Health effects of ambient air pollution in children

Air quality disparities and respiratory health risks in critically polluted and relatively non-polluted areas: a prospective child health study

BACKGROUND

Air pollution, a significant global health concern, notably impacts human well-being. Children, owing to their distinctive physiology and behavior, are particularly susceptible to its adverse effects. This prospective study examines air quality variations and respiratory risks in children residing in critically polluted areas (CPA) compared to relatively non-polluted areas (NPA), utilizing a prospective design to understand the impacts of air pollution on children's respiratory health, including measures like relative risk (RR) and attributable risk (AR).

METHODS

This prospective study tracked 739 students of 5th- 7th grade residing in CPA and NPA for one year, and measured the ambient and indoor air quality levels in both these areas. Throughout the study, based on the observed respiratory symptoms new episodes of upper and lower respiratory tract illnesses were recorded for each child on a weekly basis. Incidence rate, RR and AR for both the illnesses were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 26.0.

RESULTS

The study observes higher concentration for particulate matter and gaseous pollutants at CPA in comparison to NPA. Children living in CPA exhibited a notably greater weekly occurrence of both upper and lower respiratory tract illnesses compared to those in NPA, with RR of 1.26 (95% CI: 1.16-1.37) and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.34-2.27), respectively. The AR associated with air pollution for upper and lower respiratory tract illnesses among CPA students was found to be 20.7% and 42.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This research underscores the pressing need to address air pollution in critically polluted areas and its profound effects on children's respiratory health. Public health interventions, such as reducing emissions from industries and creating green spaces, should be prioritized. Furthermore, early respiratory health screening in schools within polluted areas could aid in the timely diagnosis and management of respiratory issues in children.

The influence of activity patterns and relative humidity on particle resuspension in classrooms

This paper investigates the impact of children's recess activity patterns on particulate matter (PM) resuspension in indoor environments, highlighting the complex, multi-dimensional nature of these activities and their interaction with environmental parameters. Despite the recognized role of indoor human activity in PM resuspension, research specifically addressing the effects of children's movements has been sparse. Through experimental scenarios that account for the characteristics of student activities, such as movement speed, trajectory, the number of participants, aisle widths, and varying humidity levels, this study uncovers significant differences in PM resuspension rates. It reveals that not only do movement speed and trajectory have a profound impact, but also the interaction between humidity and these factors plays a critical role, especially under lower humidity conditions. Additionally, the study demonstrates how the combination of people density and spatial configurations can significantly influence resuspension rates. The findings offer valuable insights for designing strategies to mitigate particle pollution in classrooms and similar indoor environments.

Assessment of drinking water quality and identifying pollution sources in a chromite mining region

Water sources near mining regions are often susceptible to contamination from toxic elements. This study employs machine learning (ML) techniques to evaluate drinking water quality and identify pollution sources near a chromite mine in Iran. Human health risks were assessed using both deterministic and probabilistic approaches. Findings revealed that concentrations of calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) in the water samples exceeded international safety standards. The Unweighted Root Mean Square water quality index (RMS-WQI) and Weighted Quadratic Mean (WQM-WQI) categorized all water samples as 'Fair', with average scores of 67.95 and 67.19, respectively. Of the ML models tested, the Extra Trees (ET) algorithm emerged as the top predictor of WQI, with Mg and strontium (Sr) as key variables influencing the scores. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three distinct clusters of water quality parameters, highlighting influences from both local geology and anthropogenic activities. The highest average hazard quotient (HQ) for Cr was 1.71 for children, 1.27 for adolescents, and 1.05 for adults. Monte Carlo simulation for health risk assessment indicated median hazard index (HI) of 4.48 for children, 3.58 for teenagers, and 2.98 for adults, all exceeding the acceptable threshold of 1. Total carcinogenic risk (TCR) exceeded the EPA's acceptable level for 99.38 % of children, 98.24 % of teenagers, and 100 % of adults, with arsenic (As) and Cr identified as the main contributors. The study highlights the need for urgent mitigation measures, recommending a 99 % reduction in concentrations of key contaminants to lower both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to acceptable levels.

Clearing the air: A systematic review of studies on air pollution and childhood brain outcomes to mobilize policy change

Climate change, wildfires, and environmental justice concerns have drawn increased attention to the impact of air pollution on children's health and development. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution exposure, as their brains and bodies are still developing. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize available empirical evidence on the associations between air pollution exposure and brain outcomes in developmental samples (ages 0-18 years old). Studies were identified by searching the PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection databases and underwent a two-phase screening process before inclusion. 40 studies were included in the review, which included measures of air pollution and brain outcomes at various points in development. Results linked air pollution to varied brain outcomes, including structural volumetric and cortical thickness differences, alterations in white matter microstructure, functional network changes, metabolic and molecular effects, as well as tumor incidence. Few studies included longitudinal changes in brain outcomes. This review also suggests methodologies for incorporating air pollution measures in developmental cognitive neuroscience studies and provides specific policy recommendations to reduce air pollution exposure and promote healthy brain development by improving access to clean air.

Examining the Link between Air Quality (PM, SO2, NO2, PAHs) and Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity has emerged as a global health concern with profound implications for long-term health outcomes. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the potential role of environmental factors in the development of childhood obesity. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between various components of air pollution and childhood obesity. Methods: We systematically analyze the existing literature from the past 5 years to explore the mechanistic pathways linking air pollution, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to childhood obesity. This systematic review examines 33 epidemiological studies on the link between air pollution and childhood obesity, published from 1 January 2018, to 31 January 2024. Results: Studies from counties with low overall air pollution noticed only low to no impact of the exposure to childhood obesity, unlike studies from countries with higher levels of pollution, suggesting that the mitigation of air pollutants can reduce the chance of it being a negative factor for the development of obesity. This relationship was noticed for PM2.5, PM1, PM10, NOx, and SO2 but not for PAHs, which showed a negative effect on children's health across 10 out of 11 studies. Conclusions: This review underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address both environmental and socio-economic determinants of childhood obesity. Efforts aimed at reducing air pollution levels and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors are essential for safeguarding the health and well-being of children worldwide.

Independent and joint associations of multiple metals exposure with vital capacity index: a cross-sectional study in Chinese children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to explore the relationships between urinary metals and vital capacity index (VCI) in 380 children and adolescents in Northeast China using a variety of statistical methods.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 380 children and adolescents in Liaoning Province, China. To assess the relationships between urinary metals and VCI, Elastic-net (ENET) regression, multivariate linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS), bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile-based g computation (qgcomp) were adopted.

RESULTS

The ENET model selected magnesium (Mg), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) as crucial elements. In multiple linear regression, we observed urinary Pb, Mn was negatively correlated with VCI individually in both total study population and adolescents (all p values < 0.05) in the adjustment model. The WQS indices were negatively related with VCI in total study population (β=-3.19, 95%CI: -6.07, -0.30) and adolescents (β=-3.46, 95%CI: -6.58, -0.35). The highest weight in total study population was Pb (38.80%), in adolescents was Mn (35.10%). In the qgcomp, Pb (31.90%), Mn (27.20%) were the major negative contributors to the association in the total population (β=-3.51, 95%CI: -6.29, -0.74). As (42.50%), Mn (39.90%) were the main negative contributors (β=-3.95, 95% CI: -6.68, -1.22) among adolescents. The results of BKMR were basically consistent with WQS and qgcomp analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that Pb and Mn were priority toxic materials on VCI. The cumulative effect of metals was negatively related to VCI, and this relationship was more pronounced in adolescents.

Air pollution induces morpho-functional, biochemical and biomechanical vascular dysfunction in undernourished rats

Air pollution (gases and particulate matter -PM) and child undernutrition are globally recognized stressors with significant consequences. PM and its components breach the respiratory alveolar-capillary barrier, entering the vasculature transporting not only harmful particles and its mediators but, altering vascular paracrine and autocrine functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA), on the vasculature of young animals with nutritional growth retardation (NGR). Weanling rats were fed a diet restricted 20% (NGR) compared to ad libitum intake (control-C) for 4 weeks. Rats were intranasally instilled with 1 mg/kg BW of ROFA. After 24h exposure, histological and immunohistochemical, biochemical and contractile response to NA/ACh were evaluated in aortas. ROFA induced changes in the tunica media of the aorta in all groups regarding thickness, muscular cells and expression of Connexin-43. ROFA increased TGF-β1 and decreased eNOs levels and calcium channels in C and NGR animals. An increment in cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 was observed in C, with no changes in NGR. ROFA exposure altered the vascular contractile capacity. In conclusion, ROFA exposure could increase the risk for CVD through the alteration of vascular biochemical parameters, a possible step of the endothelial dysfunction.

Longitudinal associations of air pollution and green space with cardiometabolic risk factor clustering among children in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

This study examines longitudinal associations of air pollution and green space with cardiometabolic risk among children in the Netherlands.

METHODS

Three Dutch prospective cohorts with a total of 13,822 participants aged 5 to 17 years were included: (1) the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study from Amsterdam (n = 2,547), (2) the Generation R study from Rotterdam (n = 5,431), and (3) the Lifelines study from northern Netherlands (n = 5,844). Air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and elemental carbon (EC)) and green space exposures (density in multiple Euclidean buffer sizes) from 2006 to 2017 at home address level were used. Cardiometabolic risk factor clustering was assessed by a MetScore, which was derived from a confirmatory factor analysis of six cardiometabolic risk factors to assess the overall risk. Linear regression models with change in Metscore as the dependent variable, adjusted for multiple confounders, were conducted for each cohort separately. Meta-analyses were used to pool cohort-specific estimates.

RESULTS

Exposure to higher levels of NO2 and EC was significantly associated with increases in MetScore in Lifelines (per SD higher exposure: βNO2 = 0.006, 95 % CI = 0.001 to 0.010; βEC = 0.008, 95 % CI = 0.002 to 0.014). In the other two cohort studies, these associations were in the same direction but these were not significant. Higher green space density in 500-meter buffer zones around participants' residential addresses was not significantly associated with decreases of MetScore in all three cohorts. Higher green space density in 2000-meter buffer zones was significantly associated with decreases of MetScore in ABCD and Lifelines (per SD higher green space density: βABCD = -0.008, 95 % CI = -0.013 to -0.003; βLifelines = -0.002, 95 % CI = -0.003 to -0.00003). The pooled estimates were βNO2 = 0.003 (95 % CI = -0.001 to 0.006) for NO2, βEC = 0.003 (95 % CI = -0.001, 0.007) for EC, and β500m buffer = -0.0014 (95 % CI = -0.0026 to -0.0001) for green space.

CONCLUSIONS

More green space exposure at residence was associated with decreased cardiometabolic risk in children. Exposure to more NO2 and EC was also associated with increased cardiometabolic risk.

Respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution amongst children aged six years and below in Melusi Informal Settlement, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution in children are a major public health concern, as their immune systems and lungs are not yet fully developed. This study aimed to assess self-reported respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution sources amongst children aged six years and below in Melusi informal settlement, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.

METHODS

With a quantitative cross-sectional study design, parents/caregivers of children aged six years and below (n = 300) from eight Early Childhood Development Centres were invited to participate in the study. This study employed complete sampling, and data was collected using the modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. The chi-square and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze data, with p < 0.05 in the adjusted odds ratios considered as being statistically significant.

RESULTS

Three models were run to examine the predictors of wheezing in the past 12 months, dry cough, and itchy-watery eyes. The model for asthma was excluded, as only seven participants reported having asthma. Wheeze in the past 12 months was associated with participants living in the area for more than three years (OR 2.96 95%CI: 1.011-8.674). Furthermore, having a dog in the house in the past 12 months was associated with wheeze in the past 12 months (OR 5.98 95%CI: 2.107-16.967). There was an association between duration of stay in a residence and dry cough prevalence (OR 5.63 95%CI: 2.175-14.584). Trucks always or frequently passing near homes was associated with itchy-watery eyes (OR 3.27 95%CI: 1.358-7.889). 59% (59%) of participants perceived the indoor air quality in their homes to be good, while 6% perceived it as poor. In contrast, 36% of participants perceived the outdoor air quality to be good, and 19.7% perceived it as poor.

CONCLUSION

The association between perceived air pollution exposure, self-reported respiratory conditions, and health symptoms amongst children is complex. Further research is required to better understand the multifaceted nature of air pollution and its impact on the health of children.

Associations of long-term exposure to air pollution and noise with body composition in children and adults: Results from the LEAD general population study

BACKGROUND

While long-term air pollution and noise exposure has been linked to increasing cardiometabolic disease risk, potential effects on body composition remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations of long-term air pollution, noise and body composition.

METHODS

We used repeated data from the LEAD (Lung, hEart, sociAl, boDy) study conducted in Vienna, Austria. Body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), fat mass index (FMI; z-score), and lean mass index (LMI; z-score) were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at the first (t0; 2011-ongoing) and second (t1; 2017-ongoing) examinations. Annual particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were estimated with the GRAMM/GRAL model (2015-2021). Day-evening-night (Lden) and night-time (Lnight) noise levels from transportation were modeled for 2017 following the European Union Directive 2002/49/EC. Exposures were assigned to residential addresses. We performed analyses separately in children/adolescents and adults, using linear mixed-effects models with random participant intercepts and linear regression models for cross-sectional and longitudinal associations, respectively. Models were adjusted for co-exposure, lifestyle and sociodemographics.

RESULTS

A total of 19,202 observations (nt0 = 12,717, nt1 = 6,485) from participants aged 6-86 years (mean age at t0 = 41.0 years; 52.9 % female; mean PM10 = 21 µg/m3; mean follow-up time = 4.1 years) were analyzed. Among children and adolescents (age ≤ 18 years at first visit), higher PM10exposure was cross-sectionally associated with higher FMI z-scores (0.09 [95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 0.03, 0.16]) and lower LMI z-scores (-0.05 [95 % CI: -0.10, -0.002]) per 1.8 µg/m3. Adults showed similar trends in cross-sectional associations as children, though not reaching statistical significance. We observed no associations for noise exposures. Longitudinal analyses on body composition changes over time yielded positive associations for PM10, but not for other exposures.

CONCLUSION

Air pollution exposure, mainly PM10, was cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with body composition in children/adolescents and adults. Railway/road-traffic noise exposures showed no associations in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Potential exposure of adults and children to particles from resuspended nano-enabled consumer sprays

The increasing application of nanotechnology has resulted in a growing number of nano-enabled consumer products, and they could be important contributors to indoor particulate matter, with potential adverse health effects. This study investigated the exposure of adults and children to the released and resuspended manufactured particles from seven nano-enabled consumer sprays. Sedimentation and resuspension of released particles were investigated in a newly constructed 2.8 × 1.6 × 2.4 m3 chamber. The resuspension of deposited particles was investigated as a function of product type, flooring material (e.g., carpet and vinyl), resuspension force (e.g., walking by an adult and motion of a robotic sampler that simulated a child), and measurement height. The concentration of released and resuspended particles in the air was determined using Button Aerosol Samplers (SKC Inc.) with 25-mm 2 μm-pore PTFE filters. Samplers were positioned in the experimenter's breathing zone (e.g., 1.5 m for adults and 0.3 m for a child-simulating robot) and at fixed stations of 0.3 m and 1.1 m heights. Resuspended particle mass concentrations ranged from 28 to 905 μg/m3, and the resuspension rates of deposited spray particles for the same variable combinations varied from 10-4 to 10-1 h-1, depending on product type, flooring material, sampling height, and resuspension force. Particle resuspension rates from carpet were up to 320 % higher than resuspension rates from vinyl flooring, resuspension rates measured at 0.3 m were up to 195 % higher than the rates measured with a 1.1 m stationary sampler, and resuspension rates due to a walking adult were up to 243 % higher than resuspension rates caused to a moving robot that simulated a child. Overall, these data on the resuspension of particles from nano-enabled consumer sprays could help us understand the resulting exposures and support future studies on human exposure reduction.

Lipid Dysregulation Induced by Gasoline and Diesel Exhaust Exposure and the Interaction with Age

Limited knowledge exists regarding gasoline and diesel exhaust effects on lipid metabolism. This study collected gasoline and diesel exhaust under actual driving conditions and conducted inhalation exposure on male young and middle-aged C57BL/6J mice for 4 h/day for 5 days to simulate commuting exposure intensity. Additionally, PM2.5 from actual roadways, representing gasoline and diesel vehicles, was generated for exposure to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and normal liver cells (LO2) for 24, 48, and 72 h to further investigate exhaust particle toxicity. Results showed that diesel exhaust reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in young mice, indicating disrupted lipid metabolism. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels increased by 53.7% and 21.7%, respectively, suggesting potential liver injury. Diesel exhaust exposure decreased superoxide dismutase and increased glutathione peroxidase levels. Cell viability decreased, and reactive oxygen species levels increased in HUVECs and LO2 following exposure to exhaust particles, with dose- and time-dependent effects. Diesel exhaust particles exhibited more severe inhibition of cell proliferation and oxidative damage compared to gasoline exhaust particles. These findings provide novel evidence of the risk of disrupted lipid metabolism due to gasoline and diesel exhaust, emphasizing the toxicity of diesel exhaust.

Extraction of volatile organic compounds liberated upon filament extrusion by 3D pen and its comparison with a desktop 3D printer using solid-phase microextraction fiber and Arrow

Desktop 3D printers that operate by the fused deposition modeling (FDM) mechanism are known to release numerous hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during printing, including some with potential carcinogenic effects. Operating in a similar manner to FDM 3D printers, 3D pens have gained popularity recently from their ability to allow users to effortlessly draw in the air or create various 3D printed shapes while handling the device like a pen. In contrast to numerous modern 3D printers, 3D pens lack their own ventilation systems and are often used in settings with minimum airflow. Their operation makes users more vulnerable to VOC emissions, as the released VOCs are likely to be in the breathing zone. Consequently, monitoring VOCs released during the use of 3D pens is crucial. In this study, VOCs liberated while extruding acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filaments from a 3D pen were measured by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). SPME was investigated using the traditional fiber and Arrow geometries with the DVB/Carbon WR/PDMS sorbent while four different brands of ABS filaments-Amazon Basics, Gizmodork, Mynt 3D, and Novamaker-were used with the 3D pen. Heatmap analysis showed differentiation among these brands based on the liberated VOCs. The nozzle temperature and printing speed were found to affect the number and amount of released VOCs. This study goes a step further and presents for the first time a comparison between 3D pen and a desktop 3D printer based on liberated VOCs. Interestingly, the findings reveal that the 3D pen releases a greater number and amount of VOCs compared to the printer. The amounts of liberated VOCs, as indicated by the corresponding chromatographic peak areas, were found to be 1.4 to 62.6 times higher for the 3D pen compared to the 3D printer when using SPME Arrow.

Association of air pollution exposure with overweight or obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Childhood overweight and obesity is a global problem. 38 million children under five years old were reported as being overweight/obese in 2019. However, current evidence regarding the effects of air pollution on children weight status remains scarce and inconsistent. This study aimed to determine the association between air pollutants and the weight status of children and adolescents. Four databases were searched up to August 9, 2023. Adjusted merged odds ratios (ORs), regression coefficients (β), and their 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated and pooled. A total of 27 studies were included. The results showed that air pollutants had adverse effects on the body weight of children and adolescents. Exposure to PM1, PM2.5, PMcoarse, and PM10 were associated with increased risk of overweight/obesity, with pooled ORs (95 % CI) of 1.23 (1.09, 1.40), 1.18 (1.10, 1.28), 1.04 (1.03, 1.05) and 1.11 (1.06, 1.17) per 10 μg/m3 increment, respectively. Individuals with higher exposure levels to NOX, O3, SO2 and CO (per 10 μg/m3 increment) were associated with 12 %, 6 %, 28 % and 1 % increased odds of being overweight/obese, respectively. With respect to the level of body mass index, the pooled β (95 % CIs) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NOX exposure were 0.15 (0.12, 0.18), 0.11 (0.06, 0.16), 0.07 (0.03, 0.10), and 0.03 (0.01, 0.04), respectively. PM1 has relatively strong adverse effects on body weight status. The subgroup analysis revealed a significantly increase in the risk of overweight/obesity when the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 exceeded 35 μg/m3, 50 μg/m3, and 40 μg/m3, respectively. Exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and NOX increased the risk of overweight/obesity, especially in Asia. This study provides evidence of the association between air pollution and being overweight/obese in children and adolescents.

Air pollution and pregnancy

Increased fossil fuel usage and extreme climate change events have led to global increases in greenhouse gases and particulate matter with 99% of the world's population now breathing polluted air that exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended limits. Pregnant women and neonates with exposure to high levels of air pollutants are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes such as maternal hypertensive disorders, postpartum depression, placental abruption, low birth weight, preterm birth, infant mortality, and adverse lung and respiratory effects. While the exact mechanism by which air pollution exerts adverse health effects is unknown, oxidative stress as well as epigenetic and immune mechanisms are thought to play roles. Comprehensive, global efforts are urgently required to tackle the health challenges posed by air pollution through policies and action for reducing air pollution as well as finding ways to protect the health of vulnerable populations in the face of increasing air pollution.

Exposure to outdoor air pollution and risk of hospitalization for bronchiolitis in an urban environment: A 9-year observational study

BACKGROUND

Outdoor air pollution is supposed to influence the course of bronchiolitis, but the evidence is limited. The present study aimed at evaluating the role of outdoor air pollutants on hospitalization for bronchiolitis.

METHODS

Infants aged ≤12 months referred for bronchiolitis to our Pediatric Emergency Department in Bologna, Italy, from 1 October 2011 to 16 March 2020 (nine epidemic seasons) were retrospectively included. Daily concentrations of benzene (C6 H6 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5 ), and ≤10 μm (PM10 ), and the mean values of individual patient exposure in the week and the 4 weeks before hospital access were calculated. The association between air pollutants exposure and hospitalization was evaluated through logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 2902 patients were enrolled (59.9% males; 38.7% hospitalized). Exposure to PM2.5 in the 4 weeks preceding bronchiolitis was identified as the main parameter significantly driving the risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.055 [1.010-1.102]). After stratifying by season, higher values of other outdoor air pollutants were found to significantly affect hospitalization: 4-week exposure to C6 H6 (Season 2011-2012, 4.090 [1.184-14.130]) and PM2.5 (Season 2017-2018, 1.282 [1.032-1.593]), and 1-week exposure to C6 H6 (Season 2012-2013, 6.193 [1.552-24.710]), NO2 (Season 2013-2014, 1.064 [1.009-1.122]), PM2.5 (Season 2013-2014, 1.080 [1.023-1.141]), and PM10 (Season 2018-2019, 1.102 [0.991-1.225]).

CONCLUSION

High levels of PM2.5 , C6 H6 , NO2 , and PM10 may increase the risk of hospitalization in children affected by bronchiolitis. Open-air exposure of infants during rush hours and in the most polluted areas should be avoided.

A549 as an In Vitro Model to Evaluate the Impact of Microplastics in the Air

Airborne microplastics raise significant concerns due to their potential health impacts. Having a small size, larger surface area, and penetrative ability into the biological system, makes them hazardous to health. This review article compiles various studies investigating the mechanism of action of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affecting lung epithelial cells A549. These inhalable microplastics damage the respiratory system, by triggering a proinflammatory environment, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, morphological changes, and cytotoxic accumulation in A549 cells. PS-NP lung toxicity depends on various factors such as size, surface modifications, concentration, charge, and zeta potential. However, cellular uptake and cytotoxicity mechanisms depend on the cell type. For A549 cells, PS-NPs are responsible for energy imbalance by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity, immunomodulation, and apoptosis. Additionally, PS-NPs have the ability to traverse the placental barrier, posing a risk to offspring. Despite the advancements, the precise mechanisms underlying how prolonged exposure to PS-NPs leads to the development and progression of lung diseases have unclear points, necessitating further investigations to unravel the root cause. This review also sheds light on data gaps, inconsistencies in PS-Nos research, and provides recommendations for further research in this field.

Exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution in schools in Africa: Current status, knowledge gaps, and a call to action

Chronic exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution is linked to adverse human health impacts worldwide, and in children, these include increased respiratory symptoms, reduced cognitive and academic performance, and absences from school. African children are exposed to high levels of air pollution from aging diesel and gasoline second-hand vehicles, dusty roads, trash burning, and solid-fuel combustion for cooking. There is a need for more empirical evidence on the impact of air pollutants on schoolchildren in most countries of Africa. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review on schoolchildren's exposure to indoor and outdoor PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm and PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm) in Africa. Following PRISMA guidelines, our search strategy yielded 2975 records, of which eight peer-reviewed articles met our selection criteria and were considered in the final analysis. We also analyzed satellite data on PM2.5 and PM10 levels in five African regions from 1990 to 2019 and compared schoolchildren's exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Africa with available data from the rest of the world. The findings showed that schoolchildren in Africa are frequently exposed to PM2.5 and PM10 levels exceeding the recommended World Health Organization air quality guidelines. We conclude with a list of recommendations and strategies to reduce air pollution exposure in African schools. Education can help to produce citizens who are literate in environmental science and policy. More air quality measurements in schools and intervention studies are needed to protect schoolchildren's health and reduce exposure to air pollution in classrooms across Africa.

The health impact of freight transport-related air pollution on vulnerable population groups

Every year, over 364,200 people in Europe die prematurely due to the effects of air pollution, in which the transportation sector plays an important role. In Brussels, freight transport generates €61,604 of air pollution health costs daily. Research has shown that dynamic spatiotemporal modeling of both emission sources and exposed people (using mobile phone data) renders more accurate impact results when analyzed in microenvironments. However, mobile data underrepresent population segments that are more sensitive to the effects of air pollution, such as toddlers, children and elderly individuals. This paper examined the link between vulnerable people aged 0-3, 3-18 and >65 years and freight transport-related air pollution concentrations in the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR). To this end, dynamic tailpipe emissions and their spatiotemporal dispersion were calculated using output from the Transport Agent-Based Model (TRABAM) on a daily basis. Population densities were calculated as a function of the residences' occupancy rate and school/class size and opening hours. The effects of exposure were then evaluated using age- and sex-differentiated exposure-response functions and monetized using local hospital cost factors. Data were compiled for 2021. A strong overlap between people's presence at the institutions' locations was noticed with a peak in (freight) transportation movements in the city. The results showed that €37,000 [€34,517.47-€40,047.13] of freight transport-related air pollution health costs were incurred daily by vulnerable population segments. While these vulnerable groups made up 25.34% of the total BCR population, they incurred 60% [56.03%-65.01%] of the engendered transportation air pollution costs. The results were then geographically analyzed to identify 465 traffic-related air pollution hotspots across the territory, which accounted for €36,000 [€33,677.85-€39,101.31] of total costs. The latter can be used in future studies to assess sector-specific freight transportation policies, which should take into consideration spatiotemporal population densities on the local level.

The final 28 Days:Prenatal exposure to air pollution and child anthropometric outcomes

This study examines the health consequences of prenatal exposure to air pollution by combining child health data from an original survey with the Air Pollution Index (API) from official Chinese statistics. Our results show that exposure to air pollution in late trimester (four-week windows before delivery) is negatively associated with health outcomes in children in the short and long terms. One standard deviation increase in the API in the final 28 days before delivery decreased birth weight and length by 0.388 and 0.458, respectively, in z-scores and lowered the weight-for-age and height-for-age by 0.370 and 0.441, respectively, in z-scores at 13-15 years post-exposure. Although the timing of exposure and its consequences have been the subject of debate in existing literature, our results focus on four-week windows and demonstrate that exposure during the late pregnancy period may have adverse health effects on children. We conducted analyses that accounted for potential covariates and omitted variables, and our results remain robust and statistically significant. We also found gender heterogeneous effects that girls are more vulnerable to fetal air pollution exposure than boys. Our findings uncover fetal and child health risks regarding air pollution and reinforce the importance of policies for mitigating air pollution in developing countries.

Air pollution and human endogenous retrovirus methylation in the school inner-city asthma intervention study

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are transposable genomic elements generally repressed through DNA methylation. HERVs can be demethylated and expressed in response to environmental stimuli. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the influence of environmental exposures on HERV methylation. Air pollutants are commonly linked with global hypomethylation, and as HERVs comprise of nearly 8% of repetitive elements in the human genome, our objective was to examine the association between air pollutant exposure and HERV methylation. We investigated 180 students with asthma participating in the School Inner-City Asthma Intervention Study, which evaluated the efficacy of classroom air filters and school-wide pest management on air pollutant/allergen exposure and asthma. Both air pollutants measured in classrooms and asthma outcomes assessed by surveys were collected pre- and post-intervention. Buccal swabs were also collected pre- and post-intervention, and methylation levels from 9 transposable genomic elements (HERV-E, -FRD, -K, -L, -R, -W, -9, and HRES and LINE1) were measured. Adjusting for relevant covariates, the overall air pollutant mixture was cross-sectionally associated with higher HERV-W and lower HERV-L and LINE1 methylation. Coarse PM was cross-sectionally associated with higher HERV-K methylation and CO2 with lower LINE1 methylation. These results suggest that exposure to air pollutants is associated with HERV-W and HERV-K hypermethylation and HERV-L and LINE1 hypomethylation in children with asthma. Future studies are needed to characterize the links between HERV methylation and possible adverse outcomes.

Short-term associations of low-level fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with cardiorespiratory hospitalizations in 139 Japanese cities

There have been few studies in non-western countries on the relationship between low levels of daily fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure and morbidity or mortality, and the impact of PM_2.5 concentrations below 15 μg/m³, which is the latest World Health Organization Air Quality Guideline (WHO AQG) value for the 24-h mean, is not yet clear. We assessed the associations between low-level PM_2.5 exposure and cardiorespiratory admissions in Japan. We collected the daily hospital admission count data, air pollutant data, and meteorological condition data recorded from April 2016 to March 2019 in 139 Japanese cities. City-specific estimates were obtained from conditional logistic regression models in a time-stratified case-crossover design and pooled by random-effect models. We estimated that every 10-μg/m³ increase in the concurrent-day PM_2.5 concentration was related to a 0.52% increase in cardiovascular admissions (95% CI: 0.13-0.92%) and a 1.74% increase in respiratory admissions (95% CI: 1.41-2.07%). These values were nearly the same when the datasets were filtered to contain only daily PM_2.5 concentrations <15 μg/m³. The exposure-response curves showed approximately sublinear-to-linear curves with no indication of thresholds. These associations with cardiovascular diseases weakened after adjusting for nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide, but associations with respiratory diseases were almost unchanged when additionally adjusted for other pollutants. This study demonstrated that associations between daily PM_2.5 and daily cardiorespiratory hospitalizations might persist at low concentrations, including those below the latest WHO AQG value. Our findings suggest that the updated guideline value may still be insufficient from the perspective of public health.

The Effects of Yoga Practice on Lung Function and sIL-2R Biomarkers in Individuals Working and Living in the Lonavala Industrial Area: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Context

Pollution-related health hazards are very common among people living and/or working in industrial areas, particularly near industries and metro cities. These air pollutants contribute to allergens, increase inflammation, and affect lung function.

Aim

The present study aimed to examine the effect of yoga training on lung functions and inflammation in terms of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in people working and living in a polluted area.

Settings and Design

This is a randomized controlled interventional pilot study.

Methods and Materials

Forty-eight male volunteers from the industrial area, aged 20-50 years, were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. Each group comprises 24 study participants. Lung function and sIL-2R were studied at the baseline and post-yoga intervention period of 16 weeks.

Statistical Analysis Used

Study data were analyzed using descriptive methods, a one-tailed t-test, a paired t-test, and an independent t-test.

Result

Study results showed directional and significant improvements in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, and peak expiratory flow rate compared to the control group participants. The results pertaining to sIL-2R showed a directional and significant decrease in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

The present study showed that yoga helps to promote better health, improve lung function and reduce inflammation among people residing in polluted environments.

Children's exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs): a review on urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and associated health effects

This article reviewed the published studies on the environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among children and assessed the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) level as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs. The current knowledge of the potential health effects of increased 1-OHP in children was reviewed. Additionally, the influence of genetic polymorphism on the urinary 1-OHP level was discussed in this review. The assembled data showed that children who are attending schools or living close to industrial and polluted urban areas might have greater exposure to higher concentrations of PAHs with a higher level of urinary 1-OHP when compared to those children living in rural areas. Urinary 1-OHP may be a reliable biomarker for determining the genotoxic effects, oxidative stress and inflammation caused by exposure to PAHs. Strong research evidence indicated that the total body burden of PAHs should be evaluated by biomonitoring of 1-OHP in line with other urinary PAHs metabolites (with 2-3 rings) to evaluate recent total exposure to PAHs. Overall, the study suggests implementing a mitigation plan to combat air pollution to provide a cleaner environment for children.

Can individual protective measures safeguard cardiopulmonary health from air pollution? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence supporting the effect of individual protective measures (IPMs) on air pollution is relatively scarce. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of air purifiers, air-purifying respirators, and cookstove changes on cardiopulmonary health outcomes. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 31, 2022, 90 articles and 39,760 participants were included. Two authors independently searched and selected the studies, extracted information, and assessed each study's quality and risk of bias. We performed meta-analyses when three or more studies were available for each IPMs, with comparable intervention and health outcome. Systematic review showed that IPMs were beneficial in children and elderly with asthma along with healthy individuals. Meta-analysis results showed a reduction in cardiopulmonary inflammation using air purifiers than in control groups (with sham/no filter) with a decrease in interleukin 6 by -0.247 μg/mL (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -0.413, -0.082). A sub-group analysis for air purifier as an IPMs in developing counties reduced fractional exhaled nitric oxide by -0.208 ppb (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -0.394, -0.022). However, evidence describing the effects of air purifying respirator and cook stove changes on cardiopulmonary outcomes remained insufficient. Therefore, air purifiers can serve as efficient IPMs against air pollution. The beneficial effect of air purifiers is likely to have a greater effect in developing countries than in developed countries.

Identification of Indoor Air Quality Factors in Slovenian Schools: National Cross-Sectional Study

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is associated with impacts on pupils’ health and learning performance. We aimed to identify the factors that affect IAQ in primary schools. The following objectives were set: (a) to develop a questionnaire to assess the prevalence of factors in primary schools, (b) to conduct content validity of the questionnaire, and (c) to assess the prevalence of factors that affect the IAQ in Slovenian primary schools. Based on the systematic literature review, we developed a new questionnaire to identify factors that affect the IAQ in primary schools and conducted its validation. The questionnaires were sent to all 454 Slovenian primary schools; the response rate was 78.19%. The results show that the most important outdoor factors were the school’s micro location and the distance from potential sources of pollution, particularly traffic. Among the indoor factors, we did not detect a pronounced dominating factor. Our study shows that the spatial location of schools is key to addressing the problem of IAQ in schools.

Early-Life Exposure to PM2.5 and Sleep Disturbances in Preschoolers from 551 Cities of China

Rationale: Air pollution has been linked with sleep disturbance in adults, but the association in children remains unclear. Objectives: To examine the associations of prenatal and postnatal exposure to fine particulate matter (particulate matter ⩽2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter; PM_2.5) with sleep quality and sleep disturbances among children in 551 Chinese cities. Methods: A total of 1,15,023 children aged 3-7 years from the Chinese National Cohort of Motor Development were included. Sleep quality was measured using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). PM_2.5 exposure was estimated using a satellite-based model. Generalized additive mixed models with Gaussian and binomial distributions were used to examine the associations of PM_2.5 exposure with CSHQ scores and risk of sleep disturbance, respectively, adjusting for demographic characteristics and temporal trends. Measurements and Main Results: Early-life PM_2.5 exposure was associated with higher total CSHQ score, and the association was stronger for exposure at age 0-3 years (change of CSHQ score per interquartile range increase of PM_2.5 = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.63) than during pregnancy (0.22; 95% CI, 0.12-0.32). The associations were more evident in sleep-disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness. Postnatal PM_2.5 exposure was associated with increased risk of sleep disturbance (adjusted odds ratio for per-interquartile range increase of PM_2.5 exposure at age 0-3 years, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.15), but no associations were found for prenatal exposure. Children who were exclusively breastfed for <6 months and had neonatal ICU admission may be more vulnerable to sleep disturbance related to PM_2.5 exposure. Conclusions: PM_2.5 exposure can impair sleep quality in preschool children.

Outdoor Air Pollution and Childhood Respiratory Disease: The Role of Oxidative Stress

The leading mechanisms through which air pollutants exert their damaging effects are the promotion of oxidative stress, the induction of an inflammatory response, and the deregulation of the immune system by reducing its ability to limit infectious agents' spreading. This influence starts in the prenatal age and continues during childhood, the most susceptible period of life, due to a lower efficiency of oxidative damage detoxification, a higher metabolic and breathing rate, and enhanced oxygen consumption per unit of body mass. Air pollution is involved in acute disorders like asthma exacerbations and upper and lower respiratory infections, including bronchiolitis, tuberculosis, and pneumoniae. Pollutants can also contribute to the onset of chronic asthma, and they can lead to a deficit in lung function and growth, long-term respiratory damage, and eventually chronic respiratory illness. Air pollution abatement policies, applied in the last decades, are contributing to mitigating air quality issues, but more efforts should be encouraged to improve acute childhood respiratory disease with possible positive long-term effects on lung function. This narrative review aims to summarize the most recent studies on the links between air pollution and childhood respiratory illness.

Global attributed burden of death for air pollution: Demographic decomposition and birth cohort effect

BACKGROUND

To identify the high-risk pollutants and evolving patterns of attributed mortality burden, more detailed evidence is needed to examine the contribution of different air pollutants to death across the disease spectrum, particularly considering population change as well as the context of the era.

METHODS

We explored the evolving patterns of all-cause and disease-specific deaths attributed to overall air pollution and its main subcategories by using the estimated annual percentage change and additionally assessing the contribution of population growth and ageing to death burden using the decomposition method. Age-period-cohort model and Joinpoint analysis were used to evaluate birth cohort effects specific-disease death burden owing to high-risk air pollution subcategories.

FINDINGS

The number of deaths caused by air pollution increased by 2.62 %, which was driven by ambient particulate matter pollution and ambient ozone pollution, whereas household air pollution decreased. Population ageing contributed 28.88 % of the deaths increase change for air pollution. Compared with other subcategories, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) attributed to ambient particulate matter pollution remained the heaviest attributed death burden, comprehensively considering of bivariate burden. In 2019, ischemic heart disease attributed to ambient particulate matter pollution exhibited the highest ASMR, which may be impacted by a rapid increase era from 1950 to 1980 birth cohort in woman and 1970 to 1990 birth cohort in man. Diabetes mellitus attributed to ambient particulate matter pollution showed the largest increase for ASMR, which was driven primarily by men born 1910-1975 and women born 1950-1975.Uzbekistan showed the highest ASMR for ischemic heart disease, with Equatorial Guinea showing the fastest increase for diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION

Priority intervention targets for air pollution and health should emphasize the susceptibility of the elderly population as well as the structural factors of the era, in particular sensitive diseases to the ambient particulate matter pollution.

Environmental Exposures may Hold the Key; Impact of Air Pollution, Greenness, and Rural/Farm Lifestyle on Allergic Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There has been an increased prevalence of allergy. Due to this relatively rapid rise, changes in environmental exposures are likely the main contributor. In this review, we highlight literature from the last 3 years pertaining to the role of air pollution, greenness, and the rural/farm lifestyle and their association with the development of allergic sensitization, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and allergic rhinitis in infancy and childhood. Because asthma has a more complex pathophysiology, it was excluded from this review.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies support a role for air pollution, greenness, and rural/farming lifestyle influencing atopic outcomes that continue to be defined. While many studies have examined singular environmental exposures, the interconnectedness of these exposures and others points to a need for future work to consider an individual's whole exposure. Environmental exposures' influence on atopic disease development remains an ongoing and important area of study.

Antioxidant Defense in Primary Murine Lung Cells following Short- and Long-Term Exposure to Plastic Particles

Polystyrene nano- and micro-sized plastic particles (NMP) are one of the common plastic materials produced that dramatically pollute the environment, water, and oceanic habitats worldwide. NMP are continuously absorbed by the body through a number of routes, especially via intestinal ingestion, dermal uptake, and inhalation into the lung. Several studies provided evidence of NMP provoking oxidative stress and affecting cellular responses. Yet, the NMP effects on primary lung cells have not been studied. To this end, we isolated and cultured murine lung cells and exposed them short-term or long-term to polystyrene 0.2-6.0 µm-sized NMP. We studied cellular consequences regarding oxidative stress, morphology, and secretion profiling. Visualization, distribution, and expression analyses confirmed lung cells accumulating NMP and showed several significant correlations with particle size. Moreover, we found substantial evidence of biological consequences of small-scale NMP uptake in lung cells. Besides alterations of cytokine secretion profiles resulting in inflammatory responses, indicators of oxidative stress were identified that were accompanied by Nrf2 and β-catenin signaling changes. Our results serve as an important basis to point out the potential hazards of plastic contaminations and uptake in lung cells.

Respiratory health among adolescents living in the Highveld Air Pollution Priority Area in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Air pollution is a global, public health emergency. The effect of living in areas with very poor air quality on adolescents' physical health is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of adverse respiratory health outcomes among adolescents living in a known air pollution hotspot in South Africa.

METHODS

Ambient air quality data from 2005 to 2019 for the two areas, Secunda and eMbalenhle, in the Highveld Air Pollution Priority Area in Mpumalanga province, South Africa were gathered and compared against national ambient air pollution standards and the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines. In 2019, adolescents attending schools in the areas completed a self-administered questionnaire investigating individual demographics, socio-economic status, health, medical history, and fuel type used in homes. Respiratory health illnesses assessed were doctor-diagnosed hay fever, allergies, frequent cough, wheezing, bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma. The relationship between presence (at least one) or absence (none) of self-reported respiratory illness and risk factors, e.g., fuel use at home, was explored. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) of risk factors associated with respiratory illness adjusted for body mass index (measured by field assistants), gender, education level of both parents / guardians and socio-economic status.

RESULTS

Particulate matter and ozone were the two pollutants most frequently exceeding national annual air quality standards in the study area. All 233 adolescent participants were between 13 and 17 years of age. Prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms among the participants ranged from 2% for 'ever' doctor-diagnosed bronchitis and pneumonia to 42% ever experiencing allergies; wheezing chest was the second most reported symptom (39%). Half (52%) of the adolescents who had respiratory illness were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in the dwelling. There was a statistically significant difference between the presence or absence of self-reported respiratory illness based on the number of years lived in Secunda or eMbalenhle (p = 0.02). For a one-unit change in the number of years lived in an area, the odds of reporting a respiratory illness increased by a factor of 1.08 (p = 0.025, 95% CI = 1.01-1.16). This association was still statistically significant when the model was adjusted for confounders (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents living in air polluted areas experience adverse health impacts Future research should interrogate long-term exposure and health outcomes among adolescents living in the air polluted environment.

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation in Early Childhood Mediates Racial Disparities in Blood Pressure in a College Student Sample

The influence of childhood contexts on adult blood pressure is an important yet understudied topic. Using a developmental perspective, this study examines the association between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage in early childhood (0-5 yrs), middle childhood (6-12 yrs) and adolescence (13-18 yrs) on subsequent blood pressure in young adulthood. Data were from 263 college students (52% Black; M_age = 19.21 years) and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage was measured using a tract-level Area Deprivation Index. Neighborhood disadvantage in early childhood was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure and explained 22% of the race difference between Black and White adults. The findings are consistent with the notion that early childhood may be a sensitive period for the effects of neighborhood disadvantage on blood pressure.

Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastics with Different Size and Surface Modification in A549 Cells

Background

Micro- and nano-sized plastics (MPs and NPs) have become an environmental issue of global concern due to their small size, strong bio-permeability and high specific surface area. However, few studies have assessed the effect of polystyrene MPs and NPs on human lung cells. In this research, we evaluated the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of polystyrene (PS) MPs and NPs with different sizes (2 μm and 80 nm) and surface modification (carboxy and amino functionalized polystyrene, pristine polystyrene) in A549 cells.

Methods

The zeta potential and hydrodynamic particle size of five types of PS plastic solutions were measured by dynamic light scattering, and their morphology and degree of aggregation were observed by scanning electron microscopy. After incubation of the PS plastics with A549 cells, the uptake and toxicity of the cells were assessed by fluorescence microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, MTT, micronucleus formation assay, and reactive oxygen species.

Results

The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of A549 cells caused by nano-level PS is more serious than that of micro-level. Compared with unmodified PS-NPs, more surface-functionalized PS-NPs were found inside the cells, especially the accumulation of PS-NH₂. Cell viability and the induction of micronuclei (MN) are appreciably impacted in a dose-dependent way. Compared with pristine PS-NPs, functionalized PS-NPs showed stronger cell viability inhibitory ability, and induced more MN scores.

Conclusion

This study shows that the intrinsic size properties and surface modification of PS plastics, the interaction between PS plastics and the receiving medium, intracellular accumulation are critical factors for evaluating the toxicological influences of PS plastics on humans.

Source apportionment of children daily exposure to particulate matter

The present study aims to investigate the sources of particulate pollution in indoor and outdoor environments, with focus on determining their contribution to the exposure of children to airborne particulate matter (PM). To this end, parallel indoor and outdoor measurements were carried out for a selection of 40 homes and 5 schools between September 2017 and October 2018. PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 samples were collected during five days in each microenvironment (ME) and analysed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), for the determination of elements, and by a thermal-optical technique, for the measurement of organic and elemental carbon. The source apportionment analysis of the PM composition data, by means of the receptor model SoFi (Source Finder) 8 Pro, resulted in the identification of nine sources: exhaust and non-exhaust emissions from traffic, secondary particles, heavy oil combustion, industry, sea salt, soil, city dust, and an indoor source characterized by high levels of organic carbon. Integrated daily exposure to PM2.5 was on average 21 μg/m³. The organic matter, resulting from cleaning, cooking, smoking and biological material, was the major source contributing by 31% to the PM2.5 exposure. The source city dust, which was highly influenced by the resuspension of dust in classrooms, was the second main source (26%), followed by traffic (24%). The major sources affecting the integrated exposure to PM10, which was on average 33 μg/m³, were the city dust (39%), indoor organics (24%) and traffic (16%). This study provides important information for the design of measures to reduce the exposure of children to PM.

Associations of air pollution with peripheral inflammation and cardiac autonomic physiology in children

Climate change-related disasters have drawn increased attention to the impact of air pollution on health. 122 children ages 9-11 years old, M(SD) = 9.91(.56), participated. Levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) near participants' homes were obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency. Cytokines were assayed from 100 child serum samples: IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNFα. Autonomic physiology was indexed by pre-ejection period (PEP), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR), and cardiac autonomic balance (CAB). IL-6 was positively related to daily PM2.5 (r = .26, p = .009). IL-8 was negatively associated with monthly PM2.5 (r = -.23, p = .02). PEP was positively related to daily (r = .29, p = .001) and monthly PM2.5 (r = .18, p = .044). CAR was negatively associated with daily PM2.5 (r = -.29, p = .001). IL-10, TNFα, RSA, and CAB were not associated with PM2.5. Air pollution may increase risk of inflammation in children.

Air pollution exposure assessment at schools and playgrounds in Williamsburg Brooklyn NYC, with a view to developing a set of policy solutions

Community science offers unique opportunities for non-professional involvement of volunteers in the scientific process, not just during the data acquisition, but also in other phases, like problem definition, quality assurance, data analysis and interpretation, and the dissemination of results. Moreover, community science can be a powerful tool for public engagement and empowerment during policy formulation. This paper aims to present a pilot study on personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and raises awareness of the hazards of air pollution. As part of data acquisition conducted in 2019, high school students gathered data at their schools, schoolyards, and playgrounds using low-cost monitors AirBeam2. The data was automatically uploaded every second onto the AirCasting mobile app. Besides, a stationary network of air monitors (fixed stations) was deployed in the neighborhood to collect real-time ambient air concentrations of PM2.5. Students involved in the project attended workshops, training sessions, and researched to better understand air pollution, as part of their science class curriculum and portfolio. This air quality monitoring was incorporated into the "Our Air/Nuestro Aire" - El Puente grassroots campaign. The main goals of this campaign included sharing the data collected with the community, engaging academic partners to develop a set of policy and urban design solutions, and to be considered into a 5-point policy platform.

Joint association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metal exposure with pulmonary function in children and adolescents aged 6-19 years

Studies have reported associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) or heavy metal (HM) exposure and respiratory diseases. However, evidence of their joint associations with pulmonary function, especially in children and adolescents aged 6-19 years, is lacking. We utilized cross-sectional data from 1,734 children and adolescents aged 6-19 years collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012 and analysed mixed PAH and mixed HM exposures and their joint association with pulmonary function by applying weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Multivariate linear regressions were carried out to determine the relationships between individual urinary PAH metabolites or blood HM levels and pulmonary function indices. We found that mixed PAHs and HMs were negatively related to forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in subjects aged 6-12 years (all p values < 0.05). We found synergistic associations of PAH and HM exposure on pulmonary function impairment, mainly in children; lead (Pb) was the most damaging. In the analysis of individual PAH metabolites or HMs, Pb exposure was negatively associated with FEV1 values in all subgroups (all p values < 0.05). Thus, our findings indicate that increased PAH or HM exposure is associated with impairments to pulmonary function and that this association is more pronounced in children.

Respiratory effects caused by exposure to diesel exhaust particles during moderate exercise: a murine model

Aerobic exercise is an increasing trend worldwide. However, people are increasingly exercising outdoors, alongside roadways where heavy vehicles release diesel exhaust. We analyzed respiratory effects caused by inhaled diesel particulate emitted by vehicles adhering to Brazilian legislation, PROCONVE Phase P7 (equivalent to EURO 5), as well the effects of exposure during moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups for a 4-wk treadmill protocol: CE (n = 8) received intranasal sterile physiological saline and then performed moderate-intensity exercise (control), CS (n = 10) received saline and then remained stationary on the treadmill (control), DS (n = 9) received intranasal diesel exhaust particles and then remained stationary, and DE (n = 10) was exposed to diesel exhaust and then exercised at moderate intensity. Mice were subsequently connected to a mechanical ventilator (SCIREQ flexiVent, Canada) to analyze the following respiratory mechanics parameters: tissue resistance, elastance, inspiratory capacity, static compliance, Newtonian resistance, and pressure-volume loop area. After euthanasia, peripheral pulmonary tissue strips were extracted and subjected to force-length tests to evaluate parenchymal elastic and mechanical properties, using oscillations applied by a computer-controlled force transducer system; parameters obtained were tissue resistance, elastance, and hysteresivity. DS displayed impaired respiratory mechanics for all parameters, in comparison with CS. DE exhibited significantly reduced inspiratory capacity and static compliance, and increased Newtonian resistance when compared with CE. Exposure to diesel exhaust, both during exercise and rest, still exerts harmful pulmonary effects, even at current legislation limits. These results justify further changes in environmental standards, to reduce the health risks caused by traffic-related pollution.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exercise, while beneficial, is often performed in areas of greater inhaled particulates. Here we show this effect using mice exposed to controlled diesel particle inhalation and moderate aerobic exercise. Diesel particle inhalation, without or with exercise, worsened both respiratory mechanical properties associated with changes in lung tissue mechanics and morphometry.

The lung surfactant activity probed with molecular dynamics simulations

The surface of pulmonary alveolar subphase is covered with a mixture of lipids and proteins. This lung surfactant plays a crucial role in lung functioning. It shows a complex phase behavior which can be altered by the interaction with third molecules such as drugs or pollutants. For studying multicomponent biological systems, it is of interest to couple experimental approach with computational modelling yielding atomic-scale information. Simple two, three, or four-component model systems showed to be useful for getting more insight in the interaction between lipids, lipids and proteins or lipids and proteins with drugs and impurities. These systems were studied theoretically using molecular dynamic simulations and experimentally by means of the Langmuir technique. A better understanding of the structure and behavior of lung surfactants obtained from this research is relevant for developing new synthetic surfactants for efficient therapies, and may contribute to public health protection.

Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on endothelium senescence and its underlying mechanism

Global plastic use has increased rapidly, and environmental pollution associated with nanoplastics (NPs) has been a growing concern recently. However, the impact and biological mechanism of NPs on the cardiovascular system are not well characterized. This study aimed to assess the possibility that NPs exposure promotes premature endothelial cell (EC) senescence in porcine coronary artery ECs and, if so, to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Treatment of ECs with NPs promoted the acquisition of senescence markers, senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and p53, p21, and p16 protein expression, resulting in the inhibition of proliferation. In addition, NPs impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation associated with decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. NPs enhanced reactive oxygen species formation in ECs, and increased oxidative stress levels were associated with the induction of NADPH oxidases expression, followed by the subsequent downregulation of Sirt1 expression. The characteristics of EC senescence and dysfunction caused by NPs are prevented by an antioxidant (N-acetylcysteine), an NADPH oxidase inhibitor (apocynin), and a Sirt1 activator (resveratrol). These findings indicate that NPs induced premature EC senescence, at least in part, through the redox-sensitive eNOS/Sirt1 signaling pathway. This study suggested the effects and underlying mechanism of NPs on the cardiovascular system, which may provide pharmacological targets to prevent NPs-associated cardiovascular diseases.

Study on characteristics of organic components in condensable particulate matter before and after wet flue gas desulfurization system of coal-fired power plants

Wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) in coal-fired power plants has a great impact on the emission of particulate matter, including filterable particulate matter (FPM) and condensable particulate matter (CPM). In this paper, CPM and FPM in flue gas before and after WFGD in coal-fired power plants were sampled in parallel. FPM was tested according to ISO standard 23210-2009, and CPM was tested according to U.S. EPA Method 202. A method for quantitatively analyzing fatty acid methyl esters in CPM was established, and the removal capacity of fatty acid methyl esters and phthalate esters by WFGD in a typical coal-fired unit was compared. Results show that WFGD has a significant effect on particle size distribution, concentration, and chemical composition. WFGD has a high removal efficiency of inorganic components in CPM, up to 54.74%. CPM contains a variety of organic compounds, including hydrocarbons, esters, siloxanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, and so on. In particular, esters are an important component in CPM, whose concentration tends to decrease after WFGD. Furthermore, a total of 11 fatty acid methyl esters and 5 phthalate esters were detected in CPM before and after WFGD. Noted that fatty acid methyl esters account for 13.38% of CPM, which make a higher contribution to the concentration of particulate matter than phthalate esters, while WFGD has a stronger control effect on the removal of phthalates.

Cleaning Products Commonly Used in Oklahoma Family Child Care Homes: Implications for Respiratory Risk and Children's Health

Little is known about the cleaning products used by early care and education programs that contribute to childhood asthma, particularly in Oklahoma where rates of uncontrolled asthma are higher than national rates (60.0% vs. 50.3%, respectively). We conducted a cross-sectional study of cleaning products used by Oklahoma-licensed family child care homes (FCCHs) (n = 50) to characterize and identify potential respiratory-health risks associated with chemical contents. Overall, 386 chemicals were abstracted from the 132 reported products. Of these, 100 unique chemicals were identified. Four percent (4.2%) of providers used a product with a sensitizer that may cause allergy or asthma symptoms if inhaled and 35.4% used a product with an irritant that may cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Most (62.5%) reported using a product with a chemical that had a C=C double bond in its molecular structure that may make it highly reactive with other substances in the air and produce secondary air pollutants and 83.3% reported using a sodium hypochlorite containing product. Twenty-three percent reported products that contain carcinogens. Policy, educational, and technical assistance interventions are needed to promote the use of safer products and reduce respiratory and other health risks posed by chemicals in Oklahoma FCCHs.

Exposure to fine particulate matter and acute upper- and lower-respiratory tract infections (AURI and ALRI) in children under five years of age in India

As one of the world's polluted regions, we assessed the association between ambient PM_2.5 levels and acute lower and upper respiratory infection in India. We assessed 55,118 children from the 2015-2016 Demographic Health Survey in India using the information on levels of PM_2.5 in 2015 and 2016 from the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group. We used the generalized estimating equation for the analysis reported as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for every 10 µg/m³ increase and quartiles in PM_2.5. Every 10 µg/m³ increase in levels of PM_2.5 associated with acute upper respiratory infection (OR 1.02, 95%CI: 1.02-1.03) and acute lower respiratory infection (OR 1.05, 95%CI: 1.03-1.06). This association was confirmed by quartile exposure assessments. Mitigation efforts must be continued implementing higher restrictions in India to ensure safe levels of air.

Assessing the External Exposome Using Wearable Passive Samplers and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry among South African Children Participating in the VHEMBE Study

Children in low- and middle-income countries are often exposed to higher levels of chemicals and are more vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution. Little is known about the diversity, toxicity, and dynamics of airborne chemical exposures at the molecular level. We developed a workflow employing state-of-the-art wearable passive sampling technology coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry to comprehensively measure 147 children's personal exposures to airborne chemicals in Limpopo, South Africa, as part of the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies, and Their Environment (VHEMBE). 637 environmental exposures were detected, many of which have never been measured in this population; of these 50 airborne chemical exposures of concern were detected, including pesticides, plasticizers, organophosphates, dyes, combustion products, and perfumes. Biocides detected in wristbands included p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p'-DDD), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), propoxur, piperonyl butoxide, and triclosan. Exposures differed across the assessment period with 27% of detected chemicals observed to be either higher or lower in the wet or dry seasons.

Microplastic occurrence in settled indoor dust in schools

This study examines for the first time the characteristics and human exposure of microplastics (MPs) in settled indoor dust in schools. An average of 195 MPs·g^-1 of dust were detected in settled indoor composite dust samples from 28 schools in Shiraz. White-transparent microfibres with lengths 500-1000 μm were the most abundant type of MP found among the samples examined. Polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene MPs were dominant across all types of MP found including microfibres. MPs had generally smooth morphology with sharp or regular edges which could have been released to the environment as primary MPs. Among all sampling sites, higher concentrations of MPs were found in the south and centre of the city. These were areas affected by high population density, high traffic load and high presence of industrial units and workshops. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed a positive strong correlation between sampling sites and MP physical characteristics. The PCA plots revealed that MP sheets and fragments were prevalent in sites in the North of Shiraz, whereas microfibres were mainly associated with sites in the South. The levels of MPs in the South of Shiraz were greater than in the rest of the country and the wind direction and topography were found to be important factors affecting the MP distribution observed. Compared to other population groups, elementary school students had relatively high exposure risk to MPs. This study reveals that microfibres are widespread in Shiraz' schools and pose a high exposure risk to MPs for young students.

Exploring Children’s Engagement in Monitoring Indoor Air Quality: Longitudinal Study

Background

Indoor air pollution is harmful to everyone, but children are of particular concern, as they are more vulnerable to its adverse health effects from air pollutants. Although mobile technology is increasingly being designed to support monitoring and improving air quality indoors, little attention has been paid to its use by and for children. Previously, we created inAirKids, a child-friendly device to promote children’s engagement with monitoring indoor air quality through a participatory design process. The next step is to evaluate its usability in the real world.

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate how inAirKids affects children’s understanding of and engagement with indoor air quality through a longitudinal field deployment study.

Methods

We deployed inAirKids in the homes of 9 children aged between 6 and 7 years, and investigated their use for up to 16 weeks by conducting semistructured, biweekly interviews.

Results

The results show that participants promptly engaged with inAirKids but quickly lost interest in it owing to the lack of engaging factors to sustain engagement. In addition, we identified 2 design considerations that can foster sustained engagement of children with monitoring indoor air quality: design interactivity for engaging in continuity and corporate hands-on activities as part of indoor air quality monitoring for experiential learning.

Conclusions

Our findings shed light on the potential to promote the engagement of children in indoor air quality as well as considerations for designing a child-friendly digital device. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal field deployment to investigate how to engage children in monitoring indoor air quality.

Critical Time Windows for Air Pollution Exposure and Birth Weight in a Multicity Canadian Pregnancy Cohort

BACKGROUND

Maternal prenatal exposure to air pollution has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, previous studies focused on a priori time intervals such as trimesters reported inconsistent associations.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated time-varying vulnerability of birth weight to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) using flexible time intervals.

METHODS

We analyzed 1,300 live, full-term births from Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals, a Canadian prospective pregnancy cohort spanning 10 cities (2008-2011). Daily PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations were estimated from ground-level monitoring, satellite models, and land-use regression, and assigned to participants from pre-pregnancy through delivery. We developed a flexible two-stage modeling method-using a Bayesian Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and empirical density threshold-to identify time-dependent vulnerability to air pollution without specifying exposure periods a priori. This approach identified critical windows with varying lengths (2-363 days) and critical windows that fell within, or straddled, predetermined time periods (i.e., trimesters). We adjusted the models for detailed infant and maternal covariates.

RESULTS

Critical windows associated with reduced birth weight were identified during mid- to late-pregnancy for both PM2.5 and NO2: -6 g (95% credible interval: -11, -1 g) and -5 g (-10, -0.1 g) per µg/m3 PM2.5 during gestational days 91-139 and 249-272, respectively; and -3 g (-5, -1 g) per ppb NO2 during days 55-145.

DISCUSSION

We used a novel, flexible selection method to identify critical windows when maternal exposures to air pollution were associated with decrements in birth weight. Our results suggest that air pollution impacts on fetal development may not be adequately captured by trimester-based analyses.

Children's Particulate Matter Exposure Characterization as Part of the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study

As part of the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, children 3 to 5 years of age participated in a personal PM_2.5 exposure study. This paper characterizes the personal PM_2.5 exposure and protocol compliance measured with a wearable sensor. The MicroPEM™ collected personal continuous and integrated measures of PM_2.5 exposure and compliance data on 272 children. PM_2.5, black carbon (BC), and brown carbon tobacco smoke (BrC-ETS) exposure was measured from the filters. We performed a multivariate analysis of woodstove presence and other factors that influenced PM_2.5, BC, and BrC exposures. We collected valid exposure data from 258 of the 272 participants (95%). Children wore the MicroPEM for an average of 46% of the 72-h period, and over 80% for a 2-day, 1-night period (with sleep hours counted as non-compliance for this study). Elevated PM_2.5 exposures occurred in the morning, evening, and overnight. Median PM_2.5, BC, and BrC-ETS concentrations were 8.1 μg/m³, 3.6 μg/m³, and 2.4 μg/m³. The combined BC and BrC-ETS mass comprised 72% of the PM_2.5. Woodstove presence, hours used per day, and the primary heating source were associated with the children’s PM_2.5 exposure and air filters were associated with reduced PM_2.5 concentrations. Our findings suggest that woodstove smoke contributed significantly to this cohort’s PM_2.5 exposure. The high sample validity and compliance rate demonstrated that the MicroPEM can be worn by young children in epidemiologic studies to measure their PM_2.5 exposure, inform interventions to reduce the exposures, and improve children’s health.

Association of exposure to hydrocarbon air pollution with the incidence of atopic dermatitis in children

Background

There is growing evidence suggesting that air pollution may act as an important environmental risk factor in the development and aggravation of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods

We collected data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) research database and linked the data to the Taiwan Air Quality-Monitoring Database. From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2012; children aged below 18 years were selected from the database and followed longitudinally until the diagnosis of AD, withdrawal from the NHI, or December 31, 2012. Children with missing data or those diagnosed with AD before enrolment in this study were excluded. We measured the incidence rate and hazard ratios (HRs) for AD and stratified them by quartiles (Q1–Q4) of air pollutant concentration. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were also applied by adjusting for age, sex, monthly income, and level of urbanization.

Results

When compared with the concentrations of pollutants in the Q1 quartile, the adjusted HR for AD increased with an increase in the exposure concentrations of total hydrocarbons (THCs), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), and methane (CH₄) from 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47–1.84) to 10.6 (95% CI: 5.85–7.07), from 1.14 (95% CI: 1.06–1.24) to 2.47 (95% CI: 2.29–2.66), and from 1.70 (95% CI: 1.52–1.89) to 11.9 (95% CI: 10.8–13.1), respectively. Patients exposed to higher levels of THCs, NMHCs, and CH₄ exhibited greater incidence rates of childhood AD.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that exposure to higher concentrations of THCs, NMHCs, and CH₄ were associated with an increased risk of childhood AD.