Respiratory and irritant health effects of a population living in a petrochemical-polluted area in Taiwan

Risk perception among residents living near industries in Godawari Municipality of Lalitpur, Nepal

The industrial sector stands out as a significant contributor to environmental pollution. Those who reside in close proximity to industrial areas commonly harbor concerns about potential health and environmental hazards. This study aimed to find out the perception of risk and self-reported health impacts among individuals living near industries in Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur, Nepal. Conducted as a community-based cross-sectional study, it involved 270 households. Face-to-face interviews were employed, utilizing a pretested structured questionnaire. The study zone encompassed the communities of Godawari Municipality within a 3-kilometer radius of industrial sites. Specifically, stone mines, stone crushers, and brick kilns were purposefully selected, while study participants were randomly sampled using a random table. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS, incorporating both univariate and bivariate techniques. Among those residing near industrial zones, a mere 9.6 % reported experiencing wheezing or whistling in the past 12 months. A substantial 36.3% consistently felt stressed due to industrial activities in their vicinity. Approximately half (51.9 %) of the participants indicated that the contaminated air in the area had adverse effects on human health. Furthermore, a palpable perception of elevated risk was associated with the proximity of industries (p<0.001). Over half of the participants perceived a notable risk stemming from the presence of industries near their homes, largely due to pollutants. These individuals also disclosed various health repercussions and expressed significant apprehension regarding their future well-being in the area. The implications of these findings are substantial, particularly for local-level planning and the development of industrial sites. Addressing the concerns surrounding people's heightened perception of risk from nearby industries is pivotal in fostering harmonious coexistence and informed decision-making.

Arsenic exposure was associated with lung fibrotic changes in individuals living near a petrochemical complex

Individuals residing near petrochemical complexes have been found to have increasing the risk of respiratory distress and diseases. On visit 1 in 2016, all participants underwent urinary arsenic measurement and low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The same participants had LDCT performed at visit 2 in 2018. Our study revealed that individuals with lung fibrotic changes had significantly higher levels of urinary arsenic compared to the non-lung fibrotic changes group. Moreover, we found that participants with urinary arsenic levels in the highest sextile (> 209.7 μg/g creatinine) had a significantly increased risk of lung fibrotic changes in both visit 1 (OR = 1.87; 95% CI= 1.16-3.02; P = 0.010) and visit 2 (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.06-2.84; P = 0.028) compared to those in the lowest sextile (≤ 41.4 μg/g creatinine). We also observed a significantly increasing trend across urinary arsenic sextile in both visits (Ptrend = 0.015 in visit 1 and Ptrend = 0.026 in visit 2). Furthermore, participants with urinary arsenic levels in the highest sextile had a significantly increased risk of lung fibrotic positive to positive (OR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.82; P = 0.007) compared to the lowest sextile (reference category: lung fibrotic negative to negative). Our findings provide support for the hypothesis that arsenic exposure is significantly associated with an increased risk of lung fibrotic changes. It is advisable to reduce the levels of arsenic exposure for those residing near such petrochemical complexes.

Reversible sulfur dioxide capture by amino acids containing a single amino group at low sulfur dioxide concentrations

SO₂, an air pollutant, is harmful to human health and causes air pollution; therefore, numerous studies have focused on the development of SO₂ control technologies. Although limestone- and ammonia-based absorbents have been widely used in wet desulfurization, they are difficult to regenerate and do not enable the recycling of SO₂, which is a useful resource. Recently, amino acids have attracted attention as reversible SO₂ absorbents because they are eco-friendly and have excellent reactivity with SO₂, as well as high regeneration performance. Glycine, L-alanine, β-alanine, 4-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminovaleric acid, and 6-aminohexanoic acid were analyzed to investigate the relationship between SO₂ absorption and the amino acid molecular structure using the simulated actual flue gas (200 ppmv SO₂ + 13% CO₂ in N₂ balance). The SO₂ absorption of amino acids (with the molecular structure of glycine and alkyl chains of various lengths) improved as the alkyl chain length increased, possibly owing to a decrease in the inductive effect in the molecular structure of the amino acid. Furthermore, ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was conducted to analyze the SO₂ absorption reaction mechanism (including the possible generation of irreversible species), and experiments involving a number of consecutive absorption-desorption cycles were used to confirm the reusability of the amino acids. The tested amino acids exhibited higher cyclic capacities compared to those of deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids reported in the literature, thereby exhibiting excellent potential as SO₂ absorbents. Thus, this study can guide the future design and development of eco-friendly SO₂ absorbents.

Effects of Benzene: Hematological and Hypersensitivity Manifestations in Resident Living in Oil Refinery Areas

Literature is teeming with publications on industrial pollution. Over the decades, the main industrial pollutants and their effects on human health have been widely framed. Among the various compounds involved, benzene plays a leading role in the onset of specific diseases. Two systems are mainly affected by the adverse health effects of benzene exposure, both acute and chronic: the respiratory and hematopoietic systems. The most suitable population targets for a proper damage assessment on these systems are oil refinery workers and residents near refining plants. Our work fits into this area of interest with the aim of reviewing the most relevant cases published in the literature related to the impairment of the aforementioned systems following benzene exposure. We perform an initial debate between the two clinical branches that see a high epidemiological expression in this slice of the population examined: residents near petroleum refinery areas worldwide. In addition, the discussion expands on highlighting the main immunological implications of benzene exposure, finding a common pathophysiological denominator in inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, thus helping to set the basis for an increasingly detailed characterization aimed at identifying common molecular patterns between the two clinical fields discussed.

Respiratory symptoms, asthma and levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in schoolchildren in the industrial areas of Estonia

OBJECTIVES

Exposure to air pollutants in the ambient environment has been associated with various respiratory symptoms, and with increased asthma diagnosis, in both children and adults. Most research to date has focussed on core pollutants, such as PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂, and less attention has been given to the effects of industry-specific contamination. The current study aimed to examine the associations between respiratory symptoms, asthma, increased levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) (as a marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation) and ambient levels of industrial pollutants (such as benzene, phenol, formaldehyde and non-methane hydrocarbons) for schoolchildren living near oil shale industries in Ida-Viru County, Estonia.

METHODS

A total of 1326 schoolchildren from Ida-Viru, Lääne-Viru and Tartu Counties participated in a cross-sectional study, consisting of questionnaires on respiratory symptoms and asthma, as well as clinical examinations to measure FeNO. Dispersion modelling was used to characterize individual-level exposure to industrial air pollutants at each subject's home address. Associations between exposure and respiratory health were investigated using logistic regression analysis, and differences in results between regions were analysed using the Chi-squared test.

RESULTS

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms (p < 0.05) in children living near (i.e. within 5 km) of an oil shale industry site in Ida-Viru County was 2-4 times higher than in children living in the reference area of Tartu County. Children exposed to 1 μg/m³ higher levels of benzene and formaldehyde had a higher odds ratio (OR) of having rhinitis without a cold (OR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.06), of ever having had attacks of asthma (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10) and of having a dry cough a few days per year (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10). Children exposed to 1 μg/m³ higher levels of benzene, formaldehyde, phenol and non-methane hydrocarbons had a higher odds ratio of having high FeNO levels (≥30 ppb): OR and 95% CI of 1.05, 1.01-1.09; 1.22, 1.06-1.41; 1.01, 1.00-1.01; and 1.75, 1.75-2.62, respectively.

Using nano-attapulgite clay compounded hydrophilic urethane foams (AT/HUFs) as biofilm support enhances oil-refinery wastewater treatment in a biofilm membrane bioreactor

Petroleum refinery wastewater (PRW) treatments based on biofilm membrane bioreactor (BF-MBR) technology is an ideal approach and biofilm supporting material is a critical factor. In this study, BF-MBR with nano-attapulgite clay compounded hydrophilic urethane foams (AT/HUFs) as a biofilm support was used to treat PRW with a hydraulic retention time of 5 h. The removal rate of 500 mg/L chemical oxygen demand (COD), 15 mg/L NH₄⁺ and 180 NTU of turbidity were 99.73%, 97.48% and 99.99%, which were 23%, 20%, and 6% higher than in the control bioreactor, respectively. These results were comparatively higher than that observed for the sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The death rate of the Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) irrigated with BF-MBR-treated water was 4.44%, which was similar to that of the plants irrigated with tap water (3.33%) and SBR-treated water (5.56%), but significantly lower than that irrigated with raw water (84.44%). The counts demonstrated by qPCR for total bacteria, denitrifiers, nitrite oxidizing bacteria, ammonia oxidizing bacteria, and ammonia-oxidizing archaea were also higher in BF-MBR than those obtained by SBR. Moreover, the results of 16 s rRNA sequencing have demonstrated that the wastewater remediation microbes were enriched in AT/HUFs, e.g., Acidovorax can degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and Sulfuritalea is an efficient nitrite degrader. In summary, BF-MBR using AT/HUF as a biofilm support improves microbiome of the actived sludge and is reliable for oil-refinery wastewater treatment.

Respiratory Symptoms in Relation to Living near a Crude Oil First Treatment Plant in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Exposure to air pollution has been shown to increase the risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases. The largest crude oil first treatment plant in Italy emits harmful polluting substances. This cross-sectional study assesses the occurrence of respiratory symptoms in a sample of the adult population living near the plant. A proximal and a reference area were defined in order to recruit 200 subjects. Each subject performed a spirometry test and completed a questionnaire. Associations between the distance from the plant and selected respiratory outcomes were assessed (distance-based approach). The prevalence of outcomes between a proximal and a reference area (area-based approach) were also compared. Odds ratios were adjusted for potential confounders. Living near the plant was associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, with significant associations for severe dyspnoea equivalent to the halving of risk as the distance of residence from the plant increased by 1 km (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.48, confidence interval at the 95% probability level (95% CI): 0.25⁻0.92). Several signals emerged for respiratory allergic symptoms. The area-based approach generally confirmed the results obtained with the distance-based approach. This is the first study to be carried out on a crude oil first treatment plant aimed at assessing the association with the occurrence of respiratory symptoms. These findings contribute to the evidence supporting the need for a space⁻time surveillance system in the investigated area.

Effects of environment pollution on the ocular surface

The twenty-first century is fraught with dangers like climate change and pollution, which impacts human health and mortality. As levels of pollution increase, respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular ailments become more prevalent. Less understood are the eye-related complaints, which are commonly associated with increasing pollution. Affected people may complain of irritation, redness, foreign body sensation, tearing, and blurring of vision. Sources of pollution are varied, ranging from gases (such as ozone and NO₂) and particulate matter produced from traffic, to some other hazards associated with indoor environments. Mechanisms causing ocular surface disease involve toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Homeostatic mechanisms of the ocular surface may adapt to certain chronic changes in the environment, so affected people may not always be symptomatic. However there are many challenges associated with assessing effects of air pollution on eyes, as pollution is large scale and difficult to control. Persons with chronic allergic or atopic tendencies may have a pre-existing state of heightened mucosal immune response, hence they may have less tolerance for further environmental antigenic stimulation. It is beneficial to identify vulnerable people whose quality of life will be significantly impaired by environmental changes and provide counter measures in the form of protection or treatment. Better technologies in monitoring of pollutants and assessment of the eye will facilitate progress in this field.

Health effects of environmental pollution in population living near industrial complex areas in Korea

Several epidemiological studies have reported an association between environmental pollution and various health conditions in individuals residing in industrial complexes. To evaluate the effects of pollution from industrial complex on human health, we performed a pooled analysis of environmental epidemiologic monitoring data for residents living near national industrial complexes in Korea. The respiratory and allergic symptoms and the prevalence of acute and chronic diseases, including cancer, were used as the outcome variables for health effects. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between exposure to pollution from industrial complexes and health conditions. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, occupational exposure, level of education, and body mass index, the residents near the industrial complexes were found to have more respiratory symptoms, such as cough (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.31) and sputum production (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.24), and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20). Among residents of the industrial complexes, the prevalence of acute eye disorders was approximately 40% higher (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.84) and the prevalence of lung and uterine cancer was 3.45 times and 1.88 times higher, respectively, than those among residents of the control area. This study showed that residents living in the vicinity of industrial complexes have a high risk of acute and chronic diseases including respiratory and allergic conditions. These results can be used as basic objective data for developing health management measures for individuals residing near industrial complexes.

Increased cancers among residents living in the neighborhood of a petrochemical complex: A 12-year retrospective cohort study

This study investigates whether cancers are increased for residents living in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex with coal power plants and refineries. We recruited a residential cohort of 2388 long-term residents aged above 35 years in 2009-2012 who lived within a 40 km radius of the complex. We measured their internal exposure biomarkers of urinary carcinogenic metals and retrospectively compared cancer incidences between those who lived fewer than 10 km from the complex (high exposure, HE) and those who lived more than 10 km from the complex (low exposure, LE). Residents had lived in their respective areas for 12 years, since the complex began operating in mid-1999. This included two periods of operation: 0-9 years and 10-12 years. Crude cumulative incident rates (CIRs) of all cancers were calculated for new cancer cases (ICD-9: 140-165, 170-176, 179-208) recorded in the Taiwan Health Insurance Database over total person-years at risk in each study period. Poisson regression was applied to estimate relative risks for the CIRs of all cancers between HE and LE areas during the 10-12 years since the beginning of the complex's operation, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hepatitis C, and occupational exposure. We found that our study subjects in HE areas had higher urinary carcinogenic metal levels, including As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and V, and higher prevalence rates of hepatitis C than those in LE areas. After the complex had been operating for 10-12 years, SIRs per 1000 person-years for all cancers in HE and LE areas were 4.44 vs. 2.48 for all subjects, 15.2 vs. 4.86 for elder subjects aged above 60 years, and 2.94 vs. 2.71 for female subjects. Correspondingly, the adjusted relative risks of CIRs for all cancers between HE and LE areas were 1.29 (95% CI: 0.99-1.68) for all subjects, 1.52 (1.04-2.22) for elder subjects, 1.41 (1.00-1.97) for female subjects, and 1.91 (1.15-3.19) for female elderly subjects. We conclude that elder and female residents living within 10 km of a petrochemical complex had higher carcinogenic exposure and cancers than those living farther away from the complex after the complex had been operating for 10 years.

Characteristics and determinants of ambient volatile organic compounds in primary schools

This study evaluates the effects of a sampling strategy that includes the sampling season, time period, ambient environment, and location on determining the concentrations and species of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may affect children in primary schools. Air samples were collected from playgrounds in primary schools, with four sites near an oil refinery plant in Taoyuan and two sites in Zhongli (one site near a bus terminal and the other site in a suburban area) in Taiwan. The samples were obtained on eight occasions from August 2010 to June 2011. One sample was collected from 09:00 to 11:00 and the other was collected from 13:00 to 15:00 on each occasion using passive flow controller canisters (40 mL min^-1 flow rate) assembled with silica-coated stainless steel. The United States Environmental Protection Agency Method TO-15 with Photochemical Assessment Monitoring System and Urban Air Toxics standards was used to analyze the samples. The ratios of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEXs) were also estimated. This study found that the sampling location and wind direction are the main determinants to monitor the concentrations and species of ambient VOCs, and the effects from the sampling season and time period are minor. Alkane, ketone, and aromatics have been ranked as the top three categories with high concentrations, and toluene, 2-butanone, and acetone have been detected with the highest concentrations among the investigated VOCs. Several VOCs emitted from stationary sources, including propane, isoprene, n-decane, chloromethane, chloroethene, chloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane, were detected only in Taoyuan. Higher concentrations of VOC species associated with automobiles and common community sources were detected in Zhongli but not in Taoyuan. Among BTEXs ratios, toluene/ethylbenzene ratios were as high as 31.52 (standard deviation [S.D.] = 13.53) in Taoyuan and 13.66 (S.D. = 3.87) in Zhongli. Toluene/benzene ratios were as high as 15.7 in Taoyuan and 4.30 in Zhongli. This study suggests that the susceptible population exposed to ambient VOCs should be considered in planning public service facilities and the presence of VOCs should be investigated regularly.

Increased incidence of allergic rhinitis, bronchitis and asthma, in children living near a petrochemical complex with SO2 pollution

This study aims to investigate incidence of allergic rhinitis, bronchitis and asthma, in children living near a petrochemical complex with SO₂ pollution obtained by air monitoring stations. A total of 587 children aged 11 to 14 were recruited and classified into high and low exposure groups based on a radius of 10km from the complex. To study the influence of health on children since the operation of complex in 1999 and observe the difference of these diseases' short-term and long-term impact, we obtained the incidence rates of allergic rhinitis (ICD-9: 477), bronchitis (490-491) and asthma (493) from the Taiwan Health Insurance Database for three periods: 1999-2002, 1999-2006, and 1999-2010. Since 2001, the mean and 99th percentile of SO₂ concentrations in the high exposure area have been significantly higher than those in low exposure area. There were significant differences between the high and low exposure groups in the percentage of smoking, alcohol consumption, passive smoking exposure and incense burning habits. The incidence rates of three intervals were 26.9%, 35.7%, 41.7%; 8.3%, 8.8%, 10.2%; 18.5%, 25.0%, 26.9% for allergic rhinitis, bronchitis and asthma in high exposure group. Significant differences were found between groups for allergic rhinitis in all periods, bronchitis in the first two periods, and asthma in the first period using Student's t-test. After we adjusted age, gender, group, living near roads, incense burning and passive smoking exposure, the hazard ratios between exposure groups were 3.05, 2.74, and 1.93 for allergic rhinitis with significant difference in three periods, and 2.53, 1.92 and 1.72 for bronchitis with significant difference in first period and 1.60, 1.28 and 1.29 for asthma with significant difference in first period by Cox regression. The higher incidence of allergic rhinitis was related to boys and living near roads and the higher incidence of asthma was also related to younger children, boys, and passive smoking exposure.

Increased Risk of Respiratory Mortality Associated with the High-Tech Manufacturing Industry: A 26-Year Study

Global high-tech manufacturers are mainly located in newly industrialized countries, raising concerns about adverse health consequences from industrial pollution for people living nearby. We investigated the ecological association between respiratory mortality and the development of Taiwan's high-tech manufacturing, taking into account industrialization and socioeconomic development, for 19 cities and counties-6 in the science park group and 13 in the control group-from 1982 to 2007. We applied a linear mixed-effects model to analyze how science park development over time is associated with age-adjusted and sex-specific mortality rates for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma and female COPD mortality rates decreased in both groups, but they decreased 9%-16% slower in the science park group. Male COPD mortality rates increased in both groups, but the rate increased 10% faster in the science park group. Science park development over time was a significant predictor of death from asthma (p ≤ 0.0001) and COPD (p = 0.0212). The long-term development of clustered high-tech manufacturing may negatively affect nearby populations, constraining health advantages that were anticipated, given overall progress in living standards, knowledge, and health services. National governments should incorporate the long-term health effects on local populations into environmental impact assessments.

Respiratory and allergic health effects in a young population in proximity of a major industrial park in Oman

BACKGROUND

Sohar industrial zone (SIZ), Oman, which started operating in 2006, contains many industries that potentially affect the health of the local population. This study's aim was to evaluate the health effects in a young population living near SIZ.

METHODS

Patient visits to state health clinics for acute respiratory diseases (ARD), asthma, conjunctivitis and dermatitis were obtained for the period of 2006 to 2010, for children ages <20 years old, for two large provinces around SIZ. Three exposure zones were defined on the basis of the distance from SIZ determined as: ≤5, >5 to 10, ≥20 km to represent high, intermediate and control exposure zones, respectively. Age-specific and gender-specific monthly counts of visits were modelled using generalised additive models controlling for time trends. The high and intermediate exposure zones were later combined together due to the similarity of associations. Exposure effect modification by age, gender and socioeconomic status (SES) was also tested.

RESULTS

Living within 10 km from SIZ showed a greater association with ARD (risk ratio (RR)=2.5; 95% CI=2.3 to 2.7), asthma (RR=3.7; 95% CI=3.1 to 4.5), conjunctivitis (RR=3.1; 95% CI=2.9 to 3.5) and dermatitis (RR=2.7; 95% CI=2.5 to 3.0) when compared with the control zone. No differences in associations were found for gender and SES groups; greater effects were noticed in the ≤14-year-old group for asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study conducted in Oman to examine the health effects of a young population living near an industrial park. We hope that these findings will contribute in future developments of environmental health policies in Oman.

Health impacts from living near a major industrial park in Oman

Background

Oman is heading towards heavy industrialisation with rapid establishment of new industrial parks. One of these, the Sohar Industrial Zone (SIZ) started to operate in 2006 and includes many industries that potentially affect local air quality and the health status of its surrounding residents. The study aim was to assess the health effects in a population of ≥20 years old, living in the residential area around the SIZ.

Methods

Area-specific health care visits data for acute respiratory diseases (ARD), asthma, conjunctivitis and dermatitis were obtained for the period between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2010. Exposure was defined as distance from the SIZ to determine high, intermediate, and control exposure zones (≤5, >5–10, and ≥20 km from the SIZ respectively). Generalized additive models were used to model age and gender adjusted monthly health events for the selected diseases, adjusted for age and gender-specific population smoking prevalence. The high and intermediate exposure zones were later combined in the models because of their similarity of effects. Exposure effect modification by age, gender and socio-economic status (SES) were examined.

Results

Living within the high and intermediate exposure zones was associated with a greater risk ratio for ARD (RR: 2.02; 95 % CI: 1.88–2.17), asthma (RR: 3.61; 95 % CI: 2.96–4.41), conjunctivitis (RR: 2.83; 95 % CI: 2.47–3.24), and dermatitis (RR: 2.11; 95 % CI: 1.86–2.39), compared to the control exposure zone. Greater exposure effects were observed amongst ages ≥50 years and lower SES groups.

Conclusion

This is the first study carried out in Oman to assess the link between environmental exposure and health. These findings hope to contribute to building up evidence for environmental health and sustainable development policy in the country.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1866-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The impact of petrochemical industrialisation on life expectancy and per capita income in Taiwan: an 11-year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Petrochemical industries have been identified as important sources of emissions of chemical substances, and adverse health outcomes have been reported for residents who live nearby. The purpose of the current study was to examine the adverse effects of petrochemical industrialization in Taiwan on the life expectancy and personal income of people living in nearby communities.

METHODS

This study compared life expectancies and personal income between one industrial county (Yunlin County) and one reference county (Yilan County), which had no significant industrial activity that might emit pollutants, in Taiwan through analysis of 11 year long and publicly available data. Data from before and after the petrochemical company in the industrial county started (year 1999) operating were compared.

RESULTS

Residents of the industrialized county had lesser increases in life expectancy over time than did residents of a similar but less-industrialized county, with difference means ranging from 0.89 years (p<0.05) to 1.62 years (p<0.001) at different stages. Male residents were more vulnerable to the effects of industrialization. There were no significant differences in individual income between the two counties.

CONCLUSIONS

Countries, including Taiwan and the U.S., embracing petrochemical industries now face the challenge of environmental injustice. Our findings suggested that life expectancy lengthening was slowed and income growth was stalled for residents living in the industrial communities.

Using pollution roses to assess sulfur dioxide impacts in a township downwind of a petrochemical complex

This study used pollution roses to assess sulfur dioxide (SO) pollution in a township downwind of a large petrochemical complex based on data collected from a single air quality monitoring station. The pollution roses summarized hourly SO2 concentrations at the Taishi air quality monitoring station, located approximately 7.8-13.0 km south of the No. 6 Naphtha Cracking Complex in Taiwan, according to 36 sectors of wind direction during the preoperational period (1995-1999) and two postoperational periods (2000-2004 and 2005-2009). The 99th percentile of hourly SO2 concentrations 350 degrees downwind from the complex increased from 28.9 ppb in the preoperational period to 86.2-324.2 ppb in the two postoperational periods. Downwind SO2 concentrations were particularly high during 2005-2009 at wind speeds of 6-8 m/sec. Hourly SO2 levels exceeded the US. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health-based standard of 75 ppb only in the postoperational periods, with 65 exceedances from 0-10 degrees and 330-350 degrees downwind directions during 2001-2009. This study concluded that pollution roses based on a single monitoring station can be used to investigate source contributions to air pollution surrounding industrial complexes, and that it is useful to combine such directional methods with analyses of how pollution varies between different wind speeds, times of day, and periods of industrial development.

Annoyance and worry in a petrochemical industrial area--prevalence, time trends and risk indicators

In 1992, 1998, and 2006, questionnaires were sent to stratified samples of residents aged 18–75 years living near petrochemical industries (n = 600–800 people on each occasion) and in a control area (n = 200–1,000). The aims were to estimate the long-term prevalence and change over time of annoyance caused by industrial odour, industrial noise, and worries about possible health effects, and to identify risk indicators. In 2006, 20% were annoyed by industrial odour, 27% by industrial noise (1–4% in the control area), and 40–50% were worried about health effects or industrial accidents (10–20% in the control area). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed significantly lower prevalence of odour annoyance in 1998 and 2006 than in 1992, while industrial noise annoyance increased significantly over time. The prevalence of worry remained constant. Risk of odour annoyance increased with female sex, worry of health effects, annoyance by motor vehicle exhausts and industrial noise. Industrial noise annoyance was associated with traffic noise annoyance and worry of health effects of traffic. Health-risk worry due to industrial air pollution was associated with female sex, having children, annoyance due to dust/soot in the air, and worry of traffic air pollution.

Does open-air exposure to volatile organic compounds near a plastic recycling factory cause health effects?

OBJECTIVES

After a plastic reprocessing factory began to operate in August 2004, the residents around the factory in Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan, began to complain of symptoms. Therefore, we conducted an exposure assessment and a population-based epidemiological study in 2006.

METHODS

To assess exposure, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and total VOCs were measured at two locations in the vicinity of the factory. In the population-based study, a total of 3,950 residents were targeted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information about subjects' mucocutaneous or respiratory symptoms. Using logistic regression models, we compared the prevalence of symptoms in July 2006 by employing the farthest area from the factory as a reference, and prevalence odds ratios (PORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.

RESULTS

The concentration of total VOCs was higher in the vicinity of the factory. The prevalence of mucocutaneous and respiratory symptoms was the highest among the residents in the closest area to the factory. Some symptoms were significantly increased among the residents within 500 m of the factory compared with residents of an area 2800 m from the factory: e.g., sore throat (POR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.3-8.0), eye itch (POR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.5-6.0), eye discharge (POR=6.0, 95% CI: 2.3-15.9), eczema (POR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.1-7.9) and sputum (POR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.1-5.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite of the limitations of this study, these results imply a possible association of open-air VOCs with mucocutaneous and respiratory symptoms. Because this kind of plasticre cycling factory only recently came into operation, more attention should be paid to the operation of plastic recycling factories in the environment.

The effects of chronic exposure to traffic derived air pollution on the ocular surface

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical relevance of chronic exposure to ambient levels of traffic derived air pollution on the ocular surface.

METHODS

A panel study involving 55 volunteers was carried out in São Paulo, Brazil. We measured the mean individual levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) exposure for 7 days. All subjects answered the Ocular Symptom Disease Index (OSDI) and a symptoms inventory. Subsequently, subjects underwent Schirmer I test, biomicroscopy, vital staining and tear breakup time (TBUT) assessment. Subject's mean daily exposure to NO(2) was categorized in quartiles. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD and Chi-Square tests.

RESULTS

A dose-response pattern was detected between OSDI scores and NO(2) quartiles (p<0.05). There was a significant association between NO(2) quartiles and reported ocular irritation (Chi(2)=9.2, p<0.05) and a significant negative association between TBUT and NO(2) exposure (p<0.05, R=-0.316, Spearman's correlation). There was a significant increase in the frequency of meibomitis in subjects exposed to higher levels of NO(2) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects exposed to higher levels of traffic derived air pollution reported more ocular discomfort symptoms and presented greater tear film instability, suggesting that the ocular discomfort symptoms and tear breakup time could be used as convenient bioindicators of the adverse health effects of traffic derived air pollution exposure.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission characteristics and control strategies for a petrochemical industrial area in middle Taiwan

This study investigated VOC emissions from the largest petrochemical industrial district in Taiwan and recommended some control measures to reduce VOC emissions. In addition to the petrochemical industry, the district encompasses a chemical and fiber industry, a plastics industry and a harbor, which together produce more than 95% of the VOC emissions in the area. The sequence of VOC emission was as follows: components (e.g., valves, flanges, and pumps) (47%) > tanks (29%) > stacks (15%) > wastewater treatment facility (6%) > loading (2%) > flares (1%). Other plants producing high-density polyethylene (HDPE), styrene, ethylene glycol (EG), gas oil, and iso-nonyl-alchol (INA) were measured to determine the VOC leaching in the district. The VOC emissions of these 35 plants (90% of all plants) were less than 100 tons/year. About 74% of the tanks were fixed-roof tanks that leached more VOCs than the other types of tanks. To reduce leaching, the components should be checked periodically, and companies should be required to follow the Taiwan EPA regulations. A VOC emission management system was developed in state implementation plans (SIPs) to inspect and reduce emissions in the industrial district.

Evaluation of the waste Tire Resources Recovery Program and environmental health policy in Taiwan

This paper examines the effectiveness of Taiwanese environmental health policies, whose aim is to improve environmental quality by reducing tire waste via the Tire Resource Recovery Program. The results confirm that implemented environmental health policies improve the overall health of the population (i.e. a decrease in death caused by bronchitis and other respiratory diseases). Current policy expenditures are far below the optimal level, as it is estimated that a ten percent increase in the subsidy would decrease the number of deaths caused by bronchitis and other respiratory diseases by 0.58% per county/city per year on average.

Air pollution impact assessment on agroecosystem and human health characterisation in the area surrounding the industrial settlement of Milazzo (Italy): a multidisciplinary approach

In order to evaluate the impact of atmospheric pollutants emitted by the industrial settlement of Milazzo (Italy) on agriculture, sulphur dioxide and ozone levels in air were monitored and the data were used to estimate yield losses of the most widespread cultures. Trace element concentrations in crops and soils were also detected and metabolic profiles of soil microbial communities were considered. Vibrio fischeri test was used to appraise airborne pollutant ecotoxicity and epidemiological studies on causes of death distribution were carried out to characterize health state of people living in the area. All the sampling points were selected in farms on the basis of a theoretical meteo-diffusive model of industrial air pollutants. Experimental SO2 and O3 values mainly exceeded the threshold established by Italian and EU regulations to protect vegetation and they correspond to estimated significant crop losses. Conversely toxic element residues in soils and in agroalimentary products were generally lower than the fixed values. SO2 and O3 concentrations, toxic element contents and ecotoxicity levels of airborne pollutants were not related only to industrial site emissions, while the fluctuations on metabolic profiles of soil microbial communities seem to agree with the predicted deposition of xenobiotic compounds from the industrial plants. The epidemiological study evidenced a better health state of populations living in the investigated area than in the Messina province and the Sicily region but, inside the area, males living in the municipalities closest to the industrial settlement exhibited a worst health state than those in the very far ones.

Association of childhood leukemia with residential exposure to petrochemical air pollution in taiwan

To investigate the relationship between petrochemical air pollution and childhood leukemia (19 yr of age or younger), the authors conducted a matched case-control study using childhood deaths that occurred in Taiwan from 1995 through 2005. Data on all eligible childhood leukemia deaths were obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Taiwan Provincial Department of Health. The control group consisted of children who died from causes other than neoplasms or diseases that were not associated with respiratory problems. The controls were pair matched to the cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. Each matched control was selected randomly from the set of possible controls for each case. The proportion of a municipality's total population employed in the petrochemical industry in a municipality was used as an indicator of a resident's exposure to air emissions from the petrochemical industry. The subjects were divided into three levels (< or =25th percentile; 25th-75th percentile; > 75th percentile) according to the levels of the index just described. After controlling for possible confounders, results showed that children who lived in the group of municipalities characterized by the highest levels of petrochemical air pollution had a statistically significant higher risk of developing leukemia than the group that lived in municipalities with the lowest petrochemical air pollution levels. The results of this study shed important light on the relationship between the Taiwan petrochemical industry and human health risks.

Association of brain cancer with residential exposure to petrochemical air pollution in Taiwan

To investigate the relationship between petrochemical air pollution and brain cancer (29 yr of age or younger), the authors conducted a matched case-control study using deaths that occurred in Taiwan from 1995 through 2005. Data on all eligible brain cancer deaths were obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Taiwan Provincial Department of Health. The control group consisted of subjects who died from causes other than neoplasms or diseases that were not associated with respiratory problems. The controls were pair matched to the cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. Each matched control was selected randomly from the set of possible controls for each case. The proportion of a municipality's total population employed in the petrochemical industry in a municipality was used as an indicator of a resident's exposure to air emissions from the petrochemical industry. The subjects were divided into tertiles according to the levels of the index just described. Subjects who lived in the group of municipalities characterized by the highest levels of petrochemical air pollution had a statistically significant higher risk of developing brain cancer than the group that lived in municipalities with the lowest petrochemical air pollution levels after controlling for possible confounders (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.00-2.73). The findings of this study warrant further investigation of the role of petrochemical air pollution in the etiology of brain cancer.

A cross-sectional study of respiratory and irritant health symptoms in photocopier workers in Taiwan

Photocopy workers are potentially exposed to high concentrations of a variety of pollutants emitted from photocopiers. The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not there is an excess of adverse health outcomes amongst photocopy employees. A cross-sectional health survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and acute irritative symptoms among 74 photocopy workers (exposure group) and 69 employees working in a optical store (control group) near three universities in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Our study showed that occupational exposure to pollutants emitted from photocopiers was not significantly associated with an excess of chronic respiratory symptoms and acute irritative symptoms in photocopy employees. This study results suggest that the current exposure levels in photocopy centers may be sufficiently safe in well-controlled work environments, especially if the photocopier is handled carefully.

Residential exposure to petrochemicals and the risk of leukemia: using geographic information system tools to estimate individual-level residential exposure

The authors conducted a population-based, case-control study in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, Republic of China, to investigate the association between residential petrochemical exposure and leukemia risk among subjects 29 years of age and younger. Between November 1997 and June 2003, 171 cases and 410 controls matched for age and sex were recruited. Since assessment of petrochemical impacts depends on accurate exposure estimates, the authors developed a procedure using geographic information system tools to assign subjects' exposure. The resulting individual-level exposure estimates (the exposure opportunity score) are an integrated exposure measure that accounts for subjects' mobility, length of stay at each residence, distance to petrochemical plant(s), monthly prevailing wind direction, and multiple petrochemical pollution sources. Different conditional logistic regression models were fitted for subjects aged 0-19 and 20-29 years to evaluate separately childhood versus adulthood leukemia. No overall association was observed for the younger age group. However, residential petrochemical exposure was a significant risk factor for leukemia for the older age group. For one unit of increase in the log-transformed exposure opportunity score, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.54 (95 percent confidence interval: 1.14, 2.09). This study illustrates the utility of geographic information system tools for providing refined exposure estimates for residential exposure to petrochemical pollution.

Factors Related to the Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms in Workers in a Petrochemical Complex

This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in workers in a petrochemical complex and to elucidate the relationship between the prevalence and work-related factors. A questionnaire was distributed to 5,983 male workers working in a petrochemical complex. As for the respiratory symptoms, cough was present in 2.4%, phlegm in 8.1%, wheezing in 2.8% and shortness of breath in 4.7% of the workers. The factors significantly related to respiratory symptoms were smoking history, wearing of protective devices, handling of substances toxic to the respiratory system, and history of atopy or respiratory disease (p<0.05). The substances toxic to the respiratory system were divided into 4 types, ie., dusts, solvents, metals, and vapors. When the analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of exposure to substance type on respiratory symptoms, the odds ratio of cough was 1.96 times higher in those workers exposed to dusts compared with those not exposed, 2.28 times for exposure to metals, 1.52 times for solvents, and 1.55 times for vapors, all showing significant differences (p<0.05). For phlegm, the odds ratio was 1.08 times higher in those workers exposed to dusts compared with those not exposed, 1.94 times for exposure to metals, 1.70 times for organic solvents, and 1.85 for vapors (p<0.05). For wheezing, the odds ratio was 2.38 times for exposure to dusts; for shortness of breath, it was 2.42 times for exposure to dusts, 2.89 times for metals, 2.10 times for organic solvents, and 2.14 times for vapors, all showing significant differences (p<0.05). In conclusion, work-related factors significantly affected the respiratory symptoms in workers working in the petrochemical complex. Especially, these respiratory symptoms were significantly related to exposure to toxic substances and the wearing of protective devices. Thus, safety education and management are needed for these workers.

Adverse respiratory and irritant health effects in temple workers in Taiwan

Temple workers are potentially exposed to high concentrations of various pollutants emitted from incense burning. The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not there is an excess of adverse health outcomes among temple workers. A cross-sectional health survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and acute irritative symptoms among 109 temple workers (exposure group) and 118 church workers (control group) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Chronic cough symptoms were significantly more common among the exposed group. Our results also indicate that working in a temple increases the risk for the development of acute irritative symptoms, including nose and throat irritation.

Respiratory morbidity in hospitalized Bedouins residing near an industrial park

The residents' concern about exposure to a chemical industrial park (IP), which includes the national toxic industrial waste site, prompted the authors to initiate this ecological study on the association between residing near the IP and being hospitalized for respiratory ailments in the local Bedouin population. The population was stratified by sex, age, and locality type (permanent settlements and traditional tribal settlements). The distance and wind direction from the IP were used as exposure indicators. Hospitalization data were obtained from the regional medical center. Increased hospitalization rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and all respiratory diseases were found to be associated with residential proximity to the IP. Attributable risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 34.2% in male members of the traditional tribal settlements and 49.3% in female members of the permanent settlements.

Increased risk of preterm delivery among people living near the three oil refineries in Taiwan

The petrochemical and petroleum industries are two of the main sources of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Data used in this study concern outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in communities in close proximity to oil refinery plants. The prevalence of delivery of preterm birth infants was significantly higher in mothers living near the oil refinery plants than in control mothers in Taiwan. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.14 (95% CI=1.01-1.28) for delivery of preterm infants for mothers living near oil refinery plants. These data provide further support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancies.

Evidence for Increased Risks of Preterm Delivery in a Population Residing near a Freeway in Taiwan

Traffic emissions are a major source of air pollution in urban areas. The results of recent studies have suggested that air pollution may be related to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight and preterm delivery. The authors investigated the association between traffic-related air pollution and preterm deliveries. The study group included all first-parity singleton live births that occurred during 1992-1997 to women who lived in a zone along the Zhong-Shan Freeway in Taiwan (N = 6,251). The zone was defined as areas 1,500-m wide on either side of the freeway; it was located in the San-Ming, Nan-Tzu, Chienchen, and Linya wards-all of which are residential areas in East Kaohsiung. The prevalence of deliveries of preterm birth infants was significantly higher among mothers who lived within 500 m of the freeway than among mothers who resided 500-1,500 m from the freeway. In their analysis, the authors controlled for several confounders (e.g., maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, infant gender). The adjusted odds ratio was 1.30 (95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.65) for delivery of preterm infants born to mothers who lived within 500 m of the freeway. Such data provide additional support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Adverse respiratory and irritant health effects in airport workers in Taiwan

Airport workers are potentially exposed to aviation fuel or jet stream exhaust. The purpose of this study was to assess if there was an excess of adverse health outcomes among airport workers. Self-reported adverse chronic respiratory symptoms and acute irritative symptoms were assessed in a cross-sectional study among 106 airport workers (exposure group) and 305 terminal or office workers (control group) at the Kaohsiung International Airport (KIA), Taiwan. The prevalence rates for acute irritative symptoms were not significantly different between groups. A possible explanation may be that the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that airport workers are exposed to is not sufficient to induce acute irritative symptoms, although this is not known for certain since data on the concentration of VOCs are lacking in this study. Chronic respiratory symptoms (cough and dyspnea), however, were significantly more common among the exposed group.

Association between petrochemical air pollution and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Taiwan

The petrochemical industry is the main source of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. To date, little is known about the possible effects of such pollution on the human fetus. In this study, the authors investigated the relationship between term low birthweight and preterm delivery and residence in a petrochemical industrial municipality (PIM). The study areas included 16 PIMs (which were defined as municipalities in which the number of workers in the petroleum and petrochemical industry made up at least 2% of the municipality's total population) and 16 matched reference municipalities (RFMs). Among 39,750 1st-parity singleton live births, the prevalences of preterm delivery in the PIMs and RFMs were 4.72% and 4.58%, respectively, and the prevalences of term low birthweight were 2.51% and 2.35%, respectively. When PIMs were compared with RFMs, and after controlling for possible confounders (including maternal age, marital status, maternal education, and gender of the baby), the adjusted odds ratios were 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95, 1.22) for term low birthweight and 1.03 (95% CI = 0.94, 1.13) for preterm delivery, respectively.

Increased risk of preterm delivery in areas with cancer mortality problems from petrochemical complexes

The petrochemical and petroleum industries are the main sources of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Data in this study concern outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in communities in close proximity to petrochemical industrial complexes. The prevalence of delivery of preterm birth infants was significantly higher in mothers living near petrochemical industrial complexes than in control mothers living elsewhere in Taiwan. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.18 (95% CI=1.04-1.34) for delivery of preterm infants in the petrochemically polluted region. The data provide further support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Respiratory symptoms in primary schoolchildren living near a freeway in Taiwan

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in an effort to investigate the effects of automobile exhaust on respiratory symptoms of school children in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. One school (Yang-Ming primary school) was located in the vicinity of 150 m from the highway and designated as a heavy-traffic area. The control school (Zhuang-Jing primary school) was situated in the same district but the distance of the school address to the freeway was 1500 m and designated as a low-traffic area. All of the primary school children in those schools were used in the study. In total, 3221 children were from the heavy-traffic school and 2969 from the low-traffic area. The respiratory health was assessed by an evaluation of the child's respiratory symptoms and illnesses using a parent-completed questionnaire. Data on traffic flow on the freeway were obtained from the Department of Transportation. Road traffic flows in front of the study schools were also measured with a portable counter. This study showed that a freeway surrounding a child's school may not be associated with an increased risk of respiratory symptoms. This may be due to insufficiently large contrasts in traffic pollution levels between these areas.

Respiratory and irritant health effects in tollbooth collectors in Taiwan

Toll collectors are potentially exposed to high concentrations of a variety of automotive emissions. The purpose of this study is to assess if there is an excess of adverse health outcomes among toll collectors. Self-reported chronic respiratory symptoms and acute irritative symptoms were assessed in a cross-sectional study among 363 toll collectors (exposure group) and 147 office workers (control group). The prevalence rates for chronic respiratory symptoms were not significantly different between the exposure group and the control group. This could be related to the short length of employment for the toll collectors. Another likely explanation for not detecting apparent respiratory effects might be that symptomatic workers drop out of this work a few years after starting the job. Acute irritative symptoms (nose, throat, nausea, and headache), however, were significantly more common among the toll collectors than among the controls.

Increased risk of preterm delivery in areas with air pollution from a petroleum refinery plant in Taiwan

The petrochemical and petroleum industries are among the main sources of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Data in this study concern outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in communities in close proximity to a petroleum refinery plant. The prevalence of delivery of preterm birth infants was significantly higher in mothers living in a petroleum refinery area compared to controls in Taiwan. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.41 (95% CI = 1.08-1.82) for delivery of preterm infants in the polluted region. Data support the view that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Adverse health effects among household waste collectors in Taiwan

Household waste collectors (HWCs) are potentially exposed to a variety of bioaerosols and toxic materials. Collection of household waste is also a job which requires repeated heavy physical activity such as lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing. The object of this study was to assess whether there is an excess of adverse health outcomes among HWCs. The subjects were all current employees of the Household Waste Collection Department in the County of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The survey questionnaire was completed by 533 HWCs and 320 office workers. Our data indicate that household waste collection presents a risk for the development of chronic respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing, and chronic bronchitis), musculoskeletal symptoms (low back pain and elbow/wrist pain), and injuries caused by sharp objects.

Short-term effect of ozone on the pulmonary function of children in primary school

The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of ambient air pollution on the pulmonary function of schoolchildren. We sampled 941 children in primary school in three communities in Taiwan (Sanchun, Taihsi, and Linyuan). The nearby stations of the Taiwan air quality monitoring network provided the hourly ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matter < or = to 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter, and nitrogen dioxide. Spirometry was performed once for each sampled child. We also obtained the status of indoor air pollution and chronic respiratory disease history by using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate linear model analysis was used to evaluate pulmonary function effects of each pollutant in addition to determinants of indoor air pollution and meteorologic conditions. We found a significantly negative association of peak O(3) concentration on the day before spirometry with individual forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec. The decrease in children's lung function can occur at peak hourly O(3) concentrations < 80 ppb. The slope of lung function decrease for Taiwanese children is approximately 1 mL/ppb for peak hourly O(3) exposure.