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Phen SM, Jani N, Klein-Adams JC, Ndirangu DS, Rahman A, Falvo MJ. Prevalence and risk factors of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) among veterans in the airborne hazards and open burn pit registry: a prospective, observational, nested study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:846. [PMID: 39169287 PMCID: PMC11337853 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09730-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Veterans have unique military risk factors and exposures during deployment that may augment their risk of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). The purpose of this study is to identify potential risk factors for PASC among Veterans in the national Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR). METHODS This prospective observational study consisted of a semi-structured interview conducted via phone or videoconference from November 2021 to December 2022 among a stratified random sample of deployed Veterans nested within the national AHOBPR with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. PASC was defined as persistent new-onset symptoms lasting more than 2 months after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Deployment history, airborne hazards exposure and symptoms were obtained from the AHOBPR self-assessment questionnaire completed prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection (past). Post-infection symptoms and health behaviors obtained at study interview (present) were used to test the hypothesis that deployment experience and exposure increases the risk for PASC. RESULTS From a sample of 212 Veterans, 149 (70%) met criteria for PASC with a mean age of 47 ± 8.7 years; 73 (49%) were women and 76 (51%) were men, and 129 (82.6%) continued to experience persistent symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 (596.8 ± 160.4 days since initial infection). Neither exposure to airborne hazards (OR 0.97, CI 0.92-1.03) or to burn pits (OR 1.00, CI 0.99-1.00) augmented risk for PASC. CONCLUSIONS PASC is highly common among Veterans enrolled in the AHOBPR, but we did not observe any unique military risk factors (e.g., airborne hazards exposure) that augmented the risk of PASC. Our findings may provide guidance to clinicians in the VHA network to administer appropriate care for Veterans experiencing PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherilynn M Phen
- Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nisha Jani
- Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jacquelyn C Klein-Adams
- Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, USA
| | - Duncan S Ndirangu
- Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, USA
| | - Azizur Rahman
- Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, USA
| | - Michael J Falvo
- Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, USA.
- New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
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Majewski G, Szeląg B, Rogula-Kozłowska W, Rogula-Kopiec P, Brandyk A, Rybak J, Radziemska M, Liniauskiene E, Klik B. Machine learning analysis of PM1 impact on visibility with comprehensive sensitivity evaluation of concentration, composition, and meteorological factors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16732. [PMID: 39030249 PMCID: PMC11271544 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67576-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This study introduces a novel approach to visibility modelling, focusing on PM1 concentration, its chemical composition, and meteorological conditions in two distinct Polish cities, Zabrze and Warsaw. The analysis incorporates PM1 concentration measurements as well as its chemical composition and meteorological parameters, including visibility data collected during summer and winter measurement campaigns (120 samples in each city). The developed calculation procedure encompasses several key steps: formulating a visibility prediction model through machine learning, identifying data in clusters using unsupervised learning methods, and conducting global sensitivity analysis for each cluster. The multi-layer perceptron methods developed demonstrate high accuracy in predicting visibility, with R values of 0.90 for Warsaw and an RMSE of 1.52 km for Zabrze. Key findings reveal that air temperature and relative humidity significantly impact visibility, alongside PM1 concentration and specific heavy metals such as Rb, Vi, and Cd in Warsaw and Cr, Vi, and Mo in Zabrze. Cluster analysis underscores the localized and complex nature of visibility determinants, highlighting the substantial but previously underappreciated role of heavy metals. Integrating the k-means clustering and GSA methods emerges as a powerful tool for unravelling complex mechanisms of chemical compound changes in particulate matter and air, significantly influencing visibility development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Majewski
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Bartosz Szeląg
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Patrycja Rogula-Kopiec
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Andrzej Brandyk
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Rybak
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maja Radziemska
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ernesta Liniauskiene
- Department of Hydrotechnical Engineering, Faculty Environmental Engineering, Kaunas Forestry and Environmental Engineering University of Applied Sciences, 53101, Girionys, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Barbara Klik
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
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3
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Lowers H, Zell-Baran L, Arslan Z, Moore CM, Rose C. Particle Morphology and Elemental Analysis of Lung Tissue from Post-9/11 Military Personnel with Biopsy-Proven Lung Disease. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:91. [PMID: 38248554 PMCID: PMC10815659 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The relationship between exposure to inhaled inorganic particulate matter and risk for deployment-related lung disease in military personnel is unclear due in part to difficulties characterizing individual exposure to airborne hazards. We evaluated the association between self-reported deployment exposures and particulate matter (PM) contained in lung tissue from previously deployed personnel with lung disease ("deployers"). The PM in deployer tissues was compared to normal lung tissue PM using the analytical results of scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The majority of PM phases for both the deployers and the controls were sub-micrometer in size and were compositionally classified as aluminum and zirconium oxides, carbonaceous particles, iron oxides, titanium oxides, silica, other silicates, and other metals. The proportion of silica and other silicates was significantly higher in the retained dust from military veterans with biopsy-confirmed deployment-related lung disease compared to the control subjects. Within the deployer population, those who had combat jobs had a higher total PM burden, though the difference was not statistically significant. These findings have important implications for understanding the role of inhaled inorganic dusts in the risk for lung injury in previously deployed military veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Lowers
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology Geophysics Geochemistry Science Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA; (H.L.); (Z.A.)
| | - Lauren Zell-Baran
- National Jewish Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Denver, CO 80206, USA;
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Zikri Arslan
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology Geophysics Geochemistry Science Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA; (H.L.); (Z.A.)
| | - Camille M. Moore
- National Jewish Health, Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Center for Genes, Environment and Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA;
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Cecile Rose
- National Jewish Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Denver, CO 80206, USA;
- Department of Medicine and Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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4
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Colonna KJ, Alahmad B, Choma EF, Albahar S, Al-Hemoud A, Kinney PL, Koutrakis P, Evans JS. Acute exposure to total and source-specific ambient fine particulate matter and risk of respiratory disease hospitalization in Kuwait. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117070. [PMID: 37666316 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Many epidemiologic studies concerned with acute exposure to ambient PM2.5 have reported positive associations for respiratory disease hospitalization. However, few studies have investigated this relationship in Kuwait and extrapolating results from other regions may involve considerable uncertainty due to variations in concentration levels, particle sources and composition, and population characteristics. Local studies can provide evidence for strategies to reduce risks from episodic exposures to high levels of ambient PM2.5 and generating hypotheses for evaluating health risks from chronic exposures. Therefore, using speciated PM2.5 data from local samplers, we analyzed the impact of daily total and source-specific PM2.5 exposure on respiratory hospitalizations in Kuwait using a case-crossover design with conditional quasi-Poisson regression. Total and source-specific ambient PM2.5 were modeled using 0-5-day cumulative distributed lags. For total PM2.5, we observed a 0.16% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.05, 0.27%) increase in risk for respiratory hospitalization per 1 μg/m3 increase in concentration. Of the source factors assessed, dust demonstrated a statistically significant increase in risk (0.16%, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.29%), and the central estimate for regional PM2.5 was positive (0.11%) but not statistically significant (95% CI = -0.11, 0.33%). No effect was observed from traffic emissions and 'other' source factors. When hospitalizations were stratified by sex, nationality, and age, we found that female, Kuwaiti national, and adult groups had higher effect estimates. These results suggest that exposure to ambient PM2.5 is harmful in Kuwait and provide some evidence of differential toxicity and effect modification depending on the PM2.5 source and population affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Colonna
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Barrak Alahmad
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ernani F Choma
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Soad Albahar
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Al-Hemoud
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Patrick L Kinney
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John S Evans
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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5
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Shamji MH, Ollert M, Adcock IM, Bennett O, Favaro A, Sarama R, Riggioni C, Annesi-Maesano I, Custovic A, Fontanella S, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Nadeau K, Cecchi L, Zemelka-Wiacek M, Akdis CA, Jutel M, Agache I. EAACI guidelines on environmental science in allergic diseases and asthma - Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop a causality model in exposomics. Allergy 2023; 78:1742-1757. [PMID: 36740916 DOI: 10.1111/all.15667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Allergic diseases and asthma are intrinsically linked to the environment we live in and to patterns of exposure. The integrated approach to understanding the effects of exposures on the immune system includes the ongoing collection of large-scale and complex data. This requires sophisticated methods to take full advantage of what this data can offer. Here we discuss the progress and further promise of applying artificial intelligence and machine-learning approaches to help unlock the power of complex environmental data sets toward providing causality models of exposure and intervention. We discuss a range of relevant machine-learning paradigms and models including the way such models are trained and validated together with examples of machine learning applied to allergic disease in the context of specific environmental exposures as well as attempts to tie these environmental data streams to the full representative exposome. We also discuss the promise of artificial intelligence in personalized medicine and the methodological approaches to healthcare with the final AI to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H Shamji
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Markus Ollert
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis (ORCA), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ian M Adcock
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | | | | | - Roudin Sarama
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Carmen Riggioni
- Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service, Institut de Reserca Sant Joan de Deú, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Research Director and Deputy DIrector of Institut Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health (IDESP) French NIH (INSERM) and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Adnan Custovic
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Sara Fontanella
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Environmental Medicine Faculty of Medicine University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- CK-CARE, Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Kari Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- SOS Allergology and Clinical Immunology, USL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
| | | | - Cezmi A Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University Zurich, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- ALL-MED Medical Research Institute, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania
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6
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Alahmad B, Li J, Achilleos S, Al-Mulla F, Al-Hemoud A, Koutrakis P. Burden of fine air pollution on mortality in the desert climate of Kuwait. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023:10.1038/s41370-023-00565-7. [PMID: 37322149 PMCID: PMC10403355 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00565-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Middle Eastern desert countries like Kuwait are known for intense dust storms and enormous petrochemical industries affecting ambient air pollution. However, local health authorities have not been able to assess the health impacts of air pollution due to limited monitoring networks and a lack of historical exposure data. OBJECTIVE To assess the burden of PM2.5 on mortality in the understudied dusty environment of Kuwait. METHODS We analyzed the acute impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on daily mortality in Kuwait between 2001 and 2016. To do so, we used spatiotemporally resolved estimates of PM2.5 in the region. Our analysis explored factors such as cause of death, sex, age, and nationality. We fitted quasi-Poisson time-series regression for lagged PM2.5 adjusted for time trend, seasonality, day of the week, temperature, and relative humidity. RESULTS There was a total of 70,321 deaths during the study period of 16 years. The average urban PM2.5 was estimated to be 46.2 ± 19.8 µg/m3. A 10 µg/m3 increase in a 3-day moving average of urban PM2.5 was associated with 1.19% (95% CI: 0.59, 1.80%) increase in all-cause mortality. For a 10 µg/m3 reduction in annual PM2.5 concentrations, a total of 52.3 (95% CI: 25.7, 79.1) deaths each year could be averted in Kuwait. That is, 28.6 (95% CI: 10.3, 47.0) Kuwaitis, 23.9 (95% CI: 6.4, 41.5) non-Kuwaitis, 9.4 (95% CI: 1.2, 17.8) children, and 20.9 (95% CI: 4.3, 37.6) elderly deaths each year. IMPACT STATEMENT The overwhelming prevalence of devastating dust storms and enormous petrochemical industries in the Gulf and the Middle East has intensified the urgency to address air pollution and its detrimental health effects. Alarmingly, the region's epidemiological research lags behind, hindered by a paucity of ground monitoring networks and historical exposure data. In response, we are harnessing the power of big data to generate predictive models of air pollution across time and space, providing crucial insights into the mortality burden associated with air pollution in this under-researched yet critically impacted area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barrak Alahmad
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Environmental & Occupational Health Department, College of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
- Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Souzana Achilleos
- Department of Primary Care & Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Ali Al-Hemoud
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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7
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Rudke AP, Martins JA, Hallak R, Martins LD, de Almeida DS, Beal A, Freitas ED, Andrade MF, Koutrakis P, Albuquerque TTA. Evaluating TROPOMI and MODIS performance to capture the dynamic of air pollution in São Paulo state: A case study during the COVID-19 outbreak. REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT 2023; 289:113514. [PMID: 36846486 PMCID: PMC9941323 DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2023.113514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric pollutant data retrieved through satellite sensors are continually used to assess changes in air quality in the lower atmosphere. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies started to use satellite measurements to evaluate changes in air quality in many different regions worldwide. However, although satellite data is continuously validated, it is known that its accuracy may vary between monitored areas, requiring regionalized quality assessments. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate whether satellites could measure changes in the air quality of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, during the COVID-19 outbreak; and to verify the relationship between satellite-based data [Tropospheric NO2 column density and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD)] and ground-based concentrations [NO2 and particulate material (PM; coarse: PM10 and fine: PM2.5)]. For this purpose, tropospheric NO2 obtained from the TROPOMI sensor and AOD retrieved from MODIS sensor data by using the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm were compared with concentrations obtained from 50 automatic ground monitoring stations. The results showed low correlations between PM and AOD. For PM10, most stations showed correlations lower than 0.2, which were not significant. The results for PM2.5 were similar, but some stations showed good correlations for specific periods (before or during the COVID-19 outbreak). Satellite-based Tropospheric NO2 proved to be a good predictor for NO2 concentrations at ground level. Considering all stations with NO2 measurements, correlations >0.6 were observed, reaching 0.8 for specific stations and periods. In general, it was observed that regions with a more industrialized profile had the best correlations, in contrast with rural areas. In addition, it was observed about 57% reductions in tropospheric NO2 throughout the state of São Paulo during the COVID-19 outbreak. Variations in air pollutants were linked to the region economic vocation, since there were reductions in industrialized areas (at least 50% of the industrialized areas showed >20% decrease in NO2) and increases in areas with farming and livestock characteristics (about 70% of those areas showed increase in NO2). Our results demonstrate that Tropospheric NO2 column densities can serve as good predictors of NO2 concentrations at ground level. For MAIAC-AOD, a weak relationship was observed, requiring the evaluation of other possible predictors to describe the relationship with PM. Thus, it is concluded that regionalized assessment of satellite data accuracy is essential for assertive estimates on a regional/local level. Good quality information retrieved at specific polluted areas does not assure a worldwide use of remote sensor data.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Rudke
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Av. Dos Pioneiros, 3131, 86036-370 Londrina, Brazil
| | - J A Martins
- Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Av. Dos Pioneiros, 3131, 86036-370 Londrina, Brazil
| | - R Hallak
- Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 1226, Cidade Universitária, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L D Martins
- Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Av. Dos Pioneiros, 3131, 86036-370 Londrina, Brazil
| | - D S de Almeida
- Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Av. Dos Pioneiros, 3131, 86036-370 Londrina, Brazil
- Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Km 235, SP310, 13565-905, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - A Beal
- Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Av. Dos Pioneiros, 3131, 86036-370 Londrina, Brazil
| | - E D Freitas
- Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 1226, Cidade Universitária, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M F Andrade
- Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 1226, Cidade Universitária, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - T T A Albuquerque
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Post Graduation Program on Environmental Engineering - Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, 29075-910 Vitória, Brazil
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8
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Vance SA, Kim YH, George IJ, Dye JA, Williams WC, Schladweiler MJ, Gilmour MI, Jaspers I, Gavett SH. Contributions of particulate and gas phases of simulated burn pit smoke exposures to impairment of respiratory function. Inhal Toxicol 2023; 35:129-138. [PMID: 36692431 PMCID: PMC10392891 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2023.2169416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inhalation of smoke from the burning of waste materials on military bases is associated with increased incidences of cardiopulmonary diseases. This study examined the respiratory and inflammatory effects of acute inhalation exposures in mice to smoke generated by military burn pit-related materials including plywood (PW), cardboard (CB), mixed plastics (PL), and a mixture of these three materials (MX) under smoldering (0.84 MCE) and flaming (0.97 MCE) burn conditions. METHODS Mice were exposed nose-only for one hour on two consecutive days to whole or filtered smoke or clean air alone. Smoldering combustion emissions had greater concentrations of PM (∼40 mg/m3) and VOCs (∼5-12 ppmv) than flaming emissions (∼4 mg/m3 and ∼1-2 ppmv, respectively); filtered emissions had equivalent levels of VOCs with negligible PM. Breathing parameters were assessed during exposure by head-out plethysmography. RESULTS All four smoldering burn pit emission types reduced breathing frequency (F) and minute volumes (MV) compared with baseline exposures to clean air, and HEPA filtration significantly reduced the effects of all smoldering materials except CB. Flaming emissions had significantly less suppression of F and MV compared with smoldering conditions. No acute effects on lung inflammatory cells, cytokines, lung injury markers, or hematology parameters were noted in smoke-exposed mice compared with air controls, likely due to reduced respiration and upper respiratory scrubbing to reduce the total deposited PM dose in this short-term exposure. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that material and combustion type influences respiratory responses to burn pit combustion emissions. Furthermore, PM filtration provides significant protective effects only for certain material types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. Vance
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Ingrid J. George
- Air Methods and Characterization Division, Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Janice A. Dye
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Wanda C. Williams
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Mette J. Schladweiler
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - M. Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Stephen H. Gavett
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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Zhang Y, Wu W, Li Y, Li Y. An investigation of PM2.5 concentration changes in Mid-Eastern China before and after COVID-19 outbreak. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 175:107941. [PMID: 37146469 PMCID: PMC10119641 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
With the Chinese government revising ambient air quality standards and strengthening the monitoring and management of pollutants such as PM2.5, the concentrations of air pollutants in China have gradually decreased in recent years. Meanwhile, the strong control measures taken by the Chinese government in the face of COVID-19 in 2020 have an extremely profound impact on the reduction of pollutants in China. Therefore, investigations of pollutant concentration changes in China before and after COVID-19 outbreak are very necessary and concerning, but the number of monitoring stations is very limited, making it difficult to conduct a high spatial density investigation. In this study, we construct a modern deep learning model based on multi-source data, which includes remotely sensed AOD data products, other reanalysis element data, and ground monitoring station data. Combining satellite remote sensing techniques, we finally realize a high spital density PM2.5 concentration change investigation method, and analyze the seasonal and annual, the spatial and temporal characteristics of PM2.5 concentrations in Mid-Eastern China from 2016 to 2021 and the impact of epidemic closure and control measures on regional and provincial PM2.5 concentrations. We find that PM2.5 concentrations in Mid-Eastern China during these years is mainly characterized by "north-south superiority and central inferiority", seasonal differences are evident, with the highest in winter, the second highest in autumn and the lowest in summer, and a gradual decrease in overall concentration during the year. According to our experimental results, the annual average PM2.5 concentration decreases by 3.07 % in 2020, and decreases by 24.53 % during the shutdown period, which is probably caused by China's epidemic control measures. At the same time, some provinces with a large share of secondary industry see PM2.5 concentrations drop by more than 30 %. By 2021, PM2.5 concentrations rebound slightly, rising by 10 % in most provinces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Zhang
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Wenpin Wu
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Yiliang Li
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Yansheng Li
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
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Quan W, Xia N, Guo Y, Hai W, Song J, Zhang B. PM2.5 concentration assessment based on geographical and temporal weighted regression model and MCD19A2 from 2015 to 2020 in Xinjiang, China. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285610. [PMID: 37167212 PMCID: PMC10174561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
PM2.5 is closely linked to both air quality and public health. Many studies have used models combined with remote sensing and auxiliary data to inverse a large range of PM2.5 concentrations. However, the data's spatial resolution is limited. and better results might have been obtained if higher resolution data had been used. Therefore, this paper establishes a geographical and temporal weighted regression model (GTWR) and estimates the PM2.5 concentration in Xinjiang from 2015 to 2020 using 1 km resolution MCD19A2 (MODIS/Terra+Aqua Land Aerosol Optical Thickness Daily L2G Global 1km SIN Grid V006) data and 9 auxiliary variables. The findings indicate that the GTWR model performs better than the simple linear regression (SLR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models in terms of accuracy and feasibility in retrieving PM2.5 concentrations in Xinjiang. Simultaneously, by combining the GTWR model with MCD19A2 data, a spatial distribution map of PM2.5 with better spatial resolution can be obtained. Next, the regional distribution of annual PM2.5 concentrations in Xinjiang is consistent with the terrain from 2015 to 2020. The low value area is primarily found in the mountainous area with higher terrain, while the high value area is primarily in the basin with lower terrain. Overall, the southwest is high and the northeast is low. In terms of time change, the six-year PM2.5 shows a single peak distribution with 2016 as the inflection point. Lastly, from 2015 to 2020, the seasonal average PM2.5 concentration in Xinjiang has a significant difference, thereby showing winter (66.15μg/m3)>spring (52.28μg/m3)>autumn (40.51μg/m3)>summer (38.63μg/m3). The research shows that the combination of MCD19A2 data and GTWR model has good applicability in retrieving PM2.5 concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Quan
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, MNR, Urumqi, China
| | - Nan Xia
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, MNR, Urumqi, China
| | - Yitu Guo
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Wenyue Hai
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, MNR, Urumqi, China
| | - Jimi Song
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, MNR, Urumqi, China
| | - Bowen Zhang
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, MNR, Urumqi, China
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11
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Li J, Kang CM, Wolfson JM, Alahmad B, Al-Hemoud A, Garshick E, Koutrakis P. Estimation of fine particulate matter in an arid area from visibility based on machine learning. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:926-931. [PMID: 36151455 PMCID: PMC9742157 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00480-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The absence of air pollution monitoring networks makes it difficult to assess historical fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposures for countries in the areas, such as Kuwait, which are severe impacted by desert dust and anthropogenic pollution. OBJECTIVE We constructed an ensemble machine learning model to predict daily PM2.5 concentrations for regions lack of PM2.5 observations. METHODS The model was constructed based on daily PM2.5, visibility, and other meteorological data collected at two sites in Kuwait. Then, our model was applied to predict the daily level of PM2.5 concentrations for eight airports located in Kuwait and Iraq from 2013 to 2020. RESULTS As compared to traditional statistic models, the proposed machine learning methods improved the accuracy in using visibility to predict daily PM2.5 concentrations with a cross-validation R2 of 0.68. The predicted level of daily PM2.5 concentrations were consistent with previous measurements. The predicted average yearly PM2.5 concentration for the eight stations is 50.65 µg/m3. For all stations, the monthly average PM2.5 concentrations reached their maximum in July and their minimum in November. SIGNIFICANCE These findings make it possible to retrospectively estimate daily PM2.5 exposures using the large-scale databases of historical visibility in regions with few particulate matter monitoring stations. IMPACT STATEMENT The scarcity of air pollution ground monitoring networks makes it difficult to assess historical fine particulate matter exposures for countries in arid areas such as Kuwait. Visibility is closely related to atmospheric particulate matter concentrations and historical airport visibility records are commonly available in most countries. Our model make it possible to retrospectively estimate daily PM2.5 exposures using the large-scale databases of historical visibility in arid regions with few particulate matter ground monitoring stations. The product of such models can be critical for environmental risk assessments and population health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, USA.
| | - Choong-Min Kang
- Department of Environmental Health, 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
| | - Barrak Alahmad
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, USA
| | - Ali Al-Hemoud
- Crisis Decision Support Program, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat, 13109, Kuwait
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02132, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, 02115, USA
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Fu L, Wang Q, Li J, Jin H, Zhen Z, Wei Q. Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity and the Key Influencing Factors of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Heilongjiang, China from 2014 to 2018. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191811627. [PMID: 36141911 PMCID: PMC9517409 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811627] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) degrades air quality and negatively impacts human health. The spatial-temporal heterogeneity of PM (PM2.5 and PM10) concentration in Heilongjiang Province during 2014-2018 and the key impacting factors were investigated based on principal component analysis-based ordinary least square regression (PCA-OLS), PCA-based geographically weighted regression (PCA-GWR), PCA-based temporally weighted regression (PCA-TWR), and PCA-based geographically and temporally weighted regression (PCA-GTWR). Results showed that six principal components represented the temperature, wind speed, air pressure, atmospheric pollution, humidity, and vegetation cover factor, respectively, contributing 87% of original variables. All the local models (PCA-GWR, PCA-TWR, and PCA-GTWR) were superior to the global model (PCA-OLS), and PCA-GTWR has the best performance. PM had greater temporal than spatial heterogeneity due to seasonal periodicity. Air pollutants (i.e., SO2, NO2, and CO) and pressure were promoted whereas temperature, wind speed, and vegetation cover inhibited the PM concentration. The downward trend of annual PM concentration is obvious, especially after 2017, and the hot spot gradually changed from southwestern to southeastern cities. This study laid the foundation for precise local government prevention and control by addressing both excessive effect factors (i.e., meteorological factors, air pollutants, vegetation cover) and spatial-temporal heterogeneity of PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhui Fu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Qibang Wang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jianhui Li
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Huiran Jin
- School of Applied Engineering and Technology, Newark College of Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Zhen Zhen
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Korea
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (Q.W.)
| | - Qingbin Wei
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- School of Geographical Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (Q.W.)
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13
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Tong C, Shi Z, Shi W, Zhang A. Estimation of On-Road PM 2.5 Distributions by Combining Satellite Top-of-Atmosphere With Microscale Geographic Predictors for Healthy Route Planning. GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2022GH000669. [PMID: 36101834 PMCID: PMC9453924 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
How to reduce the health risks for commuters, caused by air pollution such as PM2.5 has always been an urgent issue needing to be solved. Proposed in this study, is a novel framework which enables greater avoidance of pollution and hence assists the provision of healthy travel. This framework is based on the estimation of on-road PM2.5 throughout the whole city. First, the micro-scale PM2.5 is predicted by land use regression (LUR) modeling enhanced by the use of the Landsat-8 top-of-atmosphere (TOA) data and microscale geographic predictors. In particular, the green view index (GVI) factor derived, the sky view factor, and the index-based built-up index, are incorporated within the TOA-LUR modeling. On-road PM2.5 distributions are then mapped in high-spatial-resolution. The maps obtained can be used to find healthy travel routes with less PM2.5. The proposed framework was applied in high-density Hong Kong by Landsat 8 images. External testing was based on mobile measurements. The results showed that the estimation performance of the proposed seasonal TOA-LUR Geographical and Temporal Weighted Regression models is at a high-level with an R 2 of 0.70-0.90. The newly introduced GVI index played an important role in these estimations. The PM2.5 distribution maps at high-spatial-resolution were then used to develop an application providing Hong Kong residents with healthy route planning services. The proposed framework can, likewise, be applied in other cities to better ensure people's health when traveling, especially those in high-density cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengzhuo Tong
- Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute and Department of Land Surveying and Geo‐InformaticsThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong KongChina
| | - Zhicheng Shi
- Research Institute for Smart CitiesSchool of Architecture and Urban PlanningShenzhen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Wenzhong Shi
- Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute and Department of Land Surveying and Geo‐InformaticsThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong KongChina
| | - Anshu Zhang
- Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute and Department of Land Surveying and Geo‐InformaticsThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong KongChina
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Olsen T, Caruana D, Cheslack-Postava K, Szema A, Thieme J, Kiss A, Singh M, Smith G, McClain S, Glotch T, Esposito M, Promisloff R, Ng D, He X, Egeblad M, Kew R, Szema A. Iraq/Afghanistan war lung injury reflects burn pits exposure. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14671. [PMID: 36038588 PMCID: PMC9424528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18252-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This descriptive case series retrospectively reviewed medical records from thirty-one previously healthy, war-fighting veterans who self-reported exposure to airborne hazards while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and the present. They all noted new-onset dyspnea, which began during deployment or as a military contractor. Twenty-one subjects underwent non-invasive pulmonary diagnostic testing, including maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and impulse oscillometry (IOS). In addition, five soldiers received a lung biopsy; tissue results were compared to a previously published sample from a soldier in our Iraq Afghanistan War Lung Injury database and others in our database with similar exposures, including burn pits. We also reviewed civilian control samples (5) from the Stony Brook University database. Military personnel were referred to our International Center of Excellence in Deployment Health and Medical Geosciences, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell under the auspices of Northwell IRB: 17-0140-FIMR Feinstein Institution for Medical Research "Clinicopathologic characteristics of Iraq Afghanistan War Lung Injury." We retrospectively examined medical records, including exposure data, radiologic imaging, and non-invasive pulmonary function testing (MGC Diagnostic Platinum Elite Plethysmograph) using the American Thoracic Society (ATS) standard interpretation based on Morgan et al., and for a limited cohort, biopsy data. Lung tissue, when available, was examined for carbonaceous particles, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Raman spectroscopy), metals, titanium connected to iron (Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source II, Beamline 5-ID), oxidized metals, combustion temperature, inflammatory cell accumulation and fibrosis, neutrophil extracellular traps, Sirius red, Prussian Blue, as well as polarizable crystals/particulate matter/dust. Among twenty-one previously healthy, deployable soldiers with non-invasive pulmonary diagnostic tests, post-deployment, all had severely decreased MEP values, averaging 42% predicted. These same patients concurrently demonstrated abnormal airways reactance (X5Hz) and peripheral/distal airways resistance (D5-D20%) via IOS, averaging - 1369% and 23% predicted, respectively. These tests support the concept of airways hyperresponsiveness and distal airways narrowing, respectively. Among the five soldiers biopsied, all had constrictive bronchiolitis. We detected the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-which are products of incomplete combustion-in the lung tissue of all five warfighters. All also had detectable titanium and iron in the lungs. Metals were all oxidized, supporting the concept of inhaling burned metals. Combustion temperature was consistent with that of burned petrol rather than higher temperatures noted with cigarettes. All were nonsmokers. Neutrophil extracellular traps were reported in two biopsies. Compared to our prior biopsies in our Middle East deployment database, these histopathologic results are similar, since all database biopsies have constrictive bronchiolitis, one has lung fibrosis with titanium bound to iron in fixed mathematical ratios of 1:7 and demonstrated polarizable crystals. These results, particularly constrictive bronchiolitis and polarizable crystals, support the prior data of King et al. (N. Engl. J. Med. 365:222-230, 2011) Soldiers in this cohort deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, with exposure to airborne hazards, including sandstorms, burn pits, and improvised explosive devices, are at high risk for developing chronic clinical respiratory problems, including: (1) reduction in respiratory muscle strength; (2) airways hyperresponsiveness; and (3) distal airway narrowing, which may be associated with histopathologic evidence of lung damage, reflecting inhalation of burned particles from burn pits along with particulate matter/dust. Non-invasive pulmonary diagnostic tests are a predictor of burn pit-induced lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Olsen
- grid.16416.340000 0004 1936 9174University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Simon Business School, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA
| | - Dennis Caruana
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Keely Cheslack-Postava
- grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Columbia University Global Psychiatric Epidemiology Group, NYSPI Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, New York, USA
| | - Austin Szema
- grid.261112.70000 0001 2173 3359Northeastern University College of Art, Media, and Design (CAMD) Game Design Program, Boston, USA ,grid.202665.50000 0001 2188 4229Brookhaven National Laboratory National Synchrotron Light Source II Beam ID-5, Upton, USA
| | - Juergen Thieme
- grid.202665.50000 0001 2188 4229Brookhaven National Laboratory National Synchrotron Light Source II Beam ID-5, Upton, USA
| | - Andrew Kiss
- grid.36425.360000 0001 2216 9681Science Coordinator Imaging and Microscopy Program and Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA
| | - Malvika Singh
- grid.202665.50000 0001 2188 4229Brookhaven National Laboratory National Synchrotron Radiation Light Source II Bean ID-5, Upton, USA
| | - Gregory Smith
- grid.36425.360000 0001 2216 9681Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA
| | | | - Timothy Glotch
- grid.36425.360000 0001 2216 9681Center for Space Exploration (CEx) Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA
| | - Michael Esposito
- grid.512756.20000 0004 0370 4759Department of Pathology North Shore University Hospital Northwell Health, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, USA
| | - Robert Promisloff
- grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - David Ng
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Rockefeller University Department of Cancer Biology, New York, USA
| | - Xueyan He
- grid.225279.90000 0004 0387 3667Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Department of Cancer Biology, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Mikala Egeblad
- grid.225279.90000 0004 0387 3667Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Department of Cancer Biology, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Richard Kew
- grid.36425.360000 0001 2216 9681Department of Pathology Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY USA
| | - Anthony Szema
- grid.416477.70000 0001 2168 3646Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Division of Allergy/Immunology, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, USA ,grid.512756.20000 0004 0370 4759Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, International Center of Excellence in Deployment Health and Medical Geosciences, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, USA
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15
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Ahmadianfar I, Shirvani-Hosseini S, Samadi-Koucheksaraee A, Yaseen ZM. Surface water sodium (Na +) concentration prediction using hybrid weighted exponential regression model with gradient-based optimization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:53456-53481. [PMID: 35287188 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19300-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Undeniably, there is a link between water resources and people's lives and, consequently, economic development, which makes them vital in health and the environment. Proper water quality forecasting time series has a crucial role in giving on-time warnings for water pollution and supporting the decision-making of water resource management. The principal aim of this study is to develop a novel and cutting-edge ensemble data intelligence model named the weighted exponential regression and hybridized by gradient-based optimization (WER-GBO). Indeed, this is to reach more meticulous sodium (Na+) prediction monthly at Maroon River in the southwest of Iran. This developed model has advantages over other previous methodologies thanks to the following merits: (i) it can improve the performance and ability by mixing the outputs of four distinct data intelligence (DI) models, i.e., adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), least square support vector regression (LSSVM), Bayesian linear regression (BLR), and response surface regression (RSR); (ii) the proposed model can employ a Cauchy weighted function combined with an exponential-based regression model being optimized by GBO algorithm. To evaluate the performance of these models, diverse statistical indices and graphical assessment including error distributions, box plots, scatter-plots with confidence bounds and Taylor diagrams were conducted. According to obtained statistical metrics and verified validation procedures, the proposed WER-GBO resulted in promising accuracy compared to other models. Furthermore, the outcomes revealed the WER-GBO (R = 0.9712, RMSE = 0.639, and KGE = 0.948) reached more accurate and reliable results than other methods such as the ANFIS, LSSVM, BLR, and RSR for Na prediction in this study. Hence, the WER-GBO model can be considered a constructive technique to forecast the water quality parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Ahmadianfar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran
| | | | | | - Zaher Mundher Yaseen
- Adjunct Research Fellow, USQ's Advanced Data Analytics Research Group, School of Mathematics Physics and Computing, University of Southern Queensland, QLD, 4350, Queensland, Australia.
- New Era and Development in Civil Engineering Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq.
- Institute for Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (IBDAAI), Kompleks Al-Khawarizmi, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40450, Malaysia.
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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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Sun H, Shin YM, Xia M, Ke S, Wan M, Yuan L, Guo Y, Archibald AT. Spatial Resolved Surface Ozone with Urban and Rural Differentiation during 1990-2019: A Space-Time Bayesian Neural Network Downscaler. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:7337-7349. [PMID: 34751030 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Long-term exposure to ambient ozone (O3) can lead to a series of chronic diseases and associated premature deaths, and thus population-level environmental health studies hanker after the high-resolution surface O3 concentration database. In response to this demand, we innovatively construct a space-time Bayesian neural network parametric regressor to fuse TOAR historical observations, CMIP6 multimodel simulation ensemble, population distributions, land cover properties, and emission inventories altogether and downscale to 10 km × 10 km spatial resolution with high methodological reliability (R2 = 0.89-0.97, RMSE = 1.97-3.42 ppbV), fair prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.69-0.77, RMSE = 5.63-7.97 ppbV), and commendable spatiotemporal extrapolation capabilities (R2 = 0.62-0.76, RMSE = 5.38-11.7 ppbV). Based on our predictions in 8-h maximum daily average metric, the rural-site surface O3 are 15.1±7.4 ppbV higher than urban globally averaged across 30 historical years during 1990-2019, with developing countries being of the most evident differences. The globe-wide urban surface O3 are climbing by 1.9±2.3 ppbV per decade, except for the decreasing trends in eastern United States. On the other hand, the global rural surface O3 tend to be relatively stable, except for the rising tendencies in China and India. Using CMIP6 model simulations directly without urban-rural differentiation will lead to underestimations of population O3 exposure by 2.0±0.8 ppbV averaged over each historical year. Our original Bayesian neural network framework contributes to the deep-learning-driven environmental studies methodologically by providing a brand-new feasible way to realize data fusion and downscaling, which maintains high interpretability by conforming to the principles of spatial statistics without compromising the prediction accuracy. Moreover, the 30-year highly spatial resolved monthly surface O3 database with multiple metrics fills in the literature gap for long-term surface O3 exposure tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitong Sun
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, U.K
| | - Youngsub Matthew Shin
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Mingtao Xia
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Shengxian Ke
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Michelle Wan
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Le Yuan
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Yuming Guo
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Alexander T Archibald
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
- National Centre for Atmospheric Science, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
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18
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Zhan D, Zhang Q, Xu X, Zeng C. Spatiotemporal Distribution of Continuous Air Pollution and Its Relationship with Socioeconomic and Natural Factors in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:6635. [PMID: 35682220 PMCID: PMC9180089 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Continuous air pollution (CAP) incidents last even longer and generate greater health hazards relative to conventional air pollution episodes. However, few studies have focused on the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and driving factors of CAP in China. Drawing on the daily reported ground monitoring data on the ambient air quality in 2019 in China, this paper identifies the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of CAP across 337 Chinese cities above the prefecture level using descriptive statistics and spatial statistical analysis methods, and further examines the spatial heterogeneity effects of both socioeconomic factors and natural factors on CAP with a Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model. The results show that the average proportion of CAP days in 2019 reached 11.50% of the whole year across Chinese cities, a figure equaling to about 65 days, while the average frequency, the maximum amount of days and the average amount of days of CAP were 8.02 times, 7.85 days and 4.20 days, respectively. Furthermore, there was a distinct spatiotemporal distribution disparity in CAP in China. Spatially, the areas with high proportions of CAP days were concentrated in the North China Plain and the Southwestern Xinjiang Autonomous Region in terms of the spatial pattern, while the proportion of CAP days showed a monthly W-shaped change in terms of the temporal pattern. In addition, the types of regions containing major pollutants during the CAP period could be divided into four types, including "Composite pollution", "O3 + NO2 pollution", "PM10 + PM2.5 pollution" and "O3 + PM2.5 pollution", while the region type "PM10 + PM2.5 pollution" covered the highest number of cities. The MGWR model, characterized by multiple spatial scale impacts among the driving factors, outperformed the traditional OLS and GWR model, and both socioeconomic factors and natural factors were found to have a spatial non-stationary relationship with CAP in China. Our findings provide new policy insights for understanding the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of CAP in urban China and can help the Chinese government make prevention and control measures of CAP incidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Zhan
- School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China; (D.Z.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Qianyun Zhang
- School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China; (D.Z.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Xiaoren Xu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276012, China
| | - Chunshui Zeng
- College of Tourism, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
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19
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Albahar S, Li J, Al-Zoughool M, Al-Hemoud A, Gasana J, Aldashti H, Alahmad B. Air Pollution and Respiratory Hospital Admissions in Kuwait: The Epidemiological Applicability of Predicted PM2.5 in Arid Regions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105998. [PMID: 35627536 PMCID: PMC9140349 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Dust is a major component of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in arid regions; therefore, concentrations of this pollutant in countries such as Kuwait exceed air quality standards. There is limited understanding on the impact and burden of high PM2.5 concentrations on morbidity in these countries. In this study, we explore the association of PM2.5 and the risk of respiratory hospital admissions in Kuwait. A time-series regression model was used to investigate daily variations in respiratory admissions and PM2.5 concentrations from 2010 to 2018. Due to the lack of historical air quality sampling in Kuwait, we used estimated daily PM2.5 levels from a hybrid PM2.5 prediction model. Individual and cumulative lag effects of PM2.5 over a 5-day period were estimated using distributed lag linear models. Associations were stratified by sex, age, and nationality. There were 218,749 total respiratory admissions in Kuwait during the study period. Results indicate that for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, a 1.61% (95% CI = 0.87, 2.35%) increase in respiratory admissions followed over a 5-day cumulative lag. Our estimates show that a 10 μg/m3 reduction in average exposure will potentially avert 391 yearly respiratory admissions (95% CI = 211,571), with 265 fewer admissions among Kuwaitis (95% CI = 139,393) and 262 fewer admissions among children under 15 years of age (95% CI = 125,351). Different strata of the Kuwaiti population are vulnerable to respiratory hospitalization with short-term exposure to PM2.5, especially those under 15 years of age. The findings are informative for public health authorities in Kuwait and other dust-prone countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soad Albahar
- Environmental and Occupational Health Department, College of Public Health, Kuwait University, Shadadiya 13110, Kuwait; (M.A.-Z.); (J.G.); (B.A.)
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (J.L.)
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (J.L.)
| | - Mustafa Al-Zoughool
- Environmental and Occupational Health Department, College of Public Health, Kuwait University, Shadadiya 13110, Kuwait; (M.A.-Z.); (J.G.); (B.A.)
| | - Ali Al-Hemoud
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research, Kuwait City 13109, Kuwait;
| | - Janvier Gasana
- Environmental and Occupational Health Department, College of Public Health, Kuwait University, Shadadiya 13110, Kuwait; (M.A.-Z.); (J.G.); (B.A.)
| | - Hassan Aldashti
- Meteorological Department, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Kuwait City 13001, Kuwait;
| | - Barrak Alahmad
- Environmental and Occupational Health Department, College of Public Health, Kuwait University, Shadadiya 13110, Kuwait; (M.A.-Z.); (J.G.); (B.A.)
- Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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20
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Jin X, Ding J, Ge X, Liu J, Xie B, Zhao S, Zhao Q. Machine learning driven by environmental covariates to estimate high-resolution PM2.5 in data-poor regions. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13203. [PMID: 35378927 PMCID: PMC8976473 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PM2.5, which refers to fine particles with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 µm, can not only affect air quality but also endanger public health. Nevertheless, the spatial distribution of PM2.5 is not well understood in data-poor regions where monitoring stations are scarce. Therefore, we constructed a random forest (RF) model and a bagging algorithm model based on ground-monitored PM2.5 data, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and meteorological data, and auxiliary geographical variables to accurately estimate the spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentrations in Xinjiang during 2015-2020 at a resolution of 1 km. Through 10-fold cross-validation (CV), the RF model and bagging algorithm model were verified and compared. The results showed the following: (1) The RF model achieved better model performance and thus can be used to estimate the PM2.5 concentration at a relatively high resolution. (2) The PM2.5 concentrations were high in southern Xinjiang and low in northern Xinjiang. The high values were concentrated mainly in the Tarim Basin, while most areas of northern Xinjiang maintained low PM2.5 levels year-round. (3) The PM2.5 values in Xinjiang showed significant seasonality, with the seasonally averaged concentrations decreasing as follows: winter (71.95 µg m-3) > spring (64.76 µg m-3) > autumn (46.01 µg m-3) > summer (43.40 µg m-3). Our model provides a way to monitor air quality in data-scarce places, thereby advancing efforts to achieve sustainable development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoYe Jin
- Department of MOE Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jianli Ding
- Department of MOE Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,MNR Technology Innovation Center for Central Asia Geo-Information Exploitation and Utilization, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiangyu Ge
- Department of MOE Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of MOE Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Boqiang Xie
- Department of MOE Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Department of MOE Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Qiaozhen Zhao
- Department of MOE Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China,College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
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21
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Generating Fine-Scale Aerosol Data through Downscaling with an Artificial Neural Network Enhanced with Transfer Learning. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Spatially and temporally resolved aerosol data are essential for conducting air quality studies and assessing the health effects associated with exposure to air pollution. As these data are often expensive to acquire and time consuming to estimate, computationally efficient methods are desirable. When coarse-scale data or imagery are available, fine-scale data can be generated through downscaling methods. We developed an Artificial Neural Network Sequential Downscaling Method (ASDM) with Transfer Learning Enhancement (ASDMTE) to translate time-series data from coarse- to fine-scale while maintaining between-scale empirical associations as well as inherent within-scale correlations. Using assimilated aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the GEOS-5 Nature Run (G5NR) (2 years, daily, 7 km resolution) and Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) (20 years, daily, 50 km resolution), coupled with elevation (1 km resolution), we demonstrate the downscaling capability of ASDM and ASDMTE and compare their performances against a deep learning downscaling method, Super Resolution Deep Residual Network (SRDRN), and a traditional statistical downscaling framework called dissever ASDM/ASDMTE utilizes empirical between-scale associations, and accounts for within-scale temporal associations in the fine-scale data. In addition, within-scale temporal associations in the coarse-scale data are integrated into the ASDMTE model through the use of transfer learning to enhance downscaling performance. These features enable ASDM/ASDMTE to be trained on short periods of data yet achieve a good downscaling performance on a longer time-series. Among all the test sets, ASDM and ASDMTE had mean maximum image-wise R2 of 0.735 and 0.758, respectively, while SRDRN, dissever GAM and dissever LM had mean maximum image-wise R2 of 0.313, 0.106 and 0.095, respectively.
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22
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Li J, Wang Y, Steenland K, Liu P, van Donkelaar A, Martin RV, Chang HH, Caudle WM, Schwartz J, Koutrakis P, Shi L. Long-term effects of PM2.5 components on incident dementia in the Northeastern United States. Innovation (N Y) 2022; 3:100208. [PMID: 35199078 PMCID: PMC8844282 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2022.100208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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23
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Forecast of Hourly Airport Visibility Based on Artificial Intelligence Methods. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Based on the hourly visibility data, visibility and its changes during 2010–2020 at monthly and annual time scales over 47 international airports in China are investigated, and nine artificial-intelligence-based hourly visibility prediction models are trained (hourly data in 2018–2019) and tested (hourly data in 2020) at these airports. The analyses show that the visibility of airports in eastern and central China is at a poor level all year round, and LXA (in Lhasa) has good visibility all year round. Airports in south and the northwest China have better visibility from May to October and poorer visibility from November to April. In all months, the increasing visibility mainly occurs in the central, northeast and coastal areas of China, while decreasing visibility mainly appears in the western and northern parts of China. In spring, summer and autumn, the changes difference between east and west is particularly obvious. This East–West distribution of trends is obviously different from the North–South distribution shown by the mean. For all airports, good visibility mainly occurs from 14:00–18:00 p.m. Beijing Time, while poor visibility mainly concentrates from 22:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. the next day, especially between 3:00–9:00 a.m. Our proposed artificial intelligence algorithm models can be reasonably used in airport visibility prediction. In particular, most algorithm models have the best results in the visibility prediction over HFE (in Hefei) and SJW (in Shijiazhuang). On the contrary, the worst forecast results appear at LXA and LHW (in Lanzhou) airports. The prediction results of airport visibility in the cold season (October–December) are better than those in the warm season (May–September). Among the algorithm models, the prediction performance of the RF-based model is the best.
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24
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Temporal and Spatial Autocorrelation as Determinants of Regional AOD-PM2.5 Model Performance in the Middle East. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13183790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution has been shown in numerous studies to be associated with detrimental health effects. However, the ability to conduct epidemiological assessments can be limited due to challenges in generating reliable PM2.5 estimates, particularly in parts of the world such as the Middle East where measurements are scarce and extreme meteorological events such as sandstorms are frequent. In order to supplement exposure modeling efforts under such conditions, satellite-retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) has proven to be useful due to its global coverage. By using AODs from the Multiangle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) of the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) combined with meteorological and assimilated aerosol information from the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2), we constructed machine learning models to predict PM2.5 in the area surrounding the Persian Gulf, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E). Our models showed regional differences in predictive performance, with better results in the U.A.E. (median test R2 = 0.66) than Kuwait (median test R2 = 0.51). Variable importance also differed by region, where satellite-retrieved AOD variables were more important for predicting PM2.5 in Kuwait than in the U.A.E. Divergent trends in the temporal and spatial autocorrelations of PM2.5 and AOD in the two regions offered possible explanations for differences in predictive performance and variable importance. In a test of model transferability, we found that models trained in one region and applied to another did not predict PM2.5 well, even if the transferred model had better performance. Overall the results of our study suggest that models developed over large geographic areas could generate PM2.5 estimates with greater uncertainty than could be obtained by taking a regional modeling approach. Furthermore, development of methods to better incorporate spatial and temporal autocorrelations in machine learning models warrants further examination.
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