Toxicological effects of traffic-related air pollution on the lungs: Evidence, biomarkers and intervention

Exposure to air pollution and the risk of type II diabetes mellitus: a time-series study

Background

Environmental factors have been identified as primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, studies on the association between environmental factors and T2DM have mainly focused on morbidity and mortality, which do not fully reflect the disease burden stemming from air pollution. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between air pollution and T2DM, including hospital length of stay (LOS) and costs.

Methods

We collected data on patients with T2DM from three healthcare institutions in Xinxiang from 2016-2021. Data on particulate and gaseous pollutants in Xinxiang and daily meteorological data were collected from national databases. The distribution lag nonlinear model was used to evaluate the correlation between air pollution and the number of inpatients with T2DM, LOS, and hospital costs. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify potential modifying factors.

Results

Overall, 13,797 patients with T2DM were included in our analysis. Within the cumulative lag of 7 days, with every increase of 1 mg/m3 of carbon monoxide (CO) and 10 μg/m3 of 2.5 microns particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone exhibited significant associations with an increase in diabetes hospitalization risk. CO exhibited adverse effects on LOS on most lag days. Moreover, hospital costs were significantly associated with the attributable fraction of LOS and hospital costs attributed to diabetes.

Conclusions

Exposure to air pollutants increased T2DM risk, imposing significant economic and social burdens in Xinxiang, China. Implementing policies to reduce air pollutant exposure may decrease T2DM admissions, costs, and LOS.

Global Public Health Implications of Traffic Related Air Pollution: Systematic Review

Background

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) has significant public health implications and a wide range of adverse health effects, including cardiovascular, respiratory, pulmonary, and other health problems. This study aimed to determine the public health impacts of traffic-related air pollution across the world that can be used as an input for protecting human health.

Methods

This study considered studies conducted across the world and full-text articles written in English. The articles were searched using a combination of Boolean logic operators (AND, OR, and NOT), MeSH, and keywords from the included electronic databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholars). The quality assessment of the articles was done using JBI tools to determine the relevance of each included article to the study.

Results

In this study, 1 282 032 participants ranging from 19 to 452 735 were included in 30 articles published from 2010 to 2022. About 4 (13.3%), 9 (30.0%), 12 (40.0%), 8 (26.7%), 2 (6.7%), 15 (50.0%), 3 (10.0%), 3 (10.0%) 1 (3.3%), and 3 (10.0%) of articles reported the association between human health and exposure to CO, PM10, PM2.5, NOx, NO, NO2, black carbon, O3, PAH, and SO2, respectively. Respiratory diseases, cancer, cognitive function problems, preterm birth, blood pressure and hypertension, diabetes, allergies and sensitization, coronary heart disease, dementia incidence, and hemorrhagic stroke were associated with exposure to TRAP.

Conclusions

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter was associated with various health effects. This revealed that there is a need for the concerned organizations to respond appropriately.

Exposure to air pollution and cardiovascular risk in young children - a pilot project

OBJECTIVE

To examine relationships between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and markers of pre-clinical cardiovascular risk in young children.

STUDY DESIGN

We studied a cohort of healthy children ages 2-5 recruited from pediatric primary care sites (n = 122). We obtained child weight, height, blood pressure and hair nicotine levels. A blood sample was obtained for biomarkers of systemic inflammation, oxidation, and prevalence of circulating endothelial progenitor cells. This manuscript represents a secondary analysis. TRAP exposure (particulate levels, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and proximity to major roadways) was assessed using national air pollution data based on child's census tract of residence.

RESULTS

TRAP exposure had significant positive associations with prevalence of two of the three EPC subtypes (CD34 + /CD133 + /CD45- and CD133 + /CD45-) in unadjusted correlations. In a linear regression model, adjusting for sex, age, race, ethnicity, body mass index, parental education, child insurance, and secondhand smoke exposure, one EPC subtype (CD133 + /CD45-) had a positive significant correlation to every TRAP measure. No significant relationships between air pollution and measures of inflammation and oxidation was found.

CONCLUSION

Our findings of the upregulation of EPCs may signal a response to early vascular damage during early childhood due to air pollution exposure.

IMPACT

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) - known cardiovascular risk factor during adulthood Current pilot study in very young children shows upregulation of cells which protect the endothelial lining of blood vessels (endothelial progenitor cells, EPCs) Upregulation of EPCs aligns with other cardiovascular risks during childhood (obesity, prematurity, type 1 diabetes) Demonstrated with TRAP exposure lower than EPA threshold Response to air pollution may be protective of cardiovascular damage during early childhood.

Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) in relation to respiratory symptoms and lung function of school-aged children in Kuala Lumpur

Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) exposure has been connected to significant health impacts among children. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among school children in Malaysia to determine the relationship between their exposure to TRAP and respiratory health effects. Air monitoring was conducted in schools and residences, while the children's routines were investigated using a diary of daily activities. Respondents' background and respiratory symptoms were obtained from a validated questionnaire, while a spirometry test was performed to determine their lung function status. The distances between schools and residences from the had contributed to the higher concentration of air pollutants in this study, which had associations with the children's respiratory symptoms and lung function status. PM2.5 was the main predictor influencing the respondents' respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities. In conclusion, exposure of school children to a high TRAP level might increase their risk of getting respiratory symptoms and lung function reduction.