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Motlogeloa O, Fitchett JM. Climate and human health: a review of publication trends in the International Journal of Biometeorology. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2023:10.1007/s00484-023-02466-8. [PMID: 37129619 PMCID: PMC10153057 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-023-02466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The climate-health nexus is well documented in the field of biometeorology. Since its inception, Biometeorology has in many ways become the umbrella under which much of this collaborative research has been conducted. Whilst a range of review papers have considered the development of biometeorological research and its coverage in this journal, and a few have reviewed the literature on specific diseases, none have focused on the sub-field of climate and health as a whole. Since its first issue in 1957, the International Journal of Biometeorology has published a total of 2183 papers that broadly consider human health and its relationship with climate. In this review, we identify a total of 180 (8.3%, n = 2183) of these papers that specifically focus on the intersection between meteorological variables and specific, named diagnosable diseases, and explore the publication trends thereof. The number of publications on climate and health in the journal increases considerably since 2011. The largest number of publications on the topic was in 2017 (18) followed by 2021 (17). Of the 180 studies conducted, respiratory diseases accounted for 37.2% of the publications, cardiovascular disease 17%, and cerebrovascular disease 11.1%. The literature on climate and health in the journal is dominated by studies from the global North, with a particular focus on Asia and Europe. Only 2.2% and 8.3% of these studies explore empirical evidence from the African continent and South America respectively. These findings highlight the importance of continued research on climate and human health, especially in low- and lower-middle-income countries, the populations of which are more vulnerable to climate-sensitive illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ogone Motlogeloa
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jennifer M Fitchett
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Mani K, Miller R, Lin J, Shahani J, Jariwala S. Trends in seasonal pollen and asthma-related morbidity among adults and children in a U.S. high-density urban center, 2001-2020. J Asthma 2023; 60:784-793. [PMID: 35758000 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2022.2094804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the long-term trends in pollen counts and asthma-related emergency department visits (AREDV) in adult and pediatric populations in the Bronx. METHODS Daily values of adult and pediatric AREDV were retrospectively obtained from three major Bronx hospitals using ICD-10 codes and pollen counts were obtained from the Armonk station from 2001-2020. Wilcoxon Ranked Sum was applied to compare median values, while Spearman correlation was employed to examine the association between these variables, for both decades and each season. RESULTS The median value of pediatric AREDV increased by 200% from the 1st to 2nd decade (p < 0.001) and AREDV peak shifted from predominantly the spring season in the 1st decade to the fall and winter seasons in the 2nd decade. Seasonal patterns were consistent over 20 years with summer AREDV lower than all other seasons (9 vs. 17 per day) (p < 0.001). Spring tree pollen peaks were correlated with AREDV peaks (rho = 0.34) (p < 0.001). Tree pollen exceeding 100 grains/m3 corresponded to a median of 19.0 AREDVs while all other tree pollen (0 - 99 grains/m3) corresponded to a median of 15.0 AREDVs (p < 0.001). AREDVs sharply declined in 2020, coinciding with the emergence of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Pollen and AREDVs peak earlier in the spring and are more strongly interconnected, while asthma rates among children are rapidly rising, particularly in the fall and winter. These findings can advise targeted awareness campaigns for better management of asthma related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Mani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Raphael Miller
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Department of Allergy and Immunology, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Juan Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, The Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Sunit Jariwala
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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Goudarzi G, Birgani YT, Assarehzadegan MA, Neisi A, Dastoorpoor M, Sorooshian A, Yazdani M. Prediction of airborne pollen concentrations by artificial neural network and their relationship with meteorological parameters and air pollutants. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2022; 20:251-264. [PMID: 35669831 PMCID: PMC9163240 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
After the early rainfall in the autumn of 2013, respiratory syndromes spread in the Khuzestan province of Iran with the most severity in Ahvaz. There have been recurring outbreaks in recent years. Considering that pollen-derived airborne allergens are regarded as key aeroallergens and the main cause of allergic rhinitis and asthma, this work aimed to forecast total pollen concentration in Ahvaz through an artificial neural network (ANN), followed by evaluating the pollen spatial distribution across the city and the association between pollen concentrations and environmental parameters. The utilized ANN in this work included an input layer with 13 parameters, a hidden layer of five neurons, and an output layer. Data were classified into training, validation, and testing sets. The ANN was implemented with 70% and 80% of data for training. The value of the correlation coefficient for the data validation of these two networks was 0.89 and 0.92, respectively. The results also indicated that despite the difference in the mean concentration of the pollens in various areas of Ahvaz, this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the concentration of total pollen and relative humidity, precipitation, and air pressure. However, it had a positive correlation with temperature. Consequently, considering the logistical challenges of monitoring bioaerosols in the air, the ANN approach could predict total pollen concentrations. Therefore, in addition to measurements, the ANN technique can be a good tool to enable authorities to mitigate the impact of airborne pollen on people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholamreza Goudarzi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases (APRD) Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Yaser Tahmasebi Birgani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Ali Assarehzadegan
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolkazem Neisi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases (APRD) Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Dastoorpoor
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
| | - Mohsen Yazdani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Ravindra K, Goyal A, Mor S. Influence of meteorological parameters and air pollutants on the airborne pollen of city Chandigarh, India. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 818:151829. [PMID: 34813801 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pollen, climatic variables and air pollutants coexist in nature with the potential to interact with one another and play a crucial role in increasing allergic diseases. The current study evaluates the influence of meteorological parameters and air pollutants on the airborne pollen in an urban city, Chandigarh, situated in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Airborne pollen monitoring was done following Spanish Aerobiological Network guidelines and dynamics of daily total pollen and six most abundant taxa were studied from June 2018 to June 2020. Among meteorological parameters, temperature and wind were the most correlated and influential parameters to airborne pollen concentration. Annual Pollen Integral (APIn) of Cannabis sativa (r = 0.52), Parthenium hysterophorus (r = 0.27), Poaceae (r = 0.32) and total pollen concentration (r = 0.30) showed a statistically significant positive correlation with temperature. In contrast, precipitation and relative humidity negatively correlated with APIn of total pollen concentration, Eucalyptus sp. and Poaceae except for Parthenium hysterophorus and Celtis occidentalis. Similar results were found with Seasonal Pollen Integral (SPIn) of total pollen concentration, six major taxa and meteorological variables. Spearman correlation performed for NOx showed a significant positive correlation among APIn and SPIn of Celtis occidentalis and insignificant among APIn and SPIn of Eucalyptus sp. and Morus alba. In contrast, except for Eucalyptus sp., PM10 and PM2.5 were negatively correlated among APIn and SPIn of total pollen concentration and other major taxa. Spearman's correlation of APIn and SPIn for each pollen taxon, meteorological parameters and air pollutants suggests that each taxon has a different pattern in response to all parameters. The study findings suggest that pollen response must be examined at the taxon level, not the assemblage level, having long time-series data. This will help to compute future scenarios of changing environmental factors and comprehend the relationships and trends among meteorology, air pollutants and aerobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaiwal Ravindra
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India.
| | - Akshi Goyal
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Suman Mor
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
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Anenberg SC, Haines S, Wang E, Nassikas N, Kinney PL. Synergistic health effects of air pollution, temperature, and pollen exposure: a systematic review of epidemiological evidence. Environ Health 2020; 19:130. [PMID: 33287833 PMCID: PMC7720572 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to heat, air pollution, and pollen are associated with health outcomes, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Studies assessing the health impacts of climate change have considered increased exposure to these risk factors separately, though they may be increasing simultaneously for some populations and may act synergistically on health. Our objective is to systematically review epidemiological evidence for interactive effects of multiple exposures to heat, air pollution, and pollen on human health. METHODS We systematically searched electronic literature databases (last search, April 29, 2019) for studies reporting quantitative measurements of associations between at least two of the exposures and mortality from any cause and cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality specifically. Following the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology, we evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies and the overall quality and strength of evidence. RESULTS We found 56 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, six measured air pollution, heat, and pollen; 39 measured air pollution and heat; 10 measured air pollution and pollen; and one measured heat and pollen. Nearly all studies were at risk of bias from exposure assessment error. However, consistent exposure-response across studies led us to conclude that there is overall moderate quality and sufficient evidence for synergistic effects of heat and air pollution. We concluded that there is overall low quality and limited evidence for synergistic effects from simultaneous exposure to (1) air pollution, pollen, and heat; and (2) air pollution and pollen. With only one study, we were unable to assess the evidence for synergistic effects of heat and pollen. CONCLUSIONS If synergistic effects between heat and air pollution are confirmed with additional research, the health impacts from climate change-driven increases in air pollution and heat exposure may be larger than previously estimated in studies that consider these risk factors individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan C. Anenberg
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20052 USA
| | - Shannon Haines
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20052 USA
- Now at: American Lung Association, Springfield, IL USA
| | - Elizabeth Wang
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20052 USA
| | - Nicholas Nassikas
- Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Brown University Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI 02903 USA
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Ščevková J, Dušička J, Tropeková M, Kováč J. Summer storms and their effects on the spectrum and quantity of airborne bioparticles in Bratislava, Central Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:537. [PMID: 32696086 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08497-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A thunderstorm is a risk factor for severe respiratory allergy or asthma attacks in patients suffering from pollen/spore allergy. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the spectrum and quantity of pollen and fungal spores in the air of Bratislava during summer storms as well as the impact of selected environmental parameters on these changes. Pollen/spore samples were collected using a Burkard volumetric aerospore trap during summer 2016. To identify those types of pollen/spores that may harm human health during the storm episodes, we analysed how the concentration of individual bioparticles in the air changed during pre-storm/storm/post-storm periods. The effect of environmental variables on the concentration of selected pollen/spore types was evaluated through Spearman's correlation analysis. The results of our study suggest that thunderstorm-related respiratory allergy symptoms in the study area may be caused by (1) spores of Myxomycetes, the airborne concentration of which increases due to an increase in wind speed during the pre-storm period; (2) ruptured pollen and Diatripaceae spores, the concentration of which increases due to increase in precipitation and relative air humidity, respectively, during the storm period; and (3) spores of Fusarium and Leptosphaeria, the concentration of which increases due to increase in precipitation and air temperature, respectively, during the post-storm period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ščevková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Jozef Dušička
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Tropeková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Kováč
- Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Veremchuk LV, Mineeva EE, Vitkina TI, Grigorieva EA, Gvozdenko TA, Golokhvast KS. The response ranges of pulmonary function and the impact criteria of weather and industrial influence on patients with asthma living in Vladivostok. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2020; 18:235-242. [PMID: 32399235 PMCID: PMC7203380 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the response of pulmonary function (PF) to the influence of environmental factors in patients with different levels of asthma control. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with controlled (136 people) and uncontrolled (96 people) asthma living in the conditions of monsoon climate and technogenic pollution in Vladivostok were examined. Discriminant analysis that provides the basis for dividing initial data into classes, as according to standards and expert estimates, was used to calculate ranges of PF response in asthma patients. The selection of discriminant functions with the highest values of constant and coefficient made it possible to identify the optimal quantitative ranges. RESULTS Analysis of the discriminant value of Wilks' lambda (α) has shown that the intensity of PF response to climatic and technogenic factors varies depending on level of disease control (controlled asthma - α = 0.67-0.79, uncontrolled asthma - α =0.05-0.44). The criteria and ranges of PF response also differ depending on level of disease control. In controlled asthma, PF response reflects an adaptive-compensatory dependence. The reaction to the environmental factors is rather weak; therefore, it could be detected by only more sensitive examination method (body plethysmography). In uncontrolled asthma, the response to the influence of environment quality is active and could be clearly identified by spirography. CONCLUSIONS The climatic and technogenic environment of Vladivostok causes strong pathogenic impact on patients with uncontrolled asthma. The effects of dust fraction 0-1 μm, deeply penetrating into respiratory organs, and day-to-day variability of wind speed, which induces weather sensitivity, are particularly adverse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila V. Veremchuk
- Vladivostok Branch of Federal State Budgetary Science Institution, Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration, Institute of Medical Climatology and Rehabilitative Treatment, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
| | - Elena E. Mineeva
- Vladivostok Branch of Federal State Budgetary Science Institution, Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration, Institute of Medical Climatology and Rehabilitative Treatment, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
| | - Tatyana I. Vitkina
- Vladivostok Branch of Federal State Budgetary Science Institution, Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration, Institute of Medical Climatology and Rehabilitative Treatment, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
| | - Elena A. Grigorieva
- Institute for Complex Analysis of Regional Problems Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Birobidzhan, Russian Federation
| | - Tatyana A. Gvozdenko
- Vladivostok Branch of Federal State Budgetary Science Institution, Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration, Institute of Medical Climatology and Rehabilitative Treatment, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
| | - Kirill S. Golokhvast
- Vladivostok Branch of Federal State Budgetary Science Institution, Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration, Institute of Medical Climatology and Rehabilitative Treatment, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
- Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
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Jones PJ, Koolhof IS, Wheeler AJ, Williamson GJ, Lucani C, Campbell SL, Bowman DMJS, Johnston FH. Can smartphone data identify the local environmental drivers of respiratory disease? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:109118. [PMID: 32069747 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Asthma and allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) are ubiquitous, chronic health conditions that seasonally affect a sizeable proportion of the population. Both are commonly triggered or exacerbated by environmental conditions including aeroallergens, air quality and weather. Smartphone technology offers new opportunities to identify environmental drivers by allowing large-scale, real-time collection of day-to-day symptoms. As yet, however, few studies have explored the potential of this technology to provide useful epidemiological data on environment-symptom relationships. Here, we use data from the smartphone app 'AirRater' to examine relationships between asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms and weather, air quality and pollen loads in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. We draw on symptom data logged by app users over a three-year period and use time-series analysis to assess the relationship between symptoms and environmental co-variates. Symptoms are associated with particulate matter (IRR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.08), maximum temperature (IRR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.44) and pollen taxa including Betula (IRR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07), Cupressaceae (IRR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04), Myrtaceae (IRR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10) and Poaceae (IRR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09). The importance of these pollen taxa varies seasonally and more taxa are associated with allergic rhinitis (eye/nose) than asthma (lung) symptoms. Our results are congruent with established epidemiological evidence, while providing important local insights including the association between symptoms and Myrtaceae pollen. We conclude that smartphone-sourced data can be a useful tool in environmental epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope J Jones
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Iain S Koolhof
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
| | - Amanda J Wheeler
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Mary McKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
| | - Grant J Williamson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
| | - Christopher Lucani
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
| | - Sharon L Campbell
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Public Health Services, Department of Health, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - David M J S Bowman
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
| | - Fay H Johnston
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia; Public Health Services, Department of Health, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
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Sauliene I, Sukiene L, Kazlauskiene V. The assessment of atmospheric conditions and constituents on allergenic pollen loads in Lithuania. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 250:109469. [PMID: 31487603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- I Sauliene
- Siauliai University, P. Visinskio str. 38, 76352, Siauliai, Lithuania.
| | - L Sukiene
- Siauliai University, P. Visinskio str. 38, 76352, Siauliai, Lithuania.
| | - V Kazlauskiene
- Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, Rudnios str. 6, 09300, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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Liu F, Qu F, Zhang H, Chao L, Li R, Yu F, Guan J, Yan X. The effect and burden modification of heating on adult asthma hospitalizations in Shijiazhuang: a time-series analysis. Respir Res 2019; 20:122. [PMID: 31200718 PMCID: PMC6570879 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-019-1092-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have found associations between asthma morbidity and air pollution especially in young population, (PLoS One 12:e0180522, 2017; Can J Public Health 103:4-8, 2012; Environ Health Perspect 118:449-57, 2010; Am J Respir Crit Care Med 182:307-16, 2010; J Allergy Clin Immunol 104:717-22, 2008; J Allergy Clin Immunol 104:717-22, 1999; Environ Res 111:1137-47, 2011) but most of them were conducted in areas with relatively low air pollutant level. Moreover, very few studies have investigated the effect and burden modification of heating season during which the ambient air pollution level is significantly different from that during non-heating season in north China. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect and burden modification of heating on short-term associations between adult asthma hospitalizations and ambient air pollution in the north China city of Shijiazhuang. Methods Generalized additive models combined with penalized distributed lag nonlinear models were used to model associations between daily asthma hospitalizations and ambient air pollutants from 1 January 2013 to 16 December 2016 in Shijiazhuang city, adjusting for long-term and seasonality trend, day of week, statutory holiday, daily mean air pressure and temperature. Attributable risks were calculated to evaluate the burden of asthma hospitalizations due to air pollutants exposure. The effect of pollutants on hospitalization and the attributable measures were estimated in heating and non-heating season separately and the comparisons between the two seasons were conducted. Results All pollutants demonstrated positive and significant impacts on asthma hospitalizations both in heating season and non-heating season, except for O3 in heating season where a negative association was observed. However, the differences of the pollutant-specific effects between the two seasons were not significant. SO2 and NO2 exposure were associated with the heaviest burden among all pollutants in heating season; meanwhile, PM10 and PM2.5 were associated with the heaviest burden in heating season. Conclusions In conclusion, we found evidence of the effect of ambient air pollutants on asthma hospitalizations in Shijiazhuang. The central heating period could modify the effects in terms of attributable risks. The disease burden modification of heating should be taken into consideration when planning intervention measures to reduce the risk of asthma hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Liu
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China
| | - Fangfang Qu
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China
| | - Huiran Zhang
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China
| | - Lingshan Chao
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China
| | - Rongqin Li
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China
| | - Fengxue Yu
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China
| | - Jitao Guan
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China
| | - Xixin Yan
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang city, Hebei province, China.
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Witonsky J, Abraham R, Toh J, Desai T, Shum M, Rosenstreich D, Jariwala SP. The association of environmental, meteorological, and pollen count variables with asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations in the Bronx. J Asthma 2018; 56:927-937. [PMID: 30207818 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2018.1514627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To better understand how meteorological variables, air quality variables, and pollen counts collectively contribute to asthma-related emergency department visits (AREDV) and asthma-related hospitalizations (ARH) among pediatric and adult patients in the New York City borough of the Bronx. Methods: The numbers of daily adult and pediatric AREDV and ARH from 2001 to 2008 were obtained from three Bronx hospitals. After removing outliers, interpolating missing data, and standardizing variable values by scaling the data using z-scores, data were analyzed using Spearman rank tests and linear regression models for the full year and each season. Results: There were a total of 42,065 AREDV and 1,664 ARH at both Bronx hospitals. With the exception of a spring peak in AREDVs, AREDVs and ARHs follow a cyclical pattern, climbing in the fall, plateauing in the winter, dropping in the spring, and reaching a low in the summer. Among the 11 air quality, meteorological, and pollen count variables, temperature and tree pollen made the greatest contribution to AREDV with scaled coefficients of -0.337 and 0.311 respectively; equating to an additional AREDV for every 5.0-unit decrease in temperature and an additional AREDV for every 186.0-unit increase in tree pollen. These two variables were confirmed to have independent associations with AREDV prior to the data interpolation. Grass pollen was also found to have a relatively large contribution to AREDV during the summer with a scaled coefficient of 0.314, equating to an additional AREDV for every 2.3-unit increase in grass pollen. Conclusion: There are distinct peaks of increased AREDVs that are closely associated with increased tree pollen counts in the spring and decreasing temperatures in the fall. Early anticipation of these air quality, meteorological, and pollen factor changes based on ongoing surveillance could potentially guide clinical practice and minimize AREDVs in the Bronx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Witonsky
- a Department of Pediatrics, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA ; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Abraham
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Jennifer Toh
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Tulsi Desai
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Mili Shum
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - David Rosenstreich
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Sunit P Jariwala
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
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12
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Luo L, Ren J, Zhang F, Zhang W, Li C, Qiu Z, Huang D. The effects of air pollution on length of hospital stay for adult patients with asthma. Int J Health Plann Manage 2018; 33. [PMID: 29683206 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.2532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Length of hospital stay (LOS) of asthma can be a reflection of the disease burden faced by patients, and it is also sensitive to air pollution. This study aims at estimating and validating the effects of air pollution and readmission on the LOS for those who have asthma, considering their readmission history, minimum temperature, and threshold effects of air pollutants. In addition, sex, age, and season were also constructed for stratification to achieve more precise and specific results. The results show that no significant effects of PM2.5 and NO2 on LOS were observed in any of the patients, but there were significant effects of PM2.5 and NO2 on LOS when a stratifying subgroup analysis was performed. The effect of PM10 on LOS was found to be lower than that of PM2.5 and higher than that of NO2 . SO2 did not have a significant effect on LOS for patients with asthma in our study. Our study confirmed that the adverse effects of air pollutants (such as PM10 ) on LOS for patients with asthma existed; in addition, these effects vary for different stratifications. We measured the effects of air pollutants on the LOS for patients with asthma, and this study offers policy makers quantitative evidence that can support relevant policies for health care resource management and ambient air pollutants control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Luo
- Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Ren
- Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fengyi Zhang
- Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyang Li
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhixin Qiu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Debin Huang
- Chengdu Medical Insurance Administration, Chengdu, China
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Luo L, Liao C, Zhang F, Zhang W, Li C, Qiu Z, Huang D. Applicability of internet search index for asthma admission forecast using machine learning. Int J Health Plann Manage 2018; 33:723-732. [PMID: 29656461 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.2525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine whether a search index could provide insight into trends in asthma admission in China. An Internet search index is a powerful tool to monitor and predict epidemic outbreaks. However, whether using an internet search index can significantly improve asthma admissions forecasts remains unknown. The long-term goal is to develop a surveillance system to help early detection and interventions for asthma and to avoid asthma health care resource shortages in advance. METHODS In this study, we used a search index combined with air pollution data, weather data, and historical admissions data to forecast asthma admissions using machine learning. RESULTS Results demonstrated that the best area under the curve in the test set that can be achieved is 0.832, using all predictors mentioned earlier. CONCLUSION A search index is a powerful predictor in asthma admissions forecast, and a recent search index can reflect current asthma admissions with a lag-effect to a certain extent. The addition of a real-time, easily accessible search index improves forecasting capabilities and demonstrates the predictive potential of search index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Luo
- Business School, Sichuan University, China
| | | | | | - Wei Zhang
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China
| | - Chunyang Li
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China
| | - Zhixin Qiu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China
| | - Debin Huang
- Chengdu Medical Insurance Administration, China
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14
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Allen MJ, Vanos J, Hondula DM, Vecellio DJ, Knight D, Mehdipoor H, Lucas R, Fuhrmann C, Lokys H, Lees A, Nascimento ST, Leung ACW, Perkins DR. Supporting sustainability initiatives through biometeorology education and training. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2017; 61:93-106. [PMID: 28725975 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1408-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The International Society of Biometeorology (ISB) has covered significant breadth and depth addressing fundamental and applied societal and environmental challenges in the last 60 years. Biometeorology is an interdisciplinary science connecting living organisms to their environment, but there is very little understanding of the existence and placement of this discipline within formal educational systems and institutions. It is thus difficult to project the ability of members of the biometeorological community-especially the biometeorologists of the future-to help solve global challenges. In this paper, we ask: At present, how we are training people to understand and think about biometeorology? We also ask: What are the current tools and opportunities in which biometeorologists might address future challenges? Finally, we connect these two questions by asking: What type of new training and skill development is needed to better educate "biometeorologists of the future" to more effectively address the future challenges? To answer these questions, we provide quantitative and qualitative evidence from an educationally focused workshop attended by new professionals in biometeorology. We identify four common themes (thermal comfort and exposures, agricultural productivity, air quality, and urbanization) that biometeorologists are currently studying and that we expect to be important in the future based on their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Review of recent literature within each of these thematic areas highlights a wide array of skill sets and perspectives that biometeorologists are already using. Current and new professionals within the ISB have noted highly varying and largely improvised educational pathways into the field. While variability and improvisation may be assets in promoting flexibility, adaptation, and interdisciplinarity, the lack of formal training in biometeorology raises concerns about the extent to which continuing generations of scholars will identify and engage with the community of scholarship that the ISB has developed over its 60-year history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Allen
- Department of Political Science and Geography, Old Dominion University, 7035 Batten Arts and Letters, Norfolk, VA, USA.
| | - Jennifer Vanos
- Climate, Atmospheric Science, and Physical Oceanography Department Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, San Diego, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - David M Hondula
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel J Vecellio
- Climate Science Lab, Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, Texas, , College Station, TX, USA
| | - David Knight
- Department of Engineering Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Hamed Mehdipoor
- Department of Geo-Information Processing, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Rebekah Lucas
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chris Fuhrmann
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Hanna Lokys
- Climatology Group, Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Angela Lees
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Animal Science Group, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Andrew C W Leung
- Climate Laboratory, Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Perkins
- Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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15
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Fdez-Arroyabe P, Robau DT. Past, present and future of the climate and human health commission. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2017; 61:115-125. [PMID: 28735444 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1413-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The following paper presents the history of the Climate and Human Health Commission at the International Society of Biometeorology after more than one decade since its creation. A brief history of the origins of the human biometeorology is revealed through some of the main research topics and publications of the founders of the society in this field. Secondly, it is presented as a brief review of the activities of the commission in the last 10 years, based on the reports that have periodically been submitted by members of the commission to the Bulletin of the society. A summary of the topics of interest on human biometeorology and the most frequent research topics are also described. Thirdly, the need of adapting human biometeorology contents, methods and techniques to a changing world is articulated according to some of the new environmental threats in the XXI century. Finally, a list of future actions and research lines collected through a form from members of the commission is presented. The paper concludes with the existence of great challenge for human biometeorology in order to transform biometeorological knowledge into specific services to improve the wellbeing of human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Fdez-Arroyabe
- Geography Department, Geobiomet Research Group, University of Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, Spain.
| | - Daysarih Tápanes Robau
- Geography Department, Geobiomet Research Group, University of Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
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16
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Grundström M, Dahl Å, Ou T, Chen D, Pleijel H. The relationship between birch pollen, air pollution and weather types and their effect on antihistamine purchase in two Swedish cities. AEROBIOLOGIA 2017; 33:457-471. [PMID: 29167598 PMCID: PMC5674136 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-017-9478-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to elevated air pollution levels can aggravate pollen allergy symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between airborne birch (Betula) pollen, urban air pollutants NO2, O3 and PM10 and their effects on antihistamine demand in Gothenburg and Malmö, Sweden, 2006-2012. Further, the influence of large-scale weather pattern on pollen-/pollution-related risk, using Lamb weather types (LWTs), was analysed. Daily LWTs were obtained by comparing the atmospheric pressure over a 16-point grid system over southern Sweden (scale ~3000 km). They include two non-directional types, cyclonic (C) and anticyclonic (A) and eight directional types depending on the wind direction (N, NE, E…). Birch pollen levels were exceptionally high under LWTs E and SE in both cities. Furthermore, LWTs with dry and moderately calm meteorological character (A, NE, E, SE) were associated with strongly elevated air pollution (NO2 and PM10) in Gothenburg. For most weather situations in both cities, simultaneously high birch pollen together with high air pollution had larger over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antihistamines than situations with high birch pollen alone. LWTs NE, E, SE and S had the highest OTC sales in both cities. In Gothenburg, the city with a higher load of both birch pollen and air pollution, the higher OTC sales were especially obvious and indicate an increased effect on allergic symptoms from air pollution. Furthermore, Gothenburg LWTs A, NE, E and SE were associated with high pollen and air pollution levels and thus classified as high-risk weather types. In Malmö, corresponding high-risk LWTs were NE, E, SE and S. Furthermore, occurrence of high pollen and air pollutants as well as OTC sales correlated strongly with vapour pressure deficit and temperature in Gothenburg (much less so in Malmö). This provides evidence that the combination of meteorological properties associated with LWTs can explain high levels of birch pollen and air pollution. Our study shows that LWTs represent a useful tool for integrated daily air quality forecasting/warning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grundström
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- National Pollen and Aerobiological Research Unit, Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ UK
| | - Åslög Dahl
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tinghai Ou
- Department of Earth Science, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 460 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Deliang Chen
- Department of Earth Science, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 460 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Håkan Pleijel
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 461, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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18
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Camacho I, Grinn-Gofroń A, Camacho R, Berenguer P, Sadyś M. Madeira-a tourist destination for asthma sufferers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2016; 60:1739-1751. [PMID: 27240963 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-016-1163-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Madeira Island is a famous tourist destination due to its natural and climatic values. Taking into account optimal weather conditions, flora richness and access to various substrates facilitating fungal growth, we hypothesised a very high risk of elevated fungal spore and pollen grain concentrations in the air of Funchal, the capital of Madeira. Concentration levels of the most allergenic taxa were measured from 2003 to 2009, using a 7-day volumetric air sampler, followed by microscopy analysis. Dependence of bioaerosols on the weather conditions and land use were assessed using spatial and statistical tools. Obtained results were re-visited by a comparison with hospital admission data recorded at the Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital in Funchal. Our results showed that despite propitious climatic conditions, overall pollen grain and fungal spore concentrations in the air were very low and did not exceed any clinically established threshold values. Pollen and spore peak concentrations also did not match with asthma outbreaks in the winter. Identification of places that are "free" from biological air pollution over the summer, such as Madeira Island, is very important from the allergic point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Camacho
- Life Science Competence Centre, Madeira University, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390, Funchal, Portugal.
| | - Agnieszka Grinn-Gofroń
- Department of Plant Taxonomy and Phytogeography, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13 Street, 71-415, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Roberto Camacho
- Life Science Competence Centre, Madeira University, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Pedro Berenguer
- Centro de Química da Madeira (CQM), Madeira University, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390, Funchal, Portugal
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Sun X, Waller A, Yeatts KB, Thie L. Pollen concentration and asthma exacerbations in Wake County, North Carolina, 2006-2012. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 544:185-91. [PMID: 26657364 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Pollen has been generally linked to an increased risk for asthma exacerbation. However, the delayed effect (lag), the length of effect duration, and the association heterogeneity by pollen types have not been well characterized. Short-term associations between ambient concentration of various pollen types (tree, grass, and weed) and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma were assessed using data in Wake County, North Carolina, during 2006-2012. Distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) were used to characterize the associations, while adjusting for air pollutants, meteorological, and temporal factors. A strong association between same-day tree pollen and asthma ED visits was detected. This association lasted four days, with a 4-day cumulative risk ratio (RR) up to 2.10 (3500 grains/m(3) vs. 0 grains/m(3), 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.21-3.65). The associations of asthma ED visits with weed pollen and grass pollen were weak, suggestively starting from lag 2 and lasting 3 days, with the strongest association a 3-day cumulative RR of 1.08 (32 grains/m(3) vs. 0 grains/m(3), 95% CI=1.01-1.15) and 1.05 (11 grains/m(3) vs. 0 grains/m(3), 95% CI=1.00-1.11). Our results indicate that the association of ambient pollen and asthma exacerbation vary by pollen type, both quantitatively and temporally. These findings have important implications for optimizing targeted allergic disease prevention and management, and helping understand the etiology of ambient exposure-induced allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuezheng Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Anna Waller
- Carolina Center for Health Informatics, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27510, United States
| | - Karin B Yeatts
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Lauren Thie
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, NC 27699, United States.
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Fan J, Li S, Fan C, Bai Z, Yang K. The impact of PM2.5 on asthma emergency department visits: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:843-50. [PMID: 26347419 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5321-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Although the relationship between asthma and exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been frequently measured, reported conclusions have not been consistent. As emergency department (ED) visits are an effective way to estimate health outcomes for people with asthma and short-term exposure to PM2.5, this review systematically searched five databases without language or geographical restrictions from inception to January 13, 2015 to study the impact of PM2.5 on asthma ED visits. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). With respect to short-term effects, asthma ED visits increased at higher PM2.5 concentrations (RR 1.5% per 10 μg/m(3); 95% CI 1.2-1.7%), and children were more susceptible (3.6% per 10 μg/m(3); 95% CI 1.8, 5.3%) than adults (1.7, 95% CI 0.7%, 2.8%) to increased PM2.5; the ED visits increased during the warm season by 3.7% (95% CI 0.5, 6.9%) per 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM2.5, which was higher than the corresponding increase during the cold season (2.6, 95% CI 0.7-4.6%). This demonstrates that ambient PM2.5 has an adverse impact on asthma ED visits after short-term exposure and that children are a high-risk population when PM2.5 concentrations are high, particularly in warm seasons, during which measures should be taken to prevent PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchun Fan
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Based Medicine and Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, No. 199 Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
- First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, No. 1 Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Shulan Li
- Department of Ultrasound, People's Hospital of Gansu Province, No. 204 Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Chunling Fan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Gansu Provincial Cancer Hospital, No. 2 Xiaoxihu East Street, Qilihe District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730050, China.
| | - Zhenggang Bai
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Based Medicine and Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, No. 199 Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Kehu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Based Medicine and Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, No. 199 Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China.
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