Effects Of Pollution Research Articles

Synergistic Effects of Microplastics and Marine Pollutants on the Destabilization of Lipid Bilayers.

Microplastics have been detected in diverse environments, including soil, snowcapped mountains, and even within human organs and blood. These findings have sparked extensive research into the health implications of microplastics for living organisms. Recent studies have shown that microplastics can adsorb onto lipid membranes and induce mechanical stress. In controlled laboratory conditions, the behavior and effects of microplastics can differ markedly from those in natural environments. In this study, we investigate how exposure of microplastics to pollutants affects their interactions with lipid bilayers. Our findings reveal that pollutants, such as chemical solvents, significantly enhance the mechanical stretching effects of microplastics. This suggests that microplastics can act as vectors for harmful pollutants, facilitating their penetration through lipid membranes and thus strongly affect their biophysical properties. This research underscores the complex interplay between microplastics and environmental contaminants.

The effect of larval exposure to acids and detergents on the life history of the major malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae).

Anopheles arabiensis, a highly adaptable member of the Anopheles gambiae complex, poses a challenge for control efforts due to its outdoor biting and resting behaviour. Consequently, indoor insecticide-based control methodsare ineffective against An. arabiensis. Furthermore, An. arabiensis are adapting to breeding in polluted waters, and may be contributing to residual malaria and malaria in urban areas. There have been some advances in understanding the effect of rural pollutants on Anopheles mosquitoes, but the effect of urban pollutants is poorly understood. Thus, in this study, the effect of acidic pollutants [nitric acid (HNO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl)] and alkaline pollutants (phosphate-free and phosphate-containing detergent) on two laboratory-reared An. arabiensis strains - an insecticide susceptible strain (SENN) and an insecticide-resistant strain selected from SENN (SENN-DDT) - were determined. The median lethal concentration (LC50) and larval exposure on larval development, adult longevity and insecticide tolerance were evaluated. Nitric acid and phosphate-containing detergent were found to be more toxic than HCl and phosphate-free detergent in terms of LC50 values. Detergent exposure (both phosphate-containing and phosphate-free) increased adult longevity of both strains. Nitric acid reduced larval development time in both SENN and SENN-DDT, whereas HCl reduced larval development time in SENN only. By contrast, both phosphate-containing and phosphate-free detergents increased larval development time of both strains. Furthermore, HNO3 and phosphate-containing detergent increased insecticide tolerance the most. The two An. arabiensis strains responded to urban pollutants differently. Thus, this study provides insight into the adaptation of An. arabiensis to acidic and alkaline urban pollutants. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessment of The toxic Effect of Environmental Pollution by 2 ,3 ,7 ,8 - Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on The Female Reproductive System by Pathological and Biochemical Assay in Albino Female Rats

Assessment of The toxic Effect of Environmental Pollution by 2 ,3 ,7 ,8 - Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on The Female Reproductive System by Pathological and Biochemical Assay in Albino Female Rats

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION AND THE SOLUTIONS (A CASE STUDY OF AWKA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA).

Air pollution has long been a major global concern in developing countries, posing serious health and environmental challenges. The awareness of the effects of air pollution on human health and the environment and various ways to mitigate the impact of air pollution was investigated in Awka, Anambra State. The population size was 1000. In carrying out this research, three hypotheses were postulated and tested at a 5% level of agreement. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the subjects, and simple percentages, and weighted mean statistics were used to analyze the data. In contrast, the Chi-square was used in testing the hypotheses. Results reveal that over 50 % of the residents of Awka are fully aware of the air pollution problem in the town and are knowledgeable about the dangers of air pollution. Air pollution is prevalent in Awka town, which is largely caused by heavy traffic resulting in increased vehicular emissions of poisonous gases. The findings show that air pollution significantly negatively impacts human health and the environment. The study recommends awareness creation, enactment of suitable legislation, and activities that promote air pollution, such as open incineration of wastes and bush burning, especially for agricultural purposes, should be discouraged. We underscore the necessity of facilitating more research on the associations between exposure and health in marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by air pollution yet inadequately represented in existing investigations.

Metabolic disrupting chemicals in the intestine: the need for biologically relevant models: Zebrafish: what can we learn from this small environment-sensitive fish?

Although the concept of endocrine disruptors first appeared almost 30 years ago, the relatively recent involvement of these substances in the etiology of metabolic pathologies (obesity, diabetes, hepatic steatosis, etc.) has given rise to the concept of Metabolic Disrupting Chemicals (MDCs). Organs such as the liver and adipose tissue have been well studied in the context of metabolic disruption by these substances. The intestine, however, has been relatively unexplored despite its close link with these organs. In vivo models are useful for the study of the effects of MDCs in the intestine and, in addition, allow investigations into interactions with the rest of the organism. In the latter respect, the zebrafish is an animal model which is used increasingly for the characterization of endocrine disruptors and its use as a model for assessing effects on the intestine will, no doubt, expand. This review aims to highlight the importance of the intestine in metabolism and present the zebrafish as a relevant alternative model for investigating the effect of pollutants in the intestine by focusing, in particular, on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), one of the major molecular players in endogenous and MDCs metabolism in the gut.

Assessing and anticipating environmental challenges in Lahore, Pakistan: future implications of air pollution on sustainable development and environmental governance.

Urban environment and air quality are changing primarily due to land use land cover (LULC) changes, economic activity, and urbanization. Air pollution has been increasingly acknowledged as a major issue for cities due to its extensive effects on health and well-being. As the second most populous city in the country, Lahorefaces alarming levels of air pollutants, whichinduced this study to focus on the pervasive issue of air pollution in Lahore. For this, the study collected air pollutants data from the Environmental Protection Department of Punjab and analyzed them using the ARIMA model. In the research results, both the observed data and predictive models uncovered concerning trends in pollutant concentrations, ultimatelyportraying a concerning picture for air quality management. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels show a consistent rise, surpassing Pakistan's environmental standards by 2025. Similarly, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations escalate, exceeding prescribed standards. Ground-level ozone (O3) also demonstrates a substantial increase, surpassing standards by 2025. Both PM2.5 and PM10 exhibit marked upward trends, projected to exceed recommended limits, particularly PM10 throughout the study year. The Air Quality Index exhibits an observable upward trend, fluctuating between 70 and 442 from 2015 to 2020. Similarly, a positive correlation was found between population growth and land use conversion into residential areas. Projections suggest a continuous increase, potentially hitting a severe level of 500 during winter by 2025. These findings point to an impending air pollution crisis, demanding urgent action to address the hazardous situation in the city. The study recommends that urban air pollution should be reduced, and the negative health effects of air pollution should be minimized using vegetation barriers, screens, and greening initiatives. Strict regulations and monitoring initiatives need to be put in place in big cities to monitor pollution and vegetation.

The effect of petroleum products pollution on environmental soil condition at airport adjacent territory

The effect of petroleum products pollution on environmental soil condition at airport adjacent territory

Different effects of air pollutant concentrations on influenza A and B in Sichuan, China

BackgroundThe detrimental effects of air pollution on the respiratory system are well documented. Previous research has established a correlation between air pollutant concentration and the frequency of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness. However, studies investigating the variations in infection among different influenza subtypes remain sparse. We aimed to determine the correlation between air pollutant levels and different influenza subtypes in Sichuan Province, China. MethodsA generalized additive model and distributed lag nonlinear model were employed to assess the association between air pollutants and influenza subtypes, utilizing daily influenza data obtained from 30 hospitals across 21 cities in Sichuan Province. The analysis considered the temporal effects and meteorological factors. The study spanned from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. To provide a more precise evaluation of the actual impact of air pollution on different subtypes of influenza, we also performed subgroup analyses based on factors such as gender, age, and geography within the population. ResultsDuring the investigation, 17,462 specimens from Sichuan Province tested positive for influenza. Among these, 12,607 and 4,855 were diagnosed with Flu A and B, respectively. The related risk of influenza A infection significantly increased following exposure to PM2.5 on Lag2 days (RR=1.008, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.000–1.016), SO2 and CO on Lag1 days (RR=1.121, 95% CI: 1.032–1.219; RR=1.151, 95% CI: 1.030–1.289), and NO2 on Lag0 day (RR=1.089, 95% CI: 1.035–1.145). PM10 and SO2 levels on Lag0 day, PM2.5 levels on Lag1 day, and CO levels on Lag6 day, with a reduced risk of influenza B (RR=0.987, 95% CI: 0.976–0.997; RR=0.817, 95% CI: 0.676–0.987; RR=0.979, 95% CI: 0.970–0.989; RR=0.814, 95% CI: 0.561–0.921). ConclusionThe findings from the overall population and subgroup analyses indicated that the impact of air pollutant concentrations on influenza A and B is inconsistent, with influenza A demonstrating greater susceptibility to these pollutants. Minimizing the levels of SO2, CO, NO2, and PM2.5 can significantly decrease the likelihood of contracting influenza A. Analyzing the influence of environmental contaminants on different influenza subtypes can provide insights into seasonal influenza trends and guide the development of preventive and control strategies.

Ambient temperature and the risk of childhood epilepsy hospitalizations: Potentially neglected risk of temperature extremes and modifying effects of air pollution

PurposeExtreme temperatures and air pollution are increasingly important risk factors for human health in the background of climate change, with limited evidence available for neurological disorders. This study intended to investigate the short-term effects of extreme temperatures on childhood epilepsy and explore the potential modifying effect of air pollution. MethodsDaily childhood epilepsy hospitalization, meteorological and air pollution data were collected from 10 cities in Anhui Province of China during 2016–2018. We firstly employed a space–time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression model to fit the short-term relationship between temperature and epilepsy. Then, we conducted stratified analyses by the level of air pollution and individual characteristics. ResultsBoth extreme heat and extreme cold increased the risk of hospitalization for childhood epilepsy. The effect of extreme heat [97.5th vs. minimum hospitalization temperature (MHT)] on hospitalization was acute and emerged at lag0 [OR: 1.229 (95 %CI: 1.035 to 1.459)], while the effect of extreme cold (2.5th vs. MHT) was delayed and appeared at lag5 [OR: 1.098 (95 %CI: 1.043 to 1.156)]. We also found children aged 6–18 years were more susceptible to extreme cold than children aged 0–5 years. Besides, extreme heat and cold effects differed by the level of air pollutants. ConclusionThis study suggests that extreme temperatures might be the novel but currently neglected risk factor for childhood epilepsy, and air pollution could further amplify the adverse effect of temperature.

Negative association of atmospheric pollutants with semen quality: A cross-sectional study in Taiyuan, China

BackgroundIn recent decades, the quality of male semen has decreased worldwide. Air pollution has been linked to lower semen quality in several studies. However, the effects of atmospheric pollutants on different semen characteristics have not always been consistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the Air Quality Index (AQI) and six atmospheric pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3), semen quality, and their key exposure window periods. MethodsThis study included 1711 semen samples collected at the reproductive clinics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, from October 10, 2021, to September 30, 2022. We evaluated the association of AQI and six atmospheric pollutants with semen quality parameters throughout sperm development and three key exposure windows in men using single-pollutant models, double-pollutant models, and subgroup analyses of semen quality-eligible groups. ResultsBoth the single-pollutant model and subgroup analyses showed that PM, CO, and O3 levels were negatively correlated with total and progressive motility. At 70–90 d before semen collection, CO exposure and semen volume (β =-1.341, 95 % CI: −1.805, −0.877, P <0.001), total motility (β =-2.593, 95 % CI: −3.425, −1.761, P <0.001), and progressive motility (β =-4.658, 95 % CI: −5.556, −3.760, P <0.001) were negatively correlated. At 0–9 days before semen collection, CO was negatively correlated with normal morphology (β =-3.403, 95 % CI: −5.099, −1.708, P <0.001). Additionally, the AQI was adversely associated with total and progressive motility in subgroup analyses of the semen quality-eligible groups. ConclusionsDuring the entire sperm development process, multiple air pollutants were determined to have an adverse correlation with semen quality parameters. AQI was significant marker for the combined effects of various atmospheric pollutants on male reproductive health.

Assessment of Ambient Air Pollution Levels: A Five-Year Analysis of PM2.5, NO, NO2, NOX, CO, and SO2

The study conducted on the air quality of five highly polluted cities in India over the last five years (2015-2020) sheds light on the detrimental effects of air pollution and the need for monitoring and mitigation. The research focused on six major air pollutants: PM2.5, NO, NO2, NOX, CO, and SO2. The study's findings reveal that the concentrations of these air pollutants consistently exceeded the limits set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009 and the World Health Organization's Ambient Air Quality Standards. This indicates that the air quality in these cities was consistently poor and posed a significant health risk to the population. The study emphasises that certain subpopulations, such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollutants. Elevated levels of pollutants in the air can lead to severe health effects and contribute to the development of serious diseases. Furthermore, the study highlights that the air quality significantly improved in 2020 due to the nationwide lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions on mobility and industrial activities resulted in reduced emissions, leading to a temporary improvement in air quality. These conclusions underscore the critical importance of understanding the harmful effects of air pollutants and taking measures to protect human health and preserve the quality of the environment.

A review of the effects of pharmaceutical pollutants on humans and aquatic ecosystem

A review of the effects of pharmaceutical pollutants on humans and aquatic ecosystem

Effects of inorganic and organic pollution on development of Steindachneridion melanodermatum from the Iguaçu river, Brazil

The Iguaçu River basin, known for its rich endemic ichthyofauna, faces a significant threat from chemical pollution. The Jordão River, a major tributary, drains extensive agricultural and livestock areas and receives poorly treated domestic and industrial effluents before joining the Iguaçu River. This study investigated the pollution and toxic effects of water samples from the Iguaçu upstream (UI), Jordão (JR), and their confluence (DI) on Steindachneridion melanodermatum embryos and larvae. Chemical analyses of the water samples revealed that most contaminants were present at levels below detection limits or within the limits established by Brazilian legislation. However, cadmium in UI, aluminum in JR, and lead in DI exceeded the legal limits. Exposure up to 96 h post-fertilization revealed higher mortality and deformity rates in individuals exposed to water samples from UI and JR, despite JR having fewer detected pollutants. JR and DI samples induced increased superoxide dismutase activity, indicating activation of the antioxidant defense system due to xenobiotic exposure. Overall, the integrated biomarker response indexes showed that individuals exposed to JR water displayed the most significant variations in their responses compared to the control treatment, suggesting a higher level of contamination and toxicity. Although a direct link between water quality and toxicity in the Jordão and Iguaçu Rivers was inconclusive, the results confirmed pollution and risks to local wildlife. The study highlighted the harmful effects of pollutants, even at low concentrations. These findings underscore the need for conservation measures to safeguard endemic and endangered species in the Iguaçu River basin. Understanding pollutant effects on native species is crucial for effective mitigation strategies and ecological health preservation.

Optimizing stormwater runoff treatment: The role of two-stage tandem rain gardens

Regarded as a superior urban stormwater management solution, rain gardens can effectively store rainfall runoff and purify water quality. However, the efficiency of traditional rain gardens (TRG) in regulating runoff and removing nitrogen and phosphorus varies under different hydrological conditions. In this study, the TRG was retrofitted to construct a two-stage tandem rain garden (TTRG). Based on the experimental monitoring of rain gardens under natural rainfall from 2011 to 2013, results indicated a significantly higher runoff reduction capacity for the TTRG compared to the traditional garden (p<0.05), with average runoff and peak flow reduction rates increasing by 42.8% and 36.2%, respectively. Rainfall characteristics significantly impacted the runoff reduction of the TRG (p<0.05), but not the TTRG (p>0.05), demonstrating the enhanced control and stability of the TTRG in managing rainfall runoff. The concentration removal efficiency of nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) was significantly improved (p<0.05), whereas the total phosphorus (TP), ammonium nitrogen (NH3-N) and total nitrogen (TN) were not significantly changed (p>0.05). The first-order kinetic model was used to fit the removal effect of different pollutants before and after retrofitting the rain garden, and the removal of NO3--N by the TTRG was better than that of the TRG. The TTRG showed significantly higher load removal efficiencies for TP, NO3--N, and NH3-N compared to TRG (p<0.05), with average load removal rates increasing by 49.92%, 75.02%, and 14.81%, respectively. The TTRG can regulate urban rainfall runoff more efficiently and stably. By changing the water flow path in the rain garden, the TTRG has a better runoff reduction ability and pollutant purification effect.

Relationships between water quality of a long-distance inter-basin water diversion project and air pollution emissions along the canal: Distributions, lag effects, and nonlinear responses

Understanding and quantifying the influences and contributions of air pollution emissions on water quality variations is critically important for surface water quality protection and management. To address this, we created a five-year daily data matrix of six water quality indicators—permanganate index (CODMn), NH3-N, pH, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved organic matter (DOM)—and six air pollution indicators—O3, CO, NO2, SO2, 2.5 μm particulate matter (PM2.5), and inhalable particles (PM10)—using data from seven national monitoring stations along the world's longest water-diversion project, the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China (MR-SNWD). Multivariate techniques (Mann–Kendall, Spearman's correlation, lag correlation, and Generalized Additive Models [GAMs]) were applied to examine the nonlinear relationships and lag effects of air pollution on water quality. Air pollution and water quality exhibited marked spatial heterogeneity along the MR-SNWD, with all water quality parameters meeting Class I or II national standards and the air pollution indicators exceeding those thresholds. Except for CODMn and DOM, the other water quality and air pollution indicators exhibited significant seasonal differences. Air pollution exhibited significant lag effects on water quality at the northern stations, with NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and PM10 being highly correlated with changes in pH, with an average lag of 17 d. Based on the GAMs, lag effects enhanced the significant nonlinear relationships between air pollution and water quality, increasing the average deviance explained for CODMn, NH3-N, and pH by 93%, 24%, and 41%, respectively. These findings provide a scientific basis for protecting water quality along the long-distance inter-basin water-diversion project under anthropogenic air pollution.

Heavy metals distribution and their ecological risk in the surface sediments of Haizhou Bay, China

A comprehensive analysis of heavy metal concentrations, sources, and pollution status was conducted on thirty surface sediment samples collected from Haizhou Bay, China in 2020. The spatial distributions of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, and total organic carbon (TOC) were found to be analogous. Noteworthy, sporadic pollution effects from Cu, Cr, and As were detected, although heavy metal concentrations remained below the probable effect level (PEL). A suite of analytical methods, including Pearson's correlation coefficient, geoaccumulation index, sediment quality guidelines, potential ecological risk index, and principal component analysis, was employed to elucidate the sources and assess the pollution risks. The results indicated that Hg emerged as the predominant heavy metal pollutant in Haizhou Bay sediments, with several stations showing high pollution levels that require attention. Other heavy metals were mainly of natural origin, indicating no significant pollution in the study area.

Assessment of the Respiratory Disease Mortality Risk from Single and Composite Exposures to PM2.5 and Ozone - Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China, 2018-2021.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) are prevalent pollutants in the atmosphere, which threaten human health, especially the respiratory system. Typically, people are exposed to a mixture of various pollutants in the environment. Thus, the single and combined effects of both pollutants need to be investigated. PM2.5 and O3 increase the risk of death from lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory diseases, with their lagged and cumulative effects analyzed, indicating an acute effect. In addition, combined exposure to both pollutants can significantly affect disease deaths. This study provides further evidence of the single and combined effects of PM2.5 and O3 on respiratory diseases, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts in air pollution control, with greater attention to the synergistic management of air pollutants.

A comparison study on membrane fouling in A/O-MBR and A/A-MBR at different mixed liquor-suspended solids concentrations

ABSTRACT Membrane fouling leads to decreased membrane flux, increases the frequency of membrane tissue replacement and membrane cleaning, and increases the operating cost of membrane bioreactor. In this study, the pollutant removal effects, membrane fouling differences and microbial characteristics of anaerobic/aerobic MBR (A/O-MBR) and anaerobic/anoxic MBR (A/A-MBR) were investigated at different mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentrations. The results showed that the chemical cleaning cycle of membrane contamination was 12, 28, 44 h and 24, 40, 104 h, respectively, and the cycle was prolonged with the increase of MLSS concentration (from 6000 to 9000 mg L−1). A/O-MBR was 1.4–2.4 times the rate of membrane fouling of A/A-MBR. In irreversible resistance, extracellular polymer substances (EPS) were the most significant contributors to membrane fouling. EPS concentration in A/A-MBR (118.33, 73.75, 54.26 mg/gMLSS) was lower than that in A/O-MBR (171.68, 91.92, 62.33 mg/gMLSS). Therefore, increasing MLSS concentration could mitigate membrane fouling. 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing demonstrated that filamentous bacteria was the primary reason for the membrane fouling difference. Filamentous bacteria were more likely to be attached to the surface of the membrane, causing membrane fouling. The abundance percentage of filamentous bacteria in A/A-MBR was smaller than that in A/O-MBR. In summary, The excellent performance of A/A-MBR in membrane fouling behaviour, resistance analysis, EPS and microorganisms proved that A/A-MBR is more promising than A/O-MBR in wastewater nitrogen and phosphorus removal. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the application of MBR in the field of sewage treatment.

Assessing LDPE microplastics' impact on green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) cultivation: A greenhouse pot experiment

Plastic pollution, particularly from microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat to agricultural ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics on green gram (Vigna radiata) cultivation, focusing on growth, yield, and soil nutrient dynamics. A completely randomized design with nine treatments of varying LDPE concentrations was used in a controlled poly house environment. Soil analysis assessed mechanical and physico-chemical properties using established methods. Green gram variety Co (Gg) 8 was cultivated during the Rabi season, with comprehensive crop management including germination tests, pot culture preparations, precise fertilizer application, and essential cultural operations. Results indicated significant correlations between LDPE concentrations and green gram growth parameters, with higher concentrations having detrimental effects (correlation coefficient = −0.75, p < 0.05). LDPE treatments also influenced plant nutrient uptake, showing inverse correlations with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake (correlation coefficient = −0.82, p < 0.01). Post-harvest soil analysis revealed significant variations in available nutrients, with LDPE-treated soils exhibiting higher N, P, and K levels compared to control groups (correlation coefficient = 0.78, p < 0.01). Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of LDPE microplastics in soil and plant samples, identified by characteristic (CO) and (C–H) stretching vibrations. These findings highlight the complex interactions between LDPE microplastics and agricultural systems, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices to mitigate the adverse effects of plastic pollution on agriculture. Statistical analysis using the CRD framework and correlation and regression analyses ensured robust interpretation of the data.

Sex disparities in the burden of air particulate matter-related unhealthy years and life-years lost in Asia-Pacific countries, 1990–2019

Air quality, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), significantly impacts human health and mortality. This study aims to quantify and compare the effects of ambient particulate matter (APM) and household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuels on unhealthy years and life-years lost in APAC from 1990 to 2019. It also examines factors influencing unhealthy years among females due to HAP. Our findings show that females were more vulnerable to HAP, whereas males were at a higher mortality risk from APM. Pacific islands encountered the greatest burden from HAP, while West Asia was most affected by APM. Over the studied period, the impact of APM on unhealthy years and life-years lost increased, primarily affecting the elderly and adults more than children and youth. Conversely, health impacts from HAP declined across all age groups in the Pacific Islands, though less so compared to other subregions. Key predictors of female unhealthy years from HAP included pollution, demographics, and women's empowerment, with no significant economic influences. Understanding these impacts, along with age and gender differences, is crucial for developing targeted environmental health policies and interventions.