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Balow RB, McEntee M, Schweigert IV, Jeon S, Peterson GW, Pehrsson P. Battling Chemical Weapons with Zirconium Hydroxide Nanoparticle Sorbent: Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Sarin Sequestration and Decomposition. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:6923-6934. [PMID: 34062060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The promising reactive sorbent zirconium hydroxide (ZH) was challenged with common environmental contaminants (CO2, SO2, and NO2) to determine the impact on chemical warfare agent decomposition. Several environmental adsorbates rapidly formed on the ZH surface through available hydroxyl species and coordinatively unsaturated zirconium sites. ZH decontamination effectiveness was determined using a suite of instrumentation including in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to monitor sarin (GB) decomposition in real time and at ambient pressure. Surface products were characterized by ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The adsorption enthalpies, entropies, and bond lengths for environmental contaminants and GB decomposition products were estimated using density functional theory (DFT). Consistent with the XPS and DRIFTS results, DFT simulations predicted the relative stabilities of molecular adsorbates and reaction products in the following order: CO2 < NO2 < GB ≈ SO2. Microbreakthrough capacity measurements on ZH showed a 7-fold increase in the sorption of NO2 vs SO2, which indicates differences in the surface reactivity of these species. GB decomposition was rapid on clean and CO2-dosed ZH and showed reduced decomposition on SO2- and NO2-predosed samples. Despite these findings, the total GB sorption capacity of clean and predosed ZH was consistent across all samples. These data provide insight into the real-world use of ZH as a reactive sorbent for chemical decontamination applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B Balow
- Chemistry Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, United States
| | - Monica McEntee
- U.S. Army, Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, 8198 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Igor V Schweigert
- Chemistry Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, United States
| | - Seokmin Jeon
- Former National Research Council (NRC) Research Associateship Program, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, United States
| | - Gregory W Peterson
- U.S. Army, Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center, 8198 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, United States
| | - Pehr Pehrsson
- Chemistry Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375, United States
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Enkh-Undraa D, Kanda S, Shima M, Shimono T, Miyake M, Yoda Y, Nagnii S, Nishiyama T. Coal burning-derived SO 2 and traffic-derived NO 2 are associated with persistent cough and current wheezing symptoms among schoolchildren in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Environ Health Prev Med 2019; 24:66. [PMID: 31775603 PMCID: PMC6882210 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-019-0817-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Children in Ulaanbaatar are exposed to air pollution, but few epidemiological studies have been conducted on the effects of environmental risk factors on children’s health. Also, no studies have yet examined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in children in suburban areas, where air quality-monitoring stations have not yet been installed. This cross-sectional study evaluated the associations between outdoor air pollution and respiratory symptoms among schoolchildren in urban and suburban districts of Ulaanbaatar. Methods The ATS-DLD-78 C questionnaire was used to investigate the respiratory symptoms of schoolchildren aged 6–12 years (n = 1190) who lived in one of three urban districts or a suburban district of Ulaanbaatar. In each district, the outdoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were measured at two sites (at ≤100 m and > 100 m from the nearest major road) in the 2-year period from 2015 to 2016. The associations between health outcomes and exposure to air pollutants were estimated using the multinomial logistic regression method. Results The outdoor concentration of SO2 was significantly associated with persistent cough symptom (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.22). Furthermore, the outdoor concentration of NO2 was significantly associated with the current wheezing symptom (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.01–1.75) among children in urban and suburban. Conclusions The prevalence of persistent cough symptom was markedly high among the schoolchildren in urban/suburban districts of Ulaanbaatar. Overall, the increases in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among children might be associated with ambient air pollution in Ulaanbaatar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dambajamts Enkh-Undraa
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Seiji Kanda
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Shima
- Department of Public Health, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawacho, Nishinomya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Takaki Shimono
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Mari Miyake
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Yoda
- Department of Public Health, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawacho, Nishinomya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Saijaa Nagnii
- Environmental Health Research Center, Public Health Institute, Enkhtaiwan Avenue 17, 3rd Khoroo Bayanzurkh, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Toshimasa Nishiyama
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
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Li N, Maesano CN, Friedrich R, Medda E, Brandstetter S, Kabesch M, Apfelbacher C, Melter M, Seelbach-Göbel B, Annesi-Maesano I, Sarigiannis D. A model for estimating the lifelong exposure to PM2.5 and NO 2 and the application to population studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 178:108629. [PMID: 31476682 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Numerous epidemiological studies have confirmed the negative influences of air pollutants on human health, where fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) cause the highest health risks. However, the traditional studies have only involved the ambient concentration for a short to medium time period, which ignores the influence of indoor sources, the individual time-activity pattern, and the fact that the health status is impacted by the long-term accumulated exposure. The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology to simulate the lifelong exposure (rather than outdoor concentration) to PM2.5 and NO2 for individuals in Europe. This method is realized by developing a probabilistic model that integrates an outdoor air quality model, a model estimating indoor air pollution, an exposure model, and a life course trajectory model for predicting retrospectively the employment status. This approach has been applied to samples of two population studies in the frame of the European Commission FP7-ENVIRONMENT research project HEALS (Health and Environment-wide Associations based on Large Population Surveys), where socioeconomic data of the participants have been collected. Results show that the simulated exposures to both pollutants for the samples are influenced by socio-demographic characteristics, including age, gender, residential location, employment status and smoking habits. Both outdoor concentrations and indoor sources play an important role in the total exposure. Moreover, large variances have been observed among countries and cities. The application of this methodology provides valuable insights for the exposure modelling, as well as important input data for exploring the correlation between exposure and health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naixin Li
- Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy, University of Stuttgart, Heßbrühlstraße 49a, 70565 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Cara N Maesano
- Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dept of Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Disease, Sorbonne University and INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Rainer Friedrich
- Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy, University of Stuttgart, Heßbrühlstraße 49a, 70565 Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael Kabesch
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Apfelbacher
- Medical Sociology, Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Social Medicine and Health Economics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Melter
- University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Birgit Seelbach-Göbel
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology St. Hedwig, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Dept of Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Disease, Sorbonne University and INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Dimosthenis Sarigiannis
- Technologies Division - Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Association of ambient air pollution and meteorological factors with primary care visits at night due to asthma attack. Environ Health Prev Med 2013; 18:401-6. [PMID: 23640199 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-013-0339-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The association of outdoor air pollution and meteorological elements with primary care visits at night due to asthma attack was studied. METHODS A case-crossover study was conducted in a primary care clinic in Himeji City, Japan. The subjects were 956 children aged 0-14 years who visited the clinic with an asthma attack between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Daily concentrations of particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and a number of meteorological elements were measured, and a conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of primary care visits per unit increment of air pollutants or meteorological elements. The analyses took into consideration the effects of seasonality. RESULTS Of the 956 children, 73 (7.6 %) were aged <2 years and 417 (43.6 %) were aged 2-5 years. No association between daily ozone levels and primary care visits due to asthma attack at night in the spring or summer was found. An inverse relation between suspended particulate matter and primary care visits due to asthma attack was detected in the winter. ORs in the summer per degree increment in daily mean temperature was 1.31 [95 % confidential interval (CI) 1.09-1.56], and ORs in the autumn per hourly increment in daily hours of sunshine was 0.94 (95 % CI 0.90-0.99). CONCLUSION The findings of our study fail to support any association between daily mean concentration of air pollutant and primary care visits at night. However, we did find evidence indicating that certain meteorological elements may be associated with primary care visits.
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Raaschou-Nielsen O, Hermansen MN, Loland L, Buchvald F, Pipper CB, Sørensen M, Loft S, Bisgaard H. Long-term exposure to indoor air pollution and wheezing symptoms in infants. INDOOR AIR 2010; 20:159-167. [PMID: 20028431 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2009.00635.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Long-term exposure to air pollution is suspected to cause recurrent wheeze in infants. The few previous studies have had ambiguous results. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of measured long-term exposure to indoor air pollution on wheezing symptoms in infants. We monitored wheezing symptoms in diaries for a birth cohort of 411 infants. We measured long-term exposure to nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), NO(2), formaldehyde, PM(2.5) and black smoke in the infants' bedrooms and analyzed risk associations during the first 18 months of life by logistic regression with the dichotomous end-point 'any symptom-day' (yes/no) and by standard linear regression with the end-point 'number of symptom-days'. The results showed no systematic association between risk for wheezing symptoms and the levels of these air pollutants with various indoor and outdoor sources. In conclusion, we found no evidence of an association between long-term exposure to indoor air pollution and wheezing symptoms in infants, suggesting that indoor air pollution is not causally related to the underlying disease. Practical Implications Nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde and fine particles were measured in the air in infants' bedrooms. The results showed no evidence of an association between long-term exposure and wheezing symptoms in the COPSAC birth cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Raaschou-Nielsen
- Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Murata A, Kida K, Hasunuma H, Kanegae H, Ishimaru Y, Motegi T, Yamada K, Yoshioka H, Yamamoto K, Kudoh S. Environmental influence on the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide concentration in school children: special reference to methodology. J NIPPON MED SCH 2007; 74:30-6. [PMID: 17384475 DOI: 10.1272/jnms.74.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Measuring exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a noninvasive and useful method for evaluating the correlation between airway inflammation and air pollution. The method is being used in studies; however, the effects of polluted air on eNO values are poorly understood. If polluted air significantly affects eNO concentrations, then it would be hard to evaluate the concentration of eNO, particularly in epidemiological measurements to detect the effects of airway inflammation, such as that in bronchial asthma. Thus, we hypothesized that short-term exposure to air pollution affects eNO values. PURPOSE To study the effects of environmental nitrogen oxides on the measurement of eNO concentration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 19 school children who lived on a large street with heavy traffic with random allocation were studied. Subjects with bronchial asthma were identified with a questionnaire. Suspended particulate matter. including particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < or =2.5 microm (PM(2.5)), optical black carbon, nitric oxide (NO), nitric dioxide (NO(2)), and nitrogen oxides (NO(X)), were measured at a fixed place along the street every hour for 11 consecutive days. The concentrations of NO and NO(2) for each subject were measured by an individual 2-pyenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl sampler, and the concentration of eNO was measured with the off-line method. RESULTS Of 19 subjects, 3 were found to have bronchial asthma. The level of each pollutant for 11 days peaked during the mornings (6;9 a.m.) and evenings (6;9 p.m.) due to traffic jams; average eNO values in healthy subjects and those with asthma were 27.1 +/- 9.7 and 57.7 +/- 18.6 ppb (p=0.098), respectively. It was found that the eNO value remained high when the mean values of various pollutants remained high for 8 hours before the measurements. It was estimated that the mean eNO values increased by 1.08 ppb (95% CI: 0.72;1.45) when the mean NO(X) value for the previous 8 hours reached approximately 10 ppb. CONCLUSION We conclude that short-term exposure to polluted air of at least 8 hours before measurement affects eNO values. Therefore, caution should be exercised when measuring eNO value in epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Murata
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Nippon Medical School.
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da Silva AS, Cardoso MR, Meliefste K, Brunekreef B. Use of passive diffusion sampling method for defining NO2 concentrations gradient in São Paulo, Brazil. Environ Health 2006; 5:19. [PMID: 16772044 PMCID: PMC1550389 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-5-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2006] [Accepted: 06/13/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution in São Paulo is constantly being measured by the State of Sao Paulo Environmental Agency, however there is no information on the variation between places with different traffic densities. This study was intended to identify a gradient of exposure to traffic-related air pollution within different areas in São Paulo to provide information for future epidemiological studies. METHODS We measured NO2 using Palmes' diffusion tubes in 36 sites on streets chosen to be representative of different road types and traffic densities in São Paulo in two one-week periods (July and August 2000). In each study period, two tubes were installed in each site, and two additional tubes were installed in 10 control sites. RESULTS Average NO2 concentrations were related to traffic density, observed on the spot, to number of vehicles counted, and to traffic density strata defined by the city Traffic Engineering Company (CET). Average NO2 concentrations were 63 microg/m3 and 49 microg/m3 in the first and second periods, respectively. Dividing the sites by the observed traffic density, we found: heavy traffic (n = 17): 64 microg/m3 (95% CI: 59 microg/m3-68 microg/m3); local traffic (n = 16): 48 microg/m3 (95% CI: 44 microg/m3-52 microg/m3) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The differences in NO2 levels between heavy and local traffic sites are large enough to suggest the use of a more refined classification of exposure in epidemiological studies in the city. Number of vehicles counted, traffic density observed on the spot and traffic density strata defined by the CET might be used as a proxy for traffic exposure in São Paulo when more accurate measurements are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Soares da Silva
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences – IRAS, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Health and Environment Information Programme – PROISA, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 – São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Regina Cardoso
- Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Health and Environment Information Programme – PROISA, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715, 01246-904 – São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kees Meliefste
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences – IRAS, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Brunekreef
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences – IRAS, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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García Algar O, Pichini S, Basagaña X, Puig C, Vall O, Torrent M, Harris J, Sunyer J, Cullinan P. Concentrations and determinants of NO2 in homes of Ashford, UK and Barcelona and Menorca, Spain. INDOOR AIR 2004; 14:298-304. [PMID: 15217483 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2004.00256.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study examined indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in Ashford, Kent (UK), Menorca Island and Barcelona city (Spain) and the contribution of their most important indoor determinants (e.g. gas combustion appliances and cigarette smoking). The homes examined (n = 1421) were those from infants recruited for the Asthma Multicentre Infants Cohort Study, which aimed to assess, using a standard protocol, the effects of pre- and post-natal environmental exposures in the inception of atopy and asthma. Indoor NO2 was measured using passive filter badges placed on a living room wall of the homes for between 7 and 15 days. Homes in the three centers had significantly different concentrations of indoor NO2, with those in Barcelona showing the highest levels (median NO2 levels: 5.79, 6.06 and 23.87 p.p.b. in Ashford, Menorca and Barcelona, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that the principal indoor determinants of NO2 concentrations in the three cohorts were the heating/cooking fuel used in the house (gas fire increased average NO2 concentrations by 1.27-fold and gas cooker by 2.13 times), parental cigarette smoking and season of measurement. Those variables significantly related to indoor NO(2) accounted for 23, 14 and 39% of the variation in indoor NO2 concentration in Ashford, Barcelona and Menorca, respectively. In all the cohorts combined, 52% of the variation could be explained in this way. Although outdoor NO2 was not measured concurrently, its additional contribution was estimated. In conclusion, despite differences in indoor NO2 mean concentrations probably reflecting different outdoor NO2 level, home factors affecting indoor NO2 values and their specific contributions were constant across the three cohorts. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This study found that principal determinants associated to indoor NO2 in three different sites of Europe: Ashford (UK), Barcelona and Menorca (Spain) were the energy source present in the home and cigarette smoking, despite these areas presented different climates, levels of outdoor contamination, housing characteristics and ventilation behavior. It is suggested that interventions in homes of these three centers will need to address principally cigarette smoking and gas combustion appliances. These latter factors require institutional intervention, while cigarette smoking mainly require personal changes.
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Sekine K, Shima M, Nitta Y, Adachi M. Long term effects of exposure to automobile exhaust on the pulmonary function of female adults in Tokyo, Japan. Occup Environ Med 2004; 61:350-7. [PMID: 15031394 PMCID: PMC1740751 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2002.005934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the chronic effects of air pollution caused mainly by automobiles in healthy adult females. METHODS Respiratory symptoms were investigated in 5682 adult females who had lived in the Tokyo metropolitan area for three years or more in 1987; 733 of them were subjected to pulmonary function tests over eight years from 1987 to 1994. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of air pollution they were exposed to during the study period. The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter were the highest in group 1, and the lowest in group 3. RESULTS The prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms in group 1 were higher than those in groups 2 and 3, except for wheezing. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant differences in persistent phlegm and breathlessness. The subjects selected for the analysis of pulmonary function were 94, 210, and 102 females in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The annual mean change of FEV(1) in group 1 was the largest (-0.020 l/y), followed by that in group 2 (-0.015 l/y), and that in group 3 (-0.009 l/y). Testing for trends showed a significant larger decrease of FEV(1) with the increase in the level of air pollution. CONCLUSIONS The subjects living in areas with high levels of air pollution showed higher prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and a larger decrease of FEV(1) compared with those living in areas with low levels of air pollution. Since the traffic density is larger in areas with high air pollution, the differences among the groups may reflect the effect of air pollution attributable to particulate matter found in automobile exhaust.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sekine
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Son B, Yang W, Breysse P, Chung T, Lee Y. Estimation of occupational and nonoccupational nitrogen dioxide exposure for Korean taxi drivers using a microenvironmental model. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2004; 94:291-296. [PMID: 15016597 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2003.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2003] [Revised: 07/14/2003] [Accepted: 08/12/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Occupational and nonoccupational personal nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) exposures were measured using passive samplers for 31 taxi drivers in Asan and Chunan, Korea. Exposures were also estimated using a microenvironmental time-weighted average model based on indoor, outdoor and inside the taxi area measurements. Mean NO(2) indoor and outdoor concentrations inside and outside the taxi drivers' houses were 24.7+/-10.7 and 23.3+/-8.3 ppb, respectively, with a mean indoor to outdoor NO(2) ratio of 1.1. Mean personal NO(2) exposure of taxi drivers was 30.3+/-9.7 ppb. Personal NO(2) exposures for drivers were more strongly correlated with interior vehicle NO(2) levels (r = 0.89) rather than indoor residential NO(2) levels (r = 0.74) or outdoor NO(2) levels (r = 0.71). The main source of NO(2) exposure for taxi drivers was considered to be occupational driving. Interestingly, the NO(2) exposures for drivers' using LPG-fueled vehicles (26.3+/-1.3 ppb) were significantly lower than those (38.1+/-1.3 ppb) using diesel-fueled vehicle (P <0.01). Since drivers spent most of their time inside their vehicle and indoors at home, a microenvironmental model was used to estimate the personal NO(2) exposure with indoor and outdoor NO(2) levels of the residence, and interior vehicle NO(2) levels (P <0.001). Some subpopulations, such as professional drivers, might be exposed to high NO(2) levels because they drive diesel-using vehicles outdoors in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Busoon Son
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Soonchunhyang University, 646 Eupnae-ri, Shinchang-myun, Asan-Si, Choongchungnam-do 336-745, South Korea.
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Shima M, Nitta Y, Ando M, Adachi M. Effects of air pollution on the prevalence and incidence of asthma in children. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2002; 57:529-35. [PMID: 12696649 DOI: 10.1080/00039890209602084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The effects of air pollution on asthmatic symptoms were assessed in a prospective cohort study of 3,049 schoolchildren in 8 different communities in Japan. Respiratory symptoms in these children were evaluated by questionnaires every year from the 1st through the 6th grades. The prevalence of asthma among the 1st graders was strongly associated with a history of allergic or respiratory diseases, but it was not associated with concentrations of air pollution. During the follow-up period, incidence rates of asthma were associated significantly with atmospheric concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Particulate matter less than 10 microm in diameter (PM10) was also associated with a higher incidence of asthma, although the association was not significant. These findings suggest that air pollution, including nitrogen dioxide, may be an important factor in the development of asthma among children in urban districts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Shima
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
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Kodama Y, Arashidani K, Tokui N, Kawamoto T, Matsuno K, Kunugita N, Minakawa N. Environmental NO2 concentration and exposure in daily life along main roads in Tokyo. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2002; 89:236-244. [PMID: 12176007 DOI: 10.1006/enrs.2002.4350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Environmental suspended particulate matter and NO2 are possible factors causing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. These and other pollutants are monitored at the National Ambient Air Pollution Monitoring Stations and local monitoring stations. Environmental NO2 concentrations in large cities exceed the Japanese Environmental Quality Standards (JEQS); in particular, more than 30% of the Roadside Air Pollution Monitoring Stations (RAMS) do not achieve JEQS. To evaluate the exposure levels to environmental NO2 and its health effects, the data from the monitoring stations are useful. However, there are few reports on the relationships between these data and the exposure level in daily life. In this study, environmental NO2 concentrations in homes and its exposure levels were investigated by using passive samplers. Two areas along main roads in the south and north of metropolitan Tokyo were selected and about 150 junior high school students and their family members took part in the study. The investigation was conducted five times seasonally, 3 days each, from February 1998 to January 1999. The residence of each subject was plotted on a map, and the distance from the main road was entered on the same map. Environmental NO2 was measured outside of the house and indoors, that is, living room, kitchen, bedroom, and student's room. The average NO2 concentration of outdoors was within JEQS, and the highest value was 52.9 ppb. There was a tendency for outdoor NO2 concentrations to decrease with distance from the roadside, but the NO2 concentration differences between the roadside and the site far from the roadside were less than 10 ppb. The average outdoor NO2 concentrations and the value obtained at RAMS are slightly correlated, but not significant. The stations' data showed about 10 ppb higher values than the average outdoor concentrations obtained at each house. NO2 concentrations in living rooms based on the distance from the main road and NO2 exposure levels in daily life of students and family members were also investigated. This study clearly showed that in wintertime we are highly exposed to NO2 emitted from many types of heaters such as kerosene heater, and the family members' study suggested that the indoor NO2 levels were similar to the personal exposure levels in all seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Kodama
- University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu City, Japan
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Fuji Y, Shima M, Ando M, Adachi M, Tsunetoshi Y. Effect of air pollution and environmental tobacco smoke on serum hyaluronate concentrations in school children. Occup Environ Med 2002; 59:124-8. [PMID: 11850556 PMCID: PMC1740261 DOI: 10.1136/oem.59.2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate serum hyaluronate concentrations relative to air pollution, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and respiratory health in Japanese school children. METHODS Respiratory symptoms and serum IgE concentrations were examined in 1037 school children living in four communities in Japan with differing levels of air pollution. Serum hyaluronate concentrations were assayed in 230 children, consisting of all the children who had symptoms of either asthma or wheeze (65 and 50 subjects, respectively) and normal controls adjusted for sex, school grade, and school without these symptoms (115 subjects). RESULTS Although serum hyaluronate concentrations did not differ for either asthma or wheeze, the concentrations were significantly higher in children living in communities with higher levels of air pollution. Children with asthma or wheeze and those with serum IgE concentrations of 250 IU/ml or above showed differences in hyaluronate concentrations that related to the degree of air pollution in the communities. In children with higher serum IgE concentrations, the hyaluronate concentrations among subjects exposed to ETS were significantly higher than among those without exposure to ETS. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that serum hyaluronate concentration is related to the degree of air pollution and exposure to ETS. Children with asthma or wheeze and children with higher IgE concentrations are considered to be more susceptible to environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Fuji
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Gauvin S, Le Moullec Y, Bremont F, Momas I, Balducci F, Ciognard F, Poilve MP, Zmirou D. Relationships between nitrogen dioxide personal exposure and ambient air monitoring measurements among children in three French metropolitan areas: VESTA study. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2001; 56:336-41. [PMID: 11572277 DOI: 10.1080/00039890109604465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In epidemiological studies, investigators have routinely used ambient air concentrations, measured by air-quality monitoring networks, to assess exposure of subjects. When there is great spatial variability of ambient air concentrations or when there are specific indoor exposures, this approach may yield substantial exposure misclassification and distort the associations between exposure and the health endpoints of interest. In 3 French metropolitan areas, the cross-sectional relationships between 48 hr of nitrogen dioxide personal exposure of 73 children and the corresponding 48-hr background ambient air concentrations were analyzed. The crude correlation between ambient air concentrations and personal exposures was poor in all cities (r2 = .009 for Grenoble, r2 = .04 for Toulouse, and r2 = .02 for Paris). These correlations were improved when the authors took into account other ambient air or indoor air sources of nitrogen dioxide emissions (the corresponding multiple linear regression, r2, increased to .43 in Grenoble, .50 in Toulouse, and .37 in Paris). The main variables that explained personal exposures were an index of traffic intensity and proximity and use of a gas cooker at home. The results of this study confirm that ambient air-monitoring site measurements are poor predictors of personal exposure. Investigators should carefully characterize the proximity of roads occupied by dense traffic to the home/school as well as indoor sources of nitric oxide emissions; both of these careful characterizations will assist researchers in the prediction of personal exposure in epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gauvin
- Public Health Department, School of Medicine, Grenoble University, La Tronche, France
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Rijnders E, Janssen NA, van Vliet PH, Brunekreef B. Personal and outdoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations in relation to degree of urbanization and traffic density. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2001; 109 Suppl 3:411-7. [PMID: 11429326 PMCID: PMC1240559 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.01109s3411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
To assess differences in exposure to air pollution from traffic in relation to degree of urbanization and traffic density, we measured personal and home outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) concentrations for 241 children from six different primary schools in the Netherlands. Three schools were situated in areas with varying degrees of urbanization (very urban, fairly urban, and nonurban) and three other schools were located near highways with varying traffic density (very busy, fairly busy, and not busy). Weekly averaged measurements were conducted during four different seasons. Simultaneously, indoor and outdoor measurements were conducted at the schools. Personal and outdoor NO(2) concentrations differed significantly among children attending schools in areas with different degrees of urbanization and among children attending schools in areas close to highways with different traffic densities. For the children living near highways, personal and outdoor NO(2) concentrations also significantly decreased with increasing distance of the home address to the highway. Differences in personal exposures between children from the different schools remained present and significant after adjusting for indoor sources of NO(2). This study has shown that personal and outdoor NO(2) concentrations are influenced significantly by the degree of urbanization of the city district and by the traffic density of and distance to a nearby highway. Because NO(2) can be considered a marker for air pollution from traffic, the more easily measured variables degree of urbanization, traffic density, and distance to a nearby highway can all be used to estimate exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rijnders
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Environmental and Occupational Health Group, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, Netherlands
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Thompson AJ, Shields MD, Patterson CC. Acute asthma exacerbations and air pollutants in children living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2001; 56:234-41. [PMID: 11480499 DOI: 10.1080/00039890109604447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of childhood asthma, a common condition, is on the rise worldwide. Despite reductions in the emission of urban smoke, traffic pollution is now a major worldwide problem. Belfast, Northern Ireland, is an old industrial city with major pollution problems. In this study, the authors investigated the rates of acute asthma admissions to Belfast's major children's emergency department. The admissions were studied, relative to day-to-day fluctuations in thoracic particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, carbon monoxide, benzene, temperature, and rainfall. Daily admissions for acute asthma at the emergency department of the Royal Belfast Hospital and average daily pollution were recorded for the 3-yr period between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1995. The authors used Poisson regression to assess independent association(s). Individually, small associations were seen for thoracic particulate matter (relative risk = 1.10), sulfur dioxide (relative risk = 1.09), nitrogen dioxide (relative risk = 1.11), nitric oxide (relative risk = 1.07), oxides of nitrogen (relative risk = 1.10), carbon monoxide (relative risk = 1.07), and benzene (1.14); no associations were noted between meteorological factors (temperature and rainfall) or ozone and asthma emergency-department admissions. The authors adjusted for the aforementioned parameters, and benzene level was the only variable associated independently with asthma emergency-department admissions in children. Benzene may be a more reliable method of measuring exposure to vehicle exhaust emissions than measurements of other pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Thompson
- Department of Child Health, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Shima M, Adachi M. Effect of outdoor and indoor nitrogen dioxide on respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren. Int J Epidemiol 2000; 29:862-70. [PMID: 11034970 DOI: 10.1093/ije/29.5.862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), an oxidant gas that contaminates both outdoor and indoor air, is considered to be a potential risk factor for asthma. We investigated concurrently the effects of outdoor and indoor NO(2) on the prevalence and incidence of respiratory symptoms among children. METHODS A cohort study was carried out over 3 years on 842 schoolchildren living in seven different communities in Japan. Indoor NO(2) concentrations over 24 hours were measured in both winter and summer in the homes of the subjects, and a 3-year average of the outdoor NO(2) concentration was determined for each community. Respiratory symptoms were evaluated every year from responses to questionnaires. RESULTS The prevalence of bronchitis, wheeze, and asthma significantly increased with increases of indoor NO(2) concentrations among girls, but not among boys. In neither boys nor girls were there significant differences in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among urban, suburban, and rural districts. The incidence of asthma increased among children living in areas with high concentrations of outdoor NO(2). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a 10 parts per billion (ppb) increase of outdoor NO(2) concentration was associated with an increased incidence of wheeze and asthma (odds ratios [OR] = 1.76, 95% CI : 1.04-3.23 and OR = 2.10, 95% CI : 1.10-4.75, respectively), but that no such associations were found with indoor NO(2) concentration (OR = 0.73, 95% CI : 0.45-1.14 and OR = 0.87, 95% CI : 0.51-1.43, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that outdoor NO(2) air pollution may be particularly important for the development of wheeze and asthma among children. Indoor NO(2) concentrations were associated with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms only among girls. Girls may be more susceptible to indoor air pollution than boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Shima
- Department of Public Health, Chiba University School of Medicine, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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Shima M, Adachi M, Tanaka T, Tsunetoshi Y. Serum complement levels in children in communities with different levels of air pollution in Japan. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 1999; 54:264-70. [PMID: 10433185 DOI: 10.1080/00039899909602484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the effects of air pollution on human health, we determined serum concentrations of complement components C3c and C4 in 1037 children who lived in 4 communities with different levels of air pollution in Japan. Serum levels of C3c and C4 were higher in children who lived in Osaka, which had a high level of air pollution, than in children who lived in areas of low air pollution. In boys, both C3c and C4 levels were increased significantly as concentrations of air pollution increased in the communities. In girls, however, the relationship was not significant. Serum levels of C3c and C4 did not differ with respect to asthma or wheezing. These findings suggest that serum C3c and C4 levels in children reflect the effects of exposure to air pollutants in urban districts. Boys appeared to be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution than girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Shima
- Department of Public Health, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan
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