Effects Of Outdoor Air Pollution Research Articles

Associations of exposure to outdoor PM2.5 and NO2 during pregnancy with childhood asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in a predominantly rural French mother-child cohort

Uncertainty remains regarding the effects of outdoor air pollution in rural areas on childhood asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Although these diseases often coexist, few studies have examined the effects of air pollution on their multimorbidity. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations of pregnancy exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with childhood asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and their multimorbidity. We included children from the 6-year (n = 1322) and 12-year (n = 1118) follow-up of the Pélagie mother-child cohort in Brittany, France where 64% of the participants lived in rural areas. Asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and a multimorbidity phenotype (concomitant presence of ≥2 diseases) were defined by validated questionnaires. PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations during pregnancy were modeled at residential address using land use regression. We assessed associations using logistic regressions per interquartile range (PM2.5: 3 μg/m3; NO2: 10 μg/m3). We also performed stratification by type of area (urban and rural). Asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and the multimorbidity phenotype prevalence were 12%, 20%, 22% and 12% at 6-years, and 10%, 23%, 19% and 11% at 12-years of follow-up. At 6-years, for eczema, a tendency of an association was observed with NO2 (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.97–1.36, p-value = 0.10), and stratification by type of area showed statistically significant associations for PM2.5 (1.49 (1.03–2.13), p = 0.03) and NO2 (1.40 (1.08–1.82), p = 0.01) in the urban stratum. At 12-years, main analyses showed a tendency of associations of PM2.5 (1.38 (0.98–1.93), p = 0.07) and NO2 (1.25 (0.98–1.59), p = 0.07) with asthma, and of NO2 with the multimorbidity phenotype (1.23 (0.97–1.56), p = 0.09). While overall results were not statistically significant, associations in urban settings were stronger than in rural ones at 6-years suggesting that possible differences between the effects in urban and rural areas should be further explored.

The effect of outdoor air pollution on Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review

Abstract Air pollution is one of the largest global environmental risks to public health. Over recent years, neuroimaging techniques have started to uncover the detrimental impact air pollution has had on brain health, including the development of Alzheimer’s Diseases (AD). We systematically reviewed the literature to evaluate the effects of long-term exposure (months to years) to outdoor air pollutants on the development of AD-like neurology. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023482979) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Four large databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL) were searched in November 2023 using terms associated with air pollution, neuroimaging, and AD. Only peer-reviewed primary research articles using neuroimaging data to examine AD-like pathology after long-term exposure to air pollutants (Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10), SO2, NO2, O3, and/or CO) were included. Titles, abstracts and full-texts were screened, and included articles were quality assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. A narrative synthesis was conducted to analyse the studies. Our search yielded 397 results, of which eight articles met our inclusion criteria. Articles focused on changes to white matter (n = 5), cortical thickness (n = 6), and grey matter (n = 2). Exposure to PM2.5 was commonly associated with white matter reductions, and PM10 and NO2 exposure was associated with reduced cortical thickness. The effect of exposure to different outdoor pollution on grey matter was inconclusive, with both increases and decreases in grey matter volume observed. This review highlighted how PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 exposure was associated with neurological changes commonly seen in AD. These findings can be used by policymakers and researchers to identify specific pollutants that need greater restrictions and regulations to improve population health. Key messages • PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 exposure are associated with neurological changes commonly seen in AD. • Greater restrictions and regulations are needed on specific pollutants to improve population health.

Long-term effects of air pollution on daily outpatient visits for allergic conjunctivitis from 2013 to 2020: a time-series study in Urumqi, China.

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of outdoor air pollution and allergic conjunctivitis and population-based lagged effects of air pollution. We included data on six major air pollutants, PM10, PM2.5, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3), and 3325 allergic conjunctivitis outpatient visits in Urumqi, northwest China, from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020. We developed quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression models with distributed lagged nonlinear models (DLNM), and single and multi-pollutant models were constructed to investigate single-day and cumulative lagged effects in detail. Our results confirmed that elevated PM10 and NO2 levels are significantly associated with increased allergic conjunctivitis outpatient visits with lags of 2 and 3 days respectively, and subgroup analyses further suggest that the effects of PM10 and NO2 on allergic conjunctivitis are more pronounced during the warm season. Women are more sensitive to PM10 exposure and the effect of air pollution on allergic conjunctivitis is influenced by age (e.g., infancy and older people). Our work provides the first time-series study in Urumqi, the world's furthest inland city from the ocean. Further implementation of specific outdoor air pollution controls such as the burning of fossil fuels like coal, as well as special population protection policies remain necessary. Multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

Effects of outdoor air pollution on hospital admissions from cardiovascular diseases in the capital city of Mongolia

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the primary causes of morbidity worldwide, while ambient air pollution (AAP) is a major contributor to CVD. This study is the first study that aimed to compare the differences in AAP concentrations and acute effects on the risk of admissions from CVD, ischaemic heart diseases (IHD), and stroke before and after introducing the new type of coal briquette in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We collected daily hospital admission records, air quality and meteorology data between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022. The relative risks (RRs) of cause-specific hospitalisations associated with daily concentrations of AAP were estimated by a time-stratified case-crossover analysis with conditional Poisson distributed lag models. Overall, acute exposure to the pollutants, except for O3, was positively associated with an increased risk of all admissions. For each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2 and CO, the risk of CVD admissions increased by 0.5% (RR=1.005; 95% CI: 0.998, 1.012) at lag0, 2.9% (RR=1.029; 95% CI: 1.014, 1.044), 2.5% (RR=1.025; 95% CI: 1.010, 1.040), 4.1% (RR=1.041; 95% CI: 1.016, 1.068) and 0.3% (RR=1.003; 95% CI: 0.995, 1.012) at lag01, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed greater risks of CVD admissions for women and people aged <65 years, in the cold season, and after the raw coal ban period. During the cold winter season, Ulaanbaatar’s AAP levels remained higher than the World Health Organization’s guidelines, regardless of consuming the new coal briquettes. Adopting alternative efficient methods to improve air quality and associated health outcomes is necessary.

Long-term health effects of outdoor air pollution on asthma and respiratory symptoms among adults in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundFew studies have investigated the association between long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution and the risk of asthma and respiratory symptoms in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the epidemiological evidence regarding the associations between long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution and respiratory symptoms in LMICs.MethodsWe searched for literature published between January 1946 and September 2022 in Embase (Ovid), Medline (Ovid), and Web of Science (Core Collection). The air and gaseous pollutants studied included particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and black carbon (BC), and exposure was 1-year duration or more. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis with a random-effects model to calculate the relative risk (RR) estimates. A rerun of the databases was conducted in November 2023 with no eligible studies found.ResultsOf the 1,346 studies identified, only six met our inclusion criteria, and these six reported PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 with asthma as the main outcome. Three of these included studies were further included in the meta-analysis because they had data on the same exposure and outcome (PM2.5 and asthma). The main result of our study showed a borderline significant association between a 10 µg/m3 increase in exposure to PM2.5 and an increased risk of asthma (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.93, 1.50). There was evidence of considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 75.87%). The regression-based Egger test for small-study effects showed no significant publication bias among these three studies.ConclusionOur results indicate that long-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of asthma in LMICs, but studies are scarce and there is a large need for more research in LMICs in this field.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0288667, PROSPERO (CRD42022311326).

After the 2021 Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs): a scoping review study protocol on air pollution

Abstract Background Outdoor air pollution is a known risk factor for human health. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its former guidelines on air quality, considering the latest body of evidence (up to 2018) about health impact of different air pollutants. Yet, according to the WHO, some issues are well-covered, while others need further investigation. This scoping review is part of the “Air and Health” monitoring and research project promoted by Emilia-Romagna, a region of Italy located in the Po valley, the area with the highest concentration of air pollutants in Western Europe. It will summarize the literature produced after 2018 regarding long-term (LT) health effects of outdoor air pollution, describing whether recent studies are focused on reinforcing established results or on emerging topics. Methods The review follows the PRISMA extended for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We will conduct an online search on databases (Pubmed, EMBASE), reviewing the strings against the PRESS 2015 Evidence-Based Checklist. The eligibility criteria are: relation to outdoor air pollution and its LT effects on human health (excluding occupational setting), original research, any language (abstract in English), date of publication between 2019/01/01 and 2023/04/30. Further studies may be identified through reference crosscheck. Two authors will independently conduct the title/abstract screening, excluding the non-eligible reports via reference management software. In case of disagreement, a decision will be taken through consensus. Included articles will be summarized according to pollutant-outcome pairs investigated: confirmatory (pairs included in AQGs) or innovative (pairs not included in AQGs). Results The preliminary search string identified more than 1000 papers to be screened. Conclusions The review will provide an insight in recent literature directions, whether it is confirmatory or innovative, to find possible gaps in the light of research needs identified by AQGs. Key messages • Outdoor air pollution is a risk factor for human health, but uncertainties still remain. • A review of the literature after the 2021 WHO global AQGs can orient future investigations.

Genetic susceptibility to airway inflammation and exposure to short-term outdoor air pollution

BackgroundAir pollution is a large environmental health hazard whose exposure and health effects are unequally distributed among individuals. This is, at least in part, due to gene-environment interactions, but few studies exist. Thus, the current study aimed to explore genetic susceptibility to airway inflammation from short-term air pollution exposure through mechanisms of gene-environment interaction involving the SFTPA, GST and NOS genes.MethodsFive thousand seven hundred two adults were included. The outcome measure was fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), at 50 and 270 ml/s. Exposures were ozone (O3), particulate matter < 10 µm (PM10), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 3, 24, or 120-h prior to FeNO measurement. In the SFTPA, GST and NOS genes, 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed for interaction effects. The data were analyzed using quantile regression in both single-and multipollutant models.ResultsSignificant interactions between SNPs and air pollution were found for six SNPs (p < 0.05): rs4253527 (SFTPA1) with O3 and NOx, rs2266637 (GSTT1) with NO2, rs4795051 (NOS2) with PM10, NO2 and NOx, rs4796017 (NOS2) with PM10, rs2248814 (NOS2) with PM10 and rs7830 (NOS3) with NO2. The marginal effects on FeNO for three of these SNPs were significant (per increase of 10 µg/m3):rs4253527 (SFTPA1) with O3 (β: 0.155, 95%CI: 0.013–0.297), rs4795051 (NOS2) with PM10 (β: 0.073, 95%CI: 0.00–0.147 (single pollutant), β: 0.081, 95%CI: 0.004–0.159 (multipollutant)) and NO2 (β: -0.084, 95%CI: -0.147; -0.020 (3 h), β: -0.188, 95%CI: -0.359; -0.018 (120 h)) and rs4796017 (NOS2) with PM10 (β: 0.396, 95%CI: 0.003–0.790).ConclusionsIncreased inflammatory response from air pollution exposure was observed among subjects with polymorphisms in SFTPA1, GSTT1, and NOS genes, where O3 interacted with SFTPA1 and PM10 and NO2/NOx with the GSTT1 and NOS genes. This provides a basis for the further exploration of biological mechanisms as well as the identification of individuals susceptible to the effects of outdoor air pollution.

Cardiovascular health effects of outdoor air pollution in the most polluted city, mongolia

Cardiovascular health effects of outdoor air pollution in the most polluted city, mongolia

Health effects of outdoor air pollutants

One of the most common causes of death and sickness worldwide is cardiovascular disease. A growing body of research suggests that exposure to air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Especially children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more susceptible to the impacts of air pollution. This study aims to explore the health effects of pollutants on the cardiovascular system and respiratory systems. This study follows a literature study method. The study found that exposure to outdoor air pollution is related to immediate and chronic health consequences, from mild physiologic abnormalities to death, especially from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Chemical air pollutants harm patients, especially with chronic respiratory and cardiac disorders, but also asthmatic youngsters. Short-term exposure worsens chronic diseases, and increases symptoms, medical care needs, and mortality, while long-term, repetitive exposure enhances the cumulative risk of these diseases and death. Keywords:Air pollutants, Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system.

The relationship between outdoor air pollutants and atopic dermatitis of adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) poses a significant disease burden in adults. Environmental factors are essential in its pathogenesis. Given the possible role of air pollutants in allergic diseases, it is worthwhile to summarize the effects of outdoor air pollution on adult AD. We undertook a systematic review based on PubMed and EMBASE as of August 16, 2021, and found 20 relevant studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was carried out. Regarding long-term effects (within months to years), traffic-related air pollution and particulate matter < 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5, per 10 μg/m³ increment) are associated with the prevalence of adult AD (OR 1.40, 95%CI [1.24, 1.58] and 1.67, 95%CI [1.26, 2.21]). Exposures to PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide are associated with incident AD, with ORs of 2.30 (95%CI: 1.25, 4.25) and 1.30 (95%CI: 1.04, 1.61) per 10 μg/m³ increment. In terms of short term effects (within days), exposure to particulate matter < 10 μm in diameter (PM10) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are associated with exacerbations of AD at lag day 0 based on those time-series studies, with an excessive risk of 2.9%, in particular, per 10 μg/m³ increment in SO₂ exposure. In addition, both short-term and long-term exposures to these air pollutants are associated with AD symptoms (eczema, pruritus, and sleep disturbance). Outdoor air pollutants exert both short-term and long-term adverse effects on adult AD, contributing to its development, severity and exacerbation of symptoms. The influence of air pollution should be considered in the management of adult AD.

Effects of Outdoor Air Pollutants on Indoor Environment Due to Natural Ventilation

This study measured ventilation volumes and particle concentrations in indoor environments with open windows and doors. In addition, the effect of the airflow mode of the air conditioner on the ventilation volume and indoor particle concentration variations was also measured. The ventilation fan could only provide approximately 43% of the ventilation volume during the design phase. The amount of ventilation differed depending on the opening area in windows and doors. The ventilation volume was increased by opening multiple windows or doors, even when the area of the opening was the same. No significant change in the ventilation rate was observed, although the air conditioner was expected to promote the ventilation rate in the room when set on blow mode. It was confirmed that both 0.3 and 1 μm particles could enter through the gaps around the windows and doors. Although most of the 5 μm particles were from the outdoor air, when the air conditioner was operated in airflow mode, the removal of 5 μm particles was performed by the air conditioner filter. The use of medium-performance or HEPA filters is expected to remove smaller particulates.

Health impact assessment of Delhi's outdoor workers exposed to air pollution and extreme weather events: an integrated epidemiology approach.

This study is an assessment of the effects of outdoor air pollution and extreme weather events on the health of outdoor workers in Delhi, including auto rickshaw drivers, street vendors, and sweepers. To carry it out, a cross-sectional and perception-based epidemiological research design was used, and the primary tool used for data collection was a questionnaire. Two hundred twenty-eight people participated in the survey, and a pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed on 63 participants. Most of the respondents from different occupational groups complained about headaches/giddiness, nausea, and muscular cramps during extreme heat events due to the physically demanding nature of their jobs in the outdoor environment. Furthermore, autorickshaw drivers reported the highest prevalence of ophthalmic symptoms, such as eye redness (44%) and eye irritation (36%). In comparison, vendors reported a higher prevalence of headaches (43%) and eye redness (40%) due to increased exposure to vehicular emissions. Among sweepers, musculoskeletal problems like joint pain (40%), backache (38%), and shoulder pain (35%) were most prevalent due to occupation-related ergonomic factors. In addition, the majority of autorickshaw drivers (47%), vendors (47%), and sweepers (48%) considered that air quality had a severe impact on their health. PFT results showed that most respondents had restricted lung function. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that lung function impairment had a significant association with smoking (p = 0.023) and age (0.019). The odds ratio for smoking, which was around 4, indicated that respondents who smoked had a nearly four times greater risk of developing lung impairment. The study also highlighted the need for using personal protective equipment and developing guidelines to reduce their exposure level.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-022-18886-9.

Effects of outdoor air pollution on children with allergic rhinitis

Effects of outdoor air pollution on children with allergic rhinitis

The long term effects of outdoor air pollution in urban environments on cardiovascular health: a global review

The effect of air pollution on health is listed as a significant cause of death worldwide. Slightly over 3 million deaths per year are due to outdoor air pollution. Studies have shown that short term increases in exposure to particulate matter have increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. However, less is known about the longer term effects of air pollution on various cardiovascular diseases. The American Heart Association formally recognized PM2.5 as a significant cardiovascular risk factor in 2010. Since then, more prolonged term exposure to air pollution has been suggested to cause chronic cardiometabolic and cardiovascular problems. The effects of long term (&gt;3 years) air pollution are significant, but not as much is known about how location affects this exposure. Associations with cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors are often increased in urban settings, which is attributed to a higher concentrations of outdoor air pollution, independent of ethnic groups and seasonal changes. Potential causes of long term air pollution concentrations in cities or metropolitan areas come from traffic exposure and traffic intensity. The Environmental Protection Agency and United Nations have suggested changes in air quality standards, implementation plans, and ways to reduce vehicle emissions specifically to improve human health and reduce the adverse effects of air pollution; however, more work still needs to be done. This review assesses the impact of the global long term (&gt;3 years) air pollution exposure, specifically in urban environments on cardiovascular health and disease.

Effect of outdoor air pollution and indoor environmental factors on small for gestational age

BackgroundSmall for gestational age (SGA) is a major public health problem that affects 32.4 million infants worldwide and its prevalence is increasing rapidly in new-borns. However, the key risk factors and their exposure time window on the development of SGA are unclear. ObjectiveWe aim to investigate the association between exposure to outdoor air pollution and indoor environmental factors during which critical timing window and SGA, and to evaluate which specific personal factors modify this association. MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 3509 infants was conducted in Changsha, China during 2011–2012. A questionnaire survey was performed to obtain the formation on infant's birth outcomes and prenatal exposure of indoor environmental factors containing parental (maternal and/or paternal) smoking, new furniture, house redecoration, mold or dampness, window condensation, and keeping dogs in gestational age. Intrauterine exposure to industrial air pollutant (SO2), traffic-related air pollutant (NO2) and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) was estimated during three trimesters and entire pregnancy. Associations between outdoor air pollutants and indoor environmental factors and SGA, term SGA (TSGA) and preterm SGA (PSGA) were assessed by multiple logistic regression model in terms of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). ResultsPrevalence of SGA (5.2%) and TSGA (4.9%) were significantly associated with intrauterine exposure to outdoor SO2 during the entire gestational age with adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 1.08 (1.01–1.15) and 1.08 (1.00–1.15) for per 10 μg/m3 increase in SO2 exposure after adjusting for the covariates, indoor environmental factors, and outdoor air temperature, and PSGA prevalence (0.3%) was significantly related with PM10 exposure during whole pregnancy with odds = 2.21 (1.08–4.51). However, no association was observed for traffic-related air pollutant NO2 exposure. Specifically, the association was more significant for SO2 exposure during the 1st and/or 2nd trimester. We further found that TSGA and PSGA were associated with indoor exposure to parental smoking and new furniture, respectively, ORs (95% CI) = 1.46 (1.00–2.11) and 10.95 (1.46–81.95). We observed that the odds of SGA and TSGA attributed to SO2 exposure in the first two trimesters was only significant among families with parental smoking and new furniture in gestation. Sensitivity analysis showed that infants with female sex and born in cold months were more susceptible to the effect of outdoor SO2 exposure during the first two trimesters and entire gestational age on SGA and TSGA. On the other hand, infants born in the cold season and by a younger mother were more sensitive to the effect of indoor parental smoking in utero on SGA and TSGA. ConclusionMaternal exposure to industry-related air pollution and indoor environmental risk factors during pregnancy, particularly during the first two trimesters, significantly increased SGA risk, and some specific personal factors could modify these associations.

Cooking with biomass fuels increased the risk for cognitive impairment and cognitive decline among the oldest-old Chinese adults (2011–2018): A prospective cohort study

BackgroundsWhile the pernicious effects of outdoor air pollution on cognitive ability have been previously examined, evidence regarding household air pollution is scarce. MethodsUsing data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, we explored the relationship between cooking with biomass fuel and cognitive impairment and cognitive decline using a Cox proportional hazards model. We further assessed the correlation of biomass fuels and cognitive score using a generalized estimating equation. Cognitive ability was measured based on the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and cognitive impairment was defined as MMSE < 24 points and cognitive decline was defined as a reduction of MMSE ≥ 3 points. On follow-up, we investigated the effect of switch-cooking combustibles on cognitive ability. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of 4161 participants was 81.7 (10.0) years old. The reported cooking with biomass fuels was correlated with an elevated risk of cognitive impairment (hazard ratio (HR): 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.37) and cognitive decline (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.33). Besides, cooking with biomass fuels was related to a decrease in cognitive score (β: −0.43, 95% CI: −0.73, −0.14). In comparison to persistent biomass fuel users, participants who reported changing their primary cooking fuels from biomass to clean fuels exhibited a reduced risk of cognitive impairment (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.82) and cognitive decline (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.76) and a higher cognitive score (β: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.17, 1.26). Cooking without ventilated cookstoves was associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment (HR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.58) and cognitive decline (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.38), regardless of types of cooking fuels. Interaction and stratified analyses showed relatively poor cognitive ability in participants who engaged in irregular exercise or were not living with family members. ConclusionsCooking with biomass fuels was correlated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment and cognitive decline. Among the oldest-old population, this risk may, however, be lower for those changing their primary cooking fuels from biomass to clean fuels.

Oxidative toxic stress and p53 level in healthy subjects occupationally exposed to outdoor air Pollution - a cross-sectional study in Iran.

It is suggested that air pollution exposure induces oxidative stress in the body and causes diseases. However, current evidence regarding the association of outdoor air pollution with some oxidative toxic stress (OTS) biomarkers in areas with different pollutant concentrations is equivocal. The aim of study was to investigate the adverse effects of outdoor air pollution on human health, by evaluating potential oxidative and anti-oxidative biomarkers and p53 protein levels in subjects exposed to different outdoor air pollution from two polluted and less polluted cities of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 203 healthy working men were selected from two cities. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS), were measured by the colorimetric method. The levels of p53 were measured by an ELISA method. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of p53 and MDA in the exposure group compared to the control group, while the activity of SOD and TAC was significantly decreased in the exposure group. No significant differences were found in activities of CAT and GGT, and levels of TOS between the two groups. The findings obtained confirmed the implication of air pollution in the development of OTS, and suggested useful biomarkers to evaluate the air pollution-induced harmful effects on human health in the polluted areas.

The effects of outdoor air pollution on chronic illnesses

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Long-term effects of outdoor air pollution on mortality and morbidity–prediction using nonlinear autoregressive and artificial neural networks models

The daily association between mortality and air pollution is alarming and there is consistent evidence that air pollution has short-term effects on mortality and respiratory morbidity. Accurate predictions of these health effects of air pollution are essential for efficient planning of various sectors related to economic performances as well as strategic management to improve human health and air quality. The main objectives of this research were to determine the long-term effects of air pollution on respiratory morbidity and mortality with the Dickey-Fuller test as well as develop accurate prediction of respiratory morbidity and mortality with nonlinear autoregressive and artificial neural network models. This study examined daily variations in respiratory mortality and morbidity attributed to air pollutants in Ahvaz for 9-yrs period. The results showed that nitrogen monoxide and carbon monoxide have significant effect on total respiratory mortality. The sensitivity analysis and ADF test showed that the other pollutants (NO2, SO2, O3, PM10) had no significant effect on the total respiratory morbidity and mortality rate. For the nonlinear autoregressive model, topology 2-10-1 with two input, including nitrogen oxide and carbon oxide, ten hidden layers were the best (MSE = 0.1 and R = 0.82) for predicting the total mortality rate. Artificial neural network and nonlinear autoregressive models are very powerful methods for accurate prediction of respiratory mortality and mobility with at least three inputs. These findings strongly support the need for policymakers to set targets to reduce carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide concentrations in the environment.

Intraday effects of outdoor air pollution on acute upper and lower respiratory infections in Australian children.

Children's respiratory health are particularly vulnerable to outdoor air pollution, but evidence is lacking on the very acute effects of air pollution on the risk of acute upper respiratory infections (AURI) and acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of cause-specific AURI and ALRI, in children within 24h of exposure to air pollution. We obtained data on emergency cases, including 11,091 AURI cases (acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, acute obstructive laryngitis and epiglottitis, and unspecified acute upper respiratory infections) and 11,401 ALRI cases (pneumonia, acute bronchitis, acute bronchiolitis, unspecified acute lower respiratory infection) in Brisbane, Australia, 2013-2015. A time-stratified case-crossover analysis was used to examine the hourly association of AURI and ALRI with high concentration (95th percentile) of four air pollutants (particulate matters with aerodynamic diameter <10μm (PM10) and <2.5μm (PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2)). We observed increased risk of acute tonsillitis associated with PM2.5 within 13-24h (odds ratio (OR), 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-2.06) and increased risk of unspecified acute upper respiratory infections related to O3 within 2-6h (OR, 1.38, 95%CI, 1.12-1.70), NO2 within 1h (OR, 1.19; 95%CI, 1.01-1.40), and PM2.5 within 7-12h (OR, 1.21; 95%CI, 1.02-1.43). Cold season and nigh-time air pollution has greater effects on AURI, whereas greater risk of ALRI was seen in warm season and daytime. Our findings suggest exposures to particulate and gaseous air pollution may transiently increase risk of AURI and ALRI in children within 24h. Prevention measures aimed at protecting children's respiratory health should consider the very acute effects of air pollution.