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Roche IV, Ubalde-Lopez M, Daher C, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Gascon M. The Health-Related and Learning Performance Effects of Air Pollution and Other Urban-Related Environmental Factors on School-Age Children and Adolescents-A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:300-316. [PMID: 38369581 PMCID: PMC11082043 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00431-0] [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] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This scoping review aims to assess the impact of air pollution, traffic noise, heat, and green and blue space exposures on the physical and cognitive development of school-age children and adolescents. While existing evidence indicates adverse effects of transport-related exposures on their health, a comprehensive scoping review is necessary to consolidate findings on various urban environmental exposures' effects on children's development. RECENT FINDINGS There is consistent evidence on how air pollution negatively affects children's cognitive and respiratory health and learning performance, increasing their susceptibility to diseases in their adult life. Scientific evidence on heat and traffic noise, while less researched, indicates that they negatively affect children's health. On the contrary, green space exposure seems to benefit or mitigate these adverse effects, suggesting a potential strategy to promote children's cognitive and physical development in urban settings. This review underscores the substantial impact of urban exposures on the physical and mental development of children and adolescents. It highlights adverse health effects that can extend into adulthood, affecting academic opportunities and well-being beyond health. While acknowledging the necessity for more research on the mechanisms of air pollution effects and associations with heat and noise exposure, the review advocates prioritizing policy changes and urban planning interventions. This includes minimizing air pollution and traffic noise while enhancing urban vegetation, particularly in school environments, to ensure the healthy development of children and promote lifelong health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Valls Roche
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mònica Ubalde-Lopez
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolyn Daher
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona-PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Li Y, Zhu L, Wei J, Wu C, Zhao Z, Norbäck D, Zhang X, Lu C, Yu W, Wang T, Zheng X, Zhang L, Zhang Y. Intrauterine and early postnatal exposures to submicron particulate matter and childhood allergic rhinitis: A multicity cross-sectional study in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 247:118165. [PMID: 38215923 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Airborne particulate matter pollution has been linked to occurrence of childhood allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the relationships between exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤1 μm (PM1) during early life (in utero and first year of life) and the onset of childhood AR remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate potential associations of in utero and first-year exposures to size-segregated PMs, including PM1, PM1-2.5, PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10, with childhood AR. METHODS We investigated 29286 preschool children aged 3-6 years in 7 Chinese major cities during 2019-2020 as the Phase II of the China Children, Families, Health Study. Machine learning-based space-time models were utilized to estimate early-life residential exposure to PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 at 1 × 1-km resolutions. The concentrations of PM1-2.5 and PM2.5-10 were calculated by subtracting PM1 from PM2.5 and PM2.5 from PM10, respectively. Multiple mixed-effects logistic models were used to assess the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of childhood AR associated with per 10-μg/m3 increase in exposure to particulate air pollution during in utero period and the first year of life. RESULTS Among the 29286 children surveyed (mean ± standard deviation, 4.9 ± 0.9 years), 3652 (12.5%) were reported to be diagnosed with AR. Average PM1 concentrations during in utero period and the first year since birth were 36.3 ± 8.6 μg/m3 and 33.1 ± 6.9 μg/m3, respectively. Exposure to PM1 and PM2.5 during pregnancy and the first year of life was associated with an increased risk of AR in children, and the OR estimates were higher for each 10-μg/m3 increase in PM1 than for PM2.5 (e.g., 1.132 [95% CI: 1.022-1.254] vs. 1.079 [95% CI: 1.014-1.149] in pregnancy; 1.151 [95% CI: 1.014-1.306] vs. 1.095 [95% CI: 1.008-1.189] in the first year of life). No associations were observed between AR and both pre- and post-natal exposure to PM1-2.5, indicating that PM1 rather than PM1-2.5 contributed to the association between PM2.5 and childhood AR. In trimester-stratified analysis, childhood AR was only found to be associated with exposure to PM1 (OR = 1.077, 95% CI: 1.027-1.128), PM2.5 (OR = 1.048, 95% CI: 1.018-1.078), and PM10 (OR = 1.032, 95% CI: 1.007-1.058) during the third trimester of pregnancy. Subgroup analysis suggested stronger PM-AR associations among younger (<5 years old) and winter-born children. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal and postnatal exposures to ambient PM1 and PM2.5 were associated with an increased risk of childhood AR, and PM2.5-related hazards could be predominantly attributed to PM1. These findings highlighted public health significance of formulating air quality guideline for ambient PM1 in mitigating children's AR burden caused by particulate air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachen Li
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Lifeng Zhu
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Chuansha Wu
- Department of Environmental Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE 75185, Sweden
| | - Xin Zhang
- Research Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Chan Lu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Wei Yu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- School of Nursing and Health Management, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Environmental Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Yunquan Zhang
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
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Yang X, Xu D, Wen B, Ji J, Zhang Z, Li L, Zhang S, Zhi H, Kong J, Wang C, Wang J, Ruan H, Zhang M, Wei L, Dong B, Wang Q. The mediating role of exhaled breath condensate metabolites in the effect of particulate matter on pulmonary function in schoolchildren: A crossover intervention study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165517. [PMID: 37459994 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165517] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The role played by metabolites in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in the effect of PM on schoolchildren's pulmonary function has received little attention. Accordingly, we examined whether metabolites in EBC mediated the effect of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 on the pulmonary function of schoolchildren at a residential primary school who had received an air-cleaner cross-over intervention. Samples of EBC were collected from a total of 60 schoolchildren and subjected to metabolomics analysis. We found that the effect of PM on six pulmonary function indicators was mediated by the following nine lipid peroxidation-related and energy metabolism-related metabolites present in EBC: 4-hydroxynonenal, arachidoyl ethanolamide, dl-pyroglutamic acid, 5-deoxy-d-glucose, myristic acid, lauric acid, linoleic acid, l-proline, and palmitic acid. However, while all nine of these metabolites mediated the effects of PM on boys' pulmonary function, only 4-hydroxynonenal, arachidoyl ethanolamide, and dl-pyroglutamic acid mediated the effects of PM on girls' pulmonary function. Overall, our results show that (1) short-term exposure to PM affected the schoolchildren's pulmonary function by causing an imbalance between lipid peroxidation and glutathione-based antioxidant activity and by perturbing energy metabolism in respiratory system and (2) there was a sex-dependent antioxidant response to PM exposure, with boys being less resistant than girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China; Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Dongqun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China; Department of Air Quality and Health Monitoring, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Bo Wen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jian Ji
- Hazard Screening and Omic Platform, Analysis and Testing Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shaoping Zhang
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Hong Zhi
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Hongjie Ruan
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lan Wei
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Bin Dong
- Department of Air Quality and Health Monitoring, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China.
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Chen J, Zeng Y, Lau AK, Guo C, Wei X, Lin C, Huang B, Lao XQ. Chronic exposure to ambient PM 2.5/NO 2 and respiratory health in school children: A prospective cohort study in Hong Kong. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 252:114558. [PMID: 36696726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114558] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite increasing concerns about the detrimental effects of air pollution on respiratory health, limited evidence is available on these effects in the Hong Kong population, especially in children. In this prospective cohort study between 2012 and 2017, we aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to air pollution (concentrations of fine particulate matter [PM2.5] and nitrogen dioxide [NO2]) and respiratory health (lung function parameters and respiratory diseases and symptoms) in schoolchildren. We recruited 5612 schoolchildren aged 6-16 years in Hong Kong. We estimated the annual average concentrations of ambient PM2.5 and NO2 at each participant's address using spatiotemporal models. We conducted spirometry tests on all participants to measure their lung function parameters and used a self-administered questionnaire to collect information on their respiratory diseases and symptoms and a wide range of covariates. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the associations between exposure to air pollution and lung function. Mixed-effects logistic regression models with random effects were used to investigate the associations of exposure to air pollution with respiratory diseases and symptoms. In all of the participants, every 5-μg/m3 increase in the ambient PM2.5 concentration was associated with changes of - 13.90 ml (95 % confidence interval [CI]: -23.65 ml, -4.10 ml), - 4.20 ml (-15.60 ml, 7.15 ml), 27.20 ml/s (-3.95 ml/s, 58.35 ml/s), and - 19.80 ml/s (-38.35 ml/s, -1.25 ml/s) in forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and maximal mid-expiratory flow, respectively. The corresponding lung function estimates for every 5-μg/m3 increase in the ambient NO2 concentration were - 2.70 ml (-6.05 ml, 0.60 ml), - 1.40 ml (-5.40 ml, 2.60 ml), - 6.60 ml/s (-19.75 ml/s, 6.55 ml/s), and - 3.05 ml/s (-11.10 ml/s, 5.00 ml/s), respectively. We did not observe significant associations between PM2.5/NO2 exposure and most respiratory diseases and symptoms. Stratified analyses by sex and age showed that the associations between exposure to air pollution and lung function parameters were stronger in male participants and older participants (11-14 year old group) than in female participants and younger participants (6-10 year old group), respectively. Our results suggest that chronic exposure to air pollution is detrimental to the respiratory health of schoolchildren, especially that of older boys. Our findings reinforce the importance of air pollution mitigation to protect schoolchildren's respiratory health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjian Chen
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yiqian Zeng
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alexis Kh Lau
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cui Guo
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Xianglin Wei
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Changqing Lin
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Geography and Resource Management, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiang Qian Lao
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, the City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Arifin EN, Hoon CY, Slesman L, Tan A. Self-rated health and perceived environmental quality in Brunei Darussalam: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060799. [PMID: 35981772 PMCID: PMC9394210 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-060799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This paper examines the relationship between individuals' perceptions of environmental quality and self-rated health (SRH) after controlling for dimensions of socioeconomic, demographic and healthy lifestyle variables. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey. SETTING The survey was conducted in Belait, an oil-rich and gas-rich district in Brunei Darussalam, from 17 October to 11 November 2019 and focused on the most populated subdistricts (Kuala Belait, Seria and Liang), where 97% of the people reside. PARTICIPANTS A final sample of 1000 respondents aged 18 years and older were randomly selected from the population of the chosen subdistricts, with 95% CI and ±3 margin of error. Due to variable selection, only 673 respondents were available for analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES SRH was dichotomised into 1 for good health and 0 otherwise. Perceptions of environmental quality included perceptions of the natural environment (air quality, marine quality, water supply, noise and olfactory pollution) and the social environment (crime). χ2 and logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between individuals' perceived environmental quality and SRH. RESULTS Most respondents perceived themselves with good SRH (72%). The adjusted logistic regression shows that perceptions of air quality (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.22, p=0.018) and marine resources (OR=1.84, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.74, p=0.002) in their surrounding areas were significantly associated with good SRH. However, other environmental variables were insignificantly associated with SRH. Among the control variables, healthy lifestyle and employment had positive associations with good SRH (OR=3.89, 95% CI 1.96 to 7.71, p=0.000, for exercising 3-5 times a week; OR=1.72, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.71, p=0.021, for being employed). In addition, frequent physical exercise compensated for the negative health impact of environmental pollution. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that environmental quality has an important role in SRH. However, a healthy lifestyle measured with frequency of physical exercise seems to compensate for the adverse environmental effects on SRH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evi Nurvidya Arifin
- Centre for Advanced Research (CARe), Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Chang-Yau Hoon
- Centre for Advanced Research (CARe), Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Ly Slesman
- Centre for Advanced Research (CARe), Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Abby Tan
- Chancellery, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
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Keulers L, Dehghani A, Knippels L, Garssen J, Papadopoulos N, Folkerts G, Braber S, van Bergenhenegouwen J. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to prevent or combat air pollution consequences: The gut-lung axis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 302:119066. [PMID: 35240267 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution exposure is a public health emergency, which attributes globally to an estimated seven million deaths on a yearly basis We are all exposed to air pollutants, varying from ambient air pollution hanging over cities to dust inside the home. It is a mixture of airborne particulate matter and gases that can be subdivided into three categories based on particle diameter. The smallest category called PM0.1 is the most abundant. A fraction of the particles included in this category might enter the blood stream spreading to other parts of the body. As air pollutants can enter the body via the lungs and gut, growing evidence links its exposure to gastrointestinal and respiratory impairments and diseases, like asthma, rhinitis, respiratory tract infections, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and abdominal pain. It has become evident that there exists a crosstalk between the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, commonly referred to as the gut-lung axis. Via microbial secretions, metabolites, immune mediators and lipid profiles, these two separate organ systems can influence each other. Well-known immunomodulators and gut health stimulators are probiotics, prebiotics, together called synbiotics. They might combat air pollution-induced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress by optimizing the microbiota composition and microbial metabolites, thereby stimulating anti-inflammatory pathways and strengthening mucosal and epithelial barriers. Although clinical studies investigating the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in an air pollution setting are lacking, these interventions show promising health promoting effects by affecting the gastrointestinal- and respiratory tract. This review summarizes the current data on how air pollution can affect the gut-lung axis and might impact gut and lung health. It will further elaborate on the potential role of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics on the gut-lung axis, and gut and lung health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loret Keulers
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Danone Nutricia Research, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584, CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Ali Dehghani
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leon Knippels
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Danone Nutricia Research, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584, CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Danone Nutricia Research, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584, CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nikolaos Papadopoulos
- Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Oxford Road M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gert Folkerts
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia Braber
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen van Bergenhenegouwen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Danone Nutricia Research, Uppsalalaan 12, 3584, CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Zang ST, Wu QJ, Li XY, Gao C, Liu YS, Jiang YT, Zhang JY, Sun H, Chang Q, Zhao YH. Long-term PM 2.5 exposure and various health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 812:152381. [PMID: 34914980 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Adverse effects from exposure to particulate matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) on health-related outcomes have been found in a range of experimental and epidemiological studies. This study aimed to assess the significance, validity, and reliability of the relationship between long-term PM2.5 exposure and various health outcomes. The Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WANFANG, VIP, and SinoMed databases and reference lists of the retrieved review articles were searched to obtain meta-analysis and systematic reviews focusing on PM2.5-related outcomes as of August 31, 2021. Random-/fixed-effects models were applied to estimate summary effect size and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The quality of included meta-analyses was evaluated based on the AMSTAR 2 tool. Small-study effect and excess significance bias studies were conducted to further assess the associations. Registered PROSPERO number: CRD42020200606. This included 24 articles involving 71 associations between PM2.5 exposure and the health outcomes. The evidence for the positive association of 10 μg/m3 increments of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and stroke incidence in Europe was convincing (effect size = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05-1.10). There was evidence that was highly suggestive of a positive association between 10 μg/m3 increments of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and the following health-related outcomes: mortality of lung cancer (effect size = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.08-1.13) and Alzheimer's disease (effect size = 4.79, 95% CI: 2.79-8.21). There was highly suggestive evidence that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk is positively associated with higher long-term PM2.5 exposure versus lower long-term PM2.5 exposure (effect size = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.88-2.86). In conclusion, the positive association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and stroke incidence in Europe was convincing. Given the validity of numerous associations of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and health-related outcomes is subject to biases, more robust evidence is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Tian Zang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Qi-Jun Wu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xin-Yu Li
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Chang Gao
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ya-Shu Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu-Ting Jiang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jia-Yu Zhang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Qing Chang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yu-Hong Zhao
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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8
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Hu Y, Wu M, Li Y, Liu X. Influence of PM 1 exposure on total and cause-specific respiratory diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:15117-15126. [PMID: 34628607 PMCID: PMC8810454 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16536-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies examined the potential effects of PM1 (submicronic particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1 μm) on the risk of respiratory diseases; however, the results have been inconclusive. This study aimed to determine the overall association between PM1 with total and cause-specific respiratory diseases. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with 68 related articles retrieved, and six articles met the full inclusion criteria for the final analysis. For a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM1, the pooled odds ratio (OR) was 1.05 (95% CI 0.98-1.12) for total respiratory diseases, 1.25 (95% CI 1.00-1.56) for asthma, and 1.07 (95% CI 1.04-1.10) for pneumonia with the I2 value of 87%, 70%, and 0%, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that long-term exposure to PM1 was associated with increased risk of asthma (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.33-1.63) with an I2 value of 0%, while short-term exposure to PM1 was not associated with asthma (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.89-1.27) with the I2 value of 0%. Egger's test showed that publication bias existed (P = 0.041); however, the funnel plot was symmetrical with the inclusion of the moderator. In conclusion, elevated levels of PM1 may increase morbidity in total and cause-specific respiratory diseases in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyu Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao, Youanmen, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069 China
| | - Mengqiu Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao, Youanmen, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069 China
| | - Yutong Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao, Youanmen, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069 China
| | - Xiangtong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao, Youanmen, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069 China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Beijing, 100069 China
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9
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Sly PD, Vilcins D. Climate impacts on air quality and child health and wellbeing: Implications for Oceania. J Paediatr Child Health 2021; 57:1805-1810. [PMID: 34792251 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite the enormous gains in reducing child mortality resulting from the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, in some ways children's future wellbeing has never been under greater threat. Climate and environmental change, primarily driven by poor air quality, represents a major threat to child health and wellbeing, through both direct and indirect effects. Climate change has multiple environmental consequences impacting negatively on child health and wellbeing, including increases in ambient temperature, rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) , altered distribution of rainfall, ocean warming, rising sea level and more frequent and severe adverse weather events. Multiple pathways link these exposures to a wide variety of adverse health outcomes. Countries in Oceania are especially likely to be subjected to the effects of increases in ambient temperature, altered distribution of rainfall, ocean warming and sea level rise. These changes pose a significant risk to children and provide a moral imperative for us to act to protect child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Sly
- Child Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dwan Vilcins
- Child Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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10
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Zhou M, Huang Y, Li G. Changes in the concentration of air pollutants before and after the COVID-19 blockade period and their correlation with vegetation coverage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:23405-23419. [PMID: 33447974 PMCID: PMC7808704 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-12164-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In order to control the spread of COVID-19, China had implemented strict lockdown measures. The closure of cities had had a huge impact on human production and consumption activities, which had greatly reduced population mobility. This article used air pollutant data from 341 cities in mainland China and divided these cities into seven major regions based on geographic conditions and climatic environment. The impact of urban blockade on air quality during COVID-19 was studied from the perspectives of time, space, and season. In addition, this article used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to systematically analyze the characteristics of air pollution in the country and used the Pearson correlation coefficient to explore the relationship between NDVI and the air pollutant concentrations during the COVID-19 period. Then, linear regression was used to find the quantitative relationship between NDVI and AQI, and the fitting effect of the model was found to be significant through t test. Finally, some countermeasures were proposed based on the analysis results, and suggestions were provided for improving air quality. This paper has drawn the following conclusions: (1) the concentration of pollutants varied greatly in different regions, and the causes of their pollution sources were also different. The region with the largest decline in AQI was the Northeast China (60.01%), while the AQI in the southwest China had the smallest change range, and its value had increased by 1.72%. In addition, after the implementation of the city blockade, the concentration of NO2 in different regions dropped the most, but the increase in O3 was more obvious. (2) Higher vegetation coverage would have a beneficial impact on the atmospheric environment. Areas with higher NDVI values have relatively low AQI. There is a negative correlation between NDVI and AQI, and an average increase of 0.1 in NDVI will reduce AQI by 3.75 (95% confidence interval). In the case of less human intervention, the higher the vegetation coverage, the lower the local pollutant concentration will be. Therefore, the degree of vegetation coverage would have a direct or indirect impact on air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manguo Zhou
- Jiangxi University of Science and Technology School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yanguo Huang
- Jiangxi University of Science and Technology School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Ganzhou, China.
| | - Guilan Li
- Jiangxi University of Science and Technology School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Ganzhou, China
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11
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Roy S, Saha M, Dhar B, Pandit S, Nasrin R. Geospatial analysis of COVID-19 lockdown effects on air quality in the South and Southeast Asian region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 756:144009. [PMID: 33250248 PMCID: PMC7833964 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, induced by the novel Coronavirus worldwide outbreak, is causing countries to introduce different types of lockdown measures to curb the contagion. The implementation of strict lockdown policies has had unprecedented impacts on air quality globally. This study is an attempt to assess the effects of COVID-19 induced lockdown measures on air quality in both regional, country, and city scales in the South and Southeast Asian region using open-source satellite-based data and software frameworks. We performed a systematic review of the national lockdown measures of 19 countries of the study area based on publicly available materials. We considered two temporal settings over a period of 66 days to assess and compare the effects of lockdown measures on air quality levels between standard business as usual and current situation COVID-19 lockdown. Results showed that compared to the same period of 2019, atmospheric NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and CO levels decreased by an average of 24.16%, 19.51%, 20.25%, and 6.88%, respectively during the lockdown, while O3 increased by a maximum of 4.52%. Among the 19 studied cities, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Jakarta, and Hanoi experienced the highest reduction of NO2 (40%-47%) during the lockdown period compared to the corresponding period of 2019. The methodological framework applied in this study can be used and extended to future research in the similar domain such as understanding long-term effects of COVID-19 mitigation measures on the atmospheric pollution at continental-scale or assessing the effects of the domestic emissions during the stay-at-home; a standard and effective COVID-19 lockdown measure applied in most of the countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjoy Roy
- Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Monojit Saha
- Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Dept. of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Bandhan Dhar
- Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Dept. of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Santa Pandit
- United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Rubaiya Nasrin
- Bengal Institute for Architecture, Landscapes and Settlements, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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12
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Shin HH, Parajuli RP, Gogna P, Maquiling A, Dehghani P. Pollutant-sex specific differences in respiratory hospitalization and mortality risk attributable to short-term exposure to ambient air pollution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:143135. [PMID: 33168238 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have reported associations of individual pollutants with respiratory hospitalization and mortality based on different populations, which makes it difficult to directly compare adverse health effects among multiple air pollutants. OBJECTIVES The study goal is to compare acute respiratory-related hospitalization and mortality associated with short-term exposure to three ambient air pollutants and analyze differences in health risks by season, age and sex. METHODS Hourly measurements of air pollutants (ozone, NO2, PM2.5) and temperature were collected from ground-monitors for 24 cities along with daily hospitalization (1996-2012) and mortality (1984-2012) data. National associations between air pollutant and health outcome were estimated for season (warm, cold vs. year-round), age (base ≥ 1, seniors > 65), and sex (females ≥ 1 and males ≥ 1) using Bayesian hierarchical models. RESULTS Overall, the three air pollutants were significantly associated with acute respiratory health outcomes at different lag-days. For respiratory hospitalization, the increased risks in percent changes with 95% posterior intervals for a 10-unit increase in each pollutant were: ozone (lag1, 0.7% (0.4, 0.9)), NO2 (lag0, 0.7% (0.1, 1.4)), and PM2.5 (lag1, 1.3% (0.7, 1.9)). For respiratory mortality: ozone (lag2, 1.2% (0.4, 1.9)), NO2 (lag1, 2.1% (0.6, 3.5)), and PM2.5 (lag1, 0.6% (-1.0, 2.2)). While some differences in risk were observed by season and age group, sex-specific differences were more pronounced. Compared with males, females had a higher respiratory mortality risk (1.8% (0.6, 2.9) vs 0.5% (-0.3, 1.3)) from ozone, a higher respiratory hospitalization risk (0.9% (0.0, 1.8) vs 0.6% (-0.3, 1.4)) but lower mortality risk (1.4% (-1.0, 3.7) vs 2.2% (0.4, 4.0)) from NO2, and a lower hospitalization risk (0.7% (-0.2, 1.7) vs 1.8% (1.0, 2.6)) from PM2.5. CONCLUSION This study reports significant health effects of short-term exposure to three ambient air pollutants on respiratory hospitalization (ozone≈NO2 < PM2.5 per-10 unit; ozone>NO2 ≈ PM2.5 per-IQR) and mortality (ozone≈NO2 > PM2.5) in Canada. Pollutant-sex-specific differences were found, but inconclusive due to limited biological and physiological explanations. Further studies are warranted to understand the pollutant-sex specific differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwashin Hyun Shin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Priyanka Gogna
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
| | - Aubrey Maquiling
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Parvin Dehghani
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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13
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Kandari R, Kumar A. COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: effects on the air quality of South Asia. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (SINGAPORE) 2021; 4:543-549. [PMID: 38624635 PMCID: PMC7859897 DOI: 10.1007/s42398-020-00154-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The world is facing an unexpected, like never before, situation due to COVID-19. The measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are to incorporate lockdown, social distancing, disconnection, and home isolation. Lockdown was enforced by the various governments of the South Asian countries, which include non-working of all the businesses and assembling units, with limited access to the outer world pertaining to essential commodities. However, During the COVID-19 pandemic, an uncommon positive impact is noteworthy for worldwide abatement in air-contamination levels. Principally, specialists have estimated significant improvement in air quality and a remarkable decrease in concentration levels of various harmful gases like sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3). In this article, there is an analysis made on the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on the air quality of the South Asian region i.e. (that is) the various environmental parameters along with others namely aerosol, temperature, and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10). The work includes the refining and analysis of crude information of this present (2020) and the past year of different toxic gases and parameters of air pollutants. These have been obtained from pollution control boards of respective South Asian nations alongside information and satellite pictures from the UN Environment Program and Space Administration for correlation of various parameters. It has been observed that there is a sharp dip in the pollutant concentration in South Asia. This examination altogether will be valuable data to environmentalists and experts to make the future policies for improving air quality and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Kandari
- Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Kashmere Gate, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- University School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sec 16 C Dwarka, New Delhi, India
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14
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Kanniah KD, Kamarul Zaman NAF, Kaskaoutis DG, Latif MT. COVID-19's impact on the atmospheric environment in the Southeast Asia region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 736:139658. [PMID: 32492613 PMCID: PMC7247458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Since its first appearance in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has evolved a global pandemic within three months, with more than 4.3 million confirmed cases worldwide until mid-May 2020. As many countries around the world, Malaysia and other southeast Asian (SEA) countries have also enforced lockdown at different degrees to contain the spread of the disease, which has brought some positive effects on natural environment. Therefore, evaluating the reduction in anthropogenic emissions due to COVID-19 and the related governmental measures to restrict its expansion is crucial to assess its impacts on air pollution and economic growth. In this study, we used aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations from Himawari-8 satellite, along with tropospheric NO2 column density from Aura-OMI over SEA, and ground-based pollution measurements at several stations across Malaysia, in order to quantify the changes in aerosol and air pollutants associated with the general shutdown of anthropogenic and industrial activities due to COVID-19. The lockdown has led to a notable decrease in AOD over SEA and in the pollution outflow over the oceanic regions, while a significant decrease (27% - 30%) in tropospheric NO2 was observed over areas not affected by seasonal biomass burning. Especially in Malaysia, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and CO concentrations have been decreased by 26-31%, 23-32%, 63-64%, 9-20%, and 25-31%, respectively, in the urban areas during the lockdown phase, compared to the same periods in 2018 and 2019. Notable reductions are also seen at industrial, suburban and rural sites across the country. Quantifying the reductions in major and health harmful air pollutants is crucial for health-related research and for air-quality and climate-change studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasturi Devi Kanniah
- Tropical Map Research Group, Faculty of Built Environment & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia; Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), Research Institute for Sustainable Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
| | | | - Dimitris G Kaskaoutis
- Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, 15236 Athens, Greece
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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15
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Liu W, Cai J, Fu Q, Zou Z, Sun C, Zhang J, Huang C. Associations of ambient air pollutants with airway and allergic symptoms in 13,335 preschoolers in Shanghai, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 252:126600. [PMID: 32234631 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Findings are inconsistent in studies for impacts of outdoor air pollutants on airway health in childhood. In this paper, we collected data regarding airway and allergic symptoms in the past year before a survey in 13,335 preschoolers from a cross-sectional study. Daily averaged concentrations of ambient sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM10) in the past year before the survey were collected in the kindergarten-located district. We investigated associations of 12-month average concentrations of these pollutants with childhood airway and allergic symptoms. In the two-level (district-child) logistic regression analyses, exposure to higher level of NO2 and of PM10 increased odds of wheeze symptoms (adjusted OR, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.01-1.05 for per 3.0 μg/m3 increase in NO2; 1.22, 1.09-1.39 for per 7.6 μg/m3 increase in PM10), wheeze with a cold (1.03, 1.01-1.06; 1.22, 1.08-1.39), dry cough during night (1.05, 1.03-1.08; 1.23, 1.09-1.40), rhinitis symptoms (1.11, 1.08-1.13; 1.32, 1.07-1.63), rhinitis on pet (1.11, 1.05-1.18; 1.37, 0.95-1.98) and pollen (1.12, 1.03-1.21; 1.23, 0.84-1.82) exposure, eczema symptoms (1.09, 1.05-1.12; 1.22, 0.98-1.52), and lack of sleep due to eczema (1.12, 1.07-1.18; 1.58, 1.25-1.98). Exposures to NO2 and PM10 were also significantly and positively associated with the accumulative score of airway symptoms. Similar positive associations were found of NO2 and of PM10 with the individual symptoms and symptom scores among preschoolers from different kindergarten-located district. These results indicate that ambient NO2 and PM10 likely are risk factors for airway and allergic symptoms in childhood in Shanghai, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China; School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Cai
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyan Fu
- Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Zou
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chanjuan Sun
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jialing Zhang
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Sharma A, Kumar P. Quantification of air pollution exposure to in-pram babies and mitigation strategies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 139:105671. [PMID: 32278197 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Young children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution exposure during their early childhood development, yet research on exposure to in-pram babies in different types of single/double prams is limited. This work aims to mimick their exposure to multiple air pollutants - particulate matter ≤10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5; fine particles), ≤1 µm (PM1), ≤0.10 µm (measured as particle number concentration, PNC) - in three different types of prams (single pram facing the road; single pram facing parents; double pram facing the road). We also assessed the differences in exposure concentrations between typical adult and in-pram baby breathing height via simultaneous measurements besides assessing their physico-chemical properties (morphology and elemental composition). In addition, we analysed the impact of pram covers in mitigating in-pram exposure concentrations of selected pollutants. We carried out a total of 89 single runs, repeating on a 2.1 km long pre-defined route between an origin-destination pair (the University of Surrey to a local school) during the morning (08:00-10:00 h; local time) and afternoon (15:00-17:00 h) hours. These run simulated morning drop-off and afternoon pick-off times of school children. Overall, the experimental runs took about 66 h and covered the total length of 145 km. Substantial variability is observed in measured concentrations of different pollutants within each run (e.g., up to 290-times for PNC) and between different runs performed during different times of the day (e.g., ~62% variability in average PNC; ~7% for PM1 and 8% for PM2.5 during morning versus afternoon). The average in-pram concentration of fine particles was always higher by up to 44% compared with adult breathing height during both morning and afternoon runs. The comparison of exposure concentrations at two different sitting heights of double pram showed that PNC concentrations were higher by about 72% at the bottom seat compared to the top seat. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of PM2.5-10 revealed traces of brake wear, tyre wear and re-suspended dust minerals with the predominance of brake and tyre wear emissions at baby height compared with a relatively larger share of earth crust elements at adult height. For mitigation measures, pram covers reduced concentrations of small-sized particles by as much as 39% (fine particles) and 43% (coarse particles). Our results reinforce the need for mitigating exposures to in-pram babies, especially at urban pollution hotspots such as busy congested roads, bus stops, and traffic intersections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Sharma
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
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17
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Chan SL, Ho AFW, Ding H, Liu N, Earnest A, Koh MS, Chuah JST, Lau ZY, Tan KB, Zheng H, Morgan GG, Ong MEH. Impact of Air Pollution and Trans-Boundary Haze on Nation-Wide Emergency
Department Visits and Hospital Admissions in Singapore. ANNALS ACADEMY OF MEDICINE SINGAPORE 2020. [DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2019209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Air pollution is associated with adverse health outcomes. However,
its impact on emergency health services is less well understood. We investigated the
impact of air pollution on nation-wide emergency department (ED) visits and hospital
admissions to public hospitals in Singapore. Materials and Methods: Anonymised
administrative and clinical data of all ED visits to public hospitals in Singapore from
January 2010 to December 2015 were retrieved and analysed. Primary and secondary
outcomes were defined as ED visits and hospital admissions, respectively. Conditional
Poisson regression was used to model the effect of Pollutant Standards Index (PSI)
on each outcome. Both outcomes were stratified according to subgroups defined a
priori based on age, diagnosis, gender, patient acuity and time of day. Results: There
were 5,791,945 ED visits, of which 1,552,187 resulted in hospital admissions. No
significant association between PSI and total ED visits (Relative risk [RR], 1.002; 99.2%
confidence interval [CI], 0.995–1.008; P = 0.509) or hospital admissions (RR, 1.005;
99.2% CI, 0.996–1.014; P = 0.112) was found. However, for every 30-unit increase in
PSI, significant increases in ED visits (RR, 1.023; 99.2% CI, 1.011–1.036; P = 1.24 ×
10˗6) and hospital admissions (RR, 1.027; 99.2% CI, 1.010–1.043; P = 2.02 × 10˗5) for
respiratory conditions were found. Conclusion: Increased PSI was not associated with
increase in total ED visits and hospital admissions, but was associated with increased
ED visits and hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in Singapore.
Key words: Epidemiology, Healthcare utilisation, PSI, Public health, Time series
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew FW Ho
- NUS Medical School, Singapore.Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Nan Liu
- Singapore Health Services, Singapore. NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Arul Earnest
- Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Australia
| | - Mariko S Koh
- Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | | | - Kelvin Bryan Tan
- Ministry of Health, Singapore. National University of Singapore, Singapor
| | | | | | - Marcus EH Ong
- Singapore Health Services, Singapore. NUS Medical School, Singapore. Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
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18
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Zhu Y, Zhong T, Ge D, Li Q, Wu J. Multi-Factor Analysis of Single-Center Asthma Control in Xiamen, China. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:498. [PMID: 31850293 PMCID: PMC6901658 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the effects of air pollutants, age, allergic history, family allergic history, treatment, treatment steps, and compliance on uncontrolled childhood asthma in Xiamen, China. The clinical data of children with asthma in the pediatric outpatient department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2016 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the assessment of the patients' outcome including well-controlled, partly-controlled and uncontrolled, 7,211 cases of 3,268 patients were selected. Rank sum test and ordered multi-class logistic regression analysis were used. In the rank sum test, age, allergic history, family allergic history, season, treatment, treatment steps and compliance were found associated with uncontrolled rate (all P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that PM10, NO2, and SO2 raised uncontrolled-asthma rate (aOR 1.311, aOR 1.281, aOR 1.252, respectively). Older children had lower uncontrolled rate (OR = 0.849, 95% CI: 0.758-0.950), children with higher treatment steps had higher uncontrolled rate (OR = 1.227, 95%CI: 1.040-1.448), and children with better treatment compliance have lower uncontrolled rate (OR = 0.374 95% CI: 0.331-0.424). The order of the uncontrolled rate of asthma from high to low was winter, spring, autumn, and summer. PM10, NO2, SO2, age, season, treatment steps, and treatment compliance have significance for predicting the control rate of childhood asthma in Xiamen, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Taoling Zhong
- National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dandan Ge
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qiyuan Li
- National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jinzhun Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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