Fine particulate matter associated mortality burden of lung cancer in Hebei Province, China

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and site-specific cancer mortality: A difference-in-differences analysis in Jiangsu province, China

BACKGROUND

Accumulating studies have reported that chronic exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can lead to adverse effects on lung cancer mortality; however, such chronic effects are less clear for mortality from other site-specific cancers.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the causal effect of long-term PM_2.5 exposure on mortality from all-site and a variety of site-specific cancers in Jiangsu province, China during 2015-2020 using a difference-in-differences analysis.

METHODS

For each of 53 county-based spatial units in Jiangsu province, we calculated annual death counts for all-site cancer and 23 site-specific cancers. Using a validated high-resolution PM_2.5 grid dataset, long-term PM_2.5 exposure of a spatial unit within a given year was evaluated as the average of population-weighted annual concentrations during recent 10 years. Conditional Poisson regression models were employed to evaluate exposure-response associations adjusting for spatial and temporal variables, seasonal temperatures, relative humidity, and gross domestic product (GDP).

RESULTS

During the study period, we identified 947,337 adult cancer deaths in Jiangsu province. Each 1 μg/m³ increment in PM_2.5 exposure was significantly associated with a 2.7% increase in the risk of all-site cancer mortality. PM_2.5-mortality associations were also observed in cancer of lip, oral cavity and pharynx, stomach, colorectum, pancreas, lung, bone and joints, ovary, prostate, and lymphoma (all adjusted P < 0.05), with the relative risks ranging from 1.028 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.011, 1.046) for stomach cancer to 1.201 (95% CI: 1.120, 1.308) for bone and joints cancers. Exposure-response curves showed that these associations were close to linearity, though most of them had increasing slopes at high exposure levels. Overall, women and subjects in low GDP regions were more vulnerable to PM_2.5 exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 contributes to a higher risk of mortality from multiple site-specific cancers.

Association between fine particulate air pollution and the risk of death from lung cancer in Taiwan

Airborne fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) has been classified as a Group I carcinogen leading to lung cancer in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In Taiwan, where there is a growing incidence of this disease, lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in women and second leading cause of deaths in men. Because tobacco use is rare in Taiwan, especially amongst women, the high incidence of this type of cancer was suggested to be attributed to the other external contaminants, including airborne PM₂ pollution. In this ecologic study, a possible association between ambient air PM_2.5 exposure and likelihood of death attributed to lung cancer was examined in Taiwan in 66 municipalities. Annual PM_2.5 levels and age-standardized lung cancer mortality rates for male and female residents were calculated for years 2010 to 2019. Weighted-multiple regression was applied to analyze our data, adjusting for level of urbanization and physician density. For males, the adjusted risk ratios (RRs) for lung cancer mortality were 1.01 for municipalities with PM_2.5 levels 21.85-28.21 ug/m3 and 1.07 for municipalities with 28.22-31.23 ug/m3, compared to those with the lowest PM_2.5 levels. For females, these adjusted RRs were 0.99 and 1.06, respectively. Data demonstrated an association between chronic exposure to high levels of PM_2.5 and increased likelihood of death attributed to lung cancer for both men and women in Taiwan. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between PM_2.5 air pollution exposure and risk of lung cancer histologic subtype.

Predictors of Lung Cancer Risk: An Ecological Study Using Mortality and Environmental Data by Municipalities in Italy

Lung cancer (LC) mortality remains a consistent part of the total deaths occurring worldwide. Its etiology is complex as it involves multifactorial components. This work aims in providing an epidemiological assessment on occupational and environmental factors associated to LC risk by means of an ecological study involving the 8092 Italian municipalities for the period 2006-2015. We consider mortality data from mesothelioma as proxy of asbestos exposure, as well as PM2.5 and radon levels as a proxy of environmental origin. The compensated cases for occupational respiratory diseases, urbanization and deprivation were included as predictors. We used a negative binomial distribution for the response, with analysis stratified by gender. We estimated that asbestos is responsible for about 1.1% (95% CI: 0.8, 1.4) and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.2, 0.8) of LC mortality in males and females, respectively. The corresponding figures are 14.0% (95% CI: 12.5, 15.7) and 16.3% (95% CI: 16.2, 16.3) for PM2.5 exposure, and 3.9% (95% CI: 3.5, 4.2) and 1.6% (95% CI: 1.4, 1.7) for radon exposure. The assessment of determinants contribution to observed LC deaths is crucial for improving awareness of its origin, leading to increase the equity of the welfare system.

Topical Application of Liriope platyphylla Extract Attenuates Dry Eye Syndrome Induced by Particulate Matter

Particulate matter (PM) is a type of air pollutant that poses a risk to human health. In the ocular system, PM causes or aggravates dry eye syndrome (DES) by damaging the corneal and conjunctival epithelia. Liriope platyphylla has been used traditionally as an expectorant, antitussive agent, and tonic in Korea. However, the effects of Liriope platyphylla extract (LPE) on PM-induced ocular damage have not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo protective effect of LPE against PM-induced DES in rats. Topical administration of LPE attenuated the PM-induced decrease in tear volume and reduced corneal epithelial irregularity and damage. LPE also protected against PM-induced disruption of the corneal mucin-4 layer and reduction in the conjunctival goblet cell density. These findings suggest that LPE has protective effects against PM-induced DES.

Lung Cancer in Never-Smokers: A Multicenter Case-Control Study in North China

This study aimed at estimating the effects of epidemiological risk factors for lung cancer in never-smokers. A multicenter and matched case-control study was conducted in the cities of Shijiazhuang, Xingtai, Qinhuangdao, Baoding, and Chengde in North China. It comprised 1,086 cases and 2,172 healthy subjects as controls, all of whom had smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetimes. Patients were newly diagnosed with lung cancer between January 2015 and December 2017. Each patient was matched to two control participants for sex and age (±5 years). Both univariate analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Subsequently, data were stratified by participant sex and different air quality conditions for analysis. Type of job, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace or at home, above-average exposure to cooking oil fumes, depression, poor sleep quality, occupational exposure, cardiovascular diseases, and family history of cancer were revealed as significant risk factors for lung cancer in never-smokers. However, higher educational level, frequent use of a PM_2.5 mask, cooking using clean fuels, and consumption of dietary supplements and tea reduced the risk of lung cancer. Risk factors varied between males and females. In areas with air pollution, the number of risk factors was greater than elsewhere, and the magnitudes of their effects were different. Hence, focusing on these risk factors is important for the prevention and control of lung cancer in never-smokers.

Automotive wastes

A review of the literature from 2018 related to automotive wastes is presented. Topics include solid wastes from autobodies, batteries, tires, and vehicle electronics, in addition to sustainable building materials. Treatment and control of automotive pollution is also discussed, as well as potential toxicological and health risks. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Life cycle analyses and sustainable development automotive components were a key focus of the 2018 literature. Automobiles have been identified as point sources for air and water pollution. Research into energy consumption, emissions control, and catalytic converter behavior was conducted to mitigate the impact of automobile emissions. Potential non-point source control measures were identified. These included biological and chemical degradation of pollutants, as well as adsorption of heavy metals.

Adverse Effects of Fine-Particle Exposure on Joints and Their Surrounding Cells and Microenvironment

Current understanding of the health risks and adverse effects upon exposure to fine particles is premised on the direct association of particles with target organs, particularly the lung; however, fine-particle exposure has also been found to have detrimental effects on sealed cavities distant to the portal-of-entry, such as joints. Moreover, the fundamental toxicological issues have been ascribed to the direct toxic mechanisms, in particular, oxidative stress and proinflammatory responses, without exploring the indirect mechanisms, such as compensated, adaptive, and secondary effects. In this Review, we recapitulate the current findings regarding the detrimental effects of fine-particle exposure on joints, the surrounding cells, and microenvironment, as well as their deteriorating impact on the progression of arthritis. We also elaborate the likely molecular mechanisms underlying the particle-induced detrimental influence on joints, not limited to direct toxicity, but also considering the other indirect mechanisms. Because of the similarities between fine air particles and engineered nanomaterials, we compare the toxicities of engineered nanomaterials to those of fine air particles. Arthritis and joint injuries are prevalent, particularly in the elderly population. Considering the severity of global exposure to fine particles and limited studies assessing the detrimental effects of fine-particle exposure on joints and arthritis, this Review aims to appeal to a broad interest and to promote more research efforts in this field.

The impact of outdoor air pollutants on outpatient visits for respiratory diseases during 2012-2016 in Jinan, China

Background

Few studies have investigated the associations between outdoor air pollution and outpatient visits for respiratory diseases (RDs) in general population.

Methods

We collected daily outpatient data of primary RDs from five hospitals in Jinan during January 2012 and December 2016, as well as daily measurements of air pollutants from the Jinan Environmental Monitoring Center and daily meteorological variables from the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System. A generalized additive model (GAM) with quasi-Poisson regression was constructed to estimate the associations between daily average concentrations of outdoor air pollutants (PM_2.5,PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO and O₃) and daily outpatient visits of RDs after adjusting for long-time trends, seasonality, the “day of the week” effect, and weather conditions. Subgroup analysis stratified by gender, age group and the type of RDs was conducted.

Results

A total of 1,373,658 outpatient visits for RDs were identified. Increases of 10 μg/m³ in PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, CO and O₃ were associated with0.168% (95% CI, 0.072–0.265%), 0.149% (95% CI, 0.082–0.215%), 0.527% (95% CI, 0.211–0.843%), 0.013% (95% CI, 0.003–0.023%), and 0.189% (95% CI, 0.032–0.347%) increases in daily outpatient visits for RDs, respectively. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ showed instant and continuous effects, while NO₂, CO and O₃ showed delayed effects on outpatient visits for RDs. In stratification analysis, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were associated with acute RDs only.

Conclusions

Exposure to outdoor air pollutants including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, CO and O₃ associated with increased risk of outpatient visits for RDs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-018-0958-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.