Ambient Air Pollution Levels Research Articles

Ambient Air Quality Assessment in Karachi, Sindh Pakistan

Pakistan’s urban air pollution is amongst the utmost severity in the world that causes acute damage to the economy and human health. This study was designed for the assessment of ambient air quality in different areas of Karachi. The data were collected as pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season from main industrial zones of Karachi, S.I.T.E area, North Karachi industrial area, Korangi industrial area and Landhi industrial area in the year of 2017-2019. These zones are also a blend of industrial, residential, commercial and heavy traffic zones with dense populations. Ambient air data were collected for different pollutants like Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Particulate Matters (TSPM, PM10 and PM2.5). It is observed that in pre-monsoon, there is quite high intensity of particulate matter (TSPM, PM10 & PM2.5) present in the air, whereas CO and NO2 values found in all four zones are moderate in the air samples as prescribed by Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) standards. It is observed specifically in Landhi, S.I.T.E Area and Korangi industrial area which are more prone to the exposure of these pollutants. In post-monsoon, the intensity of particulate matters (TSPM, PM10 & PM2.5), CO and NO2 values in all four zones are less to moderate than the values of pre-monsoon due to the seasonal effects. Study data shows that three major zones; Landhi, Korangi and S.I.T.E. industrial areas are at a high exposure to gases and other toxic elements. North Karachi is at the least risk because of having a small scale of industries present. The PM10 & PM2.5 levels average about 2 - 3-fold greater than the SEPA standards. High levels of ambient air pollutants cause severe health problems and chronic diseases on human health. Therefore the implementation of rules and regulations regarding ambient air pollutants should be more rigorous.

High-resolution patterns and inequalities in ambient fine particle mass (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) in the Greater Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Growing cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experience high levels of ambient air pollution. However, sparse long-term city-wide air pollution exposure data limits policy mitigation efforts and assessment of the health and climate effects. In the first study of its kind in West Africa, we developed high resolution spatiotemporal land use regression (LUR) models to map fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) concentrations in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), one of the fastest sprawling metropolises in SSA. We conducted a one-year measurement campaign covering 146 sites and combined these data with geospatial and meteorological predictors to develop separate Harmattan and non-Harmattan season PM2.5 and BC models at 100 m resolution. The final models were selected with a forward stepwise procedure and performance was evaluated with 10-fold cross-validation. Model predictions were overlayed with the most recent census data to estimate the population distribution of exposure and socioeconomic inequalities in exposure at the census enumeration area level. The fixed effects components of the models explained 48–69 % and 63–71 % of the variance in PM2.5 and BC concentrations, respectively. Spatial variables related to road traffic and vegetation explained the most variability in the non-Harmattan models, while temporal variables were dominant in the Harmattan models. The entire GAMA population is exposed to PM2.5 levels above the World Health Organization guideline, including even the Interim Target 3 (15 μg/m3), with the highest exposures in poorer neighborhoods. The models can be used to support air pollution mitigation policies, health, and climate impact assessments. The measurement and modelling approach used in this study can be adapted to other African cities to bridge the air pollution data gap in the region.

Ambient air quality and health risks as objective indicators to estimate effectiveness of air protection in cities included into the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project

It is important to estimate effectiveness and results achieved by measures implemented within the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project as regards public health in cities included into it. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in levels of ambient air pollution and airborne health risks in cities included into the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project in dynamics over 2020–2022 and to estimate whether the measures aimed at reduction of emissions were adequate to risk rates and factors. The study relied on analyzing the results of field observations over ambient air quality within social and hygienic mon-itoring. Monitoring covered priority chemicals that made 95 % contributions to impermissible health risks according to dis-persion calculations. Risk assessment was performed as per standard algorithms and indicators. Adequacy of air protection and correctness of its orientation were estimated in Norilsk as an example city. The study established that levels of harmful chemicals in ambient were higher than hygienic standards over the analyzed period in all the cities participating in the project. We did not detect any significant reduction in ambient air pollution; there were no positive trends in health risks rates either. In 2022, a risk of respiratory diseases under chronic exposure was ranked as high (hazard index or HI 10.5÷43) in Chelyabinsk, Mednogorsk, Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lipetsk, and Chita; it was ranked as ‘alerting’ in Bratsk, Chita, Novokuznetsk, Magnitogorsk, and Omsk (HI 4.0÷5.8), A permissible risk was identified over the analyzed period only in Cherepovets (HI<3). So far, reductions in emissions of pollutants declared by economic entities have not ensured absence of impermissible health risks in 11 out of 12 cities. Ungrounded orientation to a 20 % reduction in emissions of all the economic entities included in the experiment and failure to consider risk indicators when setting quotas for emissions can lead to absence of any substantial effects for public health in the analyzed cities. In some cases, this may even result in excessive spending on activities that do not have any significant influence on a sanitary-hygienic situation.

Качество атмосферного воздуха и показатели риска здоровью как объективные критерии результативности воздухоохранной деятельности на территориях городов-участников Федерального проекта «Чистый воздух»

It is important to estimate effectiveness and results achieved by measures implemented within the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project as regards public health in cities included into it. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in levels of ambient air pollution and airborne health risks in cities included into the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project in dynamics over 2020–2022 and to estimate whether the measures aimed at reduction of emissions were adequate to risk rates and factors. The study relied on analyzing the results of field observations over ambient air quality within social and hygienic mon-itoring. Monitoring covered priority chemicals that made 95 % contributions to impermissible health risks according to dis-persion calculations. Risk assessment was performed as per standard algorithms and indicators. Adequacy of air protection and correctness of its orientation were estimated in Norilsk as an example city. The study established that levels of harmful chemicals in ambient were higher than hygienic standards over the analyzed period in all the cities participating in the project. We did not detect any significant reduction in ambient air pollution; there were no positive trends in health risks rates either. In 2022, a risk of respiratory diseases under chronic exposure was ranked as high (hazard index or HI 10.5÷43) in Chelyabinsk, Mednogorsk, Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lipetsk, and Chita; it was ranked as ‘alerting’ in Bratsk, Chita, Novokuznetsk, Magnitogorsk, and Omsk (HI 4.0÷5.8), A permissible risk was identified over the analyzed period only in Cherepovets (HI<3). So far, reductions in emissions of pollutants declared by economic entities have not ensured absence of impermissible health risks in 11 out of 12 cities. Ungrounded orientation to a 20 % reduction in emissions of all the economic entities included in the experiment and failure to consider risk indicators when setting quotas for emissions can lead to absence of any substantial effects for public health in the analyzed cities. In some cases, this may even result in excessive spending on activities that do not have any significant influence on a sanitary-hygienic situation.

Associations of improved air quality with lung function growth from childhood to adulthood: the BAMSE study.

The beneficial effect of improving air quality on lung function development remains understudied. We assessed associations of changes in ambient air pollution levels with lung function growth from childhood until young adulthood in a Swedish cohort study. In the prospective birth cohort BAMSE (Children, Allergy, Environment, Stockholm, Epidemiology (in Swedish)), spirometry was conducted at the 8-year (2002-2004), 16-year (2011-2013) and 24-year (2016-2019) follow-ups. Participants with spirometry data at 8 years and at least one other measurement in subsequent follow-ups were included (1509 participants with 3837 spirometry measurements). Ambient air pollution levels (particulate matter with diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter with diameter ≤10 μm (PM10), black carbon (BC) and nitrogen oxides (NO x )) at residential addresses were estimated using dispersion modelling. Linear mixed effect models were used to estimate associations between air pollution exposure change and lung function development. Overall, air pollution levels decreased progressively during the study period. For example, the median (interquartile range (IQR)) level of PM2.5 decreased from 8.24 (0.92) μg·m-3 during 2002-2004 to 5.21 (0.67) μg·m-3 during 2016-2019. At the individual level, for each IQR reduction of PM2.5 the lung function growth rate increased by 4.63 (95% CI 1.64-7.61) mL per year (p<0.001) for forced expiratory volume in 1 s and 9.38 (95% CI 4.76-14.00) mL per year (p<0.001) for forced vital capacity. Similar associations were also observed for reductions of BC and NO x . Associations persisted after adjustment for potential confounders and were not modified by asthma, allergic sensitisation, overweight, early-life air pollution exposure or dietary antioxidant intake. Long-term reduction of air pollution is associated with positive lung function development from childhood to young adulthood.

The relationship between air pollutants and gestational diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Air pollution is an environmental stimulus that may predispose pregnant women to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the relationship between air pollutants and GDM. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched for retrieving English articles published from January 2020 to September 2021, investigating the relationship of exposure to ambient air pollution or levels of air pollutants with GDM and related parameters, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance. Heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated using I-squared (I2), and Begg's statistics, respectively. We also performed the subgroup analysis for particulate matters (PM2.5, PM10), Ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the different exposure periods. A total of 13 studies examining 2,826,544 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to non-exposed women, exposure to PM2.5 increases the odds (likelihood of occurrence outcome) of GDM by 1.09times (95% CI 1.06, 1.12), whereas exposure to PM10 has more effect by OR of 1.17 (95% CI 1.04, 1.32). Exposure to O3 and SO2 increases the odds of GDM by 1.10times (95% CI 1.03, 1.18) and 1.10times (95% CI 1.01, 1.19), respectively. The results of the study show a relationship between air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, O3, and SO2 and the risk of GDM. Although evidence from various studies can provide insights into the linkage between maternal exposure to air pollution and GDM, more well-designed longitudinal studies are recommended for precise interpretation of the association between GDM and air pollution by adjusting all potential confounders.

Women with preeclampsia exposed to air pollution during pregnancy: Relationship between oxidative stress and neonatal disease - Pilot study

Oxidative imbalance as a pathophysiological mechanism has been reported as an adverse outcome in pregnant women who develop preeclampsia and in their newborns. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests the same mechanism by which air pollutants may exert their toxic effects. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the biomarkers of oxidative stress and their relationship with neonatal disease in premature newborns from mothers with preeclampsia exposed to air pollution during pregnancy. The data of air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10 and ozone) were collected at fixed monitoring stations. Oxidative and antioxidant status markers were obtained through special techniques in women with preeclampsia and in umbilical cord blood of their premature newborns. The oxidative stress markers were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia and their newborns who were exposed to higher levels of ambient air pollutants in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Neonatal diseases are associated with preeclampsia in pregnancies, specifically intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). A significant correlation was identified in the levels of prooxidant agents and antioxidant enzyme activity in the presence of neonatal diseases associated with preeclampsia. There is increased oxidative damage in both the maternal and fetal circulation in women who develop preeclampsia exposed to air pollution during pregnancy. Therefore, these pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia have a greater adverse outcome as neonatal disease in the preterm infant.

Association between exposure to combustion-related air pollution and multiple sclerosis risk.

Smoking and occupational pulmonary irritants contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) development. We aimed to study the association between ambient air pollution and MS risk and potential interaction with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*15:01 allele. Exposure to combustion-related air pollution was estimated as outdoor levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the participants' residence locations, by spatially resolved dispersion modelling for the years 1990-18. Using two population-based case-control studies (6635 cases, 8880 controls), NOx levels were associated with MS risk by calculating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression models. Interaction between high NOx levels and the HLA-DRB1*15:01 allele regarding MS risk was calculated by the attributable proportion due to interaction (AP). In addition, a register study was performed comprising all MS cases in Sweden who had received their diagnosis between 1993 and 2018 (n = 22 173), with 10 controls per case randomly selected from the National Population register. Residential air pollution was associated with MS risk. NOx levels (3-year average) exceeding the 90th percentile (24.6 µg/m3) were associated with an OR of 1.37 (95% CI 1.10-1.76) compared with levels below the 25th percentile (5.9 µg/m3), with a trend of increasing risk of MS with increasing levels of NOx (P <0.0001). A synergistic effect was observed between high NOx levels (exceeding the lower quartile among controls) and the HLA-DRB1*15:01 allele regarding MS risk (AP 0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.29). Our findings indicate that moderate levels of combustion-related ambient air pollution may play a role in MS development.

ASSESSMENT OF AMBIENT AIR POLLUTION BY PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10, PM2.5) AND RISK FOR HUMAN HEALTH CAUSED BY WAR ACTIONS.

The aim: To assess pollution level of ambient air (РМ10, РМ2.5), related to war actions on the territory of Kyiv city and the region for prioritization of medical and environmental problems hazard assessments for the human health. Materials and methods: Physical and chemical methods of analysis (РМ10, РМ2.5 - gas analyzers APDA-371, APDA-372 HORIBA); human health risk assessment; statistical data processing methods (StatSoft STATISTICA 10.0 portable, Microsoft® Excel 2019). Results: There were found unusually high average daily levels of ambient air pollution: РМ10 - in March (125.5 μg/m3) and August (99.3 μg/m3); РМ2.5 - in March (108.2 μg/m3), May (23.3 μg/m3), June (24.6 μg/m3) and August (27.1 μg/m3), which were primarily due to the conduct of active war actions and their consequences (fires, rocket attacks) and intensified in the spring-summer period adverse weather conditions. Possible social losses of the population in the form of additional deaths due to inhalation of PM10 and PM2.5, the maximum could be in the range of eight cases per 10,000 people to seven cases per 100 people. Conclusions: Conducted research can be used to assess the determination of damage and losses caused to the ambient air and the human health of Ukraine as a result of military actions; justification of the adaptation measures choice (environmental protection and preventive direction) and reducing health-related costs.

Ambient air pollution level in the east African region based on satellite remote sensing of NO2, CO, and Aerosol optical depth

This study used ten years (2013-2022) of satellite observations to assess the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and aerosol optical depth (AOD) over Eastern Africa. NO2 vertical column density (VCD) varied between 3.17 × 1014 and 4.70 × 1014 molecules cm-2 with a seasonal variability reaching the peak in December every year. CO mixing ratio oscillated between 95.256 ± 15.480 ppbv and 76.011 ± 5.609 ppbv and demonstrated a bimodal seasonal variability. The level of AOD fluctuated between 0.126 ± 0.070 and 0.250 ± 0.165. Generally, the concentrations of these pollutants are comparable to the global levels, though the AOD increasing trend is an indicator of the deterioration of air quality in the east African region.

The Effect of Urban Green Spaces on Air Pollution Reduction: A Case of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad city struggles with one of the highest ambient air pollution levels in India. To reduce the air pollutants, urban green spaces can be considered one of the best options. In the study, few physical variables, like plant stature and morphology, are considered. This paper covers the aspect of vegetation for analysing pollution mitigation. Four Urban Forest (UF) sites from four different zones, differentiated by the land use of each site, of the city of Ahmedabad have been selected, Physical variables of each of these Urban Forest sites were collected. Consequently, an air monitoring station was selected from within 4 km radius of these sites. The selected urban forests were introduced in 2019-20. Pollutant concentration data from before UF and after UF (2016-2021) of each site was extracted from all the stations. This data was then compared with the physical variables of UF to determine the AQI change in the area throughout the years. The findings showed improved the concentration of pollutant in each of the 4 sites. Factors like number of trees and tree species in each site played an important role in pollutant reduction. To understand the role of urban forests, NDVI analysis was conducted of the sites.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease among non-Smokers

Since tobacco use has been linked to COPD for more than 50 years, this population has served as the foundation for almost all of our knowledge regarding the clinical, physiological, pathological, and radiological aspects of the disease as well as the rates of lung function loss and the effectiveness of various treatments. We stated in 1990 that 25 to 45% of COPD cases among never smokers. According to the 2017 Global Burden of Disease report, smoking is only responsible for 35% of the burden of COPD worldwide, with the majority of cases occurring in high-income nations. Most of the world's remaining 65% of nonsmokers with COPD live in low- and middle-income nations. Other non-smoking risk factors for COPD include exposure to biomass smoke while cooking in poorly ventilated homes, high ambient air pollution levels, occupational exposures to dust and gases, ambient ozone exposure, poverty, recurrent respiratory tract infections in childhood, poorly controlled chronic persistent asthma, and prior tubercular lung disease. Worldwide, non-tobacco-related risk factors, which vary by geographic region, are to blame for around half of all instances of COPD. Inflammation, oxidative stress, airway remodelling, and accelerated lung ageing are potential factors for the development of COPD in never-smokers. Never-smokers with COPD had less severe chronic respiratory symptoms, little to no emphysema, less airflow limitation, and fewer comorbidities than smokers who acquire COPD; however, exacerbations can still happen often. More research- including epidemiological, translational, clinical, and implementation studies- is required to fill in knowledge gaps and promote viable solutions to lessen the burden of COPD in never-smokers. Clinical history and spirometry can be used to diagnose Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but identifying its risk factors is time-consuming and crucial because doing so can stop the disease's progression. Contrary to popular belief, smoking cigarettes is only one of the numerous risk factors for COPD. We have examined the etiology of nonsmoker COPD through this review in an effort to identify the causative risk factor and reduce the disease's morbidity and mortality.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on air pollution at a local scale in urban areas affected by high-intensity vehicle traffic in Poland

The lockdown in 2020 implemented due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in a significant improvement in air quality at a global scale. Nationwide lockdown also considerably improved air quality at a local scale, especially in cities which were almost completely shut down during the first coronavirus wave, with nearly no activity. We tested the hypothesis that a reduction in the intensity of vehicle traffic causes a drastic decrease in urban air pollution at a local scale. We focused on two urban agglomerations, Warsaw and Cracow, in Poland. Data of the concentrations of traffic-related sources, namely NOx, PM10, and PM2.5, obtained from two air pollution monitoring stations were analyzed for the years 2020 and 2021, during which lockdown and pandemic restrictions were in effect, and for 2019, as a reference. In the years 2020–2021, the average annual concentration of NOx was decreased by ~ 19%, PM2.5 by ~ 19%, and PM10 by ~ 18% in Warsaw, while in Cracow the average annual concentration of NOx was decreased by ~ 16%, PM2.5 by ~ 22%, and PM10 by ~ 2%, compared to 2019. The contribution from traffic-related sources to the overall level of air pollution was estimated. The results indicated that ~ 30 µg/m3 of PM10, ~ 15 µg/m3 of PM2.5, and ~ 120 µg/m3 of NOx in Cracow, and ~ 20 µg/m3 of PM2.5 in Warsaw originate from moving vehicles. The nationwide lockdown allowed us to conduct this study to understand how a reduction in local traffic emissions can decrease ambient air pollution levels.

Ambient Air Pollution and Stroke: An Updated Review.

Despite recent advances in treatment and prevention, stroke remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. There is a critical need to identify novel modifiable risk factors for disease, including environmental agents. A body of evidence has accumulated suggesting that elevated levels of ambient air pollutants may not only trigger cerebrovascular events in susceptible people (short-term exposures) but also increase the risk of future events (long-term average exposures). This review assesses the updated evidence for both short and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution as a risk factor for stroke incidence and outcomes. It discusses the potential pathophysiologic mechanisms and makes recommendations to mitigate exposure on a personal and community level. The evidence indicates that reduction in air pollutant concentrations represent a significant population-level opportunity to reduce risk of cerebrovascular disease.

Exposure to ambient air pollution and lipid levels and blood pressure in an adult, Danish cohort

BackgroundAir pollution is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanistic pathways underlying the association are not completely understood. Hence, further studies are required to shed light on potential mechanisms, through which air pollution may affect the development from subclinical to clinical cardiovascular disease. ObjectivesTo investigate associations between short-term exposure to air pollution and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL), systolic and diastolic blood pressure. MethodsThe study was conducted among 32,851 Danes from the Diet, Cancer and Health – Next Generations cohort, who had a blood sample taken and blood pressure measured. We measured HDL and non-HDL in the blood samples. We modelled exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ultrafine particles (UFP), elemental carbon (EC) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in time-windows from 24 h up to 90 days before blood sampling. Pollutants were modelled as total air pollution from all sources, and apportioned into contributions from non-traffic and traffic sources. We analyzed data using linear and logistic regression, with adjustment for socio-economic and lifestyle factors. ResultsAir pollution exposure over 24 h to 30 days was generally adversely associated with lipid profile and blood pressure, e.g. for 30-day UFP-exposure, adjusted β-estimates were: −0.025 (−0.043; −0.006) for HDL, 0.086 (0.042; 0.130) for non-HDL, 2.45 (1.70; 3.11) for systolic and 1.56 (1.07; 20.4) for diastolic blood pressure, per 10,000 particles/cm3. The strongest associations were found for the non-traffic components of air pollution, and among those who were overweight/obese. DiscussionIn this large study of air pollution and lipid levels and blood pressure, we found that 24-h to 30-day PM2.5, UFP, EC and NO2 concentrations were generally adversely associated with lipid profile and blood pressure, two important cardiovascular risk factors. The study suggests potential pathways, through which air pollution could affect the development of cardiovascular disease.

Оценка аэрогенного риска для здоровья населения, проживающего в регионе расположения Ульбинского металлургического завода

In this study, our aim was to assess public health risks caused by ambient air pollution in close proximity to production facilities of “Ulba Metallurgical Plant” JSC (JSC “UMP”) located in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. The study relied on the health risk assessment methodology under exposure to chemical environmental factors. Our research objects were chemical pollution in ambient air in close proximity to production facilities of “Ulba Metal-lurgical Plant” JSC and its effects on public health. We assessed public health risks caused by chemical pollution in ambient air in close proximity to production facilities of JSC “UMP”. The assessment relied on data obtained at monitoring posts of RSE “Kazhydromet” between 2018 and 2021. We identified six carcinogens in the analyzed area that created unacceptable public health risks. High non-carcinogenic risks were typically caused by exposure to particulate matter (dust), РМ2.5 and РМ10, sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. Our assessment of non-accidental mortality risks caused by exposure to РМ2.5 in ambient air established unacceptable relative risks (RR: 1.27–1.78), individual risks of non-accidental (1.5–2.1•10-3) and cardiopulmonary mortality (between 8.3•10-4 and 1.0•10-3). Unfavorable meteorological factors and geographic location can promote high levels of ambient air pollution and created aerogenic health risks for people living in the analyzed industrial area. The established risks require developing and implementing scheduled health-improving activities aimed at raising quality of the environment.

Assessment of aerogenic risks for people living in close proximity to Ulba Metallurgical Plant

In this study, our aim was to assess public health risks caused by ambient air pollution in close proximity to production facilities of “Ulba Metallurgical Plant” JSC (JSC “UMP”) located in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. The study relied on the health risk assessment methodology under exposure to chemical environmental factors. Our research objects were chemical pollution in ambient air in close proximity to production facilities of “Ulba Metal-lurgical Plant” JSC and its effects on public health. We assessed public health risks caused by chemical pollution in ambient air in close proximity to production facilities of JSC “UMP”. The assessment relied on data obtained at monitoring posts of RSE “Kazhydromet” between 2018 and 2021. We identified six carcinogens in the analyzed area that created unacceptable public health risks. High non-carcinogenic risks were typically caused by exposure to particulate matter (dust), РМ2.5 and РМ10, sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. Our assessment of non-accidental mortality risks caused by exposure to РМ2.5 in ambient air established unacceptable relative risks (RR: 1.27–1.78), individual risks of non-accidental (1.5–2.1•10-3) and cardiopulmonary mortality (between 8.3•10-4 and 1.0•10-3). Unfavorable meteorological factors and geographic location can promote high levels of ambient air pollution and created aerogenic health risks for people living in the analyzed industrial area. The established risks require developing and implementing scheduled health-improving activities aimed at raising quality of the environment.

Association of urinary and ambient black carbon, and other ambient air pollutants with risk of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents

The effects of exposure to black carbon (BC) on various diseases remains unclear, one reason being potential exposure misclassification following modelling of ambient air pollution levels. Urinary BC particles may be a more precise measure to analyze the health effects of BC. We aimed to assess the risk of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in relation to urinary BC particles and ambient BC and to compare their associations in 5453 children from IDEFICS/I. Family cohort. We determined the amount of BC particles in urine using label-free white-light generation under femtosecond pulsed laser illumination. We assessed annual exposure to ambient air pollutants (BC, PM2.5 and NO2) at the place of residence using land use regression models for Europe, and we calculated the residential distance to major roads (≤250 m vs. more). We analyzed the cross-sectional relationships between urinary BC and air pollutants (BC, PM2.5 and NO2) and distance to roads, and the associations of all these variables to the risk of prediabetes and MetS, using logistic and linear regression models. Though we did not observe associations between urinary and ambient BC in overall analysis, we observed a positive association between urinary and ambient BC levels in boys and in children living ≤250 m to a major road compared to those living >250 m away from a major road. We observed a positive association between log-transformed urinary BC particles and MetS (ORper unit increase = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.21; 2.45). An association between ambient BC and MetS was only observed in children living closer to a major road. Our findings suggest that exposure to BC (ambient and biomarker) may contribute to the risk of MetS in children. By measuring the internal dose, the BC particles in urine may have additionally captured non-residential sources and reduced exposure misclassification. Larger studies, with longitudinal design including measurement of urinary BC at multiple time-points are warranted to confirm our findings.

Investigating the Effect of an Open Window vs. A Closed Window on the Concentrations of Suspended Particulate Matter in the Indoors with respect to the Outdoors

Background: A study was conducted in New Delhi during peak winter to investigate the impact of open versus closed windows on indoor levels of PM2.5 and PM10, given the high ambient air pollution levels during this time. Purpose: The aim was to determine whether opening windows affected indoor concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, despite the prevailing belief that outdoor air quality significantly influences indoor air quality. Method: A PM2.5 and PM10 air quality meter was used near a window at a single location for 10 days, with measurements taken nine times daily during working hours. The experiment involved alternating between open and closed window conditions to observe any significant changes. Result: Contrary to expectations, opening or closing windows did not substantially alter indoor PM2.5 and PM10 levels. The study indicated that outdoor air might not significantly contribute to indoor particulate matter, suggesting minimal diffusion through open windows. Conclusion: The findings suggest that isolation measures alone may not effectively reduce indoor PM2.5 and PM10 levels, as outdoor sources do not significantly influence indoor air quality even when windows are opened.

Association of improved air quality with lung development from childhood until young adulthood: The BAMSE study

Background and Aim The beneficial effect of improving air quality on lung function development in children remains understudied. We assessed associations of changes in ambient air pollution levels with lung function growth from childhood until young adulthood in a Swedish cohort study. Methods In the prospective birth cohort BAMSE (Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm Epidemiology), spirometry was conducted at the 8-year (2002-2004), 16-year (2011-2013) and 24-year follow-ups (2016-2019). Participants with one spirometry measurement at 8 years and at least one another measurement in subsequent follow-ups were included (1509 participants with 3837 spirometry measurements). Ambient air pollution levels (particulate matter&amp;#x2264;2.5 &amp;#x3bc;m [PM2.5], particulate matter&amp;#x2264;10 &amp;#x3bc;m [PM10], black carbon [BC] and nitrogen oxides [NOx]) at residential addresses during the lifetime were estimated using dispersion modelling. Linear mixed-effect models were used to estimate the association between air pollution level change and lung function development. Results Overall, individual air pollution levels decreased progressively during the study period. For example, median (interquartile range, IQR) of PM2.5 decreased from 8.2 (0.92) &amp;#x3bc;g/m3 during 2002-2004 to 5.22 (0.67) &amp;#x3bc;g/m3 during 2016-2019. Reduction of air pollution exposure was associated with higher rate of growth for both FEV1 and FVC. For each IQR decrease in PM2.5, the growth rate increased by 3.7 ml/year (95%CI: 1.3-6.0, P&amp;#x3c;0.001) for FEV1 and 7.9 ml/year (95%CI:4.3-11.4, P&amp;#x3c;0.001) for FVC. Significant associations with lung function growth were also observed for reduction of PM10, BC and NOx. These associations persisted after adjustment for potential confounders. The beneficial effect from improved air quality was not statistically modified by asthma, allergic sensitization, early-life air pollution exposure or dietary intake of antioxidants. Conclusions Long-term reduction of air pollution is associated with positive lung function development from childhood to young adulthood. Keywords: air pollution, lung function, spirometry, improved air quality, cohort