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Liu M, Zeeshan M, Sun T, Hu X, Nie Z, Dong H, Dong G, Ou Y. Association of Air Quality Improvement and Frailty Progression: A National Study across China. TOXICS 2024; 12:464. [PMID: 39058116 PMCID: PMC11280498 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12070464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution is linked with increased frailty. However, little is known about the effect of improved air quality on frailty progression. We aimed to investigate whether improvements in air quality (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3) can alleviate frailty progression, particularly in the aftermath of implementation of the "Clean Air Action" policy in China. The study involved 12,891 participants with geocoded environmental data from the nationwide China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) during the period from May 2011 to August 2015. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of air pollution improvements and frailty progression. The protective effects were noted for PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 indices, with an aOR (adjusted odds ratio) ranging from 0.72 to 0.79. Air quality improvement in PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 could alleviate the progression of frailty. The study is the first to examine the association between the improvement of air quality and the progression of frailty, setting a precedent for the importance of a nationwide clean air policy and its impact on healthy ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqin Liu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China;
| | - Mohammed Zeeshan
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - Tiantian Sun
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518000, China;
| | - Xiangming Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.H.); (Z.N.); (H.D.)
| | - Zhiqiang Nie
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.H.); (Z.N.); (H.D.)
| | - Haojian Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.H.); (Z.N.); (H.D.)
| | - Guanghui Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yanqiu Ou
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China;
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Picetti R, Juel R, Milner J, Bonell A, Karakas F, Dangour AD, Yeung S, Wilkinson P, Hughes R. Effects on child and adolescent health of climate change mitigation policies: A systematic review of modelling studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117102. [PMID: 37689334 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117102] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing body of modelling evidence that demonstrates the potential for immediate and substantial benefits to adult health from greenhouse gas mitigation actions, but the effects on the health of younger age groups is largely unknown. We conducted a systematic review to identify the available published evidence of the modelled effects on child and adolescent health (≤18 years of age) of greenhouse gas mitigation. We searched six databases of peer-reviewed studies published between January 1, 1990 and July 27, 2022, screened 27,282 original papers and included 23 eligible papers. All included studies were set in high- and middle-income countries; and all studies modelled the effects of interventions that could mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Most of the available evidence suggests positive benefits for child and adolescent respiratory health from greenhouse gas mitigation actions that simultaneously reduce air pollution (specifically PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide). We found scant evidence on child and adolescent health from regions more vulnerable to climate change, or on mitigation interventions that could affect exposures other than air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Picetti
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Rachel Juel
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - James Milner
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ana Bonell
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Centre for Maternal Adolescent Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Filiz Karakas
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alan D Dangour
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Centre for Maternal Adolescent Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Robert Hughes
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Centre for Maternal Adolescent Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Ye Z, Li X, Lang H, Fang Y. Long-Term PM2.5 Exposure, Lung Function, and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023; 78:2333-2341. [PMID: 37493944 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad180] [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: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is related to poor lung function and cognitive impairment, but less is known about the pathway involved in this association. We aimed to explore whether the effect of PM2.5 on cognitive function was mediated by lung function. METHODS A total of 7 915 adults older than 45 years old were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) collected in 2011 and 2015. PM2.5 exposure was estimated using a geographically weighted regression model. Lung function was measured by peak expiratory flow (PEF). Cognitive function was evaluated through a structured questionnaire with 4 dimensions: episodic memory, attention, orientation, and visuoconstruction. Under the counterfactual framework, causal mediation analysis was applied to examine direct and indirect associations. RESULTS An interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 change was significantly related to an 8.480 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.116, 13.845) decrease in PEF change and a 0.301 (95% CI: 0.100, 0.575) decrease in global cognitive score change. The direct and indirect effects of PM2.5 exposure on global cognitive performance were -0.279 (95% CI: -0.551, -0.060) and -0.023 (95% CI: -0.041, -0.010), respectively. The proportion of the indirect effect was 7.48% (p = .010). The same significant association appeared in only 2 dimensions, episodic memory and attention, which were both mediated by PEF. CONCLUSIONS Lung function played a partially mediating role in the association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and cognition. More clean air actions should be undertaken to improve lung function and cognitive function in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xueru Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Haoxiang Lang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ya Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccine and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Cheng S, Zhang B, Peng P, Lu F. Health and economic benefits of heavy-duty diesel truck emission control policies in Beijing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 179:108152. [PMID: 37598595 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108152] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks (HDDTs) have a significant impact on air quality, human health, and climate change, and seriously threaten the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Globally, a series of emission control measures have been implemented to reduce pollution emissions from HDDTs. Current studies assessing the impact of these measures on air quality and human health have mainly used coarse-grained emission data as input to dispersion model, resulting in the inability to capture the spatiotemporal variability of pollutant concentrations and tending to increase the uncertainty of health impact assessment results. In this study, we quantified the impact of pollution control policies for HDDTs in Beijing on PM2.5 concentrations, human health, and economic losses by integrating policy scenario analysis, pollution dispersion simulation, public health impact and economic benefit assessment models, supported by high spatiotemporal resolution emission data from HDDTs. The results show that PM2.5 concentrations from HDDTs exhibit significant spatial aggregation characteristics, with the intensity of aggregation at night being about twice as high as that during the day. The emission hotspots are mainly concentrated in the sixth, fifth and fourth rings and major highways. Compared to the "business as usual" scenario in 2018, the current policy of updating the fuel standard to China VI and the emission standard to China 6 can reduce PM2.5 concentrations by 96.72%, thereby avoiding 612 premature deaths, which is equivalent to obtaining economic benefits of 1.65 billion CNY. This study further emphasizes the importance of high spatiotemporal resolution emission data during traffic dispersion modeling. The results can help improve the understanding of the effectiveness of emission reduction measures for HDDTs from a health benefit perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information Systems, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information Systems, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Peng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information Systems, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information Systems, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; The Academy of Digital China, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China; Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Milner J, Hughes R, Chowdhury S, Picetti R, Ghosh R, Yeung S, Lelieveld J, Dangour AD, Wilkinson P. Air pollution and child health impacts of decarbonization in 16 global cities: Modelling study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 175:107972. [PMID: 37192572 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Most research on the air pollution-related health effects of decarbonization has focused on adults. We assess the potential health benefits that could be achieved in children and young people in a global sample of 16 cities through global decarbonization actions. We modelled annual average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at 1x1 km resolution in the cities using a general circulation/atmospheric chemistry model assuming removal of all global combustion-related emissions from land transport, industries, domestic energy use and power generation. We modelled the impact on childhood asthma incidence and adverse birth outcomes (low birthweight, pre-term births) using published exposure-response relationships. Removal of combustion emissions was estimated to decrease annual average PM2.5 by between 2.9 μg/m3 (8.4%) in Freetown and 45.4 μg/m3 (63.7%) in Dhaka. For NO2, the range was from 0.3 ppb (7.9%) in Freetown to 18.8 ppb (92.3%) in Mexico City. Estimated reductions in asthma incidence ranged from close to zero in Freetown, Tamale and Harare to 149 cases per 100,000 population in Los Angeles. For pre-term birth, modelled impacts ranged from a reduction of 135 per 100,000 births in Dar es Salaam to 2,818 per 100,000 births in Bhubaneswar and, for low birthweight, from 75 per 100,000 births in Dar es Salaam to 2,951 per 100,000 births in Dhaka. The large variations chiefly reflect differences in the magnitudes of air pollution reductions and estimated underlying disease rates. Across the 16 cities, the reduction in childhood asthma incidence represents more than one-fifth of the current burden, and an almost 10% reduction in pre-term and low birthweight births. Decarbonization actions that remove combustion-related emissions contributing to ambient PM2.5 and NO2 would likely lead to substantial but geographically-varied reductions in childhood asthma and adverse birth outcomes, though there are uncertainties in causality and the precision of estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Milner
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Robert Hughes
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sourangsu Chowdhury
- Department of Atmospheric Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany; CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Roberto Picetti
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rakesh Ghosh
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jos Lelieveld
- Department of Atmospheric Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Alan D Dangour
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Orellano P, Reynoso J, Quaranta N. Effects of air pollution on restricted activity days: systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Health 2023; 22:31. [PMID: 36991377 PMCID: PMC10061989 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00979-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adverse effects of air pollution on human health include many diseases and health conditions associated with mortality, morbidity and disability. One example of these outcomes that can be translated into economic costs is the number of days of restricted activity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of outdoor exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 and 2.5 μm (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3), on restricted activity days. METHODS Observational epidemiological studies with different study designs were included, and pooled relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for an increase of 10 μg/m3 of the pollutant of interest. Random-effects models were chosen because of the environmental differences between the studies. Heterogeneity was estimated using prediction intervals (PI) and I-Squared (I2) values, while risk of bias was assessed using a tool developed by the World Health Organization specifically designed for air pollution studies, and based on different domains. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed where possible. The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022339607). RESULTS We included 18 articles in the quantitative analysis. Associations between pollutants and restricted activity days in time-series studies of short-term exposures, measured as work-loss days, school-loss days, or both were significant for PM10 (RR: 1.0191; 95%CI: 1.0058-1.0326; 80%PI: 0.9979-1.0408; I2: 71%) and PM2.5 (RR: 1.0166; 95%CI: 1.0050-1.0283; 80%PI: 0.9944-1.0397; I2: 99%), but not for NO2 or O3. Some degree of heterogeneity between studies was observed, but sensitivity analysis showed no differences in the direction of the pooled relative risks when studies with a high risk of bias were excluded. Cross-sectional studies also showed significant associations for PM2.5 and restricted activity days. We could not perform the analysis for long-term exposures because only two studies analysed this type of association. CONCLUSION Restricted activity days and related outcomes were associated with some of the pollutants under evaluation, as shown in studies with different designs. In some cases, we were able to calculate pooled relative risks that can be used for quantitative modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Orellano
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional San Nicolás, Colon 332, San Nicolas de los Arroyos, Argentina.
| | | | - Nancy Quaranta
- Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional San Nicolás, Colon 332, San Nicolas de los Arroyos, Argentina
- Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Provincia de Buenos Aires, La Plata, Argentina
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Flanagan E, Malmqvist E, Gustafsson S, Oudin A. Estimated public health benefits of a low-emission zone in Malmö, Sweden. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:114124. [PMID: 35998694 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114124] [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: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Low-emission zones (LEZ) have been increasingly implemented in cities throughout Europe as a measure to reduce the adverse health effects and premature deaths associated with traffic-related air pollution. In the present study, a health impact analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of a hypothetical LEZ on mortality and morbidity in Malmö, Sweden. Baseline health statistics were gathered from health registers and applied to each resident according to individual-level data on age and/or sex. Concentration-response parameters were derived from current epidemiological literature, specifically meta-analyses. A Gaussian dispersion model (AERMOD) combined with a detailed emission database was used to calculate NO2 emissions from traffic, which could be applied on an individual-level using data on each person's residential coordinates. The adjusted exposure scenario replaced all vehicles on municipal roads having Euro 5 or lower emission standards with Euro 6 equivalents. This LEZ would, on average, decrease NO2 concentrations by 13.4%, preventing an estimated 9-26 deaths in Malmö each year. Additionally, 12 respiratory disease hospitalizations, 8 childhood asthma cases, and 9 cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were estimated to be avoided annually. These results suggest that LEZs can effectively improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and safeguard public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Flanagan
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 22242, Lund, Skåne, Sweden.
| | - Ebba Malmqvist
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 22242, Lund, Skåne, Sweden.
| | - Susanna Gustafsson
- Environmental Department of the City of Malmö, 21154, Malmö, Skåne, Sweden.
| | - Anna Oudin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 22242, Lund, Skåne, Sweden; Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 90187, Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden.
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Hu X, Nie Z, Ou Y, Qian Z, McMillin SE, Aaron HE, Zhou Y, Dong G, Dong H. Air quality improvement and cognitive function benefit: Insight from clean air action in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:114200. [PMID: 36030909 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidemiological evidence suggests associations between long-term exposure to air pollution and accelerated cognitive decline. China implemented a strict clean air action plan in 2013; however, it is unclear whether the improvement of air quality has alleviated cognitive impairment in the population. METHODS From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 8536 Chinese adults were enrolled in 2011 and followed up in 2015. Satellite-based spatiotemporal models were used to estimate exposure to air pollutants (including particles with diameters ≤1.0 μm [PM1], ≤2.5 μm [PM2.5], ≤10 μm [PM10], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], and ozone [O3]). Cognitive function was evaluated using a structured questionnaire in three dimensions: episodic memory, orientation and attention, and visuoconstruction. The associations between changes in the levels of air pollutants and cognitive function were elucidated by a logistic model. The Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) model was applied to evaluate the cumulative effect of air pollutants. RESULTS The mean (standard deviation) age of all participants was 58.6 (8.7) years. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) between the highest and the lowest quartile of PM1 exposure reduction for cognitive impairment was 0.46 (0.41, 0.53) after adjusting for confounders. Similar protective effects of cognitive function were observed with the decrease in the level of PM2.5 (0.34 [0.30, 0.39]), PM10 (0.54 [0.48, 0.62]), and NO2 (0.59 [0.51, 0.67]), while the reduction in O3 appeared to be less related to changes in cognitive function (OR: 0.97 [0.85, 1.10]). The protective association of PM1 reduction was stronger in males than in females. Decreased in PM2.5 dominate the cognitive function benefit relative to PM1, PM10, NO2. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of the clean air action plan led to a significant reduction in PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2, which could slow the decline of cognitive function, while a reduction in O3 may not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangming Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Nie
- Department of Cardiology, Hypertension Research Laboratory, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yanqiu Ou
- Department of Cardiology, Hypertension Research Laboratory, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhengmin Qian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Stephen Edward McMillin
- School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, 63103, USA
| | - Hannah E Aaron
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Yingling Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Guanghui Dong
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Haojian Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Vehicular Traffic in Urban Areas: Health Burden and Influence of Sustainable Urban Planning and Mobility. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13040598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Vehicular traffic is one of the major sources of air pollution in European cities. This work aims to understand which characteristics of the urban environment could influence mobility-related air pollution, quantify the health impacts of exposure to traffic-derived PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations, and assess the potential health benefits expected from traffic interventions. The health benefits modeled are intended to provide a set of comparable data to support decision-makers and encourage informed decision-making to design healthier cities. Targeting a large geographical coverage, 12 European cities from 9 countries were comparatively assessed in terms of mean daily traffic volume/area, the number of public transport stops/area, and the percentage of green and outdoor leisure areas, among other urban indicators. This was implemented using an open-source data mining tool, which was seen as a useful engine to identify potential strategies to improve air quality. The comparison of urban indicators in the selected cities evidenced two trends: (a) cities with the most heterogeneous distribution of public transport stops, as an indicator of poor accessibility, are also those with the lowest proportion of km dedicated to cycleways and footways, highlighting the need in these cities for more sustainable mobility management; and (b) the percentage of green and outdoor leisure areas may influence the share of journeys by bicycle, pointing out that promoting the perception of green routes is relevant to enhance the potential of active transport modes. Socioeconomic factors can be key determinants of the urban indicators and would need further consideration. For the health impact assessment (HIA), two baseline scenarios were evaluated and compared. One is based on mean annual traffic contributions to PM2.5 concentrations in each target city (ranging between 1.9 and 13 µg/m3), obtained from the literature, and the second is grounded on mean annual NO2 concentrations at all available traffic and urban background stations within each city (17.2–83.5 µg/m3), obtained from the European Environment Agency database. The intervention scenarios modeled were designed based on traffic mitigation strategies in the literature, and set to ranges of 6–50% in traffic-derived PM2.5 concentrations and of 4–12.5% in NO2 concentrations. These scenarios could result in only a 1.7% (0.6–4%) reduction in premature mortality due to exposure to traffic-derived PM2.5, and 1.0% (0.4–2%) due to exposure to NO2, as the mean for all the cities. This suggests that more ambitious pollution abatement strategies should be targeted.
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Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Barrera-Gómez J, Basagaña X, Cirach M, Daher C, Pulido MF, Iungman T, Gasparrini A, Hoek G, de Hoogh K, Khomenko S, Khreis H, de Nazelle A, Ramos A, Rojas-Rueda D, Pereira Barboza E, Tainio M, Thondoo M, Tonne C, Woodcock J, Mueller N. Study protocol of the European Urban Burden of Disease Project: a health impact assessment study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054270. [PMID: 35058262 PMCID: PMC8783806 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cities have long been known to be society's predominant engine of innovation and wealth creation, yet they are also hotspots of pollution and disease partly due to current urban and transport practices. The aim of the European Urban Burden of Disease project is to evaluate the health burden and its determinants related to current and future potential urban and transport planning practices and related exposures in European cities and make this evidence available for policy and decision making for healthy and sustainable futures. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Drawing on an established comparative risk assessment methodology (ie, Urban and Transport Planning Health Impact Assessment) tool), in nearly 1000 European cities we will (1) quantify the health impacts of current urban and transport planning related exposures (eg, air pollution, noise, excess heat, lack of green space) (2) and evaluate the relationship between current levels of exposure, health impacts and city characteristics (eg, size, density, design, mobility) (3) rank and compare the cities based on exposure levels and the health impacts, (4) in a number of selected cities assess in-depth the linkages between urban and transport planning, environment, physical activity and health, and model the health impacts of alternative and realistic urban and transport planning scenarios, and, finally, (5) construct a healthy city index and set up an effective knowledge translation hub to generate impact in society and policy. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION All data to be used in the project are publicly available data and do not need ethics approval. We will request consent for personal data on opinions and views and create data agreements for those providing information on current and future urban and transport planning scenarios.For dissemination and to generate impact, we will create a knowledge translation hub with information tailored to various stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xavier Basagaña
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Cirach
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolyn Daher
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Foraster Pulido
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Gerard Hoek
- IRAS, Utrecht University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Basel University Faculty of Philosophy and Natural Sciences, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Haneen Khreis
- Texas A&M University System, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | - Ana Ramos
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Marko Tainio
- SYKE, Helsinki, Finland
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | | | - Cathryn Tonne
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - N Mueller
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Methods for Evaluating Environmental Health Impacts at Different Stages of the Policy Process in Cities. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:183-195. [PMID: 35389203 PMCID: PMC8986968 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Evaluating the environmental health impacts of urban policies is critical for developing and implementing policies that lead to more healthy and equitable cities. This article aims to (1) identify research questions commonly used when evaluating the health impacts of urban policies at different stages of the policy process, (2) describe commonly used methods, and (3) discuss challenges, opportunities, and future directions. RECENT FINDINGS In the diagnosis and design stages of the policy process, research questions aim to characterize environmental problems affecting human health and to estimate the potential impacts of new policies. Simulation methods using existing exposure-response information to estimate health impacts predominate at these stages of the policy process. In subsequent stages, e.g., during implementation, research questions aim to understand the actual policy impacts. Simulation methods or observational methods, which rely on experimental data gathered in the study area to assess the effectiveness of the policy, can be applied at these stages. Increasingly, novel techniques fuse both simulation and observational methods to enhance the robustness of impact evaluations assessing implemented policies. The policy process consists of interdependent stages, from inception to end, but most reviewed studies focus on single stages, neglecting the continuity of the policy life cycle. Studies assessing the health impacts of policies using a multi-stage approach are lacking. Most studies investigate intended impacts of policies; focusing also on unintended impacts may provide a more comprehensive evaluation of policies.
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12
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Nunes RAO, Alvim-Ferraz MCM, Martins FG, Peñuelas AL, Durán-Grados V, Moreno-Gutiérrez J, Jalkanen JP, Hannuniemi H, Sousa SIV. Estimating the health and economic burden of shipping related air pollution in the Iberian Peninsula. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 156:106763. [PMID: 34280611 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is the leading cause of the global burden of disease from the environment, entailing substantial economic consequences. International shipping is a significant source of NOx, SO2, CO and PM, which can cause known negative health impacts. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the health impacts and the associated external costs of ship-related air pollution in the Iberian Peninsula for 2015. Moreover, the impact of CAP2020 regulations on 2015 emissions was studied. Log-linear functions based on WHO-HRAPIE relative risks for PM2.5 and NO2 all-cause mortality and morbidity health end-points, and integrated exposure-response functions for PM2.5 cause-specific mortality, were used to calculate the excess burden of disease. The number of deaths and years of life lost (YLL) due to NO2 ship-related emissions was similar to those of PM2.5 ship-related emissions. Estimated all-cause premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 ship-related emissions represented an average increase of 7.7% for the Iberian Peninsula when compared to the scenario without shipping contribution. Costs of around 9 100 million € yr-1 (for value of statistical life approach - VSL) and 1 825 million € yr-1 (for value of life year approach - VOLY) were estimated for PM and NO2 all-cause burden of disease. For PM2.5 cause-specific mortality, a cost of around 3 475 million € yr-1 (for VSL approach) and 851 million € yr-1 (for VOLY approach) were estimated. Costs due to PM and NO2 all-cause burden represented around 0.72% and 0.15% of the Iberian Peninsula gross domestic product in 2015, respectively for VSL and VOLY approaches. For PM2.5 cause-specific mortality, costs represented around 0.28% and 0.06%, respectively, for VSL and VOLY approaches. If CAP2020 regulations had been applied in 2015, around 50% and 30% respectively of PM2.5 and NO2 ship-related mortality would been avoided. These results show that air pollution from ships has a considerable impact on health and associated costs affecting the Iberian Peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael A O Nunes
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria C M Alvim-Ferraz
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando G Martins
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Vanessa Durán-Grados
- Departamento de Máquinas y Motores Térmicos, Escuela de Ingenierías Marina, Náutica y Radioelectrónica, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan Moreno-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Máquinas y Motores Térmicos, Escuela de Ingenierías Marina, Náutica y Radioelectrónica, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, Spain
| | | | - Hanna Hannuniemi
- Departamento de Máquinas y Motores Térmicos, Escuela de Ingenierías Marina, Náutica y Radioelectrónica, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, Spain
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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13
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de Ferreyro Monticelli D, Santos JM, Goulart EV, Mill JG, Kumar P, Reis NC. A review on the role of dispersion and receptor models in asthma research. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117529. [PMID: 34186501 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
There is substantial evidence that air pollution exposure is associated with asthma prevalence that affects millions of people worldwide. Air pollutant exposure can be determined using dispersion models and refined with receptor models. Dispersion models offer the advantage of giving spatially distributed outdoor pollutants concentration while the receptor models offer the source apportionment of specific chemical species. However, the use of dispersion and/or receptor models in asthma research requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving experts on air quality and respiratory diseases. Here, we provide a literature review on the role of dispersion and receptor models in air pollution and asthma research, their limitations, gaps and the way forward. We found that the methodologies used to incorporate atmospheric dispersion and receptor models in human health studies may vary considerably, and several of the studies overlook features such as indoor air pollution, model validation and subject pathway between indoor spaces. Studies also show contrasting results of relative risk or odds ratio for a health outcome, even using similar methodologies. Dispersion models are mostly used to estimate air pollution levels outside the subject's home, school or workplace; however, very few studies addressed the subject's routines or indoor/outdoor relationships. Conversely, receptor models are employed in regions where asthma incidence/prevalence is high or where a dispersion model has been previously used for this assessment. Road traffic (vehicle exhaust) and NOx are found to be the most targeted source and pollutant, respectively. Other key findings were the absence of a standard indicator, shortage of studies addressing VOC and UFP, and the shift toward chemical speciation of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi de Ferreyro Monticelli
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Jane Meri Santos
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil.
| | - Elisa Valentim Goulart
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - José Geraldo Mill
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Neyval Costa Reis
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
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14
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Recoupling Climate Change and Air Quality: Exploring Low-Emission Options in Urban Transportation Using the TIMES-City Model. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14113220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fossil fuels in transportation are a significant source of local emissions in and around cities; thus, decarbonising transportation can reduce both greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollutants (APs). However, the degree of these reductions depends on what replaces fossil fuels. Today, GHG and AP mitigation strategies are typically ‘decoupled’ as they have different motivations and responsibilities. This study investigates the ancillary benefits on (a) APs if the transport sector is decarbonised, and (b) GHGs if APs are drastically cut and (c) the possible co-benefits from targeting APs and GHGs in parallel, using an energy-system optimisation model with a detailed and consistent representation of technology and fuel choices. While biofuels are the most cost-efficient option for meeting ambitious climate-change-mitigation targets, they have a very limited effect on reducing APs. Single-handed deep cuts in APs require a shift to zero-emission battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (BEVs, HFCVs), which can result in significant upstream GHG emissions from electricity and hydrogen production. BEVs powered by ‘green’ electricity are identified as the most cost-efficient option for substantially cutting both GHGs and APs. A firm understanding of these empirical relationships is needed to support comprehensive mitigation strategies that tackle the range of sustainability challenges facing cities.
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15
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Viana M, de Leeuw F, Bartonova A, Castell N, Ozturk E, González Ortiz A. Air quality mitigation in European cities: Status and challenges ahead. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105907. [PMID: 32645487 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cities are currently at the core of air quality (AQ) improvement. The present work provides an overview of AQ management strategies and outcomes in 10 European cities (Antwerp, Berlin, Dublin, Madrid, Malmö, Milan, Paris, Plovdiv, Prague, Vienna) in 2018, and their evolution since 2013 (same cities, plus Ploiesti and Vilnius), based on first-hand input from AQ managers. The status of AQ mitigation in 2018, and its evolution since 2013, were assessed. While results evidenced that the majority of mitigation strategies targeted road traffic, emerging sources such as inland shipping, construction/demolition and recreational wood burning were identified. Several cities had in 2018 the ambition to continue decreasing air pollution concentrations to meet WHO guidelines, an ambition which had not yet been identified in 2013. Specific needs identified by all of the cities assessed were tools to quantify the effectiveness of mitigation strategies and for cost-benefit analysis, as well as specific and up to date technical guidance on real-world road vehicle emissions. The cities also requested guidance to identify mitigation measures promoting co-benefits, e.g., in terms of AQ, climate change, and noise. Support from administrations at local-regional-national-EU scales, and especially involving local policy-makers early on in the air quality management process, was considered essential. This work provides insight into the drivers of successful/unsuccessful AQ policies as well as on the challenges faced during their implementation. We identify knowledge gaps and provide input to the research and policy-making communities as to specific needs of cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Viana
- IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Rittner R, Flanagan E, Oudin A, Malmqvist E. Health Impacts from Ambient Particle Exposure in Southern Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17145064. [PMID: 32674378 PMCID: PMC7400131 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A health impact assessment (HIA) is an important tool for making informed decisions regarding the design and evaluation of environmental interventions. In this study, we performed a quantitative HIA for the population of Scania (1,247,993), the southernmost county in Sweden, in 2016. The impact of annual mean concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm (PM2.5), modeled at their home residences for the year 2011, on mortality, asthma, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, preeclampsia and low birth weight (LBW) was explored. Concentration–response (C-R) functions were taken from epidemiological studies reporting meta-analyses when available, and otherwise from single epidemiological studies. The average level of PM2.5 experienced by the study population was 11.88 µg/m3. The PM2.5 exposure was estimated to cause 9–11% of cases of LBW and 6% of deaths from natural causes. Locally produced PM2.5 alone contributed to 2–9% of the cases of diseases and disorders investigated. Reducing concentrations to a maximum of 10 µg/m3 would, according to our estimations, reduce mortality by 3% and reduce cases of LBW by 2%. Further analyses of separate emission sources’ distinct effects were also presented. Reduction of air pollution levels in the study area would, as expected, have a substantial effect on both mortality and adverse health outcomes. Reductions should be aimed for by local authorities and on national and even international levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Rittner
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; (E.F.); (A.O.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-4617-3189
| | - Erin Flanagan
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; (E.F.); (A.O.); (E.M.)
| | - Anna Oudin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; (E.F.); (A.O.); (E.M.)
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ebba Malmqvist
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; (E.F.); (A.O.); (E.M.)
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17
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Through Internet and Friends: Translation of Air Pollution Research in Malmö Municipality, Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17124214. [PMID: 32545656 PMCID: PMC7345806 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution is estimated to cause more than 7000 deaths annually in Sweden alone. To reduce the impact of air pollution and to plan and build sustainable cities, it is vital that research is translated into efficient decisions and practice. However, how do civil servants in a municipality access research results? How do they normally find relevant information, and what obstacles are there to accessing and applying research results? As part of the collaborative and transdisciplinary research project Air Pollution Research in Local Environmental Planning (ARIEL), these questions were explored through interviews and seminars with civil servants within the Malmö Municipality Environmental Office. We found that the civil servants generally have proficiency in processing research results, but often do not use such results as part of their everyday decision making and practices. Instead, the data and measurements used are mostly produced case-by-case within the municipal sector itself. Information about best practices is also collected via a number of knowledge access practices, involving the Internet or social networks within other municipalities. Lack of time, paywalls, and the insufficient applicability of research hinder the dissemination of up-to-date results. This slows down the process whereby research, funded by tax-money, can be put to best practice in the effort to create healthy and sustainable cities.
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18
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Viana M, Rizza V, Tobías A, Carr E, Corbett J, Sofiev M, Karanasiou A, Buonanno G, Fann N. Estimated health impacts from maritime transport in the Mediterranean region and benefits from the use of cleaner fuels. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 138:105670. [PMID: 32203802 PMCID: PMC8314305 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Ship traffic emissions degrade air quality in coastal areas and contribute to climate impacts globally. The estimated health burden of exposure to shipping emissions in coastal areas may inform policy makers as they seek to reduce exposure and associated potential health impacts. This work estimates the PM2.5-attributable impacts in the form of premature mortality and cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions, from long-term exposure to shipping emissions. Health impact assessment (HIA) was performed in 8 Mediterranean coastal cities, using a baseline conditions from the literature and a policy case accounting for the MARPOL Annex VI rules requiring cleaner fuels in 2020. Input data were (a) shipping contributions to ambient PM2.5 concentrations based on receptor modelling studies found in the literature, (b) population and health incidence data from national statistical registries, and (c) geographically-relevant concentration-response functions from the literature. Long-term exposure to ship-sourced PM2.5 accounted for 430 (95% CI: 220-650) premature deaths per year, in the 8 cities, distributed between groups of cities: Barcelona and Athens, with >100 premature deaths/year, and Nicosia, Brindisi, Genoa, Venice, Msida and Melilla, with tens of premature deaths/year. The more stringent standards in 2020 would reduce the number of PM2.5-attributable premature deaths by 15% on average. HIA provided a comparative assessment of the health burden of shipping emissions across Mediterranean coastal cities, which may provide decision support for urban planning with a special focus on harbour areas, and in view of the reduction in sulphur content of marine fuels due to MARPOL Annex VI in 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Viana
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - V Rizza
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino (FR), Italy
| | - A Tobías
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Carr
- Energy and Environmental Research Associates, LLC, Pittsford, NY, United States
| | - J Corbett
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - M Sofiev
- Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), Helsinki, Finland
| | - A Karanasiou
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Buonanno
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino (FR), Italy; Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - N Fann
- Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, United States
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Kowalska M, Skrzypek M, Kowalski M, Cyrys J. Effect of NO x and NO 2 Concentration Increase in Ambient Air to Daily Bronchitis and Asthma Exacerbation, Silesian Voivodeship in Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17030754. [PMID: 31991627 PMCID: PMC7037218 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17030754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There is a discussion in Europe about the dominant role of air pollution for health effects, most researchers claim that the particulate matter is responsible for inflammatory processes in the respiratory system, while others underline the role of nitrogen dioxide. The aim of the study was to assess the risk related to NOx, NO2 and PM2.5 concentration increase and daily outpatient visits or hospitalization due to bronchitis and asthma exacerbation in the entire population of Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. To assess the relationship between daily pollutants concentrations and the number of outpatient visits or hospitalizations due to bronchitis and asthma (available in the regional registry), the multivariable log-linear Poisson regression model was used. Results were presented by relative risk (RR) of health outcomes related to the increase in pollutant concentration by unit (interquartile range). Obtained results confirmed a statistically significant association between outpatient visits and hospitalizations due to bronchitis and asthma exacerbation and daily nitrogen oxides concentrations in Silesian voivodeship, Poland. The strongest relationship was observed in the case of NO2 and outpatient visits due to bronchitis, e.g., RR = 1.434 (1.308–1.571) for exposure expressed by the 50-day moving average concentration. In the case of hospitalizations, the health effect was lagged a few days in relation to the increase in exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Kowalska
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Michał Skrzypek
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Michał Kowalski
- Environmental Exposure Assessment Group, Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-821-5586-3091
| | - Josef Cyrys
- Environmental Exposure Assessment Group, Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
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Nääv Å, Erlandsson L, Isaxon C, Åsander Frostner E, Ehinger J, Sporre MK, Krais AM, Strandberg B, Lundh T, Elmér E, Malmqvist E, Hansson SR. Urban PM2.5 Induces Cellular Toxicity, Hormone Dysregulation, Oxidative Damage, Inflammation, and Mitochondrial Interference in the HRT8 Trophoblast Cell Line. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:75. [PMID: 32226408 PMCID: PMC7080655 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Epidemiological studies have found air pollution to be a driver of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes, low term birth weight and preeclampsia. It is unknown what biological mechanisms are involved in this process. A first trimester trophoblast cell line (HTR-8/SVneo) was exposed to various concentrations of PM2.5 (PM2.5) in order to elucidate the effect of urban particulate matter (PM) of size <2.5 μm on placental function. Methods: PM2.5 were collected at a site representative of urban traffic and dispersed in cell media by indirect and direct sonication. The HTR-8 cells were grown under standard conditions. Cellular uptake was studied after 24 and 48 h of exposure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by ELISA. Changes in membrane integrity and H2O2 production were analyzed using the CellToxTM Green Cytotoxicity and ROSGloTM assays. Protease activity was evaluated by MitoToxTM assay. Mitochondrial function was assessed through high resolution respirometry in an Oroboros O2k-FluoRespirometer, and mitochondrial content was quantified by citrate synthase activity. Results: TEM analysis depicted PM2.5 cellular uptake and localization of the PM2.5 to the mitochondria after 24 h. The cells showed aggregated cytoskeleton and generalized necrotic appearance, such as chromatin condensation, organelle swelling and signs of lost membrane integrity. The mitochondria displayed vacuolization and disruption of cristae morphology. At 48 h exposure, a significant drop in hCG secretion and a significant increase in progesterone secretion and IL-6 production occurred. At 48 h exposure, a five-fold increase in protease activity and a significant alteration of H2O2 production was observed. The HTR-8 cells exhibited evidence of increased cytotoxicity with increasing exposure time and dose of PM2.5. No significant difference in mitochondrial respiration or mitochondrial mass could be demonstrated. Conclusion: Following exposure to air pollution, intracellular accumulation of PM may contribute to the placental dysfunction associated with pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, through their direct and indirect effects on trophoblast protein secretion, hormone regulation, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Nääv
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Åsa Nääv
| | - Lena Erlandsson
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christina Isaxon
- Department of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Johannes Ehinger
- Mitochondrial Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Moa K. Sporre
- Department of Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Annette M. Krais
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo Strandberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eskil Elmér
- Mitochondrial Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Stefan R. Hansson
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Connecting Air Pollution Exposure to Socioeconomic Status: A Cross-Sectional Study on Environmental Injustice among Pregnant Women in Scania, Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16245116. [PMID: 31847380 PMCID: PMC6949975 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16245116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Environmental injustice, characterized by lower socioeconomic status (SES) persons being subjected to higher air pollution concentrations, was explored among pregnant women in Scania, Sweden. Understanding if the general reduction of air pollution recorded is enjoyed by all SES groups could illuminate existing inequalities and inform policy development. "Maternal Air Pollution in Southern Sweden", an epidemiological database, contains data for 48,777 pregnancies in Scanian hospital catchment areas and includes births from 1999-2009. SES predictors considered included education level, household disposable income, and birth country. A Gaussian dispersion model was used to model women's average NOX and PM2.5 exposure at home residence over the pregnancy period. Total concentrations were dichotomized into emission levels below/above respective Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air objectives. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression. A sensitivity analysis facilitated the investigation of associations' variation over time. Lower-SES women born outside Sweden were disproportionately exposed to higher pollutant concentrations. Odds of exposure to NOX above Swedish EPA objectives reduced over time, especially for low-SES persons. Environmental injustice exists in Scania, but it lessened with declining overall air pollution levels, implying that continued air quality improvement could help protect vulnerable populations and further reduce environmental inequalities.
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