health concern and has been associated with molecular aging. Unfortunately, the situation has not received much attention in the African region. The aim of this study was to investigate whether current personal ambient NO2 and benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylenes (ortho (o)-, meta (m)- and para (p)-xylene (BTEX) exposure is associated with leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of molecular ageing, in apparently healthy women (mean ± SD age: 42.5 ± 13.4 years) residing in the Cape Town region of South Africa. The repeated measures study collected data from 61 women. Seven-day median (interquartile range (IQR)) personal NO2 and BTEX exposure levels were determined via compact passive diffusion samplers carried on the person prior to baseline (NO2: 14.2 (9.4-17.2) μg/m³; Benzene: 3.1 (2.1-5.3) μg/m³) and 6-month follow-up (NO2: 10.6 (6.6-13.6) μg/m³; Benzene: 2.2 (1.3-4.9) μg/m³) visits. LTL was measured at baseline and follow-up using a real-time PCR method. Multiple linear mixed model analyses (adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, employment status, level of education and assessment visit) showed that each IQR increment increase in NO2 (7.0 μg/m³) and benzene (3.3 μg/m³) was associated with -7.30% (95% CI: -10.98 to -3.46%; p < 0.001) and -6.78% (95% CI: -11.88 to -1.39%; p = 0.015) difference in LTL, respectively. The magnitude of these effects of NO2 and benzene corresponds to the effect of an increase of 10.3- and 6.0-year in chronological age on LTL. Our study shows that personal exposures to NO2 and benzene are associated with molecular ageing as indicated by LTL in healthy women residing in the Cape Town region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans Everson
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center of Vascular Biology, Immunity and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Mashudu Mthethwa
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Ingrid Webster
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Nyiko Mashele
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Sana Charania
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Festus Kamau
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Hans Strijdom
- Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
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Everson F, De Boever P, Nawrot TS, Goswami N, Mthethwa M, Webster I, Martens DS, Mashele N, Charania S, Kamau F, Strijdom H. Personal NO 2 and Volatile Organic Compounds Exposure Levels are Associated with Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Women in the Cape Town Region of South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E2284. [PMID: 31261612 PMCID: PMC6651077 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to ambient NO2 and benzene, toluene ethyl-benzene and m+p- and o-xylenes (BTEX) is associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, but limited information is available on the effects of personal exposure to these compounds in South African populations. This 6-month follow-up study aims to determine 7-day personal ambient NO2 and BTEX exposure levels via compact passive diffusion samplers in female participants from Cape Town, and investigate whether exposure levels are associated with cardiovascular risk markers. Overall, the measured air pollutant exposure levels were lower compared to international standards. NO2 was positively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and inversely associated with the central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and mean baseline brachial artery diameter. o-xylene was associated with DBP and benzene was strongly associated with carotid intima media thickness (cIMT). Our findings showed that personal air pollution exposure, even at relatively low levels, was associated with several markers of cardiovascular risk in women residing in the Cape Town region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans Everson
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium.
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Division of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center of Vascular Biology, Immunity and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Mashudu Mthethwa
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Ingrid Webster
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nyiko Mashele
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Sana Charania
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Festus Kamau
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Hans Strijdom
- Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
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