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Song X, Luo Q, Jiang L, Ma Y, Hu Y, Han Y, Wang R, Tang J, Guo Y, Zhang Q, Ma Z, Zhang Y, Guo X, Fan S, Deng C, Fu X, Chen Y, Yang K, Ge L, Wang S. Methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews on health effects of air pollutants were higher than extreme temperatures: a comparative study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2371. [PMID: 38031053 PMCID: PMC10687779 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17256-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of systematic reviews (SRs) in the environmental field have been published in recent years as a result of the global concern about the health impacts of air pollution and temperature. However, no study has assessed and compared the methodological and reporting quality of SRs on the health effects of air pollutants and extreme temperatures. This study aims to assess and compare the methodological and reporting quality of SRs on the health effects of ambient air pollutants and extreme temperatures. METHODS PubMed, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Epistemonikos databases were searched. Two researchers screened the literature and extracted information independently. The methodological quality of the SRs was assessed through A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2). The reporting quality was assessed through Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS We identified 405 SRs (286 for air pollution, 108 for temperature, and 11 for the synergistic effects). The methodological and reporting quality of the included SRs were suboptimal, with major deficiencies in protocol registration. The methodological quality of SRs of air pollutants was better than that of temperature, especially in terms of satisfactory explanations for any heterogeneity (69.6% v. 45.4%). The reporting quality of SRs of air pollution was better than temperature, however, adherence to the reporting of the assessment results of risk of bias in all SRs (53.5% v. 34.3%) was inadequate. CONCLUSIONS Methodological and reporting quality of SRs on the health effect of air pollutants were higher than those of temperatures. However, deficiencies in protocol registration and the assessment of risk of bias remain an issue for both pollutants and temperatures. In addition, developing a risk-of-bias assessment tool applicable to the temperature field may improve the quality of SRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuping Song
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Based Medicine & Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
- Institute of Health Data Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou, China
- McMaster Health Forum, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S4L8, Canada
| | - Qiyin Luo
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | - Yan Ma
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yunze Han
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yiting Guo
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qitao Zhang
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhongyu Ma
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yunqi Zhang
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xinye Guo
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shumei Fan
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chengcheng Deng
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Fu
- School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yaolong Chen
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Based Medicine & Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
- Institute of Health Data Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kehu Yang
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Based Medicine & Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
- Institute of Health Data Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou, China
| | - Long Ge
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Based Medicine & Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China.
- Institute of Health Data Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Shigong Wang
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Zoran M, Savastru R, Savastru D, Tautan M, Tenciu D. Linkage between Airborne Particulate Matter and Viral Pandemic COVID-19 in Bucharest. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2531. [PMID: 37894189 PMCID: PMC10609195 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The long-distance spreading and transport of airborne particulate matter (PM) of biogenic or chemical compounds, which are thought to be possible carriers of SARS-CoV-2 virions, can have a negative impact on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 viral disease. Considering the total Aerosol Optical Depth at 550 nm (AOD) as an atmospheric aerosol loading variable, inhalable fine PM with a diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) or coarse PM with a diameter ≤10 µm (PM10) during 26 February 2020-31 March 2022, and COVID-19's five waves in Romania, the current study investigates the impact of outdoor PM on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bucharest city. Through descriptive statistics analysis applied to average daily time series in situ and satellite data of PM2.5, PM10, and climate parameters, this study found decreased trends of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations of 24.58% and 18.9%, respectively compared to the pre-pandemic period (2015-2019). Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particles was positively correlated with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. The derived average PM2.5/PM10 ratios during the entire pandemic period are relatively low (<0.44), indicating a dominance of coarse traffic-related particles' fraction. Significant reductions of the averaged AOD levels over Bucharest were recorded during the first and third waves of COVID-19 pandemic and their associated lockdowns (~28.2% and ~16.4%, respectively) compared to pre-pandemic period (2015-2019) average AOD levels. The findings of this research are important for decision-makers implementing COVID-19 safety controls and health measures during viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Zoran
- C Department, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, 409 Atomistilor Street, MG5, 077125 Magurele, Romania; (R.S.); (D.S.); (M.T.); (D.T.)
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Song X, Guo X, Hu X, Zhang Y, Wei D, Hu Y, Jiang L, Zhang Y. Human exposure risk assessment for infectious diseases due to temperature and air pollution: an overview of reviews. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:88272-88280. [PMID: 37440140 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28453-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution and global temperature change are expected to affect infectious diseases. Air pollution usually causes inflammatory response and disrupts immune defense system, while temperature mainly exacerbates the effect of vectors on humans. Yet to date overview of systematic reviews assessing the exposure risk of air pollutants and temperature on infectious diseases is unavailable. This article aims to fill this research gap. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigated the exposure risk of pollutants or temperature on infectious diseases were included. Two investigators screened literature, extracted data and performed the risk of bias assessments independently. A total of 23 articles met the inclusion criteria, which 3 (13%) were "low" quality and 20 (87%) were "critically low" quality. COVID-19 morbidity was associated with long-term exposure PM2.5 (RR = 1.056 per 1 [Formula: see text], 95% CI: 1.039-1.072) and NO2 (RR = 1.042 per 1 [Formula: see text], 95% CI: 1.017-1.068). In addition, for each 1 °C increase in temperature, the morbidity risk of dengue increased 13% (RR = 1.130 per 1 °C, 95% CI: 1.120-1.150), infectious diarrhea increased 8% (RR = 1.080 per 1 °C, 95% CI: 1.050-1.200), and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) increased 5% (RR = 1.050 per 1 °C, 95% CI: 1.020-1.080). In conclusion, PM2.5 and NO2 increased the risk of COVID-19 and temperatures were associated with dengue, infectious diarrhoea and HFMD morbidity. Moreover, the exposure risk of temperature on COVID-19 was recommended to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuping Song
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- McMaster Health Forum, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S4L8, Canada
| | - Xinye Guo
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiaopeng Hu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yajie Zhang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Dandan Wei
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yue Hu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | | | - Yan Zhang
- Gansu Province Hospital Rehabilitation Center, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China.
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Taghizadeh F, Mokhtarani B, Rahmanian N. Air pollution in Iran: The current status and potential solutions. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:737. [PMID: 37233853 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11296-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution has been integrated into global challenges over the last few years due to its negative impact on the health of human beings, increasing socio-economic risks, and its contribution to climate change. This study attempts to evaluate the current status of Iran's air pollution with regard to the sources of emissions, control policies, and the health and climate consequences that have resulted through available data from monitoring stations reported in the literature, official documents, and previously published papers. Many large cities in Iran surpass the permissible concentration of air pollutants, particularly particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, black carbon, and ozone. Although regulations and policies are in place and enormous efforts are being made to address air pollution issues in the country, implementation and enforcement are not as effective as they could be. The significant challenges may be regarded as the inefficiency of regulation and supervision systems, the lack of air quality monitoring systems and technology, particularly in industrial cities rather than Tehran, and the lack of continual feedback and investigations on the efficiency of regulation. Providing such an up-to-date report can bring opportunities for international collaboration, which is essential in addressing air pollution worldwide. We suggest that a way forward could be more focused on conducting systematic reviews using scientometric methods to show an accurate picture and trend in air pollution and its association in Iran, implementing an integrated approach for both climate change and air pollution issues, collaborating with international counterparts to share knowledge, tools, and techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Taghizadeh
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, P. O. Box 14335-186, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Mokhtarani
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, P. O. Box 14335-186, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nejat Rahmanian
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK.
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Zoran MA, Savastru RS, Savastru DM, Tautan MN. Peculiar weather patterns effects on air pollution and COVID-19 spread in Tokyo metropolis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 228:115907. [PMID: 37080275 PMCID: PMC10111861 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As a pandemic hotspot in Japan, between March 1, 2020-October 1, 2022, Tokyo metropolis experienced seven COVID-19 waves. Motivated by the high rate of COVID-19 incidence and mortality during the seventh wave, and environmental/health challenges we conducted a time-series analysis to investigate the long-term interaction of air quality and climate variability with viral pandemic in Tokyo. Through daily time series geospatial and observational air pollution/climate data, and COVID-19 incidence and death cases, this study compared the environmental conditions during COVID-19 multiwaves. In spite of five State of Emergency (SOEs) restrictions associated with COVID-19 pandemic, during (2020-2022) period air quality recorded low improvements relative to (2015-2019) average annual values, namely: Aerosol Optical Depth increased by 9.13% in 2020 year, and declined by 6.64% in 2021, and 12.03% in 2022; particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 decreased during 2020, 2021, and 2022 years by 10.22%, 62.26%, 0.39%, and respectively by 4.42%, 3.95%, 5.76%. For (2021-2022) period the average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was (0.319 ± 0.1640), showing a higher contribution to aerosol loading of traffic-related coarse particles in comparison with fine particles. The highest rates of the daily recorded COVID-19 incidence and death cases in Tokyo during the seventh COVID-19 wave (1 July 2022-1 October 2022) may be attributed to accumulation near the ground of high levels of air pollutants and viral pathogens due to: 1) peculiar persistent atmospheric anticyclonic circulation with strong positive anomalies of geopotential height at 500 hPa; 2) lower levels of Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) heights; 3) high daily maximum air temperature and land surface temperature due to the prolonged heat waves (HWs) in summer 2022; 4) no imposed restrictions. Such findings can guide public decision-makers to design proper strategies to curb pandemics under persistent stable anticyclonic weather conditions and summer HWs in large metropolitan areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Zoran
- IT Department, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Atomistilor Street 409, MG5, Magurele-Bucharest, 077125, Romania.
| | - Roxana S Savastru
- IT Department, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Atomistilor Street 409, MG5, Magurele-Bucharest, 077125, Romania
| | - Dan M Savastru
- IT Department, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Atomistilor Street 409, MG5, Magurele-Bucharest, 077125, Romania
| | - Marina N Tautan
- IT Department, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Atomistilor Street 409, MG5, Magurele-Bucharest, 077125, Romania
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