1
|
Saucy A, Ortega N, Tonne C. Residential relocation to assess impact of changes in the living environment on cardio-respiratory health: A narrative literature review with considerations for exposome research. Environ Res 2024; 244:117890. [PMID: 38081343 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Residential relocation studies have become increasingly valuable tools for evaluating the effects of changing living environments on human health, but little is known about their application to multiple aspects of the living environment and the most appropriate methodology. This narrative review explores the utility of residential relocation as a natural experiment for studying the impact of changing urban exposures on cardio-metabolic health in high-income settings. It provides a comprehensive overview of the use of residential relocation studies, evaluates their methodological approaches, and synthesizes findings related to health behaviors and cardio-metabolic outcomes. Our search identified 43 relevant studies published between January 1995 and February 2023, from eight countries, predominantly the USA, Canada, and Australia. The majority of eligible studies were published between 2012 and 2021 and examined changes in various domains of the living environment, such as walkability, the built and social environments, but rarely combinations of exposures. Included studies displayed heterogeneity in design and outcomes, 25 involving only movers and 18 considering both movers and non-movers. To mitigate the issue of residential self-selection bias, most studies employed a "change-in-change" design and adjusted for baseline covariates but only a fraction of them accounted for time-varying confounding. Relocation causes simultaneous changes in various features of the living environment, which presents an opportunity for exposome research to establish causal relationships, using large datasets with increased statistical power and a wide range of health outcomes, behaviors and biomarkers. Residential relocation is not a random process. Thus, studies focusing on living environment characteristics need to carefully select time-varying covariates and reference group. Overall, this review informs future research by guiding choices in study design, data requirements, and statistical methodologies. Ultimately, it contributes to the advancement of the urban exposome field and enhances our understanding of the complex relationship between urban environments and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Saucy
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Natalia Ortega
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Population Health Laboratory (#PopHealthLab), University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Cathryn Tonne
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Warkentin S, de Bont J, Abellan A, Pistillo A, Saucy A, Cirach M, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Khalid S, Basagaña X, Duarte-Salles T, Vrijheid M. Changes in air pollution exposure after residential relocation and body mass index in children and adolescents: A natural experiment study. Environ Pollut 2023; 334:122217. [PMID: 37467916 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution exposure may affect child weight gain, but observational studies provide inconsistent evidence. Residential relocation can be leveraged as a natural experiment by studying changes in health outcomes after a sudden change in exposure within an individual. We aimed to evaluate whether changes in air pollution exposure due to residential relocation are associated with changes in body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents in a natural experiment study. This population-based study included children and adolescents, between 2 and 17 years, who moved during 2011-2018 and were registered in the primary healthcare in Catalonia, Spain (N = 46,644). Outdoor air pollutants (nitrogen dioxides (NO2), particulate matter <10 μm (PM10) and <2.5 μm (PM2.5)) were estimated at residential census tract level before and after relocation; tertile cut-offs were used to define changes in exposure. Routinely measured weight and height were used to calculate age-sex-specific BMI z-scores. A minimum of 180 days after moving was considered to observe zBMI changes according to changes in exposure using linear fixed effects regression. The majority of participants (60-67% depending on the pollutant) moved to areas with similar levels of air pollution, 15-49% to less polluted, and 14-31% to more polluted areas. Moving to areas with more air pollution was associated with zBMI increases for all air pollutants (β NO2 = 0.10(95%CI 0.09; 0.12), β PM2.5 0.06(0.04; 0.07), β PM10 0.08(0.06; 0.10)). Moving to similar air pollution areas was associated with decreases in zBMI for all pollutants. No associations were found for those moving to less polluted areas. Associations with moving to more polluted areas were stronger in preschool- and primary school-ages. Associations did not differ by area deprivation strata. This large, natural experiment study suggests that increases in outdoor air pollution may be associated with child weight gain, supporting ongoing efforts to lower air pollution levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeroen de Bont
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Alicia Abellan
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Pistillo
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Marta Cirach
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Khalid
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK; Centre for Statistics in Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Xavier Basagaña
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Talita Duarte-Salles
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fischer FB, Saucy A, Vienneau D, Hattendorf J, Fanderl J, de Hoogh K, Mäusezahl D. Impacts of weather and air pollution on Legionnaires' disease in Switzerland: A national case-crossover study. Environ Res 2023; 233:116327. [PMID: 37354934 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of reported cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD) has risen markedly in Switzerland (6.5/100,000 inhabitants in 2021) and abroad over the last decade. Legionella, the causative agent of LD, are ubiquitous in the environment. Therefore, environmental changes can affect the incidence of LD, for example by increasing bacterial concentrations in the environment or by facilitating transmission. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to understand the environmental determinants, in particular weather conditions, for the regional and seasonal distribution of LD in Switzerland. METHODS We conducted a series of analyses based on the Swiss LD notification data from 2017 to 2021. First, we used a descriptive and hotspot analysis to map LD cases and identify regional clusters. Second, we applied an ecological model to identify environmental determinants on case frequency at the district level. Third, we applied a case-crossover design using distributed lag non-linear models to identify short-term associations between seven weather variables and LD occurrence. Lastly, we performed a sensitivity analysis for the case-crossover design including NO2 levels available for the year 2019. RESULTS Canton Ticino in southern Switzerland was identified as a hotspot in the cluster analysis, with a standardised notification rate of 14.3 cases/100,000 inhabitants (CI: 12.6, 16.0). The strongest association with LD frequency in the ecological model was found for large-scale factors such as weather and air pollution. The case-crossover study confirmed the strong association of elevated daily mean temperature (OR 2.83; CI: 1.70, 4.70) and mean daily vapour pressure (OR: 1.52, CI: 1.15, 2.01) 6-14 days before LD occurrence. DISCUSSION Our analyses showed an influence of weather with a specific temporal pattern before the onset of LD, which may provide insights into the effect mechanism. The relationship between air pollution and LD and the interplay with weather should be further investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne B Fischer
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Fanderl
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Mäusezahl
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ragettli MS, Saucy A, Flückiger B, Vienneau D, de Hoogh K, Vicedo-Cabrera AM, Schindler C, Röösli M. Explorative Assessment of the Temperature-Mortality Association to Support Health-Based Heat-Warning Thresholds: A National Case-Crossover Study in Switzerland. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4958. [PMID: 36981871 PMCID: PMC10049426 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Defining health-based thresholds for effective heat warnings is crucial for climate change adaptation strategies. Translating the non-linear function between heat and health effects into an effective threshold for heat warnings to protect the population is a challenge. We present a systematic analysis of heat indicators in relation to mortality. We applied distributed lag non-linear models in an individual-level case-crossover design to assess the effects of heat on mortality in Switzerland during the warm season from 2003 to 2016 for three temperature metrics (daily mean, maximum, and minimum temperature), and various threshold temperatures and heatwave definitions. Individual death records with information on residential address from the Swiss National Cohort were linked to high-resolution temperature estimates from 100 m resolution maps. Moderate (90th percentile) to extreme thresholds (99.5th percentile) of the three temperature metrics implied a significant increase in mortality (5 to 38%) in respect of the median warm-season temperature. Effects of the threshold temperatures on mortality were similar across the seven major regions in Switzerland. Heatwave duration did not modify the effect when considering delayed effects up to 7 days. This nationally representative study, accounting for small-scale exposure variability, suggests that the national heat-warning system should focus on heatwave intensity rather than duration. While a different heat-warning indicator may be appropriate in other countries, our evaluation framework is transferable to any country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina S. Ragettli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Benjamin Flückiger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ana M. Vicedo-Cabrera
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research (OCCR), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Saucy A, Gehring U, Olmos S, Delpierre C, de Bont J, Gruzieva O, de Hoogh K, Huss A, Ljungman P, Melén E, Persson Å, Pieterson I, Tewis M, Yu Z, Vermeulen R, Vlaanderen J, Tonne C. Effect of residential relocation on environmental exposures in European cohorts: An exposome-wide approach. Environ Int 2023; 173:107849. [PMID: 36889121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Residential relocation is increasingly used as a natural experiment in epidemiological studies to assess the health impact of changes in environmental exposures. Since the likelihood of relocation can be influenced by individual characteristics that also influence health, studies may be biased if the predictors of relocation are not appropriately accounted for. Using data from Swedish and Dutch adults (SDPP, AMIGO), and birth cohorts (BAMSE, PIAMA), we investigated factors associated with relocation and changes in multiple environmental exposures across life stages. We used logistic regression to identify baseline predictors of moving, including sociodemographic and household characteristics, health behaviors and health. We identified exposure clusters reflecting three domains of the urban exposome (air pollution, grey surface, and socioeconomic deprivation) and conducted multinomial logistic regression to identify predictors of exposome trajectories among movers. On average, 7 % of the participants relocated each year. Before relocating, movers were consistently exposed to higher levels of air pollution than non-movers. Predictors of moving differed between the adult and birth cohorts, highlighting the importance of life stages. In the adult cohorts, moving was associated with younger age, smoking, and lower education and was independent of cardio-respiratory health indicators (hypertension, BMI, asthma, COPD). Contrary to adult cohorts, higher parental education and household socioeconomic position were associated with a higher probability of relocation in birth cohorts, alongside being the first child and living in a multi-unit dwelling. Among movers in all cohorts, those with a higher socioeconomic position at baseline were more likely to move towards healthier levels of the urban exposome. We provide new insights into predictors of relocation and subsequent changes in multiple aspects of the urban exposome in four cohorts covering different life stages in Sweden and the Netherlands. These results inform strategies to limit bias due to residential self-selection in epidemiological studies using relocation as a natural experiment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Saucy
- Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sergio Olmos
- Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cyrille Delpierre
- Centre for Epidemiology and Research in POPulation Health (CERPOP) UMR1295, Inserm, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jeroen de Bont
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olena Gruzieva
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Petter Ljungman
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Danderyd Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Melén
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Persson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Inka Pieterson
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan Tewis
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zhebin Yu
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle Vlaanderen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cathryn Tonne
- Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tangermann L, Vienneau D, Saucy A, Hattendorf J, Schäffer B, Wunderli JM, Röösli M. The association of road traffic noise with cognition in adolescents: A cohort study in Switzerland. Environ Res 2023; 218:115031. [PMID: 36502901 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental noise exposure has been shown to affect children's cognition, but the concept of cognition is multifaceted, and studies on associations with noise are still inconclusive and fragmented. We studied cognitive change within one year in 882 adolescents aged 10-17 years in response to road traffic noise exposure. Participants filled in a comprehensive questionnaire and underwent cognitive testing twice at an interval of one year. Figural and verbal memory was measured with the Intelligenz-Struktur-Test (IST), and concentration accuracy and constancy were measured with FAKT-II and d2 test. Exposure to noise and other environmental stressors were modelled for school and home location at baseline. Missing data was addressed with multiple imputation. Cross-sectional multilevel analyses and longitudinal change score analyses were performed. In cross-sectional analyses, figural memory was significantly reduced by -0.27 (95%CI -0.49,-0.04) units per 10 dB road traffic noise increase at home (Lden). Longitudinal analyses showed a significant reduction of concentration constancy Z-scores between baseline and follow-up by -0.13 (95%CI -0.25, 0.00) per 10 dB road traffic noise at home (Lden). Our study indicates that road traffic noise at home reduces cognitive performance in adolescents. Larger cohorts with longer follow-up time are needed to confirm these results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Tangermann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader, 88, ES-08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schäffer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jean Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Arowosegbe OO, Röösli M, Künzli N, Saucy A, Adebayo-Ojo TC, Schwartz J, Kebalepile M, Jeebhay MF, Dalvie MA, de Hoogh K. Ensemble averaging using remote sensing data to model spatiotemporal PM 10 concentrations in sparsely monitored South Africa. Environ Pollut 2022; 310:119883. [PMID: 35932898 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is a paucity of air quality data in sub-Saharan African countries to inform science driven air quality management and epidemiological studies. We investigated the use of available remote-sensing aerosol optical depth (AOD) data to develop spatially and temporally resolved models to predict daily particulate matter (PM10) concentrations across four provinces of South Africa (Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape) for the year 2016 in a two-staged approach. In stage 1, a Random Forest (RF) model was used to impute Multiangle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction AOD data for days where it was missing. In stage 2, the machine learner algorithms RF, Gradient Boosting and Support Vector Regression were used to model the relationship between ground-monitored PM10 data, AOD and other spatial and temporal predictors. These were subsequently combined in an ensemble model to predict daily PM10 concentrations at 1 km × 1 km spatial resolution across the four provinces. An out-of-bag R2 of 0.96 was achieved for the first stage model. The stage 2 cross-validated (CV) ensemble model captured 0.84 variability in ground-monitored PM10 with a spatial CV R2 of 0.48 and temporal CV R2 of 0.80. The stage 2 model indicated an optimal performance of the daily predictions when aggregated to monthly and annual means. Our results suggest that a combination of remote sensing data, chemical transport model estimates and other spatiotemporal predictors has the potential to improve air quality exposure data in South Africa's major industrial provinces. In particular, the use of a combined ensemble approach was found to be useful for this area with limited availability of air pollution ground monitoring data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nino Künzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Temitope C Adebayo-Ojo
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Moses Kebalepile
- Department for Education Innovation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mohamed Fareed Jeebhay
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tangermann L, Vienneau D, Hattendorf J, Saucy A, Künzli N, Schäffer B, Wunderli JM, Röösli M. The association of road traffic noise with problem behaviour in adolescents: A cohort study. Environ Res 2022; 207:112645. [PMID: 34979122 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The findings of environmental noise exposure and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents are inconclusive, and longitudinal studies are scarce. We studied the response of behaviour and behavioural change within one year in a cohort of 886 adolescents in Switzerland aged 10-17 years in response to road traffic noise exposure. Participants filled in a comprehensive questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. It included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which measures self-rated positive and negative behaviours in five scales. We modelled road traffic noise for participants' most exposed facade at home and school addresses in various metrics (Lden, Lnight, Lday, Intermittency Ratio and Number of events). We addressed missing data with multiple imputation and performed mixed linear cross-sectional analyses and longitudinal change score analyses. In cross-sectional analyses, peer relationship problems increased by 0.15 units (95%CI: 0.02, 0.27; scale range: 0-10) per 10 dB road traffic noise increase. In longitudinal analyses, increases in SDQ scales between baseline and follow-up were not related to noise exposure. This study suggests subtle associations between road traffic noise exposure and behaviour problems in adolescents, but longer follow-up times may be needed to observe longitudinal changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Tangermann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader, 88, ES-08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nino Künzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schäffer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jean Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vienneau D, Saucy A, Schäffer B, Flückiger B, Tangermann L, Stafoggia M, Wunderli JM, Röösli M. Transportation noise exposure and cardiovascular mortality: 15-years of follow-up in a nationwide prospective cohort in Switzerland. Environ Int 2022; 158:106974. [PMID: 34775186 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been associated with transportation noise. This nationwide cohort, with state-of-the-art exposure assessment, evaluates these associations by noise source. METHODS Road traffic, railway and aircraft noise for 2001 and 2011 were linked to 4.1 million adults in the Swiss National Cohort, accounting for address history. Mean noise exposure in 5-year periods was calculated. Time-varying Cox regression models, with age as timescale, were applied to all and cause-specific cardiovascular causes of death. Models included all three noise sources plus PM2.5, adjusted for individual and spatial covariates. Nighttime noise events for all sources combined (expressed as intermittency ratio or number of events) were considered in sensitivity analyses. Absolute excess risk was calculated by multiplying deaths/100,000 person-years by the excess risk (hazard ratio-1) within each age/sex group. RESULTS During a 15-year follow-up, there were 277,506 CVD and 34,200 myocardial infarction (MI) deaths. Associations (hazard ratio; 95%-CIs) for road traffic, railway and aircraft noise and CVD mortality were 1.029 (1.024-1.034), 1.013 (1.010-1.017), and 1.003 (0.996-1.010) per 10 dB Lden, respectively. Associations for MI mortality were a respective 1.043 (1.029-1.058), 1.020 (1.010-1.030) and 1.040 (1.020-1.060) per 10 dB Lden. Blood pressure-related, ischemic heart disease, and all stroke mortality were significantly associated with road traffic and railway noise, while ischemic stroke mortality was associated with aircraft noise. Associations were mostly linear, often starting below 40 dB Lden for road traffic and railway noise. Higher levels of noise intermittency were also independently associated with each outcome. While the absolute number of deaths attributed to noise increased with age, the hazard ratios declined with age. Relative and absolute risk was higher in males compared to females. CONCLUSION Independent of air pollution, transportation noise exposure is associated with all and cause-specific CVD mortality, with effects starting below current guideline limits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beat Schäffer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Acoustics/Noise Control, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Flückiger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Louise Tangermann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Stafoggia
- Department of Epidemiology (DEP) Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | - Jean Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Acoustics/Noise Control, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bagula H, Olaniyan T, de Hoogh K, Saucy A, Parker B, Leaner J, Röösli M, Dalvie MA. Ambient Air Pollution and Cardiorespiratory Outcomes amongst Adults Residing in Four Informal Settlements in the Western Province of South Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182413306. [PMID: 34948913 PMCID: PMC8707011 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the relationship between ambient air pollution and cardiorespiratory outcomes in Africa. A cross-sectional study comprising of 572 adults from four informal settlements in the Western Cape, South Africa was conducted. Participants completed a questionnaire adapted from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey questionnaire. Exposure estimates were previously modelled using Land-Use Regression for Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at participants' homes. The median age of the participants was 40.7 years, and 88.5% were female. The median annual NO2 level was 19.7 µg/m3 (interquartile range [IQR: 9.6-23.7]) and the median annual PM2.5 level was 9.7 µg/m3 (IQR: 7.3-12.4). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between outcome variables and air pollutants. An interquartile range increase of 5.12 µg/m3 in PM2.5 was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of self-reported chest-pain, [Odds ratio: 1.38 (95% CI: 1.06-1.80)], adjusting for NO2, and other covariates. The study found preliminary circumstantial evidence of an association between annual ambient PM2.5 exposure and self-reported chest-pain (a crude proxy of angina-related pain), even at levels below the South African National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Herman Bagula
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (H.B.); (T.O.)
| | - Toyib Olaniyan
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (H.B.); (T.O.)
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (K.d.H.); (A.S.); (M.R.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (K.d.H.); (A.S.); (M.R.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bhawoodien Parker
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning, Western Cape Government, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (B.P.); (J.L.)
| | - Joy Leaner
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning, Western Cape Government, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (B.P.); (J.L.)
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (K.d.H.); (A.S.); (M.R.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (H.B.); (T.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-827863781
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Saucy A, de Hoogh K, Vienneau D, Tangermann L, Schäffer B, Wunderli JM, Probst-Hensch N, Röösli M. Mutual effects of fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and fireworks on cause-specific acute cardiovascular mortality: A case-crossover study in communities affected by aircraft noise. Environ Pollut 2021; 291:118066. [PMID: 34536646 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution is the leading cause of environmental mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the individual contributions to acute mortality of traffic-related air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are still debated. We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study for a population located around Zurich airport in Switzerland, including 24,886 adult cardiovascular deaths from the Swiss National Cohort. We estimated the risk of cause-specific cardiovascular mortality associated with daily NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations at home using distributed lag models up to 7 days preceding death, adjusted for daily temperature, precipitation, acute night-time aircraft noise, firework celebrations, and holidays. Cardiovascular mortality was associated with NO2, whereas the association with PM2.5 disappeared upon adjustment for NO2. The strongest association was observed between NO2 and ischemic stroke mortality (odds ratio = 1.55 per 10 μg/m3, 95% confidence intervals = 1.20-2.00). Cause-specific mortality analyses showed differences in terms of delayed effect: odds ratios were highest at 1-3 days after exposure for most outcomes but at lags of 3-5 days for heart failure. Individual vulnerabilities to NO2 associated cardiovascular mortality also varied by cause of death, possibly highlighting the role of different behaviours and risk factors in the most susceptible groups. The risk of cardiovascular mortality was also increased on firework days and after public holidays, independent from NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations. This study confirms the association between ambient NO2, as a marker for primary emissions, and acute cardiovascular mortality in a specific setting around a major airport. Future research should clarify the role of additional air pollutants including ultra-fine particles on cardiovascular diseases to inform most efficient control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Louise Tangermann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schäffer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Probst-Hensch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Saucy A, Ragettli MS, Vienneau D, de Hoogh K, Tangermann L, Schäffer B, Wunderli JM, Probst-Hensch N, Röösli M. The role of extreme temperature in cause-specific acute cardiovascular mortality in Switzerland: A case-crossover study. Sci Total Environ 2021; 790:147958. [PMID: 34098271 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Since the 2003 heatwave in Europe, evidence has been rapidly increasing on the association between extreme temperature and all-cause mortality. Little is known, however, about cause-specific cardiovascular mortality, effect modification by air pollution and aircraft noise, and which population groups are the most vulnerable to extreme temperature. We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study in Zurich, Switzerland, including all adult cardiovascular deaths between 2000 and 2015 with precise individual exposure estimates at home location. We estimated the risk of 24,884 cardiovascular deaths associated with heat and cold using distributed non-linear lag models. We investigated potential effect modification of temperature-related mortality by fine particles, nitrogen dioxide, and night-time aircraft noise and performed stratified analyses across individual and social characteristics. We found increased risk of mortality for heat (odds ratio OR = 1.28 [95% confidence interval: 1.11-1.49] for 99th percentile of daily Tmean (24 °C) versus optimum temperature at 20 °C) and cold (OR = 1.15 [0.95-1.39], 5th percentile of daily Tmean (-3 °C) versus optimum temperature at 20 °C). Heat-related mortality was particularly strong for myocardial infarctions and hypertension related deaths, and among older women (>75 years). Analysis of effect modification also indicated that older women with lower socio-economic position and education are at higher risk for heat-related mortality. PM2.5 increased the risk of heat-related mortality for heart failure, but not all-cause cardiovascular mortality. This study provides useful information for preventing cause-specific cardiovascular temperature-related mortality in moderate climate zones comparable to Switzerland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martina S Ragettli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Louise Tangermann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schäffer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Probst-Hensch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (SwissTPH), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Saucy A, Schäffer B, Tangermann L, Vienneau D, Wunderli JM, Röösli M. Does night-time aircraft noise trigger mortality? A case-crossover study on 24 886 cardiovascular deaths. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:835-843. [PMID: 33245107 PMCID: PMC7897463 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims It is unclear whether night-time noise events, including from aeroplanes, could trigger a cardiovascular death. In this study, we investigate the potential acute effects of aircraft noise on mortality and the specific role of different night-time exposure windows by means of a case-crossover study design. Methods and results We selected 24 886 cases of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) from the Swiss National Cohort around Zürich Airport between 2000 and 2015. For night-time deaths, exposure levels 2 h preceding death were significantly associated with mortality for all causes of CVD [OR = 1.44 (1.03–2.04) for the highest exposure group (LAeq > 50 dB vs. <20 dB)]. Most consistent associations were observed for ischaemic heart diseases, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and arrhythmia. Association were more pronounced for females (P = 0.02) and for people living in areas with low road and railway background noise (P = 0.01) and in buildings constructed before 1970 (P = 0.36). We calculated a population attributable fraction of 3% in our study population. Conclusion Our findings suggest that night-time aircraft noise can trigger acute cardiovascular mortality. The association was similar to that previously observed for long-term aircraft noise exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apolline Saucy
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4002, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schäffer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Louise Tangermann
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4002, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4002, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4002, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fischer FB, Saucy A, Schmutz C, Mäusezahl D. Do changes in STEC diagnostics mislead interpretation of disease surveillance data in Switzerland? Time trends in positivity, 2007 to 2016. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 25. [PMID: 32820716 PMCID: PMC7441602 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.33.1900584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BackgroundLaboratory-confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been notifiable to the National Notification System for Infectious Diseases in Switzerland since 1999. Since 2015, a large increase in case numbers has been observed. Around the same time, syndromic multiplex PCR started to replace other diagnostic methods in standard laboratory practice for gastrointestinal pathogen testing, suggesting that the increase in notified cases is due to a change in test practices and numbers.AimThis study examined the impact of changes in diagnostic methods, in particular the introduction of multiplex PCR panels, on routine STEC surveillance data in Switzerland.MethodsWe analysed routine laboratory data from 11 laboratories, which reported 61.9% of all STEC cases from 2007 to 2016 to calculate the positivity, i.e. the rate of the number of positive STEC tests divided by the total number of tests performed.ResultsThe introduction of multiplex PCR had a strong impact on STEC test frequency and identified cases, with the number of tests performed increasing sevenfold from 2007 to 2016. Still, age- and sex-standardised positivity increased from 0.8% in 2007 to 1.7% in 2016.ConclusionIncreasing positivity suggests that the increase in case notifications cannot be attributed to an increase in test numbers alone. Therefore, we cannot exclude a real epidemiological trend for the observed increase. Modernising the notification system to address current gaps in information availability, e.g. diagnostic methods, and improved triangulation of clinical presentation, diagnostic and serotype information are needed to deal with emerging disease and technological advances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Beatrice Fischer
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Schmutz
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Mäusezahl
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Olaniyan T, Jeebhay M, Röösli M, Naidoo RN, Künzli N, de Hoogh K, Saucy A, Badpa M, Baatjies R, Parker B, Leaner J, Dalvie MA. The association between ambient NO 2 and PM 2.5 with the respiratory health of school children residing in informal settlements: A prospective cohort study. Environ Res 2020; 186:109606. [PMID: 32371276 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No previous epidemiological study has investigated the combined association of long-term ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter of diameter size-2.5 (PM2.5) exposure with asthma outcomes among schoolchildren in Africa. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the independent and co-pollutant association of long-term exposures to ambient air pollutants on asthma-associated outcomes in a cohort of schoolchildren in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. METHODS A total of 590 grade-4 schoolchildren residing in four informal settlements were studied. Spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric-oxide (FeNO) measurements were conducted, including a standardized questionnaire administered to caregivers at baseline and 12-months follow-up. Annual NO2 and PM2.5 levels were estimated for each child's home using land-use regression modelling. Single- and two-pollutant models were constructed to assess the independent and co-pollutant association of both air pollutants (NO2 and PM2.5) on new cases of asthma-associated outcomes adjusting-for host characteristics, indoor exposures and study area. RESULTS The annual average concentration of PM2.5 and NO2 were 10.01μg/m3 and 16.62μg/m3 respectively, across the four study areas, and were below the local Standards of 20μg/m3 and 40μg/m3, for both pollutants, respectively. In the two-pollutant-adjusted models, an interquartile range (IQR) increase of 14.2μg/m3 in NO2 was associated with an increased risk of new onset of ocular-nasal symptoms (adjusted odds ratio-aOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01-2.60), wheezing (aOR: 3.57, 95% CI: 1.18-10.92), more than two or more asthma symptom score (aOR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02-2.86), and airway inflammation defined as FeNO > 35 ppb (aOR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.10-8.71), independent of PM2.5 exposures. CONCLUSION This study provided evidence that ambient NO2 levels below local standards and international guidelines, independent of PM2.5 exposure, increases new cases of asthma-associated outcomes after 12-months.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toyib Olaniyan
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Mohamed Jeebhay
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Nino Künzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Mahnaz Badpa
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Roslynn Baatjies
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa.
| | - Bhawoodien Parker
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Joy Leaner
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Developmental Planning, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
de Hoogh K, Saucy A, Shtein A, Schwartz J, West EA, Strassmann A, Puhan M, Röösli M, Stafoggia M, Kloog I. Predicting Fine-Scale Daily NO 2 for 2005-2016 Incorporating OMI Satellite Data Across Switzerland. Environ Sci Technol 2019; 53:10279-10287. [PMID: 31415154 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) remains an important traffic-related pollutant associated with both short- and long-term health effects. We aim to model daily average NO2 concentrations in Switzerland in a multistage framework with mixed-effect and random forest models to respectively downscale satellite measurements and incorporate local sources. Spatial and temporal predictor variables include data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument, Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, land use, and meteorological variables. We derived robust models explaining ∼58% (R2 range, 0.56-0.64) of the variation in measured NO2 concentrations using mixed-effect models at a 1 × 1 km resolution. The random forest models explained ∼73% (R2 range, 0.70-0.75) of the overall variation in the residuals at a 100 × 100 m resolution. This is one of the first studies showing the potential of using earth observation data to develop robust models with fine-scale spatial (100 × 100 m) and temporal (daily) variation of NO2 across Switzerland from 2005 to 2016. The novelty of this study is in demonstrating that methods originally developed for particulate matter can also successfully be applied to NO2. The predicted NO2 concentrations will be made available to facilitate health research in Switzerland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute , 4002 Basel , Switzerland
- University of Basel , 4001 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute , 4002 Basel , Switzerland
- University of Basel , 4001 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Shtein
- Department of Geography and Environmental Development , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 8410501 , Israel
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health , Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02115 , United States
| | - Erin A West
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich , 8001 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Strassmann
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich , 8001 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Milo Puhan
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich , 8001 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute , 4002 Basel , Switzerland
- University of Basel , 4001 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Massimo Stafoggia
- Department of Epidemiology , Lazio Regional Health Service , 00147 Rome , Italy
| | - Itai Kloog
- Department of Geography and Environmental Development , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 8410501 , Israel
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sieber C, Ragettli MS, Brink M, Olaniyan T, Baatjies R, Saucy A, Vienneau D, Probst-Hensch N, Dalvie MA, Röösli M. Comparison of sensitivity and annoyance to road traffic and community noise between a South African and a Swiss population sample. Environ Pollut 2018; 241:1056-1062. [PMID: 30029313 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In developing countries, noise annoyance and noise sensitivity are not commonly investigated. The present study aimed to assess the annoyance and sensitivity to noise in 364 adults living in informal settings in the Western Cape Province, South Africa and to compare with a similar study conducted in Switzerland. Compared to Switzerland, higher percentages of highly noise sensitive individuals (women: 35.1% vs 26.9%; men: 25% vs 20.5%) and people highly annoyed to road traffic noise (women: 20.5% vs 12.4%; men: 17.9% vs 11.1%) were observed in South Africa. While in South Africa women were more annoyed to neighborhood noise than in Switzerland (21.1% vs 9.4%), this was not the case among men (7.1% vs 7.8%). Multivariable logistic regression models showed that in both countries men tended to be less sensitive and less annoyed by noise. Corresponding associations with age and education were somewhat different between the countries, which may be explained by socioeconomic and environmental differences. This study indicates that noise exposure considerably affects people living in informal settlements, and noise should be considered when improving the housing conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Sieber
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Martina S Ragettli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Mark Brink
- Federal Office for the Environment, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Toyib Olaniyan
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Roslyn Baatjies
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Probst-Hensch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sieber C, Ragettli MS, Brink M, Toyib O, Baatjies R, Saucy A, Probst-Hensch N, Dalvie MA, Röösli M. Land Use Regression Modeling of Outdoor Noise Exposure in Informal Settlements in Western Cape, South Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:ijerph14101262. [PMID: 29053590 PMCID: PMC5664763 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In low- and middle-income countries, noise exposure and its negative health effects have been little explored. The present study aimed to assess the noise exposure situation in adults living in informal settings in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. We conducted continuous one-week outdoor noise measurements at 134 homes in four different areas. These data were used to develop a land use regression (LUR) model to predict A-weighted day-evening-night equivalent sound levels (Lden) from geographic information system (GIS) variables. Mean noise exposure during day (6:00–18:00) was 60.0 A-weighted decibels (dB(A)) (interquartile range 56.9–62.9 dB(A)), during night (22:00–6:00) 52.9 dB(A) (49.3–55.8 dB(A)) and average Lden was 63.0 dB(A) (60.1–66.5 dB(A)). Main predictors of the LUR model were related to road traffic and household density. Model performance was low (adjusted R2 = 0.130) suggesting that other influences than those represented in the geographic predictors are relevant for noise exposure. This is one of the few studies on the noise exposure situation in low- and middle-income countries. It demonstrates that noise exposure levels are high in these settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Sieber
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland.
| | - Martina S Ragettli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland.
| | - Mark Brink
- Federal Office for the Environment, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Olaniyan Toyib
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Roslyn Baatjies
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland.
| | - Nicole Probst-Hensch
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland.
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4002, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|