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Shahbaz MA, Kuivanen S, Mussalo L, Afonin AM, Kumari K, Behzadpour D, Kalapudas J, Koivisto AM, Penttilä E, Löppönen H, Jalava P, Vapalahti O, Balistreri G, Lampinen R, Kanninen KM. Exposure to urban particulate matter alters responses of olfactory mucosal cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118451. [PMID: 38341073 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory viruses have a significant impact on health, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Exposure to air pollution can contribute to viral susceptibility and be associated with severe outcomes, as suggested by recent epidemiological studies. Furthermore, exposure to particulate matter (PM), an important constituent of air pollution, is linked to adverse effects on the brain, including cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The olfactory mucosa (OM), a tissue located at the rooftop of the nasal cavity, is directly exposed to inhaled air and in direct contact with the brain. Increasing evidence of OM dysfunction related to neuropathogenesis and viral infection demonstrates the importance of elucidating the interplay between viruses and air pollutants at the OM. This study examined the effects of subacute exposure to urban PM 0.2 and PM 10-2.5 on SARS-CoV-2 infection using primary human OM cells obtained from cognitively healthy individuals and individuals diagnosed with AD. OM cells were exposed to PM and subsequently infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the presence of pollutants. SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors and replication, toxicological endpoints, cytokine release, oxidative stress markers, and amyloid beta levels were measured. Exposure to PM did not enhance the expression of viral entry receptors or cellular viral load in human OM cells. However, PM-exposed and SARS-CoV-2-infected cells showed alterations in cellular and immune responses when compared to cells infected only with the virus or pollutants. These changes are highly pronounced in AD OM cells. These results suggest that exposure of human OM cells to PM does not increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, but it can alter cellular immune responses to the virus, particularly in AD. Understanding the interplay of air pollutants and COVID-19 can provide important insight for the development of public health policies and interventions to reduce the negative influences of air pollution exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ali Shahbaz
- University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Suvi Kuivanen
- University of Helsinki, Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki, Finland; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Mussalo
- University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Alexey M Afonin
- University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kajal Kumari
- University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Donya Behzadpour
- University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juho Kalapudas
- University of Eastern Finland, Brain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M Koivisto
- University of Eastern Finland, Brain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kuopio, Finland; Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Neuro Centre, Kuopio, Finland; University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Helsinki University Hospital and Neurosciences, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Penttilä
- University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heikki Löppönen
- University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pasi Jalava
- University of Eastern Finland, Inhalation Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- University of Helsinki, Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giuseppe Balistreri
- University of Helsinki, Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Lampinen
- University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katja M Kanninen
- University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio, Finland.
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2
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Pozdnyakova N, Krisanova N, Pastukhov A, Dudarenko M, Tarasenko A, Borysov A, Kalynovska L, Paliienko K, Borisova T. Multipollutant reciprocal neurological hazard from smoke particulate matter and heavy metals cadmium and lead in brain nerve terminals. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 185:114449. [PMID: 38215962 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals, Cd2+ and Pb2+, and carbonaceous air pollution particulate matter are hazardous neurotoxicants. Here, a capability of water-suspended smoke particulate matter preparations obtained from poplar wood (WPs) and polypropylene fibers (medical facemasks) (MPs) to influence Cd2+/Pb2+-induced neurotoxicity, and vice versa, was monitored using biological system, i.e. isolated presynaptic rat cortex nerve terminals. Combined application of Pb2+ and WPs/MPs to nerve terminals in an acute manner revealed that smoke preparations did not change a Pb2+-induced increase in the extracellular levels of excitatory neurotransmitter L-[14C]glutamate and inhibitory one [3H]GABA, thereby demonstrating additive result and no interference of neurotoxic effects of Pb2+ and particulate matter. Whereas, both smoke preparations decreased a Cd2+-induced increase in the extracellular level of L-[14C]glutamate and [3H]GABA in nerve terminals. In fluorimetric measurements, the metals and smoke preparations demonstrated additive effects on the membrane potential of nerve terminals causing membrane depolarisation. WPs/MPs-induced reduction of spontaneous ROS generation was mitigated by Cd2+ and Pb2+. Therefore, a potential variety of multipollutant heavy metal-/airborne particulate-induced effects on key presynaptic processes was revealed. Multipollutant reciprocal neurological hazard through disturbance of the excitation-inhibition balance, membrane potential and ROS generation was evidenced. This multipollutant approach and data contribute to up-to-date environmental quality/health risk estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Pozdnyakova
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Nataliya Krisanova
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Artem Pastukhov
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine.
| | - Marina Dudarenko
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Alla Tarasenko
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Arsenii Borysov
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Liliia Kalynovska
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Konstantin Paliienko
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Tatiana Borisova
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha st, Kyiv, 01054, Ukraine
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3
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Chirumbolo S, Tirelli U. On coming back, the scaring COVID-19 concern. Addressing indoor microclimates with innovative and straightforward solutions to prevent SARS-CoV2 spreading. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29490. [PMID: 38377130 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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4
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Lin W, Qin Y, Ren Y. Flunitrazepam and its metabolites compromise zebrafish nervous system functionality: An integrated microbiome, metabolome, and genomic analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122949. [PMID: 37981184 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The psychotropic drug flunitrazepam (FLZ) is frequently detected in aquatic environments, yet its neurotoxicity to aquatic organisms has not received sufficient attention. In this study, microbiome, metabolome, and genome analyses were conducted to study the effects of FLZ and its metabolite 7-aminoflunitrazepam (7-FLZ) on the zebrafish nervous system and understand their toxic mechanisms. The results demonstrated that drug exposure induced gut dysbiosis, decreased short-chain fatty acids and promoted the production of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). LPS entered the brain and interacted with Toll-like receptors to cause neuroinflammation by upregulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and NF-κB. The increased ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine in brain tissues indicated abnormal expression of Dnmt1 gene. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing displayed an increase in differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated-genes and pertinent biological pathways encompassed the MAPK signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. Correlation analysis confirmed connections between gut microbiota, their metabolites, inflammatory factors, and DNA methylation-related markers in brain tissue. These findings indicate that while the toxicity is somewhat reduced in metabolized products, both FLZ and 7-FLZ can induce DNA methylation in brain tissue and ultimately affect the biological function of the nervous system by disrupting gut microbiota and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Lin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Yingjun Qin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Yuan Ren
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Eco-Remediation of Guangdong Regular Higher Education Institutions, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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5
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Krisanova N, Pastukhov A, Dekaliuk M, Dudarenko M, Pozdnyakova N, Driuk M, Borisova T. Mercury-induced excitotoxicity in presynaptic brain nerve terminals: modulatory effects of carbonaceous airborne particulate simulants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:3512-3525. [PMID: 38085481 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31359-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Multipollutant approach is a breakthrough in up-to-date environmental quality and health risk estimation. Both mercury and carbonaceous air particulate are hazardous neurotoxicants. Here, the ability of carbonaceous air particulate simulants, i.e. carbon dots obtained by heating of organics, and nanodiamonds, to influence Hg2+-induced neurotoxicity was monitored using biological system, i.e. presynaptic rat cortex nerve terminals. Using HgCl2 and classical reducing/chelating agents, an adequate synaptic parameter, i.e. the extracellular level of key excitatory neurotransmitter L-[14C]glutamate, was selected for further analysis. HgCl2 starting from 5 µM caused an acute and concentration-dependent increase in the extracellular L-[14C]glutamate level in nerve terminals. Combined application of Hg2+ and carbon dots from heating of citric acid/urea showed that this simulant was able to mitigate in an acute manner excitotoxic Hg2+-induced increase in the extracellular L-[14C]glutamate level in nerve terminals by 37%. These carbon dots and Hg2+ acted as a complex in nerve terminals that was confirmed with fluorimetric data on Hg2+-induced changes in their spectroscopic features. Nanodiamonds and carbon dots from β-alanine were not able to mitigate a Hg2+-induced increase in the extracellular L-[14C]glutamate level in nerve terminals. Developed approach can be applicable for monitoring capability of different particles/compounds to have Hg2+-chelating signs in the biological systems. Therefore, among testing simulants, the only carbon dots from citric acid/urea were able to mitigate acute Hg2+-induced neurotoxicity in nerve terminals, thereby showing a variety of effects of carbonaceous airborne particulate in situ and its potential to interfere and modulate Hg2+-associated health hazard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Krisanova
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Artem Pastukhov
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Mariia Dekaliuk
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Marina Dudarenko
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Natalia Pozdnyakova
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Mikola Driuk
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Tatiana Borisova
- The Department of Neurochemistry, The Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine.
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6
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Zoran M, Savastru R, Savastru D, Tautan M, Tenciu D. Linkage between Airborne Particulate Matter and Viral Pandemic COVID-19 in Bucharest. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2531. [PMID: 37894189 PMCID: PMC10609195 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The long-distance spreading and transport of airborne particulate matter (PM) of biogenic or chemical compounds, which are thought to be possible carriers of SARS-CoV-2 virions, can have a negative impact on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 viral disease. Considering the total Aerosol Optical Depth at 550 nm (AOD) as an atmospheric aerosol loading variable, inhalable fine PM with a diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) or coarse PM with a diameter ≤10 µm (PM10) during 26 February 2020-31 March 2022, and COVID-19's five waves in Romania, the current study investigates the impact of outdoor PM on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bucharest city. Through descriptive statistics analysis applied to average daily time series in situ and satellite data of PM2.5, PM10, and climate parameters, this study found decreased trends of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations of 24.58% and 18.9%, respectively compared to the pre-pandemic period (2015-2019). Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particles was positively correlated with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. The derived average PM2.5/PM10 ratios during the entire pandemic period are relatively low (<0.44), indicating a dominance of coarse traffic-related particles' fraction. Significant reductions of the averaged AOD levels over Bucharest were recorded during the first and third waves of COVID-19 pandemic and their associated lockdowns (~28.2% and ~16.4%, respectively) compared to pre-pandemic period (2015-2019) average AOD levels. The findings of this research are important for decision-makers implementing COVID-19 safety controls and health measures during viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Zoran
- C Department, National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, 409 Atomistilor Street, MG5, 077125 Magurele, Romania; (R.S.); (D.S.); (M.T.); (D.T.)
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7
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Zeng L, Li J, Lv M, Li Z, Yao L, Gao J, Wu Q, Wang Z, Yang X, Tang G, Qu G, Jiang G. Environmental Stability and Transmissibility of Enveloped Viruses at Varied Animate and Inanimate Interfaces. ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 1:15-31. [PMID: 37552709 PMCID: PMC10255587 DOI: 10.1021/envhealth.3c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Enveloped viruses have been the leading causative agents of viral epidemics in the past decade, including the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. In epidemics caused by enveloped viruses, direct contact is a common route of infection, while indirect transmissions through the environment also contribute to the spread of the disease, although their significance remains controversial. Bridging the knowledge gap regarding the influence of interfacial interactions on the persistence of enveloped viruses in the environment reveals the transmission mechanisms when the virus undergoes mutations and prevents excessive disinfection during viral epidemics. Herein, from the perspective of the driving force, partition efficiency, and viral survivability at interfaces, we summarize the viral and environmental characteristics that affect the environmental transmission of viruses. We expect to provide insights for virus detection, environmental surveillance, and disinfection to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junya Li
- College of Sciences, Northeastern
University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Meilin Lv
- College of Sciences, Northeastern
University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Zikang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Linlin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Qi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Ziniu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Gang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Institute of Environment and Health,
Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056,
China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and
Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute
for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310000, China
- University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Collivignarelli MC, Bellazzi S, Caccamo FM, Carnevale Miino M. Discussion about the Latest Findings on the Possible Relation between Air Particulate Matter and COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20065132. [PMID: 36982044 PMCID: PMC10049697 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Since SARS-CoV-2 was identified, the scientific community has tried to understand the variables that can influence its spread. Several studies have already highlighted a possible link between particulate matter (PM) and COVID-19. This work is a brief discussion about the latest findings on this topic, highlighting the gaps in the current results and possible tips for future studies. Based on the literature outcomes, PM is suspected to play a double role in COVID-19: a chronic and an acute one. The chronic role is related to the possible influence of long-term and short-term exposure to high concentrations of PM in developing severe forms of COVID-19, including death. The acute role is linked to the possible carrier function of PM in SARS-CoV-2. The scientific community seems sure that the inflammatory effect on the respiratory system of short-term exposure to a high concentration of PM, and other additional negative effects on human health in cases of longer exposure, increases the risk of developing a more severe form of COVID-19 in cases of contagion. On the contrary, the results regarding PM acting as a carrier of SARS-CoV-2 are more conflicting, especially regarding the possible inactivation of the virus in the environment, and no final explanation on the possible acute role of PM in the spread of COVID-19 can be inferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Collivignarelli
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Water Research, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.C.); (M.C.M.)
| | - Stefano Bellazzi
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Maria Caccamo
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Carnevale Miino
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.C.); (M.C.M.)
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Impact of air pollution on ischemic heart disease: Evidence, mechanisms, clinical perspectives. Atherosclerosis 2023; 366:22-31. [PMID: 36696748 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution, and especially particulate matter (PM) air pollution <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), has clearly emerged as an important yet often overlooked risk factor for atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease (IHD). In this review, we examine the available evidence demonstrating how acute and chronic PM2.5 exposure clinically translates into a heightened coronary atherosclerotic burden and an increased risk of acute ischemic coronary events. Moreover, we provide insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying PM2.5-mediated atherosclerosis, focusing on the specific biological mechanism through which PM2.5 exerts its detrimental effects. Further, we discuss about the possible mechanisms that explain the recent findings reporting a strong association between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, increased PM2.5 exposure, and morbidity and mortality from IHD. We also address the possible mitigation strategies that should be implemented to reduce the impact of PM2.5 on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and underscoring the strong need of clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of specific interventions (including both PM2.5 reduction and/or specific drugs) in reducing the incidence of IHD. Finally, we introduce the emerging concept of the exposome, highlighting the close relationship between PM2.5 and other environmental exposures (i.e.: traffic noise and climate change) in terms of common underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and possible mitigation strategies.
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10
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Dorofeyev A, Dorofeyeva A, Borysov A, Tolstanova G, Borisova T. Gastrointestinal health: changes of intestinal mucosa and microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome from PM 2.5-polluted regions of Ukraine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:7312-7324. [PMID: 36038689 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22710-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here, clinical studies of patients were conducted to assess changes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) associated with air pollution by PM. A comparative study of 100 patients with UC and 75 with IBS from highly (HPRs) and low (LPRs) PM2.5-polluted regions of Ukraine was conducted. Biopsy of the intestinal mucosa of patients with UC from HPRs showed severe cellular infiltration. Patients with IBS from HPRs had changes in the superficial epithelium (focal desquamation), and inflammatory-cellular infiltration of mucous membrane of the colon. In patients with UC, changes in mucus production were found, which were more significant in HPR patients. PAS response did not depend on the residence; the level of MUC2 was significantly lower in HPR patients with UC (1.12 vs 2.15 au). In patients with UC from HPRs, a decrease in Bacteroidetes (34.0 vs. 39.0 small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), ppm) and an increase in Proteobacteria compared to LPRs were shown. In IBS patients, significant differences were found in the level of Proteobacteria, which was higher in HPRs. The level of regulatory flora Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii reduced in patients with UC from HPRs. In patients from LPRs, the level of Akkermansia muciniphila raised above normal (2.8 vs 4.7 SIBO, ppm). Similar changes of regulatory flora have been identified in patients with IBS from different regions. Therefore, a more severe course of the disease (more pronounced cellular infiltration and violation of the microbiota) was shown in patients with UC from HPRs as compared to LPRs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Dorofeyeva
- D. F. Chebotarev State Institute of Gerontology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Arsenii Borysov
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | | | - Tatiana Borisova
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha Street, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine.
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11
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Zoran MA, Savastru RS, Savastru DM, Tautan MN. Impacts of exposure to air pollution, radon and climate drivers on the COVID-19 pandemic in Bucharest, Romania: A time series study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113437. [PMID: 35594963 PMCID: PMC9113773 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
During the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic disease, like several countries, Romania experienced a multiwaves pattern over more than two years. The spreading pattern of SARS-CoV-2 pathogens in the Bucharest, capital of Romania is a multi-factorial process involving among other factors outdoor environmental variables and viral inactivation. Through descriptive statistics and cross-correlation analysis applied to daily time series of observational and geospatial data, this study aims to evaluate the synergy of COVID-19 incidence and lethality with air pollution and radon under different climate conditions, which may exacerbate the coronavirus' effect on human health. During the entire analyzed period 1 January 2020-21 December 2021, for each of the four COVID-19 waves were recorded different anomalous anticyclonic synoptic meteorological patterns in the mid-troposphere, and favorable stability conditions during fall-early winter seasons for COVID-19 disease fast-spreading, mostly during the second, and the fourth waves. As the temporal pattern of airborne SARS-CoV-2 and its mutagen variants is affected by seasonal variability of the main air pollutants and climate parameters, this paper found: 1) the daily outdoor exposures to air pollutants (particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide-NO2, sulfur dioxide-SO2, carbon monoxide-CO) and radon - 222Rn, are directly correlated with the daily COVID-19 incidence and mortality, and may contribute to the spread and the severity of the pandemic; 2) the daily ground ozone-O3 levels, air temperature, Planetary Boundary Layer height, and surface solar irradiance are anticorrelated with the daily new COVID-19 incidence and deaths, averageingful for spring-summer periods. Outdoor exposure to ambient air pollution associated with radon is a non-negligible driver of COVID-19 transmission in large metropolitan areas, and climate variables are risk factors in spreading the viral infection. The findings of this study provide useful information for public health authorities and decision-makers to develop future pandemic diseases strategies in high polluted metropolitan environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Zoran
- National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Bucharest, Magurele, Romania.
| | - Roxana S Savastru
- National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Bucharest, Magurele, Romania
| | - Dan M Savastru
- National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Bucharest, Magurele, Romania
| | - Marina N Tautan
- National Institute of R&D for Optoelectronics, Bucharest, Magurele, Romania
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12
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Rzymski P, Poniedziałek B, Rosińska J, Rogalska M, Zarębska-Michaluk D, Rorat M, Moniuszko-Malinowska A, Lorenc B, Kozielewicz D, Piekarska A, Sikorska K, Dworzańska A, Bolewska B, Angielski G, Kowalska J, Podlasin R, Oczko-Grzesik B, Mazur W, Szymczak A, Flisiak R. The association of airborne particulate matter and benzo[a]pyrene with the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients hospitalized in Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119469. [PMID: 35580710 PMCID: PMC9106990 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution can adversely affect the immune response and increase the severity of the viral disease. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between symptomatology, clinical course, and inflammation markers of adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalized in Poland (n = 4432) and air pollution levels, i.e., mean 24 h and max 24 h level of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and particulate matter <10 μm (PM10) and <2.5 μm (PM2.5) during a week before their hospitalization. Exposures to PM2.5 and B(a)P exceeding the limits were associated with higher odds of early respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 and hyperinflammatory state: interleukin-6 > 100 pg/mL, procalcitonin >0.25 ng/mL, and white blood cells count >11 × 103/mL. Except for the mean 24 h PM10 level, the exceedance of other air pollution parameters was associated with increased odds for oxygen saturation <90%. Exposure to elevated PM2.5 and B(a)P levels increased the odds of oxygen therapy and death. This study evidences that worse air quality is related to increased severity of COVID-19 and worse outcome in hospitalized patients. Mitigating air pollution shall be an integral part of measures undertaken to decrease the disease burden during a pandemic of viral respiratory illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806, Poznań, Poland; Integrated Science Association (ISA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 60-806, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Barbara Poniedziałek
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Joanna Rosińska
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Rogalska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-089, Białystok, Poland.
| | | | - Marta Rorat
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367, Wrocław, Poland; First Infectious Diseases Ward, Gromkowski Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, 51-149, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, 15-089, Białystok, Poland.
| | - Beata Lorenc
- Pomeranian Center of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, 80-210, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Dorota Kozielewicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
| | - Anna Piekarska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Łódź, 90-549, Łódź, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Sikorska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Anna Dworzańska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Beata Bolewska
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701, Poznań, Poland.
| | | | - Justyna Kowalska
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Regina Podlasin
- Regional Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Barbara Oczko-Grzesik
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Włodzimierz Mazur
- Clinical Department of Infectious Diseases in Chorzów, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Szymczak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Liver Diseases and Acquired Immune Deficiencies, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Robert Flisiak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-089, Białystok, Poland.
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13
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Karimi B, Moradzadeh R, Samadi S. Air pollution and COVID-19 mortality and hospitalization: An ecological study in Iran. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 13:101463. [PMID: 35664828 PMCID: PMC9154086 DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2022.101463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollution can exacerbate the severe COVID-19 conditions, subsequently causing an increase in the death rate. In this study, we investigated the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and risks of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in Arak, Iran. Air pollution data was obtained from air quality monitoring stations located in Arak, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO). Daily numbers of Covid-19 cases including hospital admissions (hospitalization) and deaths (mortality) were obtained from a national data registry recorded by Arak University of Medical Sciences. A Poisson regression model with natural spline functions was applied to set the effects of air pollution on COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality. The percent change of COVID-19 hospitalization per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10 were 8.5% (95% CI 7.6 to 11.5) and 4.8% (95% CI 3 to 6.5), respectively. An increase of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5 resulting in 5.6% (95% CI: 3.1-8.3%) increase in COVID-19 mortality. The percent change of hospitalization (7.7%, 95% CI 2.2 to 13.3) and mortality (4.5%, 95% CI 0.3 to 9.5) were positively significant per one ppb increment in SO2, while NO2, O3 and CO were inversely associated with hospitalization and mortality. Our findings strongly suggesting that a small increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and SO2 elevating risks of hospitalization and mortality related to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrooz Karimi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Health Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Rahmatollah Moradzadeh
- Department of Epidemiology, Health Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Sadegh Samadi
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Health Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
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14
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Yates EF, Zhang K, Naus A, Forbes C, Wu X, Dey T. A review on the biological, epidemiological, and statistical relevance of COVID-19 paired with air pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCES 2022; 8:100250. [PMID: 35692605 PMCID: PMC9167046 DOI: 10.1016/j.envadv.2022.100250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review paper is aimed to critically evaluate recent studies of the associations between air pollution and the outcomes in the COVID-19 pandemic. The main air pollutants we have considered are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground-level ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). We, specifically, evaluated the influences of these pollutants, both individually and collaboratively, across various geographic areas and exposure windows. We further reviewed the proposed biological mechanisms underlying the association between air pollution and COVID-19. Ultimately, we aim to inform policy and public health practice regarding the implications of COVID-19 and air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth F Yates
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, United States
| | | | - Abbie Naus
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Callum Forbes
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, MA, United States
| | - Tanujit Dey
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, United States
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15
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Tarasenko A, Pozdnyakova N, Paliienko K, Borysov A, Krisanova N, Pastukhov A, Stanovyi O, Gnatyuk O, Dovbeshko G, Borisova T. A comparative study of wood sawdust and plastic smoke particulate matter with a focus on spectroscopic, fluorescent, oxidative, and neuroactive properties. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:38315-38330. [PMID: 35079971 PMCID: PMC8789210 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Here, water-suspended smoke aerosol preparation was synthesized from biomass-based fuel, i.e., a widespread product for residential heating, wood sawdust (WP) (pine, poplar, and birch mixture), and its properties were compared in parallel experiments with the smoke preparation from plastics (PP). Molecular groups in the PM preparations were analyzed using Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. WP was assessed in neurotoxicity studies using rat cortex nerve terminals (synaptosomes). Generation of spontaneous and H2O2-evoked reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected using fluorescent dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein in nerve terminals was decreased by WP. In comparison with PP, WP demonstrated more pronounced reduction of spontaneous and H2O2-evoked ROS production. WP completely inhibited glutamate receptor agonist kainate-induced ROS production, thereby affecting the glutamate receptor-mediated signaling pathways. WP decreased the synaptosomal membrane potential in fluorimetric experiments and the synaptosomal transporter-mediated uptake of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, L-[14C]glutamate and [3H] γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), respectively. PP decreased the ambient synaptosomal level of [3H]GABA, whereas it did not change that of L-[14C]glutamate. Principal difference between WP and PP was found in their ability to influence the ambient synaptosomal level of [3H]GABA (an increase and decrease, respectively), thereby showing riskiness in mitigation of synaptic inhibition by PP and triggering development of neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla Tarasenko
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha str, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Natalia Pozdnyakova
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha str, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Konstantin Paliienko
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha str, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Arsenii Borysov
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha str, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Natalia Krisanova
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha str, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Artem Pastukhov
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha str, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
| | - Olexander Stanovyi
- Department of Physics of Biological Systems, Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 46 Nauky Ave, Kiev, 03680, Ukraine
| | - Olena Gnatyuk
- Department of Physics of Biological Systems, Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 46 Nauky Ave, Kiev, 03680, Ukraine
| | - Galina Dovbeshko
- Department of Physics of Biological Systems, Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 46 Nauky Ave, Kiev, 03680, Ukraine
| | - Tatiana Borisova
- Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 9 Leontovicha str, Kiev, 01054, Ukraine
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16
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Chen L, Lin J, Martin R, Du M, Weng H, Kong H, Ni R, Meng J, Zhang Y, Zhang L, van Donkelaar A. Inequality in historical transboundary anthropogenic PM 2.5 health impacts. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2022; 67:437-444. [PMID: 36546095 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric transport of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the leading environmental risk factor for public health, is estimated to exert substantial transboundary effects at present. During the past several decades, human-produced pollutant emissions have undergone drastic and regionally distinctive changes, yet it remains unclear about the resulting global transboundary health impacts. Here we show that between 1950 and 2014, global anthropogenic PM2.5 has led to 185.7 million premature deaths cumulatively, including about 14% from transboundary pollution. Among four country groups at different affluence levels, on a basis of per capita contribution to transboundary mortality, a richer region tends to exert severer cumulative health externality, with the poorest bearing the worst net externality after contrasting import and export of pollution mortality. The temporal changes in transboundary mortality and cross-regional inequality are substantial. Effort to reduce PM2.5-related transboundary mortality should seek international collaborative strategies that account for historical responsibility and inequality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Chen
- Laboratory for Climate and Ocean-Atmospheric Studies, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Mckelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Jintai Lin
- Laboratory for Climate and Ocean-Atmospheric Studies, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Randall Martin
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Mckelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA; Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Mingxi Du
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Hongjian Weng
- Laboratory for Climate and Ocean-Atmospheric Studies, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hao Kong
- Laboratory for Climate and Ocean-Atmospheric Studies, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ruijing Ni
- Laboratory for Climate and Ocean-Atmospheric Studies, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jun Meng
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- Laboratory for Climate and Ocean-Atmospheric Studies, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Shanghai Central Meteorological Observatory, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Aaron van Donkelaar
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Mckelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA; Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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17
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Shao L, Cao Y, Jones T, Santosh M, Silva LFO, Ge S, da Boit K, Feng X, Zhang M, BéruBé K. COVID-19 mortality and exposure to airborne PM 2.5: A lag time correlation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151286. [PMID: 34743816 PMCID: PMC8553633 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has escalated into one of the most serious crises in the 21st Century. Given the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its high mortality rate, here we investigate the impact and relationship of airborne PM2.5 to COVID-19 mortality. Previous studies have indicated that PM2.5 has a positive relationship with the spread of COVID-19. To gain insights into the delayed effect of PM2.5 concentration (μgm-3) on mortality, we focused on the role of PM2.5 in Wuhan City in China and COVID-19 during the period December 27, 2019 to April 7, 2020. We also considered the possible impact of various meteorological factors such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, atmospheric pressure and precipitation on pollutant levels. The results from the Pearson's correlation coefficient analyses reveal that the population exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 pollution are susceptible to COVID-19 mortality with a lag time of >18 days. By establishing a generalized additive model, the delayed effect of PM2.5 on the death toll of COVID-19 was verified. A negative correction was identified between temperature and number of COVID-19 deaths, whereas atmospheric pressure exhibits a positive correlation with deaths, both with a significant lag effect. The results from our study suggest that these epidemiological relationships may contribute to the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide insights for public health strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyi Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yaxin Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tim Jones
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - M Santosh
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geoscience Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Department of Earth Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Luis F O Silva
- Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58 #55-66, 080002 Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Shuoyi Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kátia da Boit
- Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58 #55-66, 080002 Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Xiaolei Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Mengyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kelly BéruBé
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
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18
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Marquès M, Domingo JL. Positive association between outdoor air pollution and the incidence and severity of COVID-19. A review of the recent scientific evidences. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111930. [PMID: 34425111 PMCID: PMC8378989 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In June 2020, we published a review focused on assessing the influence of various air pollutants on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and the severity of COVID-19 in patients infected by the coronavirus. The results of most of those reviewed studies suggested that chronic exposure to certain air pollutants might lead to more severe and lethal forms of COVID-19, as well as delays/complications in the recovery of the patients. Since then, a notable number of studies on this topic have been published, including also various reviews. Given the importance of this issue, we have updated the information published since our previous review. Taking together the previous results and those of most investigations now reviewed, we have concluded that there is a significant association between chronic exposure to various outdoor air pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2 and CO, and the incidence/risk of COVID-19 cases, as well as the severity/mortality of the disease. Unfortunately, studies on the potential influence of other important air pollutants such as VOCs, dioxins and furans, or metals, are not available in the scientific literature. In relation to the influence of outdoor air pollutants on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, although the scientific evidence is much more limited, some studies point to PM2.5 and PM10 as potential airborne transmitters of the virus. Anyhow, it is clear that environmental air pollution plays an important negative role in COVID-19, increasing its incidence and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montse Marquès
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, School of Medicine, Sant Llorens 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, School of Medicine, Sant Llorens 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
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19
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Air Pollution and Mobility, What Carries COVID-19? ECONOMETRICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/econometrics9040037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper tests if air pollution serves as a carrier for SARS-CoV-2 by measuring the effect of daily exposure to air pollution on its spread by panel data models that incorporates a possible commonality between municipalities. We show that the contemporary exposure to particle matter is not the main driver behind the increasing number of cases and deaths in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. Remarkably, we also find that the cross-dependence between municipalities in the Mexican region is highly correlated to public mobility, which plays the leading role behind the rhythm of contagion. Our findings are particularly revealing given that the Mexico City Metropolitan Area did not experience a decrease in air pollution during COVID-19 induced lockdowns.
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20
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Curtis L. PM 2.5, NO 2, wildfires, and other environmental exposures are linked to higher Covid 19 incidence, severity, and death rates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:54429-54447. [PMID: 34410599 PMCID: PMC8374108 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15556-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have linked outdoor levels of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, and other air pollutants to significantly higher rates of Covid 19 morbidity and mortality, although the rate in which specific concentrations of pollutants increase Covid 19 morbidity and mortality varies widely by specific country and study. As little as a 1-μg/m3 increase in outdoor PM2.5 is estimated to increase rates of Covid 19 by as much as 0.22 to 8%. Two California studies have strongly linked heavy wildfire burning periods with significantly higher outdoor levels of PM2.5 and CO as well as significantly higher rates of Covid 19 cases and deaths. Active smoking has also been strongly linked significantly increased risk of Covid 19 severity and death. Other exposures possibly related to greater risk of Covid 19 morbidity and mortality include incense, pesticides, heavy metals, dust/sand, toxic waste sites, and volcanic emissions. The exact mechanisms in which air pollutants increase Covid 19 infections are not fully understood, but are probably related to pollutant-related oxidation and inflammation of the lungs and other tissues and to the pollutant-driven alternation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in respiratory and other cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Curtis
- East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 5371 Knollwood Parkway Court #F, Hazelwood, MO, 63042, USA.
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21
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Aleya L, Gu W, Howard S. Environmental factors and the epidemics of COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:40308-40310. [PMID: 34313934 PMCID: PMC8314024 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14721-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, F-25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Weikuan Gu
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Scott Howard
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
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