Related Air Pollution Research Articles

How do air pollution and population migration influence income inequality in China

This study aims to investigate the impacts of air quality and population migration on income inequality in China. It introduces a general equilibrium model that air pollution triggers population outflow. The findings reveal that both absolute and relative air pollution cause population outflow and exacerbate income inequality. Using panel data of 292 Chinese cities in 2001–2020, this study finds that deteriorations in air quality—both in absolute and relative terms—widen the income gap but can mitigate income inequality through population outflow. Robustness tests support these findings. This study also uses data from A-share listed companies in China from 2010 to 2020 to explore the nexus between air pollution, human capital, and income inequality. It finds that increased absolute and relative air pollution decrease human capital and increase income inequality. Furthermore, a decrease in employee human capital (non-talents outflow) reduces intra-company income gap. This decrease is caused by a decrease in senior executives’ earnings compared to an increase in general employees’ compensation. However, a reduction in the human capital of senior executives (talents outflow) increases income inequality by boosting the earnings of senior executives.

3.F. Round table: Legal action & capacity building: essential for climate action to protect and promote public health

Abstract The climate crisis is the single biggest threat to global health, peace and security, a crisis multiplier, and a significant driver of health inequalities within and between countries. In many areas of public health policy, legal action and litigation have delivered significant and long-lasting impacts. Court action is a strong domain of legal policy and practice to address climate change and related air pollution in many countries, and increasingly in international courts and tribunals. Examples include the 2021 landmark UK Coroners Report on the asthma-related death of Ella Kissi-Debrah, the 2023 UN General Assembly Request for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on states’ obligations to address climate change, and the 2024 European Court of Human Rights decision in Klimanseniorinnen v. Switzerland. Climate litigation also creates opportunities for public scrutiny and debate by raising awareness of inaction or harm caused by governments or private sector polluters, generating wider community mobilisation for action. Since 2021, the EUPHA Law and Public Health Section, Faculty of Public Health (UK), Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, Global Network for Academic Public Health, ASPHER and other partners have collaborated to build ethicolegal competence and capacity of public health professionals for climate action. Initiatives have also included research, advocacy, and resource development, and exploring opportunities for legal action and litigation, including at the International Conference on Strategic Litigation and Public Health (Liverpool, 2023). The roundtable will present key findings from an evaluation of the course on climate change organised by the ASPHER and the Global Consortium on Health and Climate Education (GCHCE), and learnings and feedback from the publication ‘From analysis to action: climate change litigation. A guide for public health professionals’, which was launched at the 16th European Public Health Conference. The expert panel will also reflect on whether the nature of current educational materials, means and methods in curriculum and training initiatives are effective, appropriate, adequate, and sufficient. Should climate change be part of One Health and Planetary Health programmes rather than a distinct entity? What is the role of, and what are the opportunities for, public health professionals to be engaged in climate litigation? What are the gaps and opportunities through strategic networking with environmental and legal experts, and affected communities? The roundtable will be interactive and invite input and insights from the participants to explore opportunities to further advance the agenda. Key messages • Public health professionals have a key and increasing role in climate law and litigation: interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. • Public health professionals have multiple avenues for capacity building on opportunities to address climate and environmental impacts on public health through law. Speakers/Panelists David Patterson University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands Farhang Tahzib Faculty of Public Health, Haywards heath, UK Liz Green Public Health Wales, Wrexham, UK Ana-Catarina Pinho-Gomes University College London, London, UK

Impact of childhood exposure to traffic related air pollution on adult cardiometabolic health: Exploring the role of perceived stress

BackgroundLittle is known about how childhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and stress interact to affect adults' cardiometabolic health. We examined this interaction and assessed the impact of over 10 years of childhood TRAP exposure on cardiometabolic health. MethodsFrom 2018 to 2023, 313 young adults from the Southern California Children's Health Study were enrolled in a follow-up assessment. Using CALINE4 line source dispersion model, average childhood TRAP exposures (from pregnancy to age 13) were estimated for nitrogen oxides (NOx) from all roads. Traffic density was calculated within a 300-m residential buffer. Cardiometabolic health was assessed in adulthood (mean age 24 ± 1.7) based on blood lipids (total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein [HDL, LDL], triglycerides), glucose metabolism (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c), body composition (BMI, android/gynoid ratio [AG ratio], percent body fat), and blood pressure. A PDAY (Pathobiologic Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth) score was generated to evaluate overall cardiometabolic health. Participants' perceived stress was assessed in childhood and adulthood (ages 13 and 24 years, respectively). ResultsResults of mixed effects linear models, adjusted for demographics and smoking status, suggested that each standard deviation increase in childhood exposure to traffic-related total NOx was associated with 0.62 increase in PDAY score (95% Confidence Interval [CI]:0.10,1.14), 0.09% increase in HbA1c (95%CI: 0.04, 0.15), 1.19% increase in percent body fat (95%CI: 0.18, 2.20), and 0.96 kg/m2 increase in BMI (0.11, 1.80) in adulthood. Among participants with higher childhood stress levels, we observed significant associations of traffic-related total NOx with total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, HbA1c, insulin, and BMI. None of these associations were significant among people with lower stress levels. We observed similar statistically significant associations of traffic density. ConclusionLong-term childhood exposure to TRAP in childhood may have lasting adverse impacts on cardiometabolic health, especially for children with higher stress levels.

Ambient smoke exposure and indoor air quality in eastern Massachusetts during the 2023 wildfire season

ABSTRACT Widespread North American wildfires in 2023 led to exposure to ambient wildfire smoke outside of traditionally wildfire-prone regions. The objective was to evaluate levels of indoor air pollutants in relation to ambient wildfire smoke exposure in eastern Massachusetts. Using a real-time multipollutant sensor system in five Boston area households, this study assessed indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and total volatile organic compound concentrations (TVOC) two days before and during days of hazardous wildfire smoke exposure (smoke days). The relationship between ambient PM2.5 from regulatory monitors and indoor PM2.5 before and during smoke days was investigated by mixed effects linear regression. During smoke days and the preceding non-smoke days, median indoor PM2.5 was 9.9 µg/m3 and 3.5 µg/m3 (p < 0.001), respectively; median NO2 was 20.5 ppb and 18.4 ppb (p = 0.11); median TVOC was 6,715 µg/m3 and 5,361 µg/m3 (p = 0.35). A 1% increase in ambient PM2.5 was associated with a 0.93% increase in indoor PM2.5 on smoke days (95% CI, 0.54%–1.32%) and a 0.34% increase on non-smoke days (95% CI, 0.17%–0.66%), though interaction testing of smoke day status was not statistically significant (p = 0.14). In Northeastern US homes, indoor PM2.5 increased significantly during ambient wildfire smoke exposure, which may reflect increased infiltration and increased indoor particle-generating activities during smoke days. Implications: This study reports on household exposure to wildfire smoke in eastern Massachusetts, finding that indoor PM2.5 more than doubled compared to preceding non-smoke days, while indoor NO2 and TVOC did not significantly rise. Though the generalizability of this study is limited by the small number of homes studied, the findings suggest that more investigation is needed to understand indoor air pollution during future wildfire smoke exposure in regions not traditionally wildfire-prone and to inform mitigation efforts.

Exposure to Air Pollutants and Myocardial Infarction Incidence: A UK Biobank Study Exploring Gene-Environment Interaction.

Unraveling gene-environment interaction can provide a novel insight into early disease prevention. Nevertheless, current understanding of the interplay between genetic predisposition and air pollution in relation to myocardial infarction (MI) risk remains limited. Furthermore, the potential long-term influence of air pollutants on MI incidence risk warrants more conclusive evidence in a community population. We investigated interactions between genetic predisposition and exposure to air pollutants on MI incidence. This study incorporated a sample of 456,354 UK Biobank participants and annual mean air pollution (, , , and ) from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2006-2021). The Cox proportional hazards model was employed to explore MI incidence after chronic air pollutants exposure. By quantifying genetic risk through the calculation of polygenic risk score (PRS), this study further examined the interactions between genetic risk and exposure to air pollutants in the development of MI on both additive and multiplicative scales. Among 456,354 participants, 9,114 incident MI events were observed during a median follow-up of 12.08 y. Chronic exposure to air pollutants was linked with an increased risk of MI occurrence. Specifically, the hazard ratios (per interquartile range) were 1.12 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.13) for , 1.20 (95% CI: 1.19, 1.22) for , 1.13 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.15) for , and 1.12 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.13) for . In terms of the joint effects, participants with high PRS and high level of air pollution exposure exhibited the greatest risk of MI among all study participants ( to 324%). Remarkably, both multiplicative and additive interactions were detected in the ambient air pollutants exposure and genetic risk on the incidence of MI. There were interactions between exposure to ambient air pollutants and genetic susceptibility on the risk of MI onset. Moreover, the joint effects of these two exposures were greater than the effect of each factor alone. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14291.

Evaluating the efficacy of targeted traffic management interventions: A novel methodology for determining the composition of particulate matter in urban air pollution hotspots

Worldwide, there is an increasing uptake of traffic management interventions aimed at reducing the impact of traffic related air pollution on public health. However, the evidence base linking the proposed changes with the resulting improvements in air quality is lacking. In this paper we present data from a micro-network of low-cost PM10 samplers collected from an isolated urban centre (Auckland, New Zealand). The data was then analysed using a new combination of analytical methods aimed to identify the composition and hence, the source of pollution. Whilst across the three sites mass concentration of PM10 and black carbon were similar, Raman spectroscopy successfully identified variations in the soot composition at different sites, enabling some particulate matter to be linked to diesel vehicle emissions. A mass reconstruction approach proved useful in determining that the airshed is well-mixed and also highlighted the impacts of urban design on recorded concentrations. The results show that networks of low-cost sensors, combined with the range of analytical techniques used here can help policymakers test the efficacy of interventions and management strategies designed to combat the burden of air pollution on public health.

QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF TRAFFIC-RELATED EMISSIONS ON AIR QUALITY IN KANO CITY, NIGERIA

The aim of this study is to assess the concentration of traffic related air pollutants at some major traffic junctions in Kano metropolis, it comprised of carrying traffic count in the vicinities so as ascertain the sources of the pollution and identify the level of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), Sulphur dioxide (SO 2) for a period of six weeks. Traffic density was estimated via manual counting using tally sheet system. Crowcon gasman to air samplers ware used to measure the concentrations of gases emitted into the atmosphere at the selected locations. A total of 126 samples of air quality measurements were taken out for three hours, with each hour devoted to morning, afternoon and evening peak periods. Results obtained were compared with National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) guideline limits. Data were analysed using statistical package IBM SPSS version 16.0 to compute descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis and one sample t-test. There was a correlation between CO, NO 2, SO 2 and traffic volume in the entire junctions, and most of the correlation obtained may be attributed to the high vehicular volume in the traffic jam. The result of this indicated that the mean concentration of CO, NO 2 and SO 2 emission at Kabuga, Kofar ruwa, Hotoro NNPC and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital traffic junctions, gaseous emissions were within NESREA guideline limit for ambient conditions, except for CO concentration of 14.43 and 13.60 ppm at Bata and Kantin Kwari intersections were found to be much higher when compared with the NESREA guideline limits, respectively. This implies that transport-related pollution around Bata and Kantin Kwari is apparently unsafe. Similarly, it is likely that air quality will continue to deteriorate as the city continues to grow. Therefore, there is need for government to institute and enforce traffic emission control and air quality management programs as a priority. They should also work to prevent further environmental degradation by adopting effective policy in Nigeria.

Air pollution in relation to brain health indicators and global cognitive functioning in patients with cardiovascular disorders along the heart-brain axis

Air pollution in relation to brain health indicators and global cognitive functioning in patients with cardiovascular disorders along the heart-brain axis

Joint effect of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2019

BackgroundLittle is known about the relationship between long-term joint exposure to mixtures of air pollutants and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to assess the joint impact of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on the prevalence of COPD in Korea, especially in areas with high levels of air pollution. MethodsWe included 22,387 participants who underwent spirometry tests in 2010–2019. The community multiscale air quality model was used to estimate the levels of ambient air pollution at residential addresses. The average exposure over the 5 years before the examination date was used to calculate the concentrations of air pollution. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity were used to define restrictive lung disease, COPD, and moderate-to-severe COPD. Quantile-based g-computation models were used to assess the joint impact of air pollution on COPD prevalence. ResultsA total of 2535 cases of restrictive lung disease, 2787 cases of COPD, and 1399 cases of moderate-to-severe COPD were identified. In the individual pollutant model, long-term exposure was significantly associated with both restrictive lung disease and COPD. In the mixture pollutant model, the odds ratios (ORs, 95% confidence intervals) for restrictive lung disease increased with each quartile increment in the 1- to 5-year average mixtures: 1.14 (1.02–1.28, 1 year), 1.25 (1.11–1.41, 2 years), 1.26 (1.11–1.42, 3 years), 1.32 (1.16–1.51, 4 years), and 1.37 (1.19–1.58, 5 years), respectively. The increase in ORs of restrictive lung disease accelerated over time. By contrast, the ORs of COPD showed a decreasing trend over time. ConclusionsLong-term exposure to air pollutants, both individually and jointly, was associated with an increased risk of developing COPD, particularly restrictive lung disease. Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensively assessing exposure to various air pollutants in relation to COPD.

Perinatal exposure to traffic related air pollutants and the risk of infection in the first six months of life: a cohort study from a low-middle income country

ObjectiveThere is limited study from low-and-middle income countries on the effect of perinatal exposure to air pollution and the risk of infection in infant. We assessed the association between perinatal exposure to traffic related air pollution and the risk of infection in infant during their first six months of life.MethodsA prospective cohort study was performed in Jakarta, March 2016–September 2020 among 298 mother-infant pairs. PM2.5, soot, NOx, and NO2 concentrations were assessed using land use regression models (LUR) at individual level. Repeated interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain data on infection at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months of age. The infections were categorized as upper respiratory tract (runny nose, cough, wheezing or shortness of breath), lower respiratory tract (pneumonia, bronchiolitis) or gastrointestinal tract infection. Logistic regression models adjusted for covariates were used to assess the association between perinatal exposure to air pollution and the risk of infection in the first six months of life.ResultsThe average concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2 were much higher than the WHO recommended levels. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were much more common in the first six months of life than diagnosed lower respiratory tract or gastro-intestinal infections (35.6%, 3.5% and 5.8% respectively). Perinatal exposure to PM2.5 and soot suggested increase cumulative risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in the first 6 months of life per IQR increase with adjusted OR of 1.50 (95% CI 0.91; 2.47) and 1.14 (95% CI 0.79; 1.64), respectively. Soot was significantly associated with the risk of URTI at 4–6 months age interval (aOR of 1.45, 95%CI 1.02; 2.09). All air pollutants were also positively associated with lower respiratory tract infection, but all CIs include unity because of relatively small samples. Adjusted odds ratios for gastrointestinal infections were close to unity.ConclusionOur study adds to the evidence that perinatal exposure to fine particles is associated with respiratory tract infection in infants in a low-middle income country.

Confounders Effecting Quality of Life of COPD Patients in European Union: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease characterized by restriction in expiratory airflow. It is among one of the major causes of illness and death globally. COPD causes severe negative effects on physical and mental health. It has a drastic effect upon the health-related quality of life of patients. Numerous factors contribute towards morbidity of COPD that include smoking, obesity, air pollutants and comorbid conditions (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, infections). Aims and Objectives: The current systematic review was conducted with the aim to determine the health-related quality of life of COPD patients as well as the confounders of quality of life. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted of 22 studies. The electronic databases used to search the articles were Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, Web of Science. Total 1880 studies were found, out of which only 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. All the studies included are within 2017-2022. Patients met inclusion criteria have less than 70% FEV1/FVC ratio and diagnosis of patients was according to the GOLD staging system. Majority study design were observational, some were cross sectional, experimental and randomized clinical trials. Mean age of patients observed was 40-85 years. To assess the quality of life of COPD patient specific questionnaires has been used like SGRQ, CAT, CCQ, EQ-5D-5L. Results: Included studies shows that the quality of life of COPD is compromised physically as well as mentally. It is due to less physical activities, smoking habits, psychological issues, comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension. Conclusion: All the studies concluded that COPD patients diagnosed on basis of GOLD criteria and their quality of life is assessed via disease specific questionnaires that majorly includes SGRQ, CAT, CCQ, EQ-5D-5L. And it shows that quality of life of COPD decreases overall. However, the major confounders of reduced quality of life in COPD patients were: Smoking, raised BMI, high cholesterol, Depression/ anxiety, traffic related air pollutants, malnutrition and co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, asthma, anemia and diabetes mellitus.

Addressing building related energy burden, air pollution, and carbon emissions of a low-income community in Southern California

This study examines the impact of low-income assistance and electrification programs on a disadvantaged community in Southern California. An urban building energy model is paired with an AC power flow and electric distribution system degradation model to evaluate how the cost of energy, carbon emissions, and pollutant emissions change after applying building weatherization, energy efficiency, and electrification measures to the community. Results show that traditional weatherization and energy efficiency measures (upgrading lighting and appliances, improving insulation to current building code standards) are the most cost-effective, reducing the cost of energy and carbon emissions by 10–20 % for the current community. Heat pump water heaters offer a 40 % average reduction in carbon emissions and almost 50 % decrease in criteria pollutant emissions, but at a cost increase of 17–22 %. Appliance electrification also reduces carbon emissions 5–10 % but increases cost by 7 % to 25 %. For reducing carbon, government programs that support building electrification are most cost-effective when they combine switching from natural gas to electricity with high efficiency system. Electrifying hot water and appliances effectively reduces emissions but must be paired with improved low-income assistance programs to prevent increased energy burden for low-income families. The urban building energy model and electrical distribution simulations used in this study can be replicated in other low-income communities.

Short-term exposure to air pollution and hospital admission after COVID-19 in Catalonia: the COVAIR-CAT study.

A growing body of evidence has reported positive associations between long-term exposure to air pollution and poor COVID-19 outcomes. Inconsistent findings have been reported for short-term air pollution, mostly from ecological study designs. Using individual-level data, we studied the association between short-term variation in air pollutants [nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 µm (PM2.5) and a diameter of <10 µm (PM10) and ozone (O3)] and hospital admission among individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. The COVAIR-CAT (Air pollution in relation to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality: a large population-based cohort study in Catalonia, Spain) cohort is a large population-based cohort in Catalonia, Spain including 240902 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the primary care system from 1 March until 31 December 2020. Our outcome was hospitalization within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. We used individual residential address to assign daily air-pollution exposure, estimated using machine-learning methods for spatiotemporal prediction. For each pandemic wave, we fitted Cox proportional-hazards models accounting for non-linear-distributed lagged exposure over the previous 7days. Results differed considerably by pandemic wave. During the second wave, an interquartile-range increase in cumulative weekly exposure to air pollution (lag0_7) was associated with a 12% increase (95% CI: 4% to 20%) in COVID-19 hospitalizations for NO2, 8% (95% CI: 1% to 16%) for PM2.5 and 9% (95% CI: 3% to 15%) for PM10. We observed consistent positive associations for same-day (lag0) exposure, whereas lag-specific associations beyond lag0 were generally not statistically significant. Our study suggests positive associations between NO2, PM2.5 and PM10 and hospitalization risk among individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 during the second wave. Cumulative hazard ratios were largely driven by exposure on the same day as hospitalization.

Improving Below‐Cloud Scavenging Coefficients of Sulfate, Nitrate, and Ammonium in PM2.5 and Implications for Numerical Simulation and Air Pollution Control

AbstractBelow‐cloud scavenging (BS) is often underestimated in chemical transport models (CTMs) due to inaccurate parameterizations of BS coefficient for fine particle (Λ) caused by a shortage of high‐time resolution field observations. Rainfall ions and related air pollutants were measured hourly in Central China (CC) during 2019. BS contributed to 37%–68% of wet deposition for , , and (SNA). By a bulk method coupled with brute‐force search, the Λ (10−2–10 hr−1) was parameterized for SNA in PM2.5, which was 1–3 orders of magnitudes higher than theoretical calculations in CTMs. These chemical‐specific Λ parameterizations were validated by EMEP model. Compared to baselines, updated simulations for annual SNA wet deposition increased by 3.3%–20.4% and for mean PM2.5 SNA concentrations reduced by 1.2%–40%, capturing measurements better. The contributions of scavenged gases to wet deposition below cloud were calculated as 9%–73%, exhibiting discrepancies (2%–17% for HNO3 and 19%–90% for SO2) with previous modeling results as different Λ schemes adopted in CTMs. The nonlinearity between Λ and precipitation intensity causes frequency exerting stronger impact on aerosol burden than intensity and duration. Periodic light rain with a precipitation amount of 1–10 mm per event can eliminate 60% of SNA in PM2.5 and is suggested as a routine procedure to improve local air quality. Analyzing a typical washout process after a haze event in CC, BS could reduce PM2.5 SNA concentrations by 44%–54% derived from improved parameterizations.

Causal relationship between air pollution and infections: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Traditional observational studies exploring the association between air pollution and infections have been limited by small sample sizes and potential confounding factors. To address these limitations, we applied Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal relationships between particulate matter (PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen oxide and the risks of infections. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to air pollution were selected from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the UK Biobank. Publicly available summary data for infections were obtained from the FinnGen Biobank and the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) meta-analysis was used as the primary method for obtaining the Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates. Complementary analyses were performed using the weighted median method, MR-Egger method, and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test. The fixed-effect IVW estimate showed that PM2.5, PM2.5-10 and Nitrogen oxides were suggestively associated with COVID-19 [for PM2.5: IVW (fe): OR 3.573(1.218,5.288), PIVW(fe) = 0.021; for PM2.5-10: IVW (fe): OR 2.940(1.385,6.239), PIVW(fe) = 0.005; for Nitrogen oxides, IVW (fe): OR 1.898(1.318,2.472), PIVW(fe) = 0.010]. PM2.5, PM2.5-10, PM10, and Nitrogen oxides were suggestively associated with bacterial pneumonia [for PM2.5: IVW(fe): OR 1.720 (1.007, 2.937), PIVW(fe) = 0.047; for PM2.5-10: IVW(fe): OR 1.752 (1.111, 2.767), P IVW(fe) = 0.016; for PM10: IVW(fe): OR 2.097 (1.045, 4.208), PIVW(fe) = 0.037; for Nitrogen oxides, IVW(fe): OR 3.907 (1.209, 5.987), PIVW(fe) = 0.023]. Furthermore, Nitrogen dioxide was suggestively associated with the risk of acute upper respiratory infections, while all air pollution were not associated with intestinal infections. Our results support a role of related air pollution in the Corona Virus Disease 2019, bacterial pneumonia and acute upper respiratory infections. More work is need for policy formulation to reduce the air pollution and the emission of toxic and of harmful gas.

Global Public Health Implications of Traffic Related Air Pollution: Systematic Review.

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) has significant public health implications and a wide range of adverse health effects, including cardiovascular, respiratory, pulmonary, and other health problems. This study aimed to determine the public health impacts of traffic-related air pollution across the world that can be used as an input for protecting human health. This study considered studies conducted across the world and full-text articles written in English. The articles were searched using a combination of Boolean logic operators (AND, OR, and NOT), MeSH, and keywords from the included electronic databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholars). The quality assessment of the articles was done using JBI tools to determine the relevance of each included article to the study. In this study, 1 282 032 participants ranging from 19 to 452 735 were included in 30 articles published from 2010 to 2022. About 4 (13.3%), 9 (30.0%), 12 (40.0%), 8 (26.7%), 2 (6.7%), 15 (50.0%), 3 (10.0%), 3 (10.0%) 1 (3.3%), and 3 (10.0%) of articles reported the association between human health and exposure to CO, PM10, PM2.5, NOx, NO, NO2, black carbon, O3, PAH, and SO2, respectively. Respiratory diseases, cancer, cognitive function problems, preterm birth, blood pressure and hypertension, diabetes, allergies and sensitization, coronary heart disease, dementia incidence, and hemorrhagic stroke were associated with exposure to TRAP. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter was associated with various health effects. This revealed that there is a need for the concerned organizations to respond appropriately.

Road-traffic-related air pollution contributes to skin barrier alteration and growth defect of sensory neurons.

The effects of air pollution on health are gaining increasing research interest with limited data on skin alterations available. It was suggested that air pollution is a trigger factor for sensitive skin (SS). However, this data was based on surveys with a lack of experimental data. SS is related to altered skin nerve endings and cutaneous neurogenic inflammation. TTe present study was to assess the invitro effect of particulate matter (PM) on epidermis and nerve ending homeostasis. PM samples were collected according to a validated protocol. Reconstructed human epidermis (RHE, Episkin®) was exposed to PM and subsequently the supernatants were transferred to a culture of PC12 cells differentiated into sensory neurons (SN). Cell viability, axonal growth and neuropeptide-release were measured. The modulation of the expression of different inflammatory, keratinocytes differentiation and neurites growth markers was assessed. PM samples contained a high proportion of particles with a size below 1 μm and a complex chemical composition. Transcriptomic and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that PM altered keratinocytes terminal differentiation and induced an inflammatory response. While viability and functionality of the SN were not modified, their outgrowth was significantly decreased after incubation with PM-exposed Episkin® supernatants. This was closely related to the modification of nerve growth factor/semaphorin 3A balance. This study showed that air pollutants have negative effects on keratinocytes and sensory nerve endings including inflammatory responses. These effects are probably involved in the SS pathophysiology and might be involved in inflammatory skin disorders.

Ambient traffic related air pollution in relation to ovarian reserve and oocyte quality in young, healthy oocyte donors

Studies in mice and older, subfertile women have found that air pollution exposure may compromise female reproduction. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of air pollution on ovarian reserve and outcomes of ovarian stimulation among young, healthy females. We included 472 oocyte donors who underwent 781 ovarian stimulation cycles at a fertility clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (2008–2019). Antral follicle count (AFC) was assessed with transvaginal ultrasonography and total and mature oocyte count was assessed following oocyte retrieval. Ovarian sensitivity index (OSI) was calculated as the total number of oocytes divided by total gonadotrophin dose × 1000. Daily ambient exposure to nitric oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter ≤ 2.5 (PM2.5) was estimated using a fused regional + line-source model for near-surface releases at a 250 m resolution based on residential address. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the associations of an interquartile range (IQR) increase in pollutant exposure with outcomes adjusted for donor characteristics, census-level poverty, and meteorological factors. The median (IQR) age among oocyte donors was 25.0 (5.0) years, and 31% of the donors were racial/ethnic minorities. The median (IQR) exposure to NOx, CO, and PM2.5 in the 3 months prior to stimulation was 37.7 (32.0) ppb, 612 (317) ppb, and 9.8 (2.9) µg/m3, respectively. Ambient air pollution exposure in the 3 months before AFC was not associated with AFC. An IQR increase in PM2.5 in the 3 months before AFC and during stimulation was associated with −7.5% (95% CI −14.1, −0.4) and −6.4% (95% CI −11.0, −1.6) fewer mature oocytes, and a −1.9 (95% CI −3.2, −0.5) and −1.0 (95% CI −1.8, −0.2) lower OSI, respectively. Our results suggest that lowering the current 24-h PM2.5 standard in the US to 25 µg/m3 may still not adequately protect against the reprotoxic effects of short-term PM2.5 exposure.

Air pollution deaths attributable to fossil fuels: observational and modelling study

ObjectivesTo estimate all cause and cause specific deaths that are attributable to fossil fuel related air pollution and to assess potential health benefits from policies that replace fossil fuels with...

The association of relative humidity and air pollution interaction on lung function in adolescents

The association of relative humidity and air pollution interaction on lung function in adolescents