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Roudreo B, Puangthongthub S. Alleviation of PM2.5-associated Risk of Daily Influenza Hospitalization by COVID-19 Lockdown Measures: A Time-series Study in Northeastern Thailand. J Prev Med Public Health 2024; 57:108-119. [PMID: 38374709 PMCID: PMC10999304 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.23.349] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Abrupt changes in air pollution levels associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak present a unique opportunity to evaluate the effects of air pollution on influenza risk, at a time when emission sources were less active and personal hygiene practices were more rigorous. METHODS This time-series study examined the relationship between influenza cases (n=22 874) and air pollutant concentrations from 2018 to 2021, comparing the timeframes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in and around Thailand's Khon Kaen province. Poisson generalized additive modeling was employed to estimate the relative risk of hospitalization for influenza associated with air pollutant levels. RESULTS Before the COVID-19 outbreak, both the average daily number of influenza hospitalizations and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) concentration exceeded those later observed during the pandemic (p<0.001). In single-pollutant models, a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 before COVID-19 was significantly associated with increased influenza risk upon exposure to cumulative-day lags, specifically lags 0-5 and 0-6 (p<0.01). After adjustment for co-pollutants, PM2.5 demonstrated the strongest effects at lags 0 and 4, with elevated risk found across all cumulative-day lags (0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, and 0-6) and significantly greater risk in the winter and summer at lag 0-5 (p<0.01). However, the PM2.5 level was not significantly associated with influenza risk during the COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS Lockdown measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic could mitigate the risk of PM2.5-induced influenza. Effective regulatory actions in the context of COVID-19 may decrease PM2.5 emissions and improve hygiene practices, thereby reducing influenza hospitalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjawan Roudreo
- Industrial Toxicology and Risk Assessment Graduate Program, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Sitthichok Puangthongthub
- Industrial Toxicology and Risk Assessment Graduate Program, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Kovács KD, Haidu I. Modeling NO 2 air pollution variation during and after COVID-19-regulation using principal component analysis of satellite imagery. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:122973. [PMID: 37989406 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122973] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
By implementing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of multitemporal satellite data, this paper presents modeling solutions for air pollutant variation in three scenarios related to COVID-19 lockdown: pre, during, and after lockdown. Tropospheric NO2 satellite data from Sentinel-5P was used. Two novel PCA-models were developed: Weighted Principal Component Analysis (WPCA) and Rescaled Principal Component Analysis (RPCA). Model results were tested for goodness-of-fit to empirical NO2 data. The models were used to predict actual near-surface NO2 concentrations. Model-predicted NO2 concentrations were validated with NO2 data acquired at ground monitoring stations. Besides, meteorological bias affecting NO2 was assessed. It was found that the weather component had substantial impact on NO2 built-ups, propitiating air pollutant decrease during lockdown and increase after. WPCA and RPCA models well fitted to observed NO2. Both models accurately estimated near-surface NO2 concentrations. Modeled NO2 variation results evidenced the prolongated effect of the total lockdown (up to half a year). Model-predicted NO2 concentrations were found to highly correlate with monitoring station NO2 data collected on the ground. It is concluded that PCA is reliable in identifying and predicting air pollution variation patterns. The implementation of PCA is recommended when analyzing other pollutant gases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamill Dániel Kovács
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire LOTERR-EA7304, Île Du Saulcy, 57045, Metz, France.
| | - Ionel Haidu
- Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire LOTERR-EA7304, Île Du Saulcy, 57045, Metz, France
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Roudreo B, Puangthongthub S. A decreased impact of air pollution on hospital pneumonia visits during COVID-19 outbreak in northeastern Thailand. J Thorac Dis 2024; 16:133-146. [PMID: 38410600 PMCID: PMC10894424 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-1051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had effects on changes in people, society, and pollutant sources. This was a unique research opportunity to assess the effects on the risk of pneumonia resulted from the changes in air pollution and personal hygiene regarding city lockdown. Methods This study, we estimated time-series relative risks (RRs) of pneumonia (n=94,288) associated with PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and O3 in Khon Kaen province and its vicinity, using Poison regression with generalized additive model and compared air pollutant-associated risk of pneumonia before vs. during the COVID-19 outbreak [2018-2021]. Results During the COVID-19 period, pneumonia cases, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 levels were lower than those before the COVID-19 but the O3 level was significantly higher. The single-pollutant analyses showed that the increase in PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 were significantly associated with pneumonia risks at single-day lag 0 in the earlier two years (2018-2019). For multi-pollutant analyses, there were higher RRs in PM2.5 at lag 0 [RR =1.078, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.004 to 1.157], lag 4 (RR =1.054, 95% CI: 1.011 to 1.098) and lag 5 (RR =1.090, 95% CI: 1.021 to 1.165) and for all cumulative-day lags, greatest was at lag 0-5 (RR =1.314, 95% CI: 1.200 to 1.439) before the COVID-19 period while there were lower pneumonia RRs of a 10-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 at single-day lag 1 (RR =1.064, 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.130) and for all cumulative-day lags, greatest was at lag 0-5 (RR =1.201, 95% CI: 1.073 to 1.344) during the COVID-19 outbreak. Multi-pollutant of NO2 significantly increased pneumonia risk in cumulative day exposure before the COVID-19 outbreak at lag 0-3 (RR =1.050, 95% CI: 1.001 to 1.100). It was significantly greater than that risk during the outbreak. Conclusions This study revealed that the lockdown measures to control COVID-19 were effective in improving air quality and lowering associated pneumonia risk. These findings would help raise awareness about measures and policies to preserve the air quality to increase respiratory health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjawan Roudreo
- Industrial Toxicology and Risk Assessment Graduate Program, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Sitthichok Puangthongthub
- Industrial Toxicology and Risk Assessment Graduate Program, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Gamelas CA, Canha N, Vicente A, Silva A, Borges S, Alves C, Kertesz Z, Almeida SM. Source apportionment of PM 2.5 before and after COVID-19 lockdown in an urban-industrial area of the Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal. URBAN CLIMATE 2023; 49:101446. [PMID: 36820273 PMCID: PMC9932663 DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2023.101446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The lockdowns held due to the COVID-19 pandemic conducted to changes in air quality. This study aimed to understand the variability of PM2.5 levels and composition in an urban-industrial area of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and to identify the contribution of the different sources. The composition of PM2.5 was assessed for 24 elements (by PIXE), secondary inorganic ions and black carbon. The PM2.5 mean concentration for the period (December 2019 to November 2020) was 13 ± 11 μg.m-3. The most abundant species in PM2.5 were BC (19.9%), SO4 2- (15.4%), NO3 - (11.6%) and NH4 + (5.3%). The impact of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the PM levels was found by comparison with the previous six years. The concentrations of all the PM2.5 components, except Al, Ba, Ca, Si and SO4 2-, were significantly higher in the winter/pre-confinement than in post-confinement period. A total of seven sources were identified by Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF): soil, secondary sulphate, fuel-oil combustion, sea, vehicle non-exhaust, vehicle exhaust, and industry. Sources were greatly influenced by the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with vehicle exhaust showing the sharpest decrease. Secondary sulphate predominated in summer/post-confinement. PM2.5 levels and composition also varied with the types of air mass trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla A Gamelas
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Setúbal, Centro de Investigação em Energia e Ambiente, IPS Campus, 2914-508 Setúbal, Portugal
| | - Nuno Canha
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
| | - Ana Vicente
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Anabela Silva
- Câmara Municipal do Seixal, Divisão de Desenvolvimento Estratégico, Gabinete Seixal Sustentável e Inovação, 2844-001 Seixal, Portugal
| | - Sónia Borges
- Câmara Municipal do Seixal, Divisão de Desenvolvimento Estratégico, Gabinete Seixal Sustentável e Inovação, 2844-001 Seixal, Portugal
| | - Célia Alves
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Zsofia Kertesz
- Laboratory for Heritage Science, Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Susana Marta Almeida
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
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Mukharesh L, Phipatanakul W, Gaffin JM. Air pollution and childhood asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 23:100-110. [PMID: 36730122 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Environmental exposures, such as allergens and pollutants, are ubiquitous factors associated with asthma development and asthma morbidity. In this review, we highlight the most recent studies relevant to childhood asthma risk, onset, and exacerbation related to air pollution exposure. RECENT FINDINGS In this article, we review current research that has been published between 2021 and 2022, demonstrating the effects of early-life exposure to key air pollutants (e.g., particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and ground-level ozone (O 3 ), environmental tobacco smoke, radon, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) on respiratory health. SUMMARY Air pollution continues to be a global burden with serious consequences related to respiratory health. Interventions aimed at reducing air pollution in the environment must be achieved in an effort to improve asthma outcomes and pediatric health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Mukharesh
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Harvard Medical School
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan M Gaffin
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
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Hwang Y, Kim YM, Lee JE, Rhee GH, Show PL, Andrew Lin KY, Park YK. Catalytic removal of 2-butanone with ozone over porous spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115071. [PMID: 36528046 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115071] [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: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To remove harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone, MEK) emitted from various industrial plants is very important for the clean air. Also, it is worthwhile to recycle porous spent fluid catalytic cracking (SFCC) catalysts from various petroleum refineries in terms of reducing industrial waste and the reuse of discharged resources. Therefore, Mn and Mn-Cu added SFCC (Mn/SFCC and Mn-Cu/SFCC) catalysts were prepared to compare their catalytic efficiencies together with the SFCC catalyst in the ozonation of 2-butanone. Since the SFCC-based catalysts have a structure similar to that of zeolite Y (Y), the Mn-loaded zeolite Y catalyst (Mn/Y) was also prepared to compare its activity for the removal of 2-butanone and ozone to that of the SFCC-based ones at room temperature. Among the five catalysts of this study (Y, Mn/Y, SFCC, Mn/SFCC, and Mn-Cu/SFCC), the Mn-Cu/SFCC and Mn/SFCC catalysts showed the better catalytic decomposition activity than the others. The increased distributions of the Mn3+ species and the Ovacancy sites in Mn/SFCC and Mn-Cu/SFCC catalysts which could supply more available active sites for the 2-butanone and ozone removal would enhance the catalytic activity of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Hwang
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Min Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 38453, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Eun Lee
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kwangwoon University 01897, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Hoon Rhee
- Department of Mechanical and Information Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Pau-Loke Show
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China; Department of Sustainable Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India; Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Kun-Yi Andrew Lin
- Department of Environmental Engineering & Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Young-Kwon Park
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea.
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Epigallocatechin Gallate Relieved PM2.5-Induced Lung Fibrosis by Inhibiting Oxidative Damage and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through AKT/mTOR Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:7291774. [PMID: 35707275 PMCID: PMC9192191 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7291774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative damage and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are main pathological processes leading to the development of PM2.5-induced lung fibrosis. Epigallocatechin gallate (EG), a natural polyphenol extracted from green tea, possesses the ability to combat oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the potential roles of EG in PM2.5-induced lung fibrosis have not been reported yet. In the present study, we investigated whether EG could relieve PM2.5-induced lung injury and fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. To mimic PM2.5-induced lung fibrosis, C57/BL6 mice were intranasally instilled with PM2.5 suspension, and MLE-12 lung epithelial cells were stimulated with PM2.5 (100 μg/mL) in vitro. The results showed that intragastric administration of EG (20 mg/kg/d or 80 mg/kg/d for 8 weeks) significantly prevented lung injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress in PM2.5-induced mice, apart from inhibiting collagen deposition. Additionally, EG treatment also suppressed the activation of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in lung tissues challenged with PM2.5. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that EG treatment could enhance cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner in PM2.5-treated MLE-12 lung epithelial cells. Also, the overexpression of constitutively active AKT could offset the inhibitory effects of EG on EMT and oxidative stress in PM2.5-treated MLE-12 lung epithelial cells. Finally, AKT overexpression also blocked the inhibitory effect of EG on the phosphorylation of mTOR in PM2.5-treated MLE-12 lung epithelial cells. In conclusion, EG could improve PM2.5-induced lung fibrosis by decreasing oxidative damage and EMT through AKT/mTOR pathway, which might be a potential candidate for the treatment of PM2.5-induced lung fibrosis.
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