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Kenny GP, Tetzlaff EJ, Journeay WS, Henderson SB, O’Connor FK. Indoor overheating: A review of vulnerabilities, causes, and strategies to prevent adverse human health outcomes during extreme heat events. Temperature (Austin) 2024; 11:203-246. [PMID: 39193048 PMCID: PMC11346563 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2024.2361223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The likelihood of exposure to overheated indoor environments is increasing as climate change is exacerbating the frequency and severity of hot weather and extreme heat events (EHE). Consequently, vulnerable populations will face serious health risks from indoor overheating. While the relationship between EHE and human health has been assessed in relation to outdoor temperature, indoor temperature patterns can vary markedly from those measured outside. This is because the built environment and building characteristics can act as an important modifier of indoor temperatures. In this narrative review, we examine the physiological and behavioral determinants that influence a person's susceptibility to indoor overheating. Further, we explore how the built environment, neighborhood-level factors, and building characteristics can impact exposure to excess heat and we overview how strategies to mitigate building overheating can help reduce heat-related mortality in heat-vulnerable occupants. Finally, we discuss the effectiveness of commonly recommended personal cooling strategies that aim to mitigate dangerous increases in physiological strain during exposure to high indoor temperatures during hot weather or an EHE. As global temperatures continue to rise, the need for a research agenda specifically directed at reducing the likelihood and impact of indoor overheating on human health is paramount. This includes conducting EHE simulation studies to support the development of consensus-based heat mitigation solutions and public health messaging that provides equitable protection to heat-vulnerable people exposed to high indoor temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen P. Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Emily J. Tetzlaff
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - W. Shane Journeay
- Departments of Medicine and Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick and Dalhousie University, Saint John, NB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Rehabilitative Care, Providence Healthcare-Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah B. Henderson
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fergus K. O’Connor
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Anyanwu C, Bikomeye JC, Beyer KM. The impact of environmental conditions on non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of epidemiologic evidence. J Glob Health 2024; 14:04003. [PMID: 38419464 PMCID: PMC10902803 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasing. Environmental conditions such as heavy metals and air pollution have been linked with the incidence and mortality of chronic diseases such as cancer, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. We aimed to scope the current state of evidence on the impact of environmental conditions on NCDs in SSA. Methods We conducted a scoping review to identify environmental conditions linked with NCDs in SSA by identifying studies published from January 1986 through February 2023. We searched African Index Medicus, Ovid Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Greenfile. Using the PICOS study selection criteria, we identified studies conducted in SSA focussed on physical environmental exposures and incidence, prevalence, and mortality of NCDs. We included only epidemiologic or quantitative studies. Results We identified 6754 articles from electronic database searches; only 36 met our inclusion criteria and were qualitatively synthesised. Two studies were conducted in multiple SSA countries, while 34 were conducted across ten countries in SSA. Air pollution (58.3%) was the most common type of environmental exposure reported, followed by exposure to dust (19.4%), meteorological variables (13.8%), heavy metals (2.7%), soil radioactivity (2.7%), and neighbourhood greenness (2.7%). The examined NCDs included respiratory diseases (69.4%), cancer (2.7%), stroke (5.5%), diabetes (2.7%), and two or more chronic diseases (19.4%). The study results suggest an association between environmental exposures and NCDs, particularly for respiratory diseases. Only seven studies found a null association between environmental conditions and chronic diseases. Conclusions There is a growing body of research on environmental conditions and chronic diseases in the SSA region. Although some cities in SSA have started implementing environmental monitoring and control measures, there remain high levels of environmental pollution. Investment can focus on improving environmental control measures and disease surveillance.
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Demirbilek H, Mercan Y. Long-term effects of air pollutants on deaths in a semi-urban city in Northwestern Turkey: a time series analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:815-825. [PMID: 36716387 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2173155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To examine the associations between daily variations of coarse Particulate Matter(PM10) and/or sulfur dioxide(SO2) and mortality. The Poisson Generalized Linear Model(GLM) was employed to analyze the relationship between ambient air pollutants such as PM10 and SO2 and mortality. For each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10, the overall mortality risk was found to be 1.022-fold high on the previous-eighth-day(lag 7) (RR, 95%CI:1.002-1.042) in the unadjusted model; 1.031-fold high in men (RR, 95%CI:1.005-1.058); 1.024-fold high in those aged 65 and over (RR, 95%CI:1.001-1.048). Also, the risk of death in men was 1.028-fold high in the model adjusted on the previous- eighth-day(lag 7) (RR, 95%CI:1.002-1.055). Mortality risk was found to be 1.088-fold high in 10 μg/m3 increase in SO2 under 65 years in males in the previous-third-day(lag 2) in the unadjusted model, and the risk of death was found to be 1.086-fold (RR, 95%CI:1.007-1.164) high in males in the adjusted model. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Demirbilek
- Kirklareli University Institute of Health Sciences, Kırklareli, Turkey
| | - Yeliz Mercan
- Kirklareli University Faculty of Health Sciences, Kirklareli, Turkey
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Zhang J, Bai S, Lin S, Cui L, Zhao X, Du S, Wang Z. Maternal apparent temperature during pregnancy on the risk of offspring asthma and wheezing: effect, critical window, and modifiers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:62924-62937. [PMID: 36952159 PMCID: PMC10034250 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26234-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the impact of maternal AT during pregnancy on childhood asthma and wheezing, as well as the potential effect modifiers in this association. A cross-sectional study was implemented from December 2018 to March 2019 in Jinan to investigate the prevalence of childhood asthma and wheezing among aged 18 months to 3 years. Then, we conducted a case-control study based on population to explore the association between prenatal different AT exposure levels and childhood asthma and wheezing. The association was assessed by generalized additive models and logistic regression models, and stratified analyses were performed to explore potential effect modifiers. A total of 12,384 vaccinated children participated in screening for asthma and wheezing, 236 cases were screened, as well as 1445 controls were randomized. After adjusting for the covariates, childhood asthma and wheezing were significantly associated with cold exposure in the first trimester, with OR 1.731 (95% CI: 1.117-2.628), and cold exposure and heat exposure in the third trimester, with ORs 1.610 (95% CI: 1.030-2.473) and 2.039 (95% CI: 1.343-3.048). In the third trimester, enhanced impacts were found among girls, children whose distance of residence was close to the nearest main traffic road, and children whose parents have asthma. The study indicates that exposure to extreme AT during the first and third trimesters could increase the risk of childhood asthma and wheezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatao Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuoxin Bai
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoqian Lin
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangliang Cui
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Zhao
- Jinan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Du
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.
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Shen J, Ma Y, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Wang W, Qin P, Yang L. Temperature modifies the effects of air pollutants on respiratory diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:61778-61788. [PMID: 36933135 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26322-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Increasing studies have reported temperature modification effects on air pollutants-induced respiratory diseases. In the current study, daily data of respiratory emergency room visits (ERVs), meteorological factors, and concentrations of air pollutants were collected from 2013 to 2016 in Lanzhou, a northwest city in China. Daily average temperature was stratified into low (≤ 25 percentile, P25), medium (25-75 percentile, P25-P75) and high (≥ 75 percentile, P75) to explore how temperature modifies the effects of air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2) on respiratory ERVs by using generalized additive Poisson regression model (GAM). Seasonal modification was also investigated. Results showed that (a) PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 had the strongest effects on respiratory ERVs in low temperature; (b) males and 15-and-younger were more vulnerable in low temperature while females and those older than 46 years were highly affected in high temperature; (c) PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 were mostly associated with the total and both males and females in winter, while SO2 resulted in the highest risk for the total and males in autumn and females in spring. In conclusion, this study found significant temperature modification effects and seasonal differences on the risks of respiratory ERVs due to air pollutants in Lanzhou, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Shen
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yuxia Ma
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Caixia Zhang
- First People's Hospital of Dingxi, Dingxi, 743000, China.
| | - Wanci Wang
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Pengpeng Qin
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Lijie Yang
- Qingyang Meteorological Bureau, Qingyang, 745000, China
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Bühler JL, Shrikhande S, Kapwata T, Cissé G, Liang Y, Pedder H, Kwiatkowski M, Kunene Z, Mathee A, Peer N, Wright CY. The Association between Apparent Temperature and Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular Disease in Limpopo Province, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010116. [PMID: 36612437 PMCID: PMC9820030 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have a high disease burden both globally and in South Africa. They have also been found to be temperature-sensitive globally. The association between temperature and CVD morbidity has previously been demonstrated, but little is known about it in South Africa. It is important to understand how changes in temperature in South Africa will affect CVD morbidity, especially in rural regions, to inform public health interventions and adaptation strategies. This study aimed to determine the short-term effect of apparent temperature (Tapp) on CVD hospital admissions in Mopani District, Limpopo province, South Africa. A total of 3124 CVD hospital admissions records were obtained from two hospitals from 1 June 2009 to 31 December 2016. Daily Tapp was calculated using nearby weather station measurements. The association was modelled using a distributed lag non-linear model with a negative binomial regression over a 21-day lag period. The fraction of morbidity attributable to non-optimal Tapp, i.e., cold (6-25 °C) and warm (27-32 °C) Tapp was reported. We found an increase in the proportion of admissions due to CVDs for warm and cold Tapp cumulatively over 21 days. Increasing CVD admissions due to warm Tapp appeared immediately and lasted for two to four days, whereas the lag-structure for the cold effect was inconsistent. A proportion of 8.5% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3.1%, 13.7%) and 1.1% (95% CI: -1.4%, 3.5%) of the total CVD admissions was attributable to cold and warm temperatures, respectively. Warm and cold Tapp may increase CVD admissions, suggesting that the healthcare system and community need to be prepared in the context of global temperature changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Lisa Bühler
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shreya Shrikhande
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thandi Kapwata
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yajun Liang
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugo Pedder
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Marek Kwiatkowski
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zamantimande Kunene
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
| | - Angela Mathee
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
- Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
| | - Nasheeta Peer
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban 4091, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Caradee Y. Wright
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Urban Air Pollution, Urban Heat Island and Human Health: A Review of the Literature. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14159234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Many cities of the world suffer from air pollution because of poor planning and design and heavy traffic in rapidly expanding urban environments. These conditions are exacerbated due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. While there have been studies linking the built environment and air pollution with health, they have ignored the aggravating role of UHI. The past urban planning literature in this field has also ignored the science of materials, vehicles and air pollution, and technological solutions for reducing cumulative health impacts of air pollution and UHI. Air Pollution, built environment and human health are complex discussion factors that involve several different fields. The built environment is linked with human health through opportunities of physical activity and air quality. Recent planning literature focuses on creating compact and walkable urban areas dotted with green infrastructure to promote physical activity and to reduce vehicle emission-related air pollution. Reduced car use leading to reduced air pollution and UHI is implied in the literature. The literature from technology fields speaks to the issue of air pollution directly. Zero emission cars, green infrastructure and building materials that absorb air pollutants and reduce UHI fall within this category. This paper identifies main themes in the two streams of urban air pollution and UHI that impact human health and presents a systematic review of the academic papers, policy documents, reports and features in print media published in the last 10–20 years.
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