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Romano D, Novielli P, Diacono D, Cilli R, Pantaleo E, Amoroso N, Bellantuono L, Monaco A, Bellotti R, Tangaro S. Insights from Explainable Artificial Intelligence of Pollution and Socioeconomic Influences for Respiratory Cancer Mortality in Italy. J Pers Med 2024; 14:430. [PMID: 38673057 PMCID: PMC11051343 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14040430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory malignancies, encompassing cancers affecting the lungs, the trachea, and the bronchi, pose a significant and dynamic public health challenge. Given that air pollution stands as a significant contributor to the onset of these ailments, discerning the most detrimental agents becomes imperative for crafting policies aimed at mitigating exposure. This study advocates for the utilization of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methodologies, leveraging remote sensing data, to ascertain the primary influencers on the prediction of standard mortality rates (SMRs) attributable to respiratory cancer across Italian provinces, utilizing both environmental and socioeconomic data. By scrutinizing thirteen distinct machine learning algorithms, we endeavor to pinpoint the most accurate model for categorizing Italian provinces as either above or below the national average SMR value for respiratory cancer. Furthermore, employing XAI techniques, we delineate the salient factors crucial in predicting the two classes of SMR. Through our machine learning scrutiny, we illuminate the environmental and socioeconomic factors pertinent to mortality in this disease category, thereby offering a roadmap for prioritizing interventions aimed at mitigating risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Romano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.R.); (P.N.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Pierfrancesco Novielli
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.R.); (P.N.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Domenico Diacono
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Roberto Cilli
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica “M. Merlin”, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Ester Pantaleo
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica “M. Merlin”, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Amoroso
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
- Dipartimento di Farmacia Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Loredana Bellantuono
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Traslazionale e Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alfonso Monaco
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica “M. Merlin”, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Bellotti
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica “M. Merlin”, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Sabina Tangaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.R.); (P.N.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (D.D.); (R.C.); (E.P.); (N.A.); (L.B.); (A.M.); (R.B.)
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Kashtan YS, Nicholson M, Finnegan C, Ouyang Z, Lebel ED, Michanowicz DR, Shonkoff SBC, Jackson RB. Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air Pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37319002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Exposure pathways to the carcinogen benzene are well-established from tobacco smoke, oil and gas development, refining, gasoline pumping, and gasoline and diesel combustion. Combustion has also been linked to the formation of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde indoors from gas stoves. To our knowledge, however, no research has quantified the formation of benzene indoors from gas combustion by stoves. Across 87 homes in California and Colorado, natural gas and propane combustion emitted detectable and repeatable levels of benzene that in some homes raised indoor benzene concentrations above well-established health benchmarks. Mean benzene emissions from gas and propane burners on high and ovens set to 350 °F ranged from 2.8 to 6.5 μg min-1, 10 to 25 times higher than emissions from electric coil and radiant alternatives; neither induction stoves nor the food being cooked emitted detectable benzene. Benzene produced by gas and propane stoves also migrated throughout homes, in some cases elevating bedroom benzene concentrations above chronic health benchmarks for hours after the stove was turned off. Combustion of gas and propane from stoves may be a substantial benzene exposure pathway and can reduce indoor air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannai S Kashtan
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Metta Nicholson
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Colin Finnegan
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Zutao Ouyang
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Eric D Lebel
- PSE Healthy Energy, 1140 Broadway, Suite 750, Oakland, California 94612, United States
| | - Drew R Michanowicz
- PSE Healthy Energy, 1140 Broadway, Suite 750, Oakland, California 94612, United States
| | - Seth B C Shonkoff
- PSE Healthy Energy, 1140 Broadway, Suite 750, Oakland, California 94612, United States
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Robert B Jackson
- Earth System Science Department, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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Yang M, Li F, Huang C, Tong L, Dai X, Xiao H. VOC characteristics and their source apportionment in a coastal industrial area in the Yangtze River Delta, China. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 127:483-494. [PMID: 36522079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important precursors of secondary organic compounds and ozone, which raise major environmental concerns. To investigate the VOC emission characteristics, measurements of VOCs based on proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry during 2017 were conducted in a coastal industrial area in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. Based on seasonal variation in species concentration, the positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model was applied to apportion the sources of VOCs in each season. The PMF results revealed that unknown acetonitrile source, paint solvent, electronics industry, biomass burning, secondary formation and biogenic emission were mainly attributed to VOC pollution. Biomass burning and secondary formation were the major sources of VOCs and contributed more than 70% of VOC emissions in spring and autumn. Industry-related sources contributed 8.65%-31.2% of the VOCs throughout the year. The unknown acetonitrile source occurred in winter and spring, and contributed 7.6%-43.73% of the VOC emissions in the two seasons. Conditional probability function (CPF) analysis illustrated that the industry sources came from local emission, while biomass burning and biogenic emission mainly came from the northwest direction. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) model showed that secondary formation-related source was mainly from Jiangsu Province, northeastern China and the surrounding ocean. The potential source areas of unknown acetonitrile source were northern Zhejiang Province, southern Jiangsu Province and the northeastern coastal marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengrong Yang
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment & Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo (Beilun) Zhongke Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center, Ningbo 315800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fengxia Li
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, von-Siebold-Straße 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cenyan Huang
- College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, China
| | - Lei Tong
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment & Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo (Beilun) Zhongke Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Xiaorong Dai
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment & Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo (Beilun) Zhongke Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center, Ningbo 315800, China.
| | - Hang Xiao
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment & Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo (Beilun) Zhongke Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center, Ningbo 315800, China.
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Exposure to Aerosols Emitted from Common Heating Combustion Sources Indoors—The Jordanian Case as an Example for Eastern Mediterranean Conditions. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13060870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In Jordan, ~61% of total residential energy consumption is consumed by heating spaces using portable kerosene (K) and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) heaters. Here, we evaluated the indoor air quality (IAQ) versus the use of K and LPG heaters inside a test room reflecting the typical conditions of Jordanian dwellings during the winter season. The experimental setup included particle size distribution (diameter 0.01–25 µm) measurements, and we utilized a simple sectional indoor aerosol model (SIAM) to estimate the emission rate and lifetime of the combustion products in the test room. The particle number (PN) concentration during the LPG operation was 6 × 104–5.9 × 105 cm−3, depending on the setting at minimum, medium, or maximum. The K heater operation increased with the PN concentrations to a range of 4 × 105–8 × 105 cm−3. On average, the particle losses were 0.7–1.6 h−1 for micron particles (1–10 µm) and 0.8–0.9 h−1 for ultrafine particles (<0.1 µm). The emission rate from the LPG heater was 1.2 × 1010–2.8 × 1010 particles/s (6.6 × 106–8.0 × 106 particles/J), and that for the K heater was about 4.4 × 1010 particles/s (1.9 × 107 particles/J). The results call for the immediate need to apply interventions to improve the IAQ by turning to cleaner heating processes indoors.
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Liu N, Bu Z, Liu W, Kan H, Zhao Z, Deng F, Huang C, Zhao B, Zeng X, Sun Y, Qian H, Mo J, Sun C, Guo J, Zheng X, Weschler LB, Zhang Y. Health effects of exposure to indoor volatile organic compounds from 1980 to 2017: A systematic review and meta-analysis. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13038. [PMID: 35622720 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indoors is thought to be associated with several adverse health effects. However, we still lack concentration-response (C-R) relationships between VOC levels in civil buildings and various health outcomes. For this paper, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to summarize related associations and C-R relationships. Four databases were searched to collect all relevant studies published between January 1980 and December 2017. A total of 39 studies were identified in the systematic review, and 32 of these were included in the meta-analysis. We found that the pooled relative risk (RR) for leukemia was 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1.05) per 1 μg/m3 increase of benzene and 1.25 (95%CI: 1.14-1.37) per 0.1 μg/m3 increase of butadiene. The pooled RRs for asthma were 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02-1.14), 1.02 (95% CI: 1.00-1.04), and 1.04 (95% CI: 1.02-1.06) per 1 μg/m3 increase of benzene, toluene, and p-dichlorobenzene, respectively. The pooled RR for low birth weight was 1.12 (95% CI: 1.05-1.19) per 1 μg/m3 increase of benzene. Our findings provide robust evidence for associations between benzene and leukemia, asthma, and low birth weight, as well as for health effects of some other VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningrui Liu
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongming Bu
- Department of Energy and Environmental System Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Furong Deng
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangang Zeng
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinhan Mo
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Chanjuan Sun
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianguo Guo
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Yinping Zhang
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, China
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Deguen S, Vasseur P, Kihal-Talantikite W. [Societal inequalities and the urban exposome: Social origins for different exposures]. Med Sci (Paris) 2022; 38:75-80. [PMID: 35060890 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2021149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, many epidemiological studies have proved the adverse health consequences of environmental exposure. For instance, air pollution exposure is recognized to be related with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. Noise nuisances are also known to increase cardiovascular diseases and to disturb the sleeping quality. Inversely, the access and availability of various resources, as parks, green spaces, and playgrounds positively affect health, psychological and physical well-being, and favorable health behaviors. In this present literature review, we will focus on the urban dimension of exposome, defined by Robinson et al. as the accumulation of all urban settings favorable or unfavorable to health, from the time of life in utero [1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Deguen
- École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), 15 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, 35043 Rennes Cedex, France - Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 6, Inserm, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie et de santé publique (UMRS 1136), Département d'épidémiologie sociale, 75646 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Pauline Vasseur
- École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), 15 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, 35043 Rennes Cedex, France
| | - Wahida Kihal-Talantikite
- Laboratoire image ville environnement (LIVE), UMR 7362 CNRS, université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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Galán-Madruga D, García-Cambero JP. An optimized approach for estimating benzene in ambient air within an air quality monitoring network. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 111:164-174. [PMID: 34949346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Benzene is a carcinogenic air pollutant for which European legislation has set an annual limit and criteria for the number of fixed monitoring sites within air quality networks (AQMN). However, due to the limited number of fixed sites for benzene measurement, exposure data are lacking. Considering the relationship between benzene levels and other variables monitored within an AQMN, such as NO2, O3, temperature, solar radiation, and accumulated precipitation, this study proposes an approach for estimating benzene air concentrations from the related variables. Using the data of the aforementioned variables from 23 fixed stations during 2016-2017, the proposed approach was able to forecast benzene concentration for 2018 with high confidence, providing enriched data on benzene exposure and its trends. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the estimated versus the most representative benzene levels was quite similar. Finally, an artificial neural network identified the most representative fixed benzene monitoring sites within the AQMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Galán-Madruga
- Atmospheric Pollution Area, National Center for Environment Health, Carlos III Health Institute, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jesús P García-Cambero
- Toxicology Area, National Center for Environment Health, Carlos III Health Institute, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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Shehab M, Pope FD, Delgado-Saborit JM. The contribution of cooking appliances and residential traffic proximity to aerosol personal exposure. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2021; 19:307-318. [PMID: 34150237 PMCID: PMC8172705 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00604-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Indoor and outdoor factors affect personal exposure to air pollutants. Type of cooking appliance (i.e. gas, electricity), and residential location related to traffic are such factors. This research aims to investigate the effect of cooking with gas and electric appliances, as an indoor source of aerosols, and residential traffic as outdoor sources, on personal exposures to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter lower than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and ultrafine particles (UFP). METHODS Forty subjects were sampled for four consecutive days measuring personal exposures to three aerosol pollutants, namely PM2.5, BC, and UFP, which were measured using personal sensors. Subjects were equally distributed into four categories according to the use of gas or electric stoves for cooking, and to residential traffic (i.e. houses located near or away from busy roads). RESULTS/CONCLUSION Cooking was identified as an indoor activity affecting exposure to aerosols, with mean concentrations during cooking ranging 24.7-50.0 μg/m3 (PM2.5), 1.8-4.9 μg/m3 (BC), and 1.4 × 104-4.1 × 104 particles/cm3 (UFP). This study also suggest that traffic is a dominant source of exposure to BC, since people living near busy roads are exposed to higher BC concentrations than those living further away from traffic. In contrast, the contribution of indoor sources to personal exposure to PM2.5 and UFP seems to be greater than from outdoor traffic sources. This is probably related to a combination of the type of building construction and a varying range of activities conducted indoors. It is recommended to ensure a good ventilation during cooking to minimize exposure to cooking aerosols. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-020-00604-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Shehab
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
- Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Shuwaikh Industrial, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - F. D. Pope
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
| | - J. M. Delgado-Saborit
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
- Perinatal Epidemiology, Environmental Health and Clinical Research, School of Medicine, Universitat Jaume I, Castellon, Spain
- ISGlobal Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona, Spain
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Biomarkers of Low-Level Environmental Exposure to Benzene and Oxidative DNA Damage in Primary School Children in Sardinia, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094644. [PMID: 33925535 PMCID: PMC8123794 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: The main anthropic sources of exposure to airborne benzene include vehicular traffic, cigarette smoke, and industrial emissions. Methods: To detect early genotoxic effects of environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored environmental, personal, and indoor airborne benzene in children living in an urban area and an area near a petrochemical plant. We also used urinary benzene and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) as biomarkers of benzene exposure and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker of early genotoxic effects. Results: Although always below the European Union limit of 5 μg/m3, airborne benzene levels were more elevated in the indoor, outdoor, and personal samples from the industrial surroundings compared to the urban area (p = 0.026, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, respectively). Children living in the surroundings of the petrochemical plant had urinary benzene values significantly higher than those from the urban area in both the morning and evening samples (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Results of multiple regression modelling showed that age was a significant predictor of 8-OHdG excretion, independent of the sampling hour. Moreover, at the low exposure level experienced by the children participating in this study, neither personal or indoor airborne benzene level, nor personal monitoring data, affected 8-OHdG excretion. Conclusions: Our results suggest the importance of biological monitoring of low-level environmental exposure and its relation to risk of genotoxic effects among children.
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Indoor Exposure to Selected Air Pollutants in the Home Environment: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17238972. [PMID: 33276576 PMCID: PMC7729884 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: There is increasing awareness that the quality of the indoor environment affects our health and well-being. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in particular has an impact on multiple health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular illness, allergic symptoms, cancers, and premature mortality. (2) Methods: We carried out a global systematic literature review on indoor exposure to selected air pollutants associated with adverse health effects, and related household characteristics, seasonal influences and occupancy patterns. We screened records from six bibliographic databases: ABI/INFORM, Environment Abstracts, Pollution Abstracts, PubMed, ProQuest Biological and Health Professional, and Scopus. (3) Results: Information on indoor exposure levels and determinants, emission sources, and associated health effects was extracted from 141 studies from 29 countries. The most-studied pollutants were particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10); nitrogen dioxide (NO2); volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, toluene, xylenes and formaldehyde; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including naphthalene. Identified indoor PM2.5 sources include smoking, cooking, heating, use of incense, candles, and insecticides, while cleaning, housework, presence of pets and movement of people were the main sources of coarse particles. Outdoor air is a major PM2.5 source in rooms with natural ventilation in roadside households. Major sources of NO2 indoors are unvented gas heaters and cookers. Predictors of indoor NO2 are ventilation, season, and outdoor NO2 levels. VOCs are emitted from a wide range of indoor and outdoor sources, including smoking, solvent use, renovations, and household products. Formaldehyde levels are higher in newer houses and in the presence of new furniture, while PAH levels are higher in smoking households. High indoor particulate matter, NO2 and VOC levels were typically associated with respiratory symptoms, particularly asthma symptoms in children. (4) Conclusions: Household characteristics and occupant activities play a large role in indoor exposure, particularly cigarette smoking for PM2.5, gas appliances for NO2, and household products for VOCs and PAHs. Home location near high-traffic-density roads, redecoration, and small house size contribute to high indoor air pollution. In most studies, air exchange rates are negatively associated with indoor air pollution. These findings can inform interventions aiming to improve IAQ in residential properties in a variety of settings.
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Alsbou EM, Omari KW. BTEX indoor air characteristic values in rural areas of Jordan: Heaters and health risk assessment consequences in winter season. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115464. [PMID: 32866878 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX) are known to affect environmental air and health quality. In this study, the levels of BTEX compounds were determined in indoor air environments during the winter generated by several different heaters: diesel pot-bellied heater with chimney (DH); electric heater (EH); unfluted gas heater (GH); kerosene heater (KH); and wood pot-bellied heater with chimney (WH). The samples were collected using a diffusion passive adsorbent (activated charcoal) and then analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the heaters differ in the quantity of BTEX released during operation. The KH was the most polluted heater based on BTEX measurement, followed by DH. The ∑BTEX for heaters were observed as follows: KH (290 μg m-3); DH (120 μg m-3); GH (84 μg m-3); WH (31 μg m-3); EH (16 μg m-3). Toluene was the predominant compound in all air samples. In KH and DH, the toluene to benzene ratios (T/B) were higher than 4 due to fuel evaporation, while GH had a T/B ratio of 3.9, indicating that the combustion of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was the main source. Moreover, a risk assessment was performed to evaluate where the cancer risks (CR) for benzene and ethylbenzene exceeded the critical values (10-6). KH was found to be the most harmful heater for residents, followed by DH and GH. For non-carcinogenic compounds, hazard quotients (HQ) were found to be less than one and thus unlikely to cause health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eid M Alsbou
- Department of Chemistry, Science College, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma'an, Postal Code, 71111, Jordan.
| | - Khaled W Omari
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait.
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12
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Branco PTBS, Alvim-Ferraz MCM, Martins FG, Ferraz C, Vaz LG, Sousa SIV. Impact of indoor air pollution in nursery and primary schools on childhood asthma. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 745:140982. [PMID: 32736106 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Poor indoor air quality in scholar environments have been frequently reported, but its impact on respiratory health in schoolchildren has not been sufficiently explored. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between children's exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) in nursery and primary schools and childhood asthma. Multivariate models (independent and multipollutant) quantified the associations of children's exposure with asthma-related health outcomes: reported active wheezing, reported and diagnosed asthma, and lung function (reduced FEV1/FVC and reduced FEV1). A microenvironmental modelling approach estimated individual inhaled exposure to major indoor air pollutants (CO2, CO, formaldehyde, NO2, O3, TVOC, PM2.5 and PM10) in nursery and primary schools from both urban and rural sites in northern Portugal. Questionnaires and medical tests (spirometry pre- and post-bronchodilator) were used to obtain information on health outcomes and to diagnose asthma following the newest international clinical guidelines. After testing children for aeroallergen sensitisation, multinomial models estimated the effect of exposure to particulate matter on asthma in sensitised individuals. The study population were 1530 children attending nursery and primary schools, respectively 648 pre-schoolers (3-5 years old) and 882 primary school children (6-10 years old). This study found no evidence of a significant association between IAP in nursery and primary schools and the prevalence of childhood asthma. However, reported active wheezing was associated with higher NO2, and reduced FEV1 was associated with higher O3 and PM2.5, despite NO2 and O3 in schools were always below the 200 μg m-3 threshold from WHO and National legislation, respectively. Moreover, sensitised children to common aeroallergens were more likely to have asthma during childhood when exposed to particulate matter in schools. These findings support the urgent need for mitigation measures to reduce IAP in schools, reducing its burden to children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro T B S Branco
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria C M Alvim-Ferraz
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando G Martins
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Ferraz
- Departamento de Pediatria (UAG-MC), Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa G Vaz
- Departamento de Pediatria (UAG-MC), Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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13
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Zou Y, Peng Z, Cornell J, Ye P, He H. A new statistical test for latent class in censored data due to detection limit. Stat Med 2020; 40:779-798. [PMID: 33159355 DOI: 10.1002/sim.8802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Biomarkers of interest in urine, serum, or other biological matrices often have an assay limit of detection. When concentration levels of the biomarkers for some subjects fall below the limit, the measures for those subjects are censored. Censored data due to detection limits are very common in public health and medical research. If censored data from a single exposure group follow a normal distribution or follow a normal distribution after some transformations, Tobit regression models can be applied. Given a Tobit regression model and a detection limit, the proportion of censored data can be determined. However, in practice, it is common that the data can exhibit excessive censored observations beyond what would be expected under a Tobit regression model. One common cause is heterogeneity of the study population, that is, there exists a subpopulation who lack such biomarkers and their values are always under the detection limit, and hence are censored. In this article, we develop a new test for testing such latent class under a Tobit regression model by directly comparing the amount of observed censored data with what would be expected under the Tobit regression model. A closed form of the test statistic as well as its asymptotic properties are derived based on estimating equations. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the performance of the new test and compare the new one with the existing ones including the Wald test, likelihood ratio test, and score test. Two real data examples are also included for illustrative purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zou
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zuoxiang Peng
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jerry Cornell
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Peng Ye
- School of Statistics, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Hua He
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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14
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Ferguson L, Taylor J, Davies M, Shrubsole C, Symonds P, Dimitroulopoulou S. Exposure to indoor air pollution across socio-economic groups in high-income countries: A scoping review of the literature and a modelling methodology. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105748. [PMID: 32629198 PMCID: PMC7903144 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Disparities in outdoor air pollution exposure between individuals of differing socio-economic status is a growing area of research, widely explored in the environmental health literature. However, in developed countries, around 80% of time is spent indoors, meaning indoor air pollution may be a better proxy for personal exposure. Building characteristics - such as build quality, volume and ventilation - and occupant behaviour, mean indoor air pollution may also vary across socio-economic groups, leading to health inequalities. Much of the existing literature has focused on inequalities in exposure to outdoor air pollution, and there is thus a lack of an evidence base reviewing data for indoor environments. In this study, a scoping review of the literature on indoor air pollution exposures across different socio-economic groups is performed, examining evidence from both monitoring and modelling studies in the developed world. The literature was reviewed, identifying different indoor pollutants, definitions for socio-economic status and pre- and post- housing interventions. Based on the review, the study proposes a modelling methodology for evaluating the effects of environmental policies on different socio-economic populations. Using a sample size calculation, obstacles in obtaining sufficiently large samples of monitored data are demonstrated. A modelling framework for the rapid quantification of daily home exposure is then outlined as a proof of concept. While significant additional research is required to examine inequalities in indoor exposures, modelling approaches may provide opportunities to quantify exposure disparities due to housing and behaviours across populations of different socio-economic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Ferguson
- UCL Energy Institute, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK.
| | - Jonathon Taylor
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Michael Davies
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Clive Shrubsole
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
| | - Phil Symonds
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Sani Dimitroulopoulou
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
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15
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He H, Tang W, Kelly T, Li S, He J. Statistical tests for latent class in censored data due to detection limit. Stat Methods Med Res 2020; 29:2179-2197. [PMID: 31736411 PMCID: PMC7231674 DOI: 10.1177/0962280219885985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Measures of substance concentration in urine, serum or other biological matrices often have an assay limit of detection. When concentration levels fall below the limit, the exact measures cannot be obtained. Instead, the measures are censored as only partial information that the levels are under the limit is known. Assuming the concentration levels are from a single population with a normal distribution or follow a normal distribution after some transformation, Tobit regression models, or censored normal regression models, are the standard approach for analyzing such data. However, in practice, it is often the case that the data can exhibit more censored observations than what would be expected under the Tobit regression models. One common cause is the heterogeneity of the study population, caused by the existence of a latent group of subjects who lack the substance measured. For such subjects, the measurements will always be under the limit. If a censored normal regression model is appropriate for modeling the subjects with the substance, the whole population follows a mixture of a censored normal regression model and a degenerate distribution of the latent class. While there are some studies on such mixture models, a fundamental question about testing whether such mixture modeling is necessary, i.e. whether such a latent class exists, has not been studied yet. In this paper, three tests including Wald test, likelihood ratio test and score test are developed for testing the existence of such latent class. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the performance of the tests, and two real data examples are employed to illustrate the tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua He
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Wan Tang
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Tanika Kelly
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Shengxu Li
- Children’s Minnesota Research Institute, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jiang He
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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16
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Odekanle EL, Sonibare OO, Odejobi OJ, Fakinle BS, Akeredolu FA. Air emissions and health risk assessment around abattoir facility. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04365. [PMID: 32685716 PMCID: PMC7358394 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The study assessed the impacts of abattoir activities on ambient air quality and health risk associated with exposure to PM2.5 and PM10, H2S, SO2 and NH3. Air samplings were done simultaneously around the abattoir at three points for sixty consecutive days (October to November) and standard methods adopted for the samplings and analysis. Health risks associated with exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 were estimated, using attributable fractions, relative risk and the excess lifetime cancer risk. The non-carcinogenic risks induced by the inhalation of H2S, SO2 and NH3 were also evaluated using hazard quotient (HQ). The results indicated that the average concentrations of 18.75 μg/m3, 89.17 μg/m3 and 0.1ppm for PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 respectively, were higher than the World Health Organization (WHO), National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) permissible limits. Air Quality Index showed that the ambient air quality in respect of CO and NH3 was very good, moderate for PM10 and was very poor for NO2 and SO2. It was also shown that 0.32% of deaths from lung cancer, and 0.23% from cardiopulmonary could be avoided if PM2.5 is reduced to 3 μg/m3 and while about 0.14% of all-cause mortality could be avoided if PM10 is reduced to 10 μg/m3. In similar manner, at least 0.45% likelihood that an individual in a group of people exposed to PM2.5 100m away from the burning point may have health issue (lung cancer) than an individual from another set of people that is exposed to baseline concentration of 3 μg/m3. All the HQ values exceeded the threshold value, set at the unity, implying that H2S, SO2 and NH3 are likely to cause adverse health effects in the area. Conclusively, continuous operation of this abattoir within the residential area can constitute a great environmental menace to the residents of the area and can result in complication to those with existing health challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Leke Odekanle
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Landmark University Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
- First Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
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17
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Liu C, Huang X, Li J. Outdoor benzene highly impacts indoor concentrations globally. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 720:137640. [PMID: 32146409 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Benzene is a carcinogen. Exposure to benzene severely threatens people's health. While its indoor sources such as paint and solvent have been tightly regulated as a result of its inclusion into indoor air standards globally, its outdoor emission from traffic and industry is less addressed. Since human's exposure to benzene mainly occurs indoors, how outdoor benzene affects indoor concentrations is a critical issue, but not well discussed yet. This study summarized 118 pairs of outdoor-indoor measurement of benzene concentrations mainly published in the past five years. We found that the outdoor benzene concentrations measured in developing countries exceed 5 μg/m3, an annual concentration limit recommended by Europe Union, more often than developed ones. It implies a worse benzene pollution situation in the developing places, probably due to strong emission from traffic and industry. The outdoor/indoor concentration ratio is 0.69 and 0.84 for the developing and developed places, respectively. It indicates a significant, if not dominant, role of outdoor benzene in formulating indoor concentrations over indoor sources. Controlling outdoor benzene emission is therefore highlighted. Actions should be taken to regulate benzene emission sources such as traffic and industry. This is particularly urgent to protect occupants in buildings close to roads and factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Liu
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China.
| | - Xinjie Huang
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Jingguang Li
- Shanghai Research Institute of Building Sciences (Group) Co., Ltd, Shanghai 201108, China
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18
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Fairburn J, Schüle SA, Dreger S, Karla Hilz L, Bolte G. Social Inequalities in Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution: A Systematic Review in the WHO European Region. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16173127. [PMID: 31466272 PMCID: PMC6747075 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution is a long-standing and significant public health issue. The aim of this review is to systematically examine the peer-reviewed evidence on social inequalities and ambient air pollution in the World Health Organization European Region. Articles published between 2010 and 2017 were analyzed in the review. In total 31 articles were included in the review. There is good evidence from ecological studies that higher deprivation indices and low economic position are usually linked with higher levels of pollutants such as particulate matter (particulate matter under 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter, PM2.5, PM10) and oxides of nitrogen (e.g., NO2, and NOx). There is also evidence that ethnic minorities experience a mixed exposure in comparison to the majority population being sometimes higher and sometimes lower depending on the ethnic minority under consideration. The studies using data at the individual level in this review are mainly focused on pregnant women or new mothers, in these studies deprivation and ethnicity are more likely to be linked to higher exposures of poor air quality. Therefore, there is evidence in this review that the burden of higher pollutants falls disproportionally on different social groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Fairburn
- Staffordshire Business School, Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent ST4 2DF, UK.
| | - Steffen Andreas Schüle
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dreger
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Lisa Karla Hilz
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Bolte
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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19
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Chaiklieng S, Suggaravetsiri P, Autrup H. Risk Assessment on Benzene Exposure among Gasoline Station Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16142545. [PMID: 31315313 PMCID: PMC6678808 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16142545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Benzene is a human carcinogen presented in gasoline (1% by volume). It is also found in vehicle exhaust. The aim of this study was to assess the health risk of inhalation exposure to benzene among gasoline station workers. The ambient benzene concentration was measured by personal sampling from 150 gasoline station workers (137 fueling workers and 13 cashiers). Additional data of working characteristics were collected by interviews and on-site observations. All workers were non-smokers and passive smoking was limited. Risk assessment of inhalation exposure was determined using the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and showed a high risk of adverse health effect (Hazard Quotients (HQ) >1) in 51.33% of workers. The cancer risk was increased from 1.35 × 10−8 to 1.52 × 10−4, and 70.67% of the workers had a lifetime cancer risk (>Inhalation Unit Risk (IUR): 2.2 × 10−6). A significantly higher risk was found in fueling workers compared to cashiers, and in workers at gasoline stations in inner-city zones (suburban and urban), compared to rural zones. All risk estimations were based upon a single measurement in an eight hour working period, which was assumed to be the average shift length for all working days in a year (250 days). The increased health risk suggests that there should be health surveillance for workers in order to protect them from exposure to benzene. In addition to benzene, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in gasoline may influence health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunisa Chaiklieng
- Department of Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
| | - Pornnapa Suggaravetsiri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Herman Autrup
- Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
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20
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Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and autism spectrum disorder in children: A case-control study in Tehran, Iran. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 643:1216-1222. [PMID: 30189537 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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21
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Man Z, Meng X, Sun F, Pu Y, Xu K, Sun R, Zhang J, Yin L, Pu Y. Global Identification of HIF-1α Target Genes in Benzene Poisoning Mouse Bone Marrow Cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15112531. [PMID: 30424520 PMCID: PMC6266356 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15112531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Benzene is a hematopoietic toxicant, and hematopoietic cells in bone marrow (BM) are one of the main targets for its action, especially hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is associated with the metabolism and physiological functions of HSCs. We previously found that the mechanism of regulation of HIF-1α is involved in benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity. In this study, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) technologies were used to analyze the genome-wide binding spectrum of HIF-1α in mouse BM cells, and specific HIF-1α target genes and pathways associated with benzene toxicity were screened and validated. By application of the ChIP-Seq technique, we identified target genes HIF-1α directly binds to and regulates. Forty-two differentially down-regulated genes containing the HIF-1α specific binding site hypoxia response element (HRE) were found, of which 25 genes were with biological function. Moreover, the enrichment analysis of signal pathways indicated that these genes were significantly enriched in the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, Natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity, the Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway, Pyrimidine metabolism, the T cell receptor signaling pathway, and Transcriptional misregulation in cancer. After verification, 11 genes involved in HSC self-renewal, cell cycle, differentiation, and apoptosis pathways were found to be significantly reduced, and may participate in benzene-induced hematotoxicity. Our study provides a new academic clue for the mechanism of benzene hematotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaodi Man
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xing Meng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Fengxia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Yunqiu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Kai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Rongli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Juan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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22
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Montero-Montoya R, López-Vargas R, Arellano-Aguilar O. Volatile Organic Compounds in Air: Sources, Distribution, Exposure and Associated Illnesses in Children. Ann Glob Health 2018; 84:225-238. [PMID: 30873816 PMCID: PMC6748254 DOI: 10.29024/aogh.910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxic volatile organic compounds (VOC), like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX), are atmospheric pollutants representing a threat to human health. They are released into the environment from mobile sources in urban settings, but newly polluted areas are gaining importance in countries where accelerated industrialization is taking place in suburban or rural settings. METHODS The review includes studies done in Mexico and Latin-America and countries considered to have emerging economies and are compared with similar studies in developed countries. Data about environmental VOC levels and exposure of children have been included. Also, information about health effects was reviewed. Articles were searched in PubMed and Scopus, and information was also obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the EPAs Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS-EPA) and state reports on air quality of Mexican cities. RESULTS VOC or BTEX levels reported in industrial and suburban areas were found to be higher due to the burning of fossil fuels and waste emission; whereas, in big cities, VOC emissions were mainly due to mobile sources. Even though TEX levels were under reference values, benzene was found at levels several times over this value in cities and even higher in industrial zones. Elevated VOC emissions were also reported in cities with industrial development in their peripheral rural areas.Public health relevance: Industrial activities have changed the way of life of small towns, which previously had no concern about environmental pollution and chemicals. No air monitoring is done in these places where toxic chemicals are released into rivers and the atmosphere. This work demonstrates the need for environmental monitors to protect human life in suburban and rural areas where industrial growth occurs without planning and ecological or health protection, compromising the health of new generations beginning in fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocío López-Vargas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, MX
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Sun P, Guo X, Chen Y, Zhang W, Duan H, Gao A. VNN3, a potential novel biomarker for benzene toxicity, is involved in 1, 4-benzoquinone induced cell proliferation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 233:323-330. [PMID: 29096305 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Benzene is widely employed in the field of production, and its toxicity on biological systems has received increasing attention. Cell proliferation is a major life characteristic of living organisms. KLF15 and NOTCH1 are mature and classical genes in cell proliferation studies, particularly in the area of tumor investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of VNN3 on cell proliferation induced by 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ), an important metabolite of benzene, and obtain a sensitive biomarker for the hazard screening and health care of benzene exposure. Normally growing AHH-1 cells were cultured in vitro and were incubated with different concentrations of 1,4-BQ (0, 10, 20, and 40 μM) for 24 h. A CCK-8 assay was used to assess the cell viability, whereas EdU was used to detect the cell proliferation of AHH-1 cells. The expression of VNN3, KLF15 and NOTCH1 was detected by real-time PCR. Moreover, a lentiviral model was constructed in AHH-1 cells to interfere with VNN3 expression. The results showed that 1,4-BQ clearly increased the expression of VNN3. Moreover, 1,4-BQ dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and caused increased KLF15 expression; in contrast, the NOTCH1 expression decreased in AHH-1 cells. Furthermore, following interference with the VNN3 expression, the cell proliferation inhibition and the expression of KLF15 and NOTCH1 were rescued. To further investigate the action of VNN3 in benzene hematotoxicity, we assessed it in benzene-exposed workers. The results showed that there was a remarkable correlation between the VNN3 expression and hemogram, which included RBC, NEUT and HGB. In addition, analysis of the KLF15 and NOTCH1 expression showed that the VNN3 expression was related to cell proliferation, which was consistent with the in vitro results. In conclusion, VNN3 influences cell proliferation induced by 1,4-BQ by regulating the expression of KLF15 and NOTCH1. VNN3 may represent a potential biomarker of benzene toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengling Sun
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaoli Guo
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yujiao Chen
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Huawei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ai Gao
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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