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Amini H, Yousefian F, Faridi S, Andersen ZJ, Calas E, Castro A, Cervantes-Martínez K, Cole-Hunter T, Corso M, Dragic N, Evangelopoulos D, Gapp C, Hassanvand MS, Kim I, Le Tertre A, Medina S, Miller B, Montero S, Requia WJ, Riojas-Rodriguez H, Rojas-Rueda D, Samoli E, Texcalac-Sangrador JL, Yitshak-Sade M, Schwartz J, Kuenzli N, Spadaro JV, Krzyzanowski M, Mudu P. Two Decades of Air Pollution Health Risk Assessment: Insights From the Use of WHO's AirQ and AirQ+ Tools. Public Health Rev 2024; 45:1606969. [PMID: 38957684 PMCID: PMC11217191 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2024.1606969] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives We evaluated studies that used the World Health Organization's (WHO) AirQ and AirQ+ tools for air pollution (AP) health risk assessment (HRA) and provided best practice suggestions for future assessments. Methods We performed a comprehensive review of studies using WHO's AirQ and AirQ+ tools, searching several databases for relevant articles, reports, and theses from inception to Dec 31, 2022. Results We identified 286 studies that met our criteria. The studies were conducted in 69 countries, with most (57%) in Iran, followed by Italy and India (∼8% each). We found that many studies inadequately report air pollution exposure data, its quality, and validity. The decisions concerning the analysed population size, health outcomes of interest, baseline incidence, concentration-response functions, relative risk values, and counterfactual values are often not justified, sufficiently. Many studies lack an uncertainty assessment. Conclusion Our review found a number of common shortcomings in the published assessments. We suggest better practices and urge future studies to focus on the quality of input data, its reporting, and associated uncertainties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heresh Amini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Institute for Climate Change, Environmental Health, and Exposomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Fatemeh Yousefian
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Sasan Faridi
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zorana J. Andersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Alberto Castro
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karla Cervantes-Martínez
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Cole-Hunter
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Magali Corso
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Santé Publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Natasa Dragic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dimitris Evangelopoulos
- Environmental Research Group, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Gapp
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand
- Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ingu Kim
- European Centre for Environment and Health, World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alain Le Tertre
- Regional Office Bretagne, Santé Publique France, Rennes, France
| | - Sylvia Medina
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Santé Publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Brian Miller
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Weeberb J. Requia
- Center for Environment and Public Health Studies, School of Public Policy and Government, Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - David Rojas-Rueda
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Colorado School of Public Health, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Evangelia Samoli
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maayan Yitshak-Sade
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Institute for Climate Change, Environmental Health, and Exposomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nino Kuenzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joseph V. Spadaro
- Spadaro Environmental Research Consultants (SERC), Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Pierpaolo Mudu
- European Centre for Environment and Health, World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Bonn, Germany
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Nikkhah A, Ghnimi S, Tichenor Blackstone N, Nikkhah F, Jacxsens L, Devlieghere F, Van Haute S. Inclusion of microbiological food safety as a novel aspect in life cycle assessments of food production. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:2353-2365. [PMID: 37621018 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2248899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology currently covers a limited number of human health-related impact categories. Microbiological food safety is an essential aspect for the selection of an appropriate food production system and has been neglected in the LCA so far. A framework for the inclusion of a microbiological food safety indicator, expressed as disability-adjusted life year (DALY) value of the consumed food product to the human health damage category (end-point) was created, and applied in a case study model on the cooked-chilled meals as the ready-to-eat meals can be associated with the occurrence of foodborne illness cases and outbreaks. This study suggests a framework for the inclusion of microbiological risk caused by Bacillus cereus associated with the consumption of ready-to-eat meals (in Belgium) in the LCA. The results indicated that the microbiological risk of one package of the investigated ready-to-eat meal was 1.95 × 10-6 DALY, and the obtained DALY value was included as an impact category in the LCA methodology. Inclusion of other categories of food safety (including chemical safety hazards, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and mycotoxins) in LCA could be done in the same fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Nikkhah
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sami Ghnimi
- Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Automatic Control, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering (LAGEPP), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- Department of food science, ISARA, Lyon, France
| | | | - Farima Nikkhah
- Department Industrial Engineering, Rahbord Shomal University, Rasht, Iran
| | - Liesbeth Jacxsens
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Devlieghere
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam Van Haute
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
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Koivisto AJ, Altin M, Furxhi I, Eliat M, Trabucco S, Blosi M, Lopez de Ipiña J, Belosi F, Costa A. Burden of Disease (BoD) Assessment to Estimate Risk Factors Impact in a Real Nanomanufacturing Scenario. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:4089. [PMID: 36432374 PMCID: PMC9696424 DOI: 10.3390/nano12224089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An industrial nanocoating process air emissions impact on public health was quantified by using the burden of disease (BoD) concept. The health loss was calculated in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), which is an absolute metric that enables comparisons of the health impacts of different causes. Here, the health loss was compared with generally accepted risk levels for air pollution. Exposure response functions were not available for Ag nanoform. The health loss for TiO2 nanoform emissions were 0.0006 DALYs per 100,000 persons per year. Moreover, the exposure risk characterization was performed by comparing the ground level air concentrations with framework values. The exposure levels were ca. 3 and 18 times lower than the derived limit values of 0.1 μg-TiO2/m3 and 0.01 μg-Ag/m3 for the general population. The accumulations of TiO2 and Ag nanoforms on the soil top layer were estimated to be up to 85 μg-TiO2/kg and 1.4 μg-Ag/kg which was considered low as compared to measured elemental TiO2 and Ag concentrations. This assessment reveals that the spray coating process air emissions are adequately controlled. This study demonstrated how the BoD concept can be applied to quantify health impacts of nanoform outdoor air emissions from an industrial site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Joonas Koivisto
- Air Pollution Management APM, Mattilanmäki 38, 33610 Tampere, Finland
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, PL 64, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- ARCHE Consulting, Liefkensstraat 35D, 9032 Wondelgem, Belgium
| | - Marko Altin
- Witek s.r.l., Via Siena 47, 50142 Firenze, Italy
| | - Irini Furxhi
- Transgero Limited, Cullinagh, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, V42 V384 Limerick, Ireland
- Department of Accounting and Finance, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Maxime Eliat
- ARCHE Consulting, Liefkensstraat 35D, 9032 Wondelgem, Belgium
| | - Sara Trabucco
- CNR-ISAC, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council of Italy, Via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Magda Blosi
- ISTEC-CNR, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, CNR, National Research Council, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, Italy
| | - Jesús Lopez de Ipiña
- TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Alava, Leonardo Da Vinci 11, 01510 Miñano, Spain
| | - Franco Belosi
- CNR-ISAC, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council of Italy, Via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Costa
- ISTEC-CNR, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, CNR, National Research Council, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, Italy
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Brito J, Bernardo A, Gonçalves LL. Atmospheric pollution and mortality in Portugal: Quantitative assessment of the environmental burden of disease using the AirQ+ model. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:152964. [PMID: 35007595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.152964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In Portugal, data on mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution are not reported due to shortness and irregularity of the available data series, and therefore, the disclosure of the national progress in reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from air contamination in exposures to multiple pollutants is incomplete. The present work describes the application of the AirQ+ model developed by the WHO to calculate how much of specific health outcomes is attributable to long-term exposure to atmospheric NO2, PM2.5, and O3 in the population of various municipalities in Portugal, from 2010 to 2019. Linear Mixed Models were used for data analysis and have shown that (i) approximately 5000 deaths per year are attributable to exposure to mixtures of NO2 and PM2.5; (ii) the spatial distribution of the proportion of deaths attributable to NO2, PM2.5 and O3 shows significant differences between locations, and (iii) that AirQ+ is a useful tool for the purpose of effective Public Health policymaking and reporting on the national progress to implement the 2030 Agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Brito
- Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Campus Universitário - Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Alexandra Bernardo
- Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Campus Universitário - Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Luísa Lima Gonçalves
- Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Campus Universitário - Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
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Al-Hemoud A, Al-Khayat A, Al-Dashti H, Li J, Alahmad B, Koutrakis P. PM 2.5 and PM 10 during COVID-19 lockdown in Kuwait: Mixed effect of dust and meteorological covariates. ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 5:100215. [PMID: 38620890 PMCID: PMC8282454 DOI: 10.1016/j.envc.2021.100215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on particulate matter concentrations, specifically PM2.5 and PM10, in Kuwait. We studied the variations in PM2.5 and PM10 between the lockdown in 2020 with the corresponding periods of the years 2017-2019, and also investigated the differences in PM variations between the 'curfew' and 'non curfew' hours. We applied mixed-effect regression to investigate the factors that dictate PM variability (i.e., dust and meteorological covariates), and also processed satellite-based aerosol optical depths (AOD) to determine the spatial variability in aerosol loads. The results showed low PM2.5 concentration during the lockdown (33 μg/m3) compared to the corresponding previous three years (2017-2019); however, the PM10 concentration (122.5 μg/m3) increased relative to 2017 (116.6 μg/m3), and 2019 (92.8 μg/m3). After removing the 'dust effects', both PM2.5 and PM10 levels dropped by 18% and 31%, respectively. The mixed-effect regression model showed that high temperature and high wind speed were the main contributors to high PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, in addition to the dust haze and blowing dust. This study highlights that the reductions of anthropogenic source emissions are overwhelmed by dust events and adverse meteorology in arid regions, and that the lockdown did not reduce the high concentrations of PM in Kuwait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al-Hemoud
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109 Safat, Kuwait
| | - Ahmad Al-Khayat
- Techno-Economics Division, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109 Safat, Kuwait
| | - Hassan Al-Dashti
- Meteorology Department, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, P.O. Box 35, 32001 Hawalli, Kuwait
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Barrak Alahmad
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Years of Life Lost (YLL) Due to Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111467. [PMID: 34769981 PMCID: PMC8582650 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Years of life lost (YLL) as a surrogate of health is important for supporting ambient air pollution related policy decisions. However, there has been little comprehensive evaluation of the short-term impact of air pollution on cause-specific YLL, especially in China. Hence in this study, we selected China as sentinel region in order to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate disease-specific YLL due to all the main ambient air pollutants. (2) Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate disease-specific YLL due to the main ambient air pollutants in China, and 19 studies were included. We conducted methodological quality and risk of bias assessment for each included study as well as for heterogeneity and publication bias. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed. (3) Results: Meta-analysis indicated that increases in PM2.5, PM10, SO2 and NO2 were associated with 1.99–5.84 years increase in YLL from non-accidental diseases. The increase in YLL to cardiovascular disease (CVD) was associated with PM10 and NO2, and the increase in YLL to respiratory diseases (RD) was associated with PM10. (4) Conclusions: Ambient air pollution was observed to be associated with several cause-specific YLL, increasing especially for elderly people and females.
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Chen JM, Zovko M, Šimurina N, Zovko V. Fear in a Handful of Dust: The Epidemiological, Environmental, and Economic Drivers of Death by PM 2.5 Pollution. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8688. [PMID: 34444435 PMCID: PMC8393768 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluates numerous epidemiological, environmental, and economic factors affecting morbidity and mortality from PM2.5 exposure in the 27 member states of the European Union. This form of air pollution inflicts considerable social and economic damage in addition to loss of life and well-being. This study creates and deploys a comprehensive data pipeline. The first step consists of conventional linear models and supervised machine learning alternatives. Those regression methods do more than predict health outcomes in the EU-27 and relate those predictions to independent variables. Linear regression and its machine learning equivalents also inform unsupervised machine learning methods such as clustering and manifold learning. Lower-dimension manifolds of this dataset's feature space reveal the relationship among EU-27 countries and their success (or failure) in managing PM2.5 morbidity and mortality. Principal component analysis informs further interpretation of variables along economic and health-based lines. A nonlinear environmental Kuznets curve may describe the fuller relationship between economic activity and premature death from PM2.5 exposure. The European Union should bridge the historical, cultural, and economic gaps that impair these countries' collective response to PM2.5 pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Ming Chen
- College of Law, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Mira Zovko
- Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Nika Šimurina
- Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Vatroslav Zovko
- Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Gasana J, Vainio H, Longenecker J, Loney T, Ádám B, Al-Zoughool M. Identification of public health priorities, barriers, and solutions for Kuwait using the modified Delphi method for stakeholder consensus. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 36:1830-1846. [PMID: 34176157 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid modernization and economic developments in Kuwait, have been accompanied by substantial lifestyle changes such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. These modifiable behaviours have contributed to increased rates of non-communicable diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Delphi Consensus Method was implemented in the current study to draw stakeholders from all sectors together to develop a consensus on the major public health priorities, barriers and solutions. The process involves administration of a series of questions to selected stakeholders through an iterative process that ends when a consensus has been reached among participants. Results of the iteration process identified obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases along with lack of enforcement of laws and regulation as priority health issues. Results also identified lack of national vision for the development of a public health system, lack of multidisciplinary research investigating sources of disease and methods of prevention and improving efficiency with existing resources in implementation and efficiency as the main barriers identified were. Solutions suggested included investing in healthcare prevention, strengthening communication between all involved sectors through intersectoral collaboration, awareness at the primary healthcare setting and use of electronic health records. The results offer an important opportunity for stakeholders in Kuwait to tackle these priority health issues employing the suggested approaches and solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janvier Gasana
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Harri Vainio
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Joseph Longenecker
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Tom Loney
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University for Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Balázs Ádám
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Al-Zoughool
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
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Li J, Garshick E, Hart JE, Li L, Shi L, Al-Hemoud A, Huang S, Koutrakis P. Estimation of ambient PM 2.5 in Iraq and Kuwait from 2001 to 2018 using machine learning and remote sensing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 151:106445. [PMID: 33618328 PMCID: PMC8023768 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Iraq and Kuwait are in a region of the world known to be impacted by high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) attributable to sources that include desert dust and ambient pollution, but historically have had limited pollution monitoring networks. The inability to assess PM2.5 concentrations have limited the assessment of the health impact of these exposures, both in the native populations and previously deployed military personnel. As part of a Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program health study of land-based U.S. military personnel who were previously deployed to these countries, we developed a novel approach to estimate spatially and temporarily resolved daily PM2.5 exposures 2001-2018. Since visibility is proportional to ground-level particulate matter concentrations, we were able to take advantage of extensive airport visibility data that became available as a result of regional military operations over this time period. First, we combined a random forest machine learning and a generalized additive mixed model to estimate daily high resolution (1 km × 1 km) visibility over the region using satellite-based aerosol optical depth (AOD) and airport visibility data. The spatially and temporarily resolved visibility data were then used to estimate PM2.5 concentrations from 2001 to 2018 by converting visibility to PM2.5 using empirical relationships derived from available regional PM2.5 monitoring stations. We adjusted for spatially resolved meteorological parameters, land use variables, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and satellite-derived estimates of surface dust as a measure of sandstorm activity. Cross validation indicated good model predictive ability (R2 = 0.71), and there were considerable spatial and temporal differences in PM2.5 across the region. Annual average PM2.5 predictions for Iraq and Kuwait were 37 and 41 μg/m3, respectively, which are greater than current U.S. and WHO standards. PM2.5 concentrations in many U.S. bases and large cities (e.g. Bagdad, Balad, Kuwait city, Karbala, Najaf, and Diwaniya) had annual average PM2.5 concentrations above 45 μg/m3 with weekly averages as high as 150 μg/m3 depending on calendar year. The highest annual PM2.5 concentration for both Kuwait and Iraq were observed in 2008, followed by 2009, which was associated with extreme drought in these years. The lowest PM2.5 values were observed in 2014. On average, July had the highest concentrations, and November had the lowest values, consistent with seasonal patterns of air pollution in this region. This is the first study that estimates long-term PM2.5 exposures in Iraq and Kuwait at a high resolution based on measurements data that will allow the study of health effects and contribute to the development of regional environmental policies. The novel approach demonstrated may be used in other parts of the world with limited monitoring networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine Section, Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02132, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Longxiang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
| | - Liuhua Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ali Al-Hemoud
- Crisis Decision Support Program, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Shaodan Huang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA.
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, USA
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Rauf AU, Mallongi A, Daud A, Hatta M, Al-Madhoun W, Amiruddin R, Rahman SA, Wahyu A, Astuti RDP. Community Health Risk Assessment of Total Suspended Particulates near a Cement Plant in Maros Regency, Indonesia. J Health Pollut 2021; 11:210616. [PMID: 34268002 PMCID: PMC8276719 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-11.30.210616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cement plants generate particulate matter (PM) across processes from raw material preparation to packaging. The presence of total suspended particulates (TSP) coming out of the stack causes a high accumulation of dust in residential areas. Human exposure to TSP could affect human health and wellbeing. OBJECTIVES The present study aims to evaluate concentrations of TSP and to estimate the health risks of TSP exposure through the inhalation pathway in communities surrounding a private cement industry in Maros regency, Indonesia. METHODS Total suspended particulates were collected using a high-volume air sampler (HVAS) at five locations. Samples were taken by grab sampling for 24 hours. The SCREEN3 program was used to view the maximum range and distribution of pollutants based on the geographical, stack profiles and meteorological factors in the study area. Hazard quotient (HQ) was used to estimate non-carcinogenic risks of TSP in surrounding communities. RESULTS Total suspended particulate concentrations were measured with a maximum value of 133.24 μg/m3 and a minimum value of 18.48 μg/m3. This maximum value exceeds the minimum acceptable level from Canadian National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (C-NAAQOs). The non-carcinogenic risks from the inhalation pathway were low except for location 3 (HQ>1) across all locations. CONCLUSIONS The cement plant may significantly contribute to total TSP concentrations in air and may potentially have adverse effects on human health. Communities near the cement plant are vulnerable to TSP exposure and measures are needed to reduce TSP in Maros regency, Indonesia. PARTICIPANT CONSENT Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Hasanuddin University with protocol number 28920093022. COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annisa Utami Rauf
- Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Anwar Mallongi
- Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Anwar Daud
- Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Hatta
- Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Wesam Al-Madhoun
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Ridwan Amiruddin
- Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | | | - Atjo Wahyu
- Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
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11
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Spatial patterns of lower respiratory tract infections and their association with fine particulate matter. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4866. [PMID: 33649419 PMCID: PMC7921673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84435-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the spatial patterns of lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) and their association with fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The disability-adjusted life year (DALY) database was used to represent the burden each country experiences as a result of LRIs. PM2.5 data obtained from the Atmosphere Composition Analysis Group was assessed as the source for main exposure. Global Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* were applied to identify the spatial patterns and for hotspots analysis of LRIs. A generalized linear mixed model was coupled with a sensitivity test after controlling for covariates to estimate the association between LRIs and PM2.5. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine whether LRIs and PM2.5 are correlated for various ages and geographic regions. A significant spatial auto-correlated pattern was identified for global LRIs with Moran's Index 0.79, and the hotspots of LRIs were clustered in 35 African and 4 Eastern Mediterranean countries. A consistent significant positive association between LRIs and PM2.5 with a coefficient of 0.21 (95% CI 0.06-0.36) was identified. Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed a significant effect of PM2.5 on LRI for children (0-14 years) and the elderly (≥ 70 years), and this effect was confirmed to be significant in all regions except for those comprised of Eastern Mediterranean countries.
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Chu H, Huang FQ, Yuan Q, Fan Y, Xin J, Du M, Wang M, Zhang Z, Ma G. Metabolomics identifying biomarkers of PM 2.5 exposure for vulnerable population: based on a prospective cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:14586-14596. [PMID: 33215280 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11677-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Long-term exposure to particular matter (PM), especially fine PM (< 2.5 μm in the aerodynamic diameter, PM2.5), is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association between long-term exposure to PM2.5/PM10 and the metabolic change in the plasma. Specifically, using metabolomics, we sought to identify the biomarkers for the vulnerable subgroup to PM2.5 exposure. A total of 78 college student volunteers were recruited into this prospective cohort study. All participants received 8 rounds of physical examinations at twice quarterly. Air purifiers were placed in 40 of 78 participants' dormitories for 14 days. Before and after intervention, physical examinations were performed and the peripheral blood was collected. Plasma metabolomics was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. During the follow-up, the average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were 53 μg/m3 and 93 μg/m3, respectively. Totally, 42 and 120 differential metabolic features were detected for PM10 and PM2.5 exposure, respectively. In total, 25 differential metabolites were identified for PM2.5 exposure, most of which were phospholipids. No distinctive metabolites were found for PM10 exposure. A total of 6 differential metabolites (lysoPC (P-20:0), lysoPC (P-18:1(9z)), lysoPC (20:1), lysoPC (O-16:0), choline, and found 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one) were characterized and confirmed for sensitive individuals. Importantly, we found LysoPC (P-20:0) and LysoPC (P-18:1(9z)) changed significantly before and after air purifier intervention. Our results indicated that the phospholipid catabolism was involved in long-term PM2.5 exposure. LysoPC (P-20:0) and LysoPC (P-18:1(9z)) may be the biomarkers of PM2.5 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Chu
- Department of Environmental Genomics, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical Universty, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng-Qing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Qi Yuan
- Department of Environmental Genomics, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical Universty, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Junyi Xin
- Department of Environmental Genomics, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical Universty, Nanjing, China
| | - Mulong Du
- Department of Environmental Genomics, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical Universty, Nanjing, China
| | - Meilin Wang
- Department of Environmental Genomics, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical Universty, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengdong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Genomics, The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical Universty, Nanjing, China.
| | - Gaoxiang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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Al-Hemoud A, Gasana J, Alajeel A, Alhamoud E, Al-Shatti A, Al-Khayat A. Ambient exposure of O 3 and NO 2 and associated health risk in Kuwait. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:14917-14926. [PMID: 33222061 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11481-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), indissoluble air pollutants in the atmosphere, have been confirmed in various parts of the world to have detrimental health effects on humans. Currently, such information is lacking in Kuwait. The objectives of this study are to investigate the spatial and temporal variations of O3 and NO2 concentrations in Kuwait during a 4-year period (2014-2017) and to quantify the associated short- and long-term health effects, including all-cause, respiratory, and cardiovascular mortalities and morbidities during the same study period. Exposure assessment showed that the annual levels (22.5-26.4 ppb), SOMO35, and the 8-hour 4-year mean (38 ppb) of O3 were very low and below the World Health Organization (WHO) (50 ppb) and Kuwaiti (70 ppb) regulatory limits. The annual mean levels of NO2 ranged from 30.3 to 43.8 ppb and were significantly higher than both WHO and Kuwait limits (21 ppb). As expected, O3 and NO2 levels showed opposing trends, with higher concentrations of NO2 recorded in early morning and mid-evening, during autumn and winter, and during Saturdays (the so-called weekend effect). Health effects indicated high respiratory diseases due to short-term exposure to NO2. Contrary to the western countries' pollution levels, Kuwait showed lower O3 and higher NO2 levels. There is potential for substantial health improvements in Kuwait by reducing NO2 pollution through stringent control measures of stationary and mobile sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al-Hemoud
- Crisis Decision Support Program, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Crisis Decision Support Program, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P. O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait.
| | - Janvier Gasana
- Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | | | - Ebrahim Alhamoud
- Faculty of Law, Kuwait University, P. O. Box 5475, 13055, Safat, Kuwait
| | | | - Ahmed Al-Khayat
- Techno-Economics Division, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P. O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
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14
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Nascimento LFC, Vieira LCPF. Years of life lost due to premature deaths associated with air pollution: an ecological time-series study. SAO PAULO MED J 2021; 139:591-597. [PMID: 34730755 PMCID: PMC9634834 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2021.0129.090422021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to air pollutants is associated with hospital admissions due to cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths. OBJECTIVE To estimate years of life lost (YLL) due to premature deaths and their financial costs. DESIGN AND SETTING Ecological time-series study carried out in São José dos Campos, Brazil, in 2016. METHODS Data on deaths among residents of this city in 2016 were assessed to estimate the financial cost of premature deaths associated with air pollution. The diagnoses studied were ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure and cerebrovascular disease, according to YLL. The fractions attributable to deaths associated with air pollutant exposure and to each potential year of life lost were calculated using negative binomial regression with lags of 0-7 days between exposure and outcome. Nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (PM10) and ozone concentrations were included in the model and adjusted for temperature, humidity and seasonality. RESULTS Exposure to particulate matter was significant at lag 3 days. There were 2177 hospitalizations over the study period, with 201 deaths (9.2%). Premature deaths led to 2035.69 years of life lost. A 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentrations was correlated with 8.0% of the hospitalizations, which corresponded to 152.67 YLL (81.67 for males and 71.00 for females). The cost generated was approximately US$ 9.1 million in 2016. CONCLUSION In this first study conducted in a medium-sized Brazilian city, using the YLL methodology, we identified an excess expense attributable to air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Fernando Costa Nascimento
- MD, PhD. Researcher, Postgraduate Program on Mechanical Engineering, Department of Energy, Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (UNESP), Guaratinguetá, Brazil.
| | - Luciana Cristina Pompeo Ferreira Vieira
- MSc. Doctoral Student, Postgraduate Program on Mechanical Engineering, Department of Energy, Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (UNESP), Guaratinguetá, Brazil.
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15
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Martín Cervantes PA, Rueda López N, Cruz Rambaud S. The Relative Importance of Globalization and Public Expenditure on Life Expectancy in Europe: An Approach Based on MARS Methodology. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E8614. [PMID: 33228227 PMCID: PMC7699569 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a widespread debate about the overall impact of globalization on population, not just economically, but also in terms of health status. Moreover, the current health crisis is going to force governments to review the structure of the public budget to most effectively alleviate the negative economic and health effects on the population. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to analyze the relative importance of globalization and the public budget composition-specifically the participation of public expenditure on healthcare, social services and environment in gross domestic product (GDP)-on life expectancy at birth in European countries during the period 1995-2017. METHODS The Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) methodology was applied to analyze the socioeconomic determinants of life expectancy at birth. RESULTS Our findings show that globalization has no relative importance as an explanatory variable of life expectancy in European countries, while government expenditure on social protection is the most relevant followed by public expenditure on health, gross national income per capita, education level of the population and public expenditure on environmental protection. CONCLUSION European strategies intended to impact on health outcome should spend more attention to the composition of public budget.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Salvador Cruz Rambaud
- Department of Economics and Business, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; (P.A.M.C.); (N.R.L.)
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16
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Measuring Burden of Disease Attributable to Air Pollution Due to Preterm Birth Complications and Infant Death in Paris Using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17217841. [PMID: 33114696 PMCID: PMC7663522 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have found maternal exposure to particulate matter pollution was associated with adverse birth outcomes, including infant mortality and preterm birth. In this context, our study aims to quantify the air pollution burden of disease due to preterm birth complications and infant death in Paris, with particular attention to people living in the most deprived census blocks. Data on infant death and preterm birth was available from the birth and death certificates. The postal address of mother’s newborn was converted in census block number. A socioeconomic deprivation index was built at the census block level. Average annual ambient concentrations of PM10 were modelled at census block level using the ESMERALDA atmospheric modelling system. The number of infant deaths attributed to PM10 exposure is expressed in years of life lost. We used a three-step compartmental model to appraise neurodevelopmental impairment among survivors of preterm birth. We estimated that 12.8 infant deaths per 100,000 live births may be attributable to PM10 exposure, and about one third of these infants lived in deprived census blocks. In addition, we found that approximately 4.8% of preterm births could be attributable to PM10 exposure, and approximately 1.9% of these infants died (corresponding to about 5.75 deaths per 100,000 live birth). Quantification of environmental hazard-related health impacts for children at local level is essential to prioritizing interventions. Our study suggests that additional effort is needed to reduce the risk of complications and deaths related to air pollution exposure, especially among preterm births. Because of widespread exposure to air pollution, significant health benefits could be achieved through regulatory interventions aimed at reducing exposure of the population as a whole, and particularly of the most vulnerable, such as children and pregnant women.
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17
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Premature Adult Mortality and Years of Life Lost Attributed to Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution and Potential for Mitigating Adverse Health Effects in Tuzla and Lukavac, Bosnia and Herzegovina. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11101107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution is one of eight global risk factors for deaths and accounts for 38.44 all causes death rates attributable to ambient PM pollution, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is 58.37. We have estimated health endpoints and possible gains if two policy scenarios were implemented and air pollution reduction achieved. Real-world health and recorded PM pollution data for 2018 were used for assessing the health impacts and possible gains. Calculations were performed with WHO AirQ+ software against two scenarios with cut-off levels at country-legal values and WHO air quality recommendations. Ambient PM2.5 pollution is responsible for 16.20% and 22.77% of all-cause mortality among adults in Tuzla and Lukavac, respectively. Our data show that life expectancy could increase by 2.1 and 2.4 years for those cities. In the pollution hotspots, in reality, there is a wide gap in what is observed and the implementation of the legally binding air quality limit values and, thus, adverse health effects. Considerable health gains and life expectancy are possible if legal or health scenarios in polluted cities were achieved. This estimate might be useful in providing additional health burden evidence as a key component for a clean air policy and action plans.
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Rovira J, Domingo JL, Schuhmacher M. Air quality, health impacts and burden of disease due to air pollution (PM 10, PM 2.5, NO 2 and O 3): Application of AirQ+ model to the Camp de Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:135538. [PMID: 31759725 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact to human health of air pollutants, through the integration of different technics: data statistics (spatial and temporal trends), population attributable fraction using AIRQ+ model developed by the WHO, and burden of disease using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The levels of SO2, NO, NO2, O3, H2S, benzene, PM10, PM2.5, CO, benzo(a)pyrene and metals, obtained between 2005 and 2017 from the air quality monitoring network across Camp de Tarragona County, were temporally and spatially determined. Health impacts were evaluated using the AIRQ+ model. Finally, the burden of disease was assessed through the calculation of Years of Lost life (YLL) and Years Lost due to Disability (YLD). In general terms, air quality was good according to European quality standards, but it did not fulfil the WHO guidelines, especially for O3, PM10 and PM2.5. Several decreasing (NO, NO2, SO2, PM10 and benzene) and an increasing (O3) temporal trend were found. Correlation between unemployment rate and air pollutant levels was found, pointing that the economic crisis (2008-2014) was a factor influencing the air pollutant levels. Reduction of air pollutant levels (PM2.5) to WHO guidelines in the Camp de Tarragona County would decrease the adult mortality between 23 and 297 cases per year, which means between 0.5 and 7% of all mortality in the area. In this County, for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to levels of PM2.5 above the WHO threshold limits, DAYLs were 240 years. This means around 80 DALYs for 100,000 persons every year -between 2005 and 2017. Population attributable fraction (PAF) and burden of disease (DALYs) methodologies are suitable tools for regional and national policymakers, who must take decisions to prevent and to control air pollution and to analyse the cost-effectiveness of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Rovira
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marta Schuhmacher
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.
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19
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Al-Hemoud A, Gasana J, Al-Dabbous A, Alajeel A, Al-Shatti A, Behbehani W, Malak M. Exposure levels of air pollution (PM 2.5) and associated health risk in Kuwait. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108730. [PMID: 31550597 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that respiratory and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates are associated with poor air quality as measured by high concentrations of fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 parameters. Since such information is lacking for the State of Kuwait, this study examined the exposure levels of PM2.5 and the associated health risk as evaluated by five mortality measures embodied in ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lower respiratory infection as well as two morbidity outcomes related to both cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The measurement models utilized in this investigation followed the WHO guidelines. Over a span of a four-year period (2014-2017), the annual PM2.5 concentration levels ranged from 38.0 μg/m3 to 75.2 μg/m3. In general, exposure levels tended to fluctuate throughout the day with the higher levels recorded during rush hours (early morning and early evening), weekends (particularly Saturdays), and summer (i.e., August and September). The highest number of excess cases and attributable proportions of premature mortalities were related to ischemic heart disease and stroke at 352 (95% CI 275-426) and 70.8% (95% CI 39.7-85.2), respectively. In general, respiratory diseases showed a higher number of excess cases and attributable proportions than cardiovascular diseases. Relative to other findings on the global stage, the results emanating from Kuwait are emerging on the higher side. The study outcomes suggest that control strategies are in dire need to bend the pollution levels in Kuwait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al-Hemoud
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait.
| | - Janvier Gasana
- Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Abdullah Al-Dabbous
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | | | | | - Weam Behbehani
- Techno-Economics Division, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Mariam Malak
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
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Wang X, Zou Z, Dong B, Dong Y, Ma Y, Gao D, Yang Z, Wu S, Ma J. Association of School Residential PM 2.5 with Childhood High Blood Pressure: Results from an Observational Study in 6 Cities in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16142515. [PMID: 31337125 PMCID: PMC6678215 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16142515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of long-term PM2.5 exposure with blood pressure (BP) outcomes in children aged 6-18 years, and to examine the population attributable risk (PAR) of PM2.5 exposure. METHODS A total of 53,289 participants aged 6-18 years with full record of age, sex, BP, height, and local PM2.5 exposure from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 6 cities of China in 2013 were involved in the present study. PM2.5 data from 18 January 2013 to 31 December 2013 were obtained from the nearest environmental monitoring station for each selected school. Two-level linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the influence of PM2.5 on children's BP, and PAR was calculated in each sex and age group. RESULTS Participants had a mean age of 10.8 (standard deviation: 3.4) years at enrollment, 51.7% of them were boys. U-shaped trends along with increased PM2.5 concentration were found for both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), with the thresholds of 57.8 and 65.0 μg/m3, respectively. Both increased annual mean of PM2.5 concentration and ratio of polluted days were associated with increased BP levels and high blood pressure (HBP), with effect estimates for BP ranging from 2.80 (95% CI: -0.51, 6.11) mmHg to 5.78 (95% CI: 2.32, 9.25) mmHg for SBP and from 0.77 (95% CI: -1.98, 3.52) mmHg to 2.66 (-0.35, 5.66) mmHg for DBP, and the odds ratios for HBP from 1.21 (0.43, 3.38) to 1.92 (0.65, 5.67) in the highest vs. the lowest quartiles. Overall, 1.16% of HBP in our participants could be attributed to increased annual mean of PM2.5 concentration, while 2.82% could be attributed to increased ratio of polluted days. These proportions increased with age. CONCLUSIONS The association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and BP values appeared to be U-shaped in Chinese children aged 6-18 years, and increased PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher risk of HBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijie Wang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhiyong Zou
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Bin Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yanhui Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yinghua Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Di Gao
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhaogeng Yang
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shaowei Wu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health & School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
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Martín Cervantes PA, Rueda López N, Cruz Rambaud S. A Causal Analysis of Life Expectancy at Birth. Evidence from Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E2367. [PMID: 31277340 PMCID: PMC6650812 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND From a causal point of view, there exists a set of socioeconomic indicators concerning life expectancy. The objective of this paper is to determine the indicators which exhibit a relation of causality with life expectancy at birth. METHODS Our analysis applies the Granger causality test, more specifically its version by Dumitrescu-Hurlin, starting from the information concerning life expectancy at birth and a set of socioeconomic variables corresponding to 17 Spanish regions, throughout the period 2006-2016. To do this, we used the panel data involving the information provided by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare (MHCSW) and the National Institute of Statistics (NIS). RESULTS Per capita income, and the rate of hospital beds, medical staff and nurses Granger-cause the variable "life expectancy at birth", according to the Granger causality test applied to panel data (Dumitrescu-Hurlin's version). CONCLUSIONS Life expectancy at birth has become one of the main indicators able to measure the performance of a country's health system. This analysis facilitates the identification of those factors which exhibit a unidirectional Granger-causality relationship with life expectancy at birth. Therefore, this paper provides useful information for the management of public health resources from the point of view of the maximization of social benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nuria Rueda López
- Department of Economics and Business, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
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