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Bougault V, Valorso R, Sarda-Esteve R, Baisnee D, Visez N, Oliver G, Bureau J, Abdoussi F, Ghersi V, Foret G. Paris air quality monitoring for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics: focus on air pollutants and pollen. Br J Sports Med 2024; 58:973-982. [PMID: 39054048 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108129] [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] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to air pollution can affect the health of individuals with respiratory disease, but may also impede the health and performance of athletes. This is potentially relevant for people travelling to and competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games (OPG) in Paris. We describe anticipated air quality in Paris based on historical monitoring data and describe the impact of the process on the development of monitoring strategies for future international sporting events. METHODS Air pollutant data for July to September 2020-2023 and pollen data for 2015-2022 were provided by Airparif (particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3)) and RNSA stations in the Paris region. Airparif's street-level numerical modelling provided spatial data for the OPG venues. RESULTS The maximum daily mean PM2.5 was 11±6 µg/m3 at traffic stations, below the WHO recommended daily air quality threshold (AQT). Daily NO2 concentrations ranged from 5±3 µg/m3 in rural areas to 17±14 µgm3 in urban areas. Near traffic stations, this rose to 40±24 µg/m3 exceeding the WHO AQT. Both peaked around 06:00 and 20:00 UTC (coordinated universal time). The ambient O3 level exceeded the AQT on 20 days per month and peaked at 14:00 UTC. The main allergenic taxa from June to September was Poaceae (ie, grass pollen variety). CONCLUSION Air pollutant levels are expected to be within accepted air quality thresholds at the Paris OPG. However, O3 concentrations may be significantly raised in very hot and clear conditions and grass pollen levels will be high, prompting a need to consider and manage this risk in susceptible individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Valorso
- Univ Paris Est Creteil and Université Paris Cité, CNRS, LISA, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Roland Sarda-Esteve
- CEA Orme des merisiers, UMR 8212, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Dominique Baisnee
- CEA Orme des merisiers, UMR 8212, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Nicolas Visez
- CNRS, UMR, 8516, LASIRE - Laboratoire de Spectroscopie pour les Interactions, la Réactivité et l'Environnement, Université de Lille, Lille, France
- RNSA, Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique, Brussieu, France
| | - Gilles Oliver
- RNSA, Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique, Brussieu, France
| | | | | | | | - Gilles Foret
- Univ Paris Est Creteil and Université Paris Cité, CNRS, LISA, F-94010, Créteil, France
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Mougin L, Bougault V, Racinais S, Mountjoy ML, Stephenson B, Carter S, James LJ, Mears SA, Taylor L. Environmental challenges facing athletes, stakeholders and spectators at Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games: an evidence-based review of mitigation strategies and recommendations. Br J Sports Med 2024; 58:870-881. [PMID: 38955507 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108281] [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] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games could face environmental challenges related to heat, air quality and water quality. These challenges will pose potential threats to athletes and impact thousands of stakeholders and millions of spectators. Recognising the multifaceted nature of these challenges, a range of strategies will be essential for mitigating adverse effects on participants, stakeholders and spectators alike. From personalised interventions for athletes and attendees to comprehensive measures implemented by organisers, a holistic approach is crucial to address these challenges and the possible interplay of heat, air and water quality factors during the event. This evidence-based review highlights various environmental challenges anticipated at Paris 2024, offering strategies applicable to athletes, stakeholders and spectators. Additionally, it provides recommendations for Local Organising Committees and the International Olympic Committee that may be applicable to future Games. In summary, the review offers solutions for consideration by the stakeholders responsible for and affected by the anticipated environmental challenges at Paris 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïs Mougin
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | | | - Sébastien Racinais
- Environmental Stress Unit, CREPS Montpellier Font-Romeu, Montpellier, France
- DMEM, UMR 866 INRAE / University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Margo L Mountjoy
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ben Stephenson
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
- UK Sports Institute, Loughborough, UK
| | - Sarah Carter
- Faculty of Health, Exercise and Sports Science, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Lewis J James
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Stephen A Mears
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Lee Taylor
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
- University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Koehle MS. Physiological impacts of atmospheric pollution: Effects of environmental air pollution on exercise. Physiol Rep 2024; 12:e16005. [PMID: 38605426 PMCID: PMC11009369 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16005] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss some of the recent advances in our understanding of the physiology of the air pollution and exercise. The key areas covered include the effect of exercise intensity, the effects of pre-exposure to air pollution, acclimation to air pollution, and the utility of masks during exercise. Although higher intensity exercise leads to an increase in the inhaled dose of pollutants for a given distance traveled, the acute effects of (diesel exhaust) air pollution do not appear to be more pronounced. Second, exposure to air pollution outside of exercise bouts seems to have an effect on exercise response, although little research has examined this relationship. Third, humans appear to have an ability to acclimate to ground level ozone, but not other pollutants. And finally, masks may have beneficial effects on certain outcomes at low intensity exercise in pollution with significant levels of particles, but more study is required in realistic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Stephen Koehle
- School of KinesiologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Division of Sport & Exercise MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Canadian Sport Institute – PacificVictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Athletics CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
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Nieuwenhuijsen M, de Nazelle A, Garcia-Aymerich J, Khreis H, Hoffmann B. Shaping urban environments to improve respiratory health: recommendations for research, planning, and policy. THE LANCET. RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2024; 12:247-254. [PMID: 37866374 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(23)00329-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas carry a large burden of acute (infectious) and chronic respiratory diseases due to environmental conditions such as high levels of air pollution and high population densities. Car-dominated cities often lack walkable areas, which reduces opportunities for physical activity that are fundamentally important for healthy lungs. The already restricted amount of green space available-with often poorly selected plants-could produce pollen and subsequently provoke or worsen allergic diseases. Less affluent neighbourhoods often carry a larger respiratory disease burden. A multisectoral approach with more diverse policy measures and urban innovations is needed to reduce air pollution (eg, low emission zones), to increase public space for walking and cycling (eg, low traffic neighbourhoods, superblocks, 15-minute cities, and car-free cities), and to develop green cities (eg, planting of low-allergy trees). Stricter EU air quality guidelines can push these transformations to improve the respiratory health of citizens. Advocacy by medical respiratory societies can also make an important contribution to such changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Audrey de Nazelle
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Judith Garcia-Aymerich
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Haneen Khreis
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Public Health Modelling Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Barbara Hoffmann
- Centre for Health and Society, Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
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Xu L, Bai X, Li K, Zhang G, Zhang M, Hu M, Huang Y. Human Exposure to Ambient Atmospheric Microplastics in a Megacity: Spatiotemporal Variation and Associated Microorganism-Related Health Risk. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:3702-3713. [PMID: 38356452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics are found in various human tissues and are considered harmful, raising concerns about human exposure to microplastics in the environment. Existing research has analyzed indoor and occupational scenarios, but long-term monitoring of ambient atmospheric microplastics (AMPs), especially in highly polluted urban regions, needs to be further investigated. This study estimated human environmental exposure to AMPs by considering inhalation, dust ingestion, and dermal exposure in three urban functional zones within a megacity. The annual exposure quantity was 7.37 × 104 items for children and 1.06 × 105 items for adults, comparable with the human microplastic consumption from food and water. Significant spatiotemporal differences were observed in the characteristics of AMPs that humans were exposed to, with wind speed and rainfall frequency mainly driving these changes. The annual human AMP exposure quantity in urban green land spaces, which were recognized as relatively low polluted zones, was comparable with that in public service zones and residential zones. Notably, significant positive correlations between the AMP characteristics and the pathogenicity of the airborne bacterial community were discovered. AMP size and immune-mediated disease risks brought by atmospheric microbes showed the most significant relationship, where Sphingomonas might act as the potential key mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Xu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xinyi Bai
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Kang Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Guangbao Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mengjun Zhang
- Peking University Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
- PKU-HKUST Shenzhen-Hongkong Institution, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yi Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking University Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
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Beavan A, Härtel S, Spielmann J, Koehle M. Air pollution, a worthy opponent? How pollution levels impair athlete performance across physical, technical, and cognitive domains. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165707. [PMID: 37516169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Air pollution is a global issue known to effect on human health and performance. In the context of highly skilled athletes, the influence of air pollution on players' physical and technical abilities are established, yet its effects on cognitive performance have received little consideration. This study aims to address this research gap by comprehensively examining the influence of air pollution on the performance of highly skilled athletes using a holistic approach, including both the athlete's brain and body. METHODS Between 2016 and 2022, a total of 799 soccer players (578 males, 221 females) belonging to a German professional first division club were measured on a battery of performance assessments, including physical, technical, and cognitive tests. The performance data were combined with the average daily concentration of three pollutants: PM10, O3 and NO2. RESULTS Increased levels of PM10 and O3 were primarily associated with decreased physical and technical performance, including slower sprinting times, impaired change of direction and worse speed and accuracy in the technical assessment. For instance, if the assessment test was held when PM10 levels were at 20 μg/m3, players ran an average 22 ms slower on the 30 m sprint test, 36 ms slower on the change of direction test and showed a 1 % decrease in accuracy on the technical assessment (p < .001). Furthermore, higher concentrations of NO2 negatively impacted cognitive performance across four separate tests of athletes' executive functions (p < .05). CONCLUSION By encompassing physical, technical, and cognitive assessments, this study highlights the multifaceted nature of performance impairments resulting from air pollution exposure in a population characterized by have exceptional abilities across all three domains. These findings underscore the widespread impact of pollution on a diverse sample of athletes and emphasize the need to consider air pollution in the broader context of its effects on human health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Beavan
- TSG ResearchLab gGmbH, Psychology Department, Zuzenhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
| | - Sascha Härtel
- TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Physiology Department, Zuzenhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Jan Spielmann
- TSG ResearchLab gGmbH, Psychology Department, Zuzenhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Michael Koehle
- Environmental Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Division of Sport Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Hull JH, Koehle MS. Air athletes breathe: weighing benefits against harm. Thorax 2023; 78:743-744. [PMID: 37290922 DOI: 10.1136/thorax-2023-220210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James H Hull
- Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
- Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), UCL, London, UK
| | - Michael Stephen Koehle
- Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Sports Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Beavan A, Härtel S, Spielmann J, Koehle M. Air pollution and elite adolescent soccer players' performance and well-being; an observational study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 175:107943. [PMID: 37146470 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exercising outdoors may inadvertently lead to individuals inhaling levels of air pollution that may be detrimental to their health and activity-related performance. Endurance athletes are a particularly susceptible subgroup due to their high ventilation rates sustained over prolonged periods of time coupled with high training loads that often occur outdoors. In this study, we estimate the effects of air pollution on a series of athletic performance parameters in an elite adolescent soccer team. METHODS External, internal, and subjective loads and wellness questionnaires were recorded for the 26 matches and 197 training sessions carried out during the 2018-19 season for a U19 team competing in Germany. Each session was combined with hourly information on the concentration of PM10, O3 and NO2 in spatial proximity to each playing field for the duration of training or playing. RESULTS Increases in PM10 and O3 had significant (p <.001) associations with decreasing total distance (m) ran per session. Furthermore, increases in O3 and NO2 concentrations were related to an increase in average heart rate (p <.05). Moreover, increases in PM10 concentration was associated with increased rating of perceived exertion (p <.001). Last, the total inhaled dose of O3 and NO2 over one session was linked to significant (p <.05) decreases in athletes' wellness scores on the following morning. DISCUSSION We find supporting evidence of the negative effects of air pollution in elite adolescent soccer players in both matches and training. The negative impacts observed on several aspects of performance are present within an elite team that regularly trained in pollution levels well within the normal ranges of what the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports to be suitable air quality. Therefore, mitigation strategies such as monitoring the air quality at the training pitch are recommended to reduce athlete exposure to air pollution even when exercising in moderate air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Beavan
- TSG ResearchLab gGmbH, Psychology Department, Zuzenhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
| | - Sascha Härtel
- TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Physiology Department, Zuzenhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Jan Spielmann
- TSG ResearchLab gGmbH, Psychology Department, Zuzenhausen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Michael Koehle
- Environmental Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Division of Sport Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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