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Shupler M, Huybrechts K, Leung M, Wei Y, Schwartz J, Hernandez-Diaz S, Papatheodorou S. The association of short-term increases in ambient PM2.5 and temperature exposures with stillbirth: racial/ethnic disparities among Medicaid recipients. Am J Epidemiol 2024; 193:1372-1383. [PMID: 38770979 PMCID: PMC11458190 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae083] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Racial/ethnic disparities in the association between short-term (eg, days, weeks), ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and temperature exposures and stillbirth in the United States have been understudied. A time-stratified, case-crossover design using a distributed lag nonlinear model (0- to 6-day lag) was used to estimate stillbirth odds due to short-term increases in average daily PM2.5 and temperature exposures among 118 632 Medicaid recipients from 2000 to 2014. Disparities by maternal race/ethnicity (Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian) and zip code-level socioeconomic status (SES) were assessed. In the temperature-adjusted model, a 10 μg m-3 increase in PM2.5 concentration was marginally associated with increased stillbirth odds at lag 1 (0.68%; 95% CI, -0.04% to 1.40%) and lag 2 (0.52%; 95% CI, -0.03 to 1.06) but not lag 0-6 (2.80%; 95% CI, -0.81 to 6.45). An association between daily PM2.5 concentrations and stillbirth odds was found among Black individuals at the cumulative lag (0-6 days: 9.26% 95% CI, 3.12%-15.77%) but not among other races or ethnicities. A stronger association between PM2.5 concentrations and stillbirth odds existed among Black individuals living in zip codes with the lowest median household income (lag 0-6: 14.13%; 95% CI, 4.64%-25.79%). Short-term temperature increases were not associated with stillbirth risk among any race/ethnicity. Black Medicaid enrollees, and especially those living in lower SES areas, may be more vulnerable to stillbirth due to short-term increases in PM2.5 exposure. This article is part of a Special Collection on Environmental Epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Shupler
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Krista Huybrechts
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02120, United States
| | - Michael Leung
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Yaguang Wei
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Sonia Hernandez-Diaz
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Stefania Papatheodorou
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Zhao Y, Peng Z, Zhou Z, Zhai X, Gong S, Shen C, Zhang T, Zhao D, Cao D. The Impact of Air Pollution Controls on Health and Health Inequity Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese: Evidence From Panel Data. Int J Public Health 2024; 69:1606956. [PMID: 38948086 PMCID: PMC11211253 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606956] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives We evaluated the long-term effects of air pollution controls on health and health inequity among Chinese >45 years of age. Methods Data were derived from the China Health Aging and Retirement Longitudinal Survey and the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. Decreases in PM2.5 and PM10 were scaled to measure air quality controls. We used a quasi-experimental design to estimate the impact of air quality controls on self-reported health and health inequity. Health disparities were estimated using the concentration index and the horizontal index. Results Air pollution controls significantly improved self-reported health by 20% (OR 1.20, 95% CI, 1.02-1.42). The poorest group had a 40% (OR 1.41, 95% CI, 0.96-2.08) higher probability of having excellent self-reported health after air pollution controls. A pro-rich health inequity was observed, and the horizontal index decreased after air pollution controls. Conclusion Air pollution controls have a long-term positive effect on health and health equity. The poorest population are the main beneficiaries of air pollution controls, which suggests policymakers should make efforts to reduce health inequity in air pollution controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxin Zhao
- School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zixuan Peng
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhou
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhai
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | | | - Chi Shen
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tianci Zhang
- College of Computing and Information Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Dantong Zhao
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dan Cao
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Afifa, Arshad K, Hussain N, Ashraf MH, Saleem MZ. Air pollution and climate change as grand challenges to sustainability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172370. [PMID: 38604367 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
There is a cross-disciplinary link between air pollution, climate crisis, and sustainable lifestyle as they are the most complex struggles of the present century. This review takes an in-depth look at this relationship, considering carbon dioxide emissions primarily from the burning of fossil fuels as the main contributor to global warming and focusing on primary SLCPs such as methane and ground-level ozone. Such pollutants severely alter the climate through the generation of greenhouse gases. The discussion is extensive and includes best practices from conventional pollution control technologies to hi-tech alternatives, including electric vehicles, the use of renewables, and green decentralized solutions. It also addresses policy matters, such as imposing stricter emissions standards, setting stronger environmental regulations, and rethinking some economic measures. Besides that, new developments such as congestion charges, air ionization, solar-assisted cleaning systems, and photocatalytic materials are among the products discussed. These strategies differ in relation to the local conditions and therefore exhibit a varying effectiveness level, but they remain evident as a tool of pollution deterrence. This stresses the importance of holistic and inclusive approach in terms of engineering, policies, stakeholders, and ecological spheres to tackle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afifa
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kashaf Arshad
- Department of Zoology (Wildlife and Fisheries), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Nazim Hussain
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Hamza Ashraf
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zafar Saleem
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
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4
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Shi W, Schooling CM, Leung GM, Zhao JV. Early-life exposure to ambient air pollution with cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents: Findings from the "Children of 1997" Hong Kong birth cohort. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 921:171119. [PMID: 38382602 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171119] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Little is known about the impact of early-life exposure to air pollutants on CVD risk factors in late adolescence, which may track into adulthood. To clarify, we examined this question in a unique setting with high air pollution and a high level of economic development. METHODS This study leveraged the "Children of 1997" Hong Kong birth cohort (N = 8327), including here 3350 participants. We estimated ambient air pollutant exposure including inhalable particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) by growth phase (in utero, infancy, childhood) and overall based on residential address. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations of air pollutants exposure by growth phase and sex with CVD risk factors (fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile, blood pressure, and body mass index) at 17.6 years. We also assessed whether associations varied by sex. RESULTS Early life exposed had little association with glucose metabolism, blood pressure or body mass index, but after considering multiple comparisons early exposure to PM10 was associated with low density lipoprotein (LDL) in boys, with β and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) of 0.184 (0.069 to 0.298) mmol/l, 0.151 (0.056 to 0.248) mmol/l, and 0.157 (0.063 to 0.252) mmol/l by per interquartile range (IQR) increment of PM10 for in utero, infancy, and overall, respectively. No such associations were evident for girls, differences by sex were evident. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested sex-specific associations of early-life PM10 exposure with elevated LDL in adolescence, especially exposure in utero and infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Shi
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - C Mary Schooling
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriel M Leung
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jie V Zhao
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Ghassabian A, Titus AR, Conderino S, Azan A, Weinberger R, Thorpe LE. Beyond traffic jam alleviation: evaluating the health and health equity impacts of New York City's congestion pricing plan. J Epidemiol Community Health 2024; 78:273-276. [PMID: 38195634 PMCID: PMC11472318 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2023-221639] [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: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
New York City (NYC) is slated to be the first jurisdiction in the USA to implement a cordon-based congestion tax, which will be levied on vehicles entering its Central Business District. Several cities around the world, for example, London and Stockholm, have had similar cordon-based pricing programmes, defined as road pricing that charges drivers a fee for entering a specified area (typically a congested urban centre). In addition to reducing congestion and creating revenue, projections suggest the NYC congestion pricing plan may yield meaningful traffic-related air quality improvements that could result in health benefits. NYC is a large city with high air pollution and substantial racial/ethnic and socioeconomic health inequities. The distinct geography and meteorological conditions of the city also suggest that the policy's impact on air quality may extend beyond the NYC metropolitan area. As such, the potential breadth, directionality and magnitude of health impacts on communities who might be heavily affected by the nation's first congestion pricing plan should be empirically investigated. We briefly review evaluation studies of other cordon-based congestion pricing policies and argue that implementation of this policy provides an excellent opportunity to employ a quasi-experimental study design to evaluate the policy's impacts on air quality and health outcomes across population subgroups using a health equity lens. We discuss why real-time evaluations of the NYC congestion pricing plan can potentially help optimise benefits for communities historically negatively affected by traffic-related air pollution. Assessing intended and unintended impacts on health equity is key to achieving these goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea R Titus
- Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Conderino
- Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander Azan
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Lorna E Thorpe
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Morales-Betancourt R, Wilches-Mogollon MA, Sarmiento OL, Mendez Molano D, Angulo D, Filigrana P, Arellana J, Guzman LA, Garzon G, Gouveia N, Levy P, Diez-Roux AV. Commuter's personal exposure to air pollutants after the implementation of a cable car for public transport: Results of the natural experiment TrUST. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:160880. [PMID: 36516922 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160880] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Commuters in urban settlements are frequently exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants due to their proximity to mobile sources, making exposure to traffic-related air pollutants an important public health issue. Recent trends in urban transport towards zero- and low-tailpipe emission alternatives will likely result in decreased exposure to air pollutants. The TrUST (Urban transformations and health) study offers a unique opportunity to understand the impacts of a new cable car (TransMiCable) in underserved communities within Bogotá, Colombia. The aims of this study are to assess the personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), equivalent Black Carbon (eBC), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) in transport micro-environments and to estimate the inhaled dose per trip during mandatory multimodal trips before and after the implementation of the TransMiCable. We collected personal exposure data for Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) feeder buses, regular buses, informal transport, pedestrians, and TransMiCable. TransMiCable showed lower exposure concentration compared to BRT feeder and regular buses (PM2.5: 23.6 vs. 87.0 μg m-3 (P ≤ 0.001) and eBC: 5.2 vs. 28.2 μg m-3 (P ≤ 0.001), respectively). The mean concentration of PM2.5 and eBC inside the TransMiCable cabins were 62 % and 82 % lower than the mean concentrations in buses. Furthermore, using a Monte Carlo simulation model, we found that including the TransMiCable as a feeder is related to a 54.4 μg/trip reduction in PM2.5 inhaled dose and 35.8 μg/trip in eBC per trip. Those changes represent a 27 % and 34 % reduction in an inhaled dose per trip, respectively. Our results show that PM2.5, eBC, and CO inhaled dose for TransMiCable users is reduced due to lower exposure concentration inside its cabins and shorter travel time. The implementation of a cable car in Bogotá is likely to reduce air pollution exposure in transport micro-environments used by vulnerable populations living in semi-informal settlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Morales-Betancourt
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Maria A Wilches-Mogollon
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Olga L Sarmiento
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniela Mendez Molano
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia; Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Unidad de Ingenieria Ambiental, Cra. 1 #No. 60-00, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniela Angulo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Filigrana
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Julian Arellana
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Luis A Guzman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gabriela Garzon
- Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nelson Gouveia
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paul Levy
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra 1 18ª-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ana V Diez-Roux
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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7
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McEachan RRC, Rashid R, Santorelli G, Tate J, Thorpe J, McQuaid JB, Wright J, Pickett KE, Pringle K, Bojke L, Jones S, Islam S, Walker S, Yang TC, Bryant M. Study Protocol. Evaluating the life-course health impact of a city-wide system approach to improve air quality in Bradford, UK: A quasi-experimental study with implementation and process evaluation. Environ Health 2022; 21:122. [PMID: 36464683 PMCID: PMC9720926 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00942-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air quality is a major public health threat linked to poor birth outcomes, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. Deprived groups and children are disproportionately affected. Bradford will implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) as part of the Bradford Clean Air Plan (B-CAP) in 2022 to reduce pollution, providing a natural experiment. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the impact of the B-CAP on health outcomes and air quality, inequalities and explore value for money. An embedded process and implementation evaluation will also explore barriers and facilitators to implementation, impact on attitudes and behaviours, and any adverse consequences. METHODS The study is split into 4 work packages (WP). WP1A: 20 interviews with decision makers, 20 interviews with key stakeholders; 10 public focus groups and documentary analysis of key reports will assess implementation barriers, acceptability and adverse or unanticipated consequences at 1 year post-implementation (defined as point at which charging CAZ goes 'live'). WP1B: A population survey (n = 2000) will assess travel behaviour and attitudes at baseline and change at 1 year post-implementation). WP2: Routine air quality measurements will be supplemented with data from mobile pollution sensors in 12 schools collected by N = 240 pupil citizen scientists (4 within, 4 bordering and 4 distal to CAZ boundary). Pupils will carry sensors over four monitoring periods over a 12 month period (two pre, and two post-implementation). We will explore whether reductions in pollution vary by CAZ proximity. WP3A: We will conduct a quasi-experimental interrupted time series analysis using a longitudinal routine health dataset of > 530,000 Bradford residents comparing trends (3 years prior vs 3 years post) in respiratory health (assessed via emergency/GP attendances. WP3B: We will use the richly-characterised Born in Bradford cohort (13,500 children) to explore health inequalities in respiratory health using detailed socio-economic data. WP4: will entail a multi-sectoral health economic evaluation to determine value for money of the B-CAP. DISCUSSION This will be first comprehensive quasi-experimental evaluation of a city-wide policy intervention to improve air quality. The findings will be of value for other areas implementing this type of approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN67530835 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN67530835.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary R C McEachan
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, England.
| | - Rukhsana Rashid
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, England
| | - Gillian Santorelli
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, England
| | - James Tate
- Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England
| | - Jamie Thorpe
- St Stephen's Church of England Primary School, Bradford, BD5 7HU, England
| | - James B McQuaid
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, England
| | - Kate E Pickett
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Kirsty Pringle
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England
| | - Laura Bojke
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Sally Jones
- Bradford District Metropolitan Council, Bradford, BD1 1HX, England
| | - Shahid Islam
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, England
| | - Simon Walker
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Tiffany C Yang
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, England
| | - Maria Bryant
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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8
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Tessum MW, Anenberg SC, Chafe ZA, Henze DK, Kleiman G, Kheirbek I, Marshall JD, Tessum CW. Sources of ambient PM 2.5 exposure in 96 global cities. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2022; 286:119234. [PMID: 36193038 PMCID: PMC9297293 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
To improve air quality, knowledge of the sources and locations of air pollutant emissions is critical. However, for many global cities, no previous estimates exist of how much exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the largest environmental cause of mortality, is caused by emissions within the city vs. outside its boundaries. We use the Intervention Model for Air Pollution (InMAP) global-through-urban reduced complexity air quality model with a high-resolution, global inventory of pollutant emissions to quantify the contribution of emissions by source type and location for 96 global cities. Among these cities, we find that the fraction of PM2.5 exposure caused by within-city emissions varies widely (μ = 37%; σ = 22%) and is not well-explained by surrounding population density. The list of most-important sources also varies by city. Compared to a more mechanistically detailed model, InMAP predicts urban measured concentrations with lower bias and error but also lower correlation. Predictive accuracy in urban areas is not particularly high with either model, suggesting an opportunity for improving global urban air emission inventories. We expect the results herein can be useful as a screening tool for policy options and, in the absence of available resources for further analysis, to inform policy action to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei W. Tessum
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Susan C. Anenberg
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zoe A. Chafe
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Inc., New York, NY, United States
| | - Daven K. Henze
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | | | - Iyad Kheirbek
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Inc., New York, NY, United States
| | - Julian D. Marshall
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Christopher W. Tessum
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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9
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Benavides J, Rowland ST, Shearston JA, Nunez Y, Jack DW, Kioumourtzoglou MA. Methods for Evaluating Environmental Health Impacts at Different Stages of the Policy Process in Cities. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:183-195. [PMID: 35389203 PMCID: PMC8986968 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Evaluating the environmental health impacts of urban policies is critical for developing and implementing policies that lead to more healthy and equitable cities. This article aims to (1) identify research questions commonly used when evaluating the health impacts of urban policies at different stages of the policy process, (2) describe commonly used methods, and (3) discuss challenges, opportunities, and future directions. RECENT FINDINGS In the diagnosis and design stages of the policy process, research questions aim to characterize environmental problems affecting human health and to estimate the potential impacts of new policies. Simulation methods using existing exposure-response information to estimate health impacts predominate at these stages of the policy process. In subsequent stages, e.g., during implementation, research questions aim to understand the actual policy impacts. Simulation methods or observational methods, which rely on experimental data gathered in the study area to assess the effectiveness of the policy, can be applied at these stages. Increasingly, novel techniques fuse both simulation and observational methods to enhance the robustness of impact evaluations assessing implemented policies. The policy process consists of interdependent stages, from inception to end, but most reviewed studies focus on single stages, neglecting the continuity of the policy life cycle. Studies assessing the health impacts of policies using a multi-stage approach are lacking. Most studies investigate intended impacts of policies; focusing also on unintended impacts may provide a more comprehensive evaluation of policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Benavides
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Sebastian T Rowland
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jenni A Shearston
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Yanelli Nunez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Darby W Jack
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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10
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Zhu Y, Song X, Wu R, Fang J, Liu L, Wang T, Liu S, Xu H, Huang W. A review on reducing indoor particulate matter concentrations from personal-level air filtration intervention under real-world exposure situations. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1707-1721. [PMID: 34374125 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Improving air quality in indoor environments where people live is of importance to protect human health. In this systematic review, we assessed the effectiveness of personal-level use of air filtration units in reducing indoor particulate matters (PM) concentrations under real-world situations following systematic review guidelines. A total of 54 articles were included in the review, in which 20 randomized controlled/crossover trials that reported the changes in indoor fine PM (PM2.5 ) concentrations were quantitatively assessed in meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated for changes in indoor PM concentrations following air filtration interventions. Moderate-to-large reductions of 11%-82% in indoor PM2.5 concentrations were observed with SMD of -1.19 (95% CI: -1.50, -0.88). The reductions in indoor PM concentrations varied by geographical locations, filtration technology employed, indoor environmental characteristics, and air pollution sources. Most studies were graded with low-to-moderate risk of bias; however, the overall certainty of evidence for indoor PM concentration reductions was graded at very low level. Considering the effectiveness of indoor air filtration under practical uses, socio-economic disparities across study populations, and costs of air filter replacement over time, our results highlight the importance of reducing air pollution exposure at the sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoming Song
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rongshan Wu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiakun Fang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyan Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hongbing Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University School of Public Health, and Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
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11
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Huang Y, Lei C, Liu CH, Perez P, Forehead H, Kong S, Zhou JL. A review of strategies for mitigating roadside air pollution in urban street canyons. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 280:116971. [PMID: 33774541 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Urban street canyons formed by high-rise buildings restrict the dispersion of vehicle emissions, which pose severe health risks to the public by aggravating roadside air quality. However, this issue is often overlooked in city planning. This paper reviews the mechanisms controlling vehicle emission dispersion in urban street canyons and the strategies for managing roadside air pollution. Studies have shown that air pollution hotspots are not all attributed to heavy traffic and proper urban design can mitigate air pollution. The key factors include traffic conditions, canyon geometry, weather conditions and chemical reactions. Two categories of mitigation strategies are identified, namely traffic interventions and city planning. Popular traffic interventions for street canyons include low emission zones and congestion charges which can moderately improve roadside air quality. In comparison, city planning in terms of building geometry can significantly promote pollutant dispersion in street canyons. General design guidelines, such as lower canyon aspect ratio, alignment between streets and prevailing winds, non-uniform building heights and ground-level building porosity, may be encompassed in new development. Concurrently, in-street barriers are widely applicable to rectify the poor roadside air quality in existing street canyons. They are broadly classified into porous (e.g. trees and hedges) and solid (e.g. kerbside parked cars, noise fences and viaducts) barriers that utilize their aerodynamic advantages to ease roadside air pollution. Post-evaluations are needed to review these strategies by real-world field experiments and more detailed modelling in the practical perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Huang
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Chengwang Lei
- Centre for Wind, Waves and Water, School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Chun-Ho Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pascal Perez
- SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Hugh Forehead
- SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Shaofei Kong
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - John L Zhou
- Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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12
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Chen CC, Tsai SS, Yang CY. Change in risk of hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease after the implementation of a mass rapid transit system in Taipei. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2021; 84:227-234. [PMID: 33272145 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2020.1855491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous epidemiologic studies demonstrated an association between an increase in levels of fine particles (particulate matter less than 2.5 um in diameter, PM2.5) and elevation in the number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases. Air pollution levels including PM2.5 clearly decreased in Taipei City after the mass rapid transit (MRT) system began operations in 1996. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of changes in the risk of daily hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease (IHD) over a 17-year period after the installation of a MRT system in Taipei. The full study was divided into Period 1 (1997-2000), total track length 65.1 km; Period 2 (2001-2008), total track length 75.8 km; and Period 3 (2009-2013), total track length 121.3 km. A time-stratified case-crossover analysis was conducted to estimate relative risk (RR) of hospital admissions for IHD for each 10 ug/m3 increase in PM2.5 for different periods. On cool days, the associated RR of IHD for Period 3 was consistently lower compared to period 2 in both our single- and two-pollutant models. However, the daily risk for IHD admissions was found to be significantly higher for period 3 compared to period 2 in our single-pollutant model and in our two-pollutant models (PM2.5+ SO2) on warm days. The basis for this difference is unknown. Data suggests that an MRT system may provide substantial health benefits, a finding that may be helpful to urban communities, urban planners, and public health specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Cheng Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung, Memorial Hospital and Chang-Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Shyue Tsai
- Department of Healthcare Administration, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yuh Yang
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli, Taiwan
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13
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Hosford K, Firth C, Brauer M, Winters M. The effects of road pricing on transportation and health equity: A scoping review. TRANSPORT REVIEWS 2021; 41:766-787. [PMID: 37974632 PMCID: PMC7615312 DOI: 10.1080/01441647.2021.1898488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Road pricing is increasingly considered as an option to support transportation infrastructure costs, manage demand, and reduce emissions. However, the extent to which implementation of such approaches may impact transportation and health equity is unclear. In this scoping review, we examine the differential transportation and health effects of road pricing policies across population groups and geographic region. We conducted a systematic database search of Transport Research International Documentation, GEOBASE, Scopus, and Ovid Medline, supplemented by bibliographic review and internet searches. Fifteen studies were included in the review. The studies evaluated area and cordon road pricing systems in Singapore, London, Stockholm, Milan, and Gothenburg, and had a median follow-up period of 12 months. Outcomes evaluated include car commuting, mode shift to public transit, accessibility to destinations, affordability, welfare, social interactions, air pollution, traffic injuries and deaths, acute asthma attacks, and life expectancy. While more studies across diverse urban contexts and policy settings will be needed to strengthen the evidence base, the existing evidence suggests road pricing has mostly net positive effects related to a reduction in car trips, air pollution, asthma attacks, and road traffic collisions, and increases in life expectancy. Frequency and ease of social interactions were found to be negatively impacted, with fewer visits to family and friends. The population groups that generally fared better across transportation and health outcomes were those with higher incomes, men, and people between the ages of 35-55. Across space, there are benefits for both the areas inside and outside the cordon boundary, but to a greater degree for the area inside. Overall, the evidence base is limited by a narrow set of health-related outcomes and a lack of longer-term studies. We did not come across any studies assessing distributional effects of noise pollution, mode shifts to walking or cycling, or other morbidities in the general population that are not listed above. In addition, there are few evaluations that include non-work trips, therefore potentially missing effects for unemployed populations or women who are more likely to make non-work trips. We find that the limited body of evidence on area and cordon pricing policies suggests these policies are beneficial for a number of transportation and health outcomes, particularly for populations inside the cordon area, but that there may be some degree of inequities in the distribution of the benefits and burdens.
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14
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Mehta S, Vashishtha D, Schwarz L, Corcos I, Gershunov A, Guirguis K, Basu R, Benmarhnia T. Racial/ethnic disparities in the association between fine particles and respiratory hospital admissions in San Diego county, CA. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2021; 56:473-480. [PMID: 33678143 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2021.1887686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution exposure is associated with exacerbating respiratory illnesses. Race/ethnicity (R/E) have been shown to influence an individual's vulnerability to environmental health risks such as fine particles (PM 2.5). This study aims to assess the R/E disparities in vulnerability to air pollution with regards to respiratory hospital admissions in San Diego County, California where most days fall below National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for daily PM 2.5 concentrations. Daily PM 2.5 levels were estimated at the zip code level using a spatial interpolation using inverse-distance weighting from monitor networks. The association between daily PM 2.5 levels and respiratory hospital admissions in San Diego County over a 15-year period from 1999 to 2013 was assessed with a time-series analysis using a multi-level Poisson regression model. Cochran Q tests were used to assess the effect modification of race/ethnicity on this association. Daily fine particle levels varied greatly from 1 μg/m3 to 75.86 μg/m3 (SD = 6.08 μg/m3) with the majority of days falling below 24-hour NAAQS for PM 2.5 of 35 μg/m3. For every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 levels, Black and White individuals had higher rates (8.6% and 6.2%, respectively) of hospitalization for respiratory admissions than observed in the county as a whole (4.1%). Increases in PM 2.5 levels drive an overall increase in respiratory hospital admissions with a disparate burden of health effects by R/E group. These findings suggest an opportunity to design interventions that address the unequal burden of air pollution among vulnerable communities in San Diego County that exist even below NAAQS for daily PM 2.5 concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Mehta
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Devesh Vashishtha
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lara Schwarz
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Isabel Corcos
- County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Alexander Gershunov
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kristen Guirguis
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Rupa Basu
- Cal EPA/OEHHA, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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15
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A Prediction Method of GHG Emissions for Urban Road Transportation Planning and Its Applications. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su122410251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The increasing vehicle usage has brought about a sharp increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of vehicles, which brings severe challenges to the sustainable development of road transportation in Chinese counties. Low-carbon transportation planning is an essential strategy for carbon control from the source of carbon emissions and is crucial to the full transition to a low-carbon future. For transportation planning designers, a quick and accurate estimation of carbon emissions under different transportation planning schemes is a prerequisite to determine the optimal low-carbon transportation development plan. To address this issue, a novel prediction method of hourly GHG emissions over the urban roads network was constructed in this paper. A case study was conducted in Changxing county, and the results indicate the effectiveness of our proposed method. Furthermore, we applied the same approach to 30 other counties in China to analyze the influencing factors of emissions from urban road networks in Chinese counties. The analysis results indicate that the urban road mileage and arterial road ratio are the two most important factors affecting road network GHG emissions in road traffic planning process. Moreover, the method was employed to derive peak hour emission coefficients that can be used to quickly estimate daily or annual GHG emissions. The peak hour emission of CO2, CH4, and N2O accounts for approximately 9–10%, 8.5–10.5%, 5.5–7.5% of daily emissions, respectively. It is expected that the findings from this study would be helpful for establishing effective carbon control strategies in the transportation planning stage to reduce road traffic GHG emissions in counties.
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16
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Mangones SC, Jaramillo P, Rojas NY, Fischbeck P. Air pollution emission effects of changes in transport supply: the case of Bogotá, Colombia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:35971-35978. [PMID: 32221836 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Transportation policy and planning decisions, including decisions on new infrastructure and public transport improvements, affect local and global environmental conditions. This work studies the effect of increased road capacity on traffic-related emissions in Bogotá using a tool that couples a transportation model with emission factors from COPERT IV. We followed a parametric approach varying transport supply and demand, comparing three scenarios: a baseline scenario that represents the transportation system in Bogota in 2015; scenario 1 incorporates five highway capacity-enhancement projects in Bogotá and assumes insensitive travel demand; scenario 2 incorporates the new highway projects but assumes a demand increase of 13% in vehicle trips with private cars. Results include daily and annual values of traffic-related emissions of five air pollutant criteria: CO, NOx, PM10, SO2, and VOC for the baseline scenario, scenario 1, and scenario 2. We found a reduction in emissions after adding highway capacity and assuming inelastic demand (scenario 1). Scenario 1 results in a 15% reduction in PM10 emissions and a 10% reduction in NOx emissions. In contrast, results for scenario 2 suggest increased emissions for all air pollutant criteria (e.g., VOC and CO emissions increase by 21% and 22% compared with the baseline scenario). Therefore, new traffic demand would eliminate the emission savings observed in scenario 1 and could potentially further degrade air quality in Bogotá. While an exact estimate of induced demand that may result from highway expansion in Bogotá is not available, this analysis highlights that such projects could lead to an increase in emissions unless there is a combined effort to managing demand of private vehicle trips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia C Mangones
- Department of Civil and Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 30 #45-03 Ciudad Universitaria, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Paulina Jaramillo
- Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Nestor Y Rojas
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 30 #45-03 Ciudad Universitaria, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paul Fischbeck
- Department of Social and Decision Sciences, and Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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17
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Ferguson L, Taylor J, Davies M, Shrubsole C, Symonds P, Dimitroulopoulou S. Exposure to indoor air pollution across socio-economic groups in high-income countries: A scoping review of the literature and a modelling methodology. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105748. [PMID: 32629198 PMCID: PMC7903144 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Disparities in outdoor air pollution exposure between individuals of differing socio-economic status is a growing area of research, widely explored in the environmental health literature. However, in developed countries, around 80% of time is spent indoors, meaning indoor air pollution may be a better proxy for personal exposure. Building characteristics - such as build quality, volume and ventilation - and occupant behaviour, mean indoor air pollution may also vary across socio-economic groups, leading to health inequalities. Much of the existing literature has focused on inequalities in exposure to outdoor air pollution, and there is thus a lack of an evidence base reviewing data for indoor environments. In this study, a scoping review of the literature on indoor air pollution exposures across different socio-economic groups is performed, examining evidence from both monitoring and modelling studies in the developed world. The literature was reviewed, identifying different indoor pollutants, definitions for socio-economic status and pre- and post- housing interventions. Based on the review, the study proposes a modelling methodology for evaluating the effects of environmental policies on different socio-economic populations. Using a sample size calculation, obstacles in obtaining sufficiently large samples of monitored data are demonstrated. A modelling framework for the rapid quantification of daily home exposure is then outlined as a proof of concept. While significant additional research is required to examine inequalities in indoor exposures, modelling approaches may provide opportunities to quantify exposure disparities due to housing and behaviours across populations of different socio-economic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Ferguson
- UCL Energy Institute, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK.
| | - Jonathon Taylor
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Michael Davies
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Clive Shrubsole
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
| | - Phil Symonds
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Sani Dimitroulopoulou
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
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18
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Attributable Risk to Assess the Health Impact of Air Pollution: Advances, Controversies, State of the Art and Future Needs. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17124512. [PMID: 32585937 PMCID: PMC7344816 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the increased attention given to the health impact assessment of air pollution and to the strategies to control it in both scientific literature and concrete interventions, the results of the implementations, especially those involving traffic, have not always been satisfactory and there is still disagreement about the most appropriate interventions and the methods to assess their effectiveness. This state-of-the-art article reviews the recent interpretation of the concepts that concern the impact assessment, and compares old and new measurements of attributable risk and attributable fraction. It also summarizes the ongoing discussion about the designs and methods for assessing the air pollution impact with particular attention to improvements due to spatio-temporal analysis and other new approaches, such as studying short term effects in cohorts, and the still discussed methods of predicting the values of attributable risk (AR). Finally, the study presents the more recent analytic perspectives and the methods for directly assessing the effects of not yet implemented interventions on air quality and health, in accordance with the suggestion in the strategic plan 2020-2025 from the Health Effect Institute.
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19
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A Survey of Road Traffic Congestion Measures towards a Sustainable and Resilient Transportation System. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12114660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Traffic congestion is a perpetual problem for the sustainability of transportation development. Traffic congestion causes delays, inconvenience, and economic losses to drivers, as well as air pollution. Identification and quantification of traffic congestion are crucial for decision-makers to initiate mitigation strategies to improve the overall transportation system’s sustainability. In this paper, the currently available measures are detailed and compared by implementing them on a daily and weekly traffic historical dataset. The results showed each measure showed significant variations in congestion states while indicating a similar congestion trend. The advantages and disadvantages of each measure are identified from the data analysis. This study summarizes the current road traffic congestion measures and provides a constructive insight into the development of a sustainable and resilient traffic management system.
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20
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Burns J, Boogaard H, Polus S, Pfadenhauer LM, Rohwer AC, van Erp AM, Turley R, Rehfuess EA. Interventions to reduce ambient air pollution and their effects on health: An abridged Cochrane systematic review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105400. [PMID: 31855800 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A broad range of interventions have been implemented to improve ambient air quality, and many of these have been evaluated. Yet to date no systematic review has been conducted to identify and synthesize these studies. In this systematic review, we assess the effectiveness of interventions in reducing ambient particulate matter air pollution and improving adverse health outcomes. METHODS We searched a range of electronic databases across multiple disciplines, as well as grey literature databases, trial registries, reference lists of included studies and the contents of relevant journals, through August 2016. Eligible for inclusion were randomized and cluster randomized controlled trials, as well as several non-randomized study designs often used for evaluating air quality interventions. We included studies that evaluated interventions targeting industrial, residential, vehicular and multiple sources, with respect to their effect on mortality, morbidity and the concentrations of particulate matter (PM - including PM10, PM2.5, coarse particulate matter and combustion-related PM), as well as several criteria pollutants, including ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide. We did not restrict studies based on the population, setting or comparison. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We assessed risk of bias using the Graphic Appraisal Tool for Epidemiological studies (GATE) for correlation studies, as modified and employed by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. We synthesized evidence narratively, as well as graphically using harvest plots. We assessed the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS We included 42 studies assessing 38 unique interventions. These comprised a heterogeneous mix of interventions, including those aiming to address industrial sources (n = 5; e.g. the closure of a factory), residential sources (n = 7; e.g. coal ban), vehicular sources (n = 22; e.g. low emission zones), and multiple sources (n = 4; e.g. tailored measures that target both local traffic and industrial polluters). Evidence for effectiveness was mixed. Most included studies observed either no significant association or an association favoring the intervention, with little evidence that the assessed interventions might be harmful. CONCLUSIONS Given the heterogeneity across interventions, outcomes, and methods, it was difficult to derive overall conclusions regarding the effectiveness of interventions in terms of improved air quality or health. Some evidence suggests that interventions are associated with improvements in air quality and human health, with very little evidence suggesting interventions were harmful. The evidence base highlights the challenges related to establishing the effectiveness of specific air pollution interventions on outcomes. It also points to the need for improved study design and analysis methods, as well as more uniform evaluations. The prospective planning of evaluations and an evaluation component built into the design and implementation of interventions may also be particularly beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burns
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Germany; Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Germany.
| | - H Boogaard
- Health Effects Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S Polus
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Germany; Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - L M Pfadenhauer
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Germany; Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - A C Rohwer
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - R Turley
- Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - E A Rehfuess
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Germany; Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Germany
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21
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In Kim J, Kim G, Choi Y. Effects of air pollution on children from a socioecological perspective. BMC Pediatr 2019; 19:442. [PMID: 31727016 PMCID: PMC6857293 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1815-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Country-level inequality in life expectancy (ILE) and deaths of children under age five due to air pollution (DCAP) can be influenced by country-level income per capita, solid fuel, electrification, and natural resource depletion. The ILE and DCAP in the short-term are useful indicators that can help in developing ways to reduce environmental threats. This study confirms evidence for ILE and DCAP as the effects of environmental threats by country-level income, energy, and natural resource levels from a socioecological approach. Methods This study based on life expectancy and children data on 164 countries acquired from the United Nations Development Programme. We obtained the country-level socioecological data from the United Nations and the World Bank database. We assessed the associations between ILE, DCAP, and the country-level indicators applying correlations coefficient and the regression models. Results These study findings showed considerable correlations between ILE and country-level socioecological indicators: gross national income per capita (GNI), non-solid fuel (NSF), electrification rate (ER), and natural resource depletion (NRD). The DCAP in short-term predictors were low NSF and low ER (R2 = 0.552), and ILE predictors were low GNI, NSF, and ER and higher NRD (R2 = 0.816). Thus, the countries with higher incomes and electrification rates and more sustainable natural resources had lower expected DCAP in the short-term and ILE in the long-term. Conclusions Based on our results, we confirmed that country-level income, energy, and natural resource indicators had important effects on ILE in long-term and DCAP in short-term. We recommend that countries consider targeting high standards of living and national incomes, access to non-solid fuel and electricity as energy sources, and sustainable natural resources to reduce ILE and DCAP in short-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong In Kim
- Institute for Longevity Sciences, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea. .,Division of Social Welfare and Health Administration, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gukbin Kim
- Global Management of Natural Resources, University College London, London, United Kingdom. .,Business Development Manager, Independent Facility Services Ltd, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Yeonja Choi
- Department of Nursing, College of Medical Sciences, Jeonju University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
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22
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Evaluation of Straw Open Burning Prohibition Effect on Provincial Air Quality during October and November 2018 in Jilin Province. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10070375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Generally, the period (i.e., October and November) was seriously affected by frequent atmospheric pollution under concentrative seasonal crop residue burning and coal burning in Jilin Province, Northeast China. A strict straw open burning ban policy was implemented in Jilin Province during October and November 2018. However, the quantitative effect of straw fire control and its effect on air quality are still unclear. In this study, using multisource data, we evaluated the status of straw-burning control and its contribution to air quality improvement in late autumn and early winter (i.e., October and November) of 2018 at a provincial level. The results showed that the open burning of straw was effectively controlled in October and November 2018 by comparing farmland fire point data to those collected in 2015–2017. There were significant positive correlations among the fire points, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and ground-monitored air quality index (AQI) on a spatial scale. The concentration values of AQI, PM2.5, and PM10 were significantly lower than for the other three years of 2015, 2016, and 2017. Based on meteorological analysis, similar conditions were found in 2018 and 2017, which were worse than that in 2016. Combined with emissions, meteorological conditions, and source apportionment information, if the straw-burning control of 2018 had been performed in 2016 and 2017, the PM2.5 concentrations could have been reduced by at least 30.6%. These results suggest the necessity of straw burning control in the improvement of air quality during the period of late autumn and early winter. Nevertheless, the comprehensive impact of straw-burning control on air quality should be further evaluated for the whole post-harvest period (i.e., October to April of the following year) as the straw-burning period can be postponed in some cities. Furthermore, the establishment of a scientific and reasonable planned burning of straw is also crucial in gradually reducing atmospheric pollution and the actual operation of local governments in those areas where straw can be burned under certain conditions.
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Dadam D, Robinson RA, Clements A, Peach WJ, Bennett M, Rowcliffe JM, Cunningham AA. Avian malaria-mediated population decline of a widespread iconic bird species. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:182197. [PMID: 31417708 PMCID: PMC6689627 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.182197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Parasites have the capacity to affect animal populations by modifying host survival, and it is increasingly recognized that infectious disease can negatively impact biodiversity. Populations of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) have declined in many European towns and cities, but the causes of these declines remain unclear. We investigated associations between parasite infection and house sparrow demography across suburban London where sparrow abundance has declined by 71% since 1995. Plasmodium relictum infection was found at higher prevalences (averaging 74%) in suburban London house sparrows than previously recorded in any wild bird population in Northern Europe. Survival rates of juvenile and adult sparrows and population growth rate were negatively related to Plasmodium relictum infection intensity. Other parasites were much less prevalent and exhibited no relationship with sparrow survival and no negative relationship with population growth. Low rates of co-infection suggested sparrows were not immunocompromised. Our findings indicate that P. relictum infection may be influencing house sparrow population dynamics in suburban areas. The demographic sensitivity of the house sparrow to P. relictum infection in London might reflect a recent increase in exposure to this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Dadam
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | | | - Anabel Clements
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Will J. Peach
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy SG19 2DL, UK
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK
| | - J. Marcus Rowcliffe
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrew A. Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
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Burns J, Boogaard H, Polus S, Pfadenhauer LM, Rohwer AC, van Erp AM, Turley R, Rehfuess E. Interventions to reduce ambient particulate matter air pollution and their effect on health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 5:CD010919. [PMID: 31106396 PMCID: PMC6526394 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010919.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambient air pollution is associated with a large burden of disease in both high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To date, no systematic review has assessed the effectiveness of interventions aiming to reduce ambient air pollution. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of interventions to reduce ambient particulate matter air pollution in reducing pollutant concentrations and improving associated health outcomes. SEARCH METHODS We searched a range of electronic databases with diverse focuses, including health and biomedical research (CENTRAL, Cochrane Public Health Group Specialised Register, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO), multidisciplinary research (Scopus, Science Citation Index), social sciences (Social Science Citation Index), urban planning and environment (Greenfile), and LMICs (Global Health Library regional indexes, WHOLIS). Additionally, we searched grey literature databases, multiple online trial registries, references of included studies and the contents of relevant journals in an attempt to identify unpublished and ongoing studies, and studies not identified by our search strategy. The final search date for all databases was 31 August 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA Eligible for inclusion were randomized and cluster randomized controlled trials, as well as several non-randomized study designs, including controlled interrupted time-series studies (cITS-EPOC), interrupted time-series studies adhering to EPOC standards (ITS-EPOC), interrupted time-series studies not adhering to EPOC standards (ITS), controlled before-after studies adhering to EPOC standards (CBA-EPOC), and controlled before-after studies not adhering to EPOC standards (CBA); these were classified as main studies. Additionally, we included uncontrolled before-after studies (UBA) as supporting studies. We included studies that evaluated interventions to reduce ambient air pollution from industrial, residential, vehicular and multiple sources, with respect to their effect on mortality, morbidity and several air pollutant concentrations. We did not restrict studies based on the population, setting or comparison. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS After a calibration exercise among the author team, two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We conducted data extraction, risk of bias assessment and evidence synthesis only for main studies; we mapped supporting studies with regard to the types of intervention and setting. To assess risk of bias, we used the Graphic Appraisal Tool for Epidemiological studies (GATE) for correlation studies, as modified and employed by the Centre for Public Health Excellence at the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). For each intervention category, i.e. those targeting industrial, residential, vehicular and multiple sources, we synthesized evidence narratively, as well as graphically using harvest plots. MAIN RESULTS We included 42 main studies assessing 38 unique interventions. These were heterogeneous with respect to setting; interventions were implemented in countries across the world, but most (79%) were implemented in HICs, with the remaining scattered across LMICs. Most interventions (76%) were implemented in urban or community settings.We identified a heterogeneous mix of interventions, including those aiming to address industrial (n = 5), residential (n = 7), vehicular (n = 22), and multiple sources (n = 4). Some specific interventions, such as low emission zones and stove exchanges, were assessed by several studies, whereas others, such as a wood burning ban, were only assessed by a single study.Most studies assessing health and air quality outcomes used routine monitoring data. Studies assessing health outcomes mostly investigated effects in the general population, while few studies assessed specific subgroups such as infants, children and the elderly. No identified studies assessed unintended or adverse effects.The judgements regarding the risk of bias of studies were mixed. Regarding health outcomes, we appraised eight studies (47%) as having no substantial risk of bias concerns, five studies (29%) as having some risk of bias concerns, and four studies (24%) as having serious risk of bias concerns. Regarding air quality outcomes, we judged 11 studies (31%) as having no substantial risk of bias concerns, 16 studies (46%) as having some risk of bias concerns, and eight studies (23%) as having serious risk of bias concerns.The evidence base, comprising non-randomized studies only, was of low or very low certainty for all intervention categories and primary outcomes. The narrative and graphical synthesis showed that evidence for effectiveness was mixed across the four intervention categories. For interventions targeting industrial, residential and multiple sources, a similar pattern emerged for both health and air quality outcomes, with essentially all studies observing either no clear association in either direction or a significant association favouring the intervention. The evidence base for interventions targeting vehicular sources was more heterogeneous, as a small number of studies did observe a significant association favouring the control. Overall, however, the evidence suggests that the assessed interventions do not worsen air quality or health. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Given the heterogeneity across interventions, outcomes, and methods, it was difficult to derive overall conclusions regarding the effectiveness of interventions in terms of improved air quality or health. Most included studies observed either no significant association in either direction or an association favouring the intervention, with little evidence that the assessed interventions might be harmful. The evidence base highlights the challenges related to establishing a causal relationship between specific air pollution interventions and outcomes. In light of these challenges, the results on effectiveness should be interpreted with caution; it is important to emphasize that lack of evidence of an association is not equivalent to evidence of no association.We identified limited evidence for several world regions, notably Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia; decision-makers should prioritize the development and implementation of interventions in these settings. In the future, as new policies are introduced, decision-makers should consider a built-in evaluation component, which could facilitate more systematic and comprehensive evaluations. These could assess effectiveness, but also aspects of feasibility, fidelity and acceptability.The production of higher quality and more uniform evidence would be helpful in informing decisions. Researchers should strive to sufficiently account for confounding, assess the impact of methodological decisions through the conduct and communication of sensitivity analyses, and improve the reporting of methods, and other aspects of the study, most importantly the description of the intervention and the context in which it is implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Burns
- Ludwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Pettenkofer School of Public HealthMarchioninistr. 15MunichGermany
| | | | - Stephanie Polus
- Ludwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Pettenkofer School of Public HealthMarchioninistr. 15MunichGermany
| | - Lisa M Pfadenhauer
- Ludwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Pettenkofer School of Public HealthMarchioninistr. 15MunichGermany
| | - Anke C Rohwer
- Stellenbosch UniversityCentre for Evidence‐based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesFrancie van Zijl DriveCape TownSouth Africa7505
| | | | - Ruth Turley
- Cardiff UniversityCentre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer)1 Museum PlaceCardiffUKCF10 3BD
| | - Eva Rehfuess
- Ludwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Pettenkofer School of Public HealthMarchioninistr. 15MunichGermany
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Hosking J, Macmillan A, Jones R, Ameratunga S, Woodward A. Searching for health equity: validation of a search filter for ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in transport. Syst Rev 2019; 8:94. [PMID: 30971313 PMCID: PMC6458782 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-019-1009-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efforts to improve health equity should be informed by the best available evidence. However, equity-related research is inconsistently indexed, and uses a variety of terms to describe key concepts, making it difficult to reliably identify all relevant studies. We report the development and validation of a search strategy for studies investigating whether the effects of interventions differ by ethnicity or socio-economic status, using the field of transport and health as an example. METHODS Adapting previously described methods, we followed four steps: generation of a test set of eligible studies, search strategy development, search strategy validation, and documentation. RESULTS Drawing from 12 systematic reviews, supplemented by additional studies identified by experts and colleagues, we identified a test set of 11 studies that met our eligibility criteria. We assigned five studies to a development set, which we used to develop and refine our search strategy. We assigned the remaining six studies to a validation set, against which we tested our final search strategy. The final search strategy identified all studies in both validation and development sets. CONCLUSIONS The validated search strategy derived in this study facilitates the conduct of systematic reviews and other literature searches investigating whether the effects of interventions differ by ethnicity or socio-economic status and may be further developed in future for other equity-focused searches and reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Hosking
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
| | - Alexandra Macmillan
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Box 56, Dunedin, PO 9054 New Zealand
| | - Rhys Jones
- Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
| | - Shanthi Ameratunga
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
| | - Alistair Woodward
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
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Caplin A, Ghandehari M, Lim C, Glimcher P, Thurston G. Advancing environmental exposure assessment science to benefit society. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1236. [PMID: 30874557 PMCID: PMC6420629 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09155-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Awareness of the human health impacts of exposure to air pollution is growing rapidly. For example, it has become evident that the adverse health effects of air pollution are more pronounced in disadvantaged populations. Policymakers in many jurisdictions have responded to this evidence by enacting initiatives that lead to lower concentrations of air pollutants, such as urban traffic restrictions. In this review, we focus on the interplay between advances in environmental exposure assessment and developments in policy. We highlight recent progress in the granular measurement of air pollutants and individual-level exposures, and how this has enabled focused local policy actions. Finally, we detail an illustrative study designed to link individual-level health-relevant exposures with economic, behavioral, biological, familial, and environmental variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Caplin
- School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Economics, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Masoud Ghandehari
- Tandon School of Engineering, Department of Urban Engineering, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Chris Lim
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Glimcher
- School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Economics, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Thurston
- NYU School of Medicine, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Kulhánová I, Morelli X, Le Tertre A, Loomis D, Charbotel B, Medina S, Ormsby JN, Lepeule J, Slama R, Soerjomataram I. The fraction of lung cancer incidence attributable to fine particulate air pollution in France: Impact of spatial resolution of air pollution models. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:1079-1086. [PMID: 30389379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor air pollution is a leading environmental cause of death and cancer incidence in humans. We aimed to estimate the fraction of lung cancer incidence attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in France, and secondarily to illustrate the influence of the input data and the spatial resolution of information on air pollution levels on this estimate. The population attributable fraction (PAF) was estimated using a nationwide spatially refined chemistry-transport model with a 2-km spatial resolution, neighbourhood-scale population density data, and a relative risk from a published meta-analysis. We used the WHO guideline value for PM2.5 exposure (10 μg/m3) as reference. Sensitivity analyses consisted in attributing the nation-wide median exposure to all areas and using alternative input data such as reference of PM2.5 exposure level and relative risk. Population-weighted median PM2.5 level in 2005 was 13.8 μg/m3; 87% of the population was exposed above the guideline value. The burden of lung cancer attributable to PM2.5 exposure corresponded to 1466 cases, or 3.6% of all cases diagnosed in 2015. Sensitivity analyses showed that the use of a national median of PM2.5 exposure would have led to an underestimation of the PAF by 11% (population-weighted median) and by 72% (median of raw concentration), suggesting that our estimates would have been higher with even more finely spatially-resolved models. When the PM2.5 reference level was replaced by the 5th percentile of country-scale exposure (4.9 μg/m3), PAF increased to 7.6%. Other sensitivity analyses resulted in even higher PAFs. Improvements in air pollution are crucial for quantitative health impacts assessment studies. Actions to reduce PM2.5 levels could substantially reduce the burden of lung cancer in France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Kulhánová
- Section of Cancer Surveillance, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
| | - Xavier Morelli
- Section of Cancer Surveillance, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France; Department of Cancer and Environment, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Dana Loomis
- Monographs Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Charbotel
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, IFSTTAR, UMRESTTE, UMR_T9405, Lyon, France; Service des maladies professionnelles, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Jean-Nicolas Ormsby
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- Inserm, CNRS, University Grenoble-Alpes, IAB (Institute for Advanced Biosciences), Team of Environmental Epidemiology, Grenoble, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- Inserm, CNRS, University Grenoble-Alpes, IAB (Institute for Advanced Biosciences), Team of Environmental Epidemiology, Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Soerjomataram
- Section of Cancer Surveillance, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
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Mudway IS, Dundas I, Wood HE, Marlin N, Jamaludin JB, Bremner SA, Cross L, Grieve A, Nanzer A, Barratt BM, Beevers S, Dajnak D, Fuller GW, Font A, Colligan G, Sheikh A, Walton R, Grigg J, Kelly FJ, Lee TH, Griffiths CJ. Impact of London's low emission zone on air quality and children's respiratory health: a sequential annual cross-sectional study. Lancet Public Health 2018; 4:e28-e40. [PMID: 30448150 PMCID: PMC6323357 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(18)30202-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low emission zones (LEZ) are an increasingly common, but unevaluated, intervention aimed at improving urban air quality and public health. We investigated the impact of London's LEZ on air quality and children's respiratory health. METHODS We did a sequential annual cross-sectional study of 2164 children aged 8-9 years attending primary schools between 2009-10 and 2013-14 in central London, UK, following the introduction of London's LEZ in February, 2008. We examined the association between modelled pollutant exposures of nitrogen oxides (including nitrogen dioxide [NO2]) and particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2·5 μm (PM2·5) and less than 10 μm (PM10) and lung function: postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, primary outcome), forced vital capacity (FVC), and respiratory or allergic symptoms. We assigned annual exposures by each child's home and school address, as well as spatially resolved estimates for the 3 h (0600-0900 h), 24 h, and 7 days before each child's assessment, to isolate long-term from short-term effects. FINDINGS The percentage of children living at addresses exceeding the EU limit value for annual NO2 (40 μg/m3) fell from 99% (444/450) in 2009 to 34% (150/441) in 2013. Over this period, we identified a reduction in NO2 at both roadside (median -1·35 μg/m3 per year; 95% CI -2·09 to -0·61; p=0·0004) and background locations (-0·97; -1·56 to -0·38; p=0·0013), but not for PM10. The effect on PM2·5 was equivocal. We found no association between postbronchodilator FEV1 and annual residential pollutant attributions. By contrast, FVC was inversely correlated with annual NO2 (-0·0023 L/μg per m3; -0·0044 to -0·0002; p=0·033) and PM10 (-0·0090 L/μg per m3; -0·0175 to -0·0005; p=0·038). INTERPRETATION Within London's LEZ, a smaller lung volume in children was associated with higher annual air pollutant exposures. We found no evidence of a reduction in the proportion of children with small lungs over this period, despite small improvements in air quality in highly polluted urban areas during the implementation of London's LEZ. Interventions that deliver larger reductions in emissions might yield improvements in children's health. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King's College London, NHS Hackney, Lee Him donation, and Felicity Wilde Charitable Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S Mudway
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Isobel Dundas
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Helen E Wood
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nadine Marlin
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jeenath B Jamaludin
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK,Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Stephen A Bremner
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louise Cross
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Grieve
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alex Nanzer
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ben M Barratt
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sean Beevers
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - David Dajnak
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gary W Fuller
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Font
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Grainne Colligan
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Aziz Sheikh
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert Walton
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Grigg
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK,MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Frank J Kelly
- Medical Research Council (MRC)–Public Health England Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tak H Lee
- MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King's College London, London, UK,Allergy Centre, HK Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chris J Griffiths
- Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Barts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK,MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King's College London, London, UK,Correspondence to: Prof Chris Griffiths, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Peach WJ, Mallord JW, Ockendon N, Orsman CJ, Haines WG. Depleted suburban house sparrow Passer domesticus population not limited by food availability. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0784-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Raza W, Forsberg B, Johansson C, Sommar JN. Air pollution as a risk factor in health impact assessments of a travel mode shift towards cycling. Glob Health Action 2018; 11:1429081. [PMID: 29400262 PMCID: PMC5804679 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2018.1429081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promotion of active commuting provides substantial health and environmental benefits by influencing air pollution, physical activity, accidents, and noise. However, studies evaluating intervention and policies on a mode shift from motorized transport to cycling have estimated health impacts with varying validity and precision. OBJECTIVE To review and discuss the estimation of air pollution exposure and its impacts in health impact assessment studies of a shift in transport from cars to bicycles in order to guide future assessments. METHODS A systematic database search of PubMed was done primarily for articles published from January 2000 to May 2016 according to PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS We identified 18 studies of health impact assessment of change in transport mode. Most studies investigated future hypothetical scenarios of increased cycling. The impact on the general population was estimated using a comparative risk assessment approach in the majority of these studies, whereas some used previously published cost estimates. Air pollution exposure during cycling was estimated based on the ventilation rate, the pollutant concentration, and the trip duration. Most studies employed exposure-response functions from studies comparing background levels of fine particles between cities to estimate the health impacts of local traffic emissions. The effect of air pollution associated with increased cycling contributed small health benefits for the general population, and also only slightly increased risks associated with fine particle exposure among those who shifted to cycling. However, studies calculating health impacts based on exposure-response functions for ozone, black carbon or nitrogen oxides found larger effects attributed to changes in air pollution exposure. CONCLUSION A large discrepancy between studies was observed due to different health impact assessment approaches, different assumptions for calculation of inhaled dose and different selection of dose-response functions. This kind of assessments would improve from more holistic approaches using more specific exposure-response functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasif Raza
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Bertil Forsberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Christer Johansson
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Environment and Health Administration, SLB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Nilsson Sommar
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Huang JV, Leung GM, Schooling CM. The association of air pollution with birthweight and gestational age: evidence from Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort. J Public Health (Oxf) 2017; 39:476-484. [PMID: 27474758 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdw068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies from Western settings have found inconsistent associations of air pollutants with birth outcomes, which are open to residual confounding by socioeconomic position (SEP). We assessed this association in the economically developed non-Western setting of Hong Kong, with high levels of air pollution but little social patterning of these outcomes. Methods We obtained PM10, SO2, NO and NO2 from monitoring stations, and assessed their associations with birthweight and gestational age in a large population-representative birth cohort 'Children of 1997', using partial least-square regression to account for the colinearity between pollutants. Results PM10 (per 5.7 µg/m3 higher) and NO2 (per 10.9 µg/m3 higher) were associated with birthweight lower by 47.0 g (95% confidence interval (CI) 36.2-56.3) and 16.9 g (95% CI 10.8-22.6), respectively; and were associated with gestational age shorter by 2.1 days (95% CI 1.7-2.4) and 0.7 days (95% CI 0.5-0.8), respectively. Conclusions Given minimal confounding by SEP in our setting, these findings provide unequivocal evidence of adverse effects of PM10 and NO2 exposure during pregnancy on birthweight and gestational age. Physiological mechanisms need to be better understood to support effective public health action globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian V Huang
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Gabriel M Leung
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - C Mary Schooling
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.,City University of New York, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
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Brown AL, van Kamp I. WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region: A Systematic Review of Transport Noise Interventions and Their Impacts on Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14080873. [PMID: 28771220 PMCID: PMC5580577 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14080873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes a systematic review (1980-2014) of evidence on effects of transport noise interventions on human health. The sources are road traffic, railways, and air traffic. Health outcomes include sleep disturbance, annoyance, cognitive impairment of children and cardiovascular diseases. A conceptual framework to classify noise interventions and health effects was developed. Evidence was thinly spread across source types, outcomes, and intervention types. Further, diverse intervention study designs, methods of analyses, exposure levels, and changes in exposure do not allow a meta-analysis of the association between changes in noise level and health outcomes, and risk of bias in most studies was high. However, 43 individual transport noise intervention studies were examined (33 road traffic; 7 air traffic; 3 rail) as to whether the intervention was associated with a change in health outcome. Results showed that many of the interventions were associated with changes in health outcomes irrespective of the source type, the outcome or intervention type (source, path or infrastructure). For road traffic sources and the annoyance outcome, the expected effect-size can be estimated from an appropriate exposure-response function, though the change in annoyance in most studies was larger than could be expected based on noise level change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Lex Brown
- Griffith School of Environment/Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane 4075, Australia.
| | - Irene van Kamp
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Papies EK. Situating interventions to bridge the intention-behaviour gap: A framework for recruiting nonconscious processes for behaviour change. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Riedel N, van Kamp I, Köckler H, Scheiner J, Loerbroks A, Claßen T, Bolte G. Cognitive-Motivational Determinants of Residents' Civic Engagement and Health (Inequities) in the Context of Noise Action Planning: A Conceptual Model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14060578. [PMID: 28556813 PMCID: PMC5486264 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14060578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Environmental Noise Directive expects residents to be actively involved in localising and selecting noise abatement interventions during the noise action planning process. Its intervention impact is meant to be homogeneous across population groups. Against the background of social heterogeneity and environmental disparities, however, the impact of noise action planning on exposure to traffic-related noise and its health effects is unlikely to follow homogenous distributions. Until now, there has been no study evaluating the impact of noise action measures on the social distribution of traffic-related noise exposure and health outcomes. We develop a conceptual (logic) model on cognitive-motivational determinants of residents’ civic engagement and health (inequities) by integrating arguments from the Model on household’s Vulnerability to the local Environment, the learned helplessness model in environmental psychology, the Cognitive Activation Theory of Stress, and the reserve capacity model. Specifically, we derive four hypothetical patterns of cognitive-motivational determinants yielding different levels of sustained physiological activation and expectancies of civic engagement. These patterns may help us understand why health inequities arise in the context of noise action planning and learn how to transform noise action planning into an instrument conducive to health equity. While building on existing frameworks, our conceptual model will be tested empirically in the next stage of our research process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Riedel
- University of Bremen, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, Department of Social Epidemiology, Grazer Straße 4, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Irene van Kamp
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Heike Köckler
- Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Science), Department of Community Health, Gesundheitscampus 6-8, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Joachim Scheiner
- TU Dortmund University, Faculty of Spatial Planning, Department of Transport Planning, August-Schmidt-Str. 10, 44221 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- University of Düsseldorf, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Thomas Claßen
- Centre for Health NRW (North Rhine Westphalia), Section "Health Assessments and Forecasting", Westerfeldstr. 35/37, 33611 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Gabriele Bolte
- University of Bremen, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, Department of Social Epidemiology, Grazer Straße 4, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
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Rich DQ. Accountability studies of air pollution and health effects: lessons learned and recommendations for future natural experiment opportunities. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 100:62-78. [PMID: 28089581 PMCID: PMC5291758 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
To address limitations of observational epidemiology studies of air pollution and health effects, including residual confounding by temporal and spatial factors, several studies have taken advantage of 'natural experiments', where an environmental policy or air quality intervention has resulted in reductions in ambient air pollution concentrations. Researchers have examined whether the population impacted by these air quality improvements, also experienced improvements in various health indices (e.g. reduced morbidity/mortality). In this paper, I review key accountability studies done previously and new studies done over the past several years in Beijing, Atlanta, London, Ireland, and other locations, describing study design and analysis strengths and limitations of each. As new 'natural experiment' opportunities arise, several lessons learned from these studies should be applied when planning a new accountability study. Comparison of health outcomes during the intervention to both before and after the intervention in the population of interest, as well as use of a control population to assess whether any temporal changes in the population of interest were also seen in populations not impacted by air quality improvements, should aid in minimizing residual confounding by these long term time trends. Use of either detailed health records for a population, or prospectively collected data on relevant mechanistic biomarkers coupled with such morbidity/mortality data may provide a more thorough assessment of if the intervention beneficially impacted the health of the community, and if so by what mechanism(s). Further, prospective measurement of a large suite of air pollutants may allow a more thorough understanding of what pollutant source(s) is/are responsible for any health benefit observed. The importance of using multiple statistical analysis methods in each paper and the difference in how the timing of the air pollution/outcome association may impact which of these design features is most important is also discussed. Based on these and other lessons learned, researchers may provide a more epidemiologically rigorous evaluation of cause-specific health impacts of an air quality intervention or action.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q Rich
- Departments of Public Health Sciences and Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States.
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Munford LA. The impact of congestion charging on social capital. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH. PART A, POLICY AND PRACTICE 2017; 97:192-208. [PMID: 28280291 PMCID: PMC5327955 DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2017.01.018] [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: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We analyse a new data set to examine how congestion charging policies affect an individual's investment social capital. We exploit a (quasi-) natural experiment - the implementation of the Western Extension Zone (WEZ) to the London Congestion Charging zone in 2007. We measure investment in social capital by using the frequency of visits to friends and family before and after the implementation of the WEZ. Using longitudinal data collected in January and November 2007 made available by Transport for London, we perform difference-in-difference analysis, using both OLS and interval regression, with the treatment group defined as those who used a car to make visits pre-WEZ. We observe large and statistically significant reductions in visits as a result of the WEZ, with, for example, a reduction of around 20 visits a year to friends. The effect of the WEZ on the number of visits to act as an informal carer is much larger, with reductions of around 100 visits a year. Given that the changes occurred in such a small time frame (10 months), we conclude that the WEZ is likely to be the main driver of these reductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A. Munford
- Corresponding author at: 4th Floor Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.4th Floor Jean McFarlane BuildingOxford RoadManchesterUK
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Pfadenhauer LM, Gerhardus A, Mozygemba K, Lysdahl KB, Booth A, Hofmann B, Wahlster P, Polus S, Burns J, Brereton L, Rehfuess E. Making sense of complexity in context and implementation: the Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions (CICI) framework. Implement Sci 2017; 12:21. [PMID: 28202031 PMCID: PMC5312531 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-017-0552-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 446] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of complex interventions, as well as their success in reaching relevant populations, is critically influenced by their implementation in a given context. Current conceptual frameworks often fail to address context and implementation in an integrated way and, where addressed, they tend to focus on organisational context and are mostly concerned with specific health fields. Our objective was to develop a framework to facilitate the structured and comprehensive conceptualisation and assessment of context and implementation of complex interventions. METHODS The Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions (CICI) framework was developed in an iterative manner and underwent extensive application. An initial framework based on a scoping review was tested in rapid assessments, revealing inconsistencies with respect to the underlying concepts. Thus, pragmatic utility concept analysis was undertaken to advance the concepts of context and implementation. Based on these findings, the framework was revised and applied in several systematic reviews, one health technology assessment (HTA) and one applicability assessment of very different complex interventions. Lessons learnt from these applications and from peer review were incorporated, resulting in the CICI framework. RESULTS The CICI framework comprises three dimensions-context, implementation and setting-which interact with one another and with the intervention dimension. Context comprises seven domains (i.e., geographical, epidemiological, socio-cultural, socio-economic, ethical, legal, political); implementation consists of five domains (i.e., implementation theory, process, strategies, agents and outcomes); setting refers to the specific physical location, in which the intervention is put into practise. The intervention and the way it is implemented in a given setting and context can occur on a micro, meso and macro level. Tools to operationalise the framework comprise a checklist, data extraction tools for qualitative and quantitative reviews and a consultation guide for applicability assessments. CONCLUSIONS The CICI framework addresses and graphically presents context, implementation and setting in an integrated way. It aims at simplifying and structuring complexity in order to advance our understanding of whether and how interventions work. The framework can be applied in systematic reviews and HTA as well as primary research and facilitate communication among teams of researchers and with various stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Pfadenhauer
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ansgar Gerhardus
- Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Kati Mozygemba
- Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Andrew Booth
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Bjørn Hofmann
- Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Philip Wahlster
- Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Polus
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jacob Burns
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Louise Brereton
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Eva Rehfuess
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Air Quality Strategies on Public Health and Health Equity in Europe-A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13121196. [PMID: 27918457 PMCID: PMC5201337 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13121196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution is an important public health problem in Europe and there is evidence that it exacerbates health inequities. This calls for effective strategies and targeted interventions. In this study, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies relating to air pollution control on public health and health equity in Europe. Three databases, Web of Science, PubMed, and Trials Register of Promoting Health Interventions (TRoPHI), were searched for scientific publications investigating the effectiveness of strategies on outdoor air pollution control, public health and health equity in Europe from 1995 to 2015. A total of 15 scientific papers were included in the review after screening 1626 articles. Four groups of strategy types, namely, general regulations on air quality control, road traffic related emission control interventions, energy generation related emission control interventions and greenhouse gas emission control interventions for climate change mitigation were identified. All of the strategies reviewed reported some improvement in air quality and subsequently in public health. The reduction of the air pollutant concentrations and the reported subsequent health benefits were more significant within the geographic areas affected by traffic related interventions. Among the various traffic related interventions, low emission zones appeared to be more effective in reducing ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter levels. Only few studies considered implications for health equity, three out of 15, and no consistent results were found indicating that these strategies could reduce health inequity associated with air pollution. Particulate matter (particularly fine particulate matter) and NO2 were the dominant outdoor air pollutants examined in the studies in Europe in recent years. Health benefits were gained either as a direct, intended objective or as a co-benefit from all of the strategies examined, but no consistent impact on health equity from the strategies was found. The strategy types aiming to control air pollution in Europe and the health impact assessment methodology were also discussed in this review.
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Guerriero C, Chatzidiakou L, Cairns J, Mumovic D. The economic benefits of reducing the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) near primary schools: The case of London. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 181:615-622. [PMID: 27451292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Providing a healthy school environment is a priority for child health. The aim of this study is to develop a methodology that allows quantification of the potential economic benefit of reducing indoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in children attending primary schools. Using environmental and health data collected in primary schools in London, this study estimates that, on average, 82 asthma exacerbations per school can be averted each year by reducing outdoor NO2 concentrations. The study expands upon previous analyses in two ways: first it assesses the health benefits of reducing children's exposure to indoor NO2 while at school, second it considers the children's perspective in the economic evaluation. Using a willingness to pay approach, the study quantifies that the monetary benefits of reducing children's indoor NO2 exposure while at school would range between £2.5 k per school if a child's perspective based on child's budget is adopted up to £60 k if a parent's perspective is considered. This study highlights that designers, engineers, policymakers and stakeholders need to consider the reduction of outdoor pollution, and particularly NO2 levels, near primary schools as there may be substantial health and monetary benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Guerriero
- DISES, Università di Napoli Federico II, CSEF, Via Cintia 80126, Naples, Italy; HSRP London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, WC1H 9SH London, UK.
| | - Lia Chatzidiakou
- Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - John Cairns
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1H 9SH Tavistock Place, London, UK
| | - Dejan Mumovic
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (UCL IEDE), Central House14 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0NN, UK
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Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Khreis H. Car free cities: Pathway to healthy urban living. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 94:251-262. [PMID: 27276440 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many cities across the world are beginning to shift their mobility solution away from the private cars and towards more environmentally friendly and citizen-focused means. Hamburg, Oslo, Helsinki, and Madrid have recently announced their plans to become (partly) private car free cities. Other cities like Paris, Milan, Chengdu, Masdar, Dublin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Bogota, and Hyderabad have measures that aim at reducing motorized traffic including implementing car free days, investing in cycling infrastructure and pedestrianization, restricting parking spaces and considerable increases in public transport provision. Such plans and measures are particularly implemented with the declared aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These reductions are also likely to benefit public health. AIMS We aimed to describe the plans for private car free cities and its likely effects on public health. METHODS We reviewed the grey and scientific literature on plans for private car free cities, restricted car use, related exposures and health. RESULTS An increasing number of cities are planning to become (partly) private car free. They mainly focus on the reduction of private car use in city centers. The likely effects of such policies are significant reductions in traffic-related air pollution, noise, and temperature in city centers. For example, up to a 40% reduction in NO2 levels has been reported on car free days. These reductions are likely to lead to a reduction in premature mortality and morbidity. Furthermore the reduction in the number of cars, and therefore a reduction in the need for parking places and road space, provides opportunities to increase green space and green networks in cities, which in turn can lead to many beneficial health effects. All these measures are likely to lead to higher levels of active mobility and physical activity which may improve public health the most and also provide more opportunities for people to interact with each other in public space. Furthermore, such initiatives, if undertaken at a sufficiently large scale can result in positive distal effects and climate change mitigation through CO2 reductions. The potential negative effects which may arise due to motorized traffic detouring around car free zone into their destinations also need further evaluation and the areas in which car free zones are introduced need to be given sufficient attention so as not to become an additional way to exacerbate socioeconomic divides. The extent and magnitude of all the above effects is still unclear and needs further research, including full chain health impact assessment modeling to quantify the potential health benefits of such schemes, and exposure and epidemiological studies to measure any changes when such interventions take place. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of private car free cities is likely to have direct and indirect health benefits, but the exact magnitude and potential conflicting effects are as yet unclear. This paper has overviewed the expected health impacts, which can be useful to underpin policies to reduce car use in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Haneen Khreis
- Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Kheirbek I, Haney J, Douglas S, Ito K, Matte T. The contribution of motor vehicle emissions to ambient fine particulate matter public health impacts in New York City: a health burden assessment. Environ Health 2016; 15:89. [PMID: 27566439 PMCID: PMC5002106 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-016-0172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On-road vehicles are an important source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in cities, but spatially varying traffic emissions and vulnerable populations make it difficult to assess impacts to inform policy and the public. METHODS We estimated PM2.5-attributable mortality and morbidity from on-road vehicle generated air pollution in the New York City (NYC) region using high-spatial-resolution emissions estimates, air quality modeling, and local health incidence data to evaluate variations in impacts by vehicle class, neighborhood, and area socioeconomic status. We developed multiple 'zero-out' emission scenarios focused on regional and local cars, trucks, and buses in the NYC region. We simulated PM2.5 concentrations using the Community Multi-scale Air Quality Model at a 1-km spatial resolution over NYC and combined modeled estimates with monitored data from 2010 to 2012. We applied health impact functions and local health data to quantify the PM2.5-attributable health burden on NYC residents within 42 city neighborhoods. RESULTS We estimate that all on-road mobile sources in the NYC region contribute to 320 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 220-420) deaths and 870 (95 % CI: 440-1280) hospitalizations and emergency department visits annually within NYC due to PM2.5 exposures, accounting for 5850 (95 % CI: 4020-7620) years of life lost. Trucks and buses within NYC accounted for the largest share of on-road mobile-attributable ambient PM2.5, contributing up to 14.9 % of annual average levels across 1-km grid cells, and were associated with 170 (95 % CI: 110-220) PM2.5-attributable deaths each year. These contributions were not evenly distributed, with high poverty neighborhoods experiencing a larger share of the exposure and health burden than low poverty neighborhoods. CONCLUSION Reducing motor vehicle emissions, especially from trucks and buses, could produce significant health benefits and reduce disparities in impacts. Our high-spatial-resolution modeling approach could improve assessment of on-road vehicle health impacts in other cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iyad Kheirbek
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, 125 Worth Street, Third Flr. CN-34E, New York, NY 10013 USA
| | - Jay Haney
- ICF International, 101 Lucas Valley Road, Suite 260, San Rafael, CA 94903 USA
| | - Sharon Douglas
- ICF International, 101 Lucas Valley Road, Suite 260, San Rafael, CA 94903 USA
| | - Kazuhiko Ito
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, 125 Worth Street, Third Flr. CN-34E, New York, NY 10013 USA
| | - Thomas Matte
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, 125 Worth Street, Third Flr. CN-34E, New York, NY 10013 USA
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Kihal W, Padilla C, Deguen S. The need for, and value of, a spatial scan statistical tool for tackling social health inequalities. Glob Health Promot 2016; 24:99-102. [PMID: 27435081 DOI: 10.1177/1757975916656358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Today, one important challenge in developed countries is health inequalities. Research conducted in public health policy issues supply little evidence for effective interventions aiming to improve population health and to reduce health inequalities. There is a need for a powerful tool to support priority setting and guide policy makers in their choice of health interventions, and that maximizes social welfare. This paper proposes to divert a spatial tool based on Kulldorff's scan method to investigate social inequalities in health. This commentary argues that this spatial approach can be a useful tool to tackle social inequalities in health by guiding policy makers at three levels: (i) supporting priority setting and planning a targeted intervention; (ii) choosing actions or interventions which will be performed for the whole population, but with a scale and intensity proportionate to need; and (iii) assessing health equity of public interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wahida Kihal
- 1. EHESP School of Public Health-Rennes, Sorbonne-Paris Cité, France.,2. INSERM U1085-IRSET - Research Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France
| | - Cindy Padilla
- 1. EHESP School of Public Health-Rennes, Sorbonne-Paris Cité, France
| | - Séverine Deguen
- 1. EHESP School of Public Health-Rennes, Sorbonne-Paris Cité, France.,2. INSERM U1085-IRSET - Research Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France
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van der Zee SC, Fischer PH, Hoek G. Air pollution in perspective: Health risks of air pollution expressed in equivalent numbers of passively smoked cigarettes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 148:475-483. [PMID: 27136673 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the health effects of long term exposure to air pollution are well established, it is difficult to effectively communicate the health risks of this (largely invisible) risk factor to the public and policy makers. The purpose of this study is to develop a method that expresses the health effects of air pollution in an equivalent number of daily passively smoked cigarettes. METHODS Defined changes in PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Black Carbon (BC) concentration were expressed into number of passively smoked cigarettes, based on equivalent health risks for four outcome measures: Low Birth Weight (<2500g at term), decreased lung function (FEV1), cardiovascular mortality and lung cancer. To describe the strength of the relationship with ETS and air pollutants, we summarized the epidemiological literature using published or new meta-analyses. RESULTS Realistic increments of 10µg/m(3) in PM2.5 and NO2 concentration and a 1µg/m(3) increment in BC concentration correspond to on average (standard error in parentheses) 5.5 (1.6), 2.5 (0.6) and 4.0 (1.2) passively smoked cigarettes per day across the four health endpoints, respectively. The uncertainty reflects differences in equivalence between the health endpoints and uncertainty in the concentration response functions. The health risk of living along a major freeway in Amsterdam is, compared to a counterfactual situation with 'clean' air, equivalent to 10 daily passively smoked cigarettes.. CONCLUSIONS We developed a method that expresses the health risks of air pollution and the health benefits of better air quality in a simple, appealing manner. The method can be used both at the national/regional and the local level. Evaluation of the usefulness of the method as a communication tool is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia C van der Zee
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Department of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2200, 1000 CE Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Paul H Fischer
- Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Hoek
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Fecht D, Hansell AL, Morley D, Dajnak D, Vienneau D, Beevers S, Toledano MB, Kelly FJ, Anderson HR, Gulliver J. Spatial and temporal associations of road traffic noise and air pollution in London: Implications for epidemiological studies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 88:235-242. [PMID: 26773394 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Road traffic gives rise to noise and air pollution exposures, both of which are associated with adverse health effects especially for cardiovascular disease, but mechanisms may differ. Understanding the variability in correlations between these pollutants is essential to understand better their separate and joint effects on human health. We explored associations between modelled noise and air pollutants using different spatial units and area characteristics in London in 2003-2010. We modelled annual average exposures to road traffic noise (LAeq,24h, Lden, LAeq,16h, Lnight) for ~190,000 postcode centroids in London using the UK Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN) method. We used a dispersion model (KCLurban) to model nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, total and the traffic-only component of particulate matter ≤2.5μm and ≤10μm. We analysed noise and air pollution correlations at the postcode level (~50 people), postcodes stratified by London Boroughs (~240,000 people), neighbourhoods (Lower layer Super Output Areas) (~1600 people), 1km grid squares, air pollution tertiles, 50m, 100m and 200m in distance from major roads and by deprivation tertiles. Across all London postcodes, we observed overall moderate correlations between modelled noise and air pollution that were stable over time (Spearman's rho range: |0.34-0.55|). Correlations, however, varied considerably depending on the spatial unit: largest ranges were seen in neighbourhoods and 1km grid squares (both Spearman's rho range: |0.01-0.87|) and was less for Boroughs (Spearman's rho range: |0.21-0.78|). There was little difference in correlations between exposure tertiles, distance from road or deprivation tertiles. Associations between noise and air pollution at the relevant geographical unit of analysis need to be carefully considered in any epidemiological analysis, in particular in complex urban areas. Low correlations near roads, however, suggest that independent effects of road noise and traffic-related air pollution can be reliably determined within London.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Fecht
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Anna L Hansell
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK; Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - David Morley
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - David Dajnak
- Environmental Research Group, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Sean Beevers
- Environmental Research Group, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Mireille B Toledano
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Frank J Kelly
- Environmental Research Group, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - H Ross Anderson
- Environmental Research Group, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK; St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - John Gulliver
- UK Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK
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Solanki HK, Ahamed F, Gupta SK, Nongkynrih B. Road Transport in Urban India: Its Implications on Health. Indian J Community Med 2016; 41:16-22. [PMID: 26917868 PMCID: PMC4746948 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0218.170959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hariom Kumar Solanki
- Centre for Community Medicine, Old O.T. Block, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Farhad Ahamed
- Centre for Community Medicine, Old O.T. Block, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Gupta
- Centre for Community Medicine, Old O.T. Block, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Baridalyne Nongkynrih
- Centre for Community Medicine, Old O.T. Block, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Rich DQ, Liu K, Zhang J, Thurston SW, Stevens TP, Pan Y, Kane C, Weinberger B, Ohman-Strickland P, Woodruff TJ, Duan X, Assibey-Mensah V, Zhang J. Differences in Birth Weight Associated with the 2008 Beijing Olympics Air Pollution Reduction: Results from a Natural Experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2015; 123:880-7. [PMID: 25919693 PMCID: PMC4559955 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported decreased birth weight associated with increased air pollutant concentrations during pregnancy. However, it is not clear when during pregnancy increases in air pollution are associated with the largest differences in birth weight. OBJECTIVES Using the natural experiment of air pollution declines during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, we evaluated whether having specific months of pregnancy (i.e., 1st…8th) during the 2008 Olympics period was associated with larger birth weights, compared with pregnancies during the same dates in 2007 or 2009. METHODS Using n = 83,672 term births to mothers residing in four urban districts of Beijing, we estimated the difference in birth weight associated with having individual months of pregnancy during the 2008 Olympics (8 August-24 September 2008) compared with the same dates in 2007 and 2009. We also estimated the difference in birth weight associated with interquartile range (IQR) increases in mean ambient particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations during each pregnancy month. RESULTS Babies whose 8th month of gestation occurred during the 2008 Olympics were, on average, 23 g larger (95% CI: 5 g, 40 g) than babies whose 8th month occurred during the same calendar dates in 2007 or 2009. IQR increases in PM2.5 (19.8 μg/m3), CO (0.3 ppm), SO2 (1.8 ppb), and NO2 (13.6 ppb) concentrations during the 8th month of pregnancy were associated with 18 g (95% CI: -32 g, -3 g), 17 g (95% CI: -28 g, -6 g), 23 g (95% CI: -36 g, -10 g), and 34 g (95% CI: -70 g, 3 g) decreases in birth weight, respectively. We did not see significant associations for months 1-7. CONCLUSIONS Short-term decreases in air pollution late in pregnancy in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics, a normally heavily polluted city, were associated with higher birth weight. CITATION Rich DQ, Liu K, Zhang J, Thurston SW, Stevens TP, Pan Y, Kane C, Weinberger B, Ohman-Strickland P, Woodruff TJ, Duan X, Assibey-Mensah V, Zhang J. 2015. Differences in birth weight associated with the 2008 Beijing Olympics air pollution reduction: results from a natural experiment. Environ Health Perspect 123:880-887; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408795.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q Rich
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
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Milner J, Chalabi Z, Vardoulakis S, Wilkinson P. Housing interventions and health: Quantifying the impact of indoor particles on mortality and morbidity with disease recovery. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 81:73-79. [PMID: 25958127 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Housing interventions for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction have the potential to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution if they are implemented correctly. This work assessed the health impacts of home energy efficiency measures in England and Wales resulting in a reduction in average indoor PM2.5 exposures of 3 μg m(-3). The assessment was performed using a new multistate life table model which allows transition into and between multiple morbid states, including recovery to disease-free status and relapse, with transition rates informed by age- and cause-specific disease prevalence, incidence and mortality data. Such models have not previously included disease recovery. The results demonstrate that incorporation of recovery in the model is necessary for conditions such as asthma which have high incidence in early life but likelihood of recovery in adulthood. The impact assessment of the home energy efficiency intervention showed that the reduction in PM2.5 exposure would be associated with substantial benefits for mortality and morbidity from asthma, coronary heart disease and lung cancer. The overall impact would be an increase in life expectancy of two to three months and approximately 13 million QALYs gained over the 90 year follow-up period. Substantial quality-of-life benefits were also observed, with a decrease in asthma over all age groups and larger benefits due to reduced coronary heart disease and lung cancer, particularly in older age groups. The multistate model with recovery provides important additional information for assessing the impact on health of environmental policies and interventions compared with mortality-only life tables, allowing more realistic representation of diseases with substantial non-mortality burdens.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Milner
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Zaid Chalabi
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Sotiris Vardoulakis
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK; Centre for Radiation, Chemical & Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Campus, OX11 0RQ, UK.
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK.
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The effects on health of ambient particles: time for an agonizing reappraisal? Cell Biol Toxicol 2015; 31:131-47. [DOI: 10.1007/s10565-015-9296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the relationship between air pollution and children's respiratory health in Shanghai, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:1834-48. [PMID: 25664694 PMCID: PMC4344696 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120201834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
To assess the status of, and factors associated with, residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to air pollution and respiratory health of children in Shanghai, we conducted a cross-sectional survey. Demographic factors associated with residents’ knowledge were identified by multiple logistic regressions. The questionnaires were completed by 972 participants, half from the Shanghai Children Hospital and the other half from the Jiading communities. Half of the participants’ scores of knowledge and attitudes were equal or greater than 8.0 on a 9-point scale, over 75% of respondents’ practice scores were equal to or less than 4.0. Our studies demonstrated a significant difference of average knowledge scores between the two groups (t = 1.27, p < 0.05). The parents’ educational level (OR = 1.89, 2.48) and average annual household income (AAHI) (OR = 2.37, 2.40, 2.12) were the two strongest factors on knowledge awareness. In addition, statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the two groups in their attitudes towards air quality and their perception of the government’s efforts to alleviate it. The hospital and community groups also showed significant differences in practices geared towards protecting their children’s health. Nearly 90% of the respondents agreed that improving air quality is the responsibility of every citizen, and the joint action of governments and all citizens should be utilized for enhanced control. In addition, more resources should be allocated towards providing citizens with appropriate practices to help lessen the effects of poor air quality.
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Zigler CM, Dominici F. Point: clarifying policy evidence with potential-outcomes thinking--beyond exposure-response estimation in air pollution epidemiology. Am J Epidemiol 2014; 180:1133-40. [PMID: 25399414 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwu263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulatory environment surrounding policies to control air pollution warrants a new type of epidemiologic evidence. Whereas air pollution epidemiology has typically informed policies with estimates of exposure-response relationships between pollution and health outcomes, these estimates alone cannot support current debates surrounding the actual health effects of air quality regulations. We argue that directly evaluating specific control strategies is distinct from estimating exposure-response relationships and that increased emphasis on estimating effects of well-defined regulatory interventions would enhance the evidence that supports policy decisions. Appealing to similar calls for accountability assessment of whether regulatory actions impact health outcomes, we aim to sharpen the analytic distinctions between studies that directly evaluate policies and those that estimate exposure-response relationships, with particular focus on perspectives for causal inference. Our goal is not to review specific methodologies or studies, nor is it to extoll the advantages of "causal" versus "associational" evidence. Rather, we argue that potential-outcomes perspectives can elevate current policy debates with more direct evidence of the extent to which complex regulatory interventions affect health. Augmenting the existing body of exposure-response estimates with rigorous evidence of the causal effects of well-defined actions will ensure that the highest-level epidemiologic evidence continues to support regulatory policies.
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