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Hughes F, Parsons L, Levy JH, Shindell D, Alhanti B, Ohnuma T, Kasibhatla P, Montgomery H, Krishnamoorthy V. Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Acute Illness. Anesthesiology 2024:141837. [PMID: 39105660 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000005115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Fintan Hughes
- Fintan Hughes, M.B.B.Ch., B.A.O.: Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Luke Parsons
- Luke Parsons, Ph.D.: Global Science, Nature Conservancy and Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jerrold H Levy
- Jerrold H. Levy, M.D., F.A.H.A., F.C.C.M.: Departments of Anesthesiology and Surgery (Cardiothoracic), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Drew Shindell
- Drew Shindell, Ph.D.: Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brooke Alhanti
- Brooke Alhanti, Ph.D.: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Tetsu Ohnuma
- Tetsu Ohnuma, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.: Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Prasad Kasibhatla
- Prasad Kasibhatla, Ph.D.: Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hugh Montgomery
- Hugh Montgomery, O.B.E., M.D.: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vijay Krishnamoorthy
- Vijay Krishnamoorthy, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D.: Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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Shirangi A, Lin T, Yun G, Williamson GJ, Franklin P, Jian L, Reid CM, Xiao J. Impact of elevated fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) during landscape fire events on cardiorespiratory hospital admissions in Perth, Western Australia. J Epidemiol Community Health 2024:jech-2024-222072. [PMID: 39013602 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2024-222072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Australia has experienced extreme fire weather in recent years. Information on the impact of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) from landscape fires (LFs) on cardiorespiratory hospital admissions is limited. METHODS We conducted a population-based time series study to assess associations between modelled daily elevated PM 2.5 at a 1.5×1.5 km resolution using a modified empirical PM 2.5 exposure model during LFs and hospital admissions for all-cause and cause-specific respiratory and cardiovascular diseases for the study period (2015-2017) in Perth, Western Australia. Multivariate Poisson regressions were used to estimate cumulative risk ratios (RR) with lag effects of 0-3 days, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, weather and time. RESULTS All-cause hospital admissions and overall cardiovascular admissions increased significantly across each elevated PM 2.5 concentration on most lag days, with the strongest associations of 3% and 7%, respectively, at the high level of ≥12.60 µg/m3 on lag 1 day. For asthma hospitalisation, there was an excess relative risk of up to 16% (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.35) with same-day exposure for all people, up to 93% on a lag of 1 day in children and up to 52% on a lag of 3 days in low sociodemographic groups. We also observed an increase of up to 12% (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.24) for arrhythmias on the same exposure day and with over 154% extra risks for angina and 12% for heart failure in disadvantaged groups. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to elevated PM 2.5 concentrations during LFs was associated with increased risks of all-cause hospital admissions, total cardiovascular conditions, asthma and arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeleh Shirangi
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Epidemiology, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, East Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Ting Lin
- Epidemiology, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, East Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Grace Yun
- Epidemiology, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, East Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Grant J Williamson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Peter Franklin
- School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Le Jian
- Epidemiology, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, East Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Christopher M Reid
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jianguo Xiao
- Epidemiology, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, East Perth, WA, Australia
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3
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Cedeño Laurent JG, Parhizkar H, Calderon L, Lizonova D, Tsiodra I, Mihalopoulos N, Kavouras I, Alam M, Baalousha M, Bazina L, Kelesidis GA, Demokritou P. Physicochemical Characterization of the Particulate Matter in New Jersey/New York City Area, Resulting from the Canadian Quebec Wildfires in June 2023. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38984996 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The global increase in wildfires, primarily driven by climate change, significantly affects air quality and health. Wildfire-emitted particulate matter (WFPM) is linked to adverse health effects, yet the toxicological mechanisms are not fully understood given its physicochemical complexity and the lack of spatiotemporal exposure data. This study focuses on the physicochemical characterization of WFPM from a Canadian wildfire in June 2023, which affected over 100 million people in the US Northeast, particularly around New Jersey/New York. Aerosol systems were deployed to characterize WFPM during the 3 day event, revealing unprecedented mass concentrations mainly in the WFPM0.1 and WFPM0.1-2.5 size fractions. Peak WFPM2.5 concentrations reached 317 μg/m3, nearly 10 times the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) 24 h average limit. Chemical analysis showed a high organic-to-total carbon ratio (96%), consistent with brown carbon wildfires nanoparticles. Large concentrations of high-molecular-weight PAHs were found predominantly bound to WFPM0.1, with retene, a molecular marker of biomass burning and a known teratogen, being the most abundant (>70%). Computational modeling estimated a total lung deposition of 9.15 mg over 72 h, highlighting the health risks of WFPM, particularly due to its long-distance travel capability and impact on densely populated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Guillermo Cedeño Laurent
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Hooman Parhizkar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Leonardo Calderon
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Denisa Lizonova
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Irini Tsiodra
- Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Koufou, Palea Penteli, Athens 15236, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Mihalopoulos
- Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Koufou, Palea Penteli, Athens 15236, Greece
- Environmental Chemical Processes Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Ilias Kavouras
- Department of Environmental, Occupational and Geospatial Health Sciences, School of Public Health, City University of New York, New York, New York 10018, United States
| | - Mahbub Alam
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Mohammed Baalousha
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Lila Bazina
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Georgios A Kelesidis
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Philip Demokritou
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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4
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Pan J, He K, Wang K, Mu Q, Ling C. Spatiotemporal joint analysis of PM 2.5 and Ozone in California with INLA approach. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 363:121294. [PMID: 38880600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121294] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The substantial threat of concurrent air pollutants to public health is increasingly severe under climate change. To identify the common drivers and extent of spatiotemporal similarity of PM2.5 and ozone (O3), this paper proposed a log Gaussian-Gumbel Bayesian hierarchical model allowing for sharing a stochastic partial differential equation and autoregressive model of order one (SPDE-AR(1)) spatiotemporal interaction structure. The proposed model, implemented by the approach of integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA), outperforms in terms of estimation accuracy and prediction capacity for its increased parsimony and reduced uncertainty, especially for the shared O3 sub-model. Besides the consistently significant influence of temperature (positive), extreme drought (positive), fire burnt area (positive), gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (positive), and wind speed (negative) on both PM2.5 and O3, surface pressure and precipitation demonstrate positive associations with PM2.5 and O3, respectively. While population density relates to neither. In addition, our results demonstrate similar spatiotemporal interactions between PM2.5 and O3, indicating that the spatial and temporal variations of these pollutants show relatively considerable consistency in California. Finally, with the aid of the excursion function, we see that the areas around the intersection of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties are likely to exceed the unhealthy O3 level for USG simultaneously with other areas throughout the year. Our findings provide new insights for regional and seasonal strategies in the co-control of PM2.5 and O3. Our methodology is expected to be utilized when interest lies in multiple interrelated processes in the fields of environment and epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Pan
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, 1410 Northeast Campus Parkway, Seattle, 98105, WA, USA
| | - Kunyang He
- Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qing Mu
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Chengxiu Ling
- Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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Kazi DS, Katznelson E, Liu CL, Al-Roub NM, Chaudhary RS, Young DE, McNichol M, Mickley LJ, Kramer DB, Cascio WE, Bernstein AS, Rice MB. Climate Change and Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review. JAMA Cardiol 2024:2820068. [PMID: 38865135 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2024.1321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Importance Climate change may increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes by causing direct physiologic changes, psychological distress, and disruption of health-related infrastructure. Yet, the association between numerous climate change-related environmental stressors and the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events has not been systematically reviewed. Objective To review the current evidence on the association between climate change-related environmental stressors and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Evidence Review PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications from January 1, 1970, through November 15, 2023, that evaluated associations between environmental exposures and cardiovascular mortality, acute cardiovascular events, and related health care utilization. Studies that examined only nonwildfire-sourced particulate air pollution were excluded. Two investigators independently screened 20 798 articles and selected 2564 for full-text review. Study quality was assessed using the Navigation Guide framework. Findings were qualitatively synthesized as substantial differences in study design precluded quantitative meta-analysis. Findings Of 492 observational studies that met inclusion criteria, 182 examined extreme temperature, 210 ground-level ozone, 45 wildfire smoke, and 63 extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, dust storms, and droughts. These studies presented findings from 30 high-income countries, 17 middle-income countries, and 1 low-income country. The strength of evidence was rated as sufficient for extreme temperature; ground-level ozone; tropical storms, hurricanes, and cyclones; and dust storms. Evidence was limited for wildfire smoke and inadequate for drought and mudslides. Exposure to extreme temperature was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, but the magnitude varied with temperature and duration of exposure. Ground-level ozone amplified the risk associated with higher temperatures and vice versa. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, were associated with increased cardiovascular risk that persisted for many months after the initial event. Some studies noted a small increase in cardiovascular mortality, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, and hospitalizations for ischemic heart disease after exposure to wildfire smoke, while others found no association. Older adults, racial and ethnic minoritized populations, and lower-wealth communities were disproportionately affected. Conclusions and Relevance Several environmental stressors that are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but data on outcomes in low-income countries are lacking. Urgent action is needed to mitigate climate change-associated cardiovascular risk, particularly in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruv S Kazi
- Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ethan Katznelson
- Department of Cardiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Chia-Liang Liu
- Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nora M Al-Roub
- Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard S Chaudhary
- Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Diane E Young
- Knowledge Services, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Megan McNichol
- Knowledge Services, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Loretta J Mickley
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel B Kramer
- Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wayne E Cascio
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Aaron S Bernstein
- Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Climate, Health, and Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mary B Rice
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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Connolly R, Marlier ME, Garcia-Gonzales DA, Wilkins J, Su J, Bekker C, Jung J, Bonilla E, Burnett RT, Zhu Y, Jerrett M. Mortality attributable to PM 2.5 from wildland fires in California from 2008 to 2018. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl1252. [PMID: 38848356 PMCID: PMC11160451 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
In California, wildfire risk and severity have grown substantially in the last several decades. Research has characterized extensive adverse health impacts from exposure to wildfire-attributable fine particulate matter (PM2.5), but few studies have quantified long-term outcomes, and none have used a wildfire-specific chronic dose-response mortality coefficient. Here, we quantified the mortality burden for PM2.5 exposure from California fires from 2008 to 2018 using Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system wildland fire PM2.5 estimates. We used a concentration-response function for PM2.5, applying ZIP code-level mortality data and an estimated wildfire-specific dose-response coefficient accounting for the likely toxicity of wildfire smoke. We estimate a total of 52,480 to 55,710 premature deaths are attributable to wildland fire PM2.5 over the 11-year period with respect to two exposure scenarios, equating to an economic impact of $432 to $456 billion. These findings extend evidence on climate-related health impacts, suggesting that wildfires account for a greater mortality and economic burden than indicated by earlier studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Connolly
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Luskin Center for Innovation, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Miriam E. Marlier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Diane A. Garcia-Gonzales
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Wilkins
- Department of Earth, Environment and Equity, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jason Su
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Claire Bekker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jihoon Jung
- Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eimy Bonilla
- Department of Earth, Environment and Equity, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Richard T. Burnett
- Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Population Studies Division, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Yifang Zhu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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7
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Johnston FH, Williamson G, Borchers-Arriagada N, Henderson SB, Bowman DMJS. Climate Change, Landscape Fires, and Human Health: A Global Perspective. Annu Rev Public Health 2024; 45:295-314. [PMID: 38166500 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-060222-034131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Landscape fires are an integral component of the Earth system and a feature of prehistoric, subsistence, and industrial economies. Specific spatiotemporal patterns of landscape fire occur in different locations around the world, shaped by the interactions between environmental and human drivers of fire activity. Seven distinct types of landscape fire emerge from these interactions: remote area fires, wildfire disasters, savanna fires, Indigenous burning, prescribed burning, agricultural burning, and deforestation fires. All can have substantial impacts on human health and well-being directly and indirectly through (a) exposure to heat flux (e.g., injuries and destructive impacts), (b) emissions (e.g., smoke-related health impacts), and (c) altered ecosystem functioning (e.g., biodiversity, amenity, water quality, and climate impacts). Minimizing the adverse effects of landscape fires on population health requires understanding how human and environmental influences on fire impacts can be modified through interventions targeted at individual, community, and regional levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fay H Johnston
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia;
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Safe Air, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Grant Williamson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Safe Air, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Sarah B Henderson
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David M J S Bowman
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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8
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Blaustein JR, Quisel MJ, Hamburg NM, Wittkopp S. Environmental Impacts on Cardiovascular Health and Biology: An Overview. Circ Res 2024; 134:1048-1060. [PMID: 38662864 PMCID: PMC11058466 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.323613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Environmental stressors associated with human activities (eg, air and noise pollution, light disturbance at night) and climate change (eg, heat, wildfires, extreme weather events) are increasingly recognized as contributing to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These harmful exposures have been shown to elicit changes in stress responses, circadian rhythms, immune cell activation, and oxidative stress, as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes, obesity) that promote cardiovascular diseases. In this overview, we summarize evidence from human and animal studies of the impacts of environmental exposures and climate change on cardiovascular health. In addition, we discuss strategies to reduce the impact of environmental risk factors on current and future cardiovascular disease burden, including urban planning, personal monitoring, and mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Blaustein
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York, USA
| | - Matthew J. Quisel
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedision School of Medicine
| | - Naomi M. Hamburg
- Section of Vascular Biology, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Sharine Wittkopp
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York, USA
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9
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Abstract
Wildfire smoke (WFS) is a mixture of respirable particulate matter, environmental gases, and other hazardous pollutants that originate from the unplanned burning of arid vegetation during wildfires. The increasing size and frequency of recent wildfires has escalated public and occupational health concerns regarding WFS inhalation, by either individuals living nearby and downstream an active fire or wildland firefighters and other workers that face unavoidable exposure because of their profession. In this review, we first synthesize current evidence from environmental, controlled, and interventional human exposure studies, to highlight positive associations between WFS inhalation and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Motivated by these findings, we discuss preventative measures and suggest interventions to mitigate the cardiovascular impact of wildfires. We then review animal and cell exposure studies to call attention on the pathophysiological processes that support the deterioration of cardiovascular tissues and organs in response to WFS inhalation. Acknowledging the challenges of integrating evidence across independent sources, we contextualize laboratory-scale exposure approaches according to the biological processes that they model and offer suggestions for ensuring relevance to the human condition. Noting that wildfires are significant contributors to ambient air pollution, we compare the biological responses triggered by WFS to those of other harmful pollutants. We also review evidence for how WFS inhalation may trigger mechanisms that have been proposed as mediators of adverse cardiovascular effects upon exposure to air pollution. We finally conclude by highlighting research areas that demand further consideration. Overall, we aspire for this work to serve as a catalyst for regulatory initiatives to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of WFS inhalation in the community and alleviate the occupational risk in wildland firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jessica M. Oakes
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chiara Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Bowman WS, Schmidt RJ, Sanghar GK, Thompson Iii GR, Ji H, Zeki AA, Haczku A. "Air That Once Was Breath" Part 2: Wildfire Smoke and Airway Disease - "Climate Change, Allergy and Immunology" Special IAAI Article Collection: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum Update 2023. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2024; 185:617-630. [PMID: 38527432 DOI: 10.1159/000536576] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population growth and climate change have led to more frequent and larger wildfires, increasing the exposure of individuals to wildfire smoke. Notably, asthma exacerbations and allergic airway sensitization are prominent outcomes of such exposure. SUMMARY Key research questions relate to determining the precise impact on individuals with asthma, including the severity, duration, and long-term consequences of exacerbations. Identifying specific risk factors contributing to vulnerability, such as age, genetics, comorbidities, or environmental factors, is crucial. Additionally, reliable biomarkers for predicting severe exacerbations need exploration. Understanding the long-term health effects of repeated wildfire smoke exposures in individuals with asthma and addressing healthcare disparities are important research areas. KEY MESSAGES This review discusses the need for comprehensive research efforts to better grasp wildfire smoke-induced respiratory health, particularly in vulnerable populations such as farmworkers, firefighters, pregnant women, children, the elderly, and marginalized communities. Effective mitigation would require addressing the current limitations we face by supporting research aimed at a better understanding of wildfire smoke-induced airway disease.
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11
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Abzhanova A, Berntsen J, Pennington ER, Dailey L, Masood S, George I, Warren N, Martin J, Hays MD, Ghio AJ, Weinstein JP, Kim YH, Puckett E, Samet JM. Monitoring redox stress in human airway epithelial cells exposed to woodsmoke at an air-liquid interface. Part Fibre Toxicol 2024; 21:14. [PMID: 38459567 PMCID: PMC10921608 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Wildland fires contribute significantly to the ambient air pollution burden worldwide, causing a range of adverse health effects in exposed populations. The toxicity of woodsmoke, a complex mixture of gases, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter, is commonly studied in vitro using isolated exposures of conventionally cultured lung cells to either resuspended particulate matter or organic solvent extracts of smoke, leading to incomplete toxicity evaluations. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the effects of woodsmoke inhalation by building an advanced in vitro exposure system that emulates human exposure of the airway epithelium. We report the development and characterization of an innovative system that permits live-cell monitoring of the intracellular redox status of differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells cultured at an air-liquid interface (pHBEC-ALI) as they are exposed to unfractionated woodsmoke generated in a tube furnace in real time. pHBEC-ALI exposed to freshly generated woodsmoke showed oxidative changes that were dose-dependent and reversible, and not attributable to carbon monoxide exposure. These findings show the utility of this novel system for studying the molecular initiating events underlying woodsmoke-induced toxicity in a physiologically relevant in vitro model, and its potential to provide biological plausibility for risk assessment and public health measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiman Abzhanova
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Lisa Dailey
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Syed Masood
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ingrid George
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Nina Warren
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Joseph Martin
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Michael D Hays
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Andrew J Ghio
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Jason P Weinstein
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - Earl Puckett
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA
| | - James M Samet
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, EPA Human Studies Facility, Research Triangle Park, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7310, USA.
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12
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Rajagopalan S, Brook RD, Salerno PRVO, Bourges-Sevenier B, Landrigan P, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Munzel T, Deo SV, Al-Kindi S. Air pollution exposure and cardiometabolic risk. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2024; 12:196-208. [PMID: 38310921 PMCID: PMC11264310 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-8587(23)00361-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The Global Burden of Disease assessment estimates that 20% of global type 2 diabetes cases are related to chronic exposure to particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of 2·5 μm or less (PM2·5). With 99% of the global population residing in areas where air pollution levels are above current WHO air quality guidelines, and increasing concern in regard to the common drivers of air pollution and climate change, there is a compelling need to understand the connection between air pollution and cardiometabolic disease, and pathways to address this preventable risk factor. This Review provides an up to date summary of the epidemiological evidence and mechanistic underpinnings linking air pollution with cardiometabolic risk. We also outline approaches to improve awareness, and discuss personal-level, community, governmental, and policy interventions to help mitigate the growing global public health risk of air pollution exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Rajagopalan
- University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Robert D Brook
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Pedro R V O Salerno
- University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Philip Landrigan
- Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good, Boston College, Boston, MA, USA; Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Monaco
| | | | - Thomas Munzel
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; German Center of Cardiovascular Research, Partner-Site Rhine-Main, Germany
| | - Salil V Deo
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sadeer Al-Kindi
- DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX, USA
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13
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Abstract
We review current knowledge on the trends and drivers of global wildfire activity, advances in the measurement of wildfire smoke exposure, and evidence on the health effects of this exposure. We describe methodological issues in estimating the causal effects of wildfire smoke exposures on health and quantify their importance, emphasizing the role of nonlinear and lagged effects. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure, finding positive impacts on all-cause mortality and respiratory hospitalizations but less consistent evidence on cardiovascular morbidity. We conclude by highlighting priority areas for future research, including leveraging recently developed spatially and temporally resolved wildfire-specific ambient air pollution data to improve estimates of the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos F Gould
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA; ,
| | - Sam Heft-Neal
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
| | - Mary Johnson
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; ,
| | - Juan Aguilera
- Center for Community Health Impact, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, El Paso, Texas, USA;
| | - Marshall Burke
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA; ,
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kari Nadeau
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; ,
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14
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Barbosa JV, Nunes RAO, Alvim-Ferraz MCM, Martins FG, Sousa SIV. Health and economic burden of wildland fires PM 2.5-related pollution in Portugal - A longitudinal study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117490. [PMID: 37879391 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Portugal has been affected by wildland fires that destroy thousands of hectares of forest, causing damage to the environment and to the exposed populations. This study aims to assess the influence of wildland fire emissions on air quality, its effect on population health and the related costs, between 2015 and 2018 in Portugal. The cause-specific mortality due to PM2.5 was calculated considering the exposure for five endpoints in adults, twelve age groups for adults and considering children under five years old. The contribution of wildfire emissions to PM2.5 concentrations in Portugal was assessed through EMEP-MSC/W model. Results showed that the average annual fire emissions of PM2.5, CO, CH4, CO2 and NO2 a significant and continuous increase was observed during the first three years (2015, 2016 and 2017) for all pollutants, followed by a decrease in 2018, with values lower than those observed in 2015. Regarding the long-term exposure to PM2.5 emitted by fires a total of 32, 93, 189 and 31 deaths, corresponding to a cost of 59, 174, 360 and 60 million EUR in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, were estimated. On the other hand, in the first three years an increase in years of life lost (YLL) values of 496, 1608 and 3092 was observed, corresponding to a cost of 16, 54 and 105 million EUR, respectively, followed by a decrease in 2018 with a YLL of 480, corresponding to a cost of 17 M€.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana V Barbosa
- LEPABE-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rafael A O Nunes
- LEPABE-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria C M Alvim-Ferraz
- LEPABE-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando G Martins
- LEPABE-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE-Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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15
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Barros B, Oliveira M, Morais S. Continent-based systematic review of the short-term health impacts of wildfire emissions. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2023; 26:387-415. [PMID: 37469022 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2023.2236548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
This review systematically gathers and provides an analysis of pollutants levels emitted from wildfire (WF) and their impact on short-term health effects of affected populations. The available literature was searched according to Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design (PECOS) database defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a meta-analysis was conducted whenever possible. Data obtained through PECOS characterized information from the USA, Europe, Australia, and some Asian countries; South American countries were seldom characterized, and no data were available for Africa and Russia. Extremely high levels of pollutants, mostly of fine fraction of particulate matter (PM) and ozone, were associated with intense WF emissions in North America, Oceania, and Asia and reported to exceed several-fold the WHO guidelines. Adverse health outcomes include emergency department visits and hospital admissions for cardiorespiratory diseases as well as mortality. Despite the heterogeneity among exposure and health assessment methods, all-cause mortality, and specific-cause mortality were significantly associated with WF emissions in most of the reports. Globally, a significant association was found for all-cause respiratory outcomes including asthma, but mixed results were noted for cardiovascular-related effects. For the latter, estimates were only significant several days after WF emissions, suggesting a more delayed impact on the heart. Different research gaps are presented, including the need for the application of standardized protocols for assessment of both exposure and adverse health risks. Mitigation actions also need to be strengthened, including dedicated efforts to communicate with the affected populations, to engage them for adoption of protective behaviors and measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bela Barros
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Oliveira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simone Morais
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia Do Porto, Instituto Politécnico Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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16
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Zhang B, Weuve J, Langa KM, D’Souza J, Szpiro A, Faul J, Mendes de Leon C, Gao J, Kaufman JD, Sheppard L, Lee J, Kobayashi LC, Hirth R, Adar SD. Comparison of Particulate Air Pollution From Different Emission Sources and Incident Dementia in the US. JAMA Intern Med 2023; 183:1080-1089. [PMID: 37578757 PMCID: PMC10425875 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Importance Emerging evidence indicates that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution may increase dementia risk in older adults. Although this evidence suggests opportunities for intervention, little is known about the relative importance of PM2.5 from different emission sources. Objective To examine associations of long-term exposure of total and source-specific PM2.5 with incident dementia in older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants The Environmental Predictors of Cognitive Health and Aging study used biennial survey data from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2016, for participants in the Health and Retirement Study, which is a nationally representative, population-based cohort study in the US. The present cohort study included all participants older than 50 years who were without dementia at baseline and had available exposure, outcome, and demographic data between 1998 and 2016 (N = 27 857). Analyses were performed from January 31 to May 1, 2022. Exposures The 10-year mean total PM2.5 and PM2.5 from 9 emission sources at participant residences for each month during follow-up using spatiotemporal and chemical transport models. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was incident dementia as classified by a validated algorithm incorporating respondent-based cognitive testing and proxy respondent reports. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated for incident dementia per IQR of residential PM2.5 concentrations using time-varying, weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models with adjustment for the individual- and area-level risk factors. Results Among 27 857 participants (mean [SD] age, 61 [10] years; 15 747 [56.5%] female), 4105 (15%) developed dementia during a mean (SD) follow-up of 10.2 [5.6] years. Higher concentrations of total PM2.5 were associated with greater rates of incident dementia (HR, 1.08 per IQR; 95% CI, 1.01-1.17). In single pollutant models, PM2.5 from all sources, except dust, were associated with increased rates of dementia, with the strongest associations for agriculture, traffic, coal combustion, and wildfires. After control for PM2.5 from all other sources and copollutants, only PM2.5 from agriculture (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27) and wildfires (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08) were robustly associated with greater rates of dementia. Conclusion and Relevance In this cohort study, higher residential PM2.5 levels, especially from agriculture and wildfires, were associated with higher rates of incident dementia, providing further evidence supporting PM2.5 reduction as a population-based approach to promote healthy cognitive aging. These findings also indicate that intervening on key emission sources might have value, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Jennifer Weuve
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kenneth M. Langa
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jennifer D’Souza
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Adam Szpiro
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Jessica Faul
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | | | - Jiaqi Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Joel D. Kaufman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Lianne Sheppard
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Jinkook Lee
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Lindsay C. Kobayashi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Richard Hirth
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Sara D. Adar
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
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17
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Heft-Neal S, Gould CF, Childs ML, Kiang MV, Nadeau KC, Duggan M, Bendavid E, Burke M. Emergency department visits respond nonlinearly to wildfire smoke. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302409120. [PMID: 37722035 PMCID: PMC10523589 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302409120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Air pollution negatively affects a range of health outcomes. Wildfire smoke is an increasingly important contributor to air pollution, yet wildfire smoke events are highly salient and could induce behavioral responses that alter health impacts. We combine geolocated data covering all emergency department (ED) visits to nonfederal hospitals in California from 2006 to 2017 with spatially resolved estimates of daily wildfire smoke PM[Formula: see text] concentrations and quantify how smoke events affect ED visits. Total ED visits respond nonlinearly to smoke concentrations. Relative to a day with no smoke, total visits increase by 1 to 1.5% in the week following low or moderate smoke days but decline by 6 to 9% following extreme smoke days. Reductions persist for at least a month. Declines at extreme levels are driven by diagnoses not thought to be acutely impacted by pollution, including accidental injuries and several nonurgent symptoms, and declines come disproportionately from less-insured populations. In contrast, health outcomes with the strongest physiological link to short-term air pollution increase dramatically in the week following an extreme smoke day: We estimate that ED visits for asthma, COPD, and cough all increase by 30 to 110%. Data from internet searches, vehicle traffic sensors, and park visits indicate behavioral changes on high smoke days consistent with declines in healthcare utilization. Because low and moderate smoke days vastly outweigh high smoke days, we estimate that smoke was responsible for an average of 3,010 (95% CI: 1,760-4,380) additional ED visits per year 2006 to 2017. Given the increasing intensity of wildfire smoke events, behavioral mediation is likely to play a growing role in determining total smoke impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Heft-Neal
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Carlos F. Gould
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | | | - Mathew V. Kiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Kari C. Nadeau
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Mark Duggan
- Department of Economics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Eran Bendavid
- Department of Health Policy, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Marshall Burke
- Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA02138
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18
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Scieszka D, Gu H, Barkley-Levenson A, Barr E, Garcia M, Begay JG, Herbert G, Bhaskar K, McCormick M, Brigman J, Ottens A, Bleske B, Campen MJ. NEUROMETABOLOMIC IMPACTS OF MODELED WILDFIRE SMOKE AND PROTECTIVE BENEFITS OF ANTI-AGING THERAPEUTICS IN AGED FEMALE C57BL/6J MICE. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.21.558863. [PMID: 37790385 PMCID: PMC10542542 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.21.558863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Wildland fires have become progressively more extensive over the past 30 years in the US, and now routinely generate smoke that deteriorates air quality for most of the country. We explored the neurometabolomic impact that smoke derived from biomass has on older (18 months) female C57BL/6J mice, both acutely and after 10 weeks of recovery from exposures. Mice (N=6/group) were exposed to wood smoke (WS) 4 hours/day, every other day, for 2 weeks (7 exposures total) to an average concentration of 0.448mg/m 3 per exposure. One group was euthanized 24 hours after the last exposure. Other groups were then placed on 1 of 4 treatment regimens for 10 weeks after wood smoke exposures: vehicle; resveratrol in chow plus nicotinamide mononucleotide in water (RNMN); senolytics via gavage (dasatanib+quercetin; DQ); or both RNMN with DQ (RNDQ). Among the findings, the aging from 18 months to 21 months was associated with the greatest metabolic shift, including changes in nicotinamide metabolism, with WS exposure effects that were relatively modest. WS caused a reduction in NAD+ within the prefrontal cortex immediately after exposure and a long-term reduction in serotonin that persisted for 10 weeks. The serotonin reductions were corroborated by forced swim tests, which revealed an increased immobility (reduction in motivation) immediately post-exposure and persisted for 10 weeks. RNMN had the most beneficial effects after WS exposure, while RNDQ caused markers of brain aging to be upregulated within WS-exposed mice. Findings highlight the persistent neurometabolomic and behavioral effects of woodsmoke exposure in an aged mouse model. Significance Statement Neurological impacts of wildfire smoke are largely underexplored but include neuroinflammation and metabolic changes. The present study highlights modulation of major metabolites in the prefrontal cortex and behavioral consequences in aged (18 month) female mice that persists 10 weeks after wood smoke exposure ended. Supplements derived from the anti-aging field were able to mitigate much of the woodsmoke effect, especially a combination of resveratrol and nicotinamide mononucleotide.
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Modaresi Rad A, Abatzoglou JT, Fleishman E, Mockrin MH, Radeloff VC, Pourmohamad Y, Cattau M, Johnson JM, Higuera P, Nauslar NJ, Sadegh M. Social vulnerability of the people exposed to wildfires in U.S. West Coast states. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh4615. [PMID: 37729397 PMCID: PMC10511185 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh4615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding of the vulnerability of populations exposed to wildfires is limited. We used an index from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the social vulnerability of populations exposed to wildfire from 2000-2021 in California, Oregon, and Washington, which accounted for 90% of exposures in the western United States. The number of people exposed to fire from 2000-2010 to 2011-2021 increased substantially, with the largest increase, nearly 250%, for people with high social vulnerability. In Oregon and Washington, a higher percentage of exposed people were highly vulnerable (>40%) than in California (~8%). Increased social vulnerability of populations in burned areas was the primary contributor to increased exposure of the highly vulnerable in California, whereas encroachment of wildfires on vulnerable populations was the primary contributor in Oregon and Washington. Our results emphasize the importance of integrating the vulnerability of at-risk populations in wildfire mitigation and adaptation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John T. Abatzoglou
- Management of Complex Systems Department, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Erica Fleishman
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | | | - Volker C. Radeloff
- SILVIS Lab, Department of Forest Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yavar Pourmohamad
- Department of Civil Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Megan Cattau
- Human-Environment Systems, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | - Philip Higuera
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | | | - Mojtaba Sadegh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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20
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Vuorio A, Budowle B, Raal F, Kovanen PT. Wildfire smoke exposure and cardiovascular disease-should statins be recommended to prevent cardiovascular events? Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1259162. [PMID: 37781301 PMCID: PMC10537918 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1259162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alpo Vuorio
- Mehiläinen, Airport Health Center, Vantaa, Finland
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bruce Budowle
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frederick Raal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Petri T. Kovanen
- Cardiovascular Research, Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland
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21
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Reeves F, Potter BJ. Toward a Cardio-Environmental Risk Model: Environmental Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:1166-1181. [PMID: 37380103 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.06.419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that strong geographic variations in cardiovascular risk cannot be explained using traditional cardiovascular risk factors alone. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that heredity and classic risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and tobacco use can explain the tenfold variation observed in cardiovascular mortality among men in Russia and those in Switzerland. Since the advent of industrialization and resultant changes to our climate, it is now clear that environmental stressors also influence cardiovascular health and our thinking around cardiovascular risk prediction is in need of a paradigm shift. Herein, we review the basis for this shift in our understanding of the interplay of environmental factors with cardiovascular health. We illustrate how air pollution, hyperprocessed foods, the amount of green space, and population activity levels are now considered the 4 major environmental determinants of cardiovascular health and provide a framework for how these considerations might be incorporated into clinical risk assessment. We also outline the clinical and socioeconomic effects of the environment on cardiovascular health and review key recommendations from major medical societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Reeves
- CHUM Cardiovascular Center, Department of Medicine, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montréal School of Public Health (ESPUM), Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Brian J Potter
- CHUM Cardiovascular Center, Department of Medicine, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
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22
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Alahmad B, Khraishah H, Althalji K, Borchert W, Al-Mulla F, Koutrakis P. Connections Between Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Cardiovascular Health. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:1182-1190. [PMID: 37030516 PMCID: PMC11097327 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, more people die from cardiovascular disease than any other cause. Climate change, through amplified environmental exposures, will promote and contribute to many noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Air pollution, too, is responsible for millions of deaths from cardiovascular disease each year. Although they may appear to be independent, interchangeable relationships and bidirectional cause-and-effect arrows between climate change and air pollution can eventually lead to poor cardiovascular health. In this topical review, we show that climate change and air pollution worsen each other, leading to several ecosystem-mediated effects. We highlight how increases in hot climates as a result of climate change have increased the risk of major air pollution events such as severe wildfires and dust storms. In addition, we show how altered atmospheric chemistry and changing patterns of weather conditions can promote the formation and accumulation of air pollutants: a phenomenon known as the climate penalty. We demonstrate these amplified environmental exposures and their associations to adverse cardiovascular health outcomes. The community of health professionals-and cardiologists, in particular-cannot afford to overlook the risks that climate change and air pollution bring to the public's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barrak Alahmad
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Environmental and Occupational Health Department, College of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait; Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI), Kuwait City, Kuwait.
| | - Haitham Khraishah
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Khalid Althalji
- Jaber Alahmad Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - William Borchert
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI), Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Naserinejad N, Costanian C, Birot O, Barboni T, Roudier E. Wildland fire, air pollution and cardiovascular health: is it time to focus on the microvasculature as a risk assessment tool? Front Physiol 2023; 14:1225195. [PMID: 37538378 PMCID: PMC10394245 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1225195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change favors weather conditions conducive to wildland fires. The intensity and frequency of forest fires are increasing, and fire seasons are lengthening. Exposure of human populations to smoke emitted by these fires increases, thereby contributing to airborne pollution through the emission of gas and particulate matter (PM). The adverse health outcomes associated with wildland fire exposure represent an important burden on the economies and health systems of societies. Even though cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main of cause of the global burden of diseases attributable to PM exposure, it remains difficult to show reliable associations between exposure to wildland fire smoke and cardiovascular disease risk in population-based studies. Optimal health requires a resilient and adaptable network of small blood vessels, namely, the microvasculature. Often alterations of this microvasculature precede the occurrence of adverse health outcomes, including CVD. Biomarkers of microvascular health could then represent possible markers for the early detection of poor cardiovascular outcomes. This review aims to synthesize the current literature to gauge whether assessing the microvasculature can better estimate the cardiovascular impact of wildland fires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazgol Naserinejad
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christy Costanian
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olivier Birot
- Muscle Health Research Center, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Toussaint Barboni
- Laboratoire des Sciences Pour l’Environnement (SPE), UMR-CNRS 6134, University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli, Campus Grimaldi, Corte, France
| | - Emilie Roudier
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Muscle Health Research Center, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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24
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Dhingra R, Keeler C, Staley BS, Jardel HV, Ward-Caviness C, Rebuli ME, Xi Y, Rappazzo K, Hernandez M, Chelminski AN, Jaspers I, Rappold AG. Wildfire smoke exposure and early childhood respiratory health: a study of prescription claims data. Environ Health 2023; 22:48. [PMID: 37370168 PMCID: PMC10294519 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00998-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Wildfire smoke is associated with short-term respiratory outcomes including asthma exacerbation in children. As investigations into developmental wildfire smoke exposure on children's longer-term respiratory health are sparse, we investigated associations between developmental wildfire smoke exposure and first use of respiratory medications. Prescription claims from IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database were linked with wildfire smoke plume data from NASA satellites based on Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). A retrospective cohort of live infants (2010-2016) born into MSAs in six western states (U.S.A.), having prescription insurance, and whose birthdate was estimable from claims data was constructed (N = 184,703); of these, gestational age was estimated for 113,154 infants. The residential MSA, gestational age, and birthdate were used to estimate average weekly smoke exposure days (smoke-day) for each developmental period: three trimesters, and two sequential 12-week periods post-birth. Medications treating respiratory tract inflammation were classified using active ingredient and mode of administration into three categories:: 'upper respiratory', 'lower respiratory', 'systemic anti-inflammatory'. To evaluate associations between wildfire smoke exposure and medication usage, Cox models associating smoke-days with first observed prescription of each medication category were adjusted for infant sex, birth-season, and birthyear with a random intercept for MSA. Smoke exposure during postnatal periods was associated with earlier first use of upper respiratory medications (1-12 weeks: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.094 per 1-day increase in average weekly smoke-day, 95%CI: (1.005,1.191); 13-24 weeks: HR = 1.108, 95%CI: (1.016,1.209)). Protective associations were observed during gestational windows for both lower respiratory and systemic anti-inflammatory medications; it is possible that these associations may be a consequence of live-birth bias. These findings suggest wildfire smoke exposure during early postnatal developmental periods impact subsequent early life respiratory health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Dhingra
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, C.B 7431, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
| | - Corinna Keeler
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brooke S Staley
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hanna V Jardel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cavin Ward-Caviness
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Meghan E Rebuli
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuzhi Xi
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, C.B 7431, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kristen Rappazzo
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michelle Hernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ann N Chelminski
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ana G Rappold
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
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25
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Doubleday A, Sheppard L, Austin E, Busch Isaksen T. Wildfire smoke exposure and emergency department visits in Washington State. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, HEALTH : ERH 2023; 1:025006. [PMID: 37252333 PMCID: PMC10213826 DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/acd3a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are increasing in prevalence in western North America due to changing climate conditions. A growing number of studies examine the impact of wildfire smoke on morbidity; however, few evaluate these impacts using syndromic surveillance data that cover many emergency departments (EDs). We used syndromic surveillance data to explore the effect of wildfire smoke exposure on all-cause respiratory and cardiovascular ED visits in Washington state. Using a time-stratified case crossover design, we observed an increased odds of asthma visits immediately after and in all five days following initial exposure (lag 0 OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.17; lag 1-5 ORs all 1.05 or greater with a lower CI of 1.02 or higher), and an increased odds of respiratory visits in all five days following initial exposure (lag 1 OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03; lag 2-5 ORs and lower CIs were all at least as large) comparing wildfire smoke to non-wildfire smoke days. We observed mixed results for cardiovascular visits, with evidence of increased odds emerging only several days following initial exposure. We also found increased odds across all visit categories for a 10 μg m-3 increase in smoke-impacted PM2.5. In stratified analyses, we observed elevated odds for respiratory visits among ages 19-64, for asthma visits among ages 5-64, and mixed risk estimates for cardiovascular visits by age group. This study provides evidence of an increased risk of respiratory ED visits immediately following initial wildfire smoke exposure, and increased risk of cardiovascular ED visits several days following initial exposure. These increased risks are seen particularly among children and younger to middle-aged adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Doubleday
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Lianne Sheppard
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Elena Austin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Tania Busch Isaksen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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26
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Kyle Martin W, Schladweiler MC, Oshiro W, Smoot J, Fisher A, Williams W, Valdez M, Miller CN, Jackson TW, Freeborn D, Kim YH, Davies D, Ian Gilmour M, Kodavanti U, Kodavanti P, Hazari MS, Farraj AK. Wildfire-related smoke inhalation worsens cardiovascular risk in sleep disrupted rats. FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 2:1166918. [PMID: 38116203 PMCID: PMC10726696 DOI: 10.3389/fenvh.2023.1166918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Introduction As a lifestyle factor, poor sleep status is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and may be influenced by environmental stressors, including air pollution. Methods To determine whether exposure to air pollution modified cardiovascular effects of sleep disruption, we evaluated the effects of single or repeated (twice/wk for 4 wks) inhalation exposure to eucalyptus wood smoke (ES; 964 μg/m3 for 1 h), a key wildland fire air pollution source, on mild sleep loss in the form of gentle handling in rats. Blood pressure (BP) radiotelemetry and echocardiography were evaluated along with assessments of lung and systemic inflammation, cardiac and hypothalamic gene expression, and heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of cardiac autonomic tone. Results and Discussion GH alone disrupted sleep, as evidenced by active period-like locomotor activity, and increases in BP, heart rate (HR), and hypothalamic expression of the circadian gene Per2. A single bout of sleep disruption and ES, but neither alone, increased HR and BP as rats transitioned into their active period, a period aligned with a critical early morning window for stroke risk in humans. These responses were immediately preceded by reduced HRV, indicating increased cardiac sympathetic tone. In addition, only sleep disrupted rats exposed to ES had increased HR and BP during the final sleep disruption period. These rats also had increased cardiac output and cardiac expression of genes related to adrenergic function, and regulation of vasoconstriction and systemic blood pressure one day after final ES exposure. There was little evidence of lung or systemic inflammation, except for increases in serum LDL cholesterol and alanine aminotransferase. These results suggest that inhaled air pollution increases sleep perturbation-related cardiovascular risk, potentially in part by increased sympathetic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Kyle Martin
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - M. C. Schladweiler
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - W. Oshiro
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - J. Smoot
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - A. Fisher
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - W. Williams
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - M. Valdez
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - C. N. Miller
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - T. W. Jackson
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - D. Freeborn
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Y. H. Kim
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - D. Davies
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - M. Ian Gilmour
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - U. Kodavanti
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - P. Kodavanti
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - M. S. Hazari
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - A. K. Farraj
- Public Health & Integrated Toxicology Division, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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27
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Mulliken JS, Hampshire KN, Rappold AG, Fung M, Babik JM, Doernberg SB. Risk of systemic fungal infections after exposure to wildfires: a population-based, retrospective study in California. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e381-e386. [PMID: 37164514 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large-scale wildfires in California, USA, are increasing in both size and frequency, with substantial health consequences. The capacity for wildfire smoke to displace microbes and cause clinically significant fungal infections is poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether exposure to wildfire smoke was associated with an increased risk of hospital admissions for systemic fungal infections. METHODS In this population-based, retrospective study, we used hospital administrative data from 22 hospitals in California, USA, to analyse the association between wildfire smoke exposure and monthly hospital admissions for aspergillosis and coccidioidomycosis. We included hospitals that were members of the Vizient Clinical Data Base or Resource Manager during the study and excluded those that did not have complete reporting into Vizient during the study period. Smoke exposure was estimated using satellite-imaged smoke plumes in the hospital county. Incident rate ratios were calculated for all infection types 1 month and 3 months after smoke exposure. FINDINGS Between Oct 1, 2014, and May 31, 2018, there were a median of 1638 annual admissions per hospital in the study sample. Individual patient demographics were not collected. We did not observe an association between smoke exposure and rate of hospital admission for aspergillosis. However, hospital admission for coccidioidomycosis increased by 20% (95% CI 5-38) in the month following any smoke exposure. Hospital admission increased by 2% (0-4) for every day that there had been smoke exposure in the previous month, after adjustment for temperature and temporal trend. Similar results were obtained with smoke exposure data from the 3 months before admission. INTERPRETATION In the months following wildfire smoke exposure, California hospitals saw increased coccidioidomycosis infections. Given the projected increase in California wildfires and their expansion in endemic territories of soil-dwelling fungi, the ability for wildfire smoke to carry microbes and cause human disease warrants further research. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana G Rappold
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Monica Fung
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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28
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Thilakaratne R, Hoshiko S, Rosenberg A, Hayashi T, Buckman JR, Rappold AG. Wildfires and the Changing Landscape of Air Pollution-related Health Burden in California. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 207:887-898. [PMID: 36520960 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202207-1324oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Wildfires are a growing source of pollution including particulate matter ⩽2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), but associated trends in health burden are not well characterized. Objectives: We investigated trends and disparities in PM2.5-related cardiorespiratory health burden (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and all-cause respiratory and cardiovascular emergency department [ED] visits and hospital admissions) for all days and wildfire smoke-affected days across California from 2008 to 2016. Methods: Using residential Zone Improvement Plan code and daily PM2.5 exposures, we estimated overall and subgroup-specific (age, gender, race and ethnicity) associations with cardiorespiratory outcomes. Health burden trends and disparities were evaluated on the basis of relative risk, attributable number, and attributable fraction by demographic and geographic factors and over time. Measurements and Main Results: PM2.5-attributed burden steadily decreased, whereas the fraction attributed to wildfire smoke varied by fire season intensity, constituting up to 15% of the annual PM2.5-burden. The highest relative risk and PM2.5-attributed burden (92 per 100,000 people) was observed for respiratory ED visits, accounting for 2.2% of the respiratory annual burden. Disparities in overall morbidity in the oldest age, Black, and "other" race groups were also reflected in PM2.5-attributed burden, whereas Asian populations had the highest risk rate in respiratory outcomes and thus the largest fraction of the total burden attributed to the exposure. In contrast, high wildfire PM2.5-attributed burden rates in rural, central, and northern California populations occurred because of differential exposure. Conclusions: In California, wildfires' impact on air quality offset the public health gains achieved through reductions in nonsmoke PM2.5. Disproportionate effects could be attributed to differences in subpopulation susceptibility, relative risk, and differential exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwan Thilakaratne
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California
- California Department of Public Health/Cal EIS Program, Richmond, California
| | - Sumi Hoshiko
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California
| | - Andrew Rosenberg
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California
| | | | - Joseph Ryan Buckman
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California
- California Department of Public Health/Cal EIS Program, Richmond, California
| | - Ana G Rappold
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina
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29
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Eden MJ, Matz J, Garg P, Gonzalez MP, McElderry K, Wang S, Gollner MJ, Oakes JM, Bellini C. Prolonged smoldering Douglas fir smoke inhalation augments respiratory resistances, stiffens the aorta, and curbs ejection fraction in hypercholesterolemic mice. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 861:160609. [PMID: 36470384 PMCID: PMC10699119 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While mounting evidence suggests that wildland fire smoke (WFS) inhalation may increase the burden of cardiopulmonary disease, the occupational risk of repeated exposure during wildland firefighting remains unknown. To address this concern, we evaluated the cardiopulmonary function in mice following a cumulative exposure to lab-scale WFS equivalent to a mid-length wildland firefighter (WLFF) career. Dosimetry analysis indicated that 80 exposure hours at a particulate concentration of 22 mg/m3 yield in mice the same cumulative deposited mass per unit of lung surface area as 3600 h of wildland firefighting. To satisfy this condition, male Apoe-/- mice were whole-body exposed to either air or smoldering Douglas fir smoke (DFS) for 2 h/day, 5 days/week, over 8 consecutive weeks. Particulate size in DFS fell within the respirable range for both mice and humans, with a count median diameter of 110 ± 20 nm. Expiratory breath hold in mice exposed to DFS significantly reduced their minute volume (DFS: 27 ± 4; Air: 122 ± 8 mL/min). By the end of the exposure time frame, mice in the DFS group exhibited a thicker (DFS: 109 ± 3; Air: 98 ± 3 μm) and less distensible (DFS: 23 ± 1; Air: 28 ± 1 MPa-1) aorta with reduced diastolic blood augmentation capacity (DFS: 53 ± 2; Air: 63 ± 2 kPa). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging further revealed larger end-systolic volume (DFS: 14.6 ± 1.1; Air: 9.9 ± 0.9 μL) and reduced ejection-fraction (DFS: 64.7 ± 1.0; Air: 75.3 ± 0.9 %) in mice exposed to DFS. Consistent with increased airway epithelium thickness (DFS: 10.4 ± 0.8; Air: 7.6 ± 0.3 μm), airway Newtonian resistance was larger following DFS exposure (DFS: 0.23 ± 0.03; Air: 0.20 ± 0.03 cmH2O-s/mL). Furthermore, parenchyma mean linear intercept (DFS: 36.3 ± 0.8; Air: 33.3 ± 0.8 μm) and tissue thickness (DFS: 10.1 ± 0.5; Air: 7.4 ± 0.7 μm) were larger in DFS mice. Collectively, mice exposed to DFS manifested early signs of cardiopulmonary dysfunction aligned with self-reported events in mid-career WLFFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Eden
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Matz
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Priya Garg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Siyan Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Gollner
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jessica M Oakes
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA
| | - Chiara Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, MA, USA.
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30
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Xu R, Li S, Wu Y, Yue X, Wong EM, Southey MC, Hopper JL, Abramson MJ, Li S, Guo Y. Wildfire-related PM 2.5 and DNA methylation: An Australian twin and family study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107704. [PMID: 36542997 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wildfire-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has many adverse health impacts, but its impacts on human epigenome are unknown. We aimed to evaluate the associations between long-term exposure to wildfire-related PM2.5 and blood DNA methylation, and whether the associations differ from those with non-wildfire-related PM2.5. METHODS We studied 479 Australian women comprising 132 twin pairs and 215 of their sisters. Blood-derived DNA methylation was measured using the HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. Data on 3-year (year of blood collection and previous two years) average wildfire-related and non-wildfire-related PM2.5 at 0.01°×0.01° spatial resolution were created by combining information from satellite observations, chemical transport models, and ground-based observations. Exposure data were linked to each participant's home address, assuming the address did not change during the exposure window. For DNA methylation of each cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG), and for global DNA methylation represented by the average of all measured CpGs or CpGs in repetitive elements, we evaluated their associations with wildfire- or non-wildfire-related PM2.5 using a within-sibship analysis controlling for factors shared between siblings and other important covariates. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were defined by comb-p and DMRcate. RESULTS The 3-year average wildfire-related PM2.5 (range: 0.3 to 7.6 µg/m3, mean: 1.6 µg/m3) was negatively, but not significantly (p-values greater than 0.05) associated with all seven global DNA methylation measures. There were 26 CpGs and 33 DMRs associated with wildfire-related PM2.5 (Bonferroni adjusted p-value < 0.05) mapped to 47 genes enriched for pathways related to inflammatory regulation and platelet activation. These genes have been related to many human diseases or phenotypes e.g., cancer, mental disorders, diabetes, obesity, asthma, blood pressure. These CpGs, DMRs and enriched pathways did not overlap with the 1 CpG and 7 DMRs associated with non-wildfire-related PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS Long-term exposure to wildfire-related PM2.5 was associated with various blood DNA methylation signatures in Australian women, and these were distinct from those associated with non-wildfire-related PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongbin Xu
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Yao Wu
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Xu Yue
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Ee Ming Wong
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Melissa C Southey
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - John L Hopper
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Michael J Abramson
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Shuai Li
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 8RN, UK; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
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31
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Barbosa JV, Farraia M, Branco PTBS, Alvim-Ferraz MCM, Martins FG, Annesi-Maesano I, Sousa SIV. The Effect of Fire Smoke Exposure on Firefighters' Lung Function: A Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16799. [PMID: 36554677 PMCID: PMC9779288 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful substances during firefighting. Exposure to fire smoke has been associated with a decrease in their lung function. However, the cause-effect relationship between those two factors is not yet demonstrated. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the potential associations between firefighters' occupational exposure and their lung function deterioration. Studies were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases (August 1990-March 2021). The studies were included when reporting the lung function values of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1) or Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The meta-analyses were performed using the generic inverse variance in R software with a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was used to determine if the lung function was influenced by a potential study effect or by the participants' characteristics. A total of 5562 participants from 24 studies were included. No significant difference was found between firefighters' predicted FEV1 from wildland, 97.64% (95% CI: 91.45-103.82%; I2 = 99%), and urban fires, 99.71% (95% CI: 96.75-102.67%; I2 = 98%). Similar results were found for the predicted FVC. Nevertheless, the mean values of firefighters' predicted lung function varied significantly among studies, suggesting many confounders, such as trials' design, statistical methods, methodologies applied, firefighters' daily exposure and career length, hindering an appropriate comparison between the studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana V. Barbosa
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Farraia
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro T. B. S. Branco
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Conceição M. Alvim-Ferraz
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando G. Martins
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IDESP), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Montpellier University, 34093 Montpellier, France
| | - Sofia I. V. Sousa
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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Larsen A, Yang S, Reich BJ, Rappold AG. A spatial causal analysis of wildland fire-contributed PM2.5 using numerical model output. Ann Appl Stat 2022; 16:2714-2731. [PMID: 37181861 PMCID: PMC10181852 DOI: 10.1214/22-aoas1610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Wildland fire smoke contains hazardous levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a pollutant shown to adversely effect health. Estimating fire attributable PM2.5 concentrations is key to quantifying the impact on air quality and subsequent health burden. This is a challenging problem since only total PM2.5 is measured at monitoring stations and both fire-attributable PM2.5 and PM2.5 from all other sources are correlated in space and time. We propose a framework for estimating fire-contributed PM2.5 and PM2.5 from all other sources using a novel causal inference framework and bias-adjusted chemical model representations of PM2.5 under counterfactual scenarios. The chemical model representation of PM2.5 for this analysis is simulated using Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ), run with and without fire emissions across the contiguous U.S. for the 2008-2012 wildfire seasons. The CMAQ output is calibrated with observations from monitoring sites for the same spatial domain and time period. We use a Bayesian model that accounts for spatial variation to estimate the effect of wildland fires on PM2.5 and state assumptions under which the estimate has a valid causal interpretation. Our results include estimates of the contributions of wildfire smoke to PM2.5 for the contiguous U.S. Additionally, we compute the health burden associated with the PM2.5 attributable to wildfire smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University
| | - Brian J. Reich
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University
| | - Ana G. Rappold
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory—Environmental Public Health Division, US Environmental Protection Agency
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Koman PD, Billmire M, Baker KR, Carter JM, Thelen BJ, French NHF, Bell SA. Using wildland fire smoke modeling data in gerontological health research (California, 2007-2018). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156403. [PMID: 35660427 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Widespread population exposure to wildland fire smoke underscores the urgent need for new techniques to characterize fire-derived pollution for epidemiologic studies and to build climate-resilient communities especially for aging populations. Using atmospheric chemical transport modeling, we examined air quality with and without wildland fire smoke PM2.5. In 12-km gridded output, the 24-hour average concentration of all-source PM2.5 in California (2007-2018) was 5.16 μg/m3 (S.D. 4.66 μg/m3). The average concentration of fire-PM2.5 in California by year was 1.61 μg/m3 (~30% of total PM2.5). The contribution of fire-source PM2.5 ranged from 6.8% to 49%. We define a "smokewave" as two or more consecutive days with modeled levels above 35 μg/m3. Based on model-derived fire-PM2.5, 99.5% of California's population lived in a county that experienced at least one smokewave from 2007 to 2018, yet understanding of the impact of smoke on the health of aging populations is limited. Approximately 2.7 million (56%) of California residents aged 65+ years lived in counties representing the top 3 quartiles of fire-PM2.5 concentrations (2007-2018). For each year (2007-2018), grid cells containing skilled nursing facilities had significantly higher mean concentrations of all-source PM2.5 than cells without those facilities, but they also had generally lower mean concentrations of wildland fire-specific PM2.5. Compared to rural monitors in California, model predictions of wildland fire impacts on daily average PM2.5 carbon (organic and elemental) performed well most years but tended to overestimate wildland fire impacts for high-fire years. The modeling system isolated wildland fire PM2.5 from other sources at monitored and unmonitored locations, which is important for understanding exposures for aging population in health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia D Koman
- University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Michael Billmire
- Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tech Research Institute, 3600 Green Court, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
| | - Kirk R Baker
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Julie M Carter
- University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tech Research Institute, 3600 Green Court, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
| | - Brian J Thelen
- Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tech Research Institute, 3600 Green Court, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
| | - Nancy H F French
- Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tech Research Institute, 3600 Green Court, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
| | - Sue Anne Bell
- University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Abstract
Wildfire smoke is a rapidly growing threat to global cardiovascular health. We review the literature linking wildfire smoke exposures to cardiovascular effects. We find substantial evidence that short-term exposures are associated with key cardiovascular outcomes, including mortality, hospitalization, and acute coronary syndrome. Wildfire smoke exposures will continue to increase over the majority of Earth's surface. For example, the United States alone has experienced a 5-fold increase in annual area burned since 1972, with 82 million individuals estimated to be exposed to wildfire smoke by midcentury. The associated rise in excess morbidity and mortality constitutes a growing global public health crisis. Fortunately, the effect of wildfire smoke on cardiovascular health is modifiable at the individual and population levels through specific interventions. Health systems therefore have an opportunity to help safeguard patients from smoke exposures. We provide a roadmap of evidence-based interventions to reduce risk and protect cardiovascular health. Key interventions include preparing health systems for smoke events; identifying and educating vulnerable patients; reducing outdoor activities; creating cleaner air environments; using air filtration devices and personal respirators; and aggressive management of chronic diseases and traditional risk factors. Further research is needed to test the efficacy of interventions on reducing cardiovascular outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah B Henderson
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada (S.B.H.).,University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (S.B.H., M.B.)
| | - Michael Brauer
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (S.B.H., M.B.).,Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle (M.B.)
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Chen H, Oliver BG, Pant A, Olivera A, Poronnik P, Pollock CA, Saad S. Effects of air pollution on human health - Mechanistic evidence suggested by in vitro and in vivo modelling. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113378. [PMID: 35525290 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter (PM) comprises both solid and liquid particles, including carbon, sulphates, nitrate, and toxic heavy metals, which can induce oxidative stress and inflammation after inhalation. These changes occur both in the lung and systemically, due to the ability of the small-sized PM (i.e. diameters ≤2.5 μm, PM2.5) to enter and circulate in the bloodstream. As such, in 2016, airborne PM caused ∼4.2 million premature deaths worldwide. Acute exposure to high levels of airborne PM (eg. during wildfires) can exacerbate pre-existing illnesses leading to hospitalisation, such as in those with asthma and coronary heart disease. Prolonged exposure to PM can increase the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases affecting the brain, lung, heart, liver, and kidney, although the latter is less well studied. Given the breadth of potential disease, it is critical to understand the mechanisms underlying airborne PM exposure-induced disorders. Establishing aetiology in humans is difficult, therefore, in-vitro and in-vivo studies can provide mechanistic insights. We describe acute health effects (e.g. exacerbations of asthma) and long term health effects such as the induction of chronic inflammatory lung disease, and effects outside the lung (e.g. liver and renal change). We will focus on oxidative stress and inflammation as this is the common mechanism of PM-induced disease, which may be used to develop effective treatments to mitigate the adverse health effect of PM exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Brian G Oliver
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2037, Australia
| | - Anushriya Pant
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Annabel Olivera
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Philip Poronnik
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carol A Pollock
- Renal Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sonia Saad
- Renal Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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D’Evelyn SM, Jung J, Alvarado E, Baumgartner J, Caligiuri P, Hagmann RK, Henderson SB, Hessburg PF, Hopkins S, Kasner EJ, Krawchuk MA, Krenz JE, Lydersen JM, Marlier ME, Masuda YJ, Metlen K, Mittelstaedt G, Prichard SJ, Schollaert CL, Smith EB, Stevens JT, Tessum CW, Reeb-Whitaker C, Wilkins JL, Wolff NH, Wood LM, Haugo RD, Spector JT. Wildfire, Smoke Exposure, Human Health, and Environmental Justice Need to be Integrated into Forest Restoration and Management. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:366-385. [PMID: 35524066 PMCID: PMC9076366 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00355-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Increasing wildfire size and severity across the western United States has created an environmental and social crisis that must be approached from a transdisciplinary perspective. Climate change and more than a century of fire exclusion and wildfire suppression have led to contemporary wildfires with more severe environmental impacts and human smoke exposure. Wildfires increase smoke exposure for broad swaths of the US population, though outdoor workers and socially disadvantaged groups with limited adaptive capacity can be disproportionally exposed. Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with a range of health impacts in children and adults, including exacerbation of existing respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, worse birth outcomes, and cardiovascular events. Seasonally dry forests in Washington, Oregon, and California can benefit from ecological restoration as a way to adapt forests to climate change and reduce smoke impacts on affected communities. RECENT FINDINGS Each wildfire season, large smoke events, and their adverse impacts on human health receive considerable attention from both the public and policymakers. The severity of recent wildfire seasons has state and federal governments outlining budgets and prioritizing policies to combat the worsening crisis. This surging attention provides an opportunity to outline the actions needed now to advance research and practice on conservation, economic, environmental justice, and public health interests, as well as the trade-offs that must be considered. Scientists, planners, foresters and fire managers, fire safety, air quality, and public health practitioners must collaboratively work together. This article is the result of a series of transdisciplinary conversations to find common ground and subsequently provide a holistic view of how forest and fire management intersect with human health through the impacts of smoke and articulate the need for an integrated approach to both planning and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah M. D’Evelyn
- Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Jihoon Jung
- Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Ernesto Alvarado
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Jill Baumgartner
- Dept of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - R. Keala Hagmann
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Applegate Forestry, LLC, Corvallis, USA
| | | | - Paul F. Hessburg
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Wenatchee, WA USA
| | - Sean Hopkins
- Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, USA
| | - Edward J. Kasner
- Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Meg A. Krawchuk
- Dept. of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Krenz
- Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | - Jamie M. Lydersen
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Sacramento, USA
| | - Miriam E. Marlier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | | | | | | | - Susan J. Prichard
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Claire L. Schollaert
- Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | | | - Jens T. Stevens
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Christopher W. Tessum
- Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA
| | - Carolyn Reeb-Whitaker
- Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Tumwater, USA
| | - Joseph L. Wilkins
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Interdisciplinary Studies Department, Howard University, Washington, DC USA
| | | | - Leah M. Wood
- Evan’s School of Public Policy and Governance and The Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
| | | | - June T. Spector
- Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
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Evoy R, Hystad P, Bae H, Kincl L. The impact of wildfire smoke and temperature on traumatic worker injury claims, Oregon 2009–2018. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e820. [PMID: 36177399 PMCID: PMC9476546 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Evoy
- Environmental and Occupational Health Program, College of Public Health and Human Sciences Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Perry Hystad
- Environmental and Occupational Health Program, College of Public Health and Human Sciences Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Harold Bae
- Biostatistics Program, College of Public Health and Human Sciences Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Laurel Kincl
- Environmental and Occupational Health Program, College of Public Health and Human Sciences Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
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Carberry CK, Koval LE, Payton A, Hartwell H, Ho Kim Y, Smith GJ, Reif DM, Jaspers I, Ian Gilmour M, Rager JE. Wildfires and extracellular vesicles: Exosomal MicroRNAs as mediators of cross-tissue cardiopulmonary responses to biomass smoke. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 167:107419. [PMID: 35863239 PMCID: PMC9389917 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wildfires are a threat to public health world-wide that are growing in intensity and prevalence. The biological mechanisms that elicit wildfire-associated toxicity remain largely unknown. The potential involvement of cross-tissue communication via extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a new mechanism that has yet to be evaluated. METHODS Female CD-1 mice were exposed to smoke condensate samples collected from the following biomass burn scenarios: flaming peat; smoldering peat; flaming red oak; and smoldering red oak, representing lab-based simulations of wildfire scenarios. Lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples, peripheral blood, and heart tissues were collected 4 and 24 h post-exposure. Exosome-enriched EVs were isolated from plasma, physically characterized, and profiled for microRNA (miRNA) expression. Pathway-level responses in the lung and heart were evaluated through RNA sequencing and pathway analyses. RESULTS Markers of cardiopulmonary tissue injury and inflammation from BALF samples were significantly altered in response to exposures, with the greatest changes occurring from flaming biomass conditions. Plasma EV miRNAs relevant to cardiovascular disease showed exposure-induced expression alterations, including miR-150, miR-183, miR-223-3p, miR-30b, and miR-378a. Lung and heart mRNAs were identified with differential expression enriched for hypoxia and cell stress-related pathways. Flaming red oak exposure induced the greatest transcriptional response in the heart, a large portion of which were predicted as regulated by plasma EV miRNAs, including miRNAs known to regulate hypoxia-induced cardiovascular injury. Many of these miRNAs had published evidence supporting their transfer across tissues. A follow-up analysis of miR-30b showed that it was increased in expression in the heart of exposed mice in the absence of changes to its precursor molecular, pri-miR-30b, suggesting potential transfer from external sources (e.g., plasma). DISCUSSION This study posits a potential mechanism through which wildfire exposures induce cardiopulmonary responses, highlighting the role of circulating plasma EVs in intercellular and systems-level communication between tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste K Carberry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lauren E Koval
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexis Payton
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hadley Hartwell
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gregory J Smith
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David M Reif
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - M Ian Gilmour
- Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Julia E Rager
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; The Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Alexis NE, Zhou LY, Burbank AJ, Almond M, Hernandez ML, Mills KH, Noah TL, Wells H, Zhou H, Peden DB. Development of a screening protocol to identify persons who are responsive to wood smoke particle-induced airway inflammation with pilot assessment of GSTM1 genotype and asthma status as response modifiers. Inhal Toxicol 2022; 34:329-339. [PMID: 35968917 PMCID: PMC10519374 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2022.2110334] [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: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We are currently screening human volunteers to determine their sputum polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) response 6- and 24-hours following initiation of exposure to wood smoke particles (WSP). Inflammatory responders (≥10% increase in %PMN) are identified for their subsequent participation in mitigation studies against WSP-induced airways inflammation. In this report we compared responder status (<i>N</i> = 52) at both 6 and 24 hr time points to refine/expand its classification, assessed the impact of the GSTM1 genotype, asthma status and sex on responder status, and explored whether sputum soluble phase markers of inflammation correlate with PMN responsiveness to WSP. RESULTS Six-hour responders tended to be 24-hour responders and vice versa, but 24-hour responders also had significantly increased IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 at 24 hours post WSP exposure. The GSTM1 null genotype significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) enhanced the %PMN response by 24% in the 24-hour responders and not at all in the 6 hours responders. Asthma status enhanced the 24 hour %PMN response in the 6- and 24-hour responders. In the entire cohort (not stratified by responder status), we found a significant, but very small decrease in FVC and systolic blood pressure immediately following WSP exposure and sputum %PMNs were significantly increased and associated with sputum inflammatory markers (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and PMN/mg) at 24 but not 6 hours post exposure. Blood endpoints in the entire cohort showed a significant increase in %PMN and PMN/mg at 6 but not 24 hours. Sex had no effect on %PMN response. CONCLUSIONS The 24-hour time point was more informative than the 6-hour time point in optimally and expansively defining airway inflammatory responsiveness to WSP exposure. GSTM1 and asthma status are significant effect modifiers of this response. These study design and subject parameters should be considered before enrolling volunteers for proof-of-concept WSP mitigation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil E Alexis
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura Y Zhou
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Allison J Burbank
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Martha Almond
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michelle L Hernandez
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Katherine H Mills
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Terry L Noah
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Heather Wells
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Haibo Zhou
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David B Peden
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Nowell HK, Wirks C, Val Martin M, van Donkelaar A, Martin RV, Uejio CK, Holmes CD. Impacts of Sugarcane Fires on Air Quality and Public Health in South Florida. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:87004. [PMID: 35929976 PMCID: PMC9354838 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preharvest burning of sugarcane is a common agricultural practice in Florida, which produces fine particulate matter [particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5)] that is associated with higher mortality. OBJECTIVES We estimated premature mortality associated with exposure to PM2.5 from sugarcane burning in people age 25 y and above for 20 counties in South Florida. METHODS We combined information from an atmospheric dispersion model, satellites, and surface measurements to quantify PM2.5 concentrations in South Florida and the fraction of PM2.5 from sugarcane fires. From these concentrations, estimated mortalities attributable to PM2.5 from sugarcane fires were calculated by census tract using health impact functions derived from literature for six causes of death linked to PM2.5. Confidence intervals (CI) are provided based on Monte Carlo simulations that propagate uncertainty in the emissions, dispersion model, health impact functions, and demographic data. RESULTS Sugarcane fires emitted an amount of primary PM2.5 similar to that of motor vehicles in Florida. PM2.5 from sugarcane fires is estimated to contribute to mortality rates within the Florida Sugarcane Growing Region (SGR) by 0.4 death per 100,000 people per year (95% CI: 0.3, 1.6 per 100,000). These estimates imply 2.5 deaths per year across South Florida were associated with PM2.5 from sugarcane fires (95% CI: 1.2, 6.1), with 0.16 in the SGR (95% CI: 0.09, 0.6) and 0.72 in Palm Beach County (95% CI: 0.17, 2.2). DISCUSSION PM2.5 from sugarcane fires was estimated to contribute to mortality risk across South Florida, particularly in the SGR. This is consistent with prior studies that documented impacts of sugarcane fire on air quality but did not quantify mortality. Additional health impacts of sugarcane fires, which were not quantified here, include exacerbating nonfatal health conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular problems. Harvesting sugarcane without field burning would likely reduce PM2.5 and health burdens in this region. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9957.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly K. Nowell
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Charles Wirks
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Maria Val Martin
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Aaron van Donkelaar
- Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Randall V. Martin
- Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Christopher D. Holmes
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
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A Literature Review on the Impact of Wildfires on Emergency Departments: Enhancing Disaster Preparedness. Prehosp Disaster Med 2022; 37:657-664. [PMID: 35875982 PMCID: PMC9470518 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x22001054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction:
Global climate change (global warming) has been identified as the primary factor responsible for the observed increase in frequency and severity of wildfires (also known as bushfires in some countries) throughout the majority of the world’s vegetated environments. This trend is predicted to continue, causing significant adverse health effects to nearby residential populations and placing a potential strain on local emergency departments (EDs).
Study Objective:
The aim of this literature review was to identify papers relating to wildfires and their impact on EDs, specifically patient presentation characteristics, resource utilization, and patient outcomes.
Method:
This integrative literature review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for data collection, and Whittemore and Knafl’s framework for data analysis. Data were collected from OvidSP, MEDLINE, DARE, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Various Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords identified papers relevant to wildfires/bushfires and EDs.
Results:
Literature regarding the relationship between ED presentations and wildfire events, however, is primarily limited to studies from the United States and Australia and indicates particulate matter (PM) is principally linked to adverse respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes. Observable trends in the literature principally included a significant increase in respiratory presentations, primarily with a lag of one to two days from the initial event. Respiratory and cardiovascular studies that stratified results by age indicated individuals under five, over 65, or those with pre-existing conditions formed the majority of ED presentations.
Conclusion:
Key learnings from this review included the need for effective and targeted community advisory programs/procedures, prior to and during wildfire events, as well as pre-event planning, development, and robust resilience strategies for EDs.
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Tan AWK, Li RHL, Ueda Y, Stern JA, Hussain M, Haginoya S, Sharpe AN, Gunther-Harrington CT, Epstein SE, Nguyen N. Platelet Priming and Activation in Naturally Occurring Thermal Burn Injuries and Wildfire Smoke Exposure Is Associated With Intracardiac Thrombosis and Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast in Feline Survivors. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:892377. [PMID: 35909698 PMCID: PMC9329816 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.892377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildfires pose a major health risk for humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. We previously discovered pathophysiologic parallels between domestic cats with naturally occurring smoke inhalation and thermal burn injuries and human beings with similar injuries; these were characterized by transient myocardial thickening, cardiac troponin I elevation and formation of intracardiac thrombosis. While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, results from murine models suggest that platelet priming and activation may contribute to a global hypercoagulable state and thrombosis. Herein, we evaluated and compared the degree of platelet activation, platelet response to physiologic agonists and levels of platelet-derived microvesicles (PDMV) in 29 cats with naturally occurring wildfire thermal injuries (WF), 21 clinically healthy cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 11 healthy cats without HCM (CC). We also quantified and compared circulating PDMVs in WF cats to CC cats. In addition, we examined the association between thrombotic events, severity of burn injuries, myocardial changes, and the degree of platelet activation in cats exposed to wildfires. Flow cytometric detection of platelet surface P-selectin expression showed that WF cats had increased platelet response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thrombin compared to the two control groups indicating the presence of primed platelets in circulation. In addition, cats in the WF group had increased circulating levels of PDMV, characterized by increased phosphatidylserine on the external leaflet. Cats in the WF group with documented intracardiac thrombosis had elevated platelet activation and platelet priming in the presence of ADP. While high dose arachidonic acid (AA) mostly resulted in platelet inhibition, persistent response to AA was noted among cats in the WF group with intracardiac thrombosis. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses demonstrated that increased platelet response to AA was independently associated with thrombotic events. This is the first study reporting the significant association between platelet priming and intracardiac thrombosis in domestic cats with naturally occurring wildfire-related injuries and smoke inhalation. Further studies are required to delineate additional mechanisms between inflammation and thrombosis, especially regarding platelet primers and the cyclooxygenase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avalene W. K. Tan
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ronald H. L. Li
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Ronald H. L. Li
| | - Yu Ueda
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Joshua A. Stern
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mehrab Hussain
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Satoshi Haginoya
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ashely N. Sharpe
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Catherine T. Gunther-Harrington
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Steven E. Epstein
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Evoy R, Kincl L, Rohlman D, Bramer LM, Dixon HM, Hystad P, Bae H, Barton M, Phillips A, Miller RL, Waters KM, Herbstman JB, Anderson KA. Impact of acute temperature and air pollution exposures on adult lung function: A panel study of asthmatics. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270412. [PMID: 35763502 PMCID: PMC9239441 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are particularly susceptible to adverse health effects associated with higher levels of ambient air pollution and temperature. This study evaluates whether hourly levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and dry bulb globe temperature (DBGT) are associated with the lung function of adult participants with asthma. Methods and findings Global positioning system (GPS) location, respiratory function (measured as forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1)), and self-reports of asthma medication usage and symptoms were collected as part of the Exposure, Location, and Lung Function (ELF) study. Hourly ambient PM2.5 and DBGT exposures were estimated by integrating air quality and temperature public records with time-activity patterns using GPS coordinates for each participant (n = 35). The relationships between acute PM2.5, DBGT, rescue bronchodilator use, and lung function collected in one week periods and over two seasons (summer/winter) were analyzed by multivariate regression, using different exposure time frames. In separate models, increasing levels in PM2.5, but not DBGT, were associated with rescue bronchodilator use. Conversely DBGT, but not PM2.5, had a significant association with FEV1. When DBGT and PM2.5 exposures were placed in the same model, the strongest association between cumulative PM2.5 exposures and the use of rescue bronchodilator was identified at the 0–24 hours (OR = 1.030; 95% CI = 1.012–1.049; p-value = 0.001) and 0–48 hours (OR = 1.030; 95% CI = 1.013–1.057; p-value = 0.001) prior to lung function measure. Conversely, DBGT exposure at 0 hours (β = 3.257; SE = 0.879; p-value>0.001) and 0–6 hours (β = 2.885; SE = 0.903; p-value = 0.001) hours before a reading were associated with FEV1. No significant interactions between DBGT and PM2.5 were observed for rescue bronchodilator use or FEV1. Conclusions Short-term increases in PM2.5 were associated with increased rescue bronchodilator use, while DBGT was associated with higher lung function (i.e. FEV1). Further studies are needed to continue to elucidate the mechanisms of acute exposure to PM2.5 and DBGT on lung function in asthmatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Evoy
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Laurel Kincl
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Diana Rohlman
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Bramer
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States of America
| | - Holly M. Dixon
- Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Perry Hystad
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Harold Bae
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Michael Barton
- Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Aaron Phillips
- Computing & Analytics Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rachel L. Miller
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Katrina M. Waters
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States of America
- Computing & Analytics Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States of America
| | - Julie B. Herbstman
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Kim A. Anderson
- Superfund Research Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
- Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
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A Study on Customized Prediction of Daily Illness Risk Using Medical and Meteorological Data. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12126060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study selected the most common illnesses in children and older adults and aimed to provide a customized degree of daily risk for each illness based on patient data for specific regions and illnesses. Sample medical data of one million people provided by the National Health Insurance Corporation and information regarding the meteorological environment and atmosphere from the Korea Meteorological Administration and a public data portal using application programing interface were collected. Learning and predictions were carried out with machine learning. Models with high R2 were selected and tuned to determine the optimal hyperparameter for predicting the degree of daily risk of an illness. Illnesses with an R2 value greater than 0.65 were considered significant. For children, these consisted of acute bronchitis, the common cold, rhinitis and tonsillitis, and middle ear inflammation. For older adults, they consisted of high blood pressure and heart disease, the common cold, esophageal inflammation and gastritis, acute bronchitis, eczema and dermatitis, and chronic bronchitis. This study provides the degree of daily risk for the most common illnesses in each age group. Furthermore, the results of this study are expected to raise awareness of illnesses that occur in certain climates and to help prevent them.
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Cleland SE, Wyatt LH, Wei L, Paul N, Serre ML, West JJ, Henderson SB, Rappold AG. Short-Term Exposure to Wildfire Smoke and PM2.5 and Cognitive Performance in a Brain-Training Game: A Longitudinal Study of U.S. Adults. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:67005. [PMID: 35700064 PMCID: PMC9196888 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter [PM ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)] may adversely impact cognitive performance. Wildfire smoke is one of the biggest sources of PM2.5 and concentrations are likely to increase under climate change. However, little is known about how short-term exposure impacts cognitive function. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the associations between daily and subdaily (hourly) PM2.5 and wildfire smoke exposure and cognitive performance in adults. METHODS Scores from 20 plays of an attention-oriented brain-training game were obtained for 10,228 adults in the United States (U.S.). We estimated daily and hourly PM2.5 exposure through a data fusion of observations from multiple monitoring networks. Daily smoke exposure in the western U.S. was obtained from satellite-derived estimates of smoke plume density. We used a longitudinal repeated measures design with linear mixed effects models to test for associations between short-term exposure and attention score. Results were also stratified by age, gender, user behavior, and region. RESULTS Daily and subdaily PM2.5 were negatively associated with attention score. A 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 in the 3 h prior to gameplay was associated with a 21.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3, 38.7]-point decrease in score. PM2.5 exposure over 20 plays accounted for an estimated average 3.7% (95% CI: 0.7%, 6.7%) reduction in final score. Associations were more pronounced in the wildfire-impacted western U.S. Medium and heavy smoke density were also negatively associated with score. Heavy smoke density the day prior to gameplay was associated with a 117.0 (95% CI: 1.7, 232.3)-point decrease in score relative to no smoke. Although differences between subgroups were not statistically significant, associations were most pronounced for younger (18-29 y), older (≥70y), habitual, and male users. DISCUSSION Our results indicate that PM2.5 and wildfire smoke were associated with reduced attention in adults within hours and days of exposure, but further research is needed to elucidate these relationships. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10498.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E. Cleland
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education at the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lauren H. Wyatt
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Linda Wei
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Naman Paul
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marc L. Serre
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - J. Jason West
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah B. Henderson
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ana G. Rappold
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, ORD, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Chang AY, Tan AX, Nadeau KC, Odden MC. Aging Hearts in a Hotter, More Turbulent World: The Impacts of Climate Change on the Cardiovascular Health of Older Adults. Curr Cardiol Rep 2022; 24:749-760. [PMID: 35438387 PMCID: PMC9017408 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-022-01693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Climate change has manifested itself in multiple environmental hazards to human health. Older adults and those living with cardiovascular diseases are particularly susceptible to poor outcomes due to unique social, economic, and physiologic vulnerabilities. This review aims to summarize those vulnerabilities and the resultant impacts of climate-mediated disasters on the heart health of the aging population. RECENT FINDINGS Analyses incorporating a wide variety of environmental data sources have identified increases in cardiovascular risk factors, hospitalizations, and mortality from intensified air pollution, wildfires, heat waves, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and pandemic disease. Older adults, especially those of low socioeconomic status or belonging to ethnic minority groups, bear a disproportionate health burden from these hazards. The worldwide trends responsible for global warming continue to worsen climate change-mediated natural disasters. As such, additional investigation will be necessary to develop personal and policy-level interventions to protect the cardiovascular wellbeing of our aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Y Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 150 Governor's Lane, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Annabel X Tan
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kari C Nadeau
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 150 Governor's Lane, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michelle C Odden
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, 150 Governor's Lane, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Scieszka D, Hunter R, Begay J, Bitsui M, Lin Y, Galewsky J, Morishita M, Klaver Z, Wagner J, Harkema JR, Herbert G, Lucas S, McVeigh C, Bolt A, Bleske B, Canal CG, Mostovenko E, Ottens AK, Gu H, Campen MJ, Noor S. Neuroinflammatory and Neurometabolomic Consequences From Inhaled Wildfire Smoke-Derived Particulate Matter in the Western United States. Toxicol Sci 2022; 186:149-162. [PMID: 34865172 PMCID: PMC8883349 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Utilizing a mobile laboratory located >300 km away from wildfire smoke (WFS) sources, this study examined the systemic immune response profile, with a focus on neuroinflammatory and neurometabolomic consequences, resulting from inhalation exposure to naturally occurring wildfires in California, Arizona, and Washington in 2020. After a 20-day (4 h/day) exposure period in a mobile laboratory stationed in New Mexico, WFS-derived particulate matter (WFPM) inhalation resulted in significant neuroinflammation while immune activity in the peripheral (lung, bone marrow) appeared to be resolved in C57BL/6 mice. Importantly, WFPM exposure increased cerebrovascular endothelial cell activation and expression of adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) in addition to increased glial activation and peripheral immune cell infiltration into the brain. Flow cytometry analysis revealed proinflammatory phenotypes of microglia and peripheral immune subsets in the brain of WFPM-exposed mice. Interestingly, endothelial cell neuroimmune activity was differentially associated with levels of PECAM-1 expression, suggesting that subsets of cerebrovascular endothelial cells were transitioning to resolution of inflammation following the 20-day exposure. Neurometabolites related to protection against aging, such as NAD+ and taurine, were decreased by WFPM exposure. Additionally, increased pathological amyloid-beta protein accumulation, a hallmark of neurodegeneration, was observed. Neuroinflammation, together with decreased levels of key neurometabolites, reflect a cluster of outcomes with important implications in priming inflammaging and aging-related neurodegenerative phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Scieszka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Russell Hunter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Jessica Begay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Marsha Bitsui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Joseph Galewsky
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Masako Morishita
- Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Zachary Klaver
- Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - James Wagner
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Jack R Harkema
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Selita Lucas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Charlotte McVeigh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Alicia Bolt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Barry Bleske
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Christopher G Canal
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
| | - Ekaterina Mostovenko
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
| | - Andrew K Ottens
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
| | - Haiwei Gu
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Matthew J Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Shahani Noor
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
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Wen B, Wu Y, Xu R, Guo Y, Li S. Excess emergency department visits for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases during the 2019-20 bushfire period in Australia: A two-stage interrupted time-series analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:152226. [PMID: 34890657 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The health effects of the unprecedented bushfires in Australia in 2019-20 have not been fully examined. We aimed to examine the excess emergency department (ED) visits related to the 2019-20 bushfires in New South Wales (NSW). We obtained weekly data of ED visits for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in all the 28 Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) regions in NSW during the bushfire seasons from 2017 to 2020. A two-stage interrupted time-series analysis was applied to quantify the excess risk for ED visits in 2019-20. The total number of excess ED visits, excess percentages, and their empirical confidence intervals (eCIs) were calculated to estimate the impacts of the bushfire season. A total of 416,057 records of cardiorespiratory ED visits were included in our analysis. The bushfire season in 2019-20 was significantly associated with a 6.0% increase (95% eCI: 1.9, 10.3) in ED visits for respiratory diseases and a 10.0% increase (95% eCI: 5.0, 15.2) for cardiovascular diseases, corresponding to 6177 (95% eCI: 1989, 10,166) and 3120 (95% eCI: 1628, 4544) excess ED visits, respectively. The percentage of excess ED visits was higher in regions with lower SES and high fire density. In the context of climate change, more targeted strategies should be developed to prevent adverse bushfire effects and recover from such extreme environmental events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wen
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Yao Wu
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Rongbin Xu
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Shanshan Li
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 2, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
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Kondo MC, Reid CE, Mockrin MH, Heilman WE, Long D. Socio-demographic and health vulnerability in prescribed-burn exposed versus unexposed counties near the National Forest System. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150564. [PMID: 34582859 PMCID: PMC9063456 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Prescribed fire is an increasingly important tool in restoring ecological conditions and reducing uncontrolled wildfire. Prescribed burn techniques could reduce public health impacts associated with wildfire smoke exposure. However, there have been few assessments of the health impacts of prescribed burning, and potential vulnerabilities among populations exposed to smoke from prescribed fires. Our study area focused on counties in and near U.S. National Forests - a set of lands distributed across the U.S. In county-level analyses, we compared the sociodemographic and health characteristics of areas that were exposed with those that were not exposed to prescribe burns during the years 2010-2019 on a national level and within three regions. In addition, using spatial error regression models, we looked for associations between prescribed fire exposure and health behaviors and outcomes while controlling for spatial autocorrelation. On a national level, we found disproportionate prescribed fire exposure in rural counties with higher percentage mobile home and vacant housing units, and higher percentage African-American and white populations. Regionally, we found evidence of disproportionate exposure to prescribed burns among counties with lower percentage white population, higher percentage Hispanic population and mobile homes in the southern region, and to high poverty counties with high vacancy in the western region. These findings could indicate that vulnerable populations face potential health risks from prescribed burning smoke exposure, but also that they are not missing out on the benefits of prescribed burning, which could involve considerably lower smoke exposure compared to uncontrolled wildfire. In addition, in regression analyses, we found no evidence of disproportionate health burden in exposed compared to unexposed counties. Awareness of these patterns could influence both large-scale or institutional polices about prescribed burning practice, and could be used to build decision-making factors into modeling tools and smoke management plans, as well as community-engagement around wildfire risk reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Kondo
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 100 N. 20th St, Ste 205, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States of America.
| | - Colleen E Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder, GUGG 110, 260 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0260, United States of America.
| | - Miranda H Mockrin
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 5523 Research Park Dr, Suite 350, Baltimore, MD 21228, United States of America.
| | - Warren E Heilman
- Northern Research Station - Climate, Fire, and Carbon Cycle Sciences, USDA Forest Service, 3101 Technology Blvd., Suite F, Lansing, MI 48910, United States of America.
| | - David Long
- Applied Population Laboratory, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 316 Agriculture Hall, 1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, United States of America.
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Kalashnikov DA, Schnell JL, Abatzoglou JT, Swain DL, Singh D. Increasing co-occurrence of fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone extremes in the western United States. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabi9386. [PMID: 34985958 PMCID: PMC8730618 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi9386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires and meteorological conditions influence the co-occurrence of multiple harmful air pollutants including fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone. We examine the spatiotemporal characteristics of PM2.5/ozone co-occurrences and associated population exposure in the western United States (US). The frequency, spatial extent, and temporal persistence of extreme PM2.5/ozone co-occurrences have increased significantly between 2001 and 2020, increasing annual population exposure to multiple harmful air pollutants by ~25 million person-days/year. Using a clustering methodology to characterize daily weather patterns, we identify significant increases in atmospheric ridging patterns conducive to widespread PM2.5/ozone co-occurrences and population exposure. We further link the spatial extent of co-occurrence to the extent of extreme heat and wildfires. Our results suggest an increasing potential for co-occurring air pollution episodes in the western US with continued climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri A. Kalashnikov
- School of the Environment, Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, WA, USA
| | - Jordan L. Schnell
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, NOAA/Global Systems Laboratory, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - John T. Abatzoglou
- Management of Complex Systems Department, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Daniel L. Swain
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Capacity Center for Climate and Weather Extremes, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, USA
- The Nature Conservancy of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Deepti Singh
- School of the Environment, Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, WA, USA
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