51
|
Padilla CM, Kihal-Talantikite W, Vieira VM, Rossello P, Le Nir G, Zmirou-Navier D, Deguen S. Air quality and social deprivation in four French metropolitan areas--a localized spatio-temporal environmental inequality analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 134:315-24. [PMID: 25199972 PMCID: PMC4294705 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have documented that more deprived populations tend to live in areas characterized by higher levels of environmental pollution. Yet, time trends and geographic patterns of this disproportionate distribution of environmental burden remain poorly assessed, especially in Europe. We investigated the spatial and temporal relationship between ambient air nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations and socioeconomic and demographic data in four French metropolitan areas (Lille in the North, Lyon in the center, Marseille in the South, and Paris) during two different time periods. The geographical unit used was the census block. The dependent variable was the NO2 annual average concentration (μg/m(3)) per census block, and the explanatory variables were a neighborhood deprivation index and socioeconomic and demographic data derived from the national census. Generalized additive models were used to account for spatial autocorrelation. We found that the strength and direction of the association between deprivation and NO2 estimates varied between cities. In Paris, census blocks with the higher social categories are exposed to higher mean concentrations of NO2. However, in Lille and Marseille, the most deprived census blocks are the most exposed to NO2. In Lyon, the census blocks in the middle social categories were more likely to have higher concentrations than in the lower social categories. Despite a general reduction in NO2 concentrations over the study period in the four metropolitan areas, we found contrasting results in the temporal trend of environmental inequalities. There is clear evidence of city-specific spatial and temporal environmental inequalities that relate to the historical socioeconomic make-up of the cities and its evolution. Hence, general statements about environmental and social inequalities can be made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy M Padilla
- EHESP School of Public Health, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Rennes, France; INSERM U1085-IRSET - Research Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France; French Environment and Energy Management Agency, Angers, France.
| | | | - Verónica M Vieira
- Program in Public Health, Chao Family Cancer Center, University of Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Philippe Rossello
- Air Quality Monitoring Associations (AASQA), Airparif, Paris, Air PACA, Marseille, France.
| | - Geraldine Le Nir
- Air Quality Monitoring Associations (AASQA), Airparif, Paris, Air PACA, Marseille, France.
| | - Denis Zmirou-Navier
- EHESP School of Public Health, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Rennes, France; INSERM U1085-IRSET - Research Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France; Lorraine University Medical School, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
| | - Severine Deguen
- EHESP School of Public Health, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Rennes, France; INSERM U1085-IRSET - Research Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France.
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Benmarhnia T, Rey L, Cartier Y, Clary CM, Deguen S, Brousselle A. Addressing equity in interventions to reduce air pollution in urban areas: a systematic review. Int J Public Health 2014; 59:933-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s00038-014-0608-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
|
53
|
Morfeld P, Groneberg DA, Spallek MF. Effectiveness of low emission zones: large scale analysis of changes in environmental NO2, NO and NOx concentrations in 17 German cities. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102999. [PMID: 25115911 PMCID: PMC4130490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are areas where the most polluting vehicles are restricted from entering. The effectiveness of LEZs to lower ambient exposures is under debate. This study focused on LEZs that restricted cars of Euro 1 standard without appropriate retrofitting systems from entering and estimated LEZ effects on NO2, NO, and NOx ( = NO2+NO). METHODS Continuous half-hour and diffuse sampler 4-week average NO2, NO, and NOx concentrations measured inside and outside LEZs in 17 German cities of 6 federal states (2005-2009) were analysed as matched quadruplets (two pairs of simultaneously measured index values inside LEZ and reference values outside LEZ, one pair measured before and one after introducing LEZs with time differences that equal multiples of 364 days) by multiple linear and log-linear fixed-effects regression modelling (covariables: e.g., wind velocity, amount of precipitation, height of inversion base, school holidays, truck-free periods). Additionally, the continuous half-hour data was collapsed into 4-week averages and pooled with the diffuse sampler data to perform joint analysis. RESULTS More than 3,000,000 quadruplets of continuous measurements (half-hour averages) were identified at 38 index and 45 reference stations. Pooling with diffuse sampler data from 15 index and 10 reference stations lead to more than 4,000 quadruplets for joint analyses of 4-week averages. Mean LEZ effects on NO2, NO, and NOx concentrations (reductions) were estimated to be at most -2 µg/m(3) (or -4%). The 4-week averages of NO2 concentrations at index stations after LEZ introduction were 55 µg/m(3) (median and mean values) or 82 µg/m(3) (95th percentile). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study investigating comprehensively the effectiveness of LEZs to reduce NO2, NO, and NOx concentrations controlling for most relevant potential confounders. Our analyses indicate that there is a statistically significant, but rather small reduction of NO2, NO, and NOx concentrations associated with LEZs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Morfeld
- Institute for Occupational Epidemiology and Risk Assessment (IERA) of Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Preventive Research, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - David A. Groneberg
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael F. Spallek
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT), Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Perspectives in Household Air Pollution Research: Who Will Benefit from Interventions? Curr Environ Health Rep 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s40572-014-0021-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
|
55
|
Fensterer V, Küchenhoff H, Maier V, Wichmann HE, Breitner S, Peters A, Gu J, Cyrys J. Evaluation of the impact of low emission zone and heavy traffic ban in Munich (Germany) on the reduction of PM₁₀ in ambient air. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:5094-112. [PMID: 24828081 PMCID: PMC4053866 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110505094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Concentrations of ambient fine particles (PM10: particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm) are still exceeding current air quality standards in many European cities. In Munich (Germany), low emission zone and transit bans for heavy-duty vehicles were introduced in 2008 aiming at reduction of traffic emissions contribution to PM10. The effects of those measures on PM10 mass concentrations in Munich were investigated with a semiparametric regression model for modeling PM10 levels adjusted for time, background pollution, public holidays and wind direction. The reduction of PM10 concentration after the introduction of the measures was larger at a traffic monitoring site (13.0 %, 19.6 % in summer, and 6.8 % in winter) and smaller in urban background (4.5 %, 5.7 % in summer, and 3.2 % in winter). The effect was most pronounced on Fridays and on the weekends in summer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Fensterer
- Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Akademiestr. 1, Munich 80799, Germany.
| | - Helmut Küchenhoff
- Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Akademiestr. 1, Munich 80799, Germany.
| | - Verena Maier
- Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Akademiestr. 1, Munich 80799, Germany.
| | - Heinz-Erich Wichmann
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology I, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
| | - Susanne Breitner
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
| | - Annette Peters
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
| | - Jianwei Gu
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
| | - Josef Cyrys
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology II, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Morfeld P, Stern R, Builtjes P, Groneberg DA, Spallek M. Einrichtung einer Umweltzone und ihre Wirksamkeit auf die PM10-Feinstaubkonzentration — eine Pilotanalyse am Beispiel München. ZENTRALBLATT FUR ARBEITSMEDIZIN ARBEITSSCHUTZ UND ERGONOMIE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03346194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
57
|
Morfeld P, Spallek M, Groneberg D. Zur Wirksamkeit von Umweltzonen: Design einer Studie zur Ermittlung der Schadstoffkonzentrationsänderung für Staubpartikel (PM10) und andere Größen durch Einführung von Umweltzonen in 20 deutschen Städten. ZENTRALBLATT FUR ARBEITSMEDIZIN ARBEITSSCHUTZ UND ERGONOMIE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03344991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
58
|
Green J, Steinbach R, Jones A, Edwards P, Kelly C, Nellthorp J, Goodman A, Roberts H, Petticrew M, Wilkinson P. On the buses: a mixed-method evaluation of the impact of free bus travel for young people on the public health. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2014. [DOI: 10.3310/phr02010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundIn September 2005 London introduced a policy granting young people aged < 17 years access to free bus and tram travel. A year later this policy was extended to people aged < 18 years in education, work or training. This intervention was part of a broader environmental strategy in London to reduce private car use, but its primary aim was to decrease ‘transport exclusion’, and ensure that access to goods, services, education and training opportunities were not denied to some young people because of transport poverty. However, there were also likely to be positive and negative health implications, which were difficult to assess in the absence of a robust evidence base on the impact of transport policies on health and well-being.ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of free bus travel for young people in London on the public health. Specifically, to provide empirical evidence for the impact of this ‘natural experiment’ on health outcomes and behaviours (e.g. injuries, active travel) for young people; explore the effects on the determinants of health; identify the effects on older citizens of increased access to bus travel for young people and to identify whether or not the intervention represented value for money.DesignQuasi-experimental design, using secondary analysis of routine data, primary qualitative data and literature reviews.SettingLondon, UK.ParticipantsYoung people aged 12–17 years and older citizens aged ≥ 60 years.InterventionThe introduction of free bus travel for those aged < 17 years living in London in 2005, extended to those aged < 18 years in 2006.Main outcome measuresQuantitative: number of journeys to school or work; frequency and distance of active travel (i.e. walking and/or cycling), bus travel, car travel; incidence of road traffic injuries and assaults and socioeconomic gradients in travel patterns. Qualitative: how free bus travel affected young people and older citizens’ travel and well-being.MethodsQuantitative component: change-on-change analysis comparing pre–post change in the target age group (12–17 years) against that seen in ‘non-exposed’ groups [for travel mode, road traffic injury (RTI) and assaults]. Qualitative component: interviews analysed using both deductive and inductive methods. Economic evaluation: cost–benefit analysis (CBA).Data sourcesLondon Area Transport Survey (LATS) and London Travel Demand Survey (LTDS) (travel mode); STATS19 Road Accident data set (RTI); Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) (assaults); interviews with young people and older citizens; and cost data from providers and literature reviews.ResultsThe introduction of free bus travel for young people was associated with higher use of bus travel by adults and young people [31% increase, 95% confidence interval (CI) 19% to 42%; and 26% increase, 95% CI 13% to 41%, respectively], especially for short journeys, and lower car distances relative to adults (relative change 0.73, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.94); no significant overall reduction in ‘active travel’ [reduction in number of walking trips but no evidence of change in distance walked (relative change 0.99, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.07)]; significant reduction in cycling relative to adults (but from a very low base); a reduction in road traffic injuries for car occupants (relative change 0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.95) and cyclists (relative change 0.60, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.66), but not pedestrians; an overall modest increase in journeys to work or school (relative change 1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.14); equivocal evidence of impact on socioeconomic gradients in travel behaviour and no evidence of adverse impact on travel of older people aged > 60 years. An increase in assaults largely preceded the scheme. Qualitative data suggested that the scheme increased opportunities for independent travel, social inclusion, and a sense of belonging and that it ‘normalised’ bus travel. The monetised benefits of the scheme substantially outweighed the costs, providing what the Department for Transport (DfT) considers ‘high’ value for money.ConclusionThe free bus travel scheme for young people appears to have encouraged their greater use of bus transport for short trips without significant impact on their overall active travel. There was qualitative evidence for benefits on social determinants of health, such as normalisation of bus travel, greater social inclusion and opportunities for independent travel. In the context of a good bus service, universal free bus travel for young people appears to be a cost-effective contributor to social inclusion and, potentially, to increasing sustainable transport in the long term. Further research is needed on the effects of both active and other travel modes on the determinants of health; the factors that influence maintenance of travel mode change; travel as ‘social practice’; the impact of driving license changes on injury rates for young adults and the value of a statistical life for young people.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Green
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Steinbach
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alasdair Jones
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Methodology, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Phil Edwards
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Kelly
- Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - John Nellthorp
- Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Anna Goodman
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen Roberts
- General and Adolescent Paediatrics Unit, University College London Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Mark Petticrew
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Wang JY, Ehrgott M, Dirks KN, Gupta A. A Bilevel Multi-objective Road Pricing Model for Economic, Environmental and Health Sustainability. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2014.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
60
|
|
61
|
Stojanović D, Pejović S, Milošević Z. GREENHOUSE GASES AND MEANS OF PREVENTION. ACTA MEDICA MEDIANAE 2013. [DOI: 10.5633/amm.2013.0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
62
|
Zhang K, Batterman S. Air pollution and health risks due to vehicle traffic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 450-451:307-16. [PMID: 23500830 PMCID: PMC4243514 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.01.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Traffic congestion increases vehicle emissions and degrades ambient air quality, and recent studies have shown excess morbidity and mortality for drivers, commuters and individuals living near major roadways. Presently, our understanding of the air pollution impacts from congestion on roads is very limited. This study demonstrates an approach to characterize risks of traffic for on- and near-road populations. Simulation modeling was used to estimate on- and near-road NO2 concentrations and health risks for freeway and arterial scenarios attributable to traffic for different traffic volumes during rush hour periods. The modeling used emission factors from two different models (Comprehensive Modal Emissions Model and Motor Vehicle Emissions Factor Model version 6.2), an empirical traffic speed-volume relationship, the California Line Source Dispersion Model, an empirical NO2-NOx relationship, estimated travel time changes during congestion, and concentration-response relationships from the literature, which give emergency doctor visits, hospital admissions and mortality attributed to NO2 exposure. An incremental analysis, which expresses the change in health risks for small increases in traffic volume, showed non-linear effects. For a freeway, "U" shaped trends of incremental risks were predicted for on-road populations, and incremental risks are flat at low traffic volumes for near-road populations. For an arterial road, incremental risks increased sharply for both on- and near-road populations as traffic increased. These patterns result from changes in emission factors, the NO2-NOx relationship, the travel delay for the on-road population, and the extended duration of rush hour for the near-road population. This study suggests that health risks from congestion are potentially significant, and that additional traffic can significantly increase risks, depending on the type of road and other factors. Further, evaluations of risk associated with congestion must consider travel time, the duration of rush-hour, congestion-specific emission estimates, and uncertainties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stuart Batterman
- Dept. of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 734 763 8095. (S. Batterman)
| |
Collapse
|
63
|
Determinants of environmental domain of quality of life in economically active population living in Silesian agglomeration, Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2013; 26:132-43. [PMID: 23576152 DOI: 10.2478/s13382-013-0081-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to identify the factors that determine the environmental domain of quality of life in economically active adults living in the industrial agglomeration in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS During the cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted among the economically active population aged 45-60, we used a short version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Respondents were recruited randomly from selected factories located in the Silesian Agglomeration. The statistical analysis used descriptive and analytical methods available in the Statistica 9.0 software. RESULTS The results confirmed the statistically significant association between marital status, type of occupational activity, declared health status, and the environmental domain of quality of life in economically active inhabitants of the Silesian Agglomeration. The best qualities of life in the environmental domain were those of married people, white collars, and persons who declared their health status to be the best. CONCLUSIONS The major determinants of environmental quality of life in economically active population living in the industrial agglomeration include non-occupational factors, such as marital status and current health status, while a significantly better quality of life was associated with being a white-collar worker and not living in the vicinity of the road with heavy traffic. The results may be useful for future planned activities intended to improve the health and the quality of working life.
Collapse
|
64
|
Clark ML, Bachand AM, Heiderscheidt JM, Yoder SA, Luna B, Volckens J, Koehler KA, Conway S, Reynolds SJ, Peel JL. Impact of a cleaner-burning cookstove intervention on blood pressure in Nicaraguan women. INDOOR AIR 2013; 23:105-14. [PMID: 22913364 PMCID: PMC3528797 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have evaluated the cardiovascular-related effects of indoor biomass burning or the role of characteristics such as age and obesity status, in this relationship. We examined the impact of a cleaner-burning cookstove intervention on blood pressure among Nicaraguan women using an open fire at baseline; we also evaluated heterogeneity of the impact by subgroups of the population. We evaluated changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to post-intervention (range: 273-383 days) among 74 female cooks. We measured indoor fine particulate matter (PM(2.5); N = 25), indoor carbon monoxide (CO; N = 32), and personal CO (N = 30) concentrations. Large mean reductions in pollutant concentrations were observed for all pollutants; for example, indoor PM(2.5) was reduced 77% following the intervention. However, pollution distributions (baseline and post-intervention) were wide and overlapping. Although substantial reductions in blood pressure were not observed among the entire population, a 5.9 mmHg reduction [95% confidence interval (CI): -11.3, -0.4] in systolic blood pressure was observed among women aged 40 or more years and a 4.6 mmHg reduction (95% CI: -10.0, 0.8) was observed among obese women. Results from this study provide an indication that certain subgroups may be more likely to experience improvements in blood pressure following a cookstove intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M L Clark
- Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
65
|
Perdue L, Michael Y, Harris C, Heller J, Livingston C, Rader M, Goff N. Rapid health impact assessment of policies to reduce vehicle miles traveled in Oregon. Public Health 2012; 126:1063-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2011.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2010] [Revised: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
66
|
Uibel S, Scutaru C, Mueller D, Klingelhoefer D, Hoang DML, Takemura M, Fischer A, Spallek MF, Unger V, Quarcoo D, Groneberg DA. Mobile air quality studies (MAQS) in inner cities: particulate matter PM10 levels related to different vehicle driving modes and integration of data into a geographical information program. J Occup Med Toxicol 2012; 7:20. [PMID: 23031208 PMCID: PMC3539871 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6673-7-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Particulate matter (PM) is assumed to exert a major burden on public health. Most studies that address levels of PM use stationary measure systems. By contrast, only few studies measure PM concentrations under mobile conditions to analyze individual exposure situations. Methods By combining spatial-temporal analysis with a novel vehicle-mounted sensor system, the present Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) aimed to analyse effects of different driving conditions in a convertible vehicle. PM10 was continuously monitored in a convertible car, driven with roof open, roof closed, but windows open, or windows closed. Results PM10 values inside the car were nearly always higher with open roof than with roof and windows closed, whereas no difference was seen with open or closed windows. During the day PM10 values varied with high values before noon, and occasional high median values or standard deviation values due to individual factors. Vehicle speed in itself did not influence the mean value of PM10; however, at traffic speed (10 – 50 km/h) the standard deviation was large. No systematic difference was seen between PM10 values in stationary and mobile cars, nor was any PM10 difference observed between driving within or outside an environmental (low emission) zone. Conclusions The present study has shown the feasibility of mobile PM analysis in vehicles. Individual exposure of the occupants varies depending on factors like time of day as well as ventilation of the car; other specific factors are clearly identifiably and may relate to specific PM10 sources. This system may be used to monitor individual exposure ranges and provide recommendations for preventive measurements. Although differences in PM10 levels were found under certain ventilation conditions, these differences are likely not of concern for the safety and health of passengers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Uibel
- The Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Faculty and University School of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
67
|
Boogaard H, Janssen NAH, Fischer PH, Kos GPA, Weijers EP, Cassee FR, van der Zee SC, de Hartog JJ, Meliefste K, Wang M, Brunekreef B, Hoek G. Impact of low emission zones and local traffic policies on ambient air pollution concentrations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 435-436:132-40. [PMID: 22846773 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Revised: 06/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluations of the effectiveness of air pollution policy interventions are scarce. This study investigated air pollution at street level before and after implementation of local traffic policies including low emission zones (LEZ) directed at heavy duty vehicles (trucks) in five Dutch cities. METHODS Measurements of PM(10), PM(2.5), 'soot', NO(2), NO(x), and elemental composition of PM(10) and PM(2.5) were conducted simultaneously at eight streets, six urban background locations and four suburban background locations before (2008) and two years after implementation of the policies (2010). The four suburban locations were selected as control locations to account for generic air pollution trends and weather differences. RESULTS All pollutant concentrations were lower in 2010 than in 2008. For traffic-related pollutants including 'soot' and NO(x) and elemental composition (Cr, Cu, Fe) the decrease did not differ significantly between the intervention locations and the suburban control locations. Only for PM(2.5) reductions were considerably larger at urban streets (30%) and urban background locations (27%) than at the matching suburban control locations (20%). In one urban street where traffic intensity was reduced with 50%, 'soot', NO(x) and NO(2) concentrations were reduced substantially more (41, 36 and 25%) than at the corresponding suburban control location (22, 14 and 7%). CONCLUSION With the exception of one urban street where traffic flows were drastically reduced, the local traffic policies including LEZ were too modest to produce significant decreases in traffic-related air pollution concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Boogaard
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
68
|
Clark C, Crombie R, Head J, van Kamp I, van Kempen E, Stansfeld SA. Does traffic-related air pollution explain associations of aircraft and road traffic noise exposure on children's health and cognition? A secondary analysis of the United Kingdom sample from the RANCH project. Am J Epidemiol 2012; 176:327-37. [PMID: 22842719 PMCID: PMC3415279 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kws012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors examined whether air pollution at school (nitrogen dioxide) is associated with poorer child cognition and health and whether adjustment for air pollution explains or moderates previously observed associations between aircraft and road traffic noise at school and children's cognition in the 2001–2003 Road Traffic and Aircraft Noise Exposure and Children's Cognition and Health (RANCH) project. This secondary analysis of a subsample of the United Kingdom RANCH sample examined 719 children who were 9–10 years of age from 22 schools around London's Heathrow airport for whom air pollution data were available. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling. Air pollution exposure levels at school were moderate, were not associated with a range of cognitive and health outcomes, and did not account for or moderate associations between noise exposure and cognition. Aircraft noise exposure at school was significantly associated with poorer recognition memory and conceptual recall memory after adjustment for nitrogen dioxide levels. Aircraft noise exposure was also associated with poorer reading comprehension and information recall memory after adjustment for nitrogen dioxide levels. Road traffic noise was not associated with cognition or health before or after adjustment for air pollution. Moderate levels of air pollution do not appear to confound associations of noise on cognition and health, but further studies of higher air pollution levels are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Clark
- Centre for Psychiatry, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
69
|
Yanosky JD, Tonne CC, Beevers SD, Wilkinson P, Kelly FJ. Modeling exposures to the oxidative potential of PM10. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:7612-20. [PMID: 22731499 PMCID: PMC3476505 DOI: 10.1021/es3010305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Differences in the toxicity of ambient particulate matter (PM) due to varying particle composition across locations may contribute to variability in results from air pollution epidemiologic studies. Though most studies have used PM mass concentration as the exposure metric, an alternative which accounts for particle toxicity due to varying particle composition may better elucidate whether PM from specific sources is responsible for observed health effects. The oxidative potential (OP) of PM < 10 μm (PM(10)) was measured as the rate of depletion of the antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) in a model of human respiratory tract lining fluid. Using a database of GSH OP measures collected in greater London, U.K. from 2002 to 2006, we developed and validated a predictive spatiotemporal model of the weekly GSH OP of PM(10) that included geographic predictors. Predicted levels of OP were then used in combination with those of weekly PM(10) mass to estimate exposure to PM(10) weighted by its OP. Using cross-validation (CV), brake and tire wear emissions of PM(10) from traffic within 50 m and tailpipe emissions of nitrogen oxides from heavy-goods vehicles within 100 m were important predictors of GSH OP levels. Predictive accuracy of the models was high for PM(10) (CV R(2)=0.83) but only moderate for GSH OP (CV R(2) = 0.44) when comparing weekly levels; however, the GSH OP model predicted spatial trends well (spatial CV R(2) = 0.73). Results suggest that PM(10) emitted from traffic sources, specifically brake and tire wear, has a higher OP than that from other sources, and that this effect is very local, occurring within 50-100 m of roadways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff D Yanosky
- Department of Public Health Sciences, A210 Penn State College of Medicine 600 Centerview Drive, Suite 2200 Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0855, United States.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
70
|
Henschel S, Atkinson R, Zeka A, Le Tertre A, Analitis A, Katsouyanni K, Chanel O, Pascal M, Forsberg B, Medina S, Goodman PG. Air pollution interventions and their impact on public health. Int J Public Health 2012; 57:757-68. [DOI: 10.1007/s00038-012-0369-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2011] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
71
|
Hartog JJD, Boogaard H, Nijland H, Hoek G. Do the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks? CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2012; 16:4731-44. [PMID: 22124913 DOI: 10.1590/s1413-81232011001300022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 06/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although from a societal point of view a modal shift from car to bicycle may have beneficial health effects due to decreased air pollution emissions and increased levels of physical activity, shifts in individual adverse health effects such as higher exposure to air pollution and risk of a traffic accident may prevail. We have summarized the literature for air pollution, traffic accidents, and physical activity using systematic reviews supplemented with recent key studies. We quantified the impact on all-cause mortality when 500,000 people would make a transition from car to bicycle for short trips on a daily basis in the Netherlands. We estimate that beneficial effects of increased physical activity are substantially larger (3-14 months gained) than the potential mortality effect of increased inhaled air pollution doses (0.8-40 days lost) and the increase in traffic accidents (5-9 days lost). Societal benefits are even larger because of a modest reduction in air pollution and traffic accidents. On average, the estimated health benefits of cycling were substantially larger than the risks relative to car driving for individuals shifting their mode of transport.
Collapse
|
72
|
Cowie CT, Rose N, Gillett R, Walter S, Marks GB. Redistribution of traffic related air pollution associated with a new road tunnel. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:2918-2927. [PMID: 22289123 DOI: 10.1021/es202686r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a new road tunnel on the concentration and distribution of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), specifically nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and particulate matter (PM), and to determine its relationship to change in traffic flow. We used continuously recorded data from four monitoring stations at nonroadside locations within the study area and three regional monitors outside the area. The four monitors in the study area were in background locations where smaller pollutant changes were expected compared with changes near the bypassed main road. We also deployed passive samplers to assess finer spatial variability in NO(2) including application of a land use regression model (LUR). The study was conducted from 2006 to 2008. Analysis of the continuously recorded data showed that the tunnel intervention did not lead to consistent reductions in NO(2) or PM over the wider study area. However, there were significant decreases in NO(2), NO(x), and PM(10) in the eastern section of the study area. Analysis of passive sampler data indicated that the greatest reductions in NO(2) concentrations occurred within 100 m of the bypassed main road. The LUR model also demonstrated that changes in NO(2) were most marked adjacent to the bypassed main road. These findings support the use of methods that highlight fine spatial variability in TRAP and demonstrate the utility of traffic interventions in reducing air pollution exposures for populations living close to main roads.
Collapse
|
73
|
Jephcote C, Chen H. Environmental injustices of children's exposure to air pollution from road-transport within the model British multicultural city of Leicester: 2000-09. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 414:140-151. [PMID: 22154180 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Revised: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The significant contribution of road-transport to air pollution within the urban arena is widely acknowledged, and traditionally explored in relation to health outcomes across a temporal scale. However, the structure of the urban environment is also of importance in dictating the existence of extremely variable traffic pollutant levels, which often tend to be linked with social disparities. Nevertheless 'Environmental Justice' studies have rarely tackled the adverse health implications of exposures from mobile sources (Chakraborty, 2009), or have applied statistical techniques that are appropriate for such spatial data (Gilbert and Chakraborty, 2011). This article addresses these gaps by spatially examining the distribution of respiratory hospitalisation incidents of children aged 0-15 years in relation to social circumstances and residential exposures of annual PM(10) road-transport emissions within Leicester during 2000-09. Continuing upon the theme of 'Environmental Justice', the research explores the intra-urban spatial distribution of those who produce and residentially experience the majority of road-transport emissions. The findings indicate significant global relationships to exist between children's hospitalisation rates and social-economic-status, ethnic minorities, and PM(10) road-transport emissions within Leicester. Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) identified important localised variations within the dataset, specifically relating to a double-burden of residentially experienced road-transport emissions and deprivation effecting inner city children's respiratory health. Furthermore, affluent intra-urban communities tended to contribute the highest levels of emission from private transport, while residentially experiencing relatively low exposure of transport emissions. This would suggest that environmental injustices prevail across the model British multicultural city of Leicester.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Jephcote
- Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
| | | |
Collapse
|
74
|
Janssen NAH, Hoek G, Simic-Lawson M, Fischer P, van Bree L, ten Brink H, Keuken M, Atkinson RW, Anderson HR, Brunekreef B, Cassee FR. Black carbon as an additional indicator of the adverse health effects of airborne particles compared with PM10 and PM2.5. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2011; 119:1691-9. [PMID: 21810552 PMCID: PMC3261976 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1003369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 471] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current air quality standards for particulate matter (PM) use the PM mass concentration [PM with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 10 μm (PM(10)) or ≤ 2.5 μm (PM(2.5))] as a metric. It has been suggested that particles from combustion sources are more relevant to human health than are particles from other sources, but the impact of policies directed at reducing PM from combustion processes is usually relatively small when effects are estimated for a reduction in the total mass concentration. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the value of black carbon particles (BCP) as an additional indicator in air quality management. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of health effects of BCP compared with PM mass based on data from time-series studies and cohort studies that measured both exposures. We compared the potential health benefits of a hypothetical traffic abatement measure, using near-roadway concentration increments of BCP and PM(2.5) based on data from prior studies. RESULTS Estimated health effects of a 1-μg/m3 increase in exposure were greater for BCP than for PM(10) or PM(2.5), but estimated effects of an interquartile range increase were similar. Two-pollutant models in time-series studies suggested that the effect of BCP was more robust than the effect of PM mass. The estimated increase in life expectancy associated with a hypothetical traffic abatement measure was four to nine times higher when expressed in BCP compared with an equivalent change in PM(2.5) mass. CONCLUSION BCP is a valuable additional air quality indicator to evaluate the health risks of air quality dominated by primary combustion particles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A H Janssen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
75
|
Goodman A, Wilkinson P, Stafford M, Tonne C. Characterising socio-economic inequalities in exposure to air pollution: A comparison of socio-economic markers and scales of measurement. Health Place 2011; 17:767-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2010] [Revised: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
76
|
Lobdell DT, Isakov V, Baxter L, Touma JS, Smuts MB, Özkaynak H. Feasibility of assessing public health impacts of air pollution reduction programs on a local scale: New Haven case study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2011; 119:487-93. [PMID: 21335318 PMCID: PMC3080930 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2010] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New approaches to link health surveillance data with environmental and population exposure information are needed to examine the health benefits of risk management decisions. OBJECTIVE We examined the feasibility of conducting a local assessment of the public health impacts of cumulative air pollution reduction activities from federal, state, local, and voluntary actions in the City of New Haven, Connecticut (USA). METHODS Using a hybrid modeling approach that combines regional and local-scale air quality data, we estimated ambient concentrations for multiple air pollutants [e.g., PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter), NOx (nitrogen oxides)] for baseline year 2001 and projected emissions for 2010, 2020, and 2030. We assessed the feasibility of detecting health improvements in relation to reductions in air pollution for 26 different pollutant-health outcome linkages using both sample size and exploratory epidemiological simulations to further inform decision-making needs. RESULTS Model projections suggested decreases (~10-60%) in pollutant concentrations, mainly attributable to decreases in pollutants from local sources between 2001 and 2010. Models indicated considerable spatial variability in the concentrations of most pollutants. Sample size analyses supported the feasibility of identifying linkages between reductions in NOx and improvements in all-cause mortality, prevalence of asthma in children and adults, and cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations. CONCLUSION Substantial reductions in air pollution (e.g., ~60% for NOx) are needed to detect health impacts of environmental actions using traditional epidemiological study designs in small communities like New Haven. In contrast, exploratory epidemiological simulations suggest that it may be possible to demonstrate the health impacts of PM reductions by predicting intraurban pollution gradients within New Haven using coupled models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danelle T. Lobdell
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vlad Isakov
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lisa Baxter
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jawad S. Touma
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mary Beth Smuts
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Halûk Özkaynak
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
77
|
Giles LV, Barn P, Künzli N, Romieu I, Mittleman MA, van Eeden S, Allen R, Carlsten C, Stieb D, Noonan C, Smargiassi A, Kaufman JD, Hajat S, Kosatsky T, Brauer M. From good intentions to proven interventions: effectiveness of actions to reduce the health impacts of air pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2011; 119:29-36. [PMID: 20729178 PMCID: PMC3018496 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/20/2010] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between air pollution and a multitude of health effects are now well established. Given ubiquitous exposure to some level of air pollution, the attributable health burden can be high, particularly for susceptible populations. OBJECTIVES An international multidisciplinary workshop was convened to discuss evidence of the effectiveness of actions to reduce health impacts of air pollution at both the community and individual level. The overall aim was to summarize current knowledge regarding air pollution exposure and health impacts leading to public health recommendations. DISCUSSION During the workshop, experts reviewed the biological mechanisms of action of air pollution in the initiation and progression of disease, as well as the state of the science regarding community and individual-level interventions. The workshop highlighted strategies to reduce individual baseline risk of conditions associated with increased susceptibility to the effects of air pollution and the need to better understand the role of exposure duration in disease progression, reversal, and adaptation. CONCLUSION We have identified two promising and largely unexplored strategies to address and mitigate air pollution-related health impacts: reducing individual baseline risk of cardiovascular disease and incorporating air pollution-related health impacts into land-use decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa V. Giles
- School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Prabjit Barn
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nino Künzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Murray A. Mittleman
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephan van Eeden
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Providence Heart and Lung Institute, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan Allen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chris Carlsten
- School of Environmental Health and
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dave Stieb
- Population Studies Division, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Curtis Noonan
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Audrey Smargiassi
- Département de Santé Environnementale et Santé au Travail, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joel D. Kaufman
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Kosatsky
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Brauer
- School of Environmental Health and
- Address correspondence to M. Brauer, School of Environmental Health, The University of British Columbia, 3rd Floor, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC Canada, V6T 1Z3. Telephone: (604) 822-9585. Fax: (604) 822-9588. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
78
|
Milner J, Vardoulakis S, Chalabi Z, Wilkinson P. Modelling inhalation exposure to combustion-related air pollutants in residential buildings: Application to health impact assessment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2011; 37:268-279. [PMID: 20875687 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2010.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2010] [Revised: 08/31/2010] [Accepted: 08/31/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Buildings in developed countries are becoming increasingly airtight as a response to stricter energy efficiency requirements. At the same time, changes are occurring to the ways in which household energy is supplied, distributed and used. These changes are having important impacts on exposure to indoor air pollutants in residential buildings and present new challenges for professionals interested in assessing the effects of housing on public health. In many circumstances, models are the most appropriate way with which to examine the potential outcomes of future environmental and/or building interventions and policies. As such, there is a need to consider the current state of indoor air pollution exposure modelling. Various indoor exposure modelling techniques are available, ranging from simple statistical regression and mass-balance approaches, to more complex multizone and computational fluid dynamics tools that have correspondingly large input data requirements. This review demonstrates that there remain challenges which limit the applicability of current models to health impact assessment. However, these issues also present opportunities for better integration of indoor exposure modelling and epidemiology in the future. The final part of the review describes the application of indoor exposure models to health impact assessments, given current knowledge and data, and makes recommendations aimed at improving model predictions in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Milner
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
79
|
Johan de Hartog J, Boogaard H, Nijland H, Hoek G. Do the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks? ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2010; 118:1109-16. [PMID: 20587380 PMCID: PMC2920084 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0901747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 06/11/2010] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although from a societal point of view a modal shift from car to bicycle may have beneficial health effects due to decreased air pollution emissions, decreased greenhouse gas emissions, and increased levels of physical activity, shifts in individual adverse health effects such as higher exposure to air pollution and risk of a traffic accident may prevail. OBJECTIVE We describe whether the health benefits from the increased physical activity of a modal shift for urban commutes outweigh the health risks. DATA SOURCES AND EXTRACTION We have summarized the literature for air pollution, traffic accidents, and physical activity using systematic reviews supplemented with recent key studies. DATA SYNTHESIS We quantified the impact on all-cause mortality when 500,000 people would make a transition from car to bicycle for short trips on a daily basis in the Netherlands. We have expressed mortality impacts in life-years gained or lost, using life table calculations. For individuals who shift from car to bicycle, we estimated that beneficial effects of increased physical activity are substantially larger (3-14 months gained) than the potential mortality effect of increased inhaled air pollution doses (0.8-40 days lost) and the increase in traffic accidents (5-9 days lost). Societal benefits are even larger because of a modest reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and traffic accidents. CONCLUSIONS On average, the estimated health benefits of cycling were substantially larger than the risks relative to car driving for individuals shifting their mode of transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Johan de Hartog
- University of Utrecht, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
80
|
Protecting human health from air pollution: shifting from a single-pollutant to a multipollutant approach. Epidemiology 2010; 21:187-94. [PMID: 20160561 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0b013e3181cc86e8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
To date, the assessment of public health consequences of air pollution has largely focused on a single-pollutant approach aimed at estimating the increased risk of adverse health outcomes associated with the exposure to a single air pollutant, adjusted for the exposure to other air pollutants. However, air masses always contain many pollutants in differing amounts, depending on the types of emission sources and atmospheric conditions. Because humans are simultaneously exposed to a complex mixture of air pollutants, many organizations have encouraged moving towards "a multipollutant approach to air quality." Although there is general agreement that multipollutant approaches are desirable, the challenges of implementing them are vast.
Collapse
|
81
|
Deguen S, Zmirou-Navier D. Social inequalities resulting from health risks related to ambient air quality--A European review. Eur J Public Health 2010; 20:27-35. [PMID: 20081212 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckp220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental nuisances, including ambient air pollution, are thought to contribute to social inequalities in health. There are two major mechanisms, which may act independently or synergistically, through which air pollution may play this role. Disadvantaged groups are recognized as being more often exposed to air pollution (differential exposure) and may also be more susceptible to the resultant health effects (differential susceptibility). METHOD European research articles were obtained through a literature search in the Medline database using keywords 'Socioeconomic Factors, Air Pollution, Health' and synonymous expressions. RESULTS Some studies found that poorer people were more exposed to air pollution whereas the reverse was observed in other papers. A general pattern, however, is that, irrespective of exposure, subjects of low socio-economic status experience greater health effects of air pollution. So far as we are aware, no European study has explored this relationship among children. CONCLUSION The housing market biases land use decisions and may explain why some subgroups suffer from both a low socio-economic status and high exposure to air pollution. Some data may be based on inaccurate exposure assessment. Cumulative exposures should be taken into account to explore health problems more accurately. The issue of exposure and health inequalities in relation to ambient air quality is complex and calls for global appraisal. There is no single pattern. Policies aimed at reducing the root causes of these inequalities could be based on urban multipolarity and diversity, two attributes that require long-term urban planning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Deguen
- EHESP School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
82
|
Woodcock J, Edwards P, Tonne C, Armstrong BG, Ashiru O, Banister D, Beevers S, Chalabi Z, Chowdhury Z, Cohen A, Franco OH, Haines A, Hickman R, Lindsay G, Mittal I, Mohan D, Tiwari G, Woodward A, Roberts I. Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions: urban land transport. Lancet 2009; 374:1930-43. [PMID: 19942277 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(09)61714-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 388] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We used Comparative Risk Assessment methods to estimate the health effects of alternative urban land transport scenarios for two settings-London, UK, and Delhi, India. For each setting, we compared a business-as-usual 2030 projection (without policies for reduction of greenhouse gases) with alternative scenarios-lower-carbon-emission motor vehicles, increased active travel, and a combination of the two. We developed separate models that linked transport scenarios with physical activity, air pollution, and risk of road traffic injury. In both cities, we noted that reduction in carbon dioxide emissions through an increase in active travel and less use of motor vehicles had larger health benefits per million population (7332 disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs] in London, and 12 516 in Delhi in 1 year) than from the increased use of lower-emission motor vehicles (160 DALYs in London, and 1696 in Delhi). However, combination of active travel and lower-emission motor vehicles would give the largest benefits (7439 DALYs in London, 12 995 in Delhi), notably from a reduction in the number of years of life lost from ischaemic heart disease (10-19% in London, 11-25% in Delhi). Although uncertainties remain, climate change mitigation in transport should benefit public health substantially. Policies to increase the acceptability, appeal, and safety of active urban travel, and discourage travel in private motor vehicles would provide larger health benefits than would policies that focus solely on lower-emission motor vehicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Woodcock
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
83
|
Tonne C, Beevers S, Kelly FJ, Jarup L, Wilkinson P, Armstrong B. An approach for estimating the health effects of changes over time in air pollution: an illustration using cardio-respiratory hospital admissions in London. Occup Environ Med 2009; 67:422-7. [PMID: 19914909 PMCID: PMC2989168 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2009.048702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Objectives First, we present a general analytical approach to estimating the association between medium-term changes in air pollution and health across small areas. As a specific illustration, we then applied the approach to data on London residents from a 4-year period to test whether reductions in traffic-related air pollution were associated with reductions in cardio-respiratory hospital admissions. Methods A binomial distribution was used to model change in admissions over time in each small area, which was measured as the proportion of admissions in 2003–2004 out of admissions over all study years (2001–2004). Annual average concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx) were modelled using an emissions-dispersion model. The association between change in NOx and change in hospital admissions was estimated using logistic regression and an instrumental variable approach. Results For some diagnostic groups, suggestive associations between reductions in NOx and reductions in admissions were observed, for example, OR=0.97 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.99) for an IQR decrease in NOx (3 μg/m3) and all respiratory admissions. Accounting for spatial dependence attenuated several of the associations; for respiratory admissions, the OR was 1.00 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.02), leaving only that for bronchiolitis significant (OR=0.91; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99). In this particular illustration, the instrumental variable approach did not appear to add information. Conclusions In this illustration, there was relatively limited power to detect an association between changes in air pollution and hospital admissions over time. However, the analytical approach could deliver more robust estimates of the health effects of changes in air pollution in settings with greater spatial contrast in changes in air pollution over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn Tonne
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
84
|
Roberts I. The health co-benefits of climate change policies: doctors have a responsibility to future generations. Clin Med (Lond) 2009; 9:212-3. [PMID: 19634380 PMCID: PMC4953604 DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.9-3-212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mitigating climate change presents unrivalled opportunities for improving public health. The policies that need to be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will also bring about substantial reductions in heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, road deaths and injuries, and air pollution. The health benefits arise because climate change policies necessarily impact on two of the most important determinants of health: human nutrition and human movement. Although the health co-benefits of climate change policies are increasingly recognised by health professionals they are not widely appreciated by those responsible for policy. Because the existence of important health co-benefits will dramatically reduce the cost to society of taking strong action to mitigate climate change, failure to appreciate their importance could have serious environmental consequences. Health professionals have an urgent responsibility to ensure that the health benefits of environmental policies are understood by the public and by policymakers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Roberts
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London.
| |
Collapse
|
85
|
Thurston GD, Bekkedal MYV, Roberts EM, Ito K, Pope CA, Glenn BS, Ozkaynak H, Utell MJ. Use of health information in air pollution health research: past successes and emerging needs. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2009; 19:45-58. [PMID: 18781194 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2008.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2007] [Accepted: 06/19/2008] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In September 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) co-organized a symposium on "Air Pollution Exposure and Health." The main objective of this symposium was to identify opportunities for improving the use of exposure and health information in future studies of air pollution health effects. This paper deals with the health information needs of such studies. We begin with a selected review of different types of health data and how they were used in previous epidemiologic studies of health effects of ambient particulate matter (PM). We then examine the current and emerging information needs of the environmental health community, dealing with PM and other air pollutants of health concern. We conclude that the past use of routinely collected health data proved to be essential for activities to protect public health, including the identification and evaluation of health hazards by air pollution research, setting standards for criteria pollutants, surveillance of health outcomes to identify incidence trends, and the more recent CDC environmental public health tracking program. Unfortunately, access to vital statistics records that have informed such pivotal research has recently been curtailed sharply, threatening the continuation of the type of research necessary to support future standard setting and research on emerging exposure and health problems (e.g. asthma, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and others), as well as our ability to evaluate the efficacy of regulatory and other prevention activities. A comprehensive devoted effort, perhaps new legislation, will be needed to address the standardization, centralization, and sharing of data sets, as well as to harmonize the interpretation of confidentiality and privacy protections across jurisdictions. These actions, combined with assuring researchers and public health practitioners appropriate access to data for evaluation of environmental risks, will be essential for the achievement of our environmental health protection goals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George D Thurston
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo Park, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|