Association between time-weighted individual exposure to ambient pollutants and carotid intima-media thickness / 环境与职业医学

Background Evidence about the association between air pollution and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is inconsistent, and limited studies have explored the relationship between gaseous pollutants and CIMT. Additionally, personal activity patterns and infiltrated ambient pollution are not comprehensively considered to estimate individual exposure to air pollutants. Objective To investigate the relationship between long-term time-weighted individual exposure to ambient pollutants [fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO)] and the progression of CIMT. Methods This study was performed among 554 participants in the Beijing Health Management Cohort who were free of atherosclerotic lesions on carotid artery at baseline. Daily concentrations of pollutants were predicted at both residential and work addresses based on land-use regression model. With additional consideration of personal indoor and outdoor activity patterns at both addresses and exposure to ambient pollutants from traffic transportation, individual time-weighted concentration was calculated. Indoor exposure was estimated by infiltrated ambient pollutants (based on infiltration factors and land-use regression model). Personal activity patterns included type, time, location, and frequency. Exposure to ambient pollutants from different traffic transportations was estimated by the average outdoor pollutant concentrations at both residential and work addresses combined within filtration factors and time spent on commuting. Multiple linear regression was conducted to assess the association of time-weighted individual pollutant exposure and the central position of CIMT progression. Quantile regression was applied to explore the relationship between time-weighted individual pollutant exposure and the progression of CIMT on different percentiles. Results The median value of CIMT progression was 369.49 μm·year−1. PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and O3 were associated with CIMT progression in the multiple linear regression model. The largest effect sizes of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 were obtained for one-year exposure (regression coefficient: 66.910, 64.077, and 191.070, respectively), and two-year exposure for O3 (regression coefficient: 62.197). The results of quantile regression demonstrated different effect sizes for pollutants among different percentiles on CIMT progression. Significant associations between CIMT progression and PM2.5 from P30 to P50, CO from P10 to P40, and PM10 from P30 to P60 were observed. Two-year and three-year exposures to NO2 (P10, P20 and P40) were also associated with CIMT progression. The association between SO2 and the progression of CIMT was proved on all percentiles, and larger effect sizes of one-year and two-year exposures to SO2 (except P90) were demonstrated with increasing percentiles. The upward trend for the coefficients was clearly presented from P50 to P80. Specifically, the coefficient of two-year exposure to SO2 ranged from 136.583 (P50) to 277.330 (P80). No statistically significant association was observed between O3 and CIMT progression on any percentile (P>0.05), and the results were inconsistent with those of the multiple linear regression. Conclusion Individual time-weighted exposures to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO have the potential to promote the progression of CIMT, and the adverse effect of ambient pollution on atherosclerotic lesion is identified.

A review of progress in research of relationship between air pollution and perinatal depression / 环境与职业医学

In recent years, the increasing incidence of perinatal depression has become an important public health problem. In addition to the traditional social demographic factors, biological factors, obstetric factors, etc., the association between air pollution and perinatal depression (PND) has also attracted more and more attention. In this paper, studies on the association between air pollution and PND were reviewed, especially the associations of PND with ambient air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3 as well as indoor air pollutants such as tobacco smoke, and the characteristics and possible biological mechanisms of the influence of different pollutants on PND were summarized. Based on the available studies, various outdoor air pollutants are associated with PND, and some pollutants may exhibit a dose-response relationship with it. As for indoor air pollution, studies only have focused on the impact of tobacco exposure on PND, and as yet, no study has explored the association between other indoor pollutants (e.g. cooking oil smoke and solid fuel) and PND. Current studies indicate that air pollution may act on PND through oxidative stress and neuroendocrine mechanisms, but the exact biological mechanism remains to be further studied. In the future, further studies should be encouraged on the epidemiological associations of other indoor air pollutants with PND and the interactions between other factors and air pollution on PND, and the underlying biological mechanisms, to provide new insights for the prevention of PND from the perspective of environmental health.

Fine Dust and Dementia: Is Ambient Air Pollution Associated with Cognitive Health?

Air pollution is a growing global health concern estimated to contribute to as many as 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year. So it poses the greatest environmental risk to human health. A strong and rapidly expanding body of evidence links ambient air pollution to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions that eventually may also affect cognition in the elderly. Among various ambient air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) has been implicated as a chronic source of neuroinflammation and reactive oxygen species that produce neuropathology resulting in neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative disease. The current review will briefly discuss the clinical features and underlying mechanism of PM induced cognitive dysfunction, more specifically, dementia.

Respiratory Effects of Exposure to High Levels of Particulate Among Malaysian Traffic Police

Abstract@#Introduction: Malaysian traffic police are always working on the public roads to alleviate traffic congestion and therefore exposed them to the polluted air every day. In particular, polluted air containing PM2.5 is dangerous to their respiratory health as they can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to bronchitis, lung cancer and many more. Hence, this research examined the relationship of personal exposure level to PM2.5 with respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. Methods: 134 participants among traffic policemen were agreed to participate in this study. They were requested to complete a questionnaire regarding the sociodemographic background and respiratory health information. The questionnaire was adopted from International Union Against Tuberculosis Lung Diseases (1986). Personal exposure level of PM2.5 was measured using an air pump with 5.0µm pore size PVC filter. Results: The mean exposure level of PM2.5 among traffic policemen was 28.69 µg/m3. It was found that some of them possess respiratory symptoms (Coughing 33.6%, Phlegm 25.4%, Wheezing 14.9% and Shortness of breath 32.1%). There was significant association detected at p-value < 0.05 in coughing. Despite, there was no significant association in other symptoms such as phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath. Conclusions: Traffic police were exposed to a relatively high level of PM2.5 (12.4 µg/m3 to 55.3 µg/m3) and showed symptoms of respiratory effects. Therefore, recognition of the risks connected with occupational lung disease and exposure monitoring must be a high priority. This baseline data can serve as a reference to the top management of traffic police officers in order to develop an occupational safety and health guideline for police officers as required by Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, Act 514 1994).

A review on the research progress related to ambient air pollution and depression / 中华流行病学杂志

It is reported that depression has caused heavy disease burden across the world, with an possible association between ambient air pollution and depressive symptoms. In this paper, we reviewed relative literature in this field and summarized the research events on association between ambient air pollution and depression, both in China and abroad and found that the results of the existed studies were inconsistent, with most studies showing that there existed a positive correlation between the exposure of air pollution and depression, but few studies showing the negative correlation or no correlation between the two.

Deaths attributed to ambient air pollution in China between 2006 and 2016 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To analyze the deaths attributed to ambient air pollution in China between 2006 and 2016. Methods: The data were collected from the project of Global Burden of Disease in 2016 (GBD2016). The Data Integration Model for Air Quality were used to estimate exposure to particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)). The attributable death number was calculated based on the calculation of population attributable fraction (PAF), and the results were compared by gender, diseases and provinces. An average world population age structure was adopted to calculate age-standardized rates. Results: In 2016, a total of 1 075 000 deaths attributed to ambient air pollution occurred in China, accounting for 11.1% of the total deaths, and 57.6% of the deaths attributed to ambient air pollution were due to ischemic heart disease and stroke. The death number among men was 1.7 times higher than that in women, Compared with 2006, the proportion of ambient air pollution related deaths in total deaths decreased by 6.8%; the age- standardized death rate attributed to ambient air pollution decreased by 26.5% and the decrease rate of lower respiratory infections (37.6%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (42.1%) were greater than ischemic heart disease (5.3%). The age-standardized rate of death attributed to ambient air pollution decreased both in men and in women, but the decrease rate was higher in women (34.8%) than that in men (20.4%). The PAFs varied among provinces, it was highest in Tianjin (13.9%), lowest in Tibet (6.1%), and it was relatively higher in Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Henan and the three provinces in the northeast and relatively lower in Hong Kong, Macao, Fujian and Hainan etc.. The age-standardized rate of death attributed to ambient air pollution was highest in Xinjiang (120.1/100 000) and lowest in Hong Kong (30.9/100 000), and it was relatively higher in Qinghai, Guizhou, Henan and relatively lower in Macao, Shanghai and Fujian, etc.. Compared with 2006, the PAFs of 17 provinces decreased, the decrease rate ranged from 4.1% to 16.8%, whereas the PAF of Jilin (5.0%) and Heilongjiang (8.1%) increased, and the PAFs of other 14 provinces showed no significant change. The attributable age-standardized death rate decreased in all provinces with the decrease rate ranging from 11.9% (Heilongjiang) to 43.2% (Fujian), and the decrease rate was relatively higher in Guangdong, Zhejiang and Guizhou, and lower in the three provinces in the northeast, Hubei and Hebei etc. Conclusions: In 2016, the disease burden attributable to PM(2.5) in China was heavy, but mitigated compared with 2006. The gender and area specific distributions of deaths attributed to ambient air pollution were observed.

A review on the research progress related to ambient air pollution and depression / 中华流行病学杂志

It is reported that depression has caused heavy disease burden across the world,with an possible association between ambient air pollution and depressive symptoms.In this paper,we reviewed relative literature in this field and summarized the research events on association between ambient air pollution and depression,both in China and abroad and found that the results of the existed studies were inconsistent,with most studies showing that there existed a positive correlation between the exposure of air pollution and depression,but few studies showing the negative correlation or no correlation between the two.

Deaths attributed to ambient air pollution in China between 2006 and 2016 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To analyze the deaths attributed to ambient air pollution in China between 2006 and 2016.Methods The data were collected from the project of Global Burden of Disease in 2016 (GBD2016).The Data Integration Model for Air Quality were used to estimate exposure to particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5).The attributable death number was calculated based on the calculation of population attributable fraction (PAF),and the results were compared by gender,diseases and provinces.An average world population age structure was adopted to calculate age-standardized rates.Results In 2016,a total of 1 075 000 deaths attributed to ambient air pollution occurred in China,accounting for 11.1％ of the total deaths,and 57.6％ of the deaths attributed to ambient air pollution were due to ischemic heart disease and stroke.The death number among men was 1.7 times higher than that in women,Compared with 2006,the proportion of ambient air pollution related deaths in total deaths decreased by 6.8％;the agestandardized death rate attributed to ambient air pollution decreased by 26.5％ and the decrease rate of lower respiratory infections (37.6％) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (42.1％) were greater than ischemic heart disease (5.3％).The age-standardized rate of death attributed to ambient air pollution decreased both in men and in women,but the decrease rate was higher in women (34.8％) than that in men (20.4％).The PAFs varied among provinces,it was highest in Tianjin (13.9％),lowest in Tibet (6.1％),and it was relatively higher in Beijing,Hebei,Shandong,Henan and the three provinces in the northeast and relatively lower in Hong Kong,Macao,Fujian and Hainan etc..The agestandardized rate of death attributed to ambient air pollution was highest in Xinjiang (120.1/100 000) and lowest in Hong Kong (30.9/100 000),and it was relatively higher in Qinghai,Guizhou,Henan and relatively lower in Macao,Shanghai and Fujian,etc..Compared with 2006,the PAFs of 17 provinces decreased,the decrease rate ranged from 4.1％ to 16.8％,whereas the PAF of Jilin (5.0％) and Heilongjiang (8.1％) increased,and the PAFs of other 14 provinces showed no significant change.The attributable age-standardized death rate decreased in all provinces with the decrease rate ranging from 11.9％ (Heilongjiang) to 43.2％ (Fujian),and the decrease rate was relatively higher in Guangdong,Zhejiang and Guizhou,and lower in the three provinces in the northeast,Hubei and Hebei etc.Conclusions In 2016,the disease burden attributable to PM2.5 in China was heavy,but mitigated compared with 2006.The gender and area specific distributions of deaths attributed to ambient air pollution were observed.

Association between exposure to ambient air pollution and renal function in Korean adults

BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution has a negative effect on many diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Recent studies have reported a relationship between air pollution and renal function, but the results were limited to exposure to particulate matter (PM). This study was to identify associations between various air pollutants and renal function among Korean adults. METHODS: Nationwide survey data for a total of 24,407 adults were analyzed. We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for each individual to assess their renal function and used this to categorize those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To evaluate exposure to ambient air pollution, we used the annual mean concentrations of four ambient air pollutants: PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). RESULTS: We identified significant inverse relationships between the air pollutants PM10 and NO2 and eGFR in all statistical adjustment models (all p  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposures to PM10 and NO2 were significantly associated with decreases in eGFR levels, but not CKD, in Korean adults.

Association between Ambient Air Pollution and Hospital Emergency Admissions for Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing: a Time Series Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between ambient air pollution and hospital emergency admissions in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, a semi-parametric generalized additive model (GAM) was used to evaluate the specific influences of air pollutants (PM10, SO2, and NO2) on hospital emergency admissions with different lag structures from 2009 to 2011, the sex and age specific influences of air pollution and the modifying effect of seasons on air pollution to analyze the possible interaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was found that a 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM10 at lag 03 day, SO2 and NO2 at lag 0 day were associated with an increase of 0.88%, 0.76%, and 1.82% respectively in overall emergency admissions. A 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM10, SO2 and NO2 at lag 5 day were associated with an increase of 1.39%, 1.56%, and 1.18% respectively in cardiovascular disease emergency admissions. For lag 02, a 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM10, SO2 and NO2 were associated with 1.72%, 1.34%, and 2.57% increases respectively in respiratory disease emergency admissions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study further confirmed that short-term exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of hospital emergency admissions in Beijing.</p>

Ambient air pollution and impairment of lung volumes and capacities in young inhabitants of industrial area of Kanpur.

Background: Air pollution is one of the major problem faced in developing countries like India. Chronic exposure to air pollutants can leads to hampered day today activity and increased visit to clinics. The pollutant PM10 (particulate matter size less than 10 μ) especially a risk factor associated with decreased lung functions and lung growth. The effect of particulate pollution on lung functions in young ones is still lacking in India especially in Kanpur, a highly polluted city of U.P., India. Aims and Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of chronic exposure of air pollution on lung functions in subjects of the polluted area of the city. Material and methods: One hundred twenty male subjects, in age group of 18 to 30 years from polluted and non-polluted area of Kanpur, India were participated in the study. Anthropometric data were taken. Pulmonary function test was conducted in standing position. Pollution data of study period was taken from Central pollution control board and compared with the National ambient air quality standard. Statistics: All data presented as mean ± SD and analysed by independent sample t test by using SPSS version 15. Results: The anthropometric data were statistically not significant in two areas. The Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec, Forced Expiratory Flow 25-75% and Peak Expiratory Flow were reduced except the FEV1/FVC ratio which was not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusion: The long term exposure of pollutant PM10 could reduce the lung function. By reducing the pollution level a change in lung function and lung growth could be obtained. Thus every attempt should be made towards lowering air pollution like car pool concept, alternate fuels such as CNG or hybrid technology.

Health impact assessment of ambient air pm2.5 and pm10 of Ulaanbaatar city / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Air pollution is an increasingly serious problem in Mongolia, especially in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan and several other urban areas.The goal:The goal of this study is to determine the relationships between air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and SO2) and meteorological parameters (average temperature, humidity, and wind speed) and respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of all secondary level and tertiary level hospitals of Ulaanbaatar and 8 primary level hospitals. This is a cross sectional study using secondary air quality and hospital morbidity and mortality data.Material and Methods:Sampling unit is a total number morbidity of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases at the selected study hospitals, number of mortality of the selected II and III level hospitals. Data were collected during 1 year and 5 days or 370 days from 1 June 2008 to 5 of June 2009. Hospital morbidity and mortality admission data were obtained from each hospitals statistic department. Daily data of FGPs were collected manually by data collectors in accordance with scheduled date. Emergency data was also been obtained from the City emergency center.Results:The daily concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NO2 had exceeded the MNAAQS mainly in the winter months from November to February. The correlation mainly between respiratory and cardiovascular disease case admissions with meteorological parameters is because the cold winter conditions in Ulaanbaatar result in the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere. Thus, population exposure to air pollution is increase significantly during winter months. Based on recent study result, during winter 1 out of 2 diseases admission case of respiratory system disease caused due to average temperature, relative humidity, NO2, and PM10 and cardiovascular disease also caused due to relative humidity, NO2, and PM10 level. So thus, not only fuel based pollutants but also vehicle related pollutants and meteorological conditions also causing onset of cardiovascular and respiratory system disease. Children under 15 years old are more likely get admitted to the hospital due to respiratory system disease cases whereas cardiovascular disease admission more registered among older age group of people. In addition, residents of ger area are more visited to the FGPs than the residents of apartment area.Conclusions:1. The correlation mainly between respiratory and cardiovascular disease case admissions with meteorological parameters is because the cold winter conditions in Ulaanbaatar result in the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere.2. Population exposure to air pollution is increase significantly during winter months.3. During winter 1 out of 2 diseases of respiratory system disease caused due to average temperature, relative humidity, NO2, and PM10 and cardiovascular disease also caused due to relative humidity, NO2, and PM10 level.