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Zheng H, Csemezová J, Loomans M, Walker S, Gauvin F, Zeiler W. Species profile of volatile organic compounds emission and health risk assessment from typical indoor events in daycare centers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170734. [PMID: 38325455 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Daycare centers (DCCs) play an instrumental role in early childhood development, making them a significant indoor environment for a large number of children globally. Amidst routine DCC activities, young children are exposed to a myriad of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), potentially impacting their health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the VOC emissions during typical DCCs activities and evaluate respective health risk assessments. Employing a full-scale experimental setup within a well-controlled climate chamber, research was conducted into VOC emissions during three typical DCC events: arts-and-crafts (painting, gluing, modeling), cleaning, and sleeping activities tied to mattresses. The research identified 96 distinct VOCs, grouped into twelve categories, from 20 different events examined. Each event exhibited a unique VOC fingerprint, pinpointing potential source tracers. Also, significant variations in VOC emissions from different events were demonstrated. For instance, under cool & dry conditions, acrylic painting recorded high total VOC concentrations of 808 μg/m3, whereas poster painting showed only 58 μg/m3. Given these disparities, the study emphasizes the critical need for carefully selecting arts-and-crafts materials and cleaning agents in DCCs to effectively reduce VOC exposure. It suggests ventilating new mattresses before use and regular mattress check-ups to mitigate VOCs exposure during naps. Importantly, it revealed that certain events resulted in VOC levels exceeding the 10-5 cancer risk thresholds for younger children. Specifically, tetrachloroethylene and styrene from used mattresses in cool & dry conditions, ethylene oxide from new mattresses in warm & humid conditions, and styrene, during sand modeling in both conditions, were the key compounds contributing to this risk. These findings highlight the critical need for age-specific health risk assessments in DCCs. This study highlights the significance of understanding the profiles of VOC emissions from indoor events in DCCs, emphasizing potential health implications and laying a solid foundation for future investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailin Zheng
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Júlia Csemezová
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel Loomans
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Shalika Walker
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Florent Gauvin
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Wim Zeiler
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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Chen L, Song Z, Zhou X, Yang G, Yu G. Pathogenic bacteria and fungi in bioaerosols from specialized hospitals in Shandong province, East China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122922. [PMID: 37984476 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria and fungi are abundant and ubiquitous in bioaerosols in hospital environments. Understanding the distribution and diversity of microbial communities within bioaerosols is critical for mitigating their detrimental effects. Our knowledge on the composition of bacteria or fungi in bioaerosols is limited, especially the potential pathogens present in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from specialized hospitals. Thirty p.m.2.5 filter samples were collected from five hospitals (i.e., oral, dermatology, chest, eye, and general hospitals) in Shandong Province, East China. The diversity of bacteria and fungi was analyzed at the species level using single-molecule real-time sequencing of the 16 S and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS) ribosomal genes, respectively. Significant differences were detected across sampling sites in terms of microbial diversity and community composition in PM2.5 as well as pollution concentrations. The range of PM2.5 concentrations observed in hospital halls was higher, ranging from 39.0 to 46.2 μg/m3, compared to the wards where the concentrations ranged from 10.7 to 25.2 μg/m3. Furthermore, microbial variations in PM2.5 bioaerosols were associated with hospital type. The most dominant pathogens identified were Vibrio metschnikovii, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Fusarium pseudensiforme, and Aspergillus ruber. Among these, A. ruber was identified as an opportunistic fungus in a hospital setting for the first time. Nine potentially novel strains of F. pseudensiforme, showing 84.5%-92.0% ITS sequence similarity to known Fusarium isolates, were identified in PM2.5 samples from all hospitals (excluding an eye hospital). This study highlights the importance of hospital environments in shaping microbial aerosol communities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide insights into the bacterial and fungal biodiversity of PM2.5 in specialized hospitals, enriching research in healthcare environmental microbiology and carrying significant public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Zhicheng Song
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xintian Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Taian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Taian 271000, China
| | - Guiwen Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Guanliu Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
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Egfors D, Gunnarsson AG, Ricklund N. Changes in Reported Symptoms Attributed to Office Environments in Sweden between 1995 and 2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11434. [PMID: 36141707 PMCID: PMC9517370 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Non-specific building-related symptoms (NBRSs) describe various symptoms in those affected. Questionnaires are the first step in investigating suspected NBRSs in office environments and have been used for over two decades. However, changes in reporting of symptoms among office workers over time are currently unknown. The overall aim was thus to investigate if reported symptoms and perceived causality to the office environment have changed during 25 years of using the MM 040 NA Office questionnaire. A cross-sectional study of 26,477 questionnaires from 1995-2020 was conducted, where 12 symptoms and perceived causality to office environment were examined using logistic regression analyses of 5-year groups adjusted for sex and atopy. Reporting trends in the year groups varied slightly among symptoms, but eight symptoms were statistically significant in the 2015-2020 group compared to the 1995-1999 group. Seven symptoms had increased: fatigue, heavy-feeling head, headache, difficulties concentrating, itchy/irritated eyes, congested/runny nose, and dry/red hands. One symptom decreased: hoarseness/dry throat. Perceived causality of symptoms to the office environment decreased to a statistically significant degree in 2015-2020 for 11 symptoms, and there was an overall trend of decreasing perceived causality throughout the year groups for most symptoms. The observed time trends suggest a need for up-to-date reference data, to keep up with changes in symptom reporting in office environments over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Della Egfors
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, SE 70182 Orebro, Sweden
| | - Anita Gidlöf Gunnarsson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, SE 70182 Orebro, Sweden
| | - Niklas Ricklund
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Business, Science and Engineering, Örebro University, SE 70182 Orebro, Sweden
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Indoor Carbon Dioxide, Fine Particulate Matter and Total Volatile Organic Compounds in Private Healthcare and Elderly Care Facilities. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10030136. [PMID: 35324761 PMCID: PMC8950121 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Poor indoor air quality can have adverse effects on human health, especially in susceptible populations. The aim of this study was to measure the concentrations of dioxide carbon (CO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) in situ in private healthcare and elderly care facilities. These pollutants were continuously measured in two rooms of six private healthcare facilities (general practitioner’s offices, dental offices and pharmacies) and four elderly care facilities (nursing homes) in two French urban areas during two seasons: summer and winter. The mean CO2 concentrations ranged from 764 ± 443 ppm in dental offices to 624 ± 198 ppm in elderly care facilities. The mean PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 13.4 ± 14.4 µg/m3 in dental offices to 5.7 ± 4.8 µg/m3 in general practitioner offices. The mean TVOC concentrations ranged from 700 ± 641 ppb in dental offices to 143 ± 239 ppb in general practitioner offices. Dental offices presented higher levels of indoor air pollutants, associated with the dental activities. Increasing the ventilation of these facilities by opening a window is probably an appropriate method for reducing pollutant concentrations and maintaining good indoor air quality.
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Watanabe M. [Indoor Fungal Contamination in Different Housing Types after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Flood Disaster]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2022; 142:17-25. [PMID: 34980747 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.21-00161-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To understand fungal contamination in the indoor environments of the disaster region, surveys were conducted to detect mycoflora in temporary shelters, prefabricated temporary housing, private housing, and rented apartments in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The results from the surveys of temporary shelters indicated that the indoor-air fungal counts at all sampling points were less than 1000 colony forming units (cfu)/m3, which is the recommended limit for fungal contamination in indoor air. However, the Aspergillus counts were high compared to the indoor environments of typical housing. Since Aspergillus is a known allergenic genus, careful attention should be paid to residents' health. The results of the surveys of private housing and rented apartments also indicated that fungal counts were highest during the rainy season throughout the summer. In contrast, temporary housing had a maximum fungal count in the winter. The extremely high level of fungal condensation in indoor air may have been due to the high relative humidity and loss of heat insulation in the buildings' attics. It is thought that these problems happen most commonly in colder regions, such as the entire area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The case of a patient with allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis caused by a large amount of Eurotium herbariorum mold in his temporary housing was reported to demonstrate the health risks posed by fungi in this disaster region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Watanabe
- Division of Microbiology, National Institute of Health Sciences
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Song W, Han Q, Wan Y, Qian X, Wei M, Jiang Y, Wang Q. Repeated measurements of 21 urinary metabolites of volatile organic compounds and their associations with three selected oxidative stress biomarkers in 0-7-year-old healthy children from south and central China. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132065. [PMID: 34496338 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Human beings are extensively and concurrently exposed to multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs, including some Class I human carcinogens), which may induce oxidative stress in human body. Data on urinary metabolites of VOCs (mVOCs) among young children are limited. No studies have examined their inter-day variability of mVOCs and their associations with oxidative stress biomarkers (OSBs) using repeated urine samples from children. In this study, we measured twenty one mVOCs and three OSBs [8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG; for DNA), 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG; for RNA], and 4-hydroxy nonenal mercapturic acid (HNEMA; for lipid)] in 390 urine samples of 130 children (three samples on three consecutive days provided by each participant) aged 0-7 years from September 2018 to January 2019 in Shenzhen, south China, and Wuhan, central China. HPMMA (3-hydroxypropyl-1-methyl mercapturic acid/N-Acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl-1-methyl)-l-cysteine), 3HPMA (3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid/N-Acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl)-l-cysteine), and ATCA (2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid) had higher specific gravity-adjusted median concentrations (1 383, 286, and 273 μg/L, respectively) than the others. Intraclass correlation coefficients of mVOCs ranged from 0.29 to 0.71. After false-discovery rate (FDR, defined as FDR q-value < 0.05) adjustment, linear mixed-effects models revealed that 14 mVOCs were positively associated with 8-OHdG (β range: 0.09-0.37), 11 mVOCs were positively associated with 8-OHG (β range: 0.08-0.30), and 11 mVOCs were positively associated with HNEMA (β range: 0.21-0.70) in urine. Considering the weight of the mVOC index accounted for the associations, based on the weighted quantile sum regression model, parent compounds of DHBMA (3,4-dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid/N-Acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-l-cysteine) and t,t-MA (trans,trans-muconic acid) should be listed as priority VOCs for management to mitigate health risks. For the first time, this study characterized the inter-day variability of urinary mVOCs and their associations with selected OSBs (8-OHdG, 8-OHG, and NHEMA) in young, healthy Chinese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Song
- MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
| | - Qing Han
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, 430024, PR China.
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, 430024, PR China.
| | - Xi Qian
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
| | - Muhong Wei
- MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
| | - Ying Jiang
- Nanshan District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518054, PR China.
| | - Qi Wang
- MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
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Qian X, Wan Y, Wang A, Xia W, Yang Z, He Z, Xu S. Urinary metabolites of multiple volatile organic compounds among general population in Wuhan, central China: Inter-day reproducibility, seasonal difference, and their associations with oxidative stress biomarkers. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 289:117913. [PMID: 34426205 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
General population are concurrently and extensively exposed to many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including some Group 1 human carcinogens, such as 1,3-butadiene. However, only a few studies assessed internal exposure levels of VOCs; particularly, very limited studies have examined associations between the urinary concentrations of multiple VOC metabolites (mVOCs) and oxidative stress biomarkers (OSBs) among the general population. In this study, 21 mVOCs and three OSBs including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG; for DNA), 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG; for RNA), and 4-hydroxy nonenal mercapturic acid (HNEMA; for lipid) were measured in 406 urine samples collected from 128 healthy adults during autumn and winter of 2018 in Wuhan, central China, including repeated samples taken in 3 d from 75 volunteers. Inter-day reproducibility for most mVOCs was good to excellent; urinary concentrations of mVOCs in winter were generally higher than those in autumn. Risk assessment was conducted by calculating hazard quotients for the parent compounds, and the results suggested that acrolein, 1,3-butadiene, and cyanide should be considered as high-priority hazardous ones for management. After false-discovery adjustment, 16 of the studied mVOCs were positively associated with 8-OHdG and 8-OHG (β values ranged from 0.04 to 0.48), and four mVOCs were positively associated with HNEMA (β values ranged from 0.21 to 0.78). Weighted quantile sum regression analyses were used to assess associations of mVOC mixture and OSBs, and we found significantly positive associations between the mixture index and OSBs, among which the strongest mVOC contributors for the associations were 2-methylhippuric acid for both DNA (20%) and RNA (17%) oxidative damage, and trans,trans-muconic acid (50%) for lipid peroxidation. This study firstly reported good to excellent short-term reproducibility, seasonal difference in autumn and winter, and possible health risk in urinary concentrations of multiple mVOCs among the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Qian
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, 430024, PR China.
| | - Aizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
| | | | - Zhenyu He
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, 430024, PR China.
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, PR China.
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A Cataluminescence Sensor Based on NiO Nanoparticles for Sensitive Detection of Acetaldehyde. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051097. [PMID: 32121474 PMCID: PMC7179132 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensitive and selective detection of harmful gas is an important task in environmental monitoring. In this work, a gas sensor based on cataluminescence (CTL) for detection of acetaldehyde was designed by using nano-NiO as the sensing material. The sensor shows sensitive response to acetaldehyde at a relatively low working temperature of 200 °C. The linear range of CTL intensity versus acetaldehyde concentration is 0.02–2.5 mg/L, with a limit of detection of 0.006 mg/L at a signal-to-noise ratio of three. Mechanism study shows that electronically excited CO2 is the excited intermediate for CTL emission during the catalytic oxidation of acetaldehyde on the NiO surface. The proposed sensor has promising application in monitoring acetaldehyde in residential buildings and in the workplace.
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Liu K, Li S, Qian ZM, Dharmage SC, Bloom MS, Heinrich J, Jalaludin B, Markevych I, Morawska L, Knibbs LD, Hinyard L, Xian H, Liu S, Lin S, Leskinen A, Komppula M, Jalava P, Roponen M, Hu LW, Zeng XW, Hu W, Chen G, Yang BY, Guo Y, Dong GH. Benefits of influenza vaccination on the associations between ambient air pollution and allergic respiratory diseases in children and adolescents: New insights from the Seven Northeastern Cities study in China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 256:113434. [PMID: 31672350 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little information exists on interaction effects between air pollution and influenza vaccination on allergic respiratory diseases. We conducted a large population-based study to evaluate the interaction effects between influenza vaccination and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on allergic respiratory diseases in children and adolescents. METHODS A cross-sectional study was investigated during 2012-2013 in 94 schools from Seven Northeastern Cities (SNEC) in China. Questionnaires surveys were obtained from 56 137 children and adolescents aged 2-17 years. Influenza vaccination was defined as receipt of the influenza vaccine. We estimated air pollutants exposure [nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤1 μm (PM1), ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and ≤10 μm (PM10)] using machine learning methods. We employed two-level generalized linear mix effects model to examine interactive effects between influenza vaccination and air pollution exposure on allergic respiratory diseases (asthma, asthma-related symptoms and allergic rhinitis), after controlling for important covariates. RESULTS We found statistically significant interactions between influenza vaccination and air pollutants on allergic respiratory diseases and related symptoms (doctor-diagnosed asthma, current wheeze, wheeze, persistent phlegm and allergic rhinitis). The adjusted ORs for doctor-diagnosed asthma, current wheeze and allergic rhinitis among the unvaccinated group per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM1 and PM2.5 were significantly higher than the corresponding ORs among the vaccinated group [For PM1, doctor-diagnosed asthma: OR: 1.89 (95%CI: 1.57-2.27) vs 1.65 (95%CI: 1.36-2.00); current wheeze: OR: 1.50 (95%CI: 1.22-1.85) vs 1.10 (95%CI: 0.89-1.37); allergic rhinitis: OR: 1.38 (95%CI: 1.15-1.66) vs 1.21 (95%CI: 1.00-1.46). For PM2.5, doctor-diagnosed asthma: OR: 1.81 (95%CI: 1.52-2.14) vs 1.57 (95%CI: 1.32-1.88); current wheeze: OR: 1.46 (95%CI: 1.21-1.76) vs 1.11 (95%CI: 0.91-1.35); allergic rhinitis: OR: 1.35 (95%CI: 1.14-1.60) vs 1.19 (95%CI: 1.00-1.42)]. The similar patterns were observed for wheeze and persistent phlegm. The corresponding p values for interactions were less than 0.05, respectively. We assessed the risks of PM1-related and PM2.5-related current wheeze were decreased by 26.67% (95%CI: 1.04%-45.66%) and 23.97% (95%CI: 0.21%-42.08%) respectively, which was attributable to influenza vaccination (both p for efficiency <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Influenza vaccination may play an important role in mitigating the detrimental effects of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on childhood allergic respiratory diseases. Policy targeted at increasing influenza vaccination may yield co-benefits in terms of reduced allergic respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkang Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Zhengmin Min Qian
- Department of Epidemiology, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, 63104, USA
| | - Shyamali C Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia
| | - Michael S Bloom
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Joachim Heinrich
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, 80336, Germany
| | - Bin Jalaludin
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany; Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, 80336, Germany; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, 80336, Germany
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality & Health (ILAQH), Science and Engineering Faculty, Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 4059, Australia
| | - Luke D Knibbs
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia
| | - Leslie Hinyard
- Center for Health Outcomes Research, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, 63104, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Epidemiology, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, 63104, USA
| | - Shan Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Ari Leskinen
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Kuopio, 70211, Finland; Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Mika Komppula
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Pasi Jalava
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Marjut Roponen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Li-Wen Hu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wenbiao Hu
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 4059, Australia
| | - Gongbo Chen
- Department of Global Health, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Bo-Yi Yang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuming Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental and Health risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Viegas C, Almeida B, Gomes AQ, Carolino E, Caetano LA. Aspergillus spp. prevalence in Primary Health Care Centres: Assessment by a novel multi-approach sampling protocol. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 175:133-141. [PMID: 31121528 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to Aspergillus conidia may cause adverse effects on human health; however, no specific recommendations for routine assessments of Aspergillus in the clinical environment have been suggested so far. This study intended to determine the prevalence of Aspergillus in the clinical environment, focusing on ten Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) through a novel multi-approach sampling protocol. Air and passive sampling, culture-based methods and a probe-based real-time assay for the detection of four clinically relevant Aspergillus sections were performed. Aspergillus spp. was observed in all PHCC, with highest prevalence on floor surface swabs (n=81) (18% on MEA; 6.94% on DG18). Regarding air samples (n=81), highest Aspergillus counts were found in the waiting room (94% MEA; 18% DG18), where Nigri was the most prevalent Aspergillus section. The use of a multi-approach sampling protocol to assess Aspergillus burden in the analysed PHCC has greatly contributed to risk characterization, highlighting the need to implement corrective measures in order to avoid fungal presence in those settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Beatriz Almeida
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal Gomes
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; University of PortugalLisbon - Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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11
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Ahmed F, Hossain S, Hossain S, Fakhruddin ANM, Abdullah ATM, Chowdhury MAZ, Gan SH. Impact of household air pollution on human health: source identification and systematic management approach. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-019-0405-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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12
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Karimpour Roshan S, Godini H, Nikmanesh B, Bakhshi H, Charsizadeh A. Study on the relationship between the concentration and type of fungal bio-aerosols at indoor and outdoor air in the Children's Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:48. [PMID: 30610385 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-7183-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fungal bio-aerosols are of concern due to their adverse health effects, especially in indoor environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the concentration and type of fungal bio-aerosols in the indoor and outdoor of Children's Medical Center in Tehran, Iran. In the present descriptive-analytical study, the fungal bio-aerosols' concentrations in both indoor and outdoor of the hospital air were measured. The measurements were carried out by the Anderson method using a Quick Take 30 pump at 28.3 L min-1 and 2.5 min sampling that was placed on a Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol. The average concentrations of total fungal bio-aerosols in the hospital indoor and outdoor air were 40.48 and 119.6 CFU/m3, respectively. Onco-hematology and bone marrow transplantation wards were the most and least contaminated units, respectively (11.09 CFU/m3 vs 1.47 CFU/m3). The most common fungi isolated from the indoor environment were Penicillium spp. (45.86%) which was followed by Cladosporium spp. (31.92%), Aspergillus section Nigri (6.26%), sterilized mycelia (5.05%), and Aspergillus section Flavi (2.83%). Cladosporium spp. (61.10 CFU/m3) and Penicillium spp. (18.56 CFU/m3) had the highest mean concentrations in outdoor and indoor air, respectively. The indoor-to-outdoor ratio of fungal aerosols was < 1 at most sampling sites, indicating that the indoor fungal bio-aerosols may have originated from the outdoor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedighe Karimpour Roshan
- Research Center for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health, School of health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hatam Godini
- Research Center for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
- Department of Environmental Health, School of health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Bahram Nikmanesh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Heidar Bakhshi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arezoo Charsizadeh
- Immunology, Asthma & Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Rodríguez A, Tajuelo M, Rodríguez D, Seseña S, Ruiz P, Palop ML. Assessment of chemical and microbiological parameters of indoor swimming pool atmosphere using multiple comparisons. INDOOR AIR 2018; 28:676-688. [PMID: 29873109 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the air quality of an indoor swimming pool, analyzing diurnal and seasonal variations in microbiological counts and chemical parameters. The results indicated that yeast and bacteria counts, as well as carbon dioxide (CO2 ), nitrogen oxides (NOx ) and O3 concentrations, showed significant diurnal difference. On the other hand, temperature, relative humidity (R.H.), yeast counts and concentrations of CO2 , particles, O3 , toluene, and benzene showed seasonal differences. In addition, the relationship between indoor and outdoor air and the degree of correlation between the different parameters have been calculated, suggesting that CO2 , fine particles and NOx would have indoor origin due to the human activity and secondary reactions favored by the chemical and environmental conditions of the swimming pool; while O3 , benzene and toluene, would come from outside, mainly. The overall results indicated that indoor air quality (IAQ) in the swimming pool building was deficient by the high levels of CO2 and microorganisms, low temperatures, and high R.H., because frequently the limits established by the legislation were exceeded. This fact could be due to the poor ventilation and the inadequate operation of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rodríguez
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - M Tajuelo
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - D Rodríguez
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - S Seseña
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - P Ruiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - M Ll Palop
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
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14
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Abstract
There are possibly millions of mold species on earth. The vast majority of these mold spores live in harmony with humans, rarely causing disease. The rare species that does cause disease does so by triggering allergies or asthma, or may be involved in hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or allergic fungal sinusitis. Other hypersensitivity diseases include those related to occupational or domiciliary exposures to certain mold species, as in the case of Pigeon Breeder's disease, Farmer's lung, or humidifier fever. The final proven category of fungal diseases is through infection, as in the case of onchomycosis or coccidiomycosis. These diseases can be treated using anti-fungal agents. Molds and fungi can also be particularly important in infections that occur in immunocompromised patients. Systemic candidiasis does not occur unless the individual is immunodeficient. Previous reports of "toxic mold syndrome" or "toxic black mold" have been shown to be no more than media hype and mass hysteria, partly stemming from the misinterpreted concept of the "sick building syndrome." There is no scientific evidence that exposure to visible black mold in apartments and buildings can lead to the vague and subjective symptoms of memory loss, inability to focus, fatigue, and headaches that were reported by people who erroneously believed that they were suffering from "mycotoxicosis." Similarly, a causal relationship between cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage and exposure to "black mold" has never been proven. Finally, there is no evidence of a link between autoimmune disease and mold exposure.
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15
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Shinohara N, Tokumura M, Hashimoto K, Asano K, Kawakami Y. Fungal levels in houses in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuation zone after the Great East Japan Earthquake. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2017; 67:1106-1114. [PMID: 28541772 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2017.1330712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Residences located within 20 km of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant were evacuated shortly after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The levels of airborne and surface fungi were measured in six houses in the evacuation zone in August 2012 and February 2013. Airborne fungal levels in all of the houses in the summer were higher than the environmental standard levels for residential houses published in Architectural Institute of Japan (>1000 colony-forming units [CFU]/m3). In two houses whose residents rarely returned to visit, fungal levels were extremely high (>52,000 CFU/m3). Although fungal levels in the winter were much lower than those in the summer, they were still higher than environmental standard levels in several houses. Indoor fungal levels were significantly inversely related to the frequency with which residents returned, but they were not correlated with the air exchange rates, temperature, humidity, or radiation levels. Cladosporium spp. and Penicillium spp. were detected in every house. Aspergillus section Circumdati (Aspergillus ochraceus group) was also detected in several houses. These fungi produced ochratoxin A and ochratoxin B, which have nephrotoxic and carcinogenic potential. The present study suggests that further monitoring of fungal levels is necessary in houses in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuation zone, and that some houses may require fungal disinfection. IMPLICATIONS The results suggest that residents' health could be at risk owing to the high levels of airborne fungi and toxic fungi Aspergillus section Circumdati. Therefore, monitoring and decontamination/disinfection of fungi are strongly recommended before residents are allowed to return permanently to their homes. In addition, returning to home with a certain frequency and adequate ventilation are necessary during similar situations, e.g., when residents cannot stay in their homes for a long period, because fungal levels in houses in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuation zone were inversely correlated with the frequency with which residents returned to visit their houses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohide Shinohara
- a Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability (RISS), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Tsukuba , Japan
| | - Masahiro Tokumura
- b Graduate School of Nutritional and Environmental Science , University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Hashimoto
- c Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management , FCG Research Institute Inc ., Tokyo , Japan
| | - Katsuyoshi Asano
- d Nara Prefectural Landscape and Environment Center , Nara , Japan
| | - Yuji Kawakami
- c Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management , FCG Research Institute Inc ., Tokyo , Japan
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16
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Faridi S, Hassanvand MS, Naddafi K, Yunesian M, Nabizadeh R, Sowlat MH, Kashani H, Gholampour A, Niazi S, Zare A, Nazmara S, Alimohammadi M. Indoor/outdoor relationships of bioaerosol concentrations in a retirement home and a school dormitory. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:8190-200. [PMID: 25516249 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3944-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of bacterial and fungal bioaerosols were measured in a retirement home and a school dormitory from May 2012 to May 2013. In the present work, two active and passive methods were used for bioaerosol sampling. The results from the present work indicated that Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. were the dominant bacterial genera, while the major fungal genera were Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., and Aspergillus spp. The results also indicated that the indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios for total bacteria were 1.77 and 1.44 in the retirement home and the school dormitory, respectively; the corresponding values for total fungal spores were 1.23 and 1.08. The results suggested that in addition to outdoor sources, indoor sources also played a significant role in emitting bacterial and fungal bioaerosols in the retirement home and the school dormitory indoor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Faridi
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Blais-Lecours P, Perrott P, Duchaine C. Non-culturable bioaerosols in indoor settings: Impact on health and molecular approaches for detection. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2015; 110:45-53. [PMID: 32288547 PMCID: PMC7108366 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite their significant impact on respiratory health, bioaerosols in indoor settings remain understudied and misunderstood. Culture techniques, predominantly used for bioaerosol characterisation in the past, allow for the recovery of only a small fraction of the real airborne microbial burden in indoor settings, given the inability of several microorganisms to grow on agar plates. However, with the development of new tools to detect non-culturable environmental microorganisms, the study of bioaerosols has advanced significantly. Most importantly, these techniques have revealed a more complex bioaerosol burden that also includes non-culturable microorganisms, such as archaea and viruses. Nevertheless, air quality specialists and consultants remain reluctant to adopt these new research-developed techniques, given that there are relatively few studies found in the literature, making it difficult to find a point of comparison. Furthermore, it is unclear as to how this new non-culturable data can be used to assess the impact of bioaerosol exposure on human health. This article reviews the literature that describes the non-culturable fraction of bioaerosols, focussing on bacteria, archaea and viruses, and examines its impact on bioaerosol-related diseases. It also outlines available molecular tools for the detection and quantification of these microorganisms and states various research needs in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Blais-Lecours
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Phillipa Perrott
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Duchaine
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie et de bioinformatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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18
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Nevalainen A, Täubel M, Hyvärinen A. Indoor fungi: companions and contaminants. INDOOR AIR 2015; 25:125-56. [PMID: 25601374 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the role of fungi and fungal products in indoor environments, especially as agents of human exposure. Fungi are present everywhere, and knowledge for indoor environments is extensive on their occurrence and ecology, concentrations, and determinants. Problems of dampness and mold have dominated the discussion on indoor fungi. However, the role of fungi in human health is still not well understood. In this review, we take a look back to integrate what cultivation-based research has taught us alongside more recent work with cultivation-independent techniques. We attempt to summarize what is known today and to point out where more data is needed for risk assessment associated with indoor fungal exposures. New data have demonstrated qualitative and quantitative richness of fungal material inside and outside buildings. Research on mycotoxins shows that just as microbes are everywhere in our indoor environments, so too are their metabolic products. Assessment of fungal exposures is notoriously challenging due to the numerous factors that contribute to the variation of fungal concentrations in indoor environments. We also may have to acknowledge and incorporate into our understanding the complexity of interactions between multiple biological agents in assessing their effects on human health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nevalainen
- Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
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19
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Araújo-Martins J, Carreiro Martins P, Viegas J, Aelenei D, Cano M, Teixeira J, Paixão P, Papoila A, Leiria-Pinto P, Pedro C, Rosado-Pinto J, Annesi-Maesano I, Neuparth N. Environment and Health in Children Day Care Centres (ENVIRH) - Study rationale and protocol. REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PNEUMOLOGIA 2014; 20:311-323. [PMID: 32288977 PMCID: PMC7110969 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor air quality (IAQ) is considered an important determinant of human health. The association between exposure to volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, house dust mite, molds and bacteria in day care centers (DCC) is not completely clear. The aim of this project was to study these effects. METHODS – STUDY DESIGN This study comprised two phases. Phase I included an evaluation of 45 DCCs (25 from Lisbon and 20 from Oporto, targeting 5161 children). In this phase, building characteristics, indoor CO2 and air temperature/relative humidity, were assessed. A children's respiratory health questionnaire derived from the ISAAC (International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Children) was also distributed. Phase II encompassed two evaluations and included 20 DCCs selected from phase I after a cluster analysis (11 from Lisbon and 9 from Oporto, targeting 2287 children). In this phase, data on ventilation, IAQ, thermal comfort parameters, respiratory and allergic health, airway inflammation biomarkers, respiratory virus infection patterns and parental and child stress were collected. RESULTS In Phase I, building characteristics, occupant behavior and ventilation surrogates were collected from all DCCs. The response rate of the questionnaire was 61.7% (3186 children).Phase II included 1221 children. Association results between DCC characteristics, IAQ and health outcomes will be provided in order to support recommendations on IAQ and children's health. A building ventilation model will also be developed. DISCUSSION This paper outlines methods that might be implemented by other investigators conducting studies on the association between respiratory health and indoor air quality at DCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Araújo-Martins
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P. Carreiro Martins
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
- Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J. Viegas
- Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil, Avenida do Brasil, 101, 1700-066 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - D. Aelenei
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus da Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - M.M. Cano
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge – Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J.P. Teixeira
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge – Porto, Rua Alexandre Herculano, 321, 4000-055 Oporto, Portugal
| | - P. Paixão
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A.L. Papoila
- Departamento de Bioestatística e Informática, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Ceaul, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P. Leiria-Pinto
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
- Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C. Pedro
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J. Rosado-Pinto
- Hospital da Luz, Avenida Lusíada, 100, 1500-650 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - I. Annesi-Maesano
- INSERM, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Equipe EPAR (Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases), F-75013 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Equipe EPAR, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - N. Neuparth
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
- Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
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20
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Araújo-Martins J, Carreiro Martins P, Viegas J, Aelenei D, Cano MM, Teixeira JP, Paixão P, Papoila AL, Leiria-Pinto P, Pedro C, Rosado-Pinto J, Annesi-Maesano I, Neuparth N. Environment and Health in Children Day Care Centres (ENVIRH) - Study rationale and protocol. REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PNEUMOLOGIA 2014; 20:311-23. [PMID: 24746462 PMCID: PMC7126211 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppneu.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor air quality (IAQ) is considered an important determinant of human health. The association between exposure to volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, house dust mite, molds and bacteria in day care centers (DCC) is not completely clear. The aim of this project was to study these effects. METHODS - STUDY DESIGN This study comprised two phases. Phase I included an evaluation of 45 DCCs (25 from Lisbon and 20 from Oporto, targeting 5161 children). In this phase, building characteristics, indoor CO2 and air temperature/relative humidity, were assessed. A children's respiratory health questionnaire derived from the ISAAC (International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Children) was also distributed. Phase II encompassed two evaluations and included 20 DCCs selected from phase I after a cluster analysis (11 from Lisbon and 9 from Oporto, targeting 2287 children). In this phase, data on ventilation, IAQ, thermal comfort parameters, respiratory and allergic health, airway inflammation biomarkers, respiratory virus infection patterns and parental and child stress were collected. RESULTS In Phase I, building characteristics, occupant behavior and ventilation surrogates were collected from all DCCs. The response rate of the questionnaire was 61.7% (3186 children). Phase II included 1221 children. Association results between DCC characteristics, IAQ and health outcomes will be provided in order to support recommendations on IAQ and children's health. A building ventilation model will also be developed. DISCUSSION This paper outlines methods that might be implemented by other investigators conducting studies on the association between respiratory health and indoor air quality at DCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Araújo-Martins
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - P Carreiro Martins
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal; Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J Viegas
- Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil, Avenida do Brasil, 101, 1700-066 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - D Aelenei
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus da Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - M M Cano
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge - Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J P Teixeira
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge - Porto, Rua Alexandre Herculano, 321, 4000-055 Oporto, Portugal
| | - P Paixão
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A L Papoila
- Departamento de Bioestatística e Informática, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Ceaul, Portugal; Centro de Investigação, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P Leiria-Pinto
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal; Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C Pedro
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - J Rosado-Pinto
- Hospital da Luz, Avenida Lusíada, 100, 1500-650 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - I Annesi-Maesano
- INSERM, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Equipe EPAR (Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases), F-75013 Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Equipe EPAR, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - N Neuparth
- CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal; Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE, Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
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van Voorhis M, Knopp S, Julliard W, Fechner JH, Zhang X, Schauer JJ, Mezrich JD. Exposure to atmospheric particulate matter enhances Th17 polarization through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82545. [PMID: 24349309 PMCID: PMC3859609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung diseases, including asthma, COPD, and other autoimmune lung pathologies are aggravated by exposure to particulate matter (PM) found in air pollution. IL-17 has been shown to exacerbate airway disease in animal models. As PM is known to contain aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligands and the AHR has recently been shown to play a role in differentiation of Th17 T cells, the aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to PM could impact Th17 polarization in an AHR-dependent manner. This study used both cell culture techniques and in vivo exposure in mice to examine the response of T cells to PM. Initially experiments were conducted with urban dust particles from a standard reference material, and ultimately repeated with freshly collected samples of diesel exhaust and cigarette smoke. The readout for the assays was increased T cell differentiation as indicated by increased generation of IL-17A in culture, and increased populations of IL-17 producing cells by intracellular flow cytometry. The data illustrate that Th17 polarization was significantly enhanced by addition of urban dust in a dose dependent fashion in cultures of wild-type but not AHR-/- mice. The data further suggest that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons played a primary role in this enhancement. There was both an increase of Th17 cell differentiation, and also an increase in the amount of IL-17 secreted by the cells. In summary, this paper identifies a novel mechanism whereby PM can directly act on the AHR in T cells, leading to enhanced Th17 differentiation. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for pathologic Th17 differentiation and autoimmunity seen after exposure to pollution will allow direct targeting of proteins involved in AHR activation and function for treatment of PM exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael van Voorhis
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Samantha Knopp
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Walker Julliard
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - John H. Fechner
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Xiaoji Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - James J. Schauer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Joshua D. Mezrich
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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