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Wang Z, Koutrakis P, Liu M, Vieira CLZ, Coull BA, Maher EF, Moy ML, Huang S, Garshick E. Residential radon decay products are associated with cough and phlegm in patients with COPD. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 282:116693. [PMID: 38991307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116693] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Radon decay products attach to particulate matter (referred to as particle radioactivity, PR) has been shown to be potential to promote airway damage after inhalation. In this study, we investigated associations between PR with respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with COPD. 141 male patients with COPD, former smokers, completed the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) after up to four 1-week seasonal assessments (N=474) of indoor (home) and ambient (central site) particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC). Indoor PR was measured as α-activity (radiation) on PM2.5 filter samples. The ratio of indoor/ambient sulfur in PM2.5 (a ventilation surrogate) was used to estimate α-PR from indoor radon decay. SGRQ responses assessed frequent cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, wheeze, and chest attacks in the past 3 months. Multivariable linear regression with generalized estimating equations accounting for repeated measures was used to explore associations, adjusting for potential confounders. Median (IQR) indoor α-PR was 1.22 (0.62) mBq/m3. We found that there were positive associations between α-PR with cough and phlegm. The strongest associations were with estimated α-PR of indoor origin for cough (31.1 % increase/IQR, 95 %CI: 8.8 %, 57.8 %), and was suggestive for phlegm (13.0 % increase/IQR, 95 %CI: -2.5 %, 31.0 %), similar adjusting for indoor BC or PM2.5. α-PR of indoor origin was positively associated with an increase in SGRQ Symptoms score [1.2 units/IQR; 95 %CI: -0.3, 2.6] that did not meet conventional levels of statistical significance. Our results suggested that exposure to indoor radon decay products measured as particle radioactivity, a common indoor exposure, is associated with cough, and suggestively associated with phlegm and worse HRQL symptoms score in patients with COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaokun Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Carolina L Z Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward F Maher
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Marilyn L Moy
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shaodan Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA; Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Zhang J, Chen Z, Shan D, Wu Y, Zhao Y, Li C, Shu Y, Linghu X, Wang B. Adverse effects of exposure to fine particles and ultrafine particles in the environment on different organs of organisms. J Environ Sci (China) 2024; 135:449-473. [PMID: 37778818 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Particulate pollution is a global risk factor that seriously threatens human health. Fine particles (FPs) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) have small particle diameters and large specific surface areas, which can easily adsorb metals, microorganisms and other pollutants. FPs and UFPs can enter the human body in multiple ways and can be easily and quickly absorbed by the cells, tissues and organs. In the body, the particles can induce oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis, furthermore causing great adverse effects. Epidemiological studies mainly take the population as the research object to study the distribution of diseases and health conditions in a specific population and to focus on the identification of influencing factors. However, the mechanism by which a substance harms the health of organisms is mainly demonstrated through toxicological studies. Combining epidemiological studies with toxicological studies will provide a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the impact of PM on the health of organisms. In this review, the sources, compositions, and morphologies of FPs and UFPs are briefly introduced in the first part. The effects and action mechanisms of exposure to FPs and UFPs on the heart, lungs, brain, liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, joints and reproductive system are systematically summarized. In addition, challenges are further pointed out at the end of the paper. This work provides useful theoretical guidance and a strong experimental foundation for investigating and preventing the adverse effects of FPs and UFPs on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhao Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Dan Shan
- Department of Medical, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300041, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin 300070, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Preventive Medicine Education (Tianjin Medical University), Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yue Shu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiaoyu Linghu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Baiqi Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin 300070, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Preventive Medicine Education (Tianjin Medical University), Tianjin 300070, China.
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3
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Banzon TM, Greco KF, Li L, Mukharesh L, Vieira CLZ, Steiner MK, Hauptman M, Ratchataswan T, Koutrakis P, Phipatanakul W, Gaffin JM. Effect of radon exposure on asthma morbidity in the School Inner-City Asthma study. Pediatr Pulmonol 2023; 58:2042-2049. [PMID: 37083192 PMCID: PMC10330665 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radon may have a role in obstructive lung disease outside its known carcinogenicity. Little is known about radon's effects on asthma morbidity. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of radon on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE NO), asthma symptom-days, and lung function in inner-city asthmatic school children. METHODS Two hundred ninety-nine school-aged asthmatic children enrolled in the School Inner-City Asthma Study (SICAS-1) were followed. One and two-month averaged radon was assessed using a spatiotemporal model predicting zip code-specific monthly exposures. FE NO and spirometry were measured twice during the academic year. Asthma symptoms were assessed four times during the academic year. The interaction between indoor radon exposure (Bq/m3 ) and seasonality predicting log-transformed FE NO, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ) % predicted, forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted, FEV1 /FVC, and asthma symptom-days was evaluated. RESULTS Participants with high radon exposure had greater change in FE NO from warm to cold periods compared to low radon exposure (interaction p = 0.0013). Participants with >50th percentile radon exposure experience significant FE NO increase from warm to cold weather (β $\beta $ = 0.29 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-0.54], p = 0.0240). We report a positive association between radon 1-month moving average (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.01, p = 0.0273) and 2-month moving average (IRR = 1.01, p = 0.0286) with maximum asthma symptom-days (n = 299, obs = 1167). CONCLUSIONS In asthmatic children, radon may be associated with increased asthma morbidity, suggesting radon may be a modifiable environmental risk factor for airway inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M. Banzon
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly F. Greco
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Longxiang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lana Mukharesh
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - M. Kathryn Steiner
- Department of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marissa Hauptman
- Pediatric Environmental Health Center, Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital
| | | | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan M. Gaffin
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Dong S, Koutrakis P, Li L, Coull BA, Schwartz J, Kosheleva A, Zanobetti A. Synergistic Effects of Particle Radioactivity (Gross β Activity) and Particulate Matter ≤2.5 μm Aerodynamic Diameter on Cardiovascular Disease Mortality. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e025470. [PMID: 36197036 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.025470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Although the effects of fine particulate matter (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm aerodynamic diameter [PM2.5]) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality are well established, little is known about the CVD health effects of particle radioactivity. In addition, there are still questions about which of the PM2.5 physical, chemical, or biological properties are mostly responsible for its toxicity. Methods and Results We investigated the association between particle radioactivity, measured as gross β activity from highly resolved spatiotemporal predictions, and mortality for CVD, myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause nonaccidental mortality in Massachusetts (2001-2015). Within both difference-in-differences model and generalized linear mixed model frameworks, we fit both single-exposure and 2-exposure models adjusting for PM2.5 and examined the interaction between PM2.5 and gross β activity. We found significant associations between gross β activity and PM2.5 and each mortality cause. Using difference-in-differences and adjusting for PM2.5, we found the highest associations with myocardial infarction (rate ratio, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.08-1.24]) and stroke (rate ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.04-1.18]) for an interquartile range increase (0.055 millibecquerels per cubic meter) in gross β activity. We found a significant positive interaction between PM2.5 and gross β activity, with higher associations between PM2.5 and mortality at a higher level of gross β activity. We also observed that the associations varied across age groups. The results were comparable between the 2 statistical methods also with and without adjusting for PM2.5. Conclusions This is the first study that, using highly spatiotemporal predictions of gross β-activity, provides evidence that particle radioactivity increases CVD mortality and enhances PM2.5 CVD mortality. Therefore, particle radioactivity can be an important property of PM2.5 that must be further investigated. Addressing this important question can lead to cost-effective air-quality regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxin Dong
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA
| | - Longxiang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA.,Department of Epidemiology, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA
| | - Anna Kosheleva
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA
| | - Antonella Zanobetti
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University Boston MA
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5
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Deziel NC, Clark CJ, Casey JA, Bell ML, Plata DL, Saiers JE. Assessing Exposure to Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Strengths, Challenges, and Implications for Epidemiologic Research. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:436-450. [PMID: 35522388 PMCID: PMC9363472 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00358-4] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epidemiologic studies have observed elevated health risks in populations living near unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD). In this narrative review, we discuss strengths and limitations of UOG exposure assessment approaches used in or available for epidemiologic studies, emphasizing studies of children's health outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Exposure assessment challenges include (1) numerous potential stressors with distinct spatiotemporal patterns, (2) critical exposure windows that cover long periods and occur in the past, and (3) limited existing monitoring data coupled with the resource-intensiveness of collecting new exposure measurements to capture spatiotemporal variation. All epidemiologic studies used proximity-based models for exposure assessment as opposed to surveys, biomonitoring, or environmental measurements. Nearly all studies used aggregate (rather than pathway-specific) models, which are useful surrogates for the complex mix of potential hazards. Simple and less-specific exposure assessment approaches have benefits in terms of scalability, interpretability, and relevance to specific policy initiatives such as set-back distances. More detailed and specific models and metrics, including dispersion methods and stressor-specific models, could reduce exposure misclassification, illuminate underlying exposure pathways, and inform emission control and exposure mitigation strategies. While less practical in a large population, collection of multi-media environmental and biological exposure measurements would be feasible in cohort subsets. Such assessments are well-suited to provide insights into the presence and magnitude of exposures to UOG-related stressors in relation to spatial surrogates and to better elucidate the plausibility of observed effects in both children and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C. Deziel
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College St., New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Cassandra J. Clark
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College St., New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Joan A. Casey
- grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 630 West 168th Street, Room 16-416, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Michelle L. Bell
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect St., New Haven, CT 06511 USA
| | - Desiree L. Plata
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - James E. Saiers
- Yale School of the Environment, 195 Prospect St., New Haven, CT 06511 USA
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6
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Schiff JE, Vieira CLZ, Garshick E, Wang V, Blomberg A, Gold DR, Schwartz J, Tracy SM, Vokonas P, Koutrakis P. The role of solar and geomagnetic activity in endothelial activation and inflammation in the NAS cohort. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268700. [PMID: 35881632 PMCID: PMC9321765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the associations between solar and geomagnetic activity and circulating biomarkers of systemic inflammation and endothelial activation in the Normative Aging Study (NAS) cohort. Mixed effects models with moving day averages from day 0 to day 28 were used to study the associations between solar activity (sunspot number (SSN), interplanetary magnetic field (IMF)), geomagnetic activity (planetary K index (Kp index), and various inflammatory and endothelial markers. Biomarkers included intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen. After adjusting for demographic and meteorological variables, we observed significant positive associations between sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations and solar and geomagnetic activity parameters: IMF, SSN, and Kp. Additionally, a negative association was observed between fibrinogen and Kp index and a positive association was observed for CRP and SSN. These results demonstrate that solar and geomagnetic activity might be upregulating endothelial activation and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. Schiff
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heath, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Carolina L. Z. Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heath, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Veronica Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heath, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Annelise Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heath, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Diane R. Gold
- Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Professor of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heath, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Samantha M. Tracy
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heath, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and the Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heath, Boston, MA, United States of America
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7
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Colonna KJ, Koutrakis P, Kinney PL, Cooke RM, Evans JS. Mortality Attributable to Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter: Insights from the Epidemiologic Evidence for Understudied Locations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6799-6812. [PMID: 35442648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiologic cohort studies have consistently demonstrated that long-term exposure to ambient fine particles (PM2.5) is associated with mortality. Nevertheless, extrapolating results to understudied locations may involve considerable uncertainty. To explore this issue, this review discusses the evidence for (i) the associated risk of mortality, (ii) the shape of the concentration-response function, (iii) a causal interpretation, and (iv) how the source mix/composition of PM2.5 and population characteristics may alter the effect. The accumulated evidence suggests the following: (i) In the United States, the change in all-cause mortality risk per μg/m3 is about 0.8%. (ii) The concentration-response function appears nonlinear. (iii) Causation is overwhelmingly supported. (iv) Fossil fuel combustion-related sources are likely more toxic than others, and age, race, and income may modify the effect. To illustrate the use of our findings in support of a risk assessment in an understudied setting, we consider Kuwait. However, given the complexity of this relationship and the heterogeneity in reported effects, it is unreasonable to think that, in such circumstances, point estimates can be meaningful. Consequently, quantitative probabilistic estimates, which cannot be derived objectively, become essential. Formally elicited expert judgment can provide such estimates, and this review provides the evidence to support an elicitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Colonna
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Patrick L Kinney
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Roger M Cooke
- Resources for the Future, Washington, DC 20036, United States
- Department of Mathematics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, NL 2628 XE, Netherlands
| | - John S Evans
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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8
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Zang ST, Luan J, Li L, Wu QJ, Chang Q, Dai HX, Zhao YH. Air pollution and metabolic syndrome risk: Evidence from nine observational studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111546. [PMID: 34265350 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Globally, the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) cases has increased substantially over time. However, the association between air pollution (AP) and MetS risk has been contradictory in observational studies. This is the first reported meta-analysis quantitatively exploring the aforementioned association. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science database entries up to September 14, 2020, and searches were updated up to December 6, 2020 to identify eligible articles on the AP-MetS risk association. No language restriction was imposed. Random-effects models were applied to estimate summary and subgroup effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020210431. RESULTS Eight articles (nine studies) were eligible for the meta-analysis. Increased MetS prevalence was not found to be associated with particulate matter less than 1 μm (PM1), 2.5 μm (PM2.5), and 10 μm (PM10) in diameter or nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and the summary effect sizes were 1.33 (95% CI: 0.95-1.85), 1.34 (95% CI: 0.96-1.89), 1.18 (95% CI: 0.98-1.19), and 1.28 (95% CI: 0.89-1.82), respectively, based on cross-sectional studies. The summary results indicated no association between each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and MetS incidence (effect size 2.78 [95% CI: 0.70-11.02]), based on cohort studies. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that MetS incidence in older men increased dramatically by 992% with each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS The evidence presented here suggests that although exposure to PM1, PM2.5, PM10, or NO2 was not found to have a significant association with the occurrence of MetS, the statistical significance of the relationship between exposure to PM1, PM2.5, or PM10 and MetS prevalence was approximately borderline. More studies on AP-MetS risk association in low-/middle-income countries, as well as on the association between other air pollutants and MetS risk, are warranted. A sufficient number of high-quality studies is required to perform a meaningful meta-analysis of the relationship between air pollutants and MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Tian Zang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China.
| | - Jie Luan
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China.
| | - Ling Li
- Center for Precision Medicine Research and Training, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade Taipa, Macau, 999078, China.
| | - Qi-Jun Wu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China.
| | - Qing Chang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China.
| | - Hui-Xu Dai
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110022, China.
| | - Yu-Hong Zhao
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
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9
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Huang S, Koutrakis P, Grady ST, Vieira CLZ, Schwartz JD, Coull BA, Hart JE, Laden F, Zhang JJ, Garshick E. Effects of particulate matter gamma radiation on oxidative stress biomarkers in COPD patients. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:727-735. [PMID: 32015432 PMCID: PMC7396311 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-020-0204-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation of particulate matter (PM) radioactivity is an important pathway of ionizing radiation exposure. We investigated the associations between short-term exposures to PM gamma radioactivity with oxidative stress in COPD patients. Urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of 81 COPD patients from Eastern Massachusetts were measured 1-4 times during 2012-2014. Daily ambient and indoor PM gamma activities (gamma-3 through gamma-9) were calculated based on EPA RadNet data and indoor-outdoor infiltration ratios. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the associations between biomarkers with PM gamma activities for moving averages from urine collection day to 7 days before. Our results indicate that ambient and indoor PM gamma activities were positively associated with 8-OHdG, with stronger effects for exposure windows closer to urine collection day. For per interquartile range increase in indoor PM gamma activities averaged over urine collection day and 1 day before, 8-OHdG increased from 3.41% (95% CI: -0.88, 7.88) to 8.87% (95% CI: 2.98, 15.1), adjusted for indoor black carbon. For MDA, the timing of greatest effects across the exposure week varied but was nearly all positive. These findings provide insight into the toxigenic properties associated with PM radioactivity and suggest that these exposures promote systemic oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaodan Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie T Grady
- Research and Development Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carolina L Z Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Junfeng Jim Zhang
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eric Garshick
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Wang VA, James-Todd T, Hacker MR, O’Brien KE, Wylie BJ, Hauser R, Williams PL, Bellavia A, Quinn M, McElrath TF, Papatheodorou S. Ambient PM gross β-activity and glucose levels during pregnancy. Environ Health 2021; 20:70. [PMID: 34126994 PMCID: PMC8204493 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00744-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to ionizing radiation has been associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In light of recent work showing an association between ambient particulate matter (PM) gross β-activity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among pregnant women, we examined pregnancy glucose levels in relation to PM gross β-activity to better understand this pathway. METHODS Our study included 103 participants receiving prenatal care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. PM gross β-activity was obtained from US Environmental Protection Agency's RadNet program monitors, and blood glucose levels were obtained from the non-fasting glucose challenge test performed clinically as the first step of the 2-step GDM screening test. For each exposure window we examined (i.e., moving average same-day, one-week, first-trimester, and second-trimester PM gross β-activity), we fitted generalized additive models and adjusted for clinical characteristics, socio-demographic factors, temporal variables, and PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5). Subgroup analyses by maternal age and by body mass index were also conducted. RESULTS An interquartile range increase in average PM gross β-activity during the second trimester of pregnancy was associated with an increase of 17.5 (95% CI: 0.8, 34.3) mg/dL in glucose concentration. Associations were stronger among younger and overweight/obese participants. Our findings also suggest that the highest compared to the lowest quartile of one-week exposure was associated with 17.0 (95% CI: - 4.0, 38.0) mg/dL higher glucose levels. No associations of glucose were observed with PM gross β-activity during same-day and first-trimester exposure windows. PM2.5 was not associated with glucose levels during any exposure window in our data. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to higher levels of ambient PM gross β-activity was associated with higher blood glucose levels in pregnant patients, with implications for how this novel environmental factor could impact pregnancy health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica A. Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Michele R. Hacker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Karen E. O’Brien
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Blair J. Wylie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Paige L. Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Andrea Bellavia
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Marlee Quinn
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Thomas F. McElrath
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Stefania Papatheodorou
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge Bldg, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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11
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Huang Y, Kioumourtzoglou MA, Mittleman MA, Ross Z, Williams MA, Friedman AM, Schwartz J, Wapner RJ, Ananth CV. Air Pollution and Risk of Placental Abruption: A Study of Births in New York City, 2008-2014. Am J Epidemiol 2021; 190:1021-1033. [PMID: 33295612 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwaa259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the associations of exposure to fine particulate matter (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) at concentrations of <12 μg/m3, 12-14 μg/m3, and ≥15 μg/m3) and nitrogen dioxide (at concentrations of <26 parts per billion (ppb), 26-29 ppb, and ≥30 ppb) with placental abruption in a prospective cohort study of 685,908 pregnancies in New York, New York (2008-2014). In copollutant analyses, these associations were examined using distributed-lag nonlinear models based on Cox models. The prevalence of abruption was 0.9% (n = 6,025). Compared with a PM2.5 concentration less than 12 μg/m3, women exposed to PM2.5 levels of ≥15 μg/m3 in the third trimester had a higher rate of abruption (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41, 2.00). Compared with a nitrogen dioxide concentration less than 26 ppb, women exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels of 26-29 ppb (HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.20) and ≥30 ppb (HR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.96, 1.24) in the first trimester had higher rates of abruption. Compared with both PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide levels less than the 95th percentile in the third trimester, rates of abruption were increased with both PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide ≥95th percentile (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.80) and PM2.5 ≥95th percentile and nitrogen dioxide <95th percentile (HR = 1.43 95% CI: 1.23, 1.66). Increased levels of PM2.5 exposure in the third trimester and nitrogen dioxide exposure in the first trimester are associated with elevated rates of placental abruption, suggesting that these exposures may be important triggers of premature placental separation through different pathways.
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12
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The Role of Ambient Particle Radioactivity in Inflammation and Endothelial Function in an Elderly Cohort. Epidemiology 2021; 31:499-508. [PMID: 32282436 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms by which exposure to particulate matter might increase risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are not fully known. However, few existing studies have investigated the potential role of particle radioactivity. Naturally occurring radionuclides attach to particulate matter and continue to release ionizing radiation after inhalation and deposition in the lungs. We hypothesize that exposure to particle radioactivity increases biomarkers of inflammation. METHODS Our repeated-measures study included 752 men in the greater Boston area. We estimated regional particle radioactivity as a daily spatial average of gross beta concentrations from five monitors in the study area. We used linear mixed-effects regression models to estimate short- and medium-term associations between particle radioactivity and biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, with and without adjustment for additional particulate air pollutants. RESULTS We observed associations between particle radioactivity on C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), but no associations with fibrinogen. An interquartile range width increase in mean 7-day particle radioactivity (1.2 × 10 Bq/m) was associated with a 4.9% increase in CRP (95% CI = 0.077, 9.9), a 2.8% increase in ICAM-1 (95% CI = 1.4, 4.2), and a 4.3% increase in VCAM-1 (95% CI = 2.5, 6.1). The main effects of particle radioactivity remained similar after adjustment in most cases. We also obtained similar effect estimates in a sensitivity analysis applying a robust causal model. CONCLUSION Regional particle radioactivity is positively associated with inflammatory biomarkers, indicating a potential pathway for radiation-induced cardiovascular effects.
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Lawrence J, Martins M, Liu M, Koutrakis P. Measurement of the gross alpha activity of the fine fractions of road dust and near-roadway ambient particle matter. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2021; 71:147-155. [PMID: 33198592 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2020.1850543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Traffic-related air pollution, including direct exhaust emissions and road dust (RD), impacts individuals living near busy roads. We recently conducted a study to investigate the sources and composition of tailpipe and non-tailpipe traffic emissions, where we collected and analyzed samples of ambient air fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and fine RD (RD2.5) at different distances from major roadways. We analyzed a subset of the samples, including those collected at the roadside and local background, for their alpha activity level. Subsequently, we investigated whether there is a distance-related decay in the alpha activity in RD2.5 or PM2.5 similar to those observed for traffic-related species in PM2.5 and RD2.5. We found that the alpha activity of ambient air PM2.5 (Bq/mg) was more than an order of magnitude higher than the activity level of the corresponding RD2.5 sample, suggesting that PM2.5 may be more toxic than RD2.5. Using mixed-effects regression models, we found that ambient PM2.5 alpha activity was significantly higher during the cold months than during warm months, and that the background was higher than the roadside (though not significantly). In contrast, the RD2.5 alpha activity was significantly higher at the background site compared to the roadside but was not significantly affected by season. In addition to sampling position, both Zn and elemental carbon (EC) were significant predictors of RD2.5 alpha activity. In addition, the roadside RD2.5 activity levels were found to be higher at highways as compared to secondary roads. While traffic-related emissions do not appear to be significant sources of either ambient PM2.5 or RD2.5 alpha activity, the RD2.5 results suggest that traffic-related particles may contribute to RD2.5 alpha-activity. Implications: Many studies have reported the effects of traffic-related particulate matter (PM) on human health, and there is growing interest in the health effects of exposure to environmental PM alpha activity. This is the first study to report on the alpha activity of road dust (RD) or near-roadway ambient PM. We found that the alpha activity of ambient PM is twenty times higher than RD, suggesting that ambient PM may be more toxic. In PM and RD, the alpha activities were higher at background sites than at the roadside, indicating that traffic-related emissions are not a significant source of particulate radioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Lawrence
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marco Martins
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, MA, USA
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston, MA, USA
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14
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Unconventional oil and gas development and ambient particle radioactivity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5002. [PMID: 33051463 PMCID: PMC7553919 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18226-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Unconventional oil and natural gas development (UOGD) expanded extensively in the United States from the early 2000s. However, the influence of UOGD on the radioactivity of ambient particulate is not well understood. We collected the ambient particle radioactivity (PR) measurements of RadNet, a nationwide environmental radiation monitoring network. We obtained the information of over 1.5 million wells from the Enverus database. We investigated the association between the upwind UOGD well count and the downwind gross-beta radiation with adjustment for environmental factors governing the natural emission and transport of radioactivity. Our statistical analysis found that an additional 100 upwind UOGD wells within 20 km is associated with an increase of 0.024 mBq/m3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.020, 0.028 mBq/m3) in the gross-beta particle radiation downwind. Based on the published health analysis of PR, the widespread UOGD could induce adverse health effects to residents living close to UOGD by elevating PR.
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15
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Papatheodorou S, Gold DR, Blomberg AJ, Hacker M, Wylie BJ, Requia WJ, Oken E, Fleisch AF, Schwartz JD, Koutrakis P. Ambient particle radioactivity and gestational diabetes: A cohort study of more than 1 million pregnant women in Massachusetts, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 733:139340. [PMID: 32464573 PMCID: PMC7472683 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of chronic metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Internal ionizing radiation from inhaled radioactive aerosol may contribute to the associations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS We used the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records to study 1,061,937 pregnant women from 2001 to 2015 with a singleton pregnancy without pre-existing diabetes. Gross β activity measured by seven monitors of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's RadNet monitoring network was utilized to represent ambient particle radioactivity (PR). We obtained GDM status from birth certificates and used logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics, maternal comorbidities, PM2.5, temperature and relative humidity. We also examined effect modification by smoking habits. RESULTS Ambient particle radioactivity exposure during first and second trimester of pregnancy was associated with higher odds of GDM (OR: 1.18 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.22). Controlling for PM2.5 did not substantially change the effects of PR on GDM. In women that reported being former or current smokers, the association between PR and GDM was null. In the full cohort, the overall effect of PM2.5 on GDM without adjusting for PR was not significant. CONCLUSION This is the first population-based study to examine the association between particle radioactivity and gestational diabetes mellitus - one of the most common pregnancy-related diseases with lifelong effects for the mother and the fetus. This finding has important public health policy implications because it enhances our understanding about the toxicity of PR, a modifiable risk factor, which to date, has been considered only as an indoor and occupational air quality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diane R Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Annelise J Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michele Hacker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Blair J Wylie
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Weeberb J Requia
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abby F Fleisch
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA; Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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16
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Peralta AA, Link MS, Schwartz J, Luttmann-Gibson H, Dockery DW, Blomberg A, Wei Y, Mittleman MA, Gold DR, Laden F, Coull BA, Koutrakis P. Exposure to Air Pollution and Particle Radioactivity With the Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias. Circulation 2020; 142:858-867. [PMID: 32795087 PMCID: PMC7484430 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.046321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals are exposed to air pollution and ionizing radiation from natural sources through inhalation of particles. This study investigates the association between cardiac arrhythmias and short-term exposures to fine particulate matter (particulate matter ≤2.5 µm aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5) and particle radioactivity. METHODS Ventricular arrhythmic events were identified among 176 patients with dual-chamber implanted cardioverter-defibrillators in Boston, Massachusetts between September 2006 and June 2010. Patients were assigned exposures based on residential addresses. Daily PM2.5 levels were estimated at 1-km×1-km grid cells from a previously validated prediction model. Particle gross β activity was used as a surrogate for particle radioactivity and was measured from several monitoring sites by the US Environmental Protection Agency's monitoring network. The association of the onset of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) with 0- to 21-day moving averages of PM2.5 and particle radioactivity (2 single-pollutant models and a 2-pollutant model) before the event was examined using time-stratified case-crossover analyses, adjusted for dew point and air temperatures. RESULTS A total of 1,050 VA were recorded among 91 patients, including 123 sustained VA among 25 of these patients. In the single-pollutant model of PM2.5, each interquartile range increase in daily PM2.5 levels for a 21-day moving average was associated with 39% higher odds of a VA event (95% CI, 12%-72%). In the single-pollutant model of particle radioactivity, each interquartile range increase in particle radioactivity for a 2-day moving average was associated with 13% higher odds of a VA event (95% CI, 1%-26%). In the 2-pollutant model, for the same averaging window of 21 days, each interquartile range increase in daily PM2.5 was associated with an 48% higher odds of a VA event (95% CI, 15%-90%), and each interquartile range increase of particle radioactivity with a 10% lower odds of a VA event (95% CI, -29% to 14%). We found that with higher levels of particle radioactivity, the effect of PM2.5 on VAs is reduced. CONCLUSIONS In this high-risk population, intermediate (21-day) PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher odds of a VA event onset among patients with known cardiac disease and indication for implanted cardioverter-defibrillator implantation independently of particle radioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adjani A. Peralta
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Mark S. Link
- UTSouthwestern Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Dallas, TX
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Heike Luttmann-Gibson
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Douglas W. Dockery
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Annelise Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Yaguang Wei
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Murray A. Mittleman
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Diane R. Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brent A. Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
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17
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Huang S, Xiong J, Vieira CLZ, Blomberg AJ, Gold DR, Coull BA, Sarosiek K, Schwartz JD, Wolfson JM, Li J, Koutrakis P. Short-term exposure to ambient particle gamma radioactivity is associated with increased risk for all-cause non-accidental and cardiovascular mortality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 721:137793. [PMID: 32172126 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137793] [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: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have found that particulate matter (PM) attached radioactivity was associated with certain adverse health effects including increased blood pressure and lung dysfunction. However, there has been no investigation on the direct effect of PM radioactivity on mortality. METHODS Exposures to ambient PM gamma activities were determined using U.S. EPA RadNet data. Data on daily deaths were obtained from individual state Departments of Public Health. We used a generalized additive quasi-Poisson model to estimate the associations between two-day average ambient PM gamma activities (gamma2 through gamma9) with all-cause non-accidental and cardiovascular daily deaths for each of 18 US cities, for each season, adjusting for two-day average PM2.5 exposure, temperature, relative humidity, day of week and long-term trends. Subsequently, we used random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the overall effect in the 18 cities for each season. RESULTS We found that all-cause non-accidental daily mortality in spring season was positively associated with two-day average ambient PM gamma activities in spring, with significant results for gamma2, gamma5 and gamma6. Similarly, cardiovascular daily mortality was positively associated with two-day average ambient PM gamma activities, with significant results for gamma2, gamma4, gamma5, gamma6, gamma7 and gamma9. For the spring season, each interquartile range (IQR) increase of two-day averaged ambient PM gamma activity was associated with increase in all-cause daily deaths, ranging from 0.15% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): -0.36%, 0.65%) to 1.03 (95%CI: 0.18%, 1.89%). Each IQR was also associated with increase in cardiovascular daily deaths, ranging from 0.01% (95%CI: -0.89, 0.92) to 2.95% (95%CI: 1.33, 4.59). For other seasons overall we found statistically insignificant associations of PM radioactivity with mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that there are potential systemic toxic effects of inhalation of radionuclides attached to ambient air particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaodan Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Jianyin Xiong
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Carolina L Z Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Annelise J Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Diane R Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA; Department of Biostatistics at Harvard School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Kristopher Sarosiek
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA; Environmental Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Jack M Wolfson
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA.
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
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18
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Blomberg AJ, Li L, Schwartz JD, Coull BA, Koutrakis P. Exposure to Particle Beta Radiation in Greater Massachusetts and Factors Influencing Its Spatial and Temporal Variability. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:6575-6583. [PMID: 32363859 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Particle radioactivity is a property of airborne particles caused by the presence of naturally occurring or anthropogenic radionuclides. Recent studies have found associations between particle radioactivity and adverse health outcomes, including changes in blood pressure and lung function. However, the spatiotemporal distribution of particle radioactivity and factors influencing its variability have not been extensively studied. We address these knowledge gaps using measurements of gross beta activity, collected at seven Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) RadNet monitors located in and around Massachusetts. We apply back-trajectory analysis to identify prevailing air mass trajectories and find that these trajectories strongly influence seasonal trends in beta activity. We also evaluate the effects of different meteorological predictors on daily beta activity concentrations using a mixed-effect model. Important predictors of beta activity include air mass trajectories, temperature, and relative humidity. Finally, we create a series of random forest models to impute missing beta activity concentrations at each RadNet monitor for use in future health studies. This is the first study to analyze spatiotemporal trends in particle radioactivity using measurements from the EPA RadNet system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelise J Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Longxiang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Vieira CLZ, Garshick E, Alvares D, Schwartz J, Huang S, Vokonas P, Gold DR, Koutrakis P. Association between ambient beta particle radioactivity and lower hemoglobin concentrations in a cohort of elderly men. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 139:105735. [PMID: 32304940 PMCID: PMC7285998 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Although ionizing radiation is known to have detrimental effects on red blood cells, the effect of environmental radioactivity associated with ambient particulate matter (PM) is unknown. We hypothesized that exposure to ambient PM-associated beta particle radioactivity (PRβ) would be associated with a lower hemoglobin concentration. We studied 1.704 participants from the Normative Aging Study (NAS) over 36 years (1981-2017) who lived in Eastern, MA and the surrounding area. Exposures to PRβ was assessed using USEPA's RadNet monitoring network that measures gross beta radiation associated with ambient PM. Mixed effect models with a random intercept adjusting for potential confounders was used, including ambient black carbon (BC) and particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) concentrations. Greater cumulative PRβ activities at 7-, 14-, 21- and 28-days before the hemoglobin determination were associated with lower hemoglobin concentrations. The greatest effect was for a 28-day moving average. An IQR of 0.83 × 10-4 Bq/m3 of ambient PRβ was associated with a 0.12 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin concentration (95%CI: -0.18 to -0.05). The effects of PRβ were similar when the models were adjusted for ambient BC or PM2.5. This is the first study to demonstrate an association between environmental ionizing radiation released from particulate matter with a lower hemoglobin concentration, suggesting that ambient radiation may contribute to the development of anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina L Z Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Danilo Alvares
- Department of Statistics, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shaodan Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - P Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; School of Medicine and Public Health, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Diane R Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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20
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Huang S, Garshick E, Vieira CLZ, Grady ST, Schwartz JD, Coull BA, Hart JE, Laden F, Koutrakis P. Short-term exposures to particulate matter gamma radiation activities and biomarkers of systemic inflammation and endothelial activation in COPD patients. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 180:108841. [PMID: 31655330 PMCID: PMC6983292 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We hypothesized that particulate matter (PM) gamma activity (gamma radiation associated with PM) is associated with systemic effects. OBJECTIVE Examine short-term relationships between ambient and indoor exposures to PM gamma activities with systemic inflammation and endothelial activation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. METHODS In 85 COPD patients from Eastern Massachusetts, USA from 2012 to 2014, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were measured seasonally up to four times. We used US EPA RadNet data measuring ambient gamma radiation attached to PM adjusted for background radiation, and estimated in-home gamma radiation exposures using the ratio of in-home-to-ambient sulfur in PM2.5. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to determine associations between moving averages of PM gamma activities through the week before phlebotomy with these biomarkers. We explored ambient and indoor PM2.5, black carbon (BC), and NO2 as confounders. RESULTS Ambient and indoor PM gamma activities measured as energy spectra classes 3 through 9 were positively associated with CRP and IL-6. For example, averaged from phlebotomy day through previous 6 days, each IQR increase in indoor PM gamma activity for each spectra class, was associated with an CRP increase ranging from 7.45% (95%CI: 2.77, 12.4) to 13.4% (95%CI: 5.82, 21.4) and for ambient exposures were associated with an increase of 8.75% (95%CI: -0.57, 18.95) to 14.8% (95%CI: 4.5, 26.0). Indoor exposures were associated with IL-6 increase of 3.56% (95%CI: 0.31, 6.91) to 6.46% (95%CI:1.33, 11.85) and ambient exposures were associated with an increase of 0.03% (95%CI: -6.37, 6.87) to 3.50% (95%CI: -3.15, 10.61). There were no positive associations with sVCAM-1. Sensitivity analyses using two-pollutant models showed similar effects. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that short-term exposures to environmental PM gamma radiation activities were associated with systemic inflammation in COPD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaodan Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carolina L Z Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie T Grady
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Research and Development Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Gao J, Yuan J, Wang Q, Lei T, Shen X, Cui B, Zhang F, Ding W, Lu Z. Metformin protects against PM 2.5-induced lung injury and cardiac dysfunction independent of AMP-activated protein kinase α2. Redox Biol 2020; 28:101345. [PMID: 31669973 PMCID: PMC6838896 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) airborne pollution increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Although metformin is a well-known antidiabetic drug, it also confers protection against a series of diseases through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, whether metformin affects PM2.5-induced adverse health effects has not been investigated. In this study, we exposed wild-type (WT) and AMPKα2-/- mice to PM2.5 every other day via intratracheal instillation for 4 weeks. After PM2.5 exposure, the AMPKα2-/- mice developed more severe lung injury and cardiac dysfunction than were developed in the WT mice; however the administration of metformin was effective in attenuating PM2.5-induced lung injury and cardiac dysfunction in both the WT and AMPKα2-/- mice. In the PM2.5-exposed mice, metformin treatment resulted in reduced systemic and pulmonary inflammation, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, suppressed induction of pulmonary and myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress, and increased levels of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, pretreatment with metformin significantly attenuated PM2.5-induced cell death and oxidative stress in control and AMPKα2-depleted BEAS-2B and H9C2 cells, and was associated with preserved expression of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes. These data support the notion that metformin protects against PM2.5-induced adverse health effects through a pathway that appears independent of AMPKα2. Our findings suggest that metformin may also be a novel drug for therapies that treat air pollution associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junling Gao
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Juntao Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiao'e Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cosmetic, China National Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Tong Lei
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiyue Shen
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bingqing Cui
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenjun Ding
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Zhongbing Lu
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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22
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Dai MY, Chen FF, Wang Y, Wang MZ, Lv YX, Liu RY. Particulate matters induce acute exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation via the TLR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Toxicol Lett 2019; 321:146-154. [PMID: 31836503 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to particulate matters (PMs) can lead to an acute exacerbation of allergic airway diseases, increasing the severity of symptoms and mortality. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PMs on acute exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation and seek potential therapeutic targets. METHODS Non-allergic control and ovalbumin (OVA)-allergic wide-type (WT) and Toll-like receptor 2 knockout (Tlr2-/-) mice were exposed to 100 μg of PM (diameter 5.85 μm) or saline by the oropharyngeal instillation. The responses were examined three days after exposure. In the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line, Tlr2 was knocked down by small-interfering RNA or the NF-κB inhibitor JSH-23 was used, and then the cells were stimulated with PMs for 12 h before comparison of the inflammatory responses. RESULTS PM exposure led to increased inflammatory cell recruitment and airway intensity of PAS + staining in OVA-allergic WT mice, accompanied with an accumulation of inflammatory cells and elevated inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-18, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Furthermore, the protein levels of TLR2 and the NLRP3 inflammasome were elevated concomitantly with the airway inflammation post-OVA/PMs challenge. Tlr2 deficiency effectively inhibited the airway inflammation, including pulmonary inflammatory cell recruitment, mucus secretion, serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), and BALF inflammatory cytokine production. Additionally, the P-induced NLRP3 activation in the RAW 264.7 cell line was diminished by the knockdown of Tlr2 or JSH-23 treatment in vitro. CONCLUSION Our results indicated that PMs exacerbate the allergic airway inflammation mediated by the TLR2/ NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Inhibition of NF-κB seems to be a possible treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yuan Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Geriatric Respiratory and Critical Care, Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine for Geriatric Disease, Anhui Geriatric Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fang-Fang Chen
- Department of Geriatric Respiratory and Critical Care, Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine for Geriatric Disease, Anhui Geriatric Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mu-Zi Wang
- Department of Geriatric Respiratory and Critical Care, Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine for Geriatric Disease, Anhui Geriatric Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yun-Xiang Lv
- Department of Geriatric Respiratory and Critical Care, Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine for Geriatric Disease, Anhui Geriatric Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rong-Yu Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Geriatric Respiratory and Critical Care, Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine for Geriatric Disease, Anhui Geriatric Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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23
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Gao X, Koutrakis P, Blomberg AJ, Coull B, Vokonas P, Schwartz J, Baccarelli AA. Short-term ambient particle radioactivity level and renal function in older men: Insight from the Normative Aging Study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 131:105018. [PMID: 31336254 PMCID: PMC6728188 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whole-body and thoracic ionizing radiation exposure are both associated with the development of renal dysfunction. However, whether low-level environmental radiation from air pollution affects renal function remains unknown. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association of particle radioactivity (PR) with renal function defined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Normative Aging Study. METHODS This longitudinal analysis included 2491 medical visits from 809 white males enrolled between 1999 and 2013. The eGFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI and MDRD equations, and CKD cases were identified as those with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Gross β activity measured by five monitors of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's RadNet monitoring network was utilized to represent PR. RESULTS Ambient PR levels from 1 to 28 days prior to clinical visit demonstrated robust negative associations with both forms of eGFR, but not with the increased odds of CKD. An interquartile range higher 28-day average ambient PR level was significantly associated with 0.83-mL/min/1.73 m2 lower eGFR estimated by the CKD-EPI equation (95% confidence interval: -1.46, -0.20, p-value = 0.01). Controlling for PM2.5 or black carbon in the model slightly attenuated the PR effects on eGFR. However, in individuals with the highest levels (3rd tertile) of C-reactive protein (CRP) or fibrinogen, we observed robust associations of PR with eGFR and CKD, suggesting that systemic inflammation may modify the PR-eGFR and PR-CKD relationships. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals adverse health effects of short-term low-level ambient PR on the renal function, providing evidence to guide further study of the interplay between PR, inflammation, and renal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annelise J Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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24
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Liu F, Chen G, Huo W, Wang C, Liu S, Li N, Mao S, Hou Y, Lu Y, Xiang H. Associations between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:1235-1245. [PMID: 31252121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Previous meta-analyses on associations between air pollution (AP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were mainly focused on studies conducted in high-income countries. Evidence should be updated by including more recent studies, especially those conducted in low- and middle-income countries. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to conclude an updated pooled effect estimates between long-term AP exposure and the prevalence and incidence of T2DM. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies regarding associations of AP with T2DM prevalence and incidence prior to January 2019. A random-effects model was employed to analyze the overall effects. A total of 30 articles were finally included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that higher levels of AP exposure were significantly associated with higher prevalence of T2DM (per 10 μg/m3 increase in concentrations of particles with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5): odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.05, 1.13; particles with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm (PM10): OR = 1.12, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.19; nitrogen dioxide (NO2): OR = 1.05, 95%CI:1.03, 1.08). Besides, higher level of PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher T2DM incidence (per 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM2.5: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.10, 95%CI:1.04, 1.16), while the associations between PM10, NO2 and T2DM incidence were not statistically significant. The associations between AP exposure and T2DM prevalence showed no significant difference between high-income countries and low- and middle-incomes countries. However, different associations were identified between PM2.5 exposure and T2DM prevalence in different geographic areas. No significant differences were found in associations of AP and T2DM prevalence/incidence between females and males, except for the effect of NO2 on T2DM incidence. Overall, AP exposure was positively associated with T2DM. There still remains a need for evidence from low- and middle-income countries on the relationships between AP and T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Liu
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Gongbo Chen
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan, China.
| | - Wenqian Huo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chongjian Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Suyang Liu
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuyuan Mao
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Yitan Hou
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanan Lu
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University Hawaii at Manoa, 1960 East West Rd, Biomed Bldg, D105, Honolulu, USA
| | - Hao Xiang
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan, China.
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25
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Nyhan MM, Rice M, Blomberg A, Coull BA, Garshick E, Vokonas P, Schwartz J, Gold DR, Koutrakis P. Associations between ambient particle radioactivity and lung function. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104795. [PMID: 31200155 PMCID: PMC6679995 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.04.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested increased risk of respiratory diseases and mortality following short-term exposures to ionizing radiation. However, the short-term respiratory effects of low-level environmental radiation associated with air pollution particles have not been considered. Although ambient particulate matter (PM) has been reproducibly linked to decreased lung function and to increased respiratory related morbidity, the properties of PM promoting its toxicity are uncertain. As such, we evaluated whether lung function was associated with exposures to radioactive components of ambient PM, referred to as particle radioactivity (PR). For this, we performed a repeated-measures analysis of 839 men to examine associations between PR exposure and lung function using mixed-effects regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. We examined whether PR-lung function associations changed after adjusting for PM2.5 (particulate matter≤2.5 μm) or black carbon, and vice versa. PR was measured by the USEPA's radiation monitoring network. We found that higher PR exposure was associated with a lower forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). An IQR increase in 28-day PR exposure was associated with a 2.4% lower FVC [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4, 3.4% p < 0.001] and a 2.4% lower FEV1 (95% CI: 1.3, 3.5%, p < 0.001). The PR-lung function associations were partially attenuated with adjustment for PM2.5 and black carbon. This is the first study to demonstrate associations between PR and lung function, which were independent of and similar in magnitude to those of PM2.5 and black carbon. If confirmed, future research should account for PR exposure in estimating respiratory health effects of ambient particles. Because of widespread exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation, our findings may have important implications for research, and environmental health policies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite M Nyhan
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering & MaREI, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland.
| | - Mary Rice
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annelise Blomberg
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diane R Gold
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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