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Alessio HM, Bassett DR, Bopp MJ, Parr BB, Patch GS, Rankin JW, Rojas-Rueda D, Roti MW, Wojcik JR. Climate Change, Air Pollution, and Physical Inactivity: Is Active Transportation Part of the Solution? Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021; 53:1170-1178. [PMID: 33986228 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Active transportation is defined as self-propelled, human-powered transportation modes, such as walking and bicycling. In this article, we review the evidence that reliance on gasoline-powered transportation is contributing to global climate change, air pollution, and physical inactivity and that this is harmful to human health. Global climate change poses a major threat to human health and in the future could offset the health gains achieved over the last 100 yr. Based on hundreds of scientific studies, there is strong evidence that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to global climate change. Climate change is associated with increased severity of storms, flooding, rising sea levels, hotter climates, and drought, all leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Along with increases in atmospheric CO2, other pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5) are released by combustion engines and industry, which can lead to pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. Also, as car ownership and vehicle miles traveled have increased, the shift toward motorized transport has contributed to physical inactivity. Each of these global challenges has resulted in, or is projected to result in, millions of premature deaths each year. One of the ways that nations can mitigate the health consequences of climate change, air pollution, and chronic diseases is through the use of active transportation. Research indicates that populations that rely heavily on active transportation enjoy better health and increased longevity. In summary, active transportation has tremendous potential to simultaneously address three global public health challenges of the 21st century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helaine M Alessio
- Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, Miami University, Miami, OH
| | - David R Bassett
- Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
| | - Melissa J Bopp
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
| | - Brian B Parr
- Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of South Carolina, Aiken, SC
| | | | - Janet W Rankin
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - David Rojas-Rueda
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Melissa W Roti
- Movement Science, Sport, and Leisure Studies Department, Westfield State University, Westfield, MA
| | - Janet R Wojcik
- Department of Physical Education, Sport, and Human Performance, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
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Woodby B, Arnold MM, Valacchi G. SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 pathogenesis, and exposure to air pollution: What is the connection? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1486:15-38. [PMID: 33022781 PMCID: PMC7675684 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollutants has been previously associated with respiratory viral infections, including influenza, measles, mumps, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Epidemiological studies have also suggested that air pollution exposure is associated with increased cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-associated mortality, although the molecular mechanisms by which pollutant exposure affects viral infection and pathogenesis of COVID-19 remain unknown. In this review, we suggest potential molecular mechanisms that could account for this association. We have focused on the potential effect of exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), ozone (O3 ), and particulate matter (PM) since there are studies investigating how exposure to these pollutants affects the life cycle of other viruses. We have concluded that pollutant exposure may affect different stages of the viral life cycle, including inhibition of mucociliary clearance, alteration of viral receptors and proteases required for entry, changes to antiviral interferon production and viral replication, changes in viral assembly mediated by autophagy, prevention of uptake by macrophages, and promotion of viral spread by increasing epithelial permeability. We believe that exposure to pollutants skews adaptive immune responses toward bacterial/allergic immune responses, as opposed to antiviral responses. Exposure to air pollutants could also predispose exposed populations toward developing COIVD-19-associated immunopathology, enhancing virus-induced tissue inflammation and damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Woodby
- Animal Science DepartmentPlants for Human Health Institute, N.C. Research Campus, North Carolina State UniversityKannapolisNorth Carolina
| | - Michelle M. Arnold
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyCenter for Molecular and Tumor VirologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLouisiana
| | - Giuseppe Valacchi
- Animal Science DepartmentPlants for Human Health Institute, N.C. Research Campus, North Carolina State UniversityKannapolisNorth Carolina
- Department of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Department of Food and NutritionKyung Hee UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
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Abstract
: The Great London Smog of December 1952 lasted five days and killed up to 12,000 people. The smog developed primarily because of extensive burning of high-sulfur coal. The health effects were both immediate and long lasting, with a recent study revealing an increased likelihood of childhood asthma development in those exposed to the Great Smog while in utero or during their first year of life. Subsequent pollution legislation-including the U.S. Clean Air Act and its amendments-have demonstrably reduced air pollution and positively impacted health outcomes. With poor air quality events like the Great Smog continuing to occur today, nurses need to be aware of the impact such environmental disasters can have on human health.
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Kleinman MT, Bhalla DK, Mautz WJ, Phalen RF. Cellular and Immunologic Injury with PM-10 Inhalation. Inhal Toxicol 2008. [DOI: 10.3109/08958379509014467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Zeghnoun A, Beaudeau P, Carrat F, Delmas V, Boudhabhay O, Gayon F, Guincètre D, Czernichow P. Air pollution and respiratory drug sales in the City of Le Havre, France, 1993-1996. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 1999; 81:224-230. [PMID: 10585018 DOI: 10.1006/enrs.1999.3974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate ambulatory respiratory drug sales data as health indicators for the short-term effects of ambient air pollution in the city of Le Havre. Daily respiratory drug sales data were crossed with daily ambient air concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and black smoke (BS) using an autoregressive Poisson regression model adjusting for time trends, seasonal variations, influenza epidemics, and weather. Relative risks (RR) were expressed for an increase of two standard deviations above the mean of each pollutant. Respiratory drug sales were associated with most pollutants studied with lags varying from 1 to 9 days. For daily mean concentrations of BS, RR = 1.037 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.009-1.066) for lag 1 and RR = 1.052 (95% CI 1.023-1.081) for lag 8. For daily mean concentrations of N02, RR = 1.033 (95% CI 1.001-1.066) for lag 1 and RR = 1.046 (95% CI 1.014-1.079) for lag 8. RR observed with a daily 1 h maximum of SO2 were RR= 1.027 (95% CI 1.004-1.051) for lag 3 and RR= 1.032 (95% CI 1.009-1.056) for lag 9. Our study concludes that ambulatory respiratory drug sales data could be useful for epidemiological surveillance of air pollutant health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zeghnoun
- Unité de Biomathématiques et Biostatistiques, INSERM U 444, Paris, France.
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Katsouyanni K, Karakatsani A, Messari I, Touloumi G, Hatzakis A, Kalandidi A, Trichopoulos D. Air pollution and cause specific mortality in Athens. J Epidemiol Community Health 1990; 44:321-4. [PMID: 2277256 PMCID: PMC1060678 DOI: 10.1136/jech.44.4.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE The aim was to investigate the reported association between air pollution and cause specific mortality in the city of Athens. DESIGN Cause specific mortality was contrasted between 199 d with high values of air pollution and 2*199 comparison days with low pollution, matched in a 1:2 ratio on the basis of various confounding factors. Statistical analysis was done, taking matching into account, using analysis of variance for randomised blocks. SETTING The study was confined to the city of Athens, using data obtained between 1975 and 1982. PARTICIPANTS Cause of death was assessed in all 25 138 persons dying in the 3*199 d studied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Causes of death were evaluated blindly by two medically qualified investigators on the basis of information in the death certificates. Mortality was generally higher during the high pollution days but the difference was more pronounced and more significant for respiratory conditions, even though the number of deaths in this category was smaller than the corresponding numbers in the other two categories examined (cardiac and "other" deaths). CONCLUSION The results show that the short term association between air pollution and overall mortality in Athens is likely to be causal, since it is particularly evident with respect to respiratory conditions, for which a biological air pollution link is more plausible.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Katsouyanni
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Athens Medical School, Greece
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Baskurt OK. Acute hematologic and hemorheologic effects of sulfur dioxide inhalation. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 1988; 43:344-8. [PMID: 3178292 DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1988.9934946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Fifty male rats were exposed to 0.87 ppm sulfur dioxide (SO2) for 24 hr. Hematologic and hemorheologic parameters measured in this group were compared with the results of a control group of 51 male rats. Hematocrit values were found to be higher (p less than .005) in the SO2-treated group (43.55 +/- 0.41%, mean +/- standard error), when compared to the control group value (41.97 +/- 0.35%). Sulfhemoglobin values were also higher (p less than .0001) in the SO2-treated group (0.60 +/- 0.08%) than the control group (0.08 +/- 0.02%). Osmotic hemolysis ratio was slightly increased (p less than .05) in the 0.55% sodium chloride solution. However, whole blood and packed cell viscosities were lower in the SO2-treated animals, while there was no significant difference in the plasma viscosities. The mechanism of these effects could not be clarified completely, but structural and functional effects of SO2 inhalation on peripheral erythrocytes were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- O K Baskurt
- Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Hacettepe, Ankara, Turkey
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Goldstein IF, Landovitz L. Analysis of air pollution patterns in New York City—I. Can one station represent the large metropolitan area? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1977. [DOI: 10.1016/0004-6981(77)90205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Glasser M, Greenburg L. Air pollution, mortality, and weather. New York City, 1960-1964. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 1971; 22:334-43. [PMID: 5541489 DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1971.10665852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Cassell EJ, Wolter DW, Mountain JD, Diamond JR, Mountain IM, McCarroll JR. Environmental epidemiology. II. Reconsiderations of mortality as a useful index of the relationship of environmental factors to health. Am J Public Health Nations Health 1968; 58:1653-7. [PMID: 5692053 PMCID: PMC1228873 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.58.9.1653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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