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Afifa, Arshad K, Hussain N, Ashraf MH, Saleem MZ. Air pollution and climate change as grand challenges to sustainability. Sci Total Environ 2024; 928:172370. [PMID: 38604367 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
There is a cross-disciplinary link between air pollution, climate crisis, and sustainable lifestyle as they are the most complex struggles of the present century. This review takes an in-depth look at this relationship, considering carbon dioxide emissions primarily from the burning of fossil fuels as the main contributor to global warming and focusing on primary SLCPs such as methane and ground-level ozone. Such pollutants severely alter the climate through the generation of greenhouse gases. The discussion is extensive and includes best practices from conventional pollution control technologies to hi-tech alternatives, including electric vehicles, the use of renewables, and green decentralized solutions. It also addresses policy matters, such as imposing stricter emissions standards, setting stronger environmental regulations, and rethinking some economic measures. Besides that, new developments such as congestion charges, air ionization, solar-assisted cleaning systems, and photocatalytic materials are among the products discussed. These strategies differ in relation to the local conditions and therefore exhibit a varying effectiveness level, but they remain evident as a tool of pollution deterrence. This stresses the importance of holistic and inclusive approach in terms of engineering, policies, stakeholders, and ecological spheres to tackle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afifa
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kashaf Arshad
- Department of Zoology (Wildlife and Fisheries), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Nazim Hussain
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Hamza Ashraf
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zafar Saleem
- Centre for Applied molecular biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
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Lee J, Hu M. Effect of Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors on Increased Early Childhood Blood Lead Levels: A Case Study in Chicago. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21:383. [PMID: 38673296 PMCID: PMC11050586 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
This study analyzes the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children across Chicagoland zip codes from 2019 to 2021, linking them to socioeconomic, environmental, and racial factors. Wilcoxon tests and generalized additive model (GAM) regressions identified economic hardship, reflected in per capita income and unemployment rates, as a significant contributor to increased lead poisoning (LP) rates. Additionally, LP rates correlate with the average age of buildings, particularly post the 1978 lead paint ban, illustrating policy impacts on health outcomes. The study further explores the novel area of land surface temperature (LST) effects on LP, finding that higher nighttime LST, indicative of urban heat island effects, correlates with increased LP. This finding gains additional significance in the context of anthropogenic climate change. When these factors are combined with the ongoing expansion of urban territories, a significant risk exists of escalating LP rates on a global scale. Racial disparity analysis revealed that Black and Hispanic/Latino populations face higher LP rates, primarily due to unemployment and older housing. The study underscores the necessity for targeted public health strategies to address these disparities, emphasizing the need for interventions that cater to the unique challenges of these at-risk communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jangho Lee
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Michael Hu
- PGY3 Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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3
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Chang M, Emam M, Chen X, Lu D, Zhang L, Zheng Y. An investigation of the effects of meteorological factors on the incidence of tuberculosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2088. [PMID: 38267494 PMCID: PMC10808229 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52278-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
To explore the influence of meteorological factors on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in Yingjisha County, Kashgar Region, Xinjiang, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of TB. The Spearman correlation analysis and distribution lag nonlinear model analysis were conducted on the number of daily reported cases of TB from 2016 to 2023 to study the association effect of various meteorological factors and the daily incidence number of TB in Yingjisha County. A total of 13,288 TB cases were reported from January 2016 to June 2023, and June to October is the peak period of annual TB incidence. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that average daily temperature (AT) and average daily wind speed (WS) were positively correlated with TB incidence (rAT = 0.110, rWS = 0.090); and average daily relative humidity (RH) and TB incidence was negatively correlated (rRH = - 0.093). When AT was - 15 °C, the RR reached a maximum of 2.20 (95% CI: 0.77-6.29) at a lag of 21 days. When RH was 92%, the RR reached a maximum of 1.05 (95% CI: 0.92-1.19) at a lag of 6 days. When WS was 5.2 m/s, the RR reached a maximum of 1.30 (95% CI: 0.78-2.16) at a lag of 16 days. There is a non-linearity and a certain lag between meteorological factors and the occurrence and prevalence of TB in the population, which is mainly manifested in the fact that the risk of incidence of TB decreases with the increase of the daily AT, has a hazardous effect within a certain range of humidity as the average daily RH rises, and gradually increases with the increase of the average daily WS. Local residents are advised to pay attention to climate change so as to take appropriate preventive measures, especially women and middle and old age group should pay close attention to climate change and add more clothes in time, minimise travelling in hazy weather and windy and sandy weather, maintain good nutrition, adequate sleep and moderate exercise in daily life to enhance their immunity, wash hands frequently and ventilate the air, and try to avoid staying in humid and confined spaces in order to reduce the risk of latent TB patients developing the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minli Chang
- College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, 830017, People's Republic of China
| | - Mawlanjan Emam
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kashgar, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodie Chen
- College of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, 830017, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Lu
- Center of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ürümqi, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Zhang
- College of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, 830017, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanling Zheng
- College of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, 830017, People's Republic of China.
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Vicedo-Cabrera AM, Melén E, Forastiere F, Gehring U, Katsouyanni K, Yorgancioglu A, Ulrik CS, Hansen K, Powell P, Ward B, Hoffmann B, Andersen ZJ. Climate change and respiratory health: a European Respiratory Society position statement. Eur Respir J 2023; 62:2201960. [PMID: 37661094 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01960-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Erik Melén
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesco Forastiere
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
- Science Policy and Epidemiology Environmental Research Group King's College London, London UK
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Klea Katsouyanni
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
- Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Arzu Yorgancioglu
- Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty Department of Pulmonology, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Charlotte Suppli Ulrik
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital-Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kjeld Hansen
- European Lung Foundation, Sheffield, UK
- Kristiania University College, Technology, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Brian Ward
- European Respiratory Society, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Barbara Hoffmann
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Zorana Jovanovic Andersen
- Section of Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Bayram H, Rice MB, Abdalati W, Akpinar Elci M, Mirsaeidi M, Annesi-Maesano I, Pinkerton KE, Balmes JR. Impact of Global Climate Change on Pulmonary Health: Susceptible and Vulnerable Populations. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023; 20:1088-1095. [PMID: 37126851 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202212-996cme] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
As fossil fuel combustion continues to power the global economy, the rate of climate change is accelerating, causing severe respiratory health impacts and large disparities in the degree of human suffering. Hotter and drier climates lead to longer and more severe wildland fire seasons, impairing air quality around the globe. Hotter temperatures lead to higher amounts of ozone and particles, causing the exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases and premature mortality. Longer pollen seasons and higher pollen concentrations provoke allergic airway diseases. In arid regions, accelerated land degradation and desertification are promoting dust pollution and impairing food production and nutritional content that are essential to respiratory health. Extreme weather events and flooding impede healthcare delivery and can lead to poor indoor air quality due to mold overgrowth. Climate and human activities that harm the environment and ecosystem may also affect the emergence and spread of viral infections, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and associated morbidity and mortality exacerbated by air pollution. Children and elderly individuals are more susceptible to the adverse health effects of climate change. Geographical and socioeconomic circumstances, together with a decreased capacity to adapt, collectively increase vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change. Successful mitigation of anthropogenic climate change is dependent on the commitment of energy-intensive nations to manage greenhouse gas emissions, as well as societal support and response to aggravating factors. In this review, we focus on the respiratory health impacts of global climate change, with an emphasis on susceptible and vulnerable populations and low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary B Rice
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Waleed Abdalati
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | | | | | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Department of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | | | - John R Balmes
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
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Cai S, Gao J, Liu X, Yang J, Feng D, Li G, Li S, Yang H, Wang Z, Yi X, Zhou Y. Seasonal Dynamics of the Upper Respiratory Tract Microbiome in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2023; 18:1267-1276. [PMID: 37362620 PMCID: PMC10290470 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s403198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Increasing evidence suggests that seasonal changes can trigger the alternation of airway microbiome. However, the dynamics of the upper airway bacterial ecology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients across different seasons remains unclear. Methods In this study, we present a 16S ribosomal RNA survey of the airway microbiome on 72 swab samples collected in different months (March, May, July, September, and November) in 2019 from 18 COPD patients and from six resampled patients in November in 2020. Results Our study uncovered a dynamic airway microbiota where changes appeared to be associated with seasonal alternation in COPD patients. Twelve clusters of temporal patterns were displayed by differential and clustering analysis along the time course, systematically revealing distinct microbial taxa that prefer to grow in cool and warm seasons, respectively. Moreover, the upper airway microbiome composition was relatively stable in the same season in different years. Discussion Given the tight association between airway microbiome and COPD disease progression, this study can provide useful information for clinically understanding the seasonal trend of disease phenotypes in COPD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Cai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Shenzhen, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingyuan Gao
- Institute of Ecological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Liu
- Institute of Ecological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junhao Yang
- Institute of Ecological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dingyun Feng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guijun Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Shenzhen, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sijia Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hailing Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhang Wang
- Institute of Ecological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinzhu Yi
- Institute of Ecological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuqi Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, People’s Republic of China
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Savić S, Arsenović D, Lužanin Z, Milošević D, Dunjić J, Šećerov I, Kojić M, Radić I, Harhaji S, Arsić M. Hospital admission tendencies caused by day-to-day temperature changes during summer: a case study for the city of Novi Sad (Serbia). Int J Biometeorol 2023; 67:695-704. [PMID: 36881173 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-023-02447-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Increased temperature risk in cities threatens the health and well-being of urban population and is fueled by climate change and intensive urbanization. Consequently, further steps must be taken for assessing temperature conditions in cities and their association with public health, in order to improve public health prevention at local or regional level. This study contributes to solving the problems by analyzing the connection between extreme temperatures and the tendencies of all-cause hospital admissions. The analyses used (a) 1-h air temperature data, and (b) daily data of all-cause hospital admissions. The datasets include the summer period (June, July, August) for the years 2016 and 2017. We tested the effects of two temperature indices, day-to-day change in maximum temperature - Tmax,c and daily temperature range - Tr, with all-cause hospital admission subgroups, such as all-cause cases - Ha, hospital admissions in the population below 65 - Ha<65, and hospital admissions in the population aged 65 and over - Ha≥65. The results show the highest values of Ha when Tmax,c is between 6 and 10 °C. Therefore, more intensive hospital admissions can be expected when Tmax increases from day-to-day (positive values of Tmax,c), and it is more visible for Ha and Ha<65 (1 °C = 1% increase in hospital admissions). Also, Tr values between 10 °C and 14 °C cause an increase in the number of hospital admissions, and it is more noticeable for Ha≥65.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevan Savić
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia.
| | - Daniela Arsenović
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Zorana Lužanin
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Dragan Milošević
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Jelena Dunjić
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Ivan Šećerov
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Milena Kojić
- Institute of Economic Sciences, Zmaj Jovina 12, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Ivana Radić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Futoška 121, Novi Sad, 21102, Serbia
| | - Sanja Harhaji
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Futoška 121, Novi Sad, 21102, Serbia
| | - Miodrag Arsić
- Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, Futoška 121, Novi Sad, 21102, Serbia
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Aune KT, Zaitchik BF, Curriero FC, Davis MF, Smith GS. Agreement in extreme precipitation exposure assessment is modified by race and social vulnerability. Front Epidemiol 2023; 3:1128501. [PMID: 38455887 PMCID: PMC10911001 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2023.1128501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiologic investigations of extreme precipitation events (EPEs) often rely on observations from the nearest weather station to represent individuals' exposures, and due to structural factors that determine the siting of weather stations, levels of measurement error and misclassification bias may differ by race, class, and other measures of social vulnerability. Gridded climate datasets provide higher spatial resolution that may improve measurement error and misclassification bias. However, similarities in the ability to identify EPEs among these types of datasets have not been explored. In this study, we characterize the overall and temporal patterns of agreement among three commonly used meteorological data sources in their identification of EPEs in all census tracts and counties in the conterminous United States over the 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals period and evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics with agreement in EPE identification. Daily precipitation measurements from weather stations in the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) and gridded precipitation estimates from the Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) and the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) were compared in their ability to identify EPEs defined as the top 1% of precipitation events or daily precipitation >1 inch. Agreement among these datasets is fair to moderate from 1991 to 2020. There are spatial and temporal differences in the levels of agreement between ground stations and gridded climate datasets in their detection of EPEs in the United States from 1991 to 2020. Spatial variation in agreement is most strongly related to a location's proximity to the nearest ground station, with areas furthest from a ground station demonstrating the lowest levels of agreement. These areas have lower socioeconomic status, a higher proportion of Native American population, and higher social vulnerability index scores. The addition of ground stations in these areas may increase agreement, and future studies intending to use these or similar data sources should be aware of the limitations, biases, and potential for differential misclassification of exposure to EPEs. Most importantly, vulnerable populations should be engaged to determine their priorities for enhanced surveillance of climate-based threats so that community-identified needs are met by any future improvements in data quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle T. Aune
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Benjamin F. Zaitchik
- Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Frank C. Curriero
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Meghan F. Davis
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Genee S. Smith
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Abstract
Climate change has been regarded as a threat to the human species on the earth. Greenhouse gasses are leading to increased temperatures on Earth besides impacting the humanity. These atmospheric conditions have shown to alter the release pattern of pollens and can change the timing and magnitude of pollen release with flowering plants. As pollen is responsible for respiratory allergies in humans, so climate change can adversely affect human health in susceptible individuals. In this review, we highlight the association between climate change, increased prevalence and severity of asthma, and related allergic diseases. Increased air pollution can alter the production of local and regional pollen. This altered pattern depends on bioclimatic parameters. As simulated with a pollen-release model and future bioclimatic data, warmer temperatures lead to an increased pollen count in some specific locations and for longer periods. Thus, anticipation of a future allergic disease burden can help public health agencies in planning to develop strategies in mitigating the unprecedented health challenges expected in future years.
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Farré R, Gozal D, Nguyen VN, Pearce JM, Dinh-Xuan AT. Open-Source Hardware May Address the Shortage in Medical Devices for Patients with Low-Income and Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Low-Resource Countries. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091498. [PMID: 36143283 PMCID: PMC9502622 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory diseases pose an increasing socio-economic burden worldwide given their high prevalence and their elevated morbidity and mortality. Medical devices play an important role in managing acute and chronic respiratory failure, including diagnosis, monitoring, and providing artificial ventilation. Current commercially available respiratory devices are very effective but, given their cost, are unaffordable for most patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Herein, we focus on a relatively new design option—the open-source hardware approach—that, if implemented, will contribute to providing low-cost respiratory medical devices for many patients in LMICs, particularly those without full medical insurance coverage. Open source reflects a set of approaches to conceive and distribute the comprehensive technical information required for building devices. The open-source approach enables free and unrestricted use of the know-how to replicate and manufacture the device or modify its design for improvements or adaptation to different clinical settings or personalized treatments. We describe recent examples of open-source devices for diagnosis/monitoring (measuring inspiratory/expiratory pressures or flow and volume in mechanical ventilators) and for therapy (non-invasive ventilators for adults and continuous positive airway pressure support for infants) that enable building simple, low-cost (hence, affordable), and high-performance solutions for patients in LMICs. Finally, we argue that the common practice of approving clinical trials by the local hospital ethics board can be expanded to ensure patient safety by reviewing, inspecting, and approving open hardware for medical application to maximize the innovation and deployment rate of medical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon Farré
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institut Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - David Gozal
- Department of Child Health, The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Viet-Nhung Nguyen
- National Tuberculosis Program, 463 Hoang Hoa Tham, Vinh Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi 118000, Vietnam
| | - Joshua M. Pearce
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Ivey Business School, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada
| | - Anh Tuan Dinh-Xuan
- Service de Physiologie-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 75014 Paris, France
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11
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Shao R, Wang C. Rethinking global health governance: toward a "global compact" for reducing the burden of respiratory diseases. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022. [PMID: 35853625 DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000002298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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12
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Goudarzi G, Birgani YT, Assarehzadegan MA, Neisi A, Dastoorpoor M, Sorooshian A, Yazdani M. Prediction of airborne pollen concentrations by artificial neural network and their relationship with meteorological parameters and air pollutants. J Environ Health Sci Eng 2022; 20:251-264. [PMID: 35669831 PMCID: PMC9163240 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
After the early rainfall in the autumn of 2013, respiratory syndromes spread in the Khuzestan province of Iran with the most severity in Ahvaz. There have been recurring outbreaks in recent years. Considering that pollen-derived airborne allergens are regarded as key aeroallergens and the main cause of allergic rhinitis and asthma, this work aimed to forecast total pollen concentration in Ahvaz through an artificial neural network (ANN), followed by evaluating the pollen spatial distribution across the city and the association between pollen concentrations and environmental parameters. The utilized ANN in this work included an input layer with 13 parameters, a hidden layer of five neurons, and an output layer. Data were classified into training, validation, and testing sets. The ANN was implemented with 70% and 80% of data for training. The value of the correlation coefficient for the data validation of these two networks was 0.89 and 0.92, respectively. The results also indicated that despite the difference in the mean concentration of the pollens in various areas of Ahvaz, this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the concentration of total pollen and relative humidity, precipitation, and air pressure. However, it had a positive correlation with temperature. Consequently, considering the logistical challenges of monitoring bioaerosols in the air, the ANN approach could predict total pollen concentrations. Therefore, in addition to measurements, the ANN technique can be a good tool to enable authorities to mitigate the impact of airborne pollen on people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholamreza Goudarzi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases (APRD) Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Yaser Tahmasebi Birgani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Ali Assarehzadegan
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolkazem Neisi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases (APRD) Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Dastoorpoor
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA
| | - Mohsen Yazdani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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13
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Lauletta M, Moisé E, La Grutta S, Cilluffo G, Piacentini G, Ferrante G, Peroni DG, Di Cicco M. Climate advocacy among Italian pediatric pulmonologists: A national survey on the effects of climate change on respiratory allergies. Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57:862-870. [PMID: 35060364 PMCID: PMC9303178 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Climate change (CC) is expected to negatively impact respiratory health due to air pollution and increased aeroallergen exposure. Children are among the most vulnerable populations due to high ventilation rates, small peripheral airways, and developing respiratory and immunological systems. To assess the current knowledge among Italian pediatric pulmonologists on the potential effects of CC on pediatric respiratory allergic diseases, a national survey was launched online from February 2020 to February 2021. The members of the Italian Pediatric Respiratory Society (SIMRI) were contacted by email and 117 questionnaires were returned (response rate 16.4%). 72.6% of respondents were females, 53.8% were academic pediatricians, 42.7% had been working >10 years. Most of the participants were aware of the potential health effects of CC and stated that they had noticed an increase in the incidence (90.6%) and severity (67.5%) of allergic respiratory diseases among their patients. About 61% and 41% of participants respectively felt that there had been an increase in the number of children sensitized to pollen and molds. When applying latent class analysis to identify the features characterizing participants with greater awareness and knowledge of CC-related health effects, two classes were identified: almost 60% of the participants were labeled as "poor knowledge" and those with greater awareness were older, had longer work experience, and were those using the Internet to gather information about CC. There is urgent need to increase pediatricians' awareness of the detrimental effects of CC on children's respiratory health and integrate them in the educational programs of healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Lauletta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Maternal-Infantile Health, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Erika Moisé
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Maternal-Infantile Health, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania La Grutta
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cilluffo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Piacentini
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ferrante
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Diego G Peroni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Maternal-Infantile Health, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Di Cicco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Maternal-Infantile Health, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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14
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Di Cicco M, Del Tufo E, Fasola S, Gracci S, Marchi MG, Fibbi L, Cilluffo G, Ferrante G, Peroni DG, La Grutta S. The Effect of Outdoor Aeroallergens on Asthma Hospitalizations in Children in North-Western Tuscany, Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19063586. [PMID: 35329272 PMCID: PMC8949088 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Few data are currently available on the effects of aeroallergens in triggering respiratory symptoms in children. To evaluate the potential effects of daily outdoor aeroallergens loads on childhood admissions, in this case-crossover study, we analyzed data from 85 children hospitalized at the University Hospital of Pisa, Italy, for asthma or asthma-like symptoms without respiratory infection, between 2010 and 2019. Data were linked to outdoor allergens, temperature, nitrogen dioxide, and relative humidity observed during the same period. A 10-grains/m3 increase in the total aeroallergen concentration was associated with an increased risk of admission at lag 0 (OR = 1.054, 95% CI: 1.011–1.098), with a smaller effect at lag 1 (OR = 1.037, 95% CI: 1.008–1.067) and lag 2 (OR = 1.021, 95% CI: 1.003–1.039). Trends to larger effects were observed in children with sensitization to one or more aeroallergens (OR = 1.085, 95% CI: 1.004–1.173 at lag 0), in males (OR = 1.069, 95% CI: 1.009–1.132 at lag 0) and in older children (OR = 1.065, 95% CI: 1.007–1.127 at lag 0). Our study shows an association between increased outdoor allergens loads and asthma or asthma-like symptoms in children up to at least two days prior to hospitalization, suggesting that tracking aeroallergen counts may be useful to improve the management of respiratory allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Cicco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-992-797
| | - Ester Del Tufo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasola
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT, National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (S.F.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Serena Gracci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Marchi
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Tuscany (ARPAT), 50144 Florence, Italy;
| | - Luca Fibbi
- Laboratory for Meteorology and Environmental Modelling (LaMMA Consortium), 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
- Institute of Bioeconomy, IBE, National Research Council, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cilluffo
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giuliana Ferrante
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Pediatric Division, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy;
| | - Diego G. Peroni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma n. 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.D.T.); (S.G.); (D.G.P.)
- Allergology Section, Pediatrics Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Via Roma n. 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania La Grutta
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT, National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (S.F.); (S.L.G.)
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15
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Gray-Ffrench M, Fernandes RM, Sinha IP, Abrams EM. Allergen Management in Children with Type 2-High Asthma. J Asthma Allergy 2022; 15:381-394. [PMID: 35378923 PMCID: PMC8976481 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s276994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Children exposed to various indoor and outdoor allergens are placed at an increased risk of developing asthma in later life, with sensitization in these individuals being a strong predictor of disease morbidity. In addition, aeroallergen exposure influences asthma outcomes through an interplay with adverse determinants of health. The goal of this review is to provide an introductory overview of factors related to aeroallergen exposure in type 2-high childhood asthma. These include the relevance of exposure in asthma exacerbations and severity, and the evidence-base for avoidance and treatment for sensitization to these allergens. This review will focus on both indoor aeroallergens (house dust mite, pet, cockroach, mold, and rodent) and outdoor aeroallergens (pollens and molds). Treatment of aeroallergen sensitization in children with asthma includes avoidance and removal measures, although there is limited evidence of clinical benefit especially with single-strategy approaches. We will also address the interplay of aeroallergens and climate change, adverse social determinants, and the current COVID-19 pandemic, when we have seen a dramatic reduction in asthma exacerbations and emergency department visits among children. While there are many factors that are hypothesized to contribute to this reduction, among them is a reduced exposure to outdoor seasonal aeroallergens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ricardo M Fernandes
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ian P Sinha
- Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elissa M Abrams
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Correspondence: Elissa M Abrams, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Manitoba, FE125-685 William Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2A 5L9, Canada, Tel +1 204-255-7650, Fax +1 204-254-0730, Email
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16
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Tian Y, Wu Y, Zhang G, Chen H, Wu D, Liu J, Li Y, Shen S, Feng D, Pan Y, Li J. Study on the Collection Efficiency of Bioaerosol Nanoparticles by Andersen-Type Impactors. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2022; 18:319-326. [PMID: 35484751 DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2022.3276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Airborne transmission is much more common than previously thought. Based on our knowledge about SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) infection, the aerosol transmission routes for all respiratory infections must be reassessed. Thus far, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused catastrophic public health and economic crises, posing a serious threat to the lives and health of people around the world and directing public attention toward the airborne transmission of pathogens. The novel coronavirus transmission in the form of nanoaerosols in a wider range hinders prevention and early warning efforts. As a classical bioaerosol sampler, the Andersen six-stage sampler is widely used in the collection and research of aerosol particles. In this study, the physical and biological collection efficiency of the six-stage sampler was explored by qPCR and colony counting method. Results showed that the physical collection efficiency reached more than 50% when the particle size was larger than 0.75 μm. However, the overall biological collection efficiency was only 0.25%. In addition, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to detect the microbial state after sampling, and the results showed that the proportion of the collected live bacteria was less than 15% of the total. This result is of great significance not only for the application of the Andersen six-stage sampler in collecting nanosized bioaerosols, but also provides reference for the selection of subsequent detection technologies for effective collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tian
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yanqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, 999078, China
| | | | - Hui Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials and Devices, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Beijing Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Beijing Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yinglong Li
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Shangyi Shen
- Beijing Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Duan Feng
- Beijing Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yiting Pan
- Beijing Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Beijing Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
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17
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Aune KT, Davis MF, Smith GS. Extreme Precipitation Events and Infectious Disease Risk: A Scoping Review and Framework for Infectious Respiratory Viruses. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 19:165. [PMID: 35010425 PMCID: PMC8751052 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Extreme precipitation events (EPE) change the natural and built environments and alter human behavior in ways that facilitate infectious disease transmission. EPEs are expected with high confidence to increase in frequency and are thus of great public health importance. This scoping review seeks to summarize the mechanisms and severity of impacts of EPEs on infectious diseases, to provide a conceptual framework for the influence of EPEs on infectious respiratory diseases, and to define areas of future study currently lacking in this field. The effects of EPEs are well-studied with respect to enteric, vector-borne, and allergic illness where they are shown to moderately increase risk of illness, but not well-understood in relation to infectious respiratory illness. We propose a framework for a similar influence of EPEs on infectious respiratory viruses through several plausible pathways: decreased UV radiation, increased ambient relative humidity, and changes to human behavior (increased time indoors and use of heating and cooling systems). However, limited work has evaluated meteorologic risk factors for infectious respiratory diseases. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of EPEs on infectious respiratory diseases using individual-level case surveillance, fine spatial scales, and lag periods suited to the incubation periods of the disease under study, as well as a full characterization of susceptible, vulnerable, and sensitive population characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle T. Aune
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Meghan F. Davis
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Genee S. Smith
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
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18
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Yu PC, Sun AR, Xue C, Fang R. Outdoor Temperature as an Independent Risk Factor for Acute Pharyngitis Incidence: A Preliminary Study. Ear Nose Throat J 2021:1455613211057637. [PMID: 34823378 DOI: 10.1177/01455613211057637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Acute pharyngitis is common worldwide. Meteorological changes contribute to respiratory infections. This study aims to explore the correlation between acute pharyngitis and meteorological parameters. Methods: We collected the monthly acute pharyngitis cases in our hospital and the meteorological data, including temperature, relative humidity, and air quality index (AQI) of Shanghai, China, from January, 2015, to December, 2017. Pearson correlation and multivariable regression analysis were used to explore the association between meteorological parameters and the monthly hospital visits. Results: A total of 8287 patients were included in this study, and the monthly number of hospital visits was 230.2 ± 39.0. The best air quality index was 46.4 and the worst was 113.2. Temperature ranged from 5.2°C to 32.0°C, and relative humidity ranged from 59.4% to 83.1%. The monthly hospital visits of acute pharyngitis were negatively correlated with temperature (r = -.558, 95% CI -.746, -.274) and relative humidity (r = -.480, 95% CI -.695, -.137). A decrease of 1°C could cause an increase in hospital visits by 1.9. No significant correlation was found were found between acute pharyngitis cases and AQI (P = .051, 95% CI -.005, .590). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed the temperature was the independent risk factor of acute pharyngitis (coefficient = -1.906, P = .022). Conclusion: Low temperature might cause an increased incidence of acute pharyngitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Cheng Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 159395Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - An-Rong Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 159395Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Xue
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 159395Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Fang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 159395Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Wangdi K, Penjor K, Tsheten T, Tshering C, Gething P, Gray DJ, Clements ACA. Spatio-temporal patterns of childhood pneumonia in Bhutan: a Bayesian analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20422. [PMID: 34650108 PMCID: PMC8516968 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumonia is one of the top 10 diseases by morbidity in Bhutan. This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal trends and risk factors of childhood pneumonia in Bhutan. A multivariable Zero-inflated Poisson regression model using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation was undertaken to quantify associations of age, sex, altitude, rainfall, maximum temperature and relative humidity with monthly pneumonia incidence and to identify the underlying spatial structure of the data. Overall childhood pneumonia incidence was 143.57 and 10.01 per 1000 persons over 108 months of observation in children aged < 5 years and 5–14 years, respectively. Children < 5 years or male sex were more likely to develop pneumonia than those 5–14 years and females. Each 1 °C increase in maximum temperature was associated with a 1.3% (95% (credible interval [CrI] 1.27%, 1.4%) increase in pneumonia cases. Each 10% increase in relative humidity was associated with a 1.2% (95% CrI 1.1%, 1.4%) reduction in the incidence of pneumonia. Pneumonia decreased by 0.3% (CrI 0.26%, 0.34%) every month. There was no statistical spatial clustering after accounting for the covariates. Seasonality and spatial heterogeneity can partly be explained by the association of pneumonia risk to climatic factors including maximum temperature and relative humidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinley Wangdi
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
| | - Kinley Penjor
- Vector-Borne Diseases Control Programme, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Tsheten Tsheten
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.,Royal Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Chachu Tshering
- Child Health Program, Communicable Diseases Division, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Peter Gething
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Darren J Gray
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Archie C A Clements
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Australia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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20
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Maharjan B, Gopali RS, Zhang Y. A scoping review on climate change and tuberculosis. Int J Biometeorol 2021; 65:1579-1595. [PMID: 33728507 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02117-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is a global public health challenge. The changes in climatic factors affect the pattern and burden of tuberculosis, which is a worldwide public health problem affecting low and middle-income countries. However, the evidence related to the impact of climate change on tuberculosis is few and far between. This study is a scoping review following a five-stage version of Arksey and O'Malley's method. We searched the literature using the keywords and their combination in Google scholar, and PubMed. Climate change affects tuberculosis through diverse pathways: changes in climatic factors like temperature, humidity, and precipitation influence host response through alterations in vitamin D distribution, ultraviolet radiation, malnutrition, and other risk factors. The rise in extreme climatic events induces population displacement resulting in a greater number of vulnerable and risk populations of tuberculosis. It creates a conducive environment of tuberculosis transmission and development of active tuberculosis and disrupts tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment services. Therefore, it stands to reasons that climate change affects tuberculosis, particularly in highly vulnerable countries and areas. However, further studies and novel methodologies are required to address such a complex relationship and better understand the occurrence of tuberculosis attributable to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijay Maharjan
- Japan-Nepal Health and Tuberculosis Research Association, Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Ram Sharan Gopali
- Japan-Nepal Health and Tuberculosis Research Association, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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21
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Mohan Viswanathan P, Sabarathinam C, Karuppannan S, Gopalakrishnan G. Determination of vulnerable regions of SARS-CoV-2 in Malaysia using meteorology and air quality data. Environ Dev Sustain 2021; 24:8856-8882. [PMID: 34393622 PMCID: PMC8354098 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01719-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study aims to explore the state-wise assessment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic spread in Malaysia with focus on influence of meteorological parameters and air quality. In this study, state-wise COVID-19 data, meteorological parameters and air quality index (AQI) were collected from March 13 to April 30, 2020, which encompass three movement control order (MCO) periods in the country. Overall, total infected cases were observed to be higher in MCO phase 1 and 2 and significantly reduced in MCO phase 3. Due to the variation in the spatial interval of population density and individual immunity, the relationship of these parameters to pandemic spread could not be achieved. The study infers that temperature (T) between 23 and 25 °C and relative humidity (RH) (70-80%) triggered the pandemic spread by increase in the infected cases in northern and central Peninsular Malaysia. Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur and WP Putrajaya show significantly high infected cases and a definite trend was not observed with respect to a particular meteorological factor. It is identified that high precipitation (PPT), RH and good air quality have reduced the spread in East Malaysia. A negative correlation of T and AQI and positive correlation of RH with total infected cases were found during MCO phase 3. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that T, RH, PPT, dew point (DP) and AQI are the main controlling factors for the spread across the country apart from social distancing. Vulnerability zones were identified based on the spatial analysis of T, RH, PPT and AQI with reference to total infected cases. Based on time series analysis, it was determined that higher RH and T in Peninsular Malaysia and high amount of PPT, RH and good air quality in East Malaysia have controlled the spreading during MCO phase 3. The predominance of D614 mutant was observed prior to March and decreases at the end of March, coinciding with the fluctuation of meteorological factors and air quality. The outcome of this study gives a general awareness to the public on COVID-19 and the influence of meteorological factors. It will also help the policymakers to enhance the management plans against the pandemic spreading apart from social distancing in the next wave of COVID-19. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10668-021-01719-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Mohan Viswanathan
- Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak Malaysia
| | - Chidambaram Sabarathinam
- Water Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109 Safat, Kuwait
| | - Shankar Karuppannan
- Department of Applied Geology, School of Applied Natural Science, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Gnanachandrasamy Gopalakrishnan
- School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 People’s Republic of China
- Center for Earth, Environment and Resources, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 People’s Republic of China
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22
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Yang X, Zhang Y, Zhan X, Xu X, Li S, Xu X, Ying S, Chen Z. Particulate matter exposure is highly correlated to pediatric asthma exacerbation. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:17818-17829. [PMID: 34254951 PMCID: PMC8312457 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease in which environmental factors play an important role, and the effect of particulate matter (PM) on the occurrence and severity of asthma is drawing more attention. This study aims to identify the correlation between PM and pediatric asthma exacerbation and explore the potential mechanisms. The asthma visits data (N = 16,779,739) in a university-based tertiary children’s hospital from January 2013 to December 2017 were collected, and the relationship between asthma visits and local PM concentration was analyzed. For further study, we established a house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic airway inflammation model with PM intervention. We detected a correlation between PM concentration and pediatric asthma visits, especially in children under 6 years old. The in vivo data showed that PM aggravated HDM-induced airway inflammation, and IL-33 neutralizing antibody exerted a protective role. Our study suggests that PM is a risk factor in promoting pediatric asthma exacerbation, in which IL-33 might be a promising target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Xueqin Zhan
- Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Xuchen Xu
- Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Shuxian Li
- Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Xuefeng Xu
- Department of Rheumatology Immunology and Allergy, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Songmin Ying
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, China.,International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Zhimin Chen
- Department of Pulmonology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou 310052, China
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Lee KS, Kim K, Choi YJ, Yang S, Kim CR, Moon JH, Kim KR, Lee YS, Oh JW. Increased sensitization rates to tree pollens in allergic children and adolescents and a change in the pollen season in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2021; 32:872-879. [PMID: 33583098 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children with allergies are at greater risk of becoming sensitized to allergenic pollens in response to environmental changes. This study investigated the relationship between changes in pollination associated with meteorologic changes and the sensitization rates of children to tree pollen allergens in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea. METHODS The study population consisted of 8,295 children who visited the pediatric allergy clinics at Hanyang University Seoul and Guri Hospital for allergy symptoms between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2019. Pollen was collected at the two hospitals during the study using a Burkard 7-day sampler. Meteorologic data were obtained from the National Weather Service. RESULTS Among the major tree pollens, the largest increase in allergic sensitization was to oak, hazel, and alder pollens (0.28% annually). The pollen-sensitization rates increased annually within younger age groups. The duration of the pollen season was 98 days in 1998 and 140 days in 2019. Positive correlations were determined between the duration of the pollen season and the rates of sensitization to tree pollens, as well as between the pollen-sensitization rates and increasing temperature. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the correlation between weather changes and the resulting changes in the pollen season with sensitization rates to allergenic pollens in children living in the Seoul metropolitan area. An annual increase in sensitization rates in younger children was determined. This pattern is expected to continue due to continuing climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Suk Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyunghoon Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Jin Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Ryul Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin-Hwa Moon
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Rang Kim
- Impact-based Forecast Research Team, High Impact Weather Research Department, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, Korea
| | - Yung-Seop Lee
- Department of Statistics, College of Science, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Won Oh
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
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Abstract
The most commonly used photocatalyst for CO2 reduction is TiO2. However, this semiconductor material is far from being ideally suited for this purpose, owing to its inefficient energy harvesting (it absorbs in the UV), low reduction rates (it exhibits short carrier lifetimes), and lack of selectivity with respect to competing reactions (such as the nearly isoenergetic and kinetically more favourable water reduction). In this work we compile a wish-list of properties for the ideal photocatalyst (including high reaction selectivity, availability of multiple redox equivalents at one time, large contact area for CO2 adsorption with independently tunable band gap, and availability of electrons and holes at different locations on the surface for the two redox reactions to take place), and, using the principles of inverse design, we engineer a semiconductor nanostructure that not only meets all the necessary fundamental criteria to act as a catalyst for CO2 reduction, but also exhibits all the wish-list properties, as confirmed by our state-of-the-art atomistic semi-empirical pseudopotential modelling. The result is a potentially game-changing material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Califano
- Pollard Institute, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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van Rhijn N, Bromley M. The Consequences of Our Changing Environment on Life Threatening and Debilitating Fungal Diseases in Humans. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:367. [PMID: 34067211 PMCID: PMC8151111 DOI: 10.3390/jof7050367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human activities have significantly impacted the environment and are changing our climate in ways that will have major consequences for ourselves, and endanger animal, plant and microbial life on Earth. Rising global temperatures and pollution have been highlighted as potential drivers for increases in infectious diseases. Although infrequently highlighted, fungi are amongst the leading causes of infectious disease mortality, resulting in more than 1.5 million deaths every year. In this review we evaluate the evidence linking anthropomorphic impacts with changing epidemiology of fungal disease. We highlight how the geographic footprint of endemic mycosis has expanded, how populations susceptible to fungal infection and fungal allergy may increase and how climate change may select for pathogenic traits and indirectly contribute to the emergence of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Bromley
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
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Cabrera López C, Urrutia Landa I, Jiménez-Ruiz CA. Climate change: SEPAR's responsibilities. Arch Bronconeumol 2021; 57:381-382. [PMID: 34088386 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbr.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cabrera López
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín, en representación del Comité SEPAR Jóvenes, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain.
| | - Isabel Urrutia Landa
- Unidad de Asma, Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Galdakao, Coordinadora del Año SEPAR por la calidad de aire, Cambio climático y salud, Galdakao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Carlos A Jiménez-Ruiz
- Unidad Especializada en Tabaquismo, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Presidente de SEPAR, Madrid, Spain
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27
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Yi X, Liu S. Impact of environmental factors on pulmonary tuberculosis in multi-levels industrial upgrading area of China. Environ Res 2021; 195:110768. [PMID: 33548291 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the present paper, an association between the growth rate of PTB and the environmental impacting elements in the pearl river delta region and the closed industry related cities in China is studied. We summarized the characteristics of different industry characteristics in this region by three echelons of urban agglomerations conducted by K-means clustering model on the time series of their monthly AQI data. To determine the impact of environmental factors on the increase of PTB, the SMLR in GLM has been applied. We then measured the seasonal effect and suggest the spring to be the leading season which keep the highest possibility of the incidence of PTB. Besides giving the analysis by fixed meteorological factors, we presented a sensitive analysis with a variation of precipitation. The Genetic algorithms (GAs) is used to determine the "tolerant" interval and as the results, the width of "tolerant" almost keep a declining trend as the precipitation increasing except when the precipitation comes the interval [68,74]. In addition, with the precipitation increasing higher than 64 mm, the "tolerant" for the AQI values from the first and the second echelon both trend to decline, and a lenient environmental policy currently may easily cause a rapid development of PTB growth rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yi
- Business School, City College of Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan, 523419, PR China.
| | - Shixiao Liu
- Public Health School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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28
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Louro A, Marques da Costa N, Marques da Costa E. From Livable Communities to Livable Metropolis: Challenges for Urban Mobility in Lisbon Metropolitan Area (Portugal). Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:3525. [PMID: 33805336 PMCID: PMC8037474 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urban mobility plays an important role in addressing urban livability. The complexification and dispersion of travel due to the improvement of transport and the multiplication of our daily living places underline the relevance of multilevel territorial planning, recognizing that the knowledge of local differences is essential for more effective urban policies. This paper aims (1) to comprehend conceptually how urban mobility contributes to the urban livability from the local to metropolitan level and (2) to assess the previous relation toward a livable metropolis based on the readily available statistics for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Hence, a triangulation between conceptual, political/operative, and quantitative/monitoring approaches is required. The methodology follows four steps: (1) literature review focusing on the quantification of urban mobility within the urban livability approach; (2) data collection from the Portuguese statistics system; (3) data analysis and results, using principal component analysis (PCA) followed by cluster analysis (CA); (4) discussion and conclusions. In Portugal, although it is implicit, consistency is evident between the premises of recent urban mobility policies and respective planning instruments, such as the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP), and the premises of urban livability as an urban movement. Focusing on the national statistics system, the available indicators that meet our quality criteria are scarce and represent a reduced number of domains. Even so, they allow identifying intra-metropolitan differences in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA) that could support multilevel planning instruments. The results identified five principal components related to commuting at the local and intermunicipal level, including car use as well as social and environmental externalities, and they reorganized the 18 LMA municipalities into eight groups, clearly isolating Lisbon, the capital, from the others. The identification of sensitive territories and respective problems based on urban livability principles is fundamental for an effective urban planning from livable communities to livable metropolis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Louro
- Center for Geographical Studies, Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, Universidade de Lisboa, 1600-276 Lisboa, Portugal; (N.M.d.C.); (E.M.d.C.)
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Cabrera López C, Urrutia Landa I, Jiménez-Ruiz CA. SEPAR's Year: Air Quality. SEPAR Statement on Climate Change. Arch Bronconeumol 2021; 57:313-314. [PMID: 33773840 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cabrera López
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España; En representación del Comité SEPAR Jóvenes.
| | - Isabel Urrutia Landa
- Unidad de Asma, Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Galdakao, Galdakao, Bizkaia, España; Coordinadora del año SEPAR por la calidad de Aire, Cambio Climático y Salud
| | - Carlos A Jiménez-Ruiz
- Unidad Especializada en Tabaquismo, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España; Presidente de SEPAR
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30
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Abstract
Increased levels of CO2 and various greenhouse gases cause global warming and, in combination with pollutants from fossil fuel combustion and vehicular and industrial emissions, have been driving increases in noncommunicable diseases across the globe, resulting a higher mortality and morbidity. Respiratory diseases and associated allergenic manifestations have increased worldwide, with rates higher in developing countries. Pollen allergy serves as a model for studying the relationship between air pollution and respiratory disorders. Climate changes affect the quality and amount of airborne allergenic pollens, and pollutants alter their allergenicity, resulting in greater health impacts, especially in sensitized individuals.
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31
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cabrera López
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín, en representación del Comité SEPAR Jóvenes, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España.
| | - Isabel Urrutia Landa
- Unidad de Asma, Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Galdakao, Coordinadora del Año SEPAR por la calidad del aire. Cambio climático y salud, Galdakao, Bizkaia, España
| | - Carlos A Jiménez-Ruiz
- Unidad Especializada en Tabaquismo, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Presidente de SEPAR, Madrid, España
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32
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Haverinen-Shaughnessy U, Khan S, Boulafentis J, Garcia C, Shaughnessy R. Effects of educational efforts in tribal homes and schools to reduce asthma triggers, symptoms and missed school days. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 228:113513. [PMID: 32311659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Native American asthma prevalence has been estimated higher than for the U.S. population average, and uncontrolled asthma results in absence from schools. This study analyzed effects of targeted education campaigns in both homes and schools on reducing asthma triggers and symptoms among 119 children with asthma, who were recruited from Cherokee and Nez Perce communities. The education campaigns were developed in collaboration with the researchers and the tribes, tailoring strategies to reduce asthma triggers adapted to tribal lifestyles. There was a special emphasis in identification of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) aspects, which were woven into the study plan and implementation. Some 62 study homes were investigated and the parents received targeted education at the beginning of the study, whereas the remaining control homes received the same education at the end of the study. In Cherokee homes, allergen levels were significantly increased in both control and study groups throughout the study. In Nez Perce homes, dog and cockroach allergen levels decreased significantly in the study homes. The parents reported asthma control test (ACT) scores of the children were significantly improved in both study and control groups, whereas respiratory illness days were reduced in the study group. In schools, allergen levels, particularly cat, dog and cockroach allergens, increased throughout the year in both study and control schools. However, high contact surface cleaning effectiveness based on adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) readings was improved in the study schools. It was also found that high contact surface cleaning effectiveness may have effects on students' absence rates tracked by schools. In conclusion, the results indicate partial improvements in parent reported health symptoms, although the improvements could not be definitively attributed to reduction of any specific exposure in the home environment. In the school environment, effective cleaning throughout the flu season could result in decreased absence rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S Khan
- Cherokee Nation (Environmental Program and Health Services), Tahlequah, OK, USA
| | | | - C Garcia
- Nimiipuu Health, Lapwai, ID, USA
| | - R Shaughnessy
- The University of Tulsa, Indoor Air Program, Tulsa, OK, USA
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33
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Pawankar R, Wang JY, Wang IJ, Thien F, Chang YS, Latiff AHA, Fujisawa T, Zhang L, Thong BYH, Chatchatee P, Leung TF, Kamchaisatian W, Rengganis I, Yoon HJ, Munkhbayarlakh S, Recto MT, Neo AGE, Le Pham D, Lan LTT, Davies JM, Oh JW. Asia Pacific Association of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology White Paper 2020 on climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity in Asia-Pacific and impact on allergic diseases. Asia Pac Allergy 2020; 10:e11. [PMID: 32099833 PMCID: PMC7016319 DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2020.10.e11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Air pollution, climate change, and reduced biodiversity are major threats to human health with detrimental effects on a variety of chronic noncommunicable diseases in particular respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The extent of air pollution both outdoor and indoor air pollution and climate change including global warming is increasing-to alarming proportions particularly in the developing world especially rapidly industrializing countries worldwide. In recent years, Asia has experienced rapid economic growth and a deteriorating environment and increase in allergic diseases to epidemic proportions. Air pollutant levels in many Asian countries especially in China and India are substantially higher than are those in developed countries. Moreover, industrial, traffic-related, and household biomass combustion, indoor pollutants from chemicals and tobacco are major sources of air pollutants, with increasing burden on respiratory allergies. Here we highlight the major components of outdoor and indoor air pollutants and their impacts on respiratory allergies associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis in the Asia-Pacific region. With Asia-Pacific comprising more than half of the world's population there is an urgent need to increase public awareness, highlight targets for interventions, public advocacy and a call to action to policy makers to implement policy changes towards reducing air pollution with interventions at a population-based level. 1. Epidemiological studies show that indoor and outdoor pollutions affect respiratory health, including an increased prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases. Global warming will increase the effects of outdoor air pollution on health. 2. The Asia-Pacific is the most populated region in the world, with a huge burden of both outdoor and indoor pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, SPM, CO, O3, NO2, SO2, NO and household pollutants including biomass and tobacco. 3. The risk factors for the epidemic rise of allergic diseases in the Asia-Pacific are due to the increasing urbanization, environmental factors of air pollution and climate changes in recent decades than in the other parts of the world. 4. In light of the different environmental exposures in different countries of the Asia-Pacific region, strategies to combat allergic disease in this region should be focused on active government policies to fight air pollution based on the local conditions. 5. Substantial efforts need to be implemented with a concerted strategy at legislative, administrative, and community levels to improve air quality. 6. Abatement of the main risk factors for respiratory diseases, in particular, environmental tobacco smoke, indoor biomass fuels, and outdoor air pollution, as well as better control of asthma and rhinitis will achieve huge health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Pawankar
- Department of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jiu-Yao Wang
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - I-Jen Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei; College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Francis Thien
- Eastern Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yoon-Seok Chang
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | | | - Takao Fujisawa
- Institute for Clinical Research, Mie National Hospital, Tsu, Japan
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital, Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Bernard Yu-Hor Thong
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Pantipa Chatchatee
- Pediatric Allergy & Clinical Immunology Research Unit, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ting Fan Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wasu Kamchaisatian
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Iris Rengganis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ho Joo Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sonomjamts Munkhbayarlakh
- Department of Pulmonology and Allergology, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Marysia T Recto
- Division of Adult and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, the Philippines
| | - Anne Goh Eng Neo
- Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Duy Le Pham
- Medicine Faculty, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Le Thi Tuyet Lan
- Hochiminh city Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Society, UMC, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Janet Mary Davies
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD; AustraliaOffice of Research, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Jae Won Oh
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Noland D, Drisko JA, Wagner L. Respiratory. Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy 2020. [PMCID: PMC7120155 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-30730-1_51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lung disease rivals the position for the top cause of death worldwide. Causes and pathology of the myriad lung diseases are varied, yet nutrition can either affect the outcome or support treatment in the majority of cases. This chapter explores the modifiable risk factors, from lifestyle changes to dietary intake to specific nutrients, anti-nutrients, and toxins helpful for the nutritionist or dietitian working with lung disease patients. General lung health is discussed, and three major disease states are explored in detail, including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Although all lung diseases have diverse causes, many integrative and functional medical nutrition therapies are available and are not being utilized in practice today. This chapter begins the path toward better nutrition education for the integrative and functional medicine professional.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeanne A. Drisko
- Professor Emeritus, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS USA
| | - Leigh Wagner
- Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS USA
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35
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Chopra KK, Arora VK. Changing climate and respiratory diseases. Indian J Tuberc 2019; 66:431-432. [PMID: 31813427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2019.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K K Chopra
- New Delhi Tuberculosis Centre, Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, New Delhi, India.
| | - V K Arora
- TB Association of India, Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, India
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36
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Zhang A, Hu W, Li J, Wei R, Lin J, Ma W. Impact of heatwaves on daily outpatient visits of respiratory disease: A time-stratified case-crossover study. Environ Res 2019; 169:196-205. [PMID: 30466013 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to estimate the impact of heatwaves from July 2010 to October 2012 on daily outpatient visits for respiratory disease (RD) in Cangnan, China and identify vulnerable populations. METHODS The definition of heatwave was a period at least 3 consecutive days with maximum temperature exceeding 35 °C in this study. A time-stratified case-crossover design was conducted to examine the relationship between heatwaves and outpatient visits for RD. Patient data for the period from 2010 to 2012 were collected from the Third People's Hospital of Cangnan and daily meteorological data for the same period were collected from the China Meteorological Data Service Center. Data regarding the air pollution index (API), a composite indicator of air pollution, were collected from the Data Center of the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection. RD were identified based on the 10th revision International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes (J00-J99). A conditional Poisson regression model was applied to examine the heatwave-RD association using the Relative Risk (RR) while adjusting for meteorological and air pollution factors including temperature, rainfall, wind speed, pressure, humidity, sunshine hours and API. RESULTS During the study period, 4 heatwaves occurred and a total of 1732 outpatient visits for RD were reported. Heatwaves increased the frequency of RD outpatient visits and the highest RR of total RD was 1.155% and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) was 1.084-1.232 at Lag 0. For subcategories, heatwaves increased the risk of infectious RD (Lag 0: RR =1.182, 95% CI: 1.106-1.263) and decreased the risk of non-infectious RD ((Lag 6: RR =0.750, 95% CI: 0.568-0.990). Moreover, heatwaves showed adverse effects on acute upper respiratory infection (Lag 0: RR =1.306, 95% CI: 1.177-1.450). The RR of outpatient visits for RD was statistically significant in females (Lag 0: RR =1.161, 95% CI: 1.046-1.298), males (Lag 4: RR =1.161, 95% CI: 1.096-1.261), young people aged 4-17 years (Lag 0: RR =1.741, 95% CI: 1.524-1.990) and elders aged 65 years or older (Lag 5: RR =1.412, 95% CI: 1.111-1.794) during heatwaves. CONCLUSIONS Heatwaves had a significant harmful impact on daily outpatient visits for RD in Cangnan, especially for vulnerable population identified. These results can be used not only to strengthen the health education and protection of these vulnerable populations, but also to assist relevant organizations with developing intervention programmes and improving disease prevention and community care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anran Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China.
| | - Wenqi Hu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China.
| | - Ran Wei
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China.
| | - Junfen Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Wei Ma
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China; Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China.
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Shartova N, Shaposhnikov D, Konstantinov P, Revich B. Сardiovascular mortality during heat waves in temperate climate: an association with bioclimatic indices. Int J Environ Health Res 2018; 28:522-534. [PMID: 30019603 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2018.1495322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The authors studied the relative predictive powers of several bioclimatic indices as predictors of population mortality during heat waves. Daily mean and maximum values of air temperature, Humidex, apparent, and physiological equivalent temperatures (PETs) were examined. The numbers of daily deaths and daily meteorological data in Rostov-on-Don (southern Russia) were used. The study period spanned April-September between 1999 and 2011. The eight selected bioclimatic indices were used to identify heat waves and calculate the expected increases in mortality during such events from Poisson generalized linear model of daily death counts. All of the bioclimatic indices considered were positively and significantly associated with mortality during heat waves. The best predictor was chosen from a set of similar models by maximization of relative mortality risk estimates. Having compared the relative increases and their significance levels in several cause- and age-specific mortality rates, the authors concluded that PET was the most powerful predictor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Shartova
- a Faculty of Geography , Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow , Russia
| | - Dmitry Shaposhnikov
- b Institute of Economic Forecasting, Russian Academy of Sciences, Environmental Health Laboratory , Moscow , Russia
| | - Pavel Konstantinov
- a Faculty of Geography , Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow , Russia
| | - Boris Revich
- b Institute of Economic Forecasting, Russian Academy of Sciences, Environmental Health Laboratory , Moscow , Russia
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Annesi-Maesano I. United Nations Climate Change Conferences: COP21 a lost opportunity for asthma and allergies and preparing for COP22. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 138:57-8. [PMID: 27373326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IPLESP UMRS 1136), Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department (EPAR), Saint-Antoine Medical School, Paris, France.
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Sun S, Laden F, Hart JE, Qiu H, Wang Y, Wong CM, Lee RS, Tian L. Seasonal temperature variability and emergency hospital admissions for respiratory diseases: a population-based cohort study. Thorax 2018; 73:951-8. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2017-211333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundClimate change increases global mean temperature and changes short-term (eg, diurnal) and long-term (eg, intraseasonal) temperature variability. Numerous studies have shown that mean temperature and short-term temperature variability are both associated with increased respiratory morbidity or mortality. However, data on the impact of long-term temperature variability are sparse.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the association of intraseasonal temperature variability with respiratory disease hospitalisations among elders.MethodsWe ascertained the first occurrence of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in a prospective Chinese elderly cohort of 66 820 older people (≥65 years) with 10–13 years of follow-up. We used an ordinary kriging method based on 22 weather monitoring stations in Hong Kong to spatially interpolate daily ambient temperature for each participant’s residential address. Seasonal temperature variability was defined as the SD of daily mean summer (June–August) or winter (December–February) temperatures. We applied Cox proportional hazards regression with time-varying exposure of seasonal temperature variability to respiratory admissions.ResultsDuring the follow-up time, we ascertained 12 689 cases of incident respiratory diseases, of which 6672 were pneumonia and 3075 were COPD. The HRs per 1°C increase in wintertime temperature variability were 1.20 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.32), 1.15 (1.01 to 1.31) and 1.41 (1.15 to 1.71) for total respiratory diseases, pneumonia and COPD, respectively. The associations were not statistically significant for summertime temperature variability.ConclusionWintertime temperature variability was associated with higher risk of incident respiratory diseases.
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Akizuki S, Toda T. An anaerobic-aerobic sequential batch process with simultaneous methanogenesis and short-cut denitrification for the treatment of marine biofoulings. Waste Manag 2018; 74:168-176. [PMID: 29326005 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although combination of denitritation and methanogenesis for wastewater treatment has been widely investigated, an application of this technology to solid waste treatment has been rarely studied. This study investigated an anaerobic-aerobic batch system with simultaneous denitritation-methanogenesis as an effective treatment for marine biofoulings, which is a major source of intermittently discharged organic solid wastes. Preliminary NO2--exposed sludge was inoculated to achieve stable methanogenesis process without NO2- inhibition. Both high NH4+-N removal of 99.5% and high NO2--N accumulation of 96.4% were achieved on average during the nitritation step. Sufficient CH4 recovery of 101 L-CH4 kg-COD-1 was achieved, indicating that the use of NO2--exposed sludge is effective to avoid NO2- inhibition on methanogenesis. Methanogenesis was the main COD utilization pathway when the substrate solubilization occurred actively, while denitritation was the main when solubilization was limited because of substrate shortage. The results showed a high COD removal efficiency of 96.0% and a relatively low nitrogen removal efficiency of 64.4%. Fitting equations were developed to optimize the effluent exchange ratio. The estimated results showed that the increase of effluent exchange ratio during the active solubilization period increased the nitrogen removal efficiency but decreased CH4 content in biogas. An appropriate effluent exchange ratio with high anaerobic effluent quality below approximately 120 mg-N L-1 as well as sufficient CH4 gas quality which can be used as fuel for gas engine generator was achieved by daily effluent exchange of 80% during the first week and 5% during the subsequent 8 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Akizuki
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Soka University, Tangi-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan.
| | - T Toda
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Soka University, Tangi-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8577, Japan
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Song X, Wang S, Li T, Tian J, Ding G, Wang J, Wang J, Shang K. The impact of heat waves and cold spells on respiratory emergency department visits in Beijing, China. Sci Total Environ 2018; 615:1499-1505. [PMID: 28923709 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this article were (i) to find the association between extreme temperatures and respiratory emergency department (ED) visits and (ii) to explore the added effects of heat waves and cold spells on respiratory ED visits in Beijing from 2009 to 2012. A quasi-Poisson generalised linear model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was performed to quantify this association. The results indicated that (i) ambient temperature related to respiratory ED visits exhibited a U-shaped association. The minimum-morbidity temperature was 21.5°C. (ii) the peak relative risk (RR) of cold spells on respiratory ED visits was observed in relatively mild cold spells with a threshold below the 3rd percentile for 4days (RR=1.885, 95% CI: 1.300-2.734), and there was a reduction in risk during extremely chilly cold spells (RR=1.811, 95% CI: 1.229-2.667). However, the risk of heat waves increased with the thresholds, and the greatest risk was found for extremely hot heat waves (RR=1.932, 95% CI: 1.461-2.554). (iii) the added effect of heat waves was small, and we observed that the added heat wave effect only introduced additional risk in females (RR=1.166, 95% CI: 1.007-1.349). No added effect of cold spells was identified. In conclusion, the main effects of heat waves and cold spells on respiratory ED visits showed different change trends. In addition, the added effects of extreme temperatures on respiratory ED visits were small and negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuping Song
- Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Shigong Wang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, China; Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Tanshi Li
- Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Jinhui Tian
- Evidence Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Guowu Ding
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Jiexin Wang
- Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Kezheng Shang
- Key Laboratory for Semi-Arid Climate Change of the Ministry of Education, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Ehelepola NDB, Ariyaratne K, Jayaratne A. The association between local meteorological changes and exacerbation of acute wheezing in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Glob Health Action 2018; 11:1482998. [PMID: 29912647 PMCID: PMC7011946 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2018.1482998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe wheezing is a common medical emergency. Past studies have demonstrated associations between exacerbation of wheezing and meteorological factors and atmospheric pollution. There are no past studies from Sri Lanka that analyzed correlation between daily multiple meteorological variables and exacerbation of wheezing. OBJECTIVES To determine the correlations between daily counts of patients nebulized at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Teaching Hospital - Kandy (THK) and local meteorological variables, and to explore the utility of that information. DESIGN We considered daily counts of patients nebulized at the OPD of THK as an indicator of exacerbations of wheezing in the population catered to by this hospital. We determined the correlations between daily counts of patients nebulized at OPD and the following meteorological variables for four years: daily rainfall, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, diurnal temperature range, difference between maximum temperature and the temperature at 1800 hours, daytime humidity, nighttime humidity, barometric pressure and visibility. We utilized wavelet time series method for data analysis. RESULTS All nine meteorological parameters studied were correlated with the daily counts of patients nebulized with average lag periods ranging from 5 to 15 days. Peaks of daily rainfall, maximum temperature, diurnal temperature range, difference between maximum temperature and the temperature at 1800 hours and daytime humidity were followed by peaks of counts of patients nebulized (positive correlations). Troughs of minimum temperature, nighttime humidity, barometric pressure and visibility were followed by peaks of patients nebulized (negative correlations). CONCLUSIONS The THK shall expect more patients with acute wheezing after extremes of weather. Minimum temperature has been consistently correlated with the exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in the past studies in other countries as well. Hence, prescribing the inhalation of more drugs on unusually cold days (prophylactically) may help prevent acute exacerbation of wheezing in patients on treatment for asthma and COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. D. B. Ehelepola
- Department of Medicine, The Teaching (General) Hospital–Kandy, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Amithe Jayaratne
- Department of Medicine, The Teaching (General) Hospital–Kandy, Kandy, Sri Lanka
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Barry M, Annesi-Maesano I. Ten principles for climate, environment and respiratory health. Eur Respir J 2017; 50:50/6/1701912. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01912-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Santos DADS, Azevedo PVD, Olinda RAD, Santos CACD, Souza AD, Sette DM, Souza PMD. The relationship of climate variables in the prevalence of acute respiratory infection in children under two years old in Rondonópolis-MT, Brazil. Cien Saude Colet 2017; 22:3711-3722. [PMID: 29211176 DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320172211.28322015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that approximately 30% of childhood diseases can be attributed to environmental factors and 40% involve children under the age of five years old, representing about 10% of world population. This study aimed to analyze the relationship of climate variables in the prevalence of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children under two years old, in Rondonopolis-MT, from 1999 to 2014. It was used a cross-sectional study with a quantitative and a descriptive approach with meteorological teaching and research data from the database from the health information system. For statistical analysis, it adjusted the negative binomial model belonging to the class of generalized linear models, adopting a significance level of 5%, based on the statistical platform R. The average number of cases of ARI decreases at approximately by 7.9% per degree centigrade increase above the average air temperature and decrease about 1.65% per 1% increase over the average air relative humidity. Already, the rainfall not associated with these cases. It is the interdisciplinary team refocus practical actions to assist in the control and reduction of ARI significant numbers in primary health care, related climate issues in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Aparecida da Silva Santos
- Curso de Enfermagem, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Campus Universitário de Rondonópolis. Rodovia Rondonópolis-Guiratinga Km 06, BR 364. 78700-000 Rondonópolis MT Brasil.
| | | | | | | | - Amaury de Souza
- Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande MS Brasil
| | - Denise Maria Sette
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Campus Universitário de Rondonópolis. Rondonópolis MT Brasil
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Abstract
Climate is one of several causes of disease emergence. Although half or more of infectious diseases are affected by climate it appears to be a relatively infrequent cause of human disease emergence. Climate mostly affects diseases caused by pathogens that spend part of their lifecycle outside of the host, exposed to the environment. The most important routes of transmission of climate sensitive diseases are by arthropod (insect and tick) vectors, in water and in food. Given the sensitivity of many diseases to climate, it is very likely that at least some will respond to future climate change. In the case of vector-borne diseases this response will include spread to new areas. Several vector-borne diseases have emerged in Europe in recent years; these include vivax malaria, West Nile fever, dengue fever, Chikungunya fever, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. The vectors of these diseases are mosquitoes, sand flies and ticks. The UK has endemic mosquito species capable of transmitting malaria and probably other pathogens, and ticks that transmit Lyme disease. The UK is also threatened by invasive mosquito species known to be able to transmit West Nile, dengue, chikungunya and Zika, and sand flies that spread leishmaniasis. Warmer temperatures in the future will increase the suitability of the UK's climate for these invasive species, and increase the risk that they may spread disease. While much attention is on invasive species, it is important to recognize the threat presented by native species too. Proposed actions to reduce the future impact of emerging vector-borne diseases in the UK include insect control activity at points of entry of vehicles and certain goods, wider surveillance for mosquitoes and sand flies, research into the threat posed by native species, increased awareness of the medical profession of the threat posed by specific diseases, regular risk assessments, and increased preparedness for the occurrence of a disease emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Baylis
- Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals group, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Abdy Javadzadeh
- Dept of Sociology and Anthropology, Florida International University, FL, USA
| | - Michael Campos
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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D'Amato G, Vitale C, Lanza M, Molino A, D'Amato M. Climate change, air pollution, and allergic respiratory diseases: an update. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 16:434-40. [PMID: 27518837 DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The rising trend in prevalence of allergic respiratory disease and bronchial asthma, observed over the last decades, can be explained by changes occurring in the environment, with increasing presence of biologic, such as allergens, and chemical atmospheric trigger factors able to stimulate the sensitization and symptoms of these diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Many studies have shown changes in production, dispersion, and allergen content of pollen and spores because of climate change with an increasing effect of aeroallergens on allergic patients. SUMMARY Over the last 50 years, global earth's temperature has markedly risen likely because of growing emission of anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations. Major changes involving the atmosphere and the climate, including global warming induced by human activity, have a major impact on the biosphere and human environment.Urbanization and high levels of vehicle emissions are correlated to an increase in the frequency of pollen-induced respiratory allergy prevalent in people who live in urban areas compared with those who live in rural areas. Measures of mitigation need to be applied for reducing future impacts of climate change on our planet, but until global emissions continue to rise, adaptation to the impacts of future climate variability will also be required.
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Li X, Jiang Y, Yin L, Liu B, Du P, Hassan M, Wang S, Li T. Evaluation of the environmental epidemiologic data and methodology for the air quality standard in Beijing. Int J Biometeorol 2017; 61:1511-1517. [PMID: 28456878 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1330-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and respiratory emergency room visits, a generalized additive model (GAM) was used to analyze the exposure-effect relationship between air pollutants and respiratory emergency room visits. The results showed that NO2, SO2, and PM10 have positive relationships with respiratory disease. Concentration increases of 10 μg/m3 in NO2, SO2, and PM10 corresponded to 3.90% (95%CI 3.56-4.25), 0.81% (95%CI -0.09-1.72), and 0.64% (95%CI 0.55-0.74) increases in respiratory emergency room visits. In addition, there is a strong synergic effect of PM10 and NO2 on respiratory diseases. The threshold values of the national standard grade II limits used in Beijing should be adjusted. An appropriate standard could effectively promote a significant decline in respiratory room visits and would eventually be beneficial to air quality management in residential areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKESPC), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Beijing Energy Conservation & Environmental Protection Center (BEEC), Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yanfeng Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Ling Yin
- Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Tianjin Meteorological Observatory, Tianjin, 300074, China
| | - Pengfei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKESPC), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Mujtaba Hassan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKESPC), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shigong Wang
- College of Atmospheric Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Tanshi Li
- Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
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Norbäck D, Zock JP, Plana E, Heinrich J, Tischer C, Jacobsen Bertelsen R, Sunyer J, Künzli N, Villani S, Olivieri M, Verlato G, Soon A, Schlünssen V, Gunnbjörnsdottir MI, Jarvis D. Building dampness and mold in European homes in relation to climate, building characteristics and socio-economic status: The European Community Respiratory Health Survey ECRHS II. Indoor Air 2017; 27:921-932. [PMID: 28190279 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We studied dampness and mold in homes in relation to climate, building characteristics and socio-economic status (SES) across Europe, for 7127 homes in 22 centers. A subsample of 3118 homes was inspected. Multilevel analysis was applied, including age, gender, center, SES, climate, and building factors. Self-reported water damage (10%), damp spots (21%), and mold (16%) in past year were similar as observed data (19% dampness and 14% mold). Ambient temperature was associated with self-reported water damage (OR=1.63 per 10°C; 95% CI 1.02-2.63), damp spots (OR=2.95; 95% CI 1.98-4.39), and mold (OR=2.28; 95% CI 1.04-4.67). Precipitation was associated with water damage (OR=1.12 per 100 mm; 95% CI 1.02-1.23) and damp spots (OR=1.11; 95% CI 1.02-1.20). Ambient relative air humidity was not associated with indoor dampness and mold. Older buildings had more dampness and mold (P<.001). Manual workers reported less water damage (OR=0.69; 95% CI 0.53-0.89) but more mold (OR=1.27; 95% CI 1.03-1.55) as compared to managerial/professional workers. There were correlations between reported and observed data at center level (Spearman rho 0.61 for dampness and 0.73 for mold). In conclusion, high ambient temperature and precipitation and high building age can be risk factors for dampness and mold in homes in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J-P Zock
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - E Plana
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - J Heinrich
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - C Tischer
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - R Jacobsen Bertelsen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - J Sunyer
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Pompeu Fabra University, (UFP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Künzli
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - S Villani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Olivieri
- Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - G Verlato
- Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Soon
- Department of Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Estonian Research Council, Tartu, Estonia
| | - V Schlünssen
- Department of Public health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The National Research Center for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - D Jarvis
- Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
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