A systemic review on association between on maternal atmospheric pollution exposure during pregnancy and childhood obesity / 环境与职业医学

Background Maternal atmospheric pollution during pregnancy may alter fetal intrauterine development programming, thereby increasing the risk of childhood obesity in the future. Objective To investigate the effects of atmospheric pollution exposure during pregnancy on the incidence of childhood obesity in offspring. Methods English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Medline) and Chinese databases (Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform) were searched for literature reporting exposure to atmospheric pollution during pregnancy and childhood obesity published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2023. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the quality assessment tools for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies recommended by the US National Institutes of Health. Results Twenty-four studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and the associated atmospheric pollutants included particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxide, carbon oxide, and sulfur oxide. In comparison to the non-exposed group, prenatal exposure to various common atmospheric pollutants were significantly associated with an elevated risk of childhood obesity in offspring. Conclusion Maternal exposure to atmospheric pollution during pregnancy is associated with an elevated risk of childhood obesity in subsequent years. Future studies should pay more attention to the effects of atmospheric pollution on the distribution of children's body fat and metabolic development, and further identify potential mechanisms of atmospheric pollutant exposure leading to childhood obesity.

Pollution characteristics, long-term variation trend, and health risk assessment of lead in ambient PM2.5 in Jinan / 环境与职业医学

Background A number of studies have shown that heavy metals in atmospheric PM2.5 have impacts on human health, while studies on the impact of long-term and low-concentration exposure to lead in PM2.5 on human health are limited. Objective To investigate the pollution characteristics of lead in ambient PM2.5 and assess its chronic health risks. Methods Daily PM2.5 concentration data in Jinan from 2014 to 2019 were collected, and the year-by-year trend of PM2.5 concentration was analyzed. Licheng District (an industrial area) and Shizhong District (a residential area) were elected to install an ambient PM2.5 monitoring stationrespectively. The sampling instrument was a 100 L·min−1 high-flow PM2.5 sampler, with a cumulative sampling time of 20-24 h per day, using a quartz fiber filter membrane for lead detection and a glass fiber filter membrane for PM2.5 determination. The sampling frequency was 7 consecutive days per month from the 10th to the 16th (A total of 493 d were sampled and some were missing; 172 d during the heating period and 321 d during the non-heating period). Two PM2.5 samples were collected in one monitoring site each day. A total of 986 samples were collected in one monitoring site. The lead content in PM2.5 samples was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentration of PM2.5 was measured by weighing method. The annual average concentration and enrichment factor of lead in PM2.5, the change trend of lead content per unit mass of PM2.5, and the difference between heating period and non-heating period from 2014 to 2019 were estimated. Technical guide for environment health risk assessment of chemical exposure (WS/T 777-2021) was used to assess the health risks of exposure to lead in PM2.5. Results The average annual concentration of lead in PM2.5 ranged from 23.2 ng·m−3 to 154.7 ng·m−3. The average concentration in heating period from 2015 to 2019 was higher than that in non-heating period, and the differences in 2015, 2017, and 2019 were statistically significant (P < 0.01 or 0.001). The enrichment factors ranged from 200 to 1342 in 2014 to 2019. The average enrichment factors in heating period in 2015, 2017, and 2018 was higher than those in non-heating period, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05 or 0.001). The lead contents per unit mass of PM2.5 ranged from 493 ng·mg−1 to 1944 ng·mg−1, and the differences between heating period and non-heating period in 2014, 2017, and 2018 were statistically significant (P < 0.05 or 0.001). The average annual concentration and enrichment factor of lead in PM2.5 showed a downward trend, and thus the lead content per unit mass of PM2.5 also decreased. From 2014 to 2019, the carcinogenic risk of lead in PM2.5 in Jinan ranged from 1.69×10−8 to 2.45×10−6, showing a significant downward trend year by year, and the 95th percentile decreased by 3%-46% from the previous year. The carcinogenic risk level of lead was reduced to an acceptable level (<1×10−6) after 2017. Conclusion From 2015 to 2019, lead concentration and enrichment factor in PM2.5 increase during heating period compared with non-heating period, but it is not completely consistent of lead content in PM2.5 per unit mass. From 2014 to 2016, exposure to lead in PM2.5 may elevate carcinogenic risk to human. After 2017, the carcinogenic risks of exposure to lead in PM2.5 are at an acceptable level.

Plumas em escoamento uniforme com estratificação de duas camadas / Plumes in uniform flow with two-layer stratification

RESUMO Plumas ocorrem quando um fluido é descarregado em outro fluido com densidade diferente, como poluentes na atmosfera. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se um estudo experimental em um tanque de água e modelagem matemática usando a abordagem integral com o intuito de investigar o escoamento gerado por plumas salinas em escoamento uniforme e com estratificação de duas camadas. Os resultados indicaram que a altura da camada superior (menos densa) aumentou com a vazão de retirada da camada inferior e diminuiu com o fluxo de empuxo da pluma, corroborando os resultados disponíveis na literatura para sistemas alimentados por fontes pontuais (não uniformes). Após ajuste de parâmetros presentes na teoria clássica para plumas turbulentas, foi possível prever a altura da interface com desvios máximos de ±8% e coeficiente de Nash-Sutcliffe de 0,98. Isso indica que o escoamento uniforme não afetou significativamente a hidrodinâmica das plumas em comparação a estudos anteriores. Por outro lado, diferentemente dos sistemas alimentados por fontes pontuais, as linhas de fluxo obtidas por meio da injeção de corante no escoamento uniforme seguiram padrão de escoamento potencial, com toda a vazão sendo direcionada para a pluma e não havendo, portanto, mistura na interface entre as duas camadas. Dessa forma, partindo do princípio de conservação de massa, foram propostas equações para gerar as linhas de fluxo ao redor das plumas, as quais foram confirmadas com os dados experimentais. Finalmente, foram apresentadas aplicações práticas do modelo proposto em sistemas de ventilação natural em edifícios e descarga de poluentes na atmosfera sob condição de inversão térmica.

ABSTRACT Plumes occur when a fluid is discharged into another fluid with different density, such as pollutants in the atmosphere. In this work, an experimental study was carried out in a water tank and a mathematical modelling using the integral approach was performed to investigate the flow generated by saline plumes in uniform flow with two-layer stratification. The results indicated that the upper layer's height (less dense) increased with the outflow from the lower layer, and decreased with the buoyancy flux of the plume, confirming the results available in the literature for systems supplied by point sources (non-uniform sources). After fitting the parameters of the classical theory for turbulent plumes, it was possible to predict the interface's height with a maximum deviation of ±8%, and a Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of 0.98. This indicates that the uniform flow did not affect significantly the plumes' hydrodynamics compared to previous studies. On the other hand, unlike the systems supplied by point sources, the streamlines obtained through the injection of dye into the uniform flow followed a potential flow pattern, with all the flow being directed to the plume, therefore not mixing at the interface between the two layers. Thus, based on the principle of mass conservation, equations were proposed to generate the streamlines around the plumes, which were validated with the experimental data. Finally, practical applications of the proposed model in natural ventilation in buildings and pollutant discharges in the atmosphere were presented.

Biofiltration of volatile organic compounds of Brazilian gasoline

Gasoline vapors pollute the atmosphere and can be harmful to human and animal health. Tons of particles of this pollutant are expelled to the atmosphere, generating great economic losses to the industries and serious damage to the environment. Biofiltration is an option of simple technology with low costs that can be used for the gasoline vapor treatment. The present study was carried out in two biofilter systems of laboratorial scale. The biofilter system 1 was operated with a total volume of 2.72 L (four columns) and the biofilter 2 with 2.04 L (three columns) of total volume. Both of them were operated in sequence, with airflow of 450 mL entering each one. Results obtained were as follows for the removal efficiency (RE) of different gasoline vapor concentrations in the air: 1.3 g.m-3 during 35 days, RE of 100%; 3 g.m-3 during 52 days, RE of 90%; 4.5 g.m-3 during 48 days, RE of 70-80% and 8g.m-3 during 28 days, RE of 70%.

Estudo da asma em Itaboraí, RJ: prevalência, gravidade e poluição atmosférica / Study of asthma in Itaboraí, RJ: prevalence, severity and air pollution

Introdução: A asma em Itaboraí, RJ tem sido um problema de saúde pública ao longo dos anos, devido as suas altas taxas de internação pela doença. Atualmente, o município está sofrendo a construção do COMPERJ – Complexo Petroquímico do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, que inevitavelmente causará impactos na exposição a poluentes atmosféricos, fator determinante para fisiopatologia da asma. Conhecer a situação dos sintomas de asma nomunicípio possibilita subsídios para gestão pública para a tomada de decisão e implantação de ações em saúde e ambiente.Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência e a gravidade dos sintomas da asma no município de Itaboraí, segundo sexo e escola, analisando a distribuição geográfica dos sintomas e se os estudantes sintomáticos estão concentrados em área com maior potencial de emissão de poluentes atmosféricos no município de Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro;Metodologia: Estudo descritivo da prevalência de asma em adolescentes de 13 a 14 anosno município de Itaboraí/Rio de Janeiro/Brasil. Foram analisados 2116 questionários referentes à aplicação dos questionários ISAAC nas escolas, realizada pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Itaboraí. As escolas foram divididas em 3 clusters de acordo com o número de questionários pela ferramenta Moran Local I do software ARCGIS. Foram analisados os clusters segundo sintomas respiratórios e fontes de emissão de poluentes atmosféricos, a saber: quantidade de indústrias de cerâmica, densidade de vias e densidade de pavimentação, por meio da confecção de mapa multicritério. Resultados: O município de Itaboraí apresentou prevalência de asma de 17,8% e gravidade de 5,7%. Sendo a maior prevalência e gravidade encontradas no cluster 1, onde também há maior quantidade de habitantes e maior concentração de fontes de emissão de poluentes atmosféricos. Conclusão: Conclui-se, a partir deste estudo, que os bairros de Itaboraí (Centro), Outeiro das Pedras, Rio Várzea, Ampliação, Quissamã, Jardim Imperial, Nova Cidade, Areal e Santo Expedito – no distrito de Itaboraí, os bairros de Porto das Caixas e João Caetano –nos distritos de Porto das Caixas e Itambi respectivamente, assim como os bairros de Aldeia da Prata, Apolo II, Vila Brasil, Novo Horizonte, Monte Verde e Santo Antônio – no distrito de Manilha, caracterizam-se como área crítica para o desenvolvimento dos sintomas da asma. Portanto, esta região, que compõe o cluster 1, deve ser a área prioritária no município de Itaboraí para o desenvolvimento das ações de prevenção e controle da asma na cidade.

Introduction: Asthma in Itaboraí / RJ has been a public health problem over the years, due to their high rates of hospitalization for the disease. Currently, the county is undergoing construction COMPERJ - Petrochemical Complex of the State of Rio de Janeiro, which will cause inevitably impacts on exposure to air pollutants, determining factor in the pathophysiology of asthma. Knowing the situation of asthma symptoms in the municipality provides subsidies for public management for decision making and implementation of actions on health and environment. Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of asthma symptoms in Itaboraí by gender and school, analyzing the geographical distribution of symptoms and if the symptomatic students are concentrated in areas with the greatest potential for emission of air pollutants in Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro. Methodology: A descriptive study of the prevalence of asthma in adolescents aged 13 to 14 years in Itaboraí / Rio de Janeiro / Brazil. 2116 questionnaires were analyzed regarding the application of ISAAC questionnaires in schools, conducted by the Municipal Health of Itaboraí. The schools were divided into three clusters according to the number of questionnaires by the tool Moran Local I, ARCGIS ® software. We analyzed the clusters second respiratory symptoms and sources of atmospheric pollutants, namely quantity of ceramic industries, density and density paving roads, by making multicriteria map. Results: The Itaboraí presented asthma prevalence of 17.8% and severity of 5.7%. Being the highest prevalence and severity found in cluster 1, where also there are more people and and higher concentration of emission sources of air pollutants. Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that the neighborhoods Itaboraí (Centro), Outeiro das Pedras, Rio Varzea, Ampliação, Quissamã, Jardim Imperial, Nova Cidade, Areal e Santo Expedito - District Itaborai, neighborhoods Porto das Caixas e João Caetano - in the districts of Porto das Caixas and Itambi respectively, as well as the neighborhoods of Aldeia da Prata, Apolo II, Vila Brasil, Novo Horizonte, Monte Verde e Santo Antonio - in the district of Manilha, characterized as critical area for the development of asthma symptoms. Therefore, this region, which makes up the cluster 1, should be the priority area in Itaboraí for the development of prevention and control of asthma in the city.

Avaliação econômica dos custos da poluição em Cubatão - SP com base nos gastos com saúde relacionados às doenças dos aparelhos respiratório e circulatório / Economic cost of air pollution in Cubatão - SP based on health expenses related to diseases of the respiratory and circulatory systems

O objetivo básico do trabalho foi avaliar os custos econômicos relacionados às doenças dos aparelhos respiratório e circulatório no município de Cubatão (SP). Para tanto, foram utilizados dados de internação e dias de trabalho perdidos com a internação (na faixa dos 14 aos 70 anos de idade), na base de dados do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Resultados: A partir dos dados levantados, calculou-se o valor total de R$ 22,1 milhões gastos no período de 2000 a 2009 devido às doenças dos aparelhos circulatório e respiratório. Parte desses gastos pode estar diretamente relacionada à emissão de poluentes atmosféricos no município. Para se estimar os custos da poluição foram levantados dados de outros dois municípios da Região da Baixada Santista (Guarujá e Peruíbe), com menor atividade industrial em comparação a Cubatão. Verificou-se que, em ambos, as médias de gastos per capita em relação às duas doenças são menores do que em Cubatão, mas que essa diferença vem diminuindo sensivelmente nos últimos anos.

Poluição intra e extradomiciliar: [revisão] / Indoor and outdoor pollution: [review]

Objetivo: Abordar alguns aspectos da poluição do ar e sua influênciasobre a saúde dos indivíduos, dando maior ênfase aos efeitos sobre oaparelho respiratório.Fontes de dados: Artigos originais, revisões e consensos indexadosnos bancos de dados PubMed, Medline e SciELO nos últimos 30 anos,assim como a linha de pesquisa desenvolvida pelos autores no LaboratórioMultidisciplinar da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro para aelaboração de suas Teses de Doutorado.Síntese dos dados: Crescentes evidências demonstram que aexposição a certos poluentes aéreos pode aumentar a resposta a alérgenos,fazendo com que indivíduos com doenças respiratórias (asmae/ou rinite) sejam especialmente susceptíveis ao impacto dos poluentesintra ou extradomiciliares.Comentários: O conhecimento dos mecanismos através dos quaisa poluição agrava os sintomas da rinite e da asma e sua provável relaçãocom o aumento da prevalência dessas doenças é fundamental naimplementação de medidas apropriadas de prevenção.

Objective: To discuss some aspects of the air pollution and theinfluence on the population’s health, giving more emphasis on therespiratory tract effects.Sources: Original articles, reviews and consensus indexed inPubMed, MEDLINE and SciELO databases in the last 30 years. In addition,the results of the research that was developed by the authors in theMultidisciplinary Laboratory of the Federal University of Rio de Janeirofor the development of their PhD thesis.Results: Growing evidences show that the air pollutants exposurecan increase the reaction to allergens, making individuals with respiratorydiseases (asthma and/or rhinitis) more susceptible to the impact ofindoor or outdoor pollution.Comments: Knowledge of the mechanisms through them thepollution get worse the symptoms of rhinitis and asthma and the probablerelation with the increased prevalence of these diseases is fundamentalfor appropriate prevent measures implementation.

Evaluación epidemiológica del impacto de los contaminantes del aire: Propuesta metodológica

La medición del impacto de los contaminantes atmosféricos sobre la salud se realiza a través de funciones exposición-respuestas (FERs), las que permiten estimar la proporción de sujetos afectados en la población. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivos definir criterios metodológicos para la determinación de FERs, resumir el análisis de la aptitud de los estudios epidemiológicos nacionales con este propósito y proponer una serie de FERs basadas en evidencias nacionales y extranjeras para su empleo en evaluaciones de impacto. Se exponen los criterios metodológicos con vista a la formulación de FERs para contaminantes del aire a partir de estudios epidemiológicos mediante la determinación de la pendiente concentración-respuesta, y se asume que las FERs constituyen funciones lineales, sin umbral; se expone la metodología adoptada para evaluar la aptitud de estudios para el establecimiento de FERs. Los resultados muestran que numerosos estudios epidemiológicos nacionales han reportado asociaciones entre contaminantes del aire y morbilidad respiratoria aguda y crónica, aunque solo en tres de ellos han sido expuestas las FERs. Los principales problemas y limitaciones identificados incluyen: predominio de estudios descriptivos, inadecuada evaluación de la exposición por dificultades en el monitoreo de contaminantes o estimadas mediante modelos de dispersión de precisión incierta y evaluación estadística con débil componente epidemiológico (análisis principalmente bivariado, sin control de posibles factores de confusión). Se propone una selección de FERs para mortalidad y morbilidad, dirigida a su empleo preliminar en evaluaciones de impacto en salud, previa fundamentación de su aptitud.

The measurement of the impact of air pollutants on health is carried out through exposure-response functions (ERFs), which allow to estimate the proportion of affected subjects in the population. The aim of the present paper is to define the methodological criteria for the determination of ERFs, to summarize the analysis of the aptitude of national epidemiological studies with this purpose and to propose a series of ERFs based on national and international evidences for their use in impact evaluations. The methodological criteria are explained in order to formulate FERs for air pollutants, starting from epidemiological studies by the determination of the concentration-response slope. It is assumed that FERs are lineal functions without threshold. The methodology adopted to evaluate the aptitude of of the studies for the establishment of FERs is exposed. The results show that several national epidemiological studies have reported associations between air pollutants and acute and chronic respiratory morbidity, eventhough only in three of them ERFs have been exposed. The main problems and limitations identified include: predominance of descriptive studies, inadequate evaluation of the exposure due to difficulties in the monitoring of pollutants, or estimates by dispersion models of uncertain accuracy and statistical evaluation with a weak epidemiological component (a mainly bivariate anlysis without control of possible confounding factors). A selection of ERFs is proposed for mortality and morbidity for its preliminary use in health impact evaluations, previous foundation of its aptitude.