AIR POLLUTION AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN THE TOKYO-YOKOHAMA AREA.

Background The main objective of the present cross-sectional cohort study was to determine whether there is an association between cardiac autonomic regulation, as expressed through heart rate variability (HRV), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and over the long-term living in areas with low or high air pollution. Methods The study sample included 1036 (487 females) healthy runners (603) and inactive participants (age 18–65 years) who had lived for at least 5 years in an area with high (Moravian-Silesian; MS) or low (South Bohemian; SB) air pollution in the Czech Republic. A multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between multiple independent variables (CRF (peak oxygen consumption), VAT, sex, socioeconomic status (education level), and region (MS region vs. SB region) with dependent variable HRV. The root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) was employed for the evaluation of HRV. Results The multivariable linear regression model revealed that cardiac autonomic regulation (rMSSD) was significantly associated with CRF level (p < .001) and age (p < .001). There were no associations between rMSSD and region (high or low air-pollution), sex, education level or VAT (p > 0.050). Conclusions We showed that living in an area with low or high air pollution is not associated with cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy runners and inactive individuals. CRF and age significantly directly and inversely, respectively, associated with HRV. There were no other significant associations.

Polymorphisms at the glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1 locus were associated with asthma-related phenotypes and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. This study investigated whether GSTP1 genotypes and outdoor air pollution were interactive risk factors on childhood asthma. Four hundred and thirty-six subjects were recruited for oral mucosa samplings from 2853 fourth- to ninth-grade schoolchildren from three districts with different air pollution levels in southern Taiwan. PCR-based assays were performed by oral mucosa DNA to determine GSTP1 genotypes. We also conducted a nested case-control study comprising 61 asthmatic children and 95 controls confirmed by International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire results and methacholine challenge test. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounding factors. All participants were homozygous at the Ala-114 locus. Although only a marginally significant association existed between the frequency of homozygosity at the Ile-105 locus and asthma when air pollution was not considered, we found a significant gene-environmental interaction between GSTP1-105 alleles and air pollution after adjusting for confounders (P=0.035). Specifically, we found that compared with participants carrying any Val-105 allele in low air pollution, those who are Ile-105 homozygotes in high air pollution district had a significantly increased risk of asthma (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=5.52, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.64-21.25). Compared with participants carrying any Val-105 allele, in high air pollution district, children with Ile-105 homozygotes had a significantly increased risk of asthma (AOR=3.79, 95% CI=1.01-17.08), but those who carried two Ile-105 alleles in low or moderate air pollution districts did not show similar tendencies. The risk of asthma also revealed a clear dose-response relationship with outdoor air pollution in children with Ile-105 homozygotes. Our result suggests a gene-environmental interaction between GSTP1-105 genotypes and outdoor air pollution on childhood asthma.

Objectives To explore differences in pulmonary functions, respiratory symptoms and related factors among public commercial drivers between periods of high and low air pollution. Methods This cross-sectional analytical study comparing the same individuals during periods of high and low air pollution was conducted using spirometry and a self-administered questionnaire which included respiratory symptoms, personal factors, work-related factors and personal personal health data. Air pollution data were collected from reports of the Pollution Control Department. The statistic tests used were the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar’s test. Results Among the 49 subjects included in both periods (with one outlier removed), differences were found in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) between periods of high and low air pollution (p = 0.030 and 0.042, respectively). Closing windows, wearing more respiratory protection, having no extra work and reducing exposure to second-hand smoke showed differences in FEV1 between the high and low air pollution periods (p = 0.013, 0.003, 0.049, and 0.034, respectively). Among the 22 subjects who had abnormal pulmonary function during the high air pollution period, the respiratory function of 10 individuals improved during the period of low air pollution. Respiratory symptoms which differed between the periods of high and low air pollution were night coughing and morning phlegm (p = 0.034 and 0.021, respectively). These results might have been affected by the COVID-19 situation which resulted in reduced working hours and hence less exposure time. Conclusions Air pollution is associated with lung function and respiratory symptoms. Abnormal pulmonary function which occurs during periods of high air pollution can improve as the level of air pollution declines. Policies and education campaigns, e.g., closing windows while driving, wearing respiratory protection and avoiding second-hand smoke, can help reduce the impact of air pollution. Chiang Mai Medical Journal 2021;60(1):27-40. doi 10.12982/CMUMEDJ.2021.03

GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE P1 GENE POLYMORPHISM AND AIR POLLUTION AS INTERACTIVE RISK FACTORS FOR CHILDHOOD ASTHMA

Emerging studies have associated low greenspace and high air pollution exposure with risk of child attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Population-based studies are limited, however, and joint effects are rarely evaluated. We investigated associations of ADHD incidence with greenspace, air pollution, and noise in a population-based birth cohort. We assembled a cohort from administrative data of births from 2000 to 2001 (N∼37,000) in Metro Vancouver, Canada. ADHD was identified by hospital records, physician visits, and prescriptions. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess associations between environmental exposures and ADHD incidence adjusting for available covariates. Greenspace was estimated using vegetation percentage derived from linear spectral unmixing of Landsat imagery. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were estimated using land use regression models; noise was estimated using a deterministic model. Exposure period was from birth until the age of three. Joint effects of greenspace and PM2.5 were analysed in two-exposure models and by categorizing values into quintiles. During seven-year follow-up, 1217 ADHD cases were diagnosed. Greenspace was associated with lower incidence of ADHD (hazard ratio, HR: 0.90 [0.81-0.99] per interquartile range increment), while PM2.5 was associated with increased incidence (HR: 1.11 [1.06-1.17] per interquartile range increment). NO2 (HR: 1.01 [0.96, 1.07]) and noise (HR: 1.00 [0.95, 1.05]) were not associated with ADHD. There was a 50% decrease in the HR for ADHD in locations with the lowest PM2.5 and highest greenspace exposure, compared to a 62% increase in HR in locations with the highest PM2.5 and lowest greenspace exposure. Effects of PM2.5 were attenuated by greenspace in two-exposure models. We found evidence suggesting environmental inequalities where children living in greener neighborhoods with low air pollution had substantially lower risk of ADHD compared to those with higher air pollution and lower greenspace exposure.

Towards achieving the sustainable development goal of industry: How does industrial agglomeration affect air pollution?

Inequities in air pollution exposure and gaps in air quality monitoring

Air pollution is one of the most important environmental issues in the urban environment and causes health risks for citizens. The small particles PM 2.5 and PM10 consist of different trace elements. Industrial activities such as smelting, refining, and combustion processes are releasing significant amounts of metals into the air, leading to extensive air pollution. The aim of this study is to identify in which parts of Jelgava city the risks of air pollution caused by industry are the greatest. The snow samples were collected from 59 monitoring points in Jelgava and one in a rural area as reference. The snow samples were analysed using ICP MS for Al, Si, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Ba, W, and Pb concentration analysis. The hierarchical cluster analysis of normalized chemical element concentrations was used to divide monitoring points into four groups with high, medium-high, medium, and low risks of industrial air pollution. The industrial air pollution risks are unevenly distributed in Jelgava. High and Medium high risks are indicated in residential areas. The trace element concentration distribution shows significant differences between industrial air pollution risk groups. Kruskal-Wallis test shows statistically significant differences between the clusters for all trace elements (p-value < 0.0001; alpha 0.05). The results show strong evidence of industrial air pollution in Jelgava city. Mostly in Jelgava city dominates low and medium risk of industrial air pollution, however, there are three points with high industrial air pollution risks.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high air pollution season and low air pollution season on body composition, cardiovascular function(blood pressure, heart rate) and physical strength. Eight women with an average age of 76 years participated in this study, and each variable was measured in December, a season with high air pollution, and September, a season with low air pollution. Healthy subjects without disease were selected as study participants. Measurement items were body fat, muscle mass, and BMI, which are body composition components. Cardiovascular function was defined as blood pressure and heart rate. Physical strength was measured as grip strength. As a result, in the case of body composition BMI, the season with high air pollution was significantly higher than the season with low air pollution (p.05). There was no significant difference in blood pressure and heart rate. In the case of grip strength, which is physical strength, the season with high air pollution was significantly lower than the season with low air pollution (p.01). In conclusion, it was found that accounts with high air pollution increased BMI and decreased physical strength.

Industrial agglomeration, technological innovation and air pollution: Empirical evidence from 277 prefecture-level cities in China

New WHO global air quality guidelines: more pressure on nations to reduce air pollution levels

Asthma and allergic rhinitis are the most common chronic diseases of childhood and are commonly seen in athletes. Exercise is a frequent trigger for asthma and air pollution has been shown to increase risk for attacks of both asthma and allergy. Therefore, one would expect that athletes competing in smoggy areas of the country would be more likely to suffer from asthma and allergy than those from non-smoggy areas. PURPOSE To evaluate the frequency with which asthma and allergy are seen in college athletes competing in a smoggy locale and if athletes who come from nonsmoggy areas are more likely to develop asthma or allergy symptoms. We also sought to compare the frequency of asthma and allergy between athletes coming from smoggy and non-smoggy areas. METHODS The records of 464 athletes (299 men and 165 women), competing for a division III college located in one of the top 10 smoggiest counties in the US, were evaluated for a prior history of asthma and allergy, as well as the development of those symptoms after moving to the areas. RESULTS The data revealed that 19% of athletes came in as freshmen with a history of asthma or allergy. 13% of athletes had a prior diagnosis of asthma and 8% were currently using asthma medications, while 10% had a history of allergic rhinitis. The incidence of asthma was 17% in women and only 12% in men. Sports with the highest incidence of asthma were women's water polo (33%), women's track (30%), and women's softball (28%). Men's sports with the highest asthma incidence were track (24%) and swimming (18%). 42% of athletes who came in with a history of asthma were from smoggy areas, while 58% were from relatively non-smoggy areas. Of those who came in with a history of allergies, 24% were from smoggy areas while 76% were from non-smoggy areas. Only 5 athletes developed asthma after arriving on campus and of those 20% came from smoggy areas and 80% came from non-smoggy areas. Similarly, only 3 athletes developed allergy symptoms with 33% coming from smoggy areas. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed that a history of asthma or allergy was common among this group of athletes (19%). We found that women had a significantly higher incidence of asthma than their male counterparts, with women's water polo, track, and tennis having the highest percentage of asthmatic players. We also found that athletes who came from smoggy areas were no more likely to have asthma than athletes coming from non-smoggy areas. We also found that very few athletes developed asthma during their four years of sports competition in an area with traditionally high pollution levels. Based on this data, pollution levels may not be as strong a trigger for asthma and allergy as has traditionally been thought.

The etiopathogenesis of potentially malignant oral disorders (PMOD) has not been fully understood yet. Recent results suggest that oxidative stress may be involved in the etiology of PMOD. Production of oxidants seems to be the major biological effect responsible for tissue injury and inflammatory response to air pollution. The aim of this study was to compare the oxidative stress markers and antioxidant potential in saliva of PMOD subjects and healthy controls in periods of high and low air pollution. Among enrolled 40 participants, there were 20 PMOD patients and 20 healthy volunteers. The exposure to air pollution was assessed by exhaled CO (eCO). Four oxidative status parameters: 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in saliva. Measurements were carried out in June (low air pollution) and November (increased air pollution). In both groups, significantly higher concentrations of 8-OHdG (P < 0.001 for PMOD patients and P = 0.001 for healthy controls), MDA (P = 0.002 and P = 0.012 respectively) and eCO (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively) were observed in periods of high air pollution. The concentration of TAC did not change between visits. The concentration of salivary GSH (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 for both groups) decreased when compared between consecutive visits. We conclude that exhaled carbon monoxide (reflecting exposure to air pollution) correlated with the oxidative stress markers in patients with PMOD and healthy controls.

Large-Scale Analysis of the Association between Air Pollutants and Leucocyte Telomere Length in the UK Biobank.

Industrialization contributes to economic growth; however, its negative impacts cannot be overlooked. The emission of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere by industries poses a serious threat to both environmental and human health. We conducted a field study in the top three most polluted cities of Pakistan to quantify the impacts of industrial air pollution on theperceived health effects of households. We also analyzed the factors influencing households' adoption of preventive practices to mitigate the effects of air pollution. Data were collected from households residing in both industrial and non-industrial areas. Our findings revealed that short-term health issues including cough, sore throat, rhinitis, eye irritation, and dermatitis were 25% more prevalent among respondents living in industrial areas ompared to those in non-industrial areas. Estimates from the negative binomial (NB) regression model indicated that age, education level, gender, occupation, media influence, comorbidity, and proximity to industrial sites were significant determinants of households' perceived health effects. Approximately 40% of respondents in industrial areas and 44% innon-industrial areasreported adoptingpreventive practices to avoid the detrimental effects of air pollution. Further analysis identified perceived health effects (β = 0.252, p < 0.05) and the proximity of residential sites to industry (β = 0.973, p < 0.05) as significant factors influencing theadoption of preventive measures. Based on our findings, we recommend that authorities locate factories away from residential areas, schools, and healthcare facilities. Additionaly, raising awareness through mainstream and social media can help mitigate health risks associated with industrial air pollution. Furthermore,Individuals working in factories or sufferring fromcomorbidities should receive trainings on adoptingeffective preventive measures to avert health effects of air pollution.