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Lam HCY, Anees-Hill S, Satchwell J, Symon F, Macintyre H, Pashley CH, Marczylo EL, Douglas P, Aldridge S, Hansell A. Association between ambient temperature and common allergenic pollen and fungal spores: A 52-year analysis in central England, United Kingdom. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167607. [PMID: 37806575 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to pollen and fungal spores can trigger asthma/allergic symptoms and affect health. Rising temperatures from climate change have been associated with earlier seasons and increasing intensity for some pollen, with weaker evidence for fungal spores. It is unclear whether climate change has resulted in changes in the exposure-response function between temperature and pollen/fungal spore concentrations over time. This study examined associations between temperature and pollen/fungal spores in different time periods and assessed potential adaptation using the longest pollen/fungal spore dataset in existence (52 years). Daily concentrations of pollen (birch and grass) and fungal spores (Cladosporium, Alternaria, Sporobolomyces and Tilletiopsis) collected between April and October from Derby (1970-2005) and Leicester (2006-2021), UK, were analysed. Cumulative seasonal concentrations (seasonal integral) and start-of-season were calculated and linked to seasonal mean temperatures (Tmeans) using generalized additive models. Daily concentrations were evaluated against daily Tmean with distributed lagged nonlinear models. Models were adjusted for precipitation, relative humidity, long-term trend and location. Seasonal and daily analyses were respectively stratified into two periods (1970-1995, 1997-2021) and five decades. Warmer seasonal Tmeans were associated with higher seasonal integral for birch, Cladosporium and Alternaria, as well as earlier start-of-season for birch, grass and Cladosporium. There were indications of changing associations with temperature in the recent decades. A warmer January was associated with higher seasonal integral for grass in 1997-2021, but not in 1970-1995. In 2000-2021, daily concentrations of birch pollen tended to remain at higher levels, vs. decrease during 1990s, when Tmean was between 13 and 15 °C. Our study suggests higher temperatures experienced in recent decades are associated with higher overall abundance of some pollen/fungal spores, which may increase future disease burdens of allergies. The changing responses of some pollen to higher temperatures over time may indicate adaptation to increasing temperatures and should be considered in climate change mitigation and adaptation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly C Y Lam
- Air Quality and Public Health, UK Health Security Agency, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, United Kingdom.
| | - Samuel Anees-Hill
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; Toxicology, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health at the University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Jack Satchwell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Fiona Symon
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Helen Macintyre
- Centre for Climate and Health Security, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; School of Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Catherine H Pashley
- Department of Respiratory Science, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma L Marczylo
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; Toxicology, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health at the University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
| | - Philippa Douglas
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; Toxicology, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom; Chief Scientist's Group, Environment Agency, Red Kite House, Benson Lane, Wallingford OX10 8BD, United Kingdom; Air Quality and Public Health, UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Stuart Aldridge
- Air Quality and Public Health, UK Health Security Agency, East Midlands, Seaton House, City Link, London Road, Nottingham NG2 4LA, United Kingdom.
| | - Anna Hansell
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health at the University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom; NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, United Kingdom.
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El Homsi M, Sclison S, Huguet D, Dessimond B, Tanno LK, Prud'homme J, Collette A, Annesi-Maesano I. Association between air pollution levels and drug sales for asthma and allergy in 63 million people in metropolitan France. J Asthma 2023; 60:1246-1254. [PMID: 36332169 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2022.2144348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Air pollution is known to have an impact on respiratory health. However, the assessment of this relationship is far from complete and is rarely extended to the country level. We used drug sales data, both Over-The-Counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, to assess exhaustively the impact of air pollution on asthma and allergy at the national level in France. METHODS The WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system was used to describe the distribution of sales of drugs of class R03 (Drugs for obstructive airways diseases, overall for asthma) and R06 (Antihistamines for systemic use). We performed a Quasi-Poisson regression model with a generalized additive model (GAM) to estimate the relationship (Relative Risks and 95% Confidence Interval) between drug sales and air pollutants, that is Particulate Matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) and less than 10 micrometers (PM10) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as assessed using the high-resolution CHIMERE dispersion model. We designed unadjusted and adjusted single-pollutant models as well as two-pollutant models. RESULTS PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 were significantly and positively associated with sales of R03 and R06 class drugs, after adjustment for potential confounders. Results were confirmed in the two-pollutant model for PM10 and NO2 but not for PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the presence of an association between major air pollutants and the sales of drugs against asthma and allergies. Further studies on larger databases and over several years are necessary to confirm and better understand these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan El Homsi
- Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Boris Dessimond
- Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Luciana Kase Tanno
- Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Prud'homme
- Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Augustin Collette
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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Panunzi S, Marchetti P, Stafoggia M, Badaloni C, Caranci N, de Hoogh K, Giorgi Rossi P, Guarda L, Locatelli F, Ottone M, Silocchi C, Ricci P, Marcon A. Residential exposure to air pollution and adverse respiratory and allergic outcomes in children and adolescents living in a chipboard industrial area of Northern Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 864:161070. [PMID: 36565877 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chipboard production is a source of wood dust, formaldehyde, and combustion-related pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM). In this cohort study, we assessed whether exposures to NO2, formaldehyde, PM10, PM2.5, and black carbon were associated with adverse respiratory and allergic outcomes among all 7525 people aged 0-21 years residing in the Viadana district, an area in Northern Italy including the largest chipboard industrial park in the country. METHODS Data on hospitalizations, emergency room (ER) admissions, and specialist visits in pneumology, allergology, ophthalmology, and otorhinolaryngology were obtained from the Local Health Unit. Residential air pollution concentrations in 2013 (baseline) were derived using local (Viadana II), national (EPISAT), and continental (ELAPSE) exposure models. Associations were estimated using negative binomial regression models for counts of events occurred during 2013-2017, with follow-up time as an offset term and adjustment for sex, age, nationality, and a census-block socio-economic indicator. RESULTS Median annual exposures to NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 were below the European Union annual air quality standards (40, 40, and 25 μg/m3) but above the World Health Organization 2021 air quality guideline levels (10, 15, and 5 μg/m3). Exposures to NO2 and PM2.5 were significantly associated with higher rates of ER pneumology admissions (13 to 30 % higher rates per interquartile range exposure differences, all p < 0.01). Higher rates of allergology and ophthalmology visits were found for participants exposed to higher pollutants' concentrations. When considering the 4-km buffer around the industries, associations with respiratory hospitalizations became significant, and associations with ER pneumology admissions, allergology and ophthalmology visits became stronger. Formaldehyde was not associated with the outcomes considered. CONCLUSION Using administrative indicators of health effects a priori attributable to air pollution, we documented the adverse impact of long-term air pollution exposure in residential areas close to the largest chipboard industries in Italy. These findings, combined with evidence from previous studies, call for an action to improve air quality through preventive measures especially targeting emissions related to the industrial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Panunzi
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Marchetti
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy.
| | - Massimo Stafoggia
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Badaloni
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Caranci
- Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, Bologna, Italy
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Linda Guarda
- UOC Osservatorio Epidemiologico, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute della Val Padana, Mantova, Italy
| | - Francesca Locatelli
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy
| | - Marta Ottone
- Epidemiology Unit, AUSL - IRCCS Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Caterina Silocchi
- UOS Salute e Ambiente, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute della Val Padana, Mantova, Italy
| | - Paolo Ricci
- UOC Osservatorio Epidemiologico, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute della Val Padana, Mantova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marcon
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy
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Saha A, Zam D, Khan AA, Dutta P, Mannan A, Alam N. Prevalence and determinants of self-medication practices among general population: A cross-sectional study in Thimphu, Bhutan and Chattogram, Bangladesh. J Public Health Res 2023; 12:22799036231152327. [PMID: 36726455 PMCID: PMC9885035 DOI: 10.1177/22799036231152327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Self-medication is a global phenomenon and a potential contributor to negative health consequences on human health including emergence of antibiotic drug resistance globally. Objective The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and determinants of self-medication in Thimphu, Bhutan and Chattogram, Bangladesh, two neighbouring South Asian country. Methodology A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Thimphu, Bhutan and Chattogram, Bangladesh. A pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, health status and self-medication practices in the previous year. Results Out of the 998 recruited participants, 61.8% (170/275) from Thimphu and 41.5% (300/723) from Chattogram reported self-medication practices in last year of interview. In Thimphu, eye/ear infection (90.9%), fever (84.9%), headache (80.5%) and cough and cold (78.2%) were the major illnesses reported for self-medication, whereas in Chattogram people mostly self-medicated for skin disorder (74.4%), diarrhoeal illness (59.1%) and eye/ear infection (48.1%). Knowledge on side-effects of the drugs taken for self-medication was comparatively higher in Thimphu than in Chattogram. Both in Thimphu and Chattogram, higher odds of self-medication were found for common illnesses with adjusted OR 7.8; 95% CI 3.3-18.4 and adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.4-2.8, respectively in Thimphu and Chattogram. Conclusion Self-medication was found to be substantially high in both the cities, however, rate of self-medication was higher in Thimphu compared to Chattogram. Knowledge and awareness raising about harmful effect of self-medication and effective regulation over selling of prescription medication in pharmacies should be strengthened in both countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayan Saha
- Department of Bioinformatics and
Biotechnology, Asian University for Women, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Disease Biology and Molecular
Epidemiology Research Group, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Dawa Zam
- Department of Public Health, Asian
University for Women, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Ayesha Ahmed Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Chittagong
Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Preya Dutta
- Disease Biology and Molecular
Epidemiology Research Group, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust
University Bangladesh, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Adnan Mannan
- Disease Biology and Molecular
Epidemiology Research Group, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Department of Genetic Engineering &
Biotechnology, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Nazmul Alam
- Department of Public Health, Asian
University for Women, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Nazmul Alam, Department of Public Health,
Asian University for Women, Badsha Miah Road, Chattogram-4000, Bangladesh.
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Adams-Groom B, Selby K, Derrett S, Frisk CA, Pashley CH, Satchwell J, King D, McKenzie G, Neilson R. Pollen season trends as markers of climate change impact: Betula, Quercus and Poaceae. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 831:154882. [PMID: 35364159 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The incidences of respiratory allergies are at an all-time high. Pollen aeroallergens can reflect changing climate, with recent studies in Europe showing some, but not all, pollen types are increasing in severity, season duration and experiencing an earlier onset. This study aimed to identify pollen trends in the UK over the last twenty-six years for a range of pollen sites, with a focus on the key pollen types of Poaceae (grass), Betula (birch) and Quercus (oak) and to examine the relationship of these trends with meteorological factors. Betula pollen seasons show no significant trends for onset, first high day or duration but increasing pollen production in the Midlands region of the UK is being driven by warmer temperatures in the previous June and July. Quercus pollen seasons are starting earlier, due to increasing temperature and sunshine totals in April, but are not becoming more severe. The seasons are lasting longer, although no significant climate drivers for this were identified. The first high day of the Poaceae pollen season is occurring earlier in central UK regions due to an increasing trend for all temperature variables in the previous December, January, April, May and June. Severity and duration of the season show no significant trends and are spatially and temporally variable. Important changes are occurring in the UK pollen seasons that will impact on the health of respiratory allergy sufferers, with more severe Betula pollen seasons and longer Quercus pollen seasons. Most of the changes identified were caused by climate drivers of increasing temperature and sunshine total. However, Poaceae pollen seasons are neither becoming more severe nor longer. The reasons for this included a lack of change in some monthly meteorological variables, or land-use change, such as grassland being replaced by urban areas or woodland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine Selby
- The Department of Environment and Geography, Wentworth Way, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5NG, UK.
| | - Sally Derrett
- Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, Minalloy House, 10-16 Regent St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield, S1 3NJ, UK.
| | - Carl A Frisk
- School of Science and Environment, University of Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK.
| | - Catherine Helen Pashley
- Aerobiology and Clinical Mycology, Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Jack Satchwell
- Aerobiology and Clinical Mycology, Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Dale King
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK.
| | | | - Roy Neilson
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK.
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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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Analysis of Pollen Concentrations from Various Tree Pollen Types and Their Interrelation with Different Airborne Pollutants in the Madrid Region (Spain). SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Several studies show that the interaction between airborne pollutants and pollen grains can lead to greater pollen allergenicity, and thus increase and exacerbate the incidence of pollinosis, all of which represents a major public health problem. This article analyses the possible influence of various airborne pollutants (O3, PM10 and PM2.5, NO2, CO and SO2) on the tree-type pollen grains of Cupressaceae, Olea, Platanus, Pinus, Ulmus and Populus. The 11 areas around the stations in the Madrid Region’s pollen monitoring network (Red Palinocam) were taken as a geographic reference for this study. The degree of interaction between airborne pollutants and pollen types was explored using the rank correlation analysis. O3 and NO2 are the pollutants with the highest rate of significant correlations with pollen types. Olea, Cupressaceae and Platanus—the most highly allergenic in this study—are among the pollen types with the greatest number of significant correlations with almost all the air pollutants in the different areas. This could point to a potential associative effect between both variables which would exacerbate the negative effects on public health.
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Lu CW, Fu J, Liu XF, Chen WW, Hao JL, Li XL, Pant OP. Air pollution and meteorological conditions significantly contribute to the worsening of allergic conjunctivitis: a regional 20-city, 5-year study in Northeast China. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2021; 10:190. [PMID: 34535628 PMCID: PMC8448737 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-021-00630-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
This study is the first to explore the potential associations among allergic conjunctivitis (AC), air pollution, and meteorological conditions in Northeast China. Data of meteorology, ambient atmospheric pollutants, and the incidence of allergic conjunctivitis (IAC) in prefecture-level cities between the years 2014 and 2018 are analyzed. The results show an increasing trend in the AC of average growth rate per annum 7.6%, with the highest incidence in the provincial capitals. The IAC is positively correlated with atmospheric pollutants (i.e., PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) and meteorological factors (i.e., air temperature and wind speed), but negatively correlated with relative humidity. These results suggest that the IAC is directly proportional to pollution level and climatic conditions, and also the precedence of air pollution. We have further obtained the threshold values of atmospheric pollutants concentration and meteorological factors, a turning point above which more AC may be induced. Compared with the air quality standard advised by China and the World Health Organization (WHO), both thresholds of PM10 (70 μg m-3) and PM2.5 (45 μg m-3) are higher than current standards and pose a less environmental risk for the IAC. SO2 threshold (23 μg m-3) is comparable to the WHO standard and significantly lower than that of China's, indicating greater environmental risks in China. Both thresholds of NO2 (27 μg m-3) and O3 (88 μg m-3) are below current standards, indicating that they are major environmental risk factors for the IAC. Our findings highlight the importance of atmospheric environmental protection and reference for health-based amendment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Lu
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Jing Fu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
| | - Xiu-Fen Liu
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Wei-Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China.
| | - Ji-Long Hao
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Li
- Institute of Atmospheric Environment, China Meteorological Administration, Shenyang, 110166, China
| | - Om Prakash Pant
- Dhangadhi Netralaya Eye Hospital, Dhangadhi, 3, Kailali, Nepal
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Saha S, Vaidyanathan A, Lo F, Brown C, Hess JJ. Short term physician visits and medication prescriptions for allergic disease associated with seasonal tree, grass, and weed pollen exposure across the United States. Environ Health 2021; 20:85. [PMID: 34289856 PMCID: PMC8296728 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00766-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While year-round exposure to pollen is linked to a large burden of allergic diseases, location-specific risk information on pollen types and allergy outcomes are limited. We characterize the relationship between acute exposure to tree, grass and weed pollen taxa and two allergy outcomes (allergic rhinitis physician visit and prescription allergy medication fill) across 28 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in the United States. METHODS We obtained daily pollen data from National Allergy Bureau (NAB) monitors at these 28 MSAs for 2008-2015. We revised the NAB guidelines to classify taxa-specific pollen severity each day. Daily information on allergic rhinitis and prescribed allergy medications for individuals with employer-based health insurance from the IBM MarketScan Research database for these MSAs. We combined the daily pollen and health data for each MSA into a longitudinal dataset. We conducted a MSA-specific conditional quasi-Poisson regression analysis to assess how different levels of pollen concentration impact the health outcomes, controlling for local air pollution, meteorology and Influenza-like illness (ILI). We used a random effects meta-analysis to produce an overall risk estimate for each pollen type and health outcome. RESULTS The seasonal distribution of pollen taxa and associated health impacts varied across the MSAs. Relative risk of allergic rhinitis visits increased as concentrations increased for all pollen types; relative risk of medication fills increased for tree and weed pollen only. We observed an increase in health risk even on days with moderate levels of pollen concentration. 7-day average concentration of pollen had stronger association with the health outcomes compared to the same-day measure. Controlling for air pollution and ILI had little impact on effect estimates. CONCLUSION This analysis expands the catalogue of associations between different pollen taxa and allergy-related outcomes across multiple MSAs. The effect estimates we present can be used to project the burden of allergic disease in specific locations in the future as well inform patients with allergies on impending pollen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhayu Saha
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Ambarish Vaidyanathan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA
| | - Fiona Lo
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Claudia Brown
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA
| | - Jeremy J Hess
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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10
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Zhou S, Wang X, Lu S, Yao C, Zhang L, Rao L, Liu X, Zhang W, Li S, Wang W, Wang Q. Characterization of allergenicity of Platanus pollen allergen a 3 (Pla a 3) after exposure to NO 2 and O 3. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 278:116913. [PMID: 33735791 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pollen allergens, widely present in the atmosphere, are the main cause of seasonal respiratory diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. Although previous studies have reported that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) promote pollen allergy, the specific biological processes and underlying mechanisms remain less understood. In this study, Platanus pollen grains were exposed to gaseous pollutants (NO2 and O3). We employed environmental electron microscopy, flow cytometry, western blot assay, enzyme-linked immunoassay, ultraviolet absorption spectrometry, circular dichroism, and protein mass spectrometry to characterise the subpollen particles (SPPs) released from pollen grains. Furthermore, we determined the immunogenicity and pathogenicity induced by Platanus pollen allergen a 3 (Pla a 3). Our results demonstrated that NO2 and O3 could damage the pollen cell membranes in SPPs and increase the amount of Pla a 3 allergen released into the atmosphere. Additionally, NO2 and O3 altered the structure of Pla a3 protein through nitrification and oxidation, which not only enhanced the immunogenicity of allergens but also increased the stability of the protein. In vivo analysis using an animal model indicated that NO2 and O3 greatly aggravated pollen-induced pneumonia. Thus, our study provides guidance for the prevention of pollen allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Zhou
- School of environmental and chemical engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China; Lab of Plant Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xingzi Wang
- School of environmental and chemical engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Senlin Lu
- School of environmental and chemical engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Chuanhe Yao
- School of environmental and chemical engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Luying Zhang
- School of environmental and chemical engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Lanfang Rao
- School of environmental and chemical engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xinchun Liu
- Institute of Desert Meterorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, 83002, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Lab of Plant Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Shuijun Li
- Shanghai Xuhui Center Hospital, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Weiqian Wang
- School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, 338-8570, Japan
| | - Qingyue Wang
- School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama, 338-8570, Japan
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11
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Ziadé N, Bouzamel M, Mrad-Nakhlé M, Abi Karam G, Hmamouchi I, Abouqal R, Farah W. Prospective correlational time-series analysis of the influence of weather and air pollution on joint pain in chronic rheumatic diseases. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:3929-3940. [PMID: 33860398 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05735-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to evaluate the association between weather variables and joint pain in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases (CRD: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and spondyloarthritis (SpA)). A secondary objective was to study the impact of air pollution indicators on CRD pain. METHOD The study is prospective, correlational, with time-series analysis. Patients with CRD, living in a predefined catchment area, filled their level of pain daily using a 0-10 numerical scale (NS), for 1 year. Weather (temperature, relative humidity (H), atmospheric pressure (P)) and air pollution indicators (particulate matters (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3)) were recorded daily using monitoring systems positioned in the same area. Association between pain and weather and air pollution indicators was studied using Pearson's correlation. Time-series analysis methodology was applied to determine the temporal relationship between pain and indicators. RESULTS The study included 94 patients, 82% reported they were weather-sensitive. Pain variation was similar across diseases over a year. Pain was associated negatively with temperature, H, and O3, and positively with P and NO2. However, the strength of correlation was moderate; temperature explained 22% of pain variance. A drop of 10°C in temperature corresponded to an increase of 0.5 points in pain NS. Also, there was a significant interaction among environmental factors. In time-series analysis, temperature and NO2 remained independently associated with pain. CONCLUSIONS The perception of joint pain in patients with CRD was correlated with weather and air pollution. The strength of association was moderate and independent of underlying disease. Key Points •Weather variation was moderately correlated with joint pain in chronic rheumatic diseases, with an inverse association with temperature, humidity, and O3. • Air pollution indicators, mainly nitrogen dioxide and ozone, were correlated with joint pain; particulate matters were also correlated but to a lesser extent. • The influence of these environmental factors was independent of the type of rheumatic disease, thus raising the hypothesis of their impact on pain perception mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Ziadé
- Rheumatology Department, Saint-Joseph Medical University and Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Alfred Naccache blvd. Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Maria Bouzamel
- Family Medicine Department, Saint-Joseph Medical University and Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Myriam Mrad-Nakhlé
- Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghada Abi Karam
- Rheumatology Department, Saint-Joseph Medical University and Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Alfred Naccache blvd. Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ihsane Hmamouchi
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical Research and Epidemiology (LBRCE), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Redouane Abouqal
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical Research and Epidemiology (LBRCE), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Wehbeh Farah
- UEGP, Faculty of Sciences, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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12
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Cariñanos P, Foyo-Moreno I, Alados I, Guerrero-Rascado JL, Ruiz-Peñuela S, Titos G, Cazorla A, Alados-Arboledas L, Díaz de la Guardia C. Bioaerosols in urban environments: Trends and interactions with pollutants and meteorological variables based on quasi-climatological series. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 282:111963. [PMID: 33465718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.111963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pollen grains emitted by urban vegetation are the main primary biological airborne particles (PBAPs) which alter the biological quality of urban air and have a significant impact on human health. This work analyses the interactions which exist between pollen-type PBAPs, meteorological variables, and air pollutants in the urban atmosphere so that the complex relationships and trends in future scenarios of changing environmental conditions can be assessed. For this study, the 1992-2018 pollen data series from the city of Granada (southeast Spain) was used, in which the dynamics of the total pollen as well as the 8 main pollen types (Cupressaceae, Olea, Pinus, Platanus, Poaceae, Populus, Quercus and Urticaceae) were analysed. The trend analysis showed that all except Urticaceae trended upward throughout the series. Spearman's correlations with meteorological variables showed that, in general, the most influential variables on the pollen concentrations were the daily maximum temperature, relative humidity, water vapor pressure, global radiation, and insolation, with different effects on different pollen types. Parallel analysis by neural networks (ANN) confirmed these variables as the predominant ones, especially global radiation. The correlation with atmospheric pollutants revealed that ozone was the pollutant with the highest influence, although some pollen types also showed correlation with NO2, SO2, CO and PM10. The Generalized Linear Models (GLM) between pollen and pollutants also indicated O3 as the most prominent variable. These results highlight the active role that pollen-type PBAPs have on urban air quality by establishing their interactions with meteorological variables and pollutants, thereby providing information on the behaviour of pollen emissions under changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Cariñanos
- Department of Botany. University of Granada, Spain; Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA). University of Granada, Spain.
| | - Inmaculada Foyo-Moreno
- Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA). University of Granada, Spain; Department of Applied Physics. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Alados
- Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA). University of Granada, Spain; Department of Applied Physics II, University of Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Guerrero-Rascado
- Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA). University of Granada, Spain; Department of Applied Physics. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Soledad Ruiz-Peñuela
- Department of Botany. University of Granada, Spain; Department of Applied Physics. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Gloria Titos
- Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA). University of Granada, Spain; Department of Applied Physics. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto Cazorla
- Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA). University of Granada, Spain; Department of Applied Physics. University of Granada, Spain
| | - Lucas Alados-Arboledas
- Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA). University of Granada, Spain; Department of Applied Physics. University of Granada, Spain
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13
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Cariñanos P, Ruiz-Peñuela S, Valle AM, de la Guardia CD. Assessing pollination disservices of urban street-trees: The case of London-plane tree (Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Münchh). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 737:139722. [PMID: 32526570 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Platanusx hispanica (London plane) is a tree species widely used in urban areas due to the diversity of ecosystem services it provides. However, its functions also have some negative effects or associated disservices, such as the emission of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) and allergens. This work aims to analyze the effect that urban environmental conditions and air pollutants have on pollen emissions of plane tree. The study has been carried out in Granada, in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, a city with a Mediterranean climate and one of the most polluted in Spain. Granada is also one of the Mediterranean cities in which the increase in the percentage of the population affected by allergy to Platanus pollen in recent decades has been most significant. The 1992-2019 Platanus pollen data series has been considered to establish the main aerobiological parameters, trends and correlations with meteorological variables and particulate and gaseous atmospheric pollutants, both before and during the flowering period. The average Seasonal Pollen Integral (SPIn) of about 2700 pollen grains has shown a significant increase throughout the series. This increase in allergen emissions could be related to the increase in crown volume associated with tree growth, but also to other environmental factors. Precipitation and minimum temperatures of the winter prior to flowering were the parameters that have shown the most influence with SPIn, while O3 and NOx are the pollutants that have the most effect on the peak value. Due to the good adaptation that London plane has to changing climatic conditions in urban environments, its hegemonic presence as an element of Urban Green infrastructure must be reviewed so that the net balance of ecosystem services is not diminished by the disservices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Cariñanos
- Department of Botany, University of Granada, Spain; Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, IISTA-CEAMA, University of Granada, Spain.
| | | | - Ana M Valle
- Pharmacy Service, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
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14
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Berger M, Bastl K, Bastl M, Dirr L, Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Gstöttner W. Impact of air pollution on symptom severity during the birch, grass and ragweed pollen period in Vienna, Austria: Importance of O 3 in 2010-2018. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114526. [PMID: 32283467 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is a threat to the general population, especially to pollen allergy sufferers in urban environments. Different air quality parameters have hitherto been examined which add to the burden of pollen allergy sufferers. Parameters such as NO2, SO2, PM10, PM2.5, and O3 are supposed to have additional impact, not only on health in general (increase in asthma, allergy sensitization frequency), but also on pollen grains (increase of allergenicity). However, it remains unknown if those air quality parameters increase symptom severity during the pollen season. We selected the birch, grass, and ragweed pollen seasons as different time periods throughout the year and analyzed the relationship of symptom data to pollen, air quality, and meteorological data (temperature, relative humidity) for the metropolis of Vienna (Austria). A linear regression model was computed based on different symptom data, and both pollen and air quality data were tested simultaneously. Ozone was positively and significantly associated with symptom scores in all three seasons, whereas this was only rarely the case with other pollutants. Therefore, only ozone was selected for further analysis in a model including meteorological parameters. In this model, effect estimates of ozone were attenuated but remained significant for the grass pollen season. The lack of significance in the other seasons may be attributed to the less numerous symptom data entries and the shorter duration of the pollen seasons for birch and ragweed. All other air quality parameters usually showed lower concentrations during the pollen seasons and displayed little variation. This might explain the lack of a clear signal. Our results suggest that today's allergic population is already affected by air quality (rising O3 levels). Air quality should be considered as well in pollen information and pollen allergy studies in general because of its increasing importance in the light of global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Berger
- Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Research Group Aerobiology and Pollen Information, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Katharina Bastl
- Research Group Aerobiology and Pollen Information, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Maximilian Bastl
- Research Group Aerobiology and Pollen Information, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Lukas Dirr
- Research Group Aerobiology and Pollen Information, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Hans-Peter Hutter
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Hanns Moshammer
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wolfgang Gstöttner
- Research Group Aerobiology and Pollen Information, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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15
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Sofiev M, Palamarchuk Y, Bédard A, Basagana X, Anto JM, Kouznetsov R, Urzua RD, Bergmann KC, Fonseca JA, De Vries G, Van Erd M, Annesi-Maesano I, Laune D, Pépin JL, Jullian-Desayes I, Zeng S, Czarlewski W, Bousquet J. A demonstration project of Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Prediction of interactions between air pollution and allergen exposure-the Mobile Airways Sentinel NetworK-Impact of air POLLution on Asthma and Rhinitis approach. Chin Med J (Engl) 2020; 133:1561-1567. [PMID: 32649522 PMCID: PMC7386352 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review analyzes the state and recent progress in the field of information support for pollen allergy sufferers. For decades, information available for the patients and allergologists consisted of pollen counts, which are vital but insufficient. New technology paves the way to substantial increase in amount and diversity of the data. This paper reviews old and newly suggested methods to predict pollen and air pollutant concentrations in the air and proposes an allergy risk concept, which combines the pollen and pollution information and transforms it into a qualitative risk index. This new index is available in an app (Mobile Airways Sentinel NetworK-air) that was developed in the frame of the European Union grant Impact of Air POLLution on sleep, Asthma and Rhinitis (a project of European Institute of Innovation and Technology-Health). On-going transformation of the pollen allergy information support is based on new technological solutions for pollen and air quality monitoring and predictions. The new information-technology and artificial-intelligence-based solutions help to convert this information into easy-to-use services for both medical practitioners and allergy sufferers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Sofiev
- Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), Helsinki 00560, Finland
| | | | - Annabelle Bédard
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER) Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Xavier Basagana
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER) Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mediques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Josep M. Anto
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER) Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mediques (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | | | | | - Karl Christian Bergmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Uniersität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy-Centre, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Joao A. Fonseca
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Center for Research in Health Technology and Information Systems, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto; and Medida, Lda Porto s/n 4200-450, Portugal
| | | | | | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidemiology and Public Health, INSERM and Sorbonne Université, Medical School Saint Antoine, Paris 75571, France
| | | | - Jean Louis Pépin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire HP2, Grenoble, INSERM, U1042 and CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Ingrid Jullian-Desayes
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire HP2, Grenoble, INSERM, U1042 and CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble 38000, France
| | | | | | - Jean Bousquet
- University Hospital Montpellier, Montpellier 34000, France
- Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif en Languedoc Roussillon-France, Montpellier, France
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin 10117, Germany
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16
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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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17
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Grewling Ł, Bogawski P, Kryza M, Magyar D, Šikoparija B, Skjøth CA, Udvardy O, Werner M, Smith M. Concomitant occurrence of anthropogenic air pollutants, mineral dust and fungal spores during long-distance transport of ragweed pollen. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:112948. [PMID: 31377333 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale synoptic conditions are able to transport considerable amounts of airborne particles over entire continents by creating substantial air mass movement. This phenomenon is observed in Europe in relation to highly allergenic ragweed (Ambrosia L.) pollen grains that are transported from populations in Central Europe (mainly the Pannonian Plain and Balkans) to the North. The path taken by atmospheric ragweed pollen often passes through the highly industrialised mining region of Silesia in Southern Poland, considered to be one of the most polluted areas in the EU. It is hypothesized that chemical air pollutants released over Silesia could become mixed with biological material and be transported to less polluted regions further North. We analysed levels of air pollution during episodes of long-distance transport (LDT) of ragweed pollen to Poland. Results show that, concomitantly with pollen, the concentration of air pollutants with potential health-risk, i.e. SO2, and PM10, have also significantly increased (by 104% and 37%, respectively) in the receptor area (Western Poland). Chemical transport modelling (EMEP) and air mass back-trajectory analysis (HYSPLIT) showed that potential sources of PM10 include Silesia, as well as mineral dust from the Ukrainian steppe and the Sahara Desert. In addition, atmospheric concentrations of other allergenic biological particles, i.e. Alternaria Nees ex Fr. spores, also increased markedly (by 115%) during LDT episodes. We suggest that the LDT episodes of ragweed pollen over Europe are not a "one-component" phenomenon, but are often related to elevated levels of chemical air pollutants and other biotic and abiotic components (fungal spores and desert dust).
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grewling
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-489 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Paweł Bogawski
- Laboratory of Biological Spatial Information, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-489 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Kryza
- Department of Climatology and Atmosphere Protection, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Donat Magyar
- Department of Air Hygiene and Aerobiology, National Public Health Institute, Hungary
| | - Branko Šikoparija
- BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Carsten Ambelas Skjøth
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, WR2 6AJ, Worcester, United Kingdom
| | - Orsolya Udvardy
- Department of Air Hygiene and Aerobiology, National Public Health Institute, Hungary
| | - Małgorzata Werner
- Department of Climatology and Atmosphere Protection, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Matt Smith
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, WR2 6AJ, Worcester, United Kingdom
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18
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Ouyang Y, Yin Z, Li Y, Fan E, Zhang L. Associations among air pollutants, grass pollens, and daily number of grass pollen allergen-positive patients: a longitudinal study from 2012 to 2016. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2019; 9:1297-1303. [PMID: 31513736 DOI: 10.1002/alr.22389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Grass pollen is the most prevalent sensitizing aeroallergen to cause respiratory allergies in northern China. Air pollutants have a substantial effect on respiratory health and some pollens. This study aimed to investigate relationships among airborne grass pollen, air pollutants and allergic diseases, in order to determine their effects on patients with grass pollen allergies in Beijing, China, during the period from 2013 to 2016. METHODS Data regarding autumnal grass pollens and air pollutants measured in Beijing from 2012 to 2016 were obtained from local governmental agencies. Patient data regarding specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) analyses from 2013 to 2016 were obtained from the Department of Allergy in Beijing Tongren Hospital. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to assess associations between the daily number of grass pollen allergen-positive patients and the following parameters: 3 clinically-relevant grass pollen genera (Artemisia, Humulus, and Chenopodium) and inhalable pollutants. RESULTS Correlation analysis indicated that the daily number of grass pollen-positive patients was significantly associated with the peak period of grass pollens, as well as pollutants SO2 and NOx. Moreover, concentrations of air pollutants (eg, ozone, oxides of nitrogen [NOx ], and SO2 ) were consistently and significantly associated with concentrations of grass pollens; particulate matter 2.5 µm in diameter was negatively associated with Artemisia and Chenopodium pollens. CONCLUSION Grass pollens exhibited substantial impact on allergic disease morbidity. Air pollutants impacted allergic disease and grass pollen. Thus, public health and clinical approaches to anticipate and reduce allergic disease morbidity from pollen and pollutants are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Ouyang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Allergy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Affiliated to the Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoyin Yin
- Beijing Weather Information Service, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Erzhong Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Allergy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Affiliated to the Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
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