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Golosov N, Wang S, Yu M, Karle NN, Ideki O, Abdul-Hamid B, Blaszczak-Boxe C. Socioeconomic and sociodemographic correlations to COVID-19 variability in the United States in 2020. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1359192. [PMID: 38919927 PMCID: PMC11196783 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1359192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic provided an additional spotlight on the longstanding socioeconomic/health impacts of redlining and has added to the myriad of environmental justice issues, which has caused significant loss of life, health, and productive work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a person with any selected underlying health conditions is more likely to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms, with more than 81% of COVID-19-related deaths among people aged 65 years and older. The effects of COVID-19 are not homogeneous across populations, varying by socioeconomic status, PM2.5 exposure, and geographic location. This variability is supported by analysis of existing data as a function of the number of cases and deaths per capita/1,00,000 persons. We investigate the degree of correlation between these parameters, excluding health conditions and age. We found that socioeconomic variables alone contribute to ~40% of COVID-19 variability, while socioeconomic parameters, combined with political affiliation, geographic location, and PM2.5 exposure levels, can explain ~60% of COVID-19 variability per capita when using an OLS regression model; socioeconomic factors contribute ~28% to COVID-19-related deaths. Using spatial coordinates in a Random Forest (RF) regressor model significantly improves prediction accuracy by ~120%. Data visualization products reinforce the fact that the number of COVID-19 deaths represents 1% of COVID-19 cases in the US and globally. A larger number of democratic voters, larger per-capita income, and age >65 years is negatively correlated (associated with a decrease) with the number of COVID cases per capita. Several distinct regions of negative and positive correlations are apparent, which are dominated by two major regions of anticorrelation: (1) the West Coast, which exhibits high PM2.5 concentrations and fewer COVID-19 cases; and (2) the middle portion of the US, showing mostly high number of COVID-19 cases and low PM2.5 concentrations. This paper underscores the importance of exercising caution and prudence when making definitive causal statements about the contribution of air quality constituents (such as PM2.5) and socioeconomic factors to COVID-19 mortality rates. It also highlights the importance of implementing better health/lifestyle practices and examines the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations, particularly regarding preexisting health conditions and age. Although PM2.5 contributes comparable deaths (~7M) per year, globally as smoking cigarettes (~8.5M), quantifying any causal contribution toward COVID-19 is non-trivial, given the primary causes of COVID-19 death and confounding factors. This becomes more complicated as air pollution was reduced significantly during the lockdowns, especially during 2020. This statistical analysis provides a modular framework, that can be further expanded with the context of multilevel analysis (MLA). This study highlights the need to address socioeconomic and environmental disparities to better prepare for future pandemics. By understanding how factors such as socioeconomic status, political affiliation, geographic location, and PM2.5 exposure contribute to the variability in COVID-19 outcomes, policymakers and public health officials can develop targeted strategies to protect vulnerable populations. Implementing improved health and lifestyle practices and mitigating environmental hazards will be essential in reducing the impact of future public health crises on marginalized communities. These insights can guide the development of more resilient and equitable health systems capable of responding effectively to similar future scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Golosov
- Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Shujie Wang
- Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Manzhu Yu
- Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Nakul N. Karle
- Department of Earth, Environment and Equity, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Oye Ideki
- Department of Earth, Environment and Equity, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Bishara Abdul-Hamid
- Department of Learning, Design, and Technology, Department of Performing Systems, College of Education, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Hong JY, Bang T, Kim SB, Hong M, Jung J. Atmosphere particulate matter and respiratory diseases during COVID-19 in Korea. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10074. [PMID: 38698010 PMCID: PMC11066041 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59643-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the relationship between air pollutants and hospital admissions for respiratory and non-respiratory diseases in six metropolitan cities in South Korea. This study compared the associations between particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and hospital admission for respiratory and non-respiratory diseases before (2016-2019) and during (2020) the implementation of COVID-19 NPIs by using distributed lag non-linear models. In the Pre-COVID-19 period, the association between PM10 and admission risk for asthma and COPD showed an inverted U-shaped pattern. For PM2.5, S-shaped and inverted U-shaped changes were observed in asthma and COPD, respectively. Extremely high and low levels of PM10 and extremely low levels of PM2.5 significantly decreased the risk of admission for asthma and COPD. In the Post-COVID-19 outbreak period, the overall cumulative relationship between PM10 and PM2.5 and respiratory diseases and the effects of extreme levels of PM10 and PM2.5 on respiratory diseases were completely changed. For non-respiratory diseases, PM10 and PM2.5 were statistically insignificant for admission risk during both periods. Our study may provide evidence that implementing NPIs and reducing PM10 and PM2.5 exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to reducing hospital admissions for environment-based respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Young Hong
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Taemo Bang
- AI Product Team, Gmarket, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Bean Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minwoo Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, 38-13, Dokjeom-ro 3beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21565, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehun Jung
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, 38-13, Dokjeom-ro 3beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21565, Republic of Korea.
- Artificial Intelligence and Big-Data Convergence Center, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
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Sagheb S, Gholamrezanezhad A, Pavlovic E, Karami M, Fakhrzadegan M. Country-based modelling of COVID-19 case fatality rate: A multiple regression analysis. World J Virol 2024; 13:87881. [PMID: 38616858 PMCID: PMC11008404 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v13.i1.87881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 outbreak worldwide has caused concern regarding the mortality rate caused by the infection. The determinants of mortality on a global scale cannot be fully understood due to lack of information. AIM To identify key factors that may explain the variability in case lethality across countries. METHODS We identified 21 Potential risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case fatality rate for all the countries with available data. We examined univariate relationships of each variable with case fatality rate (CFR), and all independent variables to identify candidate variables for our final multiple model. Multiple regression analysis technique was used to assess the strength of relationship. RESULTS The mean of COVID-19 mortality was 1.52 ± 1.72%. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between health expenditure, and number of computed tomography scanners per 1 million with CFR, and significant direct correlation was found between literacy, and air pollution with CFR. This final model can predict approximately 97% of the changes in CFR. CONCLUSION The current study recommends some new predictors explaining affect mortality rate. Thus, it could help decision-makers develop health policies to fight COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soodeh Sagheb
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98145, United States
| | - Ali Gholamrezanezhad
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
| | - Elizabeth Pavlovic
- Department of Nursing, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Mohsen Karami
- Department of Orthopedics, Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1516745811, Iran
| | - Mina Fakhrzadegan
- Department of Orthopedics, Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1516745811, Iran
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Martín-Quintero I, Cervera-Sabater A, Cortés-Bretón Brinkmann J, Aragoneses-Lamas JM, Flores-Fraile J, Santos-Marino J. Reduction by air purifier of particulate concentration during orthodontic procedures: a pilot study. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:199. [PMID: 38326811 PMCID: PMC10848394 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-03956-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has raised awareness of the importance of air quality. This pilot study arose from the need to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in the dental office during orthodontic procedures. To evaluate the efficacy of using an air purifier during orthodontic care in the dental office to reduce the concentration of ambient particulate matter. RESULTS Significant reductions in particle numbers were obtained for all particle sizes except the largest particles counted (10 μm) through use of the air filter. A marked association between higher humidity levels and higher particle counts was also observed. CONCLUSIONS Using an air purifier during dental care achieves a significant reduction in the concentration of ambient particles in the dental office. There is a correlation between higher relative humidity and higher particle concentration. The probability of obtaining a maximum particulate concentration level of 0.3 and 0.5 μm is 1000 times lower when using an air purifier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Cervera-Sabater
- Department of Dental Clinical Specialties, Faculty of Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Jorge Cortés-Bretón Brinkmann
- Department of Dental Clinical Specialties, Faculty of Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain.
| | | | - Javier Flores-Fraile
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
| | - Juan Santos-Marino
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
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Li X, Li X, Kang B, Eom Y, Lee HK, Kim DH, Zhong J, Song JS. Effects of particulate matter exposure on the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 receptor in ocular surface tissues and cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:8768-8780. [PMID: 38180673 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31607-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) has been reported to be one of the risk factor for COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, although the ocular surface is deeply affected by both PM exposure and SARS-COV-2 infection, no studies have investigated the effects of PM exposure on the ocular route of SARS-COV-2 infection. To this end, we explored the effects of PM on the expression of SARS-COV-2-associated receptors and proteins in ocular surface. Herein, short- and long-term PM-exposed rat models were established by topically administering PM for 3 and 10 days, respectively. Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and human conjunctival epithelial cells (HCjECs) were exposed to PM. ACE2, TMPRSS2, CD147, and ADAM17 expression levels were measured by western blot analysis. Our results show that short-term PM exposure had little effect on the expressions of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and CD147 in ocular surface tissues. However, long-term PM exposure decreased the ACE2 expression in conjunctival tissues and increased the CD147 expression in corneal or conjunctival tissues. PM exposure reduced the ACE2 expression by increasing the ADAM17 expression and ACE2 shedding level in HCECs and HCjECs. Our findings suggest that long-term PM exposure down-regulate the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 in conjunctival tissues through ADAM17-dependent ACE2 shedding. However, long-term PM exposure up-regulates the expression of another SARS-CoV-2 receptor CD147 in ocular surface tissues, accompanied by ocular surface damage and cytotoxicity. This study provides a new insight into uncovering potential risk factors for infection with SARS-CoV-2 via the ocular route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangzhe Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xuemin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, 80, Guro-Dong, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 152-703, South Korea
| | - Boram Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, 80, Guro-Dong, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 152-703, South Korea
| | - Youngsub Eom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, 80, Guro-Dong, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 152-703, South Korea
| | - Hyung Keun Lee
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, 80, Guro-Dong, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 152-703, South Korea
| | - Jingxiang Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Dongguan, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jong Suk Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, 80, Guro-Dong, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 152-703, South Korea.
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Maleki A, Rezaee R, Aboubakri O, Şahin ÜA, Godini K. Role of air pollution on seasonal distribution of Covid-19: a case study in the west of Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:8031-8042. [PMID: 37518095 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01708-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The seasonal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 might be affected by air pollution. To test the hypothesis, epidemic determinants, namely, shape, timing (Peak and Trough) and size (Peak to Trough Ratio and Excess Risk) of seasonal distribution of the outbreak were compared before and after adjusting for air pollutants in a distributed lag nonlinear model. We controlled for one-lagged outcome and meteorological parameters in the model. We also evaluated interaction effect between air pollutants and season using stratification method. The epidemic determinants were changed after adjusting for PM2.5 and O3 in the model, suggesting the existence of their association with the seasonal distribution of the outbreak. The Excess Risk of season (i.e., the proportion of confirmed Covid-19 cases that were attributed to season; AF) was increased as %4 (%95 CI - 29, 38) after adjusting for PM2.5. Adjusting for O3 in the model resulted in % 1 (%95 CI - 36, 34) decrease in the index. NO, NO2 and SO2 had no association with the seasonal distribution, though the interaction analysis revealed that association of NO2 and SO2 with Covid-19 confirmed cases were significantly higher in fall than winter and spring, respectively. Totally, PM2.5 has negatively associated with the seasonal distribution of the outbreak while O3 has positively associated in the region under study. Although some reasons such as wearing mask and oxidative effect might go before the negative and positive associations, but our results suggests that any association and causation between air pollution and Covid-19 should be carefully interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Maleki
- Environmental Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Reza Rezaee
- Environmental Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Omid Aboubakri
- Environmental Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Ülkü Alver Şahin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kazem Godini
- Environmental Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
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Gonçalves KDS, Cirino GG, da Costa MO, do Couto LDO, Tortelote GG, Hacon SDS. The potential impact of PM2.5 on the covid-19 crisis in the Brazilian Amazon region. Rev Saude Publica 2023; 57:67. [PMID: 37878853 PMCID: PMC10519675 DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2023057005134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess covid-19 morbidity, mortality, and severity from 2020 to 2021 in five Brazilian Amazon states with the highest records of wildfires. METHODS A distributed lag non-linear model was applied to estimate the potential exposure risk association with particulate matter smaller than 2.5-µm in diameter (PM2.5). Daily mean temperature, relative humidity, percentual of community mobility, number of hospital beds, days of the week, and holidays were considered in the final models for controlling the confounding factors. RESULTS The states of Para, Mato Grosso, and Amazonas have reported the highest values of overall cases, deaths, and severe cases of covid-19. The worrying growth in the percentual rates in 2020/2021 for the incidence, severity, and mortality were highlighted in Rondônia and Mato Grosso. The growth in 2020/2021 in the estimations of PM2.5 concentrations was higher in Mato Grosso, with an increase of 24.4%, followed by Rondônia (14.9%). CONCLUSION This study establishes an association between wildfire-generated PM2.5 and increasing covid-19 incidence, mortality, and severity within the studied area. The findings showed that the risk of covid-19 morbidity and mortality is nearly two times higher among individuals exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5. The attributable fraction to PM2.5 in the studied area represents an important role in the risk associated with covid-19 in the Brazilian Amazon region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen dos Santos Gonçalves
- Barcelona Institute for Global HealthBiomedical Data Science TeamBarcelonaSpainBarcelona Institute for Global Health. Biomedical Data Science Team. Barcelona, Spain
- Fundação Oswaldo CruzEscola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio AroucaRio de JaneiroRJBrasil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Glauber G. Cirino
- Universidade Federal do ParáInstituto de GeociênciasBelémPABrasil Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Geociências. Belém, PA, Brasil
| | | | - Lucas de Oliveira do Couto
- Fundação Oswaldo CruzEscola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio AroucaRio de JaneiroRJBrasil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Giovane G. Tortelote
- Tulane UniversityDepartment of PediatricsNew OrleansUnited States Tulane University. Department of Pediatrics. New Orleans, United States
| | - Sandra de Souza Hacon
- Fundação Oswaldo CruzEscola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio AroucaRio de JaneiroRJBrasil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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Aydede Y, Ditzen J. Identifying the regional drivers of influenza-like illness in Nova Scotia, Canada, with dominance analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10114. [PMID: 37344569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37184-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of viral pathogens is inherently a spatial process. While the temporal aspects of viral spread at the epidemiological level have been increasingly well characterized, the spatial aspects of viral spread are still understudied due to a striking absence of theoretical expectations of how spatial dynamics may impact the temporal dynamics of viral populations. Characterizing the spatial transmission and understanding the factors driving it are important for anticipating local timing of disease incidence and for guiding more informed control strategies. Using a unique data set from Nova Scotia, Canada, the objective of this study is to apply a new novel method that recovers a spatial network of the influenza-like viral spread where the regions in their dominance are identified and ranked. We, then, focus on identifying regional predictors of those dominant regions. Our analysis uncovers 18 key regional drivers among 112 regions, each distinguished by unique community-level vulnerability factors such as demographic and economic characteristics. These findings offer valuable insights for implementing targeted public health interventions and allocating resources effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Ditzen
- Free University of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
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El Samaty HS, Waseef AAE, Badawy NM. The effects of city morphology on airborne transmission of COVID-19. Case study: Port Said City, Egypt. URBAN CLIMATE 2023:101577. [PMID: 37362005 PMCID: PMC10258588 DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2023.101577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Looking beyond COVID-19 outbreak, Scholars continue to develop innovative approaches to bring the city on to health and safety. Recent studies have indicated that urban spaces could produce or propagate pathogens, which is an urgent topic at the city level. However, there is a dearth of studies investigating the interrelationship between urban morphology and pandemics outbreak at the neighborhood level. Accordingly, this research will trace the effect of cities morphologies on the rate of spread of COVID-19 through a simulation study held on five areas that form the urban morphology of Port Said City, using Envi-met software. Results are explored based on the degree of concentration and rate of diffusion of coronavirus particles. It was observed on a regular basis that wind speed has a directly proportional relationship with the diffusion of the particles and an inversely proportional relationship with the concentration of the particles. However, certain urban characteristics led to inconsistent and opposing results like wind tunnels, shaded arcades, height variance, and spacious in-between spaces. Moreover, it is obvious that the city morphology is being transformed over time toward safer conditions; urban areas constructed recently have low vulnerability to respiratory pandemics outbreak compared to older areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosam Salah El Samaty
- Dar Al Uloom University (DAU), College of Architectural Engineering and Digital Design, Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Port Said University, Faculty of Engineering, Architectural Engineering and Urban Planning Dept., Port Said, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abd Elaziz Waseef
- Port Said University, Faculty of Engineering, Architectural Engineering and Urban Planning Dept., Port Said, Egypt
- Architectural Engineering Dept., College of Engineering, University of Business and Technology (UBT), Jeddah 21448, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nancy Mahmoud Badawy
- Port Said University, Faculty of Engineering, Architectural Engineering and Urban Planning Dept., Port Said, Egypt
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Aithal SS, Sachdeva I, Kurmi OP. Air quality and respiratory health in children. Breathe (Sheff) 2023; 19:230040. [PMID: 37377853 PMCID: PMC10292770 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0040-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Air pollution is a leading modifiable risk factor for various cardio-respiratory outcomes globally, both for children and for adults. Children are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution due to various physiological and behavioural factors. Children are at a higher risk of outcomes such as acute respiratory infections, asthma and decreased lung function due to air pollution exposure; the risk varies in different geographical regions, depending on the source of air pollution, duration of exposures and concentration. Prenatal exposure to air pollution may also contribute to adverse respiratory outcomes later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ishaan Sachdeva
- Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Om P. Kurmi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Faculty Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
- Nexus Institute of Research and Innovation, Lalitpur, Nepal
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Ghobakhloo S, Khoshakhlagh AH, Mostafaii GR, Chuang KJ, Gruszecka-Kosowska A, Hosseinnia P. Critical air pollutant assessments and health effects attributed to PM 2.5 during and after COVID-19 lockdowns in Iran: application of AirQ + models. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1120694. [PMID: 37304093 PMCID: PMC10249069 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1120694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in air quality index (AQI) values before, during, and after lockdown, as well as to evaluate the number of hospitalizations due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases attributed to atmospheric PM2.5 pollution in Semnan, Iran in the period from 2019 to 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Daily air quality records were obtained from the global air quality index project and the US Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). In this research, the AirQ+ model was used to quantify health consequences attributed to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5). Results The results of this study showed positive correlations between air pollution levels and reductions in pollutant levels during and after the lockdown. PM2.5 was the critical pollutant for most days of the year, as its AQI was the highest among the four investigated pollutants on most days. Mortality rates from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attributed to PM2.5 in 2019-2021 were 25.18% in 2019, 22.55% in 2020, and 22.12% in 2021. Mortality rates and hospital admissions due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases decreased during the lockdown. The results showed a significant decrease in the percentage of days with unhealthy air quality in short-term lockdowns in Semnan, Iran with moderate air pollution. Natural mortality (due to all-natural causes) and other mortalities related to COPD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), lung cancer (LC), and stroke attributed to PM2.5 in 2019-2021 decreased. Conclusion Our results support the general finding that anthropogenic activities cause significant health threats, which were paradoxically revealed during a global health crisis/challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiye Ghobakhloo
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Gholam Reza Mostafaii
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Kai-Jen Chuang
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics, and Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Pariya Hosseinnia
- Department of Public Health, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran
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AlMalki FA, Albukhaty S, Alyamani AA, Khalaf MN, Thomas S. The relevant information about the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using the five-question approach (when, where, what, why, and how) and its impact on the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:61430-61454. [PMID: 35175517 PMCID: PMC8852932 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is regarded as a threat because it spreads quickly across the world without requiring a passport or establishing an identity. This tiny virus has wreaked havoc on people's lives, killed people, and created psychological problems all over the world. The viral spike protein (S) significantly contributes to host cell entry, and mutations associated with it, particularly in the receptor-binding protein (RBD), either facilitate the escape of virus from neutralizing antibodies or enhance its transmission by increasing the affinity for cell entry receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The initial variants identified in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK have spread to various countries. On the other hand, new variants are being detected in India and the USA. The viral genome and proteome were applied for molecular detection techniques, and nanotechnology particles and materials were utilized in protection and prevention strategies. Consequently, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in extraordinary scientific community efforts to develop detection methods, diagnosis tools, and effective antiviral drugs and vaccines, where prevailing academic, governmental, and industrial institutions and organizations continue to engage themselves in large-scale screening of existing drugs, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, COVID-19 pointed on the possible solutions for the environmental pollution globe problem. Therefore, this review aims to address SARS-CoV-2, its transmission, where it can be found, why it is severe in some people, how it can be stopped, its diagnosis and detection techniques, and its relationship with the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizah A AlMalki
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Salim Albukhaty
- Deptartment of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Misan, Maysan, 62001, Iraq
| | - Amal A Alyamani
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Moayad N Khalaf
- Deptartment of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
| | - Sabu Thomas
- Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, 686 560, India
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Marín-Palma D, Tabares-Guevara JH, Zapata-Cardona MI, Zapata-Builes W, Taborda N, Rugeles MT, Hernandez JC. PM10 promotes an inflammatory cytokine response that may impact SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1161135. [PMID: 37180105 PMCID: PMC10166799 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1161135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the last decades, a decrease in air quality has been observed, mainly associated with anthropogenic activities. Air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), have been associated with adverse effects on human health, such as exacerbation of respiratory diseases and infections. High levels of PM in the air have recently been associated with increased morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 in some regions of the world. Objective To evaluate the effect of coarse particulate matter (PM10) on the inflammatory response and viral replication triggered by SARS-CoV-2 using in vitro models. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were treated with PM10 and subsequently exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (D614G strain, MOI 0.1). The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antiviral factors was quantified by qPCR and ELISA. In addition, using the A549 cell line, previously exposed to PM, the viral replication was evaluated by qPCR and plaque assay. Results SARS-CoV-2 stimulation increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PBMC, such as IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, but not antiviral factors. Likewise, PM10 induced significant production of IL-6 in PBMCs stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 and decreased the expression of OAS and PKR. Additionally, PM10 induces the release of IL-1β in PBMC exposed to SARS-CoV-2 as well as in a co-culture of epithelial cells and PBMCs. Finally, increased viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 was shown in response to PM10. Conclusion Exposure to coarse particulate matter increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-6, and may alter the expression of antiviral factors, which are relevant for the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. These results suggest that pre-exposure to air particulate matter could have a modest role in the higher production of cytokines and viral replication during COVID-19, which eventually could contribute to severe clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damariz Marín-Palma
- Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jorge H. Tabares-Guevara
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
| | - María I. Zapata-Cardona
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
| | - Wildeman Zapata-Builes
- Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
| | - Natalia Taborda
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigaciones Biomédicas Uniremington, Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Maria T. Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan C. Hernandez
- Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
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Disparities in Underlying Health Conditions and COVID-19 Infection and Mortality in Louisiana, USA. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023; 10:805-816. [PMID: 35445324 PMCID: PMC9020552 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-022-01268-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Louisiana is ranked among the top 10 states with the highest COVID-19 death rate in the USA, and African Americans (AA) that account 32.2% (1.5 million) of the state's population have been impacted differentially with higher rates of chronic health conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. These conditions can compromise immune systems and increase susceptibility to COVID-19. Prior health disparity and COVID-19 studies in Louisiana are limited to comprehensively evaluate the risk of underlying health conditions on COVID-19 incidence and death in minority communities and thus the study aims to address this research gap. METHODS Negative binomial regression analyses were used to correlate risk factors with COVID-19 incidence and death rates using SAS software. Spatial distribution and burden of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates were mapped using ArcGIS Pro. RESULTS We found that AA COVID-19 death was three times higher than other races, and mortality rate was ten times higher in counties with more than 40% AA. Highest AA case and death counts were found in Orleans County; mortality rate in Bienville; and incidence rate in East Feliciana. Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were significantly correlated with both COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates in AA. Greater odds of incidence and death rates also found in counties with higher AA population density with higher burden of underlying health conditions. Furthermore, living in poverty, being 65 years and older significantly influenced COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights the need to reduce the burden of health disparities in underserved communities, and help to inform the public, scientific communities, and policy makers to plan effective responses to reduce the risks of COVID-19 infection, death, and other potential infectious diseases at the state.
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Jana A, Kundu S, Shaw S, Chakraborty S, Chattopadhyay A. Spatial shifting of COVID-19 clusters and disease association with environmental parameters in India: A time series analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 222:115288. [PMID: 36682443 PMCID: PMC9850905 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The viability and virulence of COVID-19 are complex in nature. Although the relationship between environmental parameters and COVID-19 is well studied across the globe, in India, such studies are limited. This research aims to explore long-term exposure to weather conditions and the role of air pollution on the infection spread and mortality due to COVID-19 in India. METHOD District-level COVID-19 data from April 26, 2020 to July 10, 2021 was used for the study. Environmental determinants such as land surface temperature, relative humidity (RH), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) were considered for analysis. The bivariate spatial association was used to explore the spatial relationship between Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and these environmental factors. Further, the Bayesian multivariate linear regression model was applied to observe the association between environmental factors and the CFR of COVID-19. RESULTS Spatial shifting of COVID-19 cases from Western to Southern and then Eastern parts of India were well observed. The infection rate was highly concentrated in most of the Western and Southern regions of India, while the CFR shows more concentration in Northern India along with Maharashtra. Four main spatial clusters of infection were recognized during the study period. The time-series analysis indicates significantly more CFR with higher AOD, O3, and NO2 in India. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 is highly associated with environmental parameters and air pollution in India. The study provides evidence to warrant consideration of environmental parameters in health models to mediate potential solutions. Cleaner air is a must to mitigate COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arup Jana
- Department of Population and Development, International Institute for Population Sciences, Deonar, Mumbai, 400088, India.
| | - Sampurna Kundu
- Center of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Subhojit Shaw
- Department of Population and Development, International Institute for Population Sciences, Deonar, Mumbai, 400088, India.
| | - Sukanya Chakraborty
- IMPRS Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences, University of Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Aparajita Chattopadhyay
- Department of Population and Development, International Institute for Population Sciences, Deonar, Mumbai, 400088, India.
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Bam N. Analysis of Country-Level Risk Factors of COVID-19 Mortality Across Countries of Asia: A Generalised Estimating Equation Approach. JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/09720634221150866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
This research aimed to investigate the death counts from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across Asian countries by selecting 42 countries with a nonzero death count. Several studies have assessed personal-level factors that affect mortality rates in patients with COVID-19. However, the influence of country-level factors is still debatable. The results of a generalised estimating equation confirmed that the expected death counts across the countries in the middle quartile group of gross domestic product, upper quartile group of population density and lower quartile group of hospital bed count were higher than those in the countries in other quartile groups. The results further confirmed the positive association of the percentage of the population aged ≥65 years and time (day) with the death count. Visualisations and descriptive statistics showed that the death count increased over time across the Asian countries, with maximum death count occurring in the third quarter of the year 2020. These findings support the recommendation that countries with lower number of hospital beds per 1,000 persons, higher percentage of the population aged 65 years and older and middle and lower economies should take more precautions to reduce the death count from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirajan Bam
- Department of Applied Statistics and Research Methods, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, United States
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17
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Mehmood W, Alsmady AA, Amin S, Mohd-Rashid R, Aman-Ullah A. Environmental pollution and sustainability of IPO performance: evidence from the Pakistani Market. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:30073-30086. [PMID: 36427127 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23985-8] [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: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the effect of air pollution on the initial return of IPOs in Pakistan. Cross-sectional data were used to examine 102 listed IPOs on Pakistan Stock Exchange between 1996 and 2019. Ordinary least squares and quantile least squares were employed to examine the influence of air pollution on IPO initial returns. Lastly, stepwise regression was utilised for additional analysis. According to the findings, in the presence of high air pollution, IPO initial returns also increase due to higher uncertainty. The findings demonstrate that air pollution intensifies a company's information environment and financial uncertainty. Therefore, addressing environmental challenges is critical for both public health and capital formation. This study's findings will increase companies' awareness of the economic effect of air pollution, particularly in a country where air pollution is strictly regulated. This study provides businesses with an economic reason to reduce their pollution levels, and it can also help regulators pass environmental laws that are aimed at addressing this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqas Mehmood
- School of Economics, Finance and Banking, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia.
| | - Ahnaf Ali Alsmady
- Accounting Department, Faculty of Business Administration, (University of Tabuk), Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saqib Amin
- Department of Economics, Accounting and Finance, Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, 90570, Oulu, Finland
| | - Rasidah Mohd-Rashid
- School of Economics, Finance and Banking, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Attia Aman-Ullah
- School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
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Dahu BM, Alaboud K, Nowbuth AA, Puckett HM, Scott GJ, Sheets LR. The Role of Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis for Understanding COVID-19 Population Severity: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4298. [PMID: 36901308 PMCID: PMC10002247 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Remote sensing (RS), satellite imaging (SI), and geospatial analysis have established themselves as extremely useful and very diverse domains for research associated with space, spatio-temporal components, and geography. We evaluated in this review the existing evidence on the application of those geospatial techniques, tools, and methods in the coronavirus pandemic. We reviewed and retrieved nine research studies that directly used geospatial techniques, remote sensing, or satellite imaging as part of their research analysis. Articles included studies from Europe, Somalia, the USA, Indonesia, Iran, Ecuador, China, and India. Two papers used only satellite imaging data, three papers used remote sensing, three papers used a combination of both satellite imaging and remote sensing. One paper mentioned the use of spatiotemporal data. Many studies used reports from healthcare facilities and geospatial agencies to collect the type of data. The aim of this review was to show the use of remote sensing, satellite imaging, and geospatial data in defining features and relationships that are related to the spread and mortality rate of COVID-19 around the world. This review should ensure that these innovations and technologies are instantly available to assist decision-making and robust scientific research that will improve the population health diseases outcomes around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Butros M. Dahu
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Khuder Alaboud
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- NextGen Biomedical Informatics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Avis Anya Nowbuth
- Pan African Organization for Health Education and Research (POHER), Manchester, MO 63011, USA
| | - Hunter M. Puckett
- Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Grant J. Scott
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Lincoln R. Sheets
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Islam ARMT, Al Awadh M, Mallick J, Pal SC, Chakraborty R, Fattah MA, Ghose B, Kakoli MKA, Islam MA, Naqvi HR, Bilal M, Elbeltagi A. Estimating ground-level PM 2.5 using subset regression model and machine learning algorithms in Asian megacity, Dhaka, Bangladesh. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2023; 16:1117-1139. [PMID: 37303964 PMCID: PMC9961308 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-023-01329-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has become a prominent pollutant due to rapid economic development, urbanization, industrialization, and transport activities, which has serious adverse effects on human health and the environment. Many studies have employed traditional statistical models and remote-sensing technologies to estimate PM2.5 concentrations. However, statistical models have shown inconsistency in PM2.5 concentration predictions, while machine learning algorithms have excellent predictive capacity, but little research has been done on the complementary advantages of diverse approaches. The present study proposed the best subset regression model and machine learning approaches, including random tree, additive regression, reduced error pruning tree, and random subspace, to estimate the ground-level PM2.5 concentrations over Dhaka. This study used advanced machine learning algorithms to measure the effects of meteorological factors and air pollutants (NOX, SO2, CO, and O3) on the dynamics of PM2.5 in Dhaka from 2012 to 2020. Results showed that the best subset regression model was well-performed for forecasting PM2.5 concentrations for all sites based on the integration of precipitation, relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, SO2, NOX, and O3. Precipitation, relative humidity, and temperature have negative correlations with PM2.5. The concentration levels of pollutants are much higher at the beginning and end of the year. Random subspace is the optimal model for estimating PM2.5 because it has the least statistical error metrics compared to other models. This study suggests ensemble learning models to estimate PM2.5 concentrations. This study will help quantify ground-level PM2.5 concentration exposure and recommend regional government actions to prevent and regulate PM2.5 air pollution. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01329-w.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammed Al Awadh
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421 Saudi Arabia
| | - Javed Mallick
- Department of Civil Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Subodh Chandra Pal
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal 713104 India
| | - Rabin Chakraborty
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal 713104 India
| | - Md. Abdul Fattah
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Bonosri Ghose
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Rangpur, 5400 Bangladesh
| | | | - Md. Aminul Islam
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Rangpur, 5400 Bangladesh
| | - Hasan Raja Naqvi
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Surveying and Land Information Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 45003 China
| | - Ahmed Elbeltagi
- Agricultural Engineering Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
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Outdoor Air Pollution and Childhood Respiratory Disease: The Role of Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054345. [PMID: 36901776 PMCID: PMC10001616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The leading mechanisms through which air pollutants exert their damaging effects are the promotion of oxidative stress, the induction of an inflammatory response, and the deregulation of the immune system by reducing its ability to limit infectious agents' spreading. This influence starts in the prenatal age and continues during childhood, the most susceptible period of life, due to a lower efficiency of oxidative damage detoxification, a higher metabolic and breathing rate, and enhanced oxygen consumption per unit of body mass. Air pollution is involved in acute disorders like asthma exacerbations and upper and lower respiratory infections, including bronchiolitis, tuberculosis, and pneumoniae. Pollutants can also contribute to the onset of chronic asthma, and they can lead to a deficit in lung function and growth, long-term respiratory damage, and eventually chronic respiratory illness. Air pollution abatement policies, applied in the last decades, are contributing to mitigating air quality issues, but more efforts should be encouraged to improve acute childhood respiratory disease with possible positive long-term effects on lung function. This narrative review aims to summarize the most recent studies on the links between air pollution and childhood respiratory illness.
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Yu S, Hsueh L. Do wildfires exacerbate COVID-19 infections and deaths in vulnerable communities? Evidence from California. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 328:116918. [PMID: 36529003 PMCID: PMC9705198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116918] [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: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding whether and how wildfires exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes is important for assessing the efficacy and design of public sector responses in an age of more frequent and simultaneous natural disasters and extreme events. Drawing on environmental and emergency management literatures, we investigate how wildfire smoke (PM2.5) impacted COVID-19 infections and deaths during California's 2020 wildfire season and how public housing resources and hospital capacity moderated wildfires' effects on COVID-19 outcomes. We also hypothesize and empirically assess the differential impact of wildfire smoke on COVID-19 infections and deaths in counties exhibiting high and low social vulnerability. To test our hypotheses concerning wildfire severity and its disproportionate impact on COVID-19 outcomes in socially vulnerable communities, we construct a county-by-day panel dataset for the period April 1 to November 30, 2020, in California, drawing on publicly available state and federal data sources. This study's empirical results, based on panel fixed effects models, show that wildfire smoke is significantly associated with increases in COVID-19 infections and deaths. Moreover, wildfires exacerbated COVID-19 outcomes by depleting the already scarce hospital and public housing resources in local communities. Conversely, when wildfire smoke doubled, a one percent increase in the availability of hospital and public housing resources was associated with a 2 to 7 percent decline in COVID-19 infections and deaths. For California communities exhibiting high social vulnerability, the occurrence of wildfires worsened COVID-19 outcomes. Sensitivity analyses based on an alternative sample size and different measures of social vulnerability validate this study's main findings. An implication of this study for policymakers is that communities exhibiting high social vulnerability will greatly benefit from local government policies that promote social equity in housing and healthcare before, during, and after disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyang Yu
- School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, 411 N Central Ave Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
| | - Lily Hsueh
- School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, 411 N Central Ave Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA; Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Arregocés HA, Rojano R, Restrepo G. Health risk assessment for particulate matter: application of AirQ+ model in the northern Caribbean region of Colombia. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2023; 16:897-912. [PMID: 36819789 PMCID: PMC9930048 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-023-01304-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is considered the world's most important environmental and public health risk. The annual exposure for particulate matter (PM) in the northern Caribbean region of Colombia between 2011 and 2019 was determined using PM records from 25 monitoring stations located within the area. The impact of exposure to particulate matter was assessed through the updated Global Burden of Disease health risk functions using the AirQ+ model for mortality attributable to acute lower respiratory disease (in children ≤ 4 years); mortality in adults aged > 18 years old attributable to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke; and all-cause post-neonatal infant mortality. The proportions of the prevalence of bronchitis in children and the incidence of chronic bronchitis in adults attributable to PM exposure were also estimated for the population at risk. Weather Research and Forecasting-California PUFF (WRF-CALPUFF) modeling systems were used to estimate the spatiotemporal trends and calculate mortality relative risk due to prolonged PM2.5 exposure. Proportions of mortality attributable to long-term exposure to PM2.5 were estimated to be around 11.6% of ALRI deaths in children ≤ 4 years of age, 16.1% for COPD, and 26.6% for IHD in adults. For LC and stroke, annual proportions attributable to PM exposure were estimated to be 9.1% and 18.9%, respectively. An estimated 738 deaths per year are directly attributed to particulate matter pollution. The highest number of deaths per year is recorded in the adult population over 18 years old with a mean of 401 events. The mean risk in terms of the prevalence of bronchitis attributable to air pollution in children was determined to be 109 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The maximum RR values for mortality (up 1.95%) from long-term PM2.5 exposure were predicted to correspond to regions downwind to the industrial zone. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01304-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli A. Arregocés
- Grupo de Investigación GISA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, Colombia
- Grupo Procesos Fisicoquímicos Aplicados, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia SIU/UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52–21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Roberto Rojano
- Grupo de Investigación GISA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, Colombia
| | - Gloria Restrepo
- Grupo Procesos Fisicoquímicos Aplicados, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia SIU/UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52–21, Medellín, Colombia
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Podury S, Kwon S, Javed U, Farooqi MS, Li Y, Liu M, Grunig G, Nolan A. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Particulate Matter Exposure: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:538. [PMID: 36836898 PMCID: PMC9962044 DOI: 10.3390/life13020538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Particulate matter (PM) exposure is responsible for seven million deaths annually and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of respiratory infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Understanding modifiable risk factors of high mortality, resource burdensome C19 and exposure risks such as PM is key to mitigating their devastating effects. This systematic review focuses on the literature available, identifying the spatial and temporal variation in the role of quantified PM exposure in SARS disease outcome and planning our future experimental studies. METHODS The systematic review utilized keywords adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. We included original human research studies in English. RESULTS Initial search yielded N = 906, application of eligibility criteria yielded N = 46. Upon analysis of risk of bias N = 41 demonstrated high risk. Studies found a positive association between elevated PM2.5, PM10 and SARS-related outcomes. A geographic and temporal variation in both PM and C19's role was observed. CONCLUSION C19 is a high mortality and resource intensive disease which devastated the globe. PM exposure is also a global health crisis. Our systematic review focuses on the intersection of this impactful disease-exposure dyad and understanding the role of PM is important in the development of interventions to prevent future spread of viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjiti Podury
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.P.); (S.K.); (U.J.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Sophia Kwon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.P.); (S.K.); (U.J.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Urooj Javed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.P.); (S.K.); (U.J.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Muhammad S. Farooqi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.P.); (S.K.); (U.J.); (M.S.F.)
| | - Yiwei Li
- Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Mengling Liu
- Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.L.); (M.L.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Gabriele Grunig
- Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Anna Nolan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.P.); (S.K.); (U.J.); (M.S.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSoM), New York, NY 10016, USA;
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Singh BP, Sohrab SS, Athar M, Alandijany TA, Kumari S, Nair A, Kumari S, Mehra K, Chowdhary K, Rahman S, Azhar EI. Substantial Changes in Selected Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Associations with Health Risk Assessments in Industrial Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic. TOXICS 2023; 11:165. [PMID: 36851040 PMCID: PMC9963041 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments in many countries worldwide, including India, imposed several restriction measures, including lockdowns, to prevent the spread of the infection. COVID-19 lockdowns led to a reduction in gaseous and particulate pollutants in ambient air. In the present study, we investigated the substantial changes in selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and associations with health risk assessments in industrial areas. VOC data from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021 were collected from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) website, to identify percentage changes in VOC levels before, during, and after COVID-19. The mean TVOC levels at all monitoring stations were 47.22 ± 30.15, 37.19 ± 37.19, and 32.81 ± 32.81 µg/m3 for 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. As a result, the TVOC levels gradually declined in consecutive years due to the pandemic in India. The mean TVOC levels at all monitoring stations declined from 9 to 61% during the pandemic period as compared with the pre-pandemic period. In the current study, the T/B ratio values ranged from 2.16 (PG) to 26.38 (NL), which indicated that the major pollutant contributors were traffic and non-traffic sources during the pre-pandemic period. The present findings indicated that TVOC levels had positive but low correlations with SR, BP, RF, and WD, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.034, 0.118, 0.012, and 0.007, respectively, whereas negative correlations were observed with AT and WS, with correlation coefficients (r) of -0.168 and -0.150, respectively. The lifetime cancer risk (LCR) value for benzene was reported to be higher in children, followed by females and males, for the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. A nationwide scale-up of this study's findings might be useful in formulating future air pollution reduction policies associated with a reduction in health risk factors. Furthermore, the present study provides baseline data for future studies on the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the air quality of a region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupendra Pratap Singh
- Department of Environmental Studies, Deshbadhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110019, India
- Delhi School of Climate Change and Sustainability (Institute of Eminence), University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India
| | - Sayed Sartaj Sohrab
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Athar
- Science and Technology Unit, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamir A. Alandijany
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saumya Kumari
- Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110019, India
| | - Arathi Nair
- Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110019, India
| | - Sweety Kumari
- Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110019, India
| | - Kriti Mehra
- Department of Life Science, Deshbadhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110019, India
| | - Khyati Chowdhary
- Department of Life Science, Deshbadhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110019, India
| | - Shakilur Rahman
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110019, India
| | - Esam Ibraheem Azhar
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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25
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Ma R, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Li X, Ji Z. The Relationship between the Transmission of Different SARS-CoV-2 Strains and Air Quality: A Case Study in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20031943. [PMID: 36767307 PMCID: PMC9916065 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global public health concern for almost three years, and the transmission characteristics vary among different virus variants. Previous studies have investigated the relationship between air pollutants and COVID-19 infection caused by the original strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, it is unclear whether individuals might be more susceptible to COVID-19 due to exposure to air pollutants, with the SARS-CoV-2 mutating faster and faster. This study aimed to explore the relationship between air pollutants and COVID-19 infection caused by three major SARS-CoV-2 strains (the original strain, Delta variant, and Omicron variant) in China. A generalized additive model was applied to investigate the associations of COVID-19 infection with six air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3). A positive correlation might be indicated between air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, and NO2) and confirmed cases of COVID-19 caused by different SARS-CoV-2 strains. It also suggested that the mutant variants appear to be more closely associated with air pollutants than the original strain. This study could provide valuable insight into control strategies that limit the concentration of air pollutants at lower levels and would better control the spread of COVID-19 even as the virus continues to mutate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ma
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
- International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutants Exposure and Eco-Environmental Health, Xi’an 710119, China
| | - Yeyue Zhang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
- International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutants Exposure and Eco-Environmental Health, Xi’an 710119, China
| | - Yini Zhang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
- International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutants Exposure and Eco-Environmental Health, Xi’an 710119, China
| | - Xi Li
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
- International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutants Exposure and Eco-Environmental Health, Xi’an 710119, China
| | - Zheng Ji
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China
- International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutants Exposure and Eco-Environmental Health, Xi’an 710119, China
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26
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Antonietti R, Falbo P, Fontini F. The Wealth of Nations and the First Wave of COVID-19 Diffusion. ITALIAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL 2023. [PMCID: PMC8591320 DOI: 10.1007/s40797-021-00174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A large debate has risen about the hypothesis that “COVID-19 is a disease for the rich ones” suggesting that both its diffusion and mortality rates are somehow linked with economic wealth. In this study we observe a sample of 138 countries during the first wave contagion period, namely the 5 weeks between 24 March and 21 April 2020. Using different data sources, our estimates show that both the early infection and the mortality rates of COVID-19 are higher in wealthier countries, more precisely in countries with a higher GDP per capita. As an explanation of this finding, we also find that both mortality and infection rates increase with a higher share of elderly population and with the international flows of imported goods or tourists. However, the death rate decreases in countries with higher endowments of health facilities. We also demonstrate that these results are robust to simultaneity, unobserved heterogeneity, the possible poor quality of the data on COVID-19 deaths, and the extension of the time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Antonietti
- Marco Fanno” Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Falbo
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fulvio Fontini
- Marco Fanno” Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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27
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Chakrabortty R, Pal SC, Ghosh M, Arabameri A, Saha A, Roy P, Pradhan B, Mondal A, Ngo PTT, Chowdhuri I, Yunus AP, Sahana M, Malik S, Das B. Weather indicators and improving air quality in association with COVID-19 pandemic in India. Soft comput 2023; 27:3367-3388. [PMID: 34276248 PMCID: PMC8276232 DOI: 10.1007/s00500-021-06012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic enforced nationwide lockdown, which has restricted human activities from March 24 to May 3, 2020, resulted in an improved air quality across India. The present research investigates the connection between COVID-19 pandemic-imposed lockdown and its relation to the present air quality in India; besides, relationship between climate variables and daily new affected cases of Coronavirus and mortality in India during the this period has also been examined. The selected seven air quality pollutant parameters (PM10, PM2.5, CO, NO2, SO2, NH3, and O3) at 223 monitoring stations and temperature recorded in New Delhi were used to investigate the spatial pattern of air quality throughout the lockdown. The results showed that the air quality has improved across the country and average temperature and maximum temperature were connected to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This outcomes indicates that there is no such relation between climatic parameters and outbreak and its associated mortality. This study will assist the policy maker, researcher, urban planner, and health expert to make suitable strategies against the spreading of COVID-19 in India and abroad. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00500-021-06012-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabin Chakrabortty
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal India
| | - Subodh Chandra Pal
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal India
| | - Manoranjan Ghosh
- Centre for Rural Development and Sustainable Innovative Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal India
| | - Alireza Arabameri
- Department of Geomorphology, Tarbiat Modares University, 14117-13116 Tehran, Iran
| | - Asish Saha
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal India
| | - Paramita Roy
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal India
| | - Biswajeet Pradhan
- Centre for Advanced Modelling and Geospatial Information Systems (CAMGIS), Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007 Australia ,Department of Energy and Mineral Resources Engineering, Sejong University, Choongmu-gwan, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006 Korea ,Center of Excellence for Climate Change Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80234, Jeddah, 21589 Saudi Arabia ,Earth Observation Center, Institute of Climate Change, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Ayan Mondal
- Ecology and Environmental Modelling Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal India
| | - Phuong Thao Thi Ngo
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000 Vietnam
| | - Indrajit Chowdhuri
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal India
| | - Ali P. Yunus
- Centre for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, 305-8506 Japan
| | - Mehebub Sahana
- School of Environment, Education and Development, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
| | - Sadhan Malik
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal India
| | - Biswajit Das
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal India
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28
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Yan KX. How do the stay-at-home (SAH) orders affect air quality? Evidence from the northeastern USA. EMPIRICAL ECONOMICS 2023; 64:2085-2103. [PMID: 36320925 PMCID: PMC9613088 DOI: 10.1007/s00181-022-02318-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines whether the SAH orders, implemented in the USA from mid-March to late May 2020, improved air quality in the northeastern states. The estimates are based on panel data from the Environmental Protection Agency and an identification strategy that exploits the exogenous variation in the timing of the SAH orders. We find that the SAH orders reduced the concentrations of the air pollutants nitrogen dioxide ( NO 2 ) and carbon monoxide (CO), whose dominant source is motor vehicle emissions, by approximately 24% and 13%, respectively. The effects were larger for areas of high population density and areas near major roads. We also find that the reductions got smaller, and air pollution gradually approached normal levels, after the orders were lifted. This suggests that the air quality improvements were temporary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen X. Yan
- School of Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30313 USA
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29
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Mijani N, Karimi Firozjaei M, Mijani M, Khodabakhshi A, Qureshi S, Jokar Arsanjani J, Alavipanah SK. Exploring the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on urban cooling: A tale of three cities. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 2023; 71:1017-1033. [PMID: 36186546 PMCID: PMC9514961 DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2022.09.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on our society, environment and public health, in both positive and negative ways. The main aim of this study is to monitor the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on urban cooling. To do so, satellite images of Landsat 8 for Milan and Rome in Italy, and Wuhan in China were used to look at pre-lockdown and during the lockdown. First, the surface biophysical characteristics for the pre-lockdown and within-lockdown dates of COVID-19 were calculated. Then, the land surface temperature (LST) retrieved from Landsat thermal data was normalized based on cold pixels LST and statistical parameters of normalized LST (NLST) were calculated. Thereafter, the correlation coefficient (r) between the NLST and index-based built-up index (IBI) was estimated. Finally, the surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) of different cities on the lockdown and pre-lockdown periods was compared with each other. The mean NLST of built-up lands in Milan (from 7.71 °C to 2.32 °C), Rome (from 5.05 °C to 3.54 °C) and Wuhan (from 3.57 °C to 1.77 °C) decreased during the lockdown dates compared to pre-lockdown dates. The r (absolute value) between NLST and IBI for Milan, Rome and Wuhan decreased from 0.43, 0.41 and 0.16 in the pre-lockdown dates to 0.25, 0.24, and 0.12 during lockdown dates respectively, which shows a large decrease for all cities. Analysis of SUHI for these cities showed that SUHII during the lockdown dates compared to pre-lockdown dates decreased by 0.89 °C, 1.78 °C, and 1.07 °C respectively. The results indicated a high and substantial impact of anthropogenic activities and anthropogenic heat flux (AHF) on the SUHI due to the substantial reduction of huge anthropogenic pressure in cities. Our conclusions draw attention to the contribution of COVID-19 lockdowns (reducing the anthropogenic activities) to creating cooler cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naeim Mijani
- Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Moein Mijani
- Department of Geography and Urban planning, Faculty of Geography, Payame Noor University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Adeleh Khodabakhshi
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Salman Qureshi
- Institute of Geography, Humboldt University of Berlin, Rudower Chaussee 16, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jamal Jokar Arsanjani
- Geoinformatics Research Group, Department of Planning and Development, Aalborg University Copenhagen, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, DK-2450 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Seyed Kazem Alavipanah
- Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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30
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Al-halabi SK, Almoutiri A, Alhasani K, Alsherbi R. COVID-19 Associated Neurological Manifestation. Cureus 2023; 15:e33712. [PMID: 36793821 PMCID: PMC9925040 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At the end of 2019, COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan. In March 2020, COVID-19 became a pandemic globally. Saudi Arabia registered the first case of COVID-19 on March 2, 2020. This research aimed to identify the prevalence of different neurological manifestations of COVID-19 and to assess the relation of the severity, vaccination state, and continuity of symptoms to the occurrence of these symptoms. METHODS Cross-sectional retrospective study was done in Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted on previously diagnosed COVID-19 patients by random selection using a predesigned online questionnaire to collect data. Data was entered through Excel and analyzed through SPSS version 23. RESULTS The study showed that the most common neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients are headache (75.8%), changes in sense of smell and taste (74.1%), muscle pain (66.2%), and mood disturbance (depression, anxiety) (49.7%). Whereas other neurological manifestations such as weakness of the limbs, loss of consciousness, seizure, confusion, and vision changes are significantly associated with older individuals, this may lead to increased mortality and morbidity in these patients. CONCLUSION COVID-19 is associated with many neurological manifestations in the population of Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of neurological manifestations is similar to many previous studies, where acute neurological manifestations such as loss of consciousness and convulsions are seen more in older individuals which may lead to increased mortality and worse outcomes. Other self-limited symptoms such as headache and change in smell function i.e., anosmia or hyposmia were more pronounced in those <40 years. This mandates more attention to elderly patients with COVID-19, to early detect common neurological manifestations associated with it, and to apply preventive measures known to improve the outcome of these symptoms.
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31
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Paital B, Das K. Spike in pollution to ignite the bursting of COVID-19 second wave is more dangerous than spike of SAR-CoV-2 under environmental ignorance in long term: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:85595-85611. [PMID: 34390474 PMCID: PMC8363867 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Specific areas in many countries such as Italy, India, China, Brazil, Germany and the USA have witnessed that air pollution increases the risk of COVID-19 severity as particulate matters transmit the virus SARS-CoV-2 and causes high expression of ACE2, the receptor for spike protein of the virus, especially under exposure to NO2, SO2 and NOx emissions. Wastewater-based epidemiology of COVID-19 is also noticed in many countries such as the Netherlands, the USA, Paris, France, Australia, Spain, Italy, Switzerland China, India and Hungary. Soil is also found to be contaminated by the RNA of SARS-CoV-2. Activities including defecation and urination by infected people contribute to the source for soil contamination, while release of wastewater containing cough, urine and stool of infected people from hospitals and home isolation contributes to the source of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in both water and soil. Detection of the virus early before the outbreak of the disease supports this fact. Based on this information, spike in pollution is found to be more dangerous in long-term than the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. It is because the later one may be controlled in future within months or few years by vaccination and with specific drugs, but the former one provides base for many diseases including the current and any future pandemics. Although such predictions and the positive effects of SARS-CoV-2 on environment was already forecasted after the first wave of COVID-19, the learnt lesson as spotlight was not considered as one of the measures for which 2nd wave has quickly hit the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswaranjan Paital
- Redox Regulation Laboratory, Department of Zoology, College of Basic Science and Humanities, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India.
| | - Kabita Das
- Department of Philosophy, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India
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32
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Giffin A, Gong W, Majumder S, Rappold AG, Reich BJ, Yang S. Estimating intervention effects on infectious disease control: The effect of community mobility reduction on Coronavirus spread. SPATIAL STATISTICS 2022; 52:100711. [PMID: 36284923 PMCID: PMC9584839 DOI: 10.1016/j.spasta.2022.100711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the effects of interventions, such as restrictions on community and large group gatherings, is critical to controlling the spread of COVID-19. Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) models are traditionally used to forecast the infection rates but do not provide insights into the causal effects of interventions. We propose a spatiotemporal model that estimates the causal effect of changes in community mobility (intervention) on infection rates. Using an approximation to the SIR model and incorporating spatiotemporal dependence, the proposed model estimates a direct and indirect (spillover) effect of intervention. Under an interference and treatment ignorability assumption, this model is able to estimate causal intervention effects, and additionally allows for spatial interference between locations. Reductions in community mobility were measured by cell phone movement data. The results suggest that the reductions in mobility decrease Coronavirus cases 4 to 7 weeks after the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Giffin
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, 2311 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States of America
| | - Wenlong Gong
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, 2311 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States of America
| | - Suman Majumder
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Ana G Rappold
- Environmental Protection Agency, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States of America
| | - Brian J Reich
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, 2311 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States of America
| | - Shu Yang
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, 2311 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States of America
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Dorn F, Lange B, Braml M, Gstrein D, Nyirenda JLZ, Vanella P, Winter J, Fuest C, Krause G. The challenge of estimating the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 interventions - Toward an integrated economic and epidemiological approach. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2022; 49:101198. [PMID: 36630757 PMCID: PMC9642024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2022.101198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Decisions on public health measures to contain a pandemic are often based on parameters such as expected disease burden and additional mortality due to the pandemic. Both pandemics and non-pharmaceutical interventions to fight pandemics, however, produce economic, social, and medical costs. The costs are, for example, caused by changes in access to healthcare, social distancing, and restrictions on economic activity. These factors indirectly influence health outcomes in the short- and long-term perspective. In a narrative review based on targeted literature searches, we develop a comprehensive perspective on the concepts available as well as the challenges of estimating the overall disease burden and the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 interventions from both epidemiological and economic perspectives, particularly during the early part of a pandemic. We review the literature and discuss relevant components that need to be included when estimating the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The review presents data sources and different forms of death counts, and discusses empirical findings on direct and indirect effects of the pandemic and interventions on disease burden as well as the distribution of health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Dorn
- ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, Munich, Germany; Department of Economics, University of Munich (LMU), Germany; CESifo Munich, Germany.
| | - Berit Lange
- Epidemiology Department, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany; Hannover Medical School (MHH), Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Martin Braml
- ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, Munich, Germany; World Trade Organization, Economic Research and Statistics Division, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Gstrein
- ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, Munich, Germany; Department of Economics, University of Munich (LMU), Germany
| | - John L Z Nyirenda
- Epidemiology Department, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany; University Hospital Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrizio Vanella
- Epidemiology Department, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany; Hannover Medical School (MHH), Germany; Department of Health Reporting & Biometrics, aQua-Institut, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joachim Winter
- Department of Economics, University of Munich (LMU), Germany; CESifo Munich, Germany
| | - Clemens Fuest
- ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, Munich, Germany; Department of Economics, University of Munich (LMU), Germany; CESifo Munich, Germany
| | - Gérard Krause
- Epidemiology Department, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany; Hannover Medical School (MHH), Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
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Haque MN, Sharif MS, Rudra RR, Mahi MM, Uddin MJ, Ellah RG. Analyzing the spatio-temporal directions of air pollutants for the initial wave of Covid-19 epidemic over Bangladesh: Application of satellite imageries and Google Earth Engine. REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS 2022; 28:100862. [PMID: 36349349 PMCID: PMC9633110 DOI: 10.1016/j.rsase.2022.100862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
One of the most critical issues for city viability and global health is air quality. The shutdown interval for the COVID-19 outbreaks has turned into an ecological experiment, allowing researchers to explore the influence of human/industrial operations on air quality. In this study, we have observed and examined the spatial pattern of air pollutants, specifically CO, NO2, SO2, O3 as well as AOD Over Bangladesh. For that reason, the timeline was chosen from March 2019 to October 2020 (before and during the first surge of COVID-19). The full analysis has been performed in Google Earth Engine (GEE). The findings showed that, CO, SO2, and AOD levels dropped significantly, but SO2 dropped slowly and O3 levels were similar, with marginally greater quantities in some areas during the lockdown than in 2019. During the shutdown, the association involving airborne pollutants and weather parameters (temperature and rainfall) revealed that rainfall and temperature were directly associated with air pollutants. COVID-19 mortality had a high positive connection with NO2 (R2 = 0.145; r = 0.38) and AOD (R2 = 0.17; r = 0.412). It is also found that various air impurities concentration has a strong relationship with Covid death. It would help the policymakers and officials to gain a better understanding of the sources of atmospheric emissions to develop a substantial proof of short- and long-term mitigation ways to enhance air quality and reduce the associated disease and disability burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Nazmul Haque
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan,Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Khulna University Engineering & Technology, Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh,Corresponding author. School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Room # 208, URP Building, KUET, Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Shahriar Sharif
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Khulna University Engineering & Technology, Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh
| | - Rhyme Rubayet Rudra
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Khulna University Engineering & Technology, Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh
| | - Mahdi Mansur Mahi
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Khulna University Engineering & Technology, Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Jahir Uddin
- Department of Civil Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh
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Abe KC, Rodrigues MA, Miraglia SGEK. Health impact assessment of air pollution in Lisbon, Portugal. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2022; 72:1307-1315. [PMID: 36048722 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2022.2118192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lisbon has about 500,000 inhabitants and it's the capital and the main economic hub of Portugal. Studies have demonstrated that exposure to Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter<2.5 μm (PM2.5) have strong association with health effects. Researchers continue to identify new harmful air pollutants effects in our health even in low levels. OBJECTIVES This study evaluates air pollution scenarios considering a Health Impact Assessment approach in Lisbon, Portugal. METHODS We have studied abatement scenarios of PM2.5 concentrations and the health effects in the period from 2015 to 2017 using the APHEKOM tool and the associated health costs were assessed by Value of Life Year. RESULTS The mean concentration of PM2.5 in Lisbon was 23 μg/m3 ± 10 μg/m3 (±Standard Deviation). If we consider that World Health Organization (WHO) standards of PM2.5 (10 μg/m3) were reached, Lisbon would avoid more than 423 premature deaths (equivalent to 9,172 life years' gain) and save more than US$45 million annually. If Lisbon city could even diminish the mean of PM2.5 by 5 μg/m3, nearly 165 deaths would be avoided, resulting in a gain of US$17 million annually. CONCLUSION According to our findings, if considered the worst pollution scenario, levels of PM2.5 could improve the life's quality and save a significant amount of economic resources.Implications: The manuscript addresses the health effects and costs of air pollution and constitutes an important target for improving public policies on air pollutants in Portugal. Although Portugal has low levels of air pollution, there are significant health and economic effects that, for the most part, are underreported. The health impact assessment approach associated with costs had not yet been addressed in Portugal, which makes this study more relevant in the analysis of policies aimed to drive stricter control on pollutants' emissions. Health costs are a fundamental element to support decision-making process and to orientate the trade-offs in investments for improving public policies so that to diminish health effects, which can impact the management of the local health services and the population's quality of life, especially after the pandemic period when resources are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Camasmie Abe
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas - ICAQF, Laboratório de Economia, Saúde e Poluição Ambiental, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matilde Alexandra Rodrigues
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Ambiental - CISA e Centro de Investigação em Reabilitação, Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas - ICAQF, Laboratório de Economia, Saúde e Poluição Ambiental, São Paulo, Brazil
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Sussman RA, Golberstein E, Polosa R. Analytic modeling and risk assessment of aerial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus through vaping expirations in shared micro-environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:83020-83044. [PMID: 35754079 PMCID: PMC9244239 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20499-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that airborne transmission of COVID-19 in indoor spaces occurs through various respiratory activities: breathing, vocalizing, coughing, and sneezing. However, there is a complete lack of knowledge of its possible transmission through exhalations of e-cigarette aerosol (ECA), which is also a respiratory activity. E-cigarettes have become widely popular among smokers seeking a much safer way of nicotine consumption than smoking. Due to restrictive lockdown measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, many smokers and vapers (e-cigarette users) were confined to shared indoor spaces, making it necessary to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 virus aerial transmission through their exhalations. We summarize inferred knowledge of respiratory particles emission and transport through ECA, as well as a theoretical framework for explaining the visibility of exhaled ECA, which has safety implications and is absent in other respiratory activities (apart from smoking). We also summarize and briefly discuss the effects of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccination rates, and environmental factors that may influence the spread of COVID-19. To estimate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 virus aerial transmission associated with vaping exhalations, we adapt a theoretical risk model that has been used to analyze the risks associated with other respiratory activities in shared indoor spaces. We consider home and restaurant scenarios, with natural and mechanical ventilation, with occupants wearing and not wearing face masks. We consider as "control case" or baseline risk scenario an indoor space (home and restaurant) where respiratory droplets and droplet nuclei are uniformly distributed and aerial contagion risk might originate exclusively from occupants exclusively rest breathing, assuming this to be the only (unavoidable) respiratory activity they all carry on. If an infected occupant uses an e-cigarette in a home or restaurant scenarios, bystanders not wearing face masks exposed to the resulting ECA expirations face a [Formula: see text] increase of risk of contagion with respect the control case. This relative added risk with respect to the control case becomes [Formula: see text] for high-intensity vaping, [Formula: see text], and over [Formula: see text] for speaking for various periods or coughing (all without vaping). Infectious emissions are significantly modified by mechanical ventilation, face mask usage, vaccination, and environmental factors, but given the lack of empiric evidence, we assume as a working hypothesis that all basic parameters of respiratory activities are equally (or roughly equally) affected by these factors. Hence, the relative risk percentages with respect to the control state should remain roughly the same under a wide range of varying conditions. By avoiding direct exposure to the visible exhaled vaping jet, wearers of commonly used face masks are well protected from respiratory droplets and droplet nuclei directly emitted by mask-less vapers. Compared to the control case of an already existing (unavoidable) risk from continuous breathing, vaping emissions in shared indoor spaces pose just a negligible additional risk of COVID-19 contagion. We consider that it is not necessary to take additional preventive measures beyond those already prescribed (1.5 m separation and wearing face masks) in order to protect bystanders from this contagion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto A Sussman
- Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eliana Golberstein
- Myriad Pharmaceuticals Limited, Unit 3, 36 Greenpark Rd, Penrose, 1061, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of HArm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Hassan MA, Mehmood T, Lodhi E, Bilal M, Dar AA, Liu J. Lockdown Amid COVID-19 Ascendancy over Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution Anomaly. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13540. [PMID: 36294120 PMCID: PMC9603700 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Air is a diverse mixture of gaseous and suspended solid particles. Several new substances are being added to the air daily, polluting it and causing human health effects. Particulate matter (PM) is the primary health concern among these air toxins. The World Health Organization (WHO) addressed the fact that particulate pollution affects human health more severely than other air pollutants. The spread of air pollution and viruses, two of our millennium's most serious concerns, have been linked closely. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can spread through the air, and PM could act as a host to spread the virus beyond those in close contact. Studies on COVID-19 cover diverse environmental segments and become complicated with time. As PM pollution is related to everyday life, an essential awareness regarding PM-impacted COVID-19 among the masses is required, which can help researchers understand the various features of ambient particulate pollution, particularly in the era of COVID-19. Given this, the present work provides an overview of the recent developments in COVID-19 research linked to ambient particulate studies. This review summarizes the effect of the lockdown on the characteristics of ambient particulate matter pollution, the transmission mechanism of COVID-19, and the combined health repercussions of PM pollution. In addition to a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the lockdown, its rationales-based on topographic and socioeconomic dynamics-are also discussed in detail. The current review is expected to encourage and motivate academics to concentrate on improving air quality management and COVID-19 control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Azher Hassan
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tariq Mehmood
- College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ehtisham Lodhi
- The SKL for Management and Control of Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Surveying and Land Information Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Afzal Ahmed Dar
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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Zorena K, Jaskulak M, Michalska M, Mrugacz M, Vandenbulcke F. Air Pollution, Oxidative Stress, and the Risk of Development of Type 1 Diabetes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1908. [PMID: 36290631 PMCID: PMC9598917 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite multiple studies focusing on environmental factors conducive to the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), knowledge about the involvement of long-term exposure to air pollution seems insufficient. The main focus of epidemiological studies is placed on the relationship between exposure to various concentrations of particulate matter (PM): PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (O3), versus the risk of T1DM development. Although the specific molecular mechanism(s) behind the link between increased air pollution exposure and a higher risk of diabetes and metabolic dysfunction is yet unknown, available data indicate air pollution-induced inflammation and oxidative stress as a significant pathway. The purpose of this paper is to assess recent research examining the association between inhalation exposure to PM and associated metals and the increasing rates of T1DM worldwide. The development of modern and more adequate methods for air quality monitoring is also introduced. A particular emphasis on microsensors, mobile and autonomous measuring platforms, satellites, and innovative approaches of IoT, 5G connections, and Block chain technologies are also presented. Reputable databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were used to search for relevant literature. Eligibility criteria involved recent publication years, particularly publications within the last five years (except for papers presenting a certain novelty or mechanism for the first time). Population, toxicological and epidemiological studies that focused particularly on fine and ultra-fine PM and associated ambient metals, were preferred, as well as full-text publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Zorena
- Department of Immunobiology and Environment Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Jaskulak
- Department of Immunobiology and Environment Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Michalska
- Department of Immunobiology and Environment Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Mrugacz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Białystok, Poland
| | - Franck Vandenbulcke
- Laboratoire de Génie Civil et Géo-Environnement, Univ. Lille, IMT Lille Douai, University Artois, YncreaHauts-de-France, ULR4515-LGCgE, F-59000 Lille, France
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Liu X, Kortoçi P, Motlagh NH, Nurmi P, Tarkoma S. A survey of COVID-19 in public transportation: Transmission risk, mitigation and prevention. MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION 2022. [PMCID: PMC9174338 DOI: 10.1016/j.multra.2022.100030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is posing significant challenges to public transport operators by drastically reducing demand while also requiring them to implement measures that minimize risks to the health of the passengers. While the collective scientific understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 pandemic are rapidly increasing, currently there is a lack of understanding of how the COVID-19 relates to public transport operations. This article presents a comprehensive survey of the current research on COVID-19 transmission mechanisms and how they relate to public transport. We critically assess literature through a lens of disaster management and survey the main transmission mechanisms, forecasting, risks, mitigation, and prevention mechanisms. Social distancing and control on passenger density are found to be the most effective mechanisms. Computing and digital technology can support risk control. Based on our survey, we draw guidelines for public transport operators and highlight open research challenges to establish a research roadmap for the path forward.
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Sheridan C, Klompmaker J, Cummins S, James P, Fecht D, Roscoe C. Associations of air pollution with COVID-19 positivity, hospitalisations, and mortality: Observational evidence from UK Biobank. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119686. [PMID: 35779662 PMCID: PMC9243647 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Individual-level studies with adjustment for important COVID-19 risk factors suggest positive associations of long-term air pollution exposure (particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide) with COVID-19 infection, hospitalisations and mortality. The evidence, however, remains limited and mechanisms unclear. We aimed to investigate these associations within UK Biobank, and to examine the role of underlying chronic disease as a potential mechanism. UK Biobank COVID-19 positive laboratory test results were ascertained via Public Health England and general practitioner record linkage, COVID-19 hospitalisations via Hospital Episode Statistics, and COVID-19 mortality via Office for National Statistics mortality records from March-December 2020. We used annual average outdoor air pollution modelled at 2010 residential addresses of UK Biobank participants who resided in England (n = 424,721). We obtained important COVID-19 risk factors from baseline UK Biobank questionnaire responses (2006-2010) and general practitioner record linkage. We used logistic regression models to assess associations of air pollution with COVID-19 outcomes, adjusted for relevant confounders, and conducted sensitivity analyses. We found positive associations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with COVID-19 positive test result after adjustment for confounders and COVID-19 risk factors, with odds ratios of 1.05 (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.02, 1.08), and 1.05 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.08), respectively. PM 2.5 and NO 2 were positively associated with COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths in minimally adjusted models, but not in fully adjusted models. No associations for PM10 were found. In analyses with additional adjustment for pre-existing chronic disease, effect estimates were not substantially attenuated, indicating that underlying chronic disease may not fully explain associations. We found some evidence that long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with a COVID-19 positive test result in UK Biobank, though not with COVID-19 hospitalisations or deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sheridan
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Jochem Klompmaker
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, United States.
| | - Steven Cummins
- Population Health Innovation Lab, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London, United Kingdom.
| | - Peter James
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, United States; Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Suite 401 East, Boston, MA, 02215, United States.
| | - Daniela Fecht
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom.
| | - Charlotte Roscoe
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, United States; MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, United States.
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Chakraborty S, Dey T, Jun Y, Lim CY, Mukherjee A, Dominici F. A Spatiotemporal Analytical Outlook of the Exposure to Air Pollution and COVID-19 Mortality in the USA. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL, BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS 2022; 27:419-439. [PMID: 35106052 PMCID: PMC8795746 DOI: 10.1007/s13253-022-00487-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The world is experiencing a pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19. The USA is also suffering from a catastrophic death toll from COVID-19. Several studies are providing preliminary evidence that short- and long-term exposure to air pollution might increase the severity of COVID-19 outcomes, including a higher risk of death. In this study, we develop a spatiotemporal model to estimate the association between exposure to fine particulate matter PM2.5 and mortality accounting for several social and environmental factors. More specifically, we implement a Bayesian zero-inflated negative binomial regression model with random effects that vary in time and space. Our goal is to estimate the association between air pollution and mortality accounting for the spatiotemporal variability that remained unexplained by the measured confounders. We applied our model to four regions of the USA with weekly data available for each county within each region. We analyze the data separately for each region because each region shows a different disease spread pattern. We found a positive association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and the mortality from the COVID-19 disease for all four regions with three of four being statistically significant. Data and code are available at our GitHub repository. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanujit Dey
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Yoonbae Jun
- Department of Statistics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Korea
| | - Chae Young Lim
- Department of Statistics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Korea
| | - Anish Mukherjee
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY USA
| | - Francesca Dominici
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
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Burns CJ, LaKind JS, Naiman J, Boon D, Clougherty JE, Rule AM, Zidek A. Research on COVID-19 and air pollution: A path towards advancing exposure science. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113240. [PMID: 35390303 PMCID: PMC8979614 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an extraordinary incidence of morbidity and mortality, with almost 6 million deaths worldwide at the time of this writing (https://covid19.who.int/). There has been a pressing need for research that would shed light on factors - especially modifiable factors - that could reduce risks to human health. At least several hundred studies addressing the complex relationships among transmission of SARS-CoV-2, air pollution, and human health have been published. However, these investigations are limited by available and consistent data. The project goal was to seek input into opportunities to improve and fund exposure research on the confluence of air pollution and infectious agents such as SARS-CoV-2. Thirty-two scientists with expertise in exposure science, epidemiology, risk assessment, infectious diseases, and/or air pollution responded to the outreach for information. Most of the respondents expressed value in developing a set of common definitions regarding the extent and type of public health lockdown. Traffic and smoking ranked high as important sources of air pollution warranting source-specific research (in contrast with assessing overall ambient level exposures). Numerous important socioeconomic factors were also identified. Participants offered a wide array of inputs on what they considered to be essential studies to improve our understanding of exposures. These ranged from detailed mechanistic studies to improved air quality monitoring studies and prospective cohort studies. Overall, many respondents indicated that these issues require more research and better study design. As an exercise to solicit opinions, important concepts were brought forth that provide opportunities for scientific collaboration and for consideration for funding prioritization. Further conversations on these concepts are needed to advance our thinking on how to design research that moves us past the documented limitations in the current body of research and prepares us for the next pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol J Burns
- Burns Epidemiology Consulting, LLC, 255 W Sunset Ct., Sanford, MI, 48657, USA.
| | - Judy S LaKind
- LaKind Associates, LLC, 106 Oakdale Avenue, Catonsville, MD, 21228, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Josh Naiman
- Naiman Consulting, LLC, 504 S 44th St, Apt 2, Phila, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Denali Boon
- Corteva Agriscience, 9330 Zionsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46268, USA.
| | - Jane E Clougherty
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, 3215 Market St, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Ana M Rule
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Angelika Zidek
- Existing Substances Risk Assessment Bureau, 269 Laurier Ave, West, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Naseri K, Aliashrafzadeh H, Otadi M, Ebrahimzadeh F, Badfar H, Alipourfard I. Human Responses in Public Health Emergencies for Infectious Disease Control: An Overview of Controlled Topologies for Biomedical Applications. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2022; 2022:6324462. [PMID: 36105443 PMCID: PMC9458400 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6324462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 originated in Wuhan city of Hubei Province in China in December three years ago. Since then, it has spread to more than 210 countries and territories. This disease is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. The virus has a size of one to two nanometers and a single-stranded positive RNA. Droplets spread the virus from coughing and sneezing. This condition causes coughing, fever, acute respiratory problems, and even death. According to the WHO, the virus can survive outside the body for several hours. This research aimed to determine how environmental factors influenced the COVID-19 virus's survival and behavior, as well as its transmission, in a complex environment. Based on the results, virus transmissions are influenced by various human and environmental factors such as population distribution, travel, social behavior, and climate change. Environmental factors have not been adequately examined concerning the transmission of this epidemic. Thus, it is necessary to examine various aspects of prevention and control of this disease, including its effects on climate and other environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Naseri
- Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maryam Otadi
- Chemical Engineering Department, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnoosh Ebrahimzadeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Homayoun Badfar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Urmia University of Technology (UUT), PO Box: 57166-419, Urmia, Iran
| | - Iraj Alipourfard
- Institute of Biology,Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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Vila D, J McDermott TK. On the frontlines : An exploratory analysis of unequal exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 in the United States. Int J Equity Health 2022; 21:105. [PMID: 35927667 PMCID: PMC9351071 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-022-01705-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent literature has suggested a link between poor air quality and worse COVID-19 outcomes. In the United States, this link is particularly noteworthy because of residential sorting along ethnic lines within the US population; minorities are disproportionately exposed to health hazards, including air pollution. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have also been disproportionately concentrated amongst minorities. We explore the association between air quality and COVID-19 outcomes, using county level data for the United States from the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, and test whether exposure to more polluted air can account for some of the observed disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vila
- Centre for Economic Research on Inclusivity and Sustainability (CERIS) J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Thomas K J McDermott
- Centre for Economic Research on Inclusivity and Sustainability (CERIS) J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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45
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Deng M, Lai G, Li Q, Li W, Pan Y, Li K. Impact analysis of COVID-19 pandemic control measures on nighttime light and air quality in cities. REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS : SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 27:100806. [PMID: 35812796 PMCID: PMC9249667 DOI: 10.1016/j.rsase.2022.100806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected human society on a global scale. COVID-19 pandemic control measures have led to significant changes in nighttime light (NTL) and air quality. Four cities that were severely impacted by the pandemic and that implemented different pandemic control measures, namely, Wuhan (China), Delhi (India), New York (United States), and Rome (Italy), were selected as study areas. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and air quality data were used to study the variation characteristics of NTL and air quality in the four cities in 2020. NTL brightness in Wuhan, Delhi, New York, and Rome decreased by 8.88%, 17.18%, 8.21%, and 6.33%, respectively, compared with pre-pandemic levels; in the resumption phase Wuhan and Rome NTL brightness recovered by 13.74% and 3.38%, but Delhi and New York decreased by 16.23% and 4.99%. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in the lockdown periods of Wuhan, Delhi, New York, and Rome decreased by 65.07%, 68.75%, 55.59%, and 56.81%, respectively; PM2.5 decreased by 49.25%, 69.40%, 52.54%, and 66.67%. Air quality improved, but ozone (O3) concentrations increased significantly during the lockdown periods. The methods presented herein can be used to investigate the impact of pandemic control measures on urban lights and air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Deng
- College of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330022, China
| | - Geying Lai
- College of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330022, China
- The Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330022, China
| | - Qiyue Li
- College of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330022, China
| | - Wenya Li
- College of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330022, China
| | - Yue Pan
- College of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330022, China
| | - Kai Li
- Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330201, China
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Buikstra JE, DeWitte SN, Agarwal SC, Baker BJ, Bartelink EJ, Berger E, Blevins KE, Bolhofner K, Boutin AT, Brickley MB, Buzon MR, de la Cova C, Goldstein L, Gowland R, Grauer AL, Gregoricka LA, Halcrow SE, Hall SA, Hillson S, Kakaliouras AM, Klaus HD, Knudson KJ, Knüsel CJ, Larsen CS, Martin DL, Milner GR, Novak M, Nystrom KC, Pacheco-Forés SI, Prowse TL, Robbins Schug G, Roberts CA, Rothwell JE, Santos AL, Stojanowski C, Stone AC, Stull KE, Temple DH, Torres CM, Toyne JM, Tung TA, Ullinger J, Wiltschke-Schrotta K, Zakrzewski SR. Twenty-first century bioarchaeology: Taking stock and moving forward. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2022; 178 Suppl 74:54-114. [PMID: 36790761 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This article presents outcomes from a Workshop entitled "Bioarchaeology: Taking Stock and Moving Forward," which was held at Arizona State University (ASU) on March 6-8, 2020. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the School of Human Evolution and Social Change (ASU), and the Center for Bioarchaeological Research (CBR, ASU), the Workshop's overall goal was to explore reasons why research proposals submitted by bioarchaeologists, both graduate students and established scholars, fared disproportionately poorly within recent NSF Anthropology Program competitions and to offer advice for increasing success. Therefore, this Workshop comprised 43 international scholars and four advanced graduate students with a history of successful grant acquisition, primarily from the United States. Ultimately, we focused on two related aims: (1) best practices for improving research designs and training and (2) evaluating topics of contemporary significance that reverberate through history and beyond as promising trajectories for bioarchaeological research. Among the former were contextual grounding, research question/hypothesis generation, statistical procedures appropriate for small samples and mixed qualitative/quantitative data, the salience of Bayesian methods, and training program content. Topical foci included ethics, social inequality, identity (including intersectionality), climate change, migration, violence, epidemic disease, adaptability/plasticity, the osteological paradox, and the developmental origins of health and disease. Given the profound changes required globally to address decolonization in the 21st century, this concern also entered many formal and informal discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E Buikstra
- Center for Bioarchaeological Research, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Sharon N DeWitte
- Department of Anthropology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sabrina C Agarwal
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Brenda J Baker
- Center for Bioarchaeological Research, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Eric J Bartelink
- Department of Anthropology, California State University, Chico, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Berger
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Katelyn Bolhofner
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Alexis T Boutin
- Department of Anthropology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, USA
| | - Megan B Brickley
- Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michele R Buzon
- Department of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Carlina de la Cova
- Department of Anthropology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Lynne Goldstein
- Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Anne L Grauer
- Department of Anthropology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lesley A Gregoricka
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Social Work, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Siân E Halcrow
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sarah A Hall
- Center for Bioarchaeological Research, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Simon Hillson
- Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ann M Kakaliouras
- Department of Anthropology, Whittier College, Whittier, California, USA
| | - Haagen D Klaus
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Kelly J Knudson
- Center for Bioarchaeological Research, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Christopher J Knüsel
- Préhistoire à l'Actuel: Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie, University of Bordeaux, CNRS, MC, PACEA, UMR5199, F-33615, Pessac, France
| | | | - Debra L Martin
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - George R Milner
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mario Novak
- Center for Applied Bioanthropology, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kenneth C Nystrom
- Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, New York, USA
| | | | - Tracy L Prowse
- Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gwen Robbins Schug
- Environmental Health Program, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Jessica E Rothwell
- Center for Bioarchaeological Research, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Ana Luisa Santos
- Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Christopher Stojanowski
- Center for Bioarchaeological Research, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Anne C Stone
- Center for Bioarchaeological Research, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Kyra E Stull
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Daniel H Temple
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Christina M Torres
- Department of Anthropology and Heritage Studies, University of California, Merced, USA, and Instituto de Arqueología y Antropología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - J Marla Toyne
- Department of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Tiffiny A Tung
- Department of Anthropology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jaime Ullinger
- Bioanthropology Research Institute, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut, USA
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47
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Lee KS, Min HS, Jeon JH, Choi YJ, Bang JH, Sung HK. The association between greenness exposure and COVID-19 incidence in South Korea: An ecological study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:154981. [PMID: 35378185 PMCID: PMC8975592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapid spread of COVID-19 has caused an emergency situation worldwide. Investigating the association between environmental characteristics and COVID-19 incidence can be of the occurrence and transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between greenness exposure and COVID-19 cases at the district levels in South Korea. We also explored this association by considering several environmental indicators. METHODS District-level data from across South Korea were used to model the cumulative count of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons between January 20, 2020, and February 25, 2021. Greenness exposure data were derived from the Environmental Geographic Information Service of the Korean Ministry of Environment. A negative binomial mixed model evaluated the association between greenness exposure and COVID-19 incidence rate at the district level. Furthermore, we assessed this association between demographic, socioeconomic, environmental statuses, and COVID-19 incidence. RESULTS Data from 239 of 250 districts (95.6%) were included in the analyses, resulting in 127.89 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons between January 20, 2020 and February 25, 2021. Several demographic and socioeconomic variables, districts with a higher rate of natural greenness exposure, were significantly associated with lower COVID-19 incidence rates (incidence rate ratio (IRR), 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.54-0.90; P-value = 0.008) after adjusting covariates, but no evidence for the association between built greenness and COVID-19 incidence rates was found. CONCLUSION In this ecological study of South Korea, we found that higher rates of exposure to natural greenness were associated with lower rates of COVID-19 cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Shin Lee
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hye Sook Min
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Hyun Jeon
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea; Department of Infectious disease, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoon-Jung Choi
- National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Gyeonggi-do 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Hwan Bang
- Office for the Central Infectious Disease Hospital, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ho Kyung Sung
- Research Institute for Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea; National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea.
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48
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Mehmood K, Mushtaq S, Bao Y, Bibi S, Yaseen M, Khan MA, Abrar MM, Ulhassan Z, Fahad S, Petropoulos GP. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on air pollution: a global research framework, challenges, and future perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:52618-52634. [PMID: 35262893 PMCID: PMC8906062 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19484-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
As a result of extreme modifications in human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the status of air quality has recently been improved. This bibliometric study was conducted on a global scale to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air pollution, identify the emerging challenges, and discuss the future perspectives during the course of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For this, we have estimated the scientific production trends between 2020 and 2021 and investigated the contributions of countries, institutions, authors, and most prominent journals metrics network analysis on the topic of COVID-19 combined with air pollution research spanning the period between January 01, 2020, and June 21, 2021. The search strategy retrieved a wide range of 2003 studies published in scientific journals from the Web of Sciences Core Collection (WoSCC). The findings indicated that (1) publications on COVID-19 pandemic and air pollution were 990 (research articles) in 2021 with 1870 citations; however, the year 2020 witnessed only 830 research articles with a large number 16,600 of citations. (2) China ranked first in the number of publications (n = 365; 18.22% of the global output) and was the main country in international cooperation network, followed by the USA (n = 278; 13.87% of the global output) and India (n = 216; 10.78 of the total articles). (3) By exploring the co-occurrence and links strengths of keywords "COVID-19" (1075; 1092), "air pollution" (286; 771), "SARS-COV-2" (252; 1986). (4) The lessons deduced from the COVID-19 pandemic provide defined measures to reduce air pollution globally. The outcomes of the present study also provide useful guidelines for future research programs and constitute a baseline for researchers in the domain of environmental and health sciences to estimate the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Mehmood
- Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education (KLME), Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC)/Collaborative Innovation Center On Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD)/CMA Key Laboratory for Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
- School of Atmospheric Physics, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | | | - Yansong Bao
- Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education (KLME), Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC)/Collaborative Innovation Center On Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD)/CMA Key Laboratory for Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
- School of Atmospheric Physics, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
| | - Sadia Bibi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yaseen
- Faculty of Sciences, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ajmal Khan
- Deanship of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Mohsin Abrar
- College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, 510225, Guangzhou, China
- Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Land Pollution and Integrated Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zaid Ulhassan
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Laboratory of Spectroscopy Sensing, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shah Fahad
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, Hainan, China.
- Department of Agronomy, University of Haripur, Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
| | - George P Petropoulos
- Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens, El. Venizelou 70, 17671, Kallithea, Athens, Greece
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49
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Brainard J, Rushton S, Winters T, Hunter PR. Spatial Risk Factors for Pillar 1 COVID-19 Excess Cases and Mortality in Rural Eastern England, UK. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2022; 42:1571-1584. [PMID: 34601734 PMCID: PMC8661982 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13835] [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: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding is still developing about spatial risk factors for COVID-19 infection or mortality. This is a secondary analysis of patient records in a confined area of eastern England, covering persons who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 through end May 2020, including dates of death and residence area. We obtained residence area data on air quality, deprivation levels, care home bed capacity, age distribution, rurality, access to employment centers, and population density. We considered these covariates as risk factors for excess cases and excess deaths in the 28 days after confirmation of positive Covid status relative to the overall case load and death recorded for the study area as a whole. We used the conditional autoregressive Besag-York-Mollie model to investigate the spatial dependency of cases and deaths allowing for a Poisson error structure. Structural equation models were applied to clarify relationships between predictors and outcomes. Excess case counts or excess deaths were both predicted by the percentage of population age 65 years, care home bed capacity and less rurality: older population and more urban areas saw excess cases. Greater deprivation did not correlate with excess case counts but was significantly linked to higher mortality rates after infection. Neither excess cases nor excess deaths were predicted by population density, travel time to local employment centers, or air quality indicators. Only 66% of mortality was explained by locally high case counts. Higher deprivation clearly linked to higher COVID-19 mortality separate from wider community prevalence and other spatial risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julii Brainard
- Norwich Medical SchoolUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Steve Rushton
- School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Tim Winters
- Insight and AnalyticsNorfolk County CouncilNorwichUK
| | - Paul R. Hunter
- Norwich Medical SchoolUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
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50
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Brainard J, Rushton S, Winters T, Hunter PR. Spatial Risk Factors for Pillar 1 COVID-19 Excess Cases and Mortality in Rural Eastern England, UK. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2022; 42:1571-1584. [PMID: 34601734 DOI: 10.1101/2020.12.03.20239681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding is still developing about spatial risk factors for COVID-19 infection or mortality. This is a secondary analysis of patient records in a confined area of eastern England, covering persons who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 through end May 2020, including dates of death and residence area. We obtained residence area data on air quality, deprivation levels, care home bed capacity, age distribution, rurality, access to employment centers, and population density. We considered these covariates as risk factors for excess cases and excess deaths in the 28 days after confirmation of positive Covid status relative to the overall case load and death recorded for the study area as a whole. We used the conditional autoregressive Besag-York-Mollie model to investigate the spatial dependency of cases and deaths allowing for a Poisson error structure. Structural equation models were applied to clarify relationships between predictors and outcomes. Excess case counts or excess deaths were both predicted by the percentage of population age 65 years, care home bed capacity and less rurality: older population and more urban areas saw excess cases. Greater deprivation did not correlate with excess case counts but was significantly linked to higher mortality rates after infection. Neither excess cases nor excess deaths were predicted by population density, travel time to local employment centers, or air quality indicators. Only 66% of mortality was explained by locally high case counts. Higher deprivation clearly linked to higher COVID-19 mortality separate from wider community prevalence and other spatial risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julii Brainard
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Steve Rushton
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tim Winters
- Insight and Analytics, Norfolk County Council, Norwich, UK
| | - Paul R Hunter
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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