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Akhlaq S, Ara SA, Ahmad B, Fazil M, Akram U, Haque M, Khan AA. Interventions of Unani medicine for maintenance of health with special reference to air quality: an evidence-based review. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 38:85-96. [PMID: 34883008 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0116] [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: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This article aims to discuss the impact of air quality on human health, measures to achieve the goal of good indoor air quality and proposed benefits of interventions of Unani Medicine with an evidence-based approach. CONTENT The significance of air quality on the health of the community cannot be denied. Recent evidences from WHO illustrated data on severe air pollutants and their impacts on human health ranges from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory ailments including lung carcinoma and heart disease associated with premature mortality and reduced life expectancy. In Unani Medicine, air has been included in the list of factors, which are six in number and play the central role in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Air is considered as the medium of most of the extrinsic factors such as chemical and biological pollutants affecting health and their exposure results in short and long-term health issues. The literature of Unani Medicine proposes many simple and effective measures, which help to improve indoor and outdoor air quality. The goal of outdoor clean air is achieved through implementation of measures to tackle the source of pollution, while indoor clean air is attained through various means e.g., fumigation with herbal drugs. Hence, an extensive literature survey on Unani reserve was conducted to collect information about the concept of air discussed under the heading of six essential factors and its implication in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Further, research databases such as Pub Med, Google Scholar, and Science-Direct were broadly searched for evidence on the efficacy of herbals mentioned in Unani literature for the indoor air purification and subsequent air quality improvement. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK Recent studies showed good air quality leads to decrease in mortality, particularly of respiratory and cardiovascular deaths whereas poor air quality results in a variety of diseases. Unani scholars prescribed several regimens such as Bukhoor (Fumigation), Sa'oot (Nasal instillation) and use of Abeer (Perfumes) and Nadd (Incense) for the improvement of air quality. Likewise various herbal fumigants and sprays containing drugs like mī'a sā'ila (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.), mastagi (Pistacia lentiscus L.), mushk (Moschus moschiferus L.), loban (Styrax benzoides W. G. Craib), ābnoos (Diospyros ebenum J. Koenig ex Retz), zā'fran (Crocus sativus L.) and sirka (vinegar) etc. has been well explained and used exclusively for air purification and improvement of AQI. Therefore, in the present scenario of altered air quality, we forward certain measures described in Unani system of medicine for health promotion and protection. Scientific evidence on several drugs reveal the presence of a number of pharmacologically active substances, which may provide a new approach into the purification of air.
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Šulc L, Gregor P, Kalina J, Mikeš O, Janoš T, Čupr P. City-scale assessment of long-term air quality impacts on the respiratory and cardiovascular health. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1006536. [PMID: 36438287 PMCID: PMC9687097 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1006536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of the urban environment on human health is a contemporary subject of environmental research. Air pollution is often considered a leading environmental driver. However, a plethora of other factors within the urban exposome may be involved. At the same time, the resolution of spatial data is also an important facet to consider. Generally, systematic tools for accurate health risk assessment in the urban environment are missing or are not implemented. Methods The long-term impact of air quality (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, benzene, and SO2) on respiratory and cardiovascular health was assessed with a log-linear model. We used the most accurate health data in high city scale spatial resolution over the period 2010 to 2018. Selected external exposome parameters were also included in the analysis. Results Statistically significant associations between air pollution and the health of the urban population were found. The strongest association was between benzene and the incidence of bronchitis in the adult population [RR 1.552 95% CI (1.415-1.704) per 0.5 μg/m3 change in benzene concentration]. A similar relation was observed between NO2 and the same health condition [RR 1.483 95% CI (1.227-1.792) per 8.9 μg/m3 of change in NO2]. Other weaker associations were also found between asthma in children and PMs, NO2, or benzene. Cardiovascular-related hospitalizations in the general population were linked with NO2 [RR 1.218 95% CI (1.119-1.325) per 9.7 μg/m3 change in NO2]. The remaining pollutants were slightly less but still significantly associated with cardiovascular-related hospitalizations. Conclusion Our findings are mostly highly statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) and are in line with current literature on the adverse effects of air pollution on the human population. The results highlight the need for continual improvements in air quality. We propose the implementation of this approach as a systematic tool for the investigation of possible health risks over a long period of time. However, further research involving other variables is an essential step toward understanding the complex urban exposome and its implications for human health. An increase in data spatial resolution is especially important in this respect as well as for improving city health risk management.
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Di Cicco M, Del Tufo E, Fasola S, Gracci S, Marchi MG, Fibbi L, Cilluffo G, Ferrante G, Peroni DG, La Grutta S. The Effect of Outdoor Aeroallergens on Asthma Hospitalizations in Children in North-Western Tuscany, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063586. [PMID: 35329272 PMCID: PMC8949088 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Few data are currently available on the effects of aeroallergens in triggering respiratory symptoms in children. To evaluate the potential effects of daily outdoor aeroallergens loads on childhood admissions, in this case-crossover study, we analyzed data from 85 children hospitalized at the University Hospital of Pisa, Italy, for asthma or asthma-like symptoms without respiratory infection, between 2010 and 2019. Data were linked to outdoor allergens, temperature, nitrogen dioxide, and relative humidity observed during the same period. A 10-grains/m3 increase in the total aeroallergen concentration was associated with an increased risk of admission at lag 0 (OR = 1.054, 95% CI: 1.011–1.098), with a smaller effect at lag 1 (OR = 1.037, 95% CI: 1.008–1.067) and lag 2 (OR = 1.021, 95% CI: 1.003–1.039). Trends to larger effects were observed in children with sensitization to one or more aeroallergens (OR = 1.085, 95% CI: 1.004–1.173 at lag 0), in males (OR = 1.069, 95% CI: 1.009–1.132 at lag 0) and in older children (OR = 1.065, 95% CI: 1.007–1.127 at lag 0). Our study shows an association between increased outdoor allergens loads and asthma or asthma-like symptoms in children up to at least two days prior to hospitalization, suggesting that tracking aeroallergen counts may be useful to improve the management of respiratory allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Cicco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-992-797
| | - Ester Del Tufo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasola
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT, National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (S.F.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Serena Gracci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Marchi
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Tuscany (ARPAT), 50144 Florence, Italy;
| | - Luca Fibbi
- Laboratory for Meteorology and Environmental Modelling (LaMMA Consortium), 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
- Institute of Bioeconomy, IBE, National Research Council, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cilluffo
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giuliana Ferrante
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Pediatric Division, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy;
| | - Diego G. Peroni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania La Grutta
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT, National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (S.F.); (S.L.G.)
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De Matteis S, Forastiere F, Baldacci S, Maio S, Tagliaferro S, Fasola S, Cilluffo G, La Grutta S, Viegi G. Issue 1 - “Update on adverse respiratory effects of outdoor air pollution”. Part 1): Outdoor air pollution and respiratory diseases: A general update and an Italian perspective. Pulmonology 2022; 28:284-296. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Jiang W, Chen H, Liao J, Yang X, Yang B, Zhang Y, Pan X, Lian L, Yang L. The short-term effects and burden of particle air pollution on hospitalization for coronary heart disease: a time-stratified case-crossover study in Sichuan, China. Environ Health 2022; 21:19. [PMID: 35045878 PMCID: PMC8767695 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death globally, might be developed or exacerbated by air pollution, resulting high burden to patients. To date, limited studies have estimated the relations between short-term exposure to air pollution and CHD disease burden in China, with inconsistent results. Hence, we aimed to estimate the short-term impact and burden of ambient PM pollutants on hospitalizations of CHD and specific CHD. METHODS PM10 and PM2.5 were measured at 82 monitoring stations in 9 cities in Sichuan Province, China during 2017-2018. Based on the time-stratified case-crossover design, the effects of short-term exposure to particle matter (PM) pollution on coronary heart disease (CHD) hospital admissions were estimated. Meanwhile, the linked burden of CHD owing to ambient PM pollution were estimated. RESULTS A total of 104,779 CHD records were derived from 153 hospitals from these 9 cities. There were significant effects of PM pollution on hospital admissions (HAs) for CHD and specific CHD in Sichuan Province. A 10 μg/m3 increase of PM10 and PM2.5 was linked with a 0.46% (95% CI: 0.08, 0.84%), and 0.57% (95% CI: 0.05, 1.09%) increments in HAs for CHD at lag7, respectively. The health effects of air pollutants were comparable modified by age, season and gender, showing old (≥ 65 years) and in cold season being more vulnerable to the effects of ambient air pollution, while gender-specific effects is positive but not conclusive. Involving the WHO's air quality guidelines as the reference, 1784 and 2847 total cases of HAs for CHD could be attributable to PM10 and PM2.5, separately. The total medical cost that could be attributable to exceeding PM10 and PM2.5 were 42.04 and 67.25 million CNY from 2017 to 2018, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that the short-term exposure to air pollutants were associated with increased HAs for CHD in Sichuan Province, which could be implications for local environment improvement and policy reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyanhan Jiang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Han Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Jiaqiang Liao
- West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, No. 17 People's South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xi Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Biao Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuqin Zhang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoqi Pan
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Lulu Lian
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Western Ecological Safety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Lian Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China.
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Associations between Dust Exposure and Hospitalizations in El Paso, Texas, USA. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12111413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Southwestern USA has been identified as one of the most persistent dust-producing regions of North America, where exposure to inhalable particulate matter (PM10) originating from desertic landscape during dust events/dust exposures (DEs) can reach hazardous levels. El Paso, Texas’s ambient air has reached hazardous levels of PM10 from dust with near zero visibility due to these natural events originating in the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dust exposures in El Paso (generally acute, short-term exposures from nearby source areas) are associated with significant increases in hospitalizations on the day of the exposure and up to seven days afterwards. Using a Poisson regression, it was found that the relative risks of hospitalizations due to a variety of conditions were associated with dust exposures (through increases of 100 μg/m3 maximum hourly PM10 and/or increases of 4.5 m/s maximum hourly wind speed) in El Paso County, Texas between 2010 and 2014. Valley fever, coronary atherosclerosis, genitourinary diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, injury and poisoning, circulatory system conditions, respiratory system diseases, births, septicemia, Associated Diseases (the aggregation of hospital admissions for all causes, each associated with at least 5% of hospitalizations), and all ICD-9 admissions were significantly positively associated with dust exposures, indicated from higher to lower significant risk, at different lag periods after exposure. These findings, showing that an association does exist between dust exposures and hospitalizations, have important implications for residents of the world’s dryland cities.
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