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Rufo JC, Annesi-Maesano I, Carreiro-Martins P, Moreira A, Sousa AC, Pastorinho MR, Neuparth N, Taborda-Barata L. Issue 2 - "Update on adverse respiratory effects of indoor air pollution" Part 1): Indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases: A general update and a Portuguese perspective. Pulmonology 2024; 30:378-389. [PMID: 37230882 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify the impact of different air pollutants on respiratory health based on robust estimates based on international data and to summarise the evidence of associations between indoor exposure to those pollutants and respiratory morbidity in the Portuguese population. RESULTS Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses (MA) at the world level demonstrate the impact of indoor air quality on respiratory health, with indoor particulate matter and gasses exerting a significant effect on the airways. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been related to asthma and lung cancer. However, only meta-analyses on biomass use allowed documentation of long-term respiratory effects. While early publications concerning Portuguese-based populations mainly focused on indoor exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, later studies relocated the attention to relevant exposure environments, such as day care buildings, schools, residences and nursing homes. Looking at the pooled effects from the reviewed studies, high levels of carbon dioxide and particulate matter in Portuguese buildings were significantly associated with asthma and wheezing, with VOC and fungi showing a similar effect in some instances. CONCLUSIONS Despite the significant reduction of indoor air pollution effects after the 2008 indoor smoking prohibition in public buildings, studies show that several indoor air parameters are still significantly associated with respiratory health in Portugal. The country shares the worldwide necessity of standardisation of methods and contextual data to increase the reach of epidemiological studies on household air pollution, allowing a weighted evaluation of interventions and policies focused on reducing the associated respiratory morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Rufo
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, n° 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - I Annesi-Maesano
- Institute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Montpellier and INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - P Carreiro-Martins
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Immunoallergology Service, Dona Estefânia Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central (CHULC), Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - A Moreira
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, n° 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal; Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal; Basic and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A C Sousa
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) and Department of Biology, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal; NuESA-Health and Environment Study Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - M R Pastorinho
- NuESA-Health and Environment Study Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - N Neuparth
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Immunoallergology Service, Dona Estefânia Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central (CHULC), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - L Taborda-Barata
- NuESA-Health and Environment Study Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; UBIAir-Clinical & Experimental Lung Centre, University of Beira Interior, CACB - Clinical Academic Centre of Beiras, Covilhã, Portugal; CICS-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, CACB - Clinical Academic Centre of Beiras, Covilhã, Portugal; Immunoallergology Service, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Cova da Beira, CACB - Clinical Academic Centre of Beiras, Covilhã, Portugal
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Dimitroulopoulou S, Dudzińska MR, Gunnarsen L, Hägerhed L, Maula H, Singh R, Toyinbo O, Haverinen-Shaughnessy U. Indoor air quality guidelines from across the world: An appraisal considering energy saving, health, productivity, and comfort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108127. [PMID: 37544267 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Buildings are constructed and operated to satisfy human needs and improve quality of life. Good indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort are prerequisites for human health and well-being. For their provision, buildings often rely on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which may lead to higher energy consumption. This directly impacts energy efficiency goals and the linked climate change considerations. The balance between energy use, optimum IAQ and thermal comfort calls for scientifically solid and well-established limit values for exposures experienced by building occupants in indoor spaces, including homes, schools, and offices. The present paper aims to appraise limit values for selected indoor pollutants reported in the scientific literature, and to present how they are handled in international and national guidelines and standards. The pollutants include carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde (CH2O), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and radon (Rn). Furthermore, acknowledging the particularly strong impact on energy use from HVAC, ventilation, indoor temperature (T), and relative humidity (RH) are also included, as they relate to both thermal comfort and the possibilities to avoid moisture related problems, such as mould growth and proliferation of house dust mites. Examples of national regulations for these parameters are presented, both in relation to human requirements in buildings and considering aspects related to energy saving. The work is based on the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) guidelines database, which spans across countries and institutions, and aids in taking steps in the direction towards a more uniform guidance for values of indoor parameters. The database is coordinated by the Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) 34, as part of ISIAQ, the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lars Gunnarsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - Linda Hägerhed
- Department of Resource Recovery and Building Technology, The University of Borås, Sweden
| | - Henna Maula
- Engineering and Business, Construction Industry, Built Environment Research Group, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland
| | - Raja Singh
- Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India, ISAC CBEP, New Delhi & Tathatara Foundation, India
| | - Oluyemi Toyinbo
- Civil Engineering Research Unit, The University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Ulla Haverinen-Shaughnessy
- Civil Engineering Research Unit, The University of Oulu, Finland; Indoor Air Program, The University of Tulsa, USA.
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Callway R, Le Gouais A, Bird EL, Chang M, Kidger J. Integrating Health into Local Plans: A Comparative Review of Health Requirements for Urban Development in Seven Local Planning Authorities in England. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4079. [PMID: 36901090 PMCID: PMC10002235 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A local plan is a statutory policy document that supports urban development decisions across a local government area in England. Local plans are reported to need more specific requirements for development proposals regarding wider health determinants to address potential health outcomes and health inequalities. This study reviews the integration of Health in Local Plans of seven local planning authorities through documentary analysis methods. A review framework was formulated based on health and planning literature regarding local plans, health policy and determinants of health and dialogue with a local government partner. The findings identify opportunities to strengthen the consideration of Health in Local Plans, including ensuring that policies are informed by local health priorities and signpost national guidance, strengthening health-related requirements for developers (e.g., indoor air quality, fuel poverty and security of tenure) and improving implementation of requirements for developers (e.g., through adoption of health management plans and community ownership). The study identifies further research needs regarding how policies are interpreted by developers in practice, and on national guidance for Health Impact Assessment. It highlights the benefit of undertaking a comparative review, contrasting local plan policy language and identifying opportunities to share, adapt and strengthen planning requirements regarding health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalie Callway
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, 1–5 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 1NU, UK
| | - Anna Le Gouais
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, 1–5 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 1NU, UK
| | - Emma L. Bird
- Centre for Public Health and Wellbeing, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Michael Chang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Judi Kidger
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, 1–5 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 1NU, UK
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