Short-term effects of air pollution on daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases in western China

Controlling the confounding factors on cardiovascular diseases, such as long-time trend, calendar effect, and meteorological factors, a generalized additive model (GAM) was used to investigate the short-term effects of air pollutants (PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂) on daily cardiovascular admissions from March 1st to May 31st during 2007 to 2011 in Lanzhou, a heavily polluted city in western China. The influences of air pollutants were examined with different lag structures, and the potential effect modification by dust storm in spring was also investigated. Significant associations were found between air pollutants and hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases both on dust event days and non-dust event days in spring. Air pollutants had lag effects on different age and gender groups. Relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with a 10 μg/m³ increase were 1.14 (1.04~1.26) on lag1 for PM₁₀, 1.31 (1.21~1.51) on lag01 for SO₂, and 1.96 (1.49~2.57) on lag02 for NO₂ on dust days. Stronger effects of air pollutants were observed for females and the elderly (≥60 years). Our analysis concluded that the effects of air pollutants on cardiovascular admissions on dust days were significantly stronger than non-dust days. The current study strengthens the evidence of effects of air pollution on health and dust-exacerbated cardiovascular admissions in Lanzhou.     

Association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and hospital admissions for transient ischemic attacks in Beijing,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Numerous studies have examined the associations between air pollution and stroke. However, little is known about the associations between air...     

Influence of meteorological factors on air pollution concentration for a coastal region in India

A long-term study of measurement of concentration of NO_x, SO₂ and TSP pollutants have been done in a port and harbour region in India. Monthly measurements of gaseous and particulate pollutants were made at six monitoring stations from January 1997 to December 2000. Meteorological data was also simultaneously collected. In this study, the relationship between monitored ambient air quality data and meteorological factors, such as wind speed, temperature, is statistically analysed, using the SPSS package. The monthly mean concentrations of NO_x, SO₂ and TSP were in the range of 19.5–59.0 μg/m3, 8.6–51.3 μg/m3 and 88.2–199.3 μg/m3, respectively. The results show that TSP is strongly correlated with NO_x and SO₂ with a correlation coefficient of 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. The correlation coefficients for TSP, NO_x, and SO₂ with wind are –0.78, –0.78, and –0.88, respectively.     

Effects of air pollution on emergency admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in Oporto, Portugal

The present paper is based on results collected from the air quality network, which was assembled for covering the Oporto metropolitan area, in Portugal. Among the SO₂ and PM₁₀ levels obtained for the last two decades, a particular unpolluted year was chosen to evaluate the health effects of concentrations lower than those that usually cause acute episodes. It was observed that even low levels of SO₂ could be related with the increase of obstructive chronic pulmonary diseases morbidity daily rates recorded in Oporto during the same year. When the relationship between levels of atmospheric pollution and human health is considered, climatic factors have a synergetic effect. The observation of respiratory symptoms for concentrations below the current ambient standards, in agreement with previous studies carried out in the same area and other countries, suggests that it is urgent the process of updating and revision of those values in order to protect in effect the health of populations. As particles have shown an important role on health impact, its characterisation was done, considering their respirable fractions. It was concluded that most of the total suspended particles are breathable. Moreover, more than 78% and 87% of the organic composition and of the carcinogenic agent benzo(a)pyrene content, respectively, are detected in particles liable to attain the respiratory tract.     

Synergistic effects of gaseous pollutants on hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease in Liuzhou,China

Previous studies demonstrated that short-term exposure to gaseous pollutants (nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃)) had a greater adverse effect on cardiovascular disease. However, little evidence exists regarding the synergy between gaseous pollutants and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, we aimed to estimate the effect of individual gaseous pollutants on hospital admissions for CVD and to explore the possible synergistic effects between gaseous pollutants. Daily hospitalization counts for CVD were collected from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015. We also collected daily time series on gaseous pollutants from the Environment of the People’s Republic of China, including NO₂, SO₂, and O₃. We used distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) to assess the association of individual gaseous pollutants on CVD hospitalization, after controlling for seasonality, day of the week, public holidays, and weather variables. Then, we explored the variability across age and sex groups. In addition, we analyzed the synergistic effects between gaseous pollutants on CVD. Extremely low NO₂ and SO₂ increase the risk of CVD in all subgroup at lag 7 days. The greatest effect of high concentration of SO₂ was observed in male and the elderly (≥ 65 years) at lag 3 days. Greater effects of high concentration of O₃ were more pronounced in the young (< 65 years) and female at lag 3 days, while the effect of low concentration of O₃ was greater in male and the young (< 65 years) at lag 0 day. We found a synergistic effect between NO₂ and SO₂ for CVD, as well as between SO₂ and O₃. The synergistic effects of NO₂ and SO₂ on CVD were stronger in the elderly (≥ 65) and female. The female was sensitive to synergistic effects of SO₂-O₃ and NO₂-O₃. Interestingly, we found that there was a risk of CVD in the susceptible population even for gaseous pollutant concentrations below the National Environmental Quality Standard. The synergy between NO₂ and SO₂ was significantly associated with cardiovascular disease hospitalization in the elderly (≥ 65). This study provides evidence for the synergistic effect of gaseous pollutants on hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease.

     

The short-term effects of air pollution on adolescent lung function in Taiwan

A mass screening of lung function associated with air pollutants for children is limited. This study assessed the association between air pollutants exposure and the lung function of junior high school students in a mass screening program in Taipei city, Taiwan. Among 10,396 students with completed asthma screening questionnaires and anthropometric measures, 2919 students aged 12-16 received the spirometry test. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV₁) in association with daily ambient concentrations of particulate matter with diameter of 10 μm or less (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃) were assessed by regression models controlling for the age, gender, height, weight, student living districts, rainfall and temperature. FVC, had a significant negative association with short-term exposure to O₃ and PM₁₀ measured on the day of spirometry testing. FVC values also were reversely associated with means of SO₂, O₃, NO₂, PM₁₀ and CO exposed 1 d earlier. An increase of 1-ppm CO was associated with the reduction in FVC for 69.8 mL (95% CI: −115, −24.4 mL) or in FEV₁ for 73.7 mL (95% CI: −118, −29.7 mL). An increase in SO₂ for 1 ppb was associated with the reductions in FVC and FEV₁ for 12.9 mL (95% CI: −20.7, −5.09 mL) and 11.7 mL (95% CI: −19.3, −4.16 mL), respectively. In conclusion, the short-term exposure to O₃ and PM₁₀ was associated with reducing FVC and FEV₁. CO and SO₂ exposure had a strong 1-d lag effect on FVC and FEV₁.     

北京空气重污染红色预警期间污染物与气象因子特征

揭示空气重污染红色预警期间污染物与气象因子的变化特征对空气质量预报和污染减排措施评估具有重要参考价值。利用大气污染和气象观测资料,研究了北京2015年11-12月空气重污染红色预警时期污染物浓度、气候特征及气象因子对空气质量影响。结果表明,PM2.5在大气颗粒物中占有较大比重,为首要空气污染物;在重污染峰值时段,城郊PM2.5与PM10比值（R）相差不大,可达0.9以上,空气呈均匀混合的高PM2.5浓度特征,而空气质量较好时城区R值明显高于郊区;研究时段气候特征与历史同期相比有明显差异,其中平均风速偏小19%,平均气温偏高0.23 ℃,气温日较差减小,而多次小型降水增加了空气湿度,导致相对湿度值偏高40%,垂直方向上的逆温层或等温层则加剧了空气重污染的形成和发展,重污染过程中的红色预警措施明显降低了颗粒物浓度;风速与污染物浓度呈指数相关,城郊风速分别低于2.0和2.5 m·s-1时,空气质量较差、污染物浓度随风速升高快速下降,而当城郊风速大于2.0和2.5 m·s-1时变化特征则相反;相对湿度与污染物浓度呈幂相关,相对湿度在65%左右为空气质量特征发生变化的转折点;由于气温日较差存在季节变化,其与空气质量相关关系不太显著。     

Air pollution and hospital admissions for diseases of the circulatory system in three U.S. metropolitan areas

Generalized additive models were used to analyze the time series of daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases over the period of 1987-1995 in three major metropolitan areas--Cook County, IL; Los Angeles County, CA; and Maricopa County, AZ--in the United States. In Cook and Maricopa Counties, admissions information was only available for the elderly (ages 65 and over), while in Los Angeles County, admissions information was available for all ages. In Cook County, daily monitoring information was available on PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3. In Los Angeles and Maricopa Counties, monitoring information was available daily on the gases, and information on PM10 was available every sixth day. In Los Angeles County, information on PM2.5 was also available every sixth day. In Cook and Los Angeles Counties, associations were found between each pollutant, with the exception of O3, and admissions for cardiovascular disease, with the gases showing the strongest associations. In two-pollutant models with PM and one of the gases, the effect of the gases remained stable, while the effect of PM became unstable and insignificant. In Maricopa County, the gases, with the exception of O3, were weakly associated with hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease, while PM was not. In two-pollutant models with two of CO, SO2, and NO2, the pattern of results is heterogeneous in the three counties. In all three counties, only weak evidence of any association between air pollution and cerebrovascular admissions was found.     

哈尔滨市大气污染与气象因素的相关性分析

为了研究哈尔滨市大气污染特征以及气象要素对大气污染的影响,对哈尔滨市2013年采暖期及非采暖期内4种大气污染物(二氧化硫SO2、二氧化氮NO2、可吸入颗粒物PM10、细颗粒物PM2.5)日均浓度分布特征以及日均浓度与部分地面气象要素(风速、气温、气压、相对湿度)相关性进行研究.提出哈尔滨市4种大气污染物日均浓度均符合对数正态分布.采暖期和非采暖期内4种大气污染物浓度与地面气象要素的相关性存在显著差异.采暖期内,4种污染物浓度与风速显著负相关,与风速相关系数最高达-0.639;与气压和相对湿度正相关.非采暖期内,4种大气污染物均与相对湿度呈负相关,相关系数为-0.5左右,与其他3种气象要素相关性普遍不高.全年4种污染物中仅有SO2与气温呈较好负相关,相关系数为-0.4.     

Meteorological factors and air pollution in Lithuanian forests: possible effects on tree condition

This study investigates changes in tree condition and environmental factors in Lithuania during the active growing season in 1991-2001. The average crown defoliation and the proportion of healthy trees of Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Betula sp., Fraxinus excelsior, Alnus incana, Alnus glutinosa, Populus tremula, and Quercus robur, meteorological (average temperature, amount of precipitation, hydrothermal coefficient) and air pollution data (acidity of precipitation, concentrations of SO2, NO2 and exposure of O3) were analysed. During the period 1991-2001 the condition of Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremula showed a tendency of improvement, while defoliation of Fraxinus excelsior significantly increased. The proportion of healthy trees correlated well with the average temperature and O3 (AOT40), while defoliation correlated well with the acidity of precipitation and the concentrations of SO2 and NO2. Deciduous species appeared to be more sensitive to O3 exposure and conifers to the concentrations of SO2 and NO2.     

绍兴市臭氧污染特征及气象因素分析

针对日益严重的臭氧污染问题,利用绍兴市3个国控监测站点2016—2018年的监测数据,对绍兴市臭氧污染的时空分布特征进行研究,并综合考量温度、湿度、风向、风力等气象因素的影响。结果表明,绍兴市2017年臭氧最高时均质量浓度为355μg/m~3,显著高于2016年(267μg/m~3)。臭氧日浓度曲线呈单峰型特征,峰值出现于14:00左右,谷值出现于6:00左右。2016年夏季臭氧浓度最高,而2017年与2018年春季臭氧浓度最高。臭氧高值首次出现日期提前与温度有关。气象因素上,温度≥30℃,40%≤相对湿度70%,风向为东北风时,绍兴市更易出现臭氧高值。2018年绍兴市西南部臭氧浓度峰值显著低于其他区域,可能是NO_x等污染物减排后传输作用变化所致。     

Vascular function and short-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution

Exposure to fine particulate air pollution has been implicated as a risk factor for cardiopulmonary disease and mortality. Proposed biological pathways imply that particle-induced pulmonary and systemic inflammation play a role in activating the vascular endothelium and altering vascular function. Potential effects of fine particulate pollution on vascular function are explored using controlled chamber exposure and uncontrolled ambient exposure. Research subjects included four panels with a total of 26 healthy nonsmoking young adults. On two study visits, at least 7 days apart, subjects spent 3 hr in a controlled-exposure chamber exposed to 150-200 microg/m3 of fine particles generated from coal or wood combustion and 3 hr in a clean room, with exposure and nonexposure periods alternated between visits. Baseline, postexposure, and post-clean room reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) was conducted. A microvascular responsiveness index, defined as the log of the RH-PAT ratio, was calculated. There was no contemporaneous vascular response to the few hours of controlled exposure. Declines in vascular response were associated with elevated ambient exposures for the previous 2 days, especially for female subjects. Cumulative exposure to real-life fine particulate pollution may affect vascular function. More research is needed to determine the roles of age and gender, the effect of pollution sources, the importance of cumulative exposure over a few days versus a few hours, and the lag time between exposure and response.     

Impact of haze and air pollution-related hazards on hospital admissions in Guangzhou,China

Guangzhou is a metropolitan in south China with unique pollutants and geographic location. Unlike those in western countries and the rest of China, the appearance of haze in Guangzhou is often (about 278 days per year on average of 4 years). Little is known about the influence of these hazes on health. In this study, we investigated whether short-term exposures to haze and air pollution are associated with hospital admissions in Guangzhou. The relationships between haze, air pollution, and daily hospital admissions during 2008–2011 were assessed using generalized additive model. Studies were categorized by gender, age, season, lag, and disease category. In haze episodes, an increase in air pollutant emissions corresponded to 3.46 (95 % CI, 1.67, 5.27) increase in excessive risk (ER) of total hospital admissions at lag 1, 11.42 (95 % CI, 4.32, 18.99) and 11.57 (95 % CI, 4.38, 19.26) increases in ERs of cardiovascular illnesses at lags 2 and 4 days, respectively. As to total hospital admissions, an increase in NO₂ was associated with a 0.73 (95 % CI, 0.11, 1.35) and a 0.28 (95 % CI, 0.11, 0.46) increases in ERs at lag 5 and lag 05, respectively. For respiratory illnesses, increases in NO₂ was associated with a 1.94 (95 % CI, 0.50, 3.40) increase in ER at lag 0, especially among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Haze (at lag1) and air pollution (for NO₂ at lag 5 and for SO₂ at lag3) both presented more drastic effects on the 19 to 64 years old and in the females. Together, we demonstrated that haze pollution was associated with total and cardiovascular illnesses. NO₂ was the sole pollutant with the largest risk of hospital admissions for total and respiratory diseases in both single- and multi-pollutant models.     

Human health effects of air pollution

Hazardous chemicals escape to the environment by a number of natural and/or anthropogenic activities and may cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. Increased combustion of fossil fuels in the last century is responsible for the progressive change in the atmospheric composition. Air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone (O(3)), heavy metals, and respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), differ in their chemical composition, reaction properties, emission, time of disintegration and ability to diffuse in long or short distances. Air pollution has both acute and chronic effects on human health, affecting a number of different systems and organs. It ranges from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory and heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory infections in children and chronic bronchitis in adults, aggravating pre-existing heart and lung disease, or asthmatic attacks. In addition, short- and long-term exposures have also been linked with premature mortality and reduced life expectancy. These effects of air pollutants on human health and their mechanism of action are briefly discussed.     

A mechanistic view on the neurotoxic effects of air pollution on central nervous system: risk for autism and neurodegenerative diseases

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Many reports have shown a strong association between exposure to neurotoxic air pollutants like heavy metal and particulate matter (PM) as an active...     

Inhalation transfer factors for air pollution health risk assessment

To facilitate routine health risk assessments, we develop the concept of an inhalation transfer factor (ITF). The ITF is defined as the pollutant mass inhaled by an exposed individual per unit pollutant mass emitted from an air pollution source. A cumulative population inhalation transfer factor (PITF) is also defined to describe the total fraction of an emitted pollutant inhaled by all members of the exposed population. In this paper, ITFs and PITFs are calculated for outdoor releases from area, point, and line sources, indoor releases in single zone and multizone indoor environments, and releases within motor vehicles. Typical PITFs for an urban area from emissions outdoors are approximately 10(-6)-10(-3). PITFs associated with emissions in buildings or in moving vehicles are typically much higher, approximately 10(-3)-10(-1).     

汽车内空气甲醛污染状况及其影响因素分析

为了解车内空气甲醛污染状况及其影响因素,随机测定200辆私家轿车车内空气甲醛浓度、温度和湿度,同时通过问卷调查获得车型、车龄、车内装饰物和关窗时间等基本情况.检测可知,车内空气甲醛几何均数为0.030 mg/m 3 ,95%可信区间为0.027～0.033 mg/m 3 .参照《室内空气质量标准》(GB/T 18883-2002)规定为0.100 mg/m 3 ,超标率为1.5%.车内空气甲醛对数质量浓度(y)与车龄(X 1 )、车内温度(X 2 )、汽车档次(X 3 )、车内温度×关窗时间(X 4 )有关,回归方程为y=-2.088 5-0.096 6X 1 0.019 9X2 0.049 5X 3 0.002 2X 4 .表明车内甲醛污染主要存在于车龄不足半年、关窗时间超过3 h以上的车辆,降低车内温度可有效控制车内甲醛污染.