1
|
Adebayo-Ojo TC, Wichmann J, Arowosegbe OO, Probst-Hensch N, Schindler C, Künzli N. A New Global Air Quality Health Index Based on the WHO Air Quality Guideline Values With Application in Cape Town. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1606349. [PMID: 37936875 PMCID: PMC10625908 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study developed an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) based on global scientific evidence and applied it to data from Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: Effect estimates from two global systematic reviews and meta-analyses were used to derive the excess risk (ER) for PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2 and O3. Single pollutant AQHIs were developed and scaled using the ERs at the WHO 2021 long-term Air Quality Guideline (AQG) values to define the upper level of the "low risk" range. An overall daily AQHI was defined as weighted average of the single AQHIs. Results: Between 2006 and 2015, 87% of the days posed "moderate to high risk" to Cape Town's population, mainly due to PM10 and NO2 levels. The seasonal pattern of air quality shows "high risk" occurring mostly during the colder months of July-September. Conclusion: The AQHI, with its reference to the WHO 2021 long-term AQG provides a global application and can assist countries in communicating risks in relation to their daily air quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Temitope Christina Adebayo-Ojo
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Janine Wichmann
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Oluwaseyi Olalekan Arowosegbe
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Probst-Hensch
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Schindler
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nino Künzli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Canto MV, Guxens M, García-Altés A, López MJ, Marí-Dell’Olmo M, García-Pérez J, Ramis R. Air Pollution and Birth Outcomes: Health Impact and Economic Value Assessment in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2290. [PMID: 36767658 PMCID: PMC9916075 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is considered an ongoing major public health and environmental issue around the globe, affecting the most vulnerable, such as pregnant women and fetuses. The aim of this study is to estimate the health impact and economic value on birth outcomes, such as low birthweight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA), attributable to a reduction of PM10 levels in Spain. Reduction based on four scenarios was implemented: fulfillment of WHO guidelines and EU limits, and an attributable reduction of 15% and 50% in annual PM10 levels. Retrospective study on 288,229 live-born singleton children born between 2009-2010, using data from Spain Birth Registry Statistics database, as well as mean PM10 mass concentrations. Our finding showed that a decrease in annual exposure to PM10 appears to be associated with a decrease in the annual cases of LBW, SGA and PTB, as well as a reduction in hospital cost attributed to been born with LBW. Improving pregnancy outcomes by reducing the number of LBW up to 5% per year, will result in an estimate associated monetary saving of 50,000 to 7,000,000 euros annually. This study agrees with previous literature and highlights the need to implement, and ensure compliance with, stricter policies that regulate the maximum exposure to outdoor PM permitted in Spain, contributing to decreased environmental health risk, especially negative birth outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle Virginia Canto
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja, 28003 Madrid, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, International Doctorate Program, National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28015 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Live Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna García-Altés
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Salut, Direcció General de Planificació i Recerca en Salut, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica (IIB Sant Pau), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria José López
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica (IIB Sant Pau), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Public Health Agency of Barcelona, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Marí-Dell’Olmo
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica (IIB Sant Pau), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Public Health Agency of Barcelona, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier García-Pérez
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Chronic Diseases Department, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Ramis
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Chronic Diseases Department, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mbazima SJ. Health risk assessment of particulate matter 2.5 in an academic metallurgy workshop. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13111. [PMID: 36168227 PMCID: PMC9825944 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to indoor PM2.5 is associated with allergies, eye and skin irritation, lung cancer, and cardiopulmonary diseases. To control indoor PM2.5 and protect the health of occupants, exposure and health studies are necessary. In this study, exposure to PM2.5 released in an academic metallurgy workshop was assessed and a health risk assessment was conducted for male and female students and technicians. Polycarbonate membrane filters and an active pump operating at a flow rate of 2.5 L/min were used to collect PM2.5 from Monday to Friday for 3 months (August-October 2020) from 08:00-16:00. PM2.5 mass concentrations were obtained gravimetrically, and the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry model was used to predict the deposition, retention, and clearance of PM2.5 in the respiratory tract system. The risk of developing carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects among students and technicians was determined. The average PM2.5 mass concentration for August was 32.6 μg/m3 32.8 μg/m3 for September, and 32.2 μg/m3 for October. The head region accounted for the highest deposition fraction (49.02%), followed by the pulmonary (35.75%) and tracheobronchial regions (15.26%). Approximately 0.55 mg of PM2.5 was still retained in the alveolar region 7 days after exposure. The HQ for male and female students was <1 while that of male and female technicians was >1, suggesting that technicians are at risk of developing non-carcinogenic health effects compared with students. The results showed a risk of developing carcinogenic health effects among male and female technicians (>1 × 10-5 ); however, there was no excess cancer risk for students (<1 × 10-6 ). This study highlights the importance of exposure and health studies in academic micro-environments such as metallurgy workshops which are often less researched, and exposure is underestimated. The results also indicated the need to implement control measures to protect the health of the occupants and ensure that the workshop rules are adhered to.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Setlamorago Jackson Mbazima
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental SciencesUniversity of South AfricaJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Toxicology and BiochemistryNational Institute for Occupational HealthDivision of the National Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Castro A, Röösli M, de Hoogh K, Kappeler R, Kutlar Joss M, Vienneau D, Künzli N. Methods Matter: A Comparative Review of Health Risk Assessments for Ambient Air Pollution in Switzerland. Public Health Rev 2022; 43:1604431. [PMID: 35465140 PMCID: PMC9020261 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2022.1604431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Air pollution health risk assessments (AP-HRAs) provide a method to quantify health effects for entire populations. In Switzerland, AP-HRAs are included in Swiss assessments for Transport Externalities (STEs), ordered by public authorities since the 1990s. This study aimed to describe the differences among national and international AP-HRAs for Switzerland. Methods: We compared input data, approaches and results across AP-HRAs over time. Results and input data for each AP-HRA were expressed as a ratio compared to the most recent STE (in most cases STE-2010). Results: Substantial variation across AP-HRAs was found. For all-cause adult mortality attributed to particulate matter (the most frequent outcome-pollutant pair), the ratio in HRAs oscillated from 0.40 to 2.09 (times the STE-2010 value). Regarding input data, the ratio ranged from 0.69 to 1.26 for population exposure, from 0 to 1.81 for counterfactual scenario, from 0.96 to 1.13 for concentration-response function and from 1.03 to 1.13 for baseline health data. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that methods matter for AP-HRAs. Transparent and possibly standardized reporting of key input data and assumptions should be promoted to facilitate comparison of AP-HRAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Castro
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Alberto Castro,
| | - Martin Röösli
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ron Kappeler
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Meltem Kutlar Joss
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nino Künzli
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Evangelopoulos D, Perez-Velasco R, Walton H, Gumy S, Williams M, Kelly FJ, Künzli N. The role of burden of disease assessment in tracking progress towards achieving WHO global air quality guidelines. Int J Public Health 2020; 65:1455-1465. [PMID: 33057794 PMCID: PMC7588380 DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01479-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES More than 90% of the global population live in areas exceeding the PM2.5 air quality guidelines (AQGs). We provide an overview of the ambient PM2.5-related burden of disease (BoD) studies along with scenario analysis in the framework of the WHO AQG update on the estimated reduction in the BoD if AQGs were achieved globally. METHODS We reviewed the literature for large-scale studies for the BoD attributed to ambient PM2.5. Moreover, we used the latest WHO statistics to calculate the BoD at current levels and the scenarios of aligning with interim targets and AQG levels. RESULTS The most recent BoD studies (2010 onwards) share a similar methodology, but there are differences in the input data which affect the estimates for attributable deaths (2.9-8.9 million deaths annually). Moreover, we found that if AQGs were achieved, the estimated BoD would be reduced by up to 50% in total deaths worldwide. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the BoD across countries, especially in those that do not align with the AQGs, is essential in order to inform actions to reduce air pollution globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Evangelopoulos
- Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Unit: Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roman Perez-Velasco
- European Centre for Environment and Health, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Bonn, Germany
| | - Heather Walton
- Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Unit: Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Gumy
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martin Williams
- Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frank J. Kelly
- Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Unit: Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nino Künzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|