Air Carbon Monoxide Research Articles

Vascular Pruning, Peripheral Air Space Alterations and Carbon Monoxide Transfer in Smokers.

Vascular Pruning, Peripheral Air Space Alterations and Carbon Monoxide Transfer in Smokers.

Changes in the Success and Characteristics of Tobacco Dependence Treatment before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Clinical Sample Comparisons.

Background and Objectives: There is little information on changes in the process and outcomes of intensive tobacco dependence treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following characteristics were evaluated: interest in treatment, the number of face-to-face or telephone follow-ups, the duration of pharmacotherapy use, and the success rate. The aim of our study was to compare the number of patients who entered tobacco dependence treatment programmes and evaluate the one-year success rate in patients three years before and three years after the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A single-site retrospective cohort study using data from patients treated at the Centre for Tobacco Dependence in Prague, Czech Republic, between 2017 and 2022 (n = 2039) was performed. The one-year abstinence rate was validated by measuring carbon monoxide in exhaled air (6 ppm cut-off). Patients were divided into two groups: the group for which treatment was initiated in 2017-2019 (i.e., before the COVID-19 pandemic, BC; n= 1221) and the group for which treatment was initiated in 2020-2022 (i.e., during the COVID-19 pandemic, DC; n = 818). Results: No significant differences in the success rate of tobacco dependence treatment were found between the two groups (BC group, 40.5% (494/1221) vs. DC group, 42.2% (345/818)) (χ2 (1, N = 2.039) = 0.6, p = 0.440). Furthermore, differences were not found in sex, education level, age at first cigarette, the duration of pharmacotherapy use, or the number of in-person visits. In contrast, there was an increase in the number of telephone contacts between the groups (18.7% (SD = 17.5%) vs. 32.9% (SD = 18.2%), p < 0.001). Conclusions: The number of patients who started treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased by one-third compared to that during the 3-year period before the pandemic. The overall treatment success rate did not change significantly even with the increase in the number of telephone visits with the therapist.

Mid-term outcomes of a smoking cessation program in hospitalized patients in Türkiye.

'Teachable moments', such as inpatient treatment periods, can be turned into opportunities for smokers to acquire healthy living behaviors. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of smoking cessation interventions in an inpatient hospital setting. Data were collected for this single-arm prospective intervention cohort study between October 2021 and March 2022 from hospitalized patients at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Training and Research Hospital in Türkiye. Smoker patients received smoking cessation counseling and brief smoking cessation interventions during their hospitalization and were informed about how to apply to our hospital's smoking cessation outpatient clinic after discharge. They were followed via phone on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th day and the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after their discharge, regarding their quit status as well as admissions to smoking cessation clinics. Quitters were confirmed by exhaled air carbon monoxide testing. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the presence of admission to the emergency department and family physicians at follow-up at 1st year. The model was adjusted in terms of age, sex, presence of malignancy, and education level. Of the 183 patients included in the study, 163 participants completed periodic follow-up during one year, with quit rate of 47.2%. The rate of anxiety was higher among non-quitters compared to quitters (9.4% vs 1.2%) (p=0.024). Non-quitters were 19 times more likely to have emergency department admissions (AOR=19.64; 95% CI: 8.08-47.68) and eight times more likely to have family doctor visits (AOR=8.43; 95% CI: 4.05-17.53) than quitters. This cessation program evaluated the quit rates of hospitalized patients in the first year and revealed that the rate of anxiety was higher in non-quitters compared to quitters. It would be an important approach to include psychiatric support in this practice.

Association between risk of preterm birth and long-term and short-term exposure to ambient carbon monoxide during pregnancy in chongqing, China: a study from 2016-2020

BackgroundPreterm birth (PTB) is an important predictor of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Previous researches have reported a correlation between air pollution and an increased risk of preterm birth. However, the specific relationship between short-term and long-term exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and preterm birth remains less explored.MethodsA population-based study was conducted among 515,498 pregnant women in Chongqing, China, to assess short-term and long-term effects of CO on preterm and very preterm births. Generalized additive models (GAM) were applied to evaluate short-term effects, and exposure-response correlation curves were plotted after adjusting for confounding factors. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using COX proportional hazard models to estimate the long-term effect.ResultsThe daily incidence of preterm and very preterm birth was 5.99% and 0.41%, respectively. A positive association between a 100 µg/m³ increase in CO and PTB was observed at lag 0–3 days and 12–21 days, with a maximum relative risk (RR) of 1.021(95%CI: 1.001–1.043). The exposure-response curves (lag 0 day) revealed a rapid increase in PTB due to CO. Regarding long-term exposure, positive associations were found between a 100 µg/m3 CO increase for each trimester(Model 2 for trimester 1: HR = 1.054, 95%CI: 1.048–1.060; Model 2 for trimester 2: HR = 1.066, 95%CI: 1.060–1.073; Model 2 for trimester 3: HR = 1.007, 95%CI: 1.001–1.013; Model 2 for entire pregnancy: HR = 1.080, 95%CI: 1.073–1.088) and higher HRs of very preterm birth. Multiplicative interactions between air pollution and CO on the risk of preterm and very preterm birth were detected (P- interaction<0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that short-term exposure to low levels of CO may have protective effects against preterm birth, while long-term exposure to low concentrations of CO may reduce the risk of both preterm and very preterm birth. Moreover, our study indicated that very preterm birth is more susceptible to the influence of long-term exposure to CO during pregnancy, with acute CO exposure exhibiting a greater impact on preterm birth. It is imperative for pregnant women to minimize exposure to ambient air pollutants.

Smoking cessation decreases arterial blood pressure in hypertensive smokers: A subgroup analysis of the randomized controlled trial GENTSMOKING.

High blood pressure in hypertensive smokers is affected by nicotine consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation treatments on blood pressure in hypertensive smokers. A total of 113 hypertensive smokers on antihypertensives during smoking cessation treatment in the randomized controlled trial GENTSMOKING were considered for analysis. At Baseline (T0) and Week 12 (T12), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured using a semi-automated digital oscillometric device. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and delta differences for SBP, DBP, HR, and MAP were calculated. Smoking cessation was confirmed by measuring carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaled air. After 12 weeks of treatment, 72 participants ceased smoking (cessation group) and 41 did not (no cessation group). At T0, there was no statistically meaningful difference between groups with respect to age, body mass index, CO, and daily cigarette consumption. At T12, daily cigarette consumption and CO had decreased in both groups (p<0.001). The cessation group showed decreased SBP (131 ± 2 vs 125 ± 2 mmHg, p=0.004), DBP (79 ± 1 vs 77 ± 1 mmHg, p=0.031), MAP (96 ± 1 vs 93 ± 1 mmHg, p=0.005), and HR (79 ± 1 vs 74 ± 1 beats/min, p=0.001), and increased body weight (77.4 ± 2.1 vs 79.2 ± 2.2 kg, p<0.001). No significant differences were seen for these variables in the no cessation group. Decrease in blood pressure was significantly higher among hypertensive participants with SBP ≥130 mmHg: SBP (145 ± 2 vs 132 ± 2 mmHg, p<0.001), DBP (85 ± 2 vs 80 ± 1 mmHg, p=0.002), MAP (105 ± 1 vs 97 ± 1 mmHg, p<0.001), and HR (81 ± 2 vs 74 ± 2 beats/min, p=0.002). A positive correlation was found between HR and CO (r=0.34; p=0.001). Smoking cessation treatment reduced blood pressure in hypertensive smokers, allowing them to reach therapeutic targets for hypertension management. Smoking cessation has a positive impact on hypertension treatment; therefore, it should be encouraged in clinical practice. NCT03362099.

Physiological basis for atmospheric methane oxidation and methanotrophic growth on air

Atmospheric methane oxidizing bacteria (atmMOB) constitute the sole biological sink for atmospheric methane. Still, the physiological basis allowing atmMOB to grow on air is not well understood. Here we assess the ability and strategies of seven methanotrophic species to grow with air as sole energy, carbon, and nitrogen source. Four species, including three outside the canonical atmMOB group USCα, enduringly oxidized atmospheric methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen during 12 months of growth on air. These four species exhibited distinct substrate preferences implying the existence of multiple metabolic strategies to grow on air. The estimated energy yields of the atmMOB were substantially lower than previously assumed necessary for cellular maintenance in atmMOB and other aerobic microorganisms. Moreover, the atmMOB also covered their nitrogen requirements from air. During growth on air, the atmMOB decreased investments in biosynthesis while increasing investments in trace gas oxidation. Furthermore, we confirm that a high apparent specific affinity for methane is a key characteristic of atmMOB. Our work shows that atmMOB grow on the trace concentrations of methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen present in air and outlines the metabolic strategies that enable atmMOB to mitigate greenhouse gases.

‘This smoke will finish us’: impacts of cooking with polluting fuels on air quality, health and education in three schools in Nairobi, Kenya

Links between cooking with polluting fuels (e.g. wood and charcoal), air pollution and health in domestic settings are well-established. However, few studies have been conducted in schools that rely on such fuels for catering. This study is the first investigation of air pollution, cooking, and health in schools in Nairobi, Kenya. We carried out an in-depth mixed-methods study in three schools (two primary schools and a college) in an informal settlement using wood and/or charcoal for catering. In each school, repeated 24-hour air pollution measurements (fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO)) were collected to assess concentrations in the main kitchen and a nearby classroom, in addition to personal exposure for the main cook. Surveys with catering staff collected data on perspectives on air pollution and health symptoms. Focus groups were conducted with catering staff, teachers and senior management to understand perceived impacts on health and the school environment. 24 hour levels of PM2.5 were found to surpass world health organization interim target level 1 (IT-1) (35 μg m−3) in all schools—with levels three times higher (107.6 μg m−3) in classrooms, ten times higher (316.2 μg m−3) in kitchens and nearly six times higher (200.9 μg m−3) among cooks. Peak levels of pollution were closely linked to times of stove use, as concentrations doubled in classrooms and tripled in kitchens during cooking. Catering staff reported being concerned about their health, and reported experiencing wheezing, chest pains, eye irritation and headaches and attempted to avoid the smoke to reduce exposure. Disturbance to classes from cooking smoke was reported by teachers, with students reporting coughing and sneezing from exposure. Support is needed to enable clean cooking transitions in schools to create a healthy and safe learning environment.

Efficacy of bupropion and varenicline genetic markers in choosing pharmacological treatment for smoking cessation, and implications for combining drugs: A randomized controlled trial - GENTSMOKING.

Smoking cessation is the best strategy for reducing tobacco-related morbimortality. The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to test whether using the genetically favorable markers to choose a smoking cessation drug treatment (precision medicine) was superior to using the most effective drug (varenicline) in terms of abstinence rates. Additionally, combination therapy was tested when monotherapy failed. This partially blind, single-center study randomized (1:1) 361 participants into two major groups. In the genetic group (n=184), CYP2B6 rs2279343 (genotype AA) participants started treatment with bupropion, and CHRNA4 rs1044396 (genotype CT or TT) participants started treatment with varenicline; when genetic favorable to both, participants started treatment with bupropion, and when favorable to neither, on both drugs. In the control group (n=177), participants started treatment with varenicline, regardless of genetic markers. Drug treatment lasted 12 weeks. Efficacy endpoints were abstinence rates at Weeks 4, and Weeks 8-12, biochemically validated by carbon monoxide in exhaled air. Participants who did not achieve complete abstinence at Week 4, regardless of group, were given the choice to receive combination therapy. Abstinence rates were 42.9% (95% CI: 36-64) in the control group versus 30.4% (95% CI: 23-37) in the genetic group at Week 4 (p=0.01); and 74% (95% CI: 67-80) versus 52% (95% CI: 49-64) at Week 12 (p<0.001), respectively. The strategy of combining drugs after Week 4 increased abstinence rates in both groups and the significant difference between genetic and control groups was maintained. Results show that using these selected genetic markers was inferior to starting treatment with varenicline (control group), which is currently the most effective smoking cessation drug; moreover, the addition of bupropion in cases of varenicline monotherapy failure improves the efficacy rate until the end of treatment. NCT03362099.

Resilience of sustainability for a smart production system to produce biodiesel from waste animal fat

The smart production system is implemented for more effective labor, less waste, and a reduction of energy consumption. Biofuels are significant substitutes for conventional fuels and decreases air pollution and carbon monoxide, can be made through a smart production system with automated machines. Biodiesel can be produced using an assortment of sources that can be both edible and inedible, but animal fat is a sensible alternative among inedible sources because of its affordable price and ease of availability. The model studies the smart biodiesel production system with energy utilization and less carbon emissions to produce pure biodiesel. The multi-objective mathematical model minimizes the total biodiesel supply chain cost followed by minimizing the total biodiesel supply chain environmental impact and enhancing its social impact. The smart production system with a variable production rate produces the biodiesel with less impurities, but still impurities in the biodiesel, that can be detected by a two-stage autonomated inspection system. The impure biodiesel is remanufactured in the biorefineries at the end of every natural production cycle. For the best utilization of energy, various energy costs, such as lighting and air handling costs are calculated. The improved augmented ϵ-constraint approach with lexicographic optimization is utilized to solve the model. The four mathematical examples are studied, and the repercussions of mathematical experiments reveal that the animal fat purchasing cost is 44.32% of the total cost, and the percentage of impurities in biodiesel can be decreased through minimum energy consumption. The managerial insights of the model, graphical representation, and sensitivity analysis of key parameters are provided in this research. The conclusions can be useful to investors in a sustainable smart production system and biofuel policymakers.

Implications of Russia-Ukraine war on land surface temperature and air quality: long-term and short-term analysis.

The world is currently witnessing the military operations of Russia invading Ukraine, leading to missile bombing and shelling on various parts. Although the economic ill effects are more conspicuous and much talked about, the environmental impacts are grimmer and more devastating but ironically are less in the news. Hence, in this work, we focused on the environmental impact of the Russia-Ukraine war by quantifying the long-term(2001 to 2023) and short-term temperature changes using land surface temperature (LST) and air temperature (AT) as proxies and monitoring changes in air quality, mainly methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), between 2021 and 2022. We used NASA MODIS FIRMS fire points from 24th February 2022 to 08th September 2023 to prepare the heat map for identifying the regions heavily devastated by bombing. Thus, parts of Kiev, Lviv, Luhansk, Odesa, Donetsk, Kherson, etc., in Ukraine were chosen for assessing the LST, AT variations during the peak season of war along with analysis of long-term and short-term changes. We used MODIS Terra LST and Emissivity, ERA 5 AT, CH4, CO2 from AIRS and CO from Sentinel 5P. The results of the LST showed an average increase of around 2.32°C (2022-2023), 3.44°C (2021 and 2022) in parts of Ukraine and an increase of about 2°C from COVID time, whilst a decrease of about 1°C during COVID. This increase in LST will cause enhanced warming, thus changing the regional climate in a shorter time frame. A consistent upward trend in CH4, CO and CO2 is seen from 2019 to 2023. These heat waves and pollution will grip Ukraine and cause menace due to the cumulative effect of heat waves, changing climate and the aftermaths of war. This would be catastrophic as it might lead to a widespread impact on human health, agricultural yield and infrastructure, to name a few.

ASSESSING AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2021 FOREST FIRES IN MARMARIS AND MANAVGAT, TÜRKİYE: INSIGHTS FROM SATELLITE-BASED MONITORING

Abstract. In recent years, the occurrence of forest fires has become almost inevitable worldwide due to the severe impact of climate change. Consequently, it is imperative to examine the consequences of these fires, pinpoint the affected areas, and take required measures following post-fire incidents. With the advent of modern remote sensing satellites, which allow for the rapid monitoring of vast expanses, they offer a valuable data source for addressing such emergency scenarios. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the extent of air pollutant gas emissions resulting from the forest fires that occurred in Marmaris and Manavgat, Türkiye, in the summer of 2021. To this aim, using the data obtained from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) sensor onboard the Sentinel-5P satellite, the amount of major air pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and aerosol were investigated after the forest fires considering three different non-fire time periods. The findings of the experiments indicated that in Manavgat, there was a substantial rise in NO2 and average CO levels by 260.43% and 107.07%, respectively, when compared to the 10-day period preceding the forest fire event. Similarly, in Marmaris, there was an increase of 203.63% in NO2 levels and a 102.47% rise in average CO levels during the same period. Positive absorbing aerosol index (AAI) values were also observed during the events, which means that the amount of UV-absorbing aerosols increased due to the fire. The differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) maps derived from the Sentinel-2 MSI imagery were also used to investigate the severity of the forest fires, and to observe the relationship between the fire severity level and the air pollutants investigated.

TEMPORAL ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIVE MODELING OF AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN HULU LANGAT DISTRICT, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA: A CHEMOMETRIC APPROACH

One of the most important environmental problems facing the globe today is air pollution. The centre area for the local populace is the Hulu Langat district, which borders Kuala Lumpur, the capital. The purpose of this study is to look at how the ambient air quality varies in Hulu Langat, Selangor. The Air Quality Division of the Malaysian Department of Environment provided five years' worth of secondary data on the air quality at Hulu Langat. The database included five primary air pollutant characteristics sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10), in addition to data from the Air Pollutant Index (API). Chemometric analysis was used to examine the results. According to the results, SO2, NO2 and PM10 had the greatest correlations with API readings. A statistical process known as statistical control (SPC) showed that certain PM10 values were over national recommendations and control limits. The artificial neural network method's air quality prediction model demonstrated good accuracy with real data (R2 = 0.9). The results of this investigation indicated a strong correlation between the Hulu Langat air quality data. In order to achieve sustainable environmental practices in the future, it is imperative to engage in extensive collaboration across environmental departments and relevant authorities and engage in continuous monitoring of air quality.

Carbon monoxide and carboxyhemoglobin contents in exhaled air and blood pressure levels with diff erent nicotine delivery pathways

Aim. To assess the content of CO and COHb in exhaled air and the level of blood pressure (BP) in the working-age population of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk when using various means of nicotine delivery.Materials and methods. The study participants (n = 503) were surveyed using a questionnaire. The BP and oxygen saturation parameters were assessed. The content of CO and COHb content in exhaled air was measured using a smokerlyzer. Statistical processing was performed using nonparametric methods.Results. The study group was dominated by males (58.3%). A high incidence of smoking was observed among females, with up to 42% in the general group and 48.8% in the group of consumers of alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS). A correlation between the content of CO and COHb and the smoking experience of more than 10 years was established, regardless of the means of nicotine delivery. Arterial hypertension was registered among 39.8% of the surveyed participants, with a higher frequency in cigarette smokers (28.8%, p = 0.02). This was associated with a greater proportion of individuals (62%) with a long smoking experience of more than 10 years (p = 0.003). A weak direct correlation was established between an increase in blood pressure and the content of CO and COHb (p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion. The share of females as active consumers of tobacco products has grown, particularly in the form of ANDS. Among smokers, the average high level of CO and COHb prevails, which correlates with the smoking experience of more than 10 years and does not depend on the means of nicotine delivery. A direct relationship between the intensity of smoking and the risk of hypertension was established.

Regional sources of NH3, SO2 and CO in the Third Pole

The Third Pole (TP) is a high mountain region in the world, and is well-known for its pristine environment, but recent development activities in the region have degraded its air quality. Here, we investigate the spatial and temporal changes of the air pollutants ammonia (NH₃), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) in TP, and reveal their sources using satellite measurements and emission inventory. We observe a clear seasonal cycle of NH3 in TP, with high values in summer and low values in winter. The intense agriculture activities in the southern TP are the cause of high NH₃ (6–8 × 1016 molec./cm2) there. Similarly, CO shows a distinct seasonal cycle with high values in spring in the southeast TP due to biomass burning. In addition, the eastern boundary of TP in the Sichuan and Qinghai provinces also show high values of CO (about 1.5 × 1018 mol/cm2), primarily owing to the industrial activities. There is no seasonal cycle found for SO₂ distribution in TP, but relatively high values (8–10 mg/m2) are observed in its eastern boundary. The high-altitude pristine regions of inner TP are also getting polluted because of increased human activities in and around TP, as we estimate positive trends in CO (0.5–1.5 × 1016 mol/cm2/yr) there. In addition, positive trends are also found in NH₃ (0.025 × 1016 molec./cm2/yr) during 2008–2020 in most regions of TP and SO₂ (about 0.25–0.75 mg/m2/yr) in the Sichuan and Qinghai region during 2000–2020. As revealed by the emission inventory, there are high anthropogenic emissions of NH3, SO2 and CO within TP. There are emissions of pollutants from energy sectors, oil and refinery, agriculture waste burning and manure management within TP. These anthropogenic activities accelerate the ongoing development in TP, but severely erode its environment.

Air pollution exposure and its effects on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: clinical worsening, lung function decline, and radiological deterioration.

Major urban pollutants have a considerable influence on the natural history of lung disease. However, this effect is not well known in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to investigate the effects of air pollution on clinical worsening, lung function, and radiological deterioration in patients with IPF. This exploratory retrospective cohort study included 69 patients with IPF, monitored from 2011 to 2020. Data on air pollution levels, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μM (PM2.5), ozone (O3), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), were collected from the nearest air quality monitoring stations (<3.5 km from the patients' homes). Patient outcomes such as clinical worsening, lung function decline, and radiological deterioration were assessed over various exposure periods (1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months). The statistical analyses were adjusted for various factors, including age, sex, smoking status, and treatment. There was an association between higher O3 levels and an increased likelihood of clinical worsening over 6 and 36 months of exposure (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16 [1.01-1.33] and OR and 95% CI = 1.80 [1.07-3.01], respectively). Increased CO levels were linked to lung function decline over 12-month exposure periods (OR and 95% CI 1.63 = [1.01-2.63]). Lastly, radiological deterioration was significantly associated with higher CO, NO2, and NOx levels over 6-month exposure periods (OR and 95% CI = 2.14 [1.33-3.44], OR and 95% CI = 1.76 [1.15-2.66] and OR and 95% CI = 1.16 [1.03-1.3], respectively). This study suggests that air pollution, specifically O3, CO, NO2, and NOx, could affect clinical worsening, lung function, and radiological outcomes in patients with IPF. These findings highlight the potential role of air pollution in the progression of IPF, emphasizing the need for further research and air quality control measures to mitigate its effects on respiratory health.

Effects of atmospheric pollution on human health in Port Harcourt: Its implication on urban planning

This study examined the health implication of atmospheric pollution in Port Harcourt. The study adopted both experimental research design and ex-post facto designs. This involved direct field measurements of air pollutants (Sulphur (IV) Oxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Carbon Monoxide, and PM10) and archival medical data of air borne diseases in Port Harcourt. The study area was stratified into four zones using existing land use types. In each of the four zones, three most heavily congested traffic intersections were selected for monitoring the air pollutants. The data generated were analysed using multiple regression statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the concentration of air pollutants measured in parts per million for SO2 (0.24), NO2 (0.06), CO (33.1) and PM10 (2.65) in Port Harcourt metropolis exceeded WHO standards for SO2 (±0.00-0.01), NO2 (±0.03-0.06), CO (±3-10) and PM10 (±0.9-1.12). The study revealed that air borne diseases were on the increase in Port Harcourt metropolis. During the rainy season, there was a low prevalence of Air borne diseases in Port Harcourt and this could be attributed to the rainfall which reduces dust and fine particles. At F values of 8.59 and 10.871 respectively, SO2, and PM10 had a significant effect on the occurrence of air borne diseases in Port Harcourt metropolis at P&lt;0.05. As such, SO2, and PM10 gases were responsible for the increase in cardiovascular diseases, reduced lung function, asthma, irritation of the eyes, cough, nausea in Port Harcourt metropolis. To mitigate the effects of atmospheric pollution on human health, urban planning strategies should focus on promoting sustainable transportation options (such as public transit, cycling, and walking), increasing green spaces and planting trees to improve air quality, promoting energy-efficient buildings, and implementing regulations to reduce emissions from industrial sources. Incorporating measures to improve air quality into urban planning decisions can help create healthier and more livable cities for residents.

The Prognostic Effect of Air Pollution in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Weather conditions such as low air temperatures, low barometric pressure, and low wind speed have been linked to more cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. However, limited literature exists regarding the impact of air pollution. This study aims to investigate the relationship between outdoor air pollution and CO poisoning in 2 distinct cities in Turkey. A prospective study was conducted at 2 tertiary hospitals, recording demographic data, presenting complaints, vital signs, blood gas and laboratory parameters, carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels, meteorological parameters, and pollutant parameters. Complications and outcomes were also documented. The study included 83 patients (Group 1 = 44, Group 2 = 39). The air quality index (AQI) in Group 2 (61.7 ± 27.7) (moderate AQI) was statistically significantly higher (dirtier AQI) than that in Group 1 (47.3 ± 26.4) (good AQI) (P = 0.018). The AQI was identified as an independent predictor for forecasting the need for hospitalization (OR = 1.192, 95% CI: 1.036 - 1.372, P = 0.014) and predicting the risk of developing cardiac complications (OR: 1.060, 95% CI: 1.017 - 1.104, P = 0.005). The AQI, derived from the calculation of 6 primary air pollutants, can effectively predict the likelihood of hospitalization and cardiac involvement in patients presenting to the emergency department with CO poisoning.

A feasible heat release rate estimation approach for fire hazard assessment in green design

New energy harvesting systems in buildings are becoming more attractive in new green buildings. However, the potential fire hazard of the combustible items used in new green building limits their wider application. Fire behaviour of combustible items in new green designs should be studied carefully. Heat release rate of burning combustible items of different materials is important in fire hazard assessment and can be estimated by oxygen consumption calorimetry. An exhaust hood with a fan-duct system was built to collect flue gas. As the burning was likely to be incomplete in building fires, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor and soot would be emitted. Heat release rates of combustible items were estimated by measuring the transient amount of oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide collected by the hood. Based on mass balancing, there are at least three equations in terms of mass flow rates of oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the incoming air and exhaust gas. There are always questions about using which equations because measuring gases in full-scale burning tests is difficult and expensive. These three equations are introduced and compared in this paper. Heat release rates of four selected combustible items were studied as an example case. Accuracy of the results based on the measured oxygen concentration only was similar to the values provided by commercial software. Results from the experimental data are useful in further full-scale burning tests on combustible items in energy harvest systems planning at the moment.

Internet of Things-based sustainable environment management for large indoor facilities.

Due to global warming and climate change, the poultry industry is heavily impacted, especially the broiler industry, due to the sensitive immune system of broiler chickens. However, the continuous monitoring and controlling of the farm's environmental parameters can help to curtail the negative impacts of the environment on chickens' health, leading to increased meat production. This article presents smart solutions to such issues, which are practically implemented, and have low production and operational costs. In this article, an Internet of Things (IoT) based environmental parameters monitoring has been demonstrated for the poultry farmhouse. This system enables the collection and visualization of crucially sensed data automatically and reliably, and at a low cost to efficiently manage and operate a poultry farm. The proposed IoT-based remote monitoring system collects and visualizes environmental parameters, such as air temperature, relative humidity (RH), oxygen level (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ammonia (NH3) gas concentrations. The wireless sensor nodes have been designed and deployed for efficient data collection of the essential environmental parameters that are key for monitoring and decision-making process. The hardware is implemented and deployed successfully at a site within the control shed of the poultry farmhouse. The results revealed important findings related to the environmental conditions within the poultry farm. The temperature inside the control sheds remained within the desired range throughout the monitoring period, with daily average values ranging from 32 °C to 34 °C. The RH showed slight variations monitoring period, ranging from 65% to 75%, with a daily average of 70%. The O2 concentration exhibited an average value of 17% to 18.5% throughout the monitoring period. The CO2 levels showed occasional increases, reaching a maximum value of 1,100 ppm. However, this value was below the maximum permissible level of 2,500 ppm, indicating that the ventilation system was effective in maintaining acceptable CO2 levels within the control sheds. The NH3 gas concentration remained consistently low throughout the duration, with an average value of 50 parts per million (ppm).

Air pollution exposure and plasma fatty acid profile in pregnant women: a cohort study.

Air pollution exposure was known to result in body impairments by inducing inflammation and oxidation. But little is known about the associations of air pollutants with plasma fatty acid profile which may play important roles in the impairment of air pollutants based on the related mechanism, especially in pregnant women. This study aimed to explore the relationships of air pollution exposure with plasma fatty acid profile and the potential effect modification by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Based on a cohort in Wuhan, China, we measured concentrations of plasma fatty acids of 519 pregnant women enrolled from 2013 to 2016 by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Levels of exposure to air pollutants (fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particles (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO)) were estimated by using spatial-temporal land use regression models and calculated in three periods (average concentrations during 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month before the phlebotomizing day in the first trimester). Per interquartile range increment of the levels of air pollution exposure 1 day before phlebotomizing was related to 1.21-2.01% increment of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6PUFA) and 0.63-1.74% decrement of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA). Besides, relationships above were kept robust in the analysis during 1 week and 1 month before phlebotomizing. In women with normal BMI, plasma fatty acid profile was observed to be more sensitive to air pollutants. Our study demonstrated that increment of exposure to air pollutants was associated with higher plasma n-6PUFA known to be pro-inflammatory and lower plasma n-3PUFA known to be anti-inflammatory, which was more sensitive in pregnant women with normal BMI. Our findings suggested that changes in plasma fatty acid profile should cause concerns and may serve as biomarkers in the further studies. Future studies are needed to validate our findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.