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La Maestra S, Benvenuti M, Alberti S, Ferrea L, D'Agostini F. UVB-Aged Microplastics and Cellular Damage: An in Vitro Study. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00244-024-01073-x. [PMID: 38896243 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01073-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Plastics are synthetic organic compounds whose widespread use generates enormous waste. Different processes, such as mechanical abrasion, microbiological activity, and UVB irradiation, can fragment the plastic material and generate microplastics (MPs). MPs are ubiquitous, and various organisms, including humans, can ingest or inhale them, with potential adverse health effects. The differences between UV-aged and virgin particles were studied to evaluate the genotoxic damage and oxidative stress induced by polystyrene MPs with 1 and 5 µm sizes on the monocyte-like cell line (THP-1). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Ζ-potential measurements were used to characterise MP particles after UVB exposure. Cells exposed to MPs show a widespread change in the cellular environment with the generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS), as indicated by the increased malondialdehyde level. The occurrence of genotoxic damage is correlated to the smaller size and ageing state of the MPs. The biochemical and genomic alterations observed in this in vitro study suggest that MPs, ubiquitous pollutants, following natural degradation and oxidation processes can cause various adverse effects on the health of the exposed population, making it necessary to carry out further studies to better define the real risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano La Maestra
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via A. Pastore, 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Mirko Benvenuti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via A. Pastore, 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Alberti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy
| | - Linda Ferrea
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via A. Pastore, 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Agostini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via A. Pastore, 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy
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Liu Z, Liang Q, Liao H, Yang W, Lu C. Effects of short-term and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and temperature on long recovery duration in COVID-19 patients. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114781. [PMID: 36375498 PMCID: PMC9650677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world since December 8, 2019. However, the key factors affecting the duration of recovery from COVID-19 remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations of long recovery duration of COVID-19 patients with ambient air pollution, temperature, and diurnal temperature range (DTR) exposure. METHODS A total of 427 confirmed cases in Changsha during the first wave of the epidemic in January 2020 were selected. We used inverse distance weighting (IDW) method to estimate personal exposure to seven ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM2.5-10, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) at each subject's home address. Meteorological conditions included temperature and DTR. Multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the relationship of air pollution exposure during short-term (past week and past month) and long-term (past three months) with recovery duration among COVID-19 patients. RESULTS We found that long recovery duration among COVID-19 patients was positively associated with short-term exposure to CO during past week with OR (95% CI) = 1.42 (1.01-2.00) and PM2.5, NO2, and CO during past month with ORs (95% CI) = 2.00 (1.30-3.07) and 1.95 (1.30-2.93), and was negatively related with short-term exposure to O3 during past week and past month with ORs (95% CI) = 0.68 (0.46-0.99) and 0.41 (0.27-0.62), respectively. No association was observed for long-term exposure to air pollution during past three months. Furthermore, increased temperature during past three months elevated risk of long recovery duration in VOCID-19 patients, while DTR exposure during past week and past month decreased the risk. Male and younger patients were more susceptible to the effect of air pollution on long recovery duration, while female and older patients were more affected by exposure to temperature and DTR. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that both TRAP exposure and temperature indicators play important roles in prolonged recovery among COVID-19 patients, especially for the sensitive populations, which provide potential strategies for effective reduction and early prevention of long recovery duration of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijing Liu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Qi Liang
- Department of Radiology, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Hongsen Liao
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Wenhui Yang
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Chan Lu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
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Yuan Z, Nag R, Cummins E. Human health concerns regarding microplastics in the aquatic environment - From marine to food systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 823:153730. [PMID: 35143789 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastic waste pollution is one of the most urgent global marine environmental problems worldwide. It has attracted worldwide attention from governments, the public, the scientific community, media and non-governmental organizations and has become a hot issue in current marine ecology and environmental research. This research aimed to conduct a traditional review of the current state of the art regarding microplastics (MPs) definition and characterisation, including an assessment of MPs detected in marine and food systems. The review revealed that plastic waste is not biodegraded and can only be broken down, predominantly by physical processes, into small particles of micron to nanometre size. Particles (<150 μm) can be ingested by living organisms, migrate through the intestinal wall and reach lymph nodes and other body organs. The primary pathway of human exposure to MPs has been identified as gastrointestinal ingestion (mainly seafood for the general population), pulmonary inhalation, and dermal infiltration. MPs may pollute drinking water, accumulate in the food chain, and release toxic chemicals that may cause disease, including certain cancers. Micro/nano-plastics may pose acute toxicity, (sub) chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. In addition, nanoplastics (NPs) may pose chronic toxicity (cardiovascular toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and neurotoxicity). The toxicity of MPs/NPs primarily depends on the particle size distribution and monomeric composition/characteristics of polymers. Polyurethane (PUR), Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Epoxy resin, and Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) are categorised as the most toxic polymers based on monomer toxicity. MP detection methods include combinations of spectroscopic analysis (RS and FTIR) and chromatography (TED-GC/MS). MP/NP toxicological properties and general quantitative and qualitative analysis methods used in MPs Risk Assessment (RA) are summarised. A robust dose-response model for MPs/NPs requires further investigation. This study lays the foundation for the evaluation of MP/NP risk assessment in the marine ecosystem and potential implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Yuan
- UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Rajat Nag
- UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Enda Cummins
- UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Bolaño-Ortiz TR, Camargo-Caicedo Y, Puliafito SE, Ruggeri MF, Bolaño-Diaz S, Pascual-Flores R, Saturno J, Ibarra-Espinosa S, Mayol-Bracero OL, Torres-Delgado E, Cereceda-Balic F. Spread of SARS-CoV-2 through Latin America and the Caribbean region: A look from its economic conditions, climate and air pollution indicators. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:109938. [PMID: 32858479 PMCID: PMC7361092 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
We have evaluated the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region by means of a correlation between climate and air pollution indicators, namely, average temperature, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, rainfall, average relative humidity, wind speed, and air pollution indicators PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 with the COVID-19 daily new cases and deaths. The study focuses in the following LAC cities: Mexico City (Mexico), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Bogotá (Colombia), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Manaus (Brazil), Lima (Perú), Santiago (Chile), São Paulo (Brazil) and Buenos Aires (Argentina). The results show that average temperature, minimum temperature, and air quality were significantly associated with the spread of COVID-19 in LAC. Additionally, humidity, wind speed and rainfall showed a significant relationship with daily cases, total cases and mortality for various cities. Income inequality and poverty levels were also considered as a variable for qualitative analysis. Our findings suggest that and income inequality and poverty levels in the cities analyzed were related to the spread of COVID-19 positive and negative, respectively. These results might help decision-makers to design future strategies to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in LAC and around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás R Bolaño-Ortiz
- Mendoza Regional Faculty - National Technological University (FRM-UTN), 273 Coronel Rodríguez St., 5500, Mendoza, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina.
| | - Yiniva Camargo-Caicedo
- Environmental Systems Modeling Research Group (GIMSA), University of Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Salvador Enrique Puliafito
- Mendoza Regional Faculty - National Technological University (FRM-UTN), 273 Coronel Rodríguez St., 5500, Mendoza, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Ruggeri
- Centre for Environmental Technologies (CETAM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM), Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Sindy Bolaño-Diaz
- Environmental Systems Modeling Research Group (GIMSA), University of Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Romina Pascual-Flores
- Mendoza Regional Faculty - National Technological University (FRM-UTN), 273 Coronel Rodríguez St., 5500, Mendoza, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | | | - Olga L Mayol-Bracero
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Elvis Torres-Delgado
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Francisco Cereceda-Balic
- Centre for Environmental Technologies (CETAM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM), Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile; Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM), Av. España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
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5
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Wang B, Chen H, Chan YL, Oliver BG. Is there an association between the level of ambient air pollution and COVID-19? Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 319:L416-L421. [PMID: 32697597 PMCID: PMC7839633 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00244.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies suggest that environmental factors (e.g., air pollution) can influence the spread and infectivity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, very few papers have investigated or discussed the mechanism behind the phenomenon. Given the fact that pollution will increase as social distancing rules are relaxed, we summarized the current understanding of how air pollution may affect COVID-19 transmission and discussed several possible mechanisms. Air pollution exposure can dysregulate the human immune response and make people more susceptible to infections, and affect infectivity. For example, in response to exposure to air pollution, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 will increase, which is the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This may increase the efficiency of viral infection. It is also possible that air pollution can facilitate SARS-CoV-2 spread by increasing the transmission, and potentially, SARS-CoV-2 can also survive longer when attached to a pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoming Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yik Lung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brian G Oliver
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Coccia M. Factors determining the diffusion of COVID-19 and suggested strategy to prevent future accelerated viral infectivity similar to COVID. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 729:138474. [PMID: 32498152 PMCID: PMC7169901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 365] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
This study has two goals. The first is to explain the geo-environmental determinants of the accelerated diffusion of COVID-19 that is generating a high level of deaths. The second is to suggest a strategy to cope with future epidemic threats similar to COVID-19 having an accelerated viral infectivity in society. Using data on sample of N = 55 Italian province capitals, and data of infected individuals at as of April 7th, 2020, results reveal that the accelerate and vast diffusion of COVID-19 in North Italy has a high association with air pollution of cities measured with days exceeding the limits set for PM10 (particulate matter 10 μm or less in diameter) or ozone. In particular, hinterland cities with average high number of days exceeding the limits set for PM10 (and also having a low wind speed) have a very high number of infected people on 7th April 2020 (arithmetic mean is about 2200 infected individuals, with average polluted days greater than 80 days per year), whereas coastal cities also having days exceeding the limits set for PM10 or ozone but with high wind speed have about 944.70 average infected individuals, with about 60 average polluted days per year; moreover, cities having more than 100 days of air pollution (exceeding the limits set for PM10), they have a very high average number of infected people (about 3350 infected individuals, 7th April 2020), whereas cities having less than 100 days of air pollution per year, they have a lower average number of infected people (about 1014 individuals). The findings here also suggest that to minimize the impact of future epidemics similar to COVID-19, the max number of days per year that Italian provincial capitals or similar industrialized cities can exceed the limits set for PM10 or for ozone, considering their meteorological conditions, is about 48 days. Moreover, results here reveal that the explanatory variable of air pollution in cities seems to be a more important predictor in the initial phase of diffusion of viral infectivity (on 17th March 2020, b1 = 1.27, p < 0.001) than interpersonal contacts (b2 = 0.31, p < 0.05). In the second phase of maturity of the transmission dynamics of COVID-19, air pollution reduces intensity (on 7th April 2020 with b'1 = 0.81, p < 0.001) also because of the indirect effect of lockdown, whereas regression coefficient of transmission based on interpersonal contacts has a stable level (b'2 = 0.31, p < 0.01). This result reveals that accelerated transmission dynamics of COVID-19 is due to mainly to the mechanism of "air pollution-to-human transmission" (airborne viral infectivity) rather than "human-to-human transmission". Overall, then, transmission dynamics of viral infectivity, such as COVID-19, is due to systemic causes: general factors that are the same for all regions (e.g., biological characteristics of virus, incubation period, etc.) and specific factors which are different for each region and/or city (e.g., complex interaction between air pollution, meteorological conditions and biological characteristics of viral infectivity) and health level of individuals (habits, immune system, age, sex, etc.). Lessons learned for COVID-19 in the case study here suggest that a proactive strategy to cope with future epidemics is also to apply especially an environmental and sustainable policy based on reduction of levels of air pollution mainly in hinterland and polluting cities- (having low wind speed, high percentage of moisture and number of fog days) -that seem to have an environment that foster a fast transmission dynamics of viral infectivity in society. Hence, in the presence of polluting industrialization in regions that can trigger the mechanism of air pollution-to-human transmission dynamics of viral infectivity, this study must conclude that a comprehensive strategy to prevent future epidemics similar to COVID-19 has to be also designed in environmental and socioeconomic terms, that is also based on sustainability science and environmental science, and not only in terms of biology, medicine, healthcare and health sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Coccia
- CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Sustainable Economic Growth, Collegio Carlo Alberto, Via Real Collegio, 30-10024 Moncalieri, Torino, Italy; Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar Street, Lauder Hall, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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Lak A, Shakouri Asl S, Maher A. Resilient urban form to pandemics: Lessons from COVID-19. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2020; 34:71. [PMID: 33306051 PMCID: PMC7711032 DOI: 10.34171/mjiri.34.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The worldwide emergence of future pandemics emphasizes the need to assess the pandemic resilient urban form to prevent infectious disease transmission during this epidemic. According to the lessons of the COVID-19 outbreak, this study aimed to review the current strategies of responding to pandemics through disaster risk management (DRM) to develop a pandemic-resilient urban form in phases of response, mitigation, and preparedness. Methods: The research method is developed through desk study was used to explore the current literature of urban form responded to COVID-19 pandemic and for the text analysis; qualitative content analysis was applied developing a conceptual framework. Results: To create pandemic resilient urban form, this study proposes principles to enhance the urban form resiliency in 3 scales of housing, neighborhoods/public spaces, and cities. These principles focus on the concept of resilient urban form from new perspectives focusing on the physical and nonphysical aspects of resilient urban form, which develops a new understanding of pandemics as a disaster and health-related emergency risks. The physical aspect of resiliency to epidemic outbreaks includes urban form, access, infrastructure, land use, and natural environment factors. Moreover, the nonphysical aspect can be defined by the sociocultural, economic, and political (including good governance) factors. By providing and enhancing the physical and nonphysical prerequisites, several benefits can be gained and the effectiveness of all response, mitigation, and preparedness activities can be supported. Conclusion: As the pandemic's disruptions influence the citizens' lifestyle dramatically, the prominent role of place characteristics in the outbreak of pandemics, policymakers, urban planners, and urban designers should be pulled together to make urban areas more resilient places for epidemics and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Lak
- Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ali Maher
- School of Management and Medical Education, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Coccia M. Two mechanisms for accelerated diffusion of COVID-19 outbreaks in regions with high intensity of population and polluting industrialization: the air pollution-to-human and human-to-human transmission dynamics (Preprint).. [DOI: 10.2196/preprints.19331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is viral infection that generates a severe acute respiratory syndrome with serious pneumonia that may result in progressive respiratory failure and death.
OBJECTIVE
This study has two goals. The first is to explain the main factors determining the diffusion of COVID-19 that is generating a high level of deaths. The second is to suggest a strategy to cope with future epidemic threats with of accelerated viral infectivity in society.
METHODS
Correlation and regression analyses on on data of N=55 Italian province capitals, and data of infected individuals at as of April 2020.
RESULTS
The main results are:
o The accelerate and vast diffusion of COVID-19 in North Italy has a high association with air pollution.
o Hinterland cities have average days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 (particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter) equal to 80 days, and an average number of infected more than 2,000 individuals as of April 1st, 2020, coastal cities have days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 equal to 60 days and have about 700 infected in average.
o Cities that average number of 125 days exceeding the limits set for PM10, last year, they have an average number of infected individual higher than 3,200 units, whereas cities having less than 100 days (average number of 48 days) exceeding the limits set for PM10, they have an average number of about 900 infected individuals.
o The results reveal that accelerated transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in specific environments is due to two mechanisms given by: air pollution-to-human transmission and human-to-human transmission; in particular, the mechanisms of air pollution-to-human transmission play a critical role rather than human-to-human transmission.
o The finding here suggests that to minimize future epidemic similar to COVID-19, the max number of days per year in which cities can exceed the limits set for PM10 or for ozone, considering their meteorological condition, is less than 50 days. After this critical threshold, the analytical output here suggests that environmental inconsistencies because of the combination between air pollution and meteorological conditions (with high moisture%, low wind speed and fog) trigger a take-off of viral infectivity (accelerated epidemic diffusion) with damages for health of population, economy and society.
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the complex interaction between air pollution, meteorological conditions and biological characteristics of viral infectivity, lessons learned for COVID-19 have to be applied for a proactive socioeconomic strategy to cope with future epidemics, especially an environmental policy based on reduction of air pollution mainly in hinterland zones of countries, having low wind speed, high percentage of moisture and fog that create an environment that can damage immune system of people and foster a fast transmission of viral infectivity similar to the COVID-19.
CLINICALTRIAL
not applicable
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Coccia M. Two mechanisms for accelerated diffusion of COVID-19 outbreaks in regions with high intensity of population and polluting industrialization: the air pollution-to-human and human-to-human transmission dynamics.. [DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.06.20055657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
AbstractWhat is COVID-19?Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is viral infection that generates a severe acute respiratory syndrome with serious pneumonia that may result in progressive respiratory failure and death.What are the goals of this investigation?This study explains the geo-environmental determinants of the accelerated diffusion of COVID-19 in Italy that is generating a high level of deaths and suggests general lessons learned for a strategy to cope with future epidemics similar to COVID-19 to reduce viral infectivity and negative impacts in economic systems and society.What are the results of this study?The main results are:
The accelerate and vast diffusion of COVID-19 in North Italy has a high association with air pollution.Hinterland cities have average days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 (particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter) equal to 80 days, and an average number of infected more than 2,000 individuals as of April 1st, 2020, coastal cities have days of exceeding the limits set for PM10 equal to 60 days and have about 700 infected in average.Cities that average number of 125 days exceeding the limits set for PM10, last year, they have an average number of infected individual higher than 3,200 units, whereas cities having less than 100 days (average number of 48 days) exceeding the limits set for PM10, they have an average number of about 900 infected individuals.The results reveal that accelerated transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in specific environments is due to two mechanisms given by: air pollution-to-human transmission and human-to-human transmission; in particular, the mechanisms of air pollution-to-human transmission play a critical role rather than human-to-human transmission.The finding here suggests that to minimize future epidemic similar to COVID-19, the max number of days per year in which cities can exceed the limits set for PM10 or for ozone, considering their meteorological condition, is less than 50 days. After this critical threshold, the analytical output here suggests that environmental inconsistencies because of the combination between air pollution and meteorological conditions (with high moisture%, low wind speed and fog) trigger a take-off of viral infectivity (accelerated epidemic diffusion) with damages for health of population, economy and society.What is a socioeconomic strategy to prevent future epidemics similar to COVID-19?Considering the complex interaction between air pollution, meteorological conditions and biological characteristics of viral infectivity, lessons learned for COVID-19 have to be applied for a proactive socioeconomic strategy to cope with future epidemics, especially an environmental policy based on reduction of air pollution mainly in hinterland zones of countries, having low wind speed, high percentage of moisture and fog that create an environment that can damage immune system of people and foster a fast transmission of viral infectivity similar to the COVID-19.This study must conclude that a strategy to prevent future epidemics similar to COVID 19 has also to be designed in environmental and sustainability science and not only in terms of biology.
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City housing atmospheric pollutant impact on emergency visit for asthma: A classification and regression tree approach. Respir Med 2017; 132:1-8. [PMID: 29229079 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone are recognized as the three pollutants that most significantly affect human health. Asthma is a multifactorial disease. However, the place of residence has rarely been investigated. We compared the impact of air pollution, measured near patients' homes, on emergency department (ED) visits for asthma or trauma (controls) within the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region. METHODS Variables were selected using classification and regression trees on asthmatic and control population, 3-99 years, visiting ED from January 1 to December 31, 2013. Then in a nested case control study, randomization was based on the day of ED visit and on defined age groups. Pollution, meteorological, pollens and viral data measured that day were linked to the patient's ZIP code. RESULTS A total of 794,884 visits were reported including 6250 for asthma and 278,192 for trauma. Factors associated with an excess risk of emergency visit for asthma included short-term exposure to NO2, female gender, high viral load and a combination of low temperature and high humidity. CONCLUSION Short-term exposures to high NO2 concentrations, as assessed close to the homes of the patients, were significantly associated with asthma-related ED visits in children and adults.
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11
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[Seasonality in asthma: Impact and treatments]. Presse Med 2016; 45:1005-1018. [PMID: 27039335 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2016.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of seasons should be taken into account in the management of asthma. The environment varies between seasons and it is well documented that asthma is modulated by environment. Viruses cause asthma exacerbations peak, in winter, in adults while the peak is present in September in children. Allergens are probably a less powerful source of asthma exacerbation than viruses but pollen involvement in spring and summer and dust mites in autumn are indisputable. Air pollutants, present in summer during the hottest periods, are also highly involved in asthma exacerbations. Indoor air pollution, in winter, is also implicated in asthma disease. All these environmental factors are synergistic and increase the risk of asthma exacerbation. Therapies should be adapted to each season depending on environmental factors potentially involved in the asthma disease.
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Brzezińska-Pawłowska OE, Rydzewska AD, Łuczyńska M, Majkowska-Wojciechowska B, Kowalski ML, Makowska JS. Environmental factors affecting seasonality of ambulance emergency service visits for exacerbations of asthma and COPD. J Asthma 2015; 53:139-45. [PMID: 26369434 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2015.1075547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the association of severe exacerbations of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) requiring ambulance emergency service (AES) visits with meteorological parameters and influenza outbreaks. METHODS The records of patients calling the AES in 2007 and 2008 in the urban area of Lodz due to dyspnea were analyzed. Information on 25 daily reported meteorological parameters was obtained from the local meteorological service and data on influenza outbreaks obtained from the national surveillance service. RESULTS During the winter months, a significantly higher mean daily number of AES visits for both COPD and asthma were noticed when compared to the summer. Interestingly, the number of daily AES visits correlated with several weather parameters, and the multiple regression analysis confirmed a negative correlation with minimum temperature, mean temperature and the dew point for both diseases (R = 0.526; p < 0.01; R = 0.577; p < 0.01 and R = 0.589; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the increased number of AES visits also correlated with a new number of cases of influenza infections as reported by local influenza surveillance system (rs = 77.6%; p < 0.001 and rs = 80.8%; p < 0.001 for asthma and COPD, respectively). CONCLUSION Seasonality of AES visits for asthma and COPD are similar and seems to be related to specific weather conditions and to influenza outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga E Brzezińska-Pawłowska
- a Department of Immunology , Rheumatology and Allergy, Chair of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz , Łódź , Poland
| | - Anna D Rydzewska
- a Department of Immunology , Rheumatology and Allergy, Chair of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz , Łódź , Poland
| | - Marta Łuczyńska
- a Department of Immunology , Rheumatology and Allergy, Chair of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz , Łódź , Poland
| | - Barbara Majkowska-Wojciechowska
- a Department of Immunology , Rheumatology and Allergy, Chair of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz , Łódź , Poland
| | - Marek L Kowalski
- a Department of Immunology , Rheumatology and Allergy, Chair of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz , Łódź , Poland
| | - Joanna S Makowska
- a Department of Immunology , Rheumatology and Allergy, Chair of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of Lodz , Łódź , Poland
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Air pollution and asthma: how can a public health concern inform the care of individual patients? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2015; 113:343-6. [PMID: 25256028 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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