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Yuan Y, Zhou P, Peng M, Zhu L, Li Y, Wang K, Wang Y, Tang Z, Wang Y, Huang Y, Zhang J, Zhang Y. Residential greenness mitigates mortality risk from short-term airborne particulate exposure: An individual-level case-crossover study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115451. [PMID: 37703807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115451] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies suggested that greenness could reduce death risks related to ambient exposure to particulate matter (PM), while the available evidence was mixed across the globe and substantially exiguous in low- and middle-income countries. By conceiving an individual-level case-crossover study in central China, this analysis primarily aimed to quantify PM-mortality associations and examined the modification effect of greenness on the relationship. METHODS We investigated a total of 177,058 nonaccidental death cases from 12 counties in central China, 2008-2012. Daily residential exposures to PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm), PMc (aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 and 10 µm), and PM10 (aerodynamic diameter <10 µm) were assessed at a 1 × 1-km resolution through satellite-derived machine-learning models. Residential surrounding greenness was assessed using satellite-derived enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at multiple buffer sizes (250, 500, and 1000 m). To quantify the acute mortality risks associated with short-term exposure to PM2.5, PMc, and PM10, a time-stratified case-crossover design was utilized in conjunction with a conditional logistic regression model in our main analyses. To investigate the effect modification of greenness on PM-mortality associations, we grouped death cases into low, medium, and high greenness levels using cutoffs of 25th and 75th percentiles of NDVI or EVI exposure, and examined potential effect heterogeneity in PM-related mortality risks among these groups. RESULTS Mean concentrations (standard deviation) on the day of death were 73.8 (33.4) μg/m3 for PM2.5, 43.9 (17.3) μg/m3 for PMc, and 117.5 (44.9) μg/m3 for PM10. Size-fractional PM exposures were consistently exhibited significant associations with elevated risks of nonaccidental and circulatory mortality. For every increase of 10-μg/m3 in PM exposure, percent excess risks of nonaccidental and circulatory mortality were 0.271 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.010, 0.533) and 0.487 (95% CI: 0.125, 0.851) for PM2.5 at lag-01 day, 0.731 (95% CI: 0.108, 1.359) and 1.140 (95% CI: 0.267, 2.019) for PMc at lag-02 day, and 0.271 (95% CI: 0.010, 0.533) and 0.386 (95% CI: 0.111, 0.662) for PM10 at lag-01 day, respectively. Compared to participants in the low-level greenness areas, those being exposed to higher greenness were found to be at lower PM-associated risks of nonaccidental and circulatory mortality. Consistent evidence for alleviated risks in medium or high greenness group was observed in subpopulations of female and younger groups (age <75). CONCLUSIONS Short-term exposure to particulate air pollution was associated with elevated risks of nonaccidental and circulatory death, and individuals residing in higher neighborhood greenness possessed lower risk of PM-related mortality. These findings emphasized the potential public health advantages through incorporating green spaces into urban design and planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yuan
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Peixuan Zhou
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Minjin Peng
- Department of Infection Control, Affiliated Taihe Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China.
| | - Lifeng Zhu
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yachen Li
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yaqi Wang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Ziqing Tang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yixiang Wang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yuqian Huang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yunquan Zhang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
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Ammons S, Aja H, Ghazarian AA, Lai GY, Ellison GL. Perception of worry of harm from air pollution: results from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1254. [PMID: 35752789 PMCID: PMC9233822 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13450-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Air pollution exposure has been associated with a multitude of diseases and poses a significant concern to public health. For targeted environmental risk communication and interventions to be effective, it is important to correctly identify characteristics associated with worry of harm from air pollution. Methods Using responses from 3,630 participants of the Health Information National Trends Survey 4 Cycle 2, we assessed worry of harm from exposure to indoor (IAP) and outdoor (OAP) air pollution separately. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results Hispanics were more likely to worry about harm from IAP and OAP compared to non-Hispanic whites. Participants who lived in metropolitan counties were more likely to worry about harm from IAP and OAP compared to those who lived in rural counties. Finally, those who believed their chance of getting cancer was high were more likely to worry about harm from IAP and OAP compared to those who thought their likelihood of getting cancer was low. Conclusions Worry of harm from IAP and OAP varied across sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics. Public health professionals should consider these characteristics when developing targeted environmental risk communication and interventions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13450-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Ammons
- Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, MD, Bethesda, USA
| | - Hayley Aja
- Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, MD, Bethesda, USA.,Extramural Research Branch, Extramural Research and Partnerships Division, Office of Science Advisor, Policy, and Engagement, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Armen A Ghazarian
- Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, MD, Bethesda, USA
| | - Gabriel Y Lai
- Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, MD, Bethesda, USA
| | - Gary L Ellison
- Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, MD, Bethesda, USA.
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3
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Li X, Baumgartner J, Barrington-Leigh C, Harper S, Robinson B, Shen G, Sternbach T, Tao S, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Carter E. Socioeconomic and Demographic Associations with Wintertime Air Pollution Exposures at Household, Community, and District Scales in Rural Beijing, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:8308-8318. [PMID: 35675631 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese government implemented a national household energy transition program that replaced residential coal heating stoves with electricity-powered heat pumps for space heating in northern China. As part of a baseline assessment of the program, this study investigated variability in personal air pollution exposures within villages and between villages and evaluated exposure patterns by sociodemographic factors. We randomly recruited 446 participants in 50 villages in four districts in rural Beijing and measured 24 h personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC). The geometric mean personal exposure to PM2.5 and BC was 72 and 2.5 μg/m3, respectively. The variability in PM2.5 and BC exposures was greater within villages than between villages. Study participants who used traditional stoves as their dominant source of space heating were exposed to the highest levels of PM2.5 and BC. Wealthier households tended to burn more coal for space heating, whereas less wealthy households used more biomass. PM2.5 and BC exposures were almost uniformly distributed by socioeconomic status. Future work that combines these results with PM2.5 chemical composition analysis will shed light on whether air pollution source contributors (e.g., industrial, traffic, and household solid fuel burning) follow similar distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States
| | - Jill Baumgartner
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Christopher Barrington-Leigh
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
- Bieler School of Environment, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A7, Canada
| | - Sam Harper
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Brian Robinson
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B9, Canada
| | - Guofeng Shen
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Talia Sternbach
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Shu Tao
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B9, Canada
| | - Yuanxun Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Ellison Carter
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States
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Paul KC, Haan M, Yu Y, Inoue K, Mayeda ER, Dang K, Wu J, Jerrett M, Ritz B. Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Incident Dementia: Direct and Indirect Pathways Through Metabolic Dysfunction. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 76:1477-1491. [PMID: 32651321 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambient air pollution exposure has been associated with dementia. Additionally, epidemiologic evidence supports associations between air pollution and diabetes as well as diabetes and dementia. Thus, an indirect pathway between air pollution and dementia may exist through metabolic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether local traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) influences incident dementia and cognitive impairment, non-dementia (CIND) in a cohort of older Mexican Americans. We also assess how much of this estimated effect might be mediated through type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS In a 10-year, prospective study of Latinos (n = 1,564), we generated TRAP-NOx as a surrogate for pollution from local traffic sources at participants' residences during the year prior to enrollment. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling and mediation analysis to estimate the effects of TRAP-NOx on dementia and/or CIND and indirect pathways operating through T2DM. RESULTS Higher TRAP-NOx was associated with incident dementia (HR = 1.55 for the highest versus lower tertiles, 95% CI = 1.04, 2.55). Higher TRAP-NOx was also associated with T2DM (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.27, 2.05); furthermore, T2DM was associated with dementia (HR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.42, 2.66). Mediation analysis indicated that 20% of the estimated effect of TRAP-NOx on dementia/CIND was mediated through T2DM. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that exposure to local traffic-related air pollution is associated with incident dementia. We also estimated that 20% of this effect is mediated through T2DM. Thus, ambient air pollution might affect brain health via direct damage as well as through indirect pathways related to diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly C Paul
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mary Haan
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yu Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kosuke Inoue
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rose Mayeda
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kristina Dang
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jun Wu
- Program in Public Health, Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Environmental Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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5
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Heidari L, Winquist A, Klein M, O'Lenick C, Grundstein A, Ebelt Sarnat S. Susceptibility to Heat-Related Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance Emergency Department Visits in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13100982. [PMID: 27706089 PMCID: PMC5086721 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13100982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Identification of populations susceptible to heat effects is critical for targeted prevention and more accurate risk assessment. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance (FEI) may provide an objective indicator of heat morbidity. Data on daily ambient temperature and FEI emergency department (ED) visits were collected in Atlanta, Georgia, USA during 1993-2012. Associations of warm-season same-day temperatures and FEI ED visits were estimated using Poisson generalized linear models. Analyses explored associations between FEI ED visits and various temperature metrics (maximum, minimum, average, and diurnal change in ambient temperature, apparent temperature, and heat index) modeled using linear, quadratic, and cubic terms to allow for non-linear associations. Effect modification by potential determinants of heat susceptibility (sex; race; comorbid congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes; and neighborhood poverty and education levels) was assessed via stratification. Higher warm-season ambient temperature was significantly associated with FEI ED visits, regardless of temperature metric used. Stratified analyses suggested heat-related risks for all populations, but particularly for males. This work highlights the utility of FEI as an indicator of heat morbidity, the health threat posed by warm-season temperatures, and the importance of considering susceptible populations in heat-health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Heidari
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Andrea Winquist
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Mitchel Klein
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Cassandra O'Lenick
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Andrew Grundstein
- Department of Geography, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Georgia, 210 Field Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Stefanie Ebelt Sarnat
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Slovic AD, de Oliveira MA, Biehl J, Ribeiro H. How Can Urban Policies Improve Air Quality and Help Mitigate Global Climate Change: a Systematic Mapping Review. J Urban Health 2016; 93:73-95. [PMID: 26698311 PMCID: PMC4794467 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-015-0007-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tackling climate change at the global level is central to a growing field of scientific research on topics such as environmental health, disease burden, and its resulting economic impacts. At the local level, cities constitute an important hub of atmospheric pollution due to the large amount of pollutants that they emit. As the world population shifts to urban centers, cities will increasingly concentrate more exposed populations. Yet, there is still significant progress to be made in understanding the contribution of urban pollutants other than CO2, such as vehicle emissions, to global climate change. It is therefore particularly important to study how local governments are managing urban air pollution. This paper presents an overview of local air pollution control policies and programs that aim to reduce air pollution levels in megacities. It also presents evidence measuring their efficacy. The paper argues that local air pollution policies are not only beneficial for cities but are also important for mitigating and adapting to global climate change. The results systematize several policy approaches used around the world and suggest the need for more in-depth cross-city studies with the potential to highlight best practices both locally and globally. Finally, it calls for the inclusion of a more human rights-based approach as a mean of guaranteeing of clean air for all and reducing factors that exacerbate climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Dorothée Slovic
- School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-90, Brazil.
| | | | - João Biehl
- Department of Anthropology and Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, 128 Aaron Burr Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Helena Ribeiro
- School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246-90, Brazil
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7
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Martenies SE, Wilkins D, Batterman SA. Health impact metrics for air pollution management strategies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 85:84-95. [PMID: 26372694 PMCID: PMC4648637 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Health impact assessments (HIAs) inform policy and decision making by providing information regarding future health concerns, and quantitative HIAs now are being used for local and urban-scale projects. HIA results can be expressed using a variety of metrics that differ in meaningful ways, and guidance is lacking with respect to best practices for the development and use of HIA metrics. This study reviews HIA metrics pertaining to air quality management and presents evaluative criteria for their selection and use. These are illustrated in a case study where PM2.5 concentrations are lowered from 10 to 8μg/m(3) in an urban area of 1.8 million people. Health impact functions are used to estimate the number of premature deaths, unscheduled hospitalizations and other morbidity outcomes. The most common metric in recent quantitative HIAs has been the number of cases of adverse outcomes avoided. Other metrics include time-based measures, e.g., disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), monetized impacts, functional-unit based measures, e.g., benefits per ton of emissions reduced, and other economic indicators, e.g., cost-benefit ratios. These metrics are evaluated by considering their comprehensiveness, the spatial and temporal resolution of the analysis, how equity considerations are facilitated, and the analysis and presentation of uncertainty. In the case study, the greatest number of avoided cases occurs for low severity morbidity outcomes, e.g., asthma exacerbations (n=28,000) and minor-restricted activity days (n=37,000); while DALYs and monetized impacts are driven by the severity, duration and value assigned to a relatively low number of premature deaths (n=190 to 230 per year). The selection of appropriate metrics depends on the problem context and boundaries, the severity of impacts, and community values regarding health. The number of avoided cases provides an estimate of the number of people affected, and monetized impacts facilitate additional economic analyses useful to policy analysis. DALYs are commonly used as an aggregate measure of health impacts and can be used to compare impacts across studies. Benefits per ton metrics may be appropriate when changes in emissions rates can be estimated. To address community concerns and HIA objectives, a combination of metrics is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E Martenies
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Donele Wilkins
- Green Door Initiative, 5555 Conner Street Suite 1017A, Detroit, MI 48213, USA
| | - Stuart A Batterman
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Patil RR, Chetlapally SK, Bagvandas M. Application environmental epidemiology to vehicular air pollution and health effects research. Indian J Occup Environ Med 2015; 19:8-13. [PMID: 26023265 PMCID: PMC4446943 DOI: 10.4103/0019-5278.156999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Vehicular pollution is one of the major contributors to the air pollution in urban areas and perhaps and accounts for the major share of anthropogenic green-house gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides. Knowledge of human health risks related to environmental exposure to vehicular pollution is a current concern. Analyze the range health effects are attributed varied constituents of vehicular air pollution examine evidence for a causal association to specific health effect. In many instances scenario involves exposure to very low doses of putative agents for extended periods, sometimes the period could mean over a lifetime of an individual and yet may result in small increase in health risk that may be imperceptible. Secondary data analysis and literature review. In environmental exposures, traditional epidemiological approaches evaluating mortality and morbidity indicators display many limiting factors such as nonspecificity of biological effects latency time between exposure and magnitude of the effect. Long latency period between exposure and resultant disease, principally for carcinogenic effects and limitation of epidemiological studies for detecting small risk increments. The present paper discusses the methodological challenges in studying vehicular epidemiology and highlights issues that affect the validity of epidemiological studies in vehicular pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan R Patil
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - M Bagvandas
- School of Public Health, SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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9
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Benmarhnia T, Rey L, Cartier Y, Clary CM, Deguen S, Brousselle A. Addressing equity in interventions to reduce air pollution in urban areas: a systematic review. Int J Public Health 2014; 59:933-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s00038-014-0608-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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10
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Burton AJ, Bambrick HJ, Friel S. Is enough attention given to climate change in health service planning? An Australian perspective. Glob Health Action 2014; 7:23903. [PMID: 24947804 PMCID: PMC4064245 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.23903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within an Australian context, the medium to long-term health impacts of climate change are likely to be wide, varied and amplify many existing disorders and health inequities. How the health system responds to these challenges will be best considered in the context of existing health facilities and services. This paper provides a snapshot of the understanding that Australian health planners have of the potential health impacts of climate change. METHODS The first author interviewed (n=16) health service planners from five Australian states and territories using an interpretivist paradigm. All interviews were digitally recorded, key components transcribed and thematically analysed. RESULTS Results indicate that the majority of participants were aware of climate change but not of its potential health impacts. Despite this, most planners were of the opinion that they would need to plan for the health impacts of climate change on the community. CONCLUSION With the best available evidence pointing towards there being significant health impacts as a result of climate change, now is the time to undertake proactive service planning that address market failures within the health system. If considered planning is not undertaken then Australian health system can only deal with climate change in an expensive ad hoc, crisis management manner. Without meeting the challenges of climate change to the health system head on, Australia will remain unprepared for the health impacts of climate change with negative consequences for the health of the Australian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Burton
- School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, Australia;
| | - Hilary J Bambrick
- School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Sharon Friel
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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11
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Fleischer NL, Merialdi M, van Donkelaar A, Vadillo-Ortega F, Martin RV, Betran AP, Souza JP. Outdoor air pollution, preterm birth, and low birth weight: analysis of the world health organization global survey on maternal and perinatal health. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2014; 122:425-30. [PMID: 24508912 PMCID: PMC3984219 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1306837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhaling fine particles (particulate matter with diameter ≤ 2.5 μm; PM2.5) can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and may contribute to onset of preterm labor and other adverse perinatal outcomes. OBJECTIVES We examined whether outdoor PM2.5 was associated with adverse birth outcomes among 22 countries in the World Health Organization Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health from 2004 through 2008. METHODS Long-term average (2001-2006) estimates of outdoor PM2.5 were assigned to 50-km-radius circular buffers around each health clinic where births occurred. We used generalized estimating equations to determine associations between clinic-level PM2.5 levels and preterm birth and low birth weight at the individual level, adjusting for seasonality and potential confounders at individual, clinic, and country levels. Country-specific associations were also investigated. RESULTS Across all countries, adjusting for seasonality, PM2.5 was not associated with preterm birth, but was associated with low birth weight [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.39 for fourth quartile of PM2.5 (> 20.2 μg/m3) compared with the first quartile (< 6.3 μg/m3)]. In China, the country with the largest PM2.5 range, preterm birth and low birth weight both were associated with the highest quartile of PM2.5 only, which suggests a possible threshold effect (OR = 2.54; CI: 1.42, 4.55 and OR = 1.99; CI: 1.06, 3.72 for preterm birth and low birth weight, respectively, for PM2.5 ≥ 36.5 μg/m3 compared with PM2.5 < 12.5 μg/m3). CONCLUSIONS Outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were associated with low birth weight but not preterm birth. In rapidly developing countries, such as China, the highest levels of air pollution may be of concern for both outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy L Fleischer
- University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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Huppé V, Kestens Y, Auger N, Daniel M, Smargiassi A. Residential proximity to gasoline service stations and preterm birth. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:7186-7193. [PMID: 23625119 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1677-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) is a growing public health problem potentially associated with ambient air pollution. Gasoline service stations can emit atmospheric pollutants, including volatile organic compounds potentially implicated in PTB. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between residential proximity to gasoline service stations and PTB. Singleton live births on the Island of Montreal from 1994 to 2006 were obtained (n=267,478). Gasoline service station locations, presence of heavy-traffic roads, and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) were determined using a geographic information system. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PTB and residential proximity to gasoline service stations (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 500 m), accounting for maternal covariates, neighborhood SES, and heavy-traffic roads. For all distance categories beyond 50 m, presence of service stations was associated with a greater odds of PTB. Associations were robust to adjustment for maternal covariates for distance categories of 150 and 200 m but were nullified when adjusting for neighborhood SES. In analyses accounting for the number of service stations, the likelihood of PTB within 250 m was statistically significant in unadjusted models. Associations were, however, nullified in models accounting for maternal covariates or neighborhood SES. Our results suggest that there is no clear association between residential proximity to gasoline service stations in Montreal and PTB. Given the correlation between proximity of gasoline service stations and SES, it is difficult to delineate the role of these factors in PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Huppé
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada,
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Block ML, Elder A, Auten RL, Bilbo SD, Chen H, Chen JC, Cory-Slechta DA, Costa D, Diaz-Sanchez D, Dorman DC, Gold DR, Gray K, Jeng HA, Kaufman JD, Kleinman MT, Kirshner A, Lawler C, Miller DS, Nadadur SS, Ritz B, Semmens EO, Tonelli LH, Veronesi B, Wright RO, Wright RJ. The outdoor air pollution and brain health workshop. Neurotoxicology 2012; 33:972-84. [PMID: 22981845 PMCID: PMC3726250 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that outdoor air pollution may have a significant impact on central nervous system (CNS) health and disease. To address this issue, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institute of Health convened a panel of research scientists that was assigned the task of identifying research gaps and priority goals essential for advancing this growing field and addressing an emerging human health concern. Here, we review recent findings that have established the effects of inhaled air pollutants in the brain, explore the potential mechanisms driving these phenomena, and discuss the recommended research priorities/approaches that were identified by the panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Block
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Campus, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Yang CY, Cheng MH, Chen CC. Effects of Asian dust storm events on hospital admissions for congestive heart failure in Taipei, Taiwan. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2009; 72:324-8. [PMID: 19184748 DOI: 10.1080/15287390802529880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In spring, windblown dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China make their way to Taipei city. These occurrences are known as Asian dust storm (ADS) events. These ADS events lead to enhanced PM(10) levels over those generated by the usual local sources. The objective of this study was to assess the possible associations of PM(10) with hospital admissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) in Taipei, Taiwan, during the period from 1996 to 2001. Fifty-four dust storm episodes, which were classified as index days, were identified. Daily CHF admissions on index days were compared with admissions on comparison days. Two comparison days were selected for each index day, 7 d before the index days and 7 d after the index days. The effects of ADS on hospital admissions for CHF were prominent 1 d after the event (relative risk = 1.114; 95% confidence interval = 0.993-1.250). However, the association was not statistically significant. There may not have been enough power to detect associations resulting from the inadequate sample size of CHF admissions on ADS events days. However, it seems worthwhile to pay more attention to the ADS events and health in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yuh Yang
- Faculty of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,Taiwan.
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