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Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2019) | Viewed by 63780

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kai-Jen Chuang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
Interests: air pollution measurement, prevention and intervention; cardiovascular health; respiratory health; environmental epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air pollution is a major environment-related risk factor for health across the world. The leading health outcome attributed to air pollution is cardiopulmonary effects, including respiratory infections, cardiovascular diseases, and lung cancer. The World Health Organization has announced that ambient air pollution contributed to 7.6% of all deaths in 2016. However, the mechanism linking air pollution to cardiopulmonary effects is largely unknown. Moreover, the studies of air pollution-related cardiopulmonary biomarkers, air pollution composition, and cardiopulmonary heath risk assessment, the association between air quality improvement and cardiopulmonary health promotion, and so on, are still limited. Therefore, we invite you to consider submitting your research for publication in this Special Issue of the journal, focusing on “Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health”. The aim of this Special Issue is to communicate a selection of papers on the measurement, assessment, prevention, and intervention of air pollution induced cardiopulmonary effects among human subjects. In vitro and in vivo studies are also very welcome.

Prof. Dr. Kai-Jen Chuang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • Particulate matter
  • Ozone
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Lung function
  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Inflammation

Published Papers (16 papers)

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11 pages, 801 KiB  
Article
Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure on Shipyard Welders: A Cautionary Note for 8-Hydroxy-2′-Deoxyguanosine
by Ting-Yao Su, Chih-Hong Pan, Yuan-Ting Hsu and Ching-Huang Lai
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(23), 4813; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234813 - 29 Nov 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2762
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of diseases induced by welding fumes. To our knowledge, little information is available on the relationship between multiple heavy metal exposure and oxidative stress in welders. We assessed the relationship between multiple heavy metal [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of diseases induced by welding fumes. To our knowledge, little information is available on the relationship between multiple heavy metal exposure and oxidative stress in welders. We assessed the relationship between multiple heavy metal exposure and oxidative damage by analyzing 174 nonsmoking male welders in a shipyard. Urinary metals were used as the internal dose of exposure to metals in welding fumes, and urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was used as an oxidative DNA damage marker. The relationship between workers’ metal levels and 8-OHdG was estimated using a multiple linear regression model. The geometric mean levels of urinary chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were considerably higher in welders than in controls. Urinary Cr and Ni were determined as effective predictors of urinary 8-OHdG levels after adjusting for covariates. Oxidative DNA damage was associated with both Cr and Ni of welding fume exposure in shipyard welders (Ln Cr: β = 0.33, 95%C.I. = 0.16–0.49; Ln Ni: β = 0.27, 95%C.I. = 0.12–0.43). In this study, we investigated the significantly positive relationship between urinary metals (especially Cr and Ni) and 8-OHdG in nonsmoking shipyard welders. Moreover, the use of particulate respirators did not reduce metal exposure and oxidative damage. Therefore, we infer that hazard identification for welders should be conducted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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25 pages, 1003 KiB  
Article
Effects of Personal Exposures to Micro- and Nano-Particulate Matter, Black Carbon, Particle-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and Carbon Monoxide on Heart Rate Variability in a Panel of Healthy Older Subjects
by Chin-Sheng Tang, Kai-Jen Chuang, Ta-Yuan Chang, Hsiao-Chi Chuang, Li-Hsin Chen, Shih-Chun Candice Lung and Li-Te Chang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(23), 4672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234672 - 23 Nov 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3394
Abstract
As a non-invasive method, heart rate variability (HRV) has been widely used to study cardiovascular autonomous control. Environmental epidemiological studies indicated that the increase in an average concentration of particulate matter (PM) would result in a decrease in HRV, which was related to [...] Read more.
As a non-invasive method, heart rate variability (HRV) has been widely used to study cardiovascular autonomous control. Environmental epidemiological studies indicated that the increase in an average concentration of particulate matter (PM) would result in a decrease in HRV, which was related to the increase of cardiovascular mortality in patients with myocardial infarction and the general population. With rapid economic and social development in Asia, how air pollutants, such as PM of different sizes and their components, affect the cardiovascular health of older people, still need to be further explored. The current study includes a 72 h personal exposure monitoring of seven healthy older people who lived in the Taipei metropolitan area. Mobile equipment, a portable electrocardiogram recorder, and the generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) were adopted to evaluate how HRV indices were affected by size-fractionated PM, particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (p-PAHs), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide (CO). Other related confounding factors, such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), temperature, relative humidity (RH), time, and monitoring week were controlled by fixed effects of the GAMM. Statistical analyses of multi-pollutant models showed that PM2.5–10, PM1, and nanoparticle (NP) could cause heart rate (HR), time-domain indices, and frequency-domain indices to rise; PM1–2.5 and BC would cause the frequency-domain index to rise; p-PAHs would cause HR to rise, and CO would cause time-domain index and frequency-domain index to decline. In addition, the moving average time all fell after one hour and might appear at 8 h in HRVs’ largest percentage change caused by each pollutant, results of which suggested that size-fractionated PM, p-PAHs, BC, and CO exposures have delayed effects on HRVs. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that the increase in personal pollutant exposure would affect cardiac autonomic control function of healthy older residents in metropolitan areas, and the susceptibility of cardiovascular effects was higher than that of healthy young people. Since the small sample size would limit the generalizability of this study, more studies with larger scale are warranted to better understand the HRV effects of simultaneous PM and other pollution exposures for subpopulation groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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16 pages, 1190 KiB  
Article
Air Pollution as a Cause of Obesity: Micro-Level Evidence from Chinese Cities
by Zhiming Yang, Qianhao Song, Jing Li and Yunquan Zhang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(21), 4296; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214296 - 05 Nov 2019
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 3834
Abstract
Chinese air pollution is obviously increasing, and the government makes efforts to strengthen air pollution treatment. Although adverse health effects gradually emerge, research determining individual vulnerability is limited. This study estimated the relationship between air pollution and obesity. Individual information of 13,414 respondents [...] Read more.
Chinese air pollution is obviously increasing, and the government makes efforts to strengthen air pollution treatment. Although adverse health effects gradually emerge, research determining individual vulnerability is limited. This study estimated the relationship between air pollution and obesity. Individual information of 13,414 respondents from 125 cities is used in the analysis. This study employs ordinary least squares (OLS) and multinomial logit model (m-logit) to estimate the impact of air pollution on obesity. We choose different air pollution and Body Mass Index (BMI) indicators for estimation. Empirical results show Air Quality Index (AQI) is significantly positively associated with the BMI score. As AQI adds one unit, the BMI score increases 0.031 (SE = 0.002; p < 0.001). The influence coefficients of particle size smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), particle size smaller than 10 μm (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) to the BMI score are 0.034 (SE = 0.002; p < 0.001), 0.023 (SE = 0.001; p < 0.001), 0.52 (SE = 0.095; p < 0.001), 0.045 (SE = 0.004; p < 0.001), 0.021 (SE = 0.002; p < 0.001), 0.008 (SE = 0.003; p = 0.015), respectively. Generally, air pollution has an adverse effect on body weight. CO is the most influential pollutant, and female, middle-aged, and low-education populations are more severely affected. The results confirm that the adverse health effects of air pollution should be considered when making the air pollution policies. Findings also provide justification for health interventions, especially for people with obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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12 pages, 1132 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Effects of Ambient Air Pollution on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Events: Are There Potentially Susceptible Groups?
by Hsiu-Yung Pan, Shun-Man Cheung, Fu-Cheng Chen, Kuan-Han Wu, Shih-Yu Cheng, Po-Chun Chuang and Fu-Jen Cheng
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3760; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193760 - 07 Oct 2019
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3262
Abstract
Background: Air pollution exposure is associated with greater risk for cardiovascular events. This study aims to examine the effects of increased exposure to short-term air pollutants on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and determine the susceptible groups. Methods: Data on particulate matter PM2.5 [...] Read more.
Background: Air pollution exposure is associated with greater risk for cardiovascular events. This study aims to examine the effects of increased exposure to short-term air pollutants on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and determine the susceptible groups. Methods: Data on particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 and other air pollutants, measured at each of the 11 air-quality monitoring stations in Kaohsiung City, were collected between 2011 and 2016. The medical records of non-trauma adult (>17 years) patients who had visited the emergency department (ED) with a typical electrocardiogram change of STEMI were extracted. A time-stratified and case-crossover study design was used to examine the relationship between air pollutants and daily ED visits for STEMI. Results: An interquartile range increment in PM2.5 on lag 0 was associated with an increment of 25.5% (95% confidence interval, 2.6%–53.4%) in the risk of STEMI ED visits. Men and persons with ≥3 risk factors (male sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, current smoker, dyslipidemia, history of myocardial infarction, and high body mass index) for myocardial infarction (MI) were more sensitive to the hazardous effects of PM2.5 (interaction: p = 0.039 and p = 0.018, respectively). The associations between PM10, NO2, and O3 and STEMI did not achieve statistical significance. Conclusion: PM2.5 may play an important role in STEMI events on the day of exposure in Kaohsiung. Men and persons with ≥3 risk factors of MI are more susceptible to the adverse effects of PM2.5 on STEMI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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11 pages, 1584 KiB  
Article
Acute and Cumulative Effects of Haze Fine Particles on Mortality and the Seasonal Characteristics in Beijing, China, 2005–2013: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study
by Yi Li, Canjun Zheng, Zhiqiang Ma and Weijun Quan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(13), 2383; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132383 - 04 Jul 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3028
Abstract
We observed significant effects of particulate matter (PM2.5) on cause-specific mortality by applying a time-stratified case-crossover and lag-structure designs in Beijing over a nine-year study period (2005–2013). The year-round odds ratio (OR) was 1.005 on the current day with a 10 [...] Read more.
We observed significant effects of particulate matter (PM2.5) on cause-specific mortality by applying a time-stratified case-crossover and lag-structure designs in Beijing over a nine-year study period (2005–2013). The year-round odds ratio (OR) was 1.005 on the current day with a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 for all-cause mortality. For cardiovascular mortality and stroke, the ORs were 1.007 and 1.008 on the current day, respectively. Meanwhile, during a lag of six days, the cumulative effects of haze on relative risk of mortality, respiratory mortality and all-cause mortality was in the range of 2~11%. Moreover, we found a significant seasonal pattern in the associations for respiratory mortality: significant associations were observed in spring and fall, while for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, cardiac and stroke, significant associations were observed in winter. Moreover, increasing temperature would decrease risks of mortalities in winter taking fall as the reference season. We concluded that in summer, temperature acted as a direct enhancer of air pollutants; while in winter and spring, it was an index of the diameter distribution and composition of fine particles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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10 pages, 286 KiB  
Article
Ambient Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Peptic Ulcers in Taipei: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study
by Shang-Shyue Tsai, Hui-Fen Chiu and Chun-Yuh Yang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(11), 1916; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111916 - 30 May 2019
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
Very few studies have been performed to determine whether there is a relationship between air pollution and increases in hospitalizations for peptic ulcer, and for those that have occurred, their results may not be completely relevant to Taiwan, where the mixture of ambient [...] Read more.
Very few studies have been performed to determine whether there is a relationship between air pollution and increases in hospitalizations for peptic ulcer, and for those that have occurred, their results may not be completely relevant to Taiwan, where the mixture of ambient air pollutants differ. We performed a time-stratified case-crossover study to investigate the possible association between air pollutant levels and hospital admissions for peptic ulcer in Taipei, Taiwan. To do this, we collected air pollution data from Taiwan's Environmental Protection Agency and hospital admissions for peptic ulcer data for the years 2009–2013 from Taiwan's National Health Insurance's research database. We used conditional logistic regression to analyze the possible association between the two, taking temperature and relative humidity into account. Risk was expressed as odds ratios and significance was expressed with 95% confidence intervals. In our single pollutant model, peptic ulcer admissions were significantly associated with all pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3) on warm days (>23 °C). On cool days (<23 °C), peptic ulcer admissions were significantly associated with PM10, NO2, and O3. In our two-pollutant models, peptic ulcer admissions were significantly associated NO2 and O3 when combined with each of the other pollutants on warm days, and with PM10, NO2, and O3 on cool days. It was concluded that the likelihood of peptic ulcer hospitalizations in Taipei rose significantly with increases in air pollutants during the study period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
14 pages, 560 KiB  
Article
The Role of Socioeconomic Status in the Association of Lung Function and Air Pollution—A Pooled Analysis of Three Adult ESCAPE Cohorts
by Dirk Keidel, Josep Maria Anto, Xavier Basagaña, Roberto Bono, Emilie Burte, Anne-Elie Carsin, Bertil Forsberg, Elaine Fuertes, Bruna Galobardes, Joachim Heinrich, Kees de Hoogh, Debbie Jarvis, Nino Künzli, Bénédicte Leynaert, Alessandro Marcon, Nicole Le Moual, Audrey de Nazelle, Christian Schindler, Valérie Siroux, Morgane Stempfelet, Jordi Sunyer, Sofia Temam, Ming-Yi Tsai, Raphaëlle Varraso, Bénédicte Jacquemin and Nicole Probst-Henschadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(11), 1901; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111901 - 29 May 2019
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3916
Abstract
Ambient air pollution is a leading environmental risk factor and its broad spectrum of adverse health effects includes a decrease in lung function. Socioeconomic status (SES) is known to be associated with both air pollution exposure and respiratory function. This study assesses the [...] Read more.
Ambient air pollution is a leading environmental risk factor and its broad spectrum of adverse health effects includes a decrease in lung function. Socioeconomic status (SES) is known to be associated with both air pollution exposure and respiratory function. This study assesses the role of SES either as confounder or effect modifier of the association between ambient air pollution and lung function. Cross-sectional data from three European multicenter adult cohorts were pooled to assess factors associated with lung function, including annual means of home outdoor NO2. Pre-bronchodilator lung function was measured according to the ATS-criteria. Multiple mixed linear models with random intercepts for study areas were used. Three different factors (education, occupation and neighborhood unemployment rate) were considered to represent SES. NO2 exposure was negatively associated with lung function. Occupation and neighborhood unemployment rates were not associated with lung function. However, the inclusion of the SES-variable education improved the models and the air pollution-lung function associations got slightly stronger. NO2 associations with lung function were not substantially modified by SES-variables. In this multicenter European study we could show that SES plays a role as a confounder in the association of ambient NO2 exposure with lung function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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13 pages, 1583 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Occupational Health Hazards Due to Particulate Matter Originated from Spices
by Era Upadhyay, Afnan Ahmad Mohammad AlMass, Nandita Dasgupta, Safikur Rahman, Jihoe Kim and Manali Datta
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(9), 1519; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091519 - 29 Apr 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3932
Abstract
Spices have been known for their various health activities; however, they also possess the allergic potential for the respiratory system and the skin as they are fine particulate matter. Persons involved in spice agriculture and food industries are at greater risk since they [...] Read more.
Spices have been known for their various health activities; however, they also possess the allergic potential for the respiratory system and the skin as they are fine particulate matter. Persons involved in spice agriculture and food industries are at greater risk since they are exposed to a considerable amount of combustible dust, which may be the cause of fire and explosion and adversely affect the health. These workers may experience allergy, long-term and short-term respiratory issues including occupational asthma, dermatitis, etc. Some spices induce T cell-based inflammatory reaction upon contact recognition of the antigen. Antigen Presenting Cells (APC) on binding to the causative metabolite results in activation of macrophages by allergen cytokine interleukin (IL)-12 and tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF). Cross-reactivity for protein allergens is another factor which seems to be a significant trigger for the stimulation of allergic reactions. Thus, it was imperative to perform a systematic review along with bioinformatics based representation of some evident allergens has been done to identify the overall conservation of epitopes. In the present manuscript, we have covered a multifold approach, i.e., to categorize the spice particles based on a clear understanding about nature, origin, mechanisms; to assess metabolic reactions of the particles after exposure as well as knowledge on the conditions of exposure along with associated potential health effects. Another aim of this study is to provide some suggestions to prevent and to control the exposure up to some extent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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10 pages, 336 KiB  
Article
Alterations by Air Pollution in Inflammation and Metals in Pleural Effusion of Pneumonia Patients
by Kuan-Jen Bai, Kai-Jen Chuang, Jen-Kun Chen, Cheng-Yu Tsai, You-Lan Yang, Chih-Cheng Chang, Tzu-Tao Chen, Chun-Nin Lee, Po-Hao Feng, Kuan-Yuan Chen, Kang-Yun Lee, Chein-Ling Su, Shu-Chuan Ho, Sheng-Ming Wu and Hsiao-Chi Chuang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16050705 - 27 Feb 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2854
Abstract
Air pollution is known to increase the risk of pneumonia. However, the effects of air pollution on the pleural effusion of patients with pneumonia are unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate alterations in inflammatory–immune biomarkers by air pollution in patients [...] Read more.
Air pollution is known to increase the risk of pneumonia. However, the effects of air pollution on the pleural effusion of patients with pneumonia are unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate alterations in inflammatory–immune biomarkers by air pollution in patients with pneumonia by analyzing their pleural effusion. Patients who had undergone thoracentesis to drain their pleural effusion in a hospital were recruited for this study. Patients with pneumonia and those with congestive heart failure respectively served as the case and control groups. We observed that an increase of 1 ppb in one-year NO2 was associated with a decrease of 0.105 ng/mL in cluster of differentiation 62 (CD62) (95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.085, −0.004, p < 0.05) in the pleural effusion. Furthermore, we observed that an increase in one−year 1 ppb of NO2 was associated with a decrease of 0.026 ng/mL in molybdenum (Mo) (95% CI = −0.138, −0.020, p < 0.05). An increase in one-year 1 ppb of SO2 was associated with a decrease of 0.531 ng/mL in zinc (95% CI = −0.164, −0.006, p < 0.05). Also, an increase in one-year 1 ppb of O3 was associated with a decrease of 0.025 ng/mL in Mo (95% CI = −0.372, −0.053, p < 0.05). In conclusion, air pollution exposure, especially gaseous pollution, may be associated with the regulation of immune responses and changes in metal levels in the pleural effusion of pneumonia patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
18 pages, 5259 KiB  
Article
Estimating Ground-Level Concentrations of Multiple Air Pollutants and Their Health Impacts in the Huaihe River Basin in China
by Deying Zhang, Kaixu Bai, Yunyun Zhou, Runhe Shi and Hongyan Ren
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(4), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040579 - 16 Feb 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3360
Abstract
Air pollutants existing in the environment may have negative impacts on human health depending on their toxicity and concentrations. Remote sensing data enable researchers to map concentrations of various air pollutants over vast areas. By combining ground-level concentrations with population data, the spatial [...] Read more.
Air pollutants existing in the environment may have negative impacts on human health depending on their toxicity and concentrations. Remote sensing data enable researchers to map concentrations of various air pollutants over vast areas. By combining ground-level concentrations with population data, the spatial distribution of health impacts attributed to air pollutants can be acquired. This study took five highly populated and severely polluted provinces along the Huaihe River, China, as the research area. The ground-level concentrations of four major air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfate dioxide (SO2), particulate matters with diameter equal or less than 10 (PM10) or 2.5 micron (PM2.5) were estimated based on relevant remote sensing data using the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model. The health impacts of these pollutants were then assessed with the aid of co-located gridded population data. The results show that the annual average concentrations of ground-level NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 in 2016 were 31 µg/m3, 26 µg/m3, 100 µg/m3, and 59 µg/m3, respectively. In terms of the health impacts attributable to NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5, there were 546, 1788, 10,595, and 8364 respiratory deaths, and 1221, 9666, 46,954, and 39,524 cardiovascular deaths, respectively. Northern Henan, west-central Shandong, southern Jiangsu, and Wuhan City in Hubei are prone to large health risks. Meanwhile, air pollutants have an overall greater impact on cardiovascular disease than respiratory disease, which is primarily attributable to the inhalable particle matters. Our findings provide a good reference to local decision makers for the implementation of further emission control strategies and possible health impacts assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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11 pages, 1062 KiB  
Article
Particulate Matter Emissions of Four Different Cigarette Types of One Popular Brand: Influence of Tobacco Strength and Additives
by Markus Braun, Friedemann Koger, Doris Klingelhöfer, Ruth Müller and David A. Groneberg
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(2), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020263 - 17 Jan 2019
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5879
Abstract
The inhalation of particulate matter (PM) in second-hand smoke (SHS) is hazardous to health of smokers and non-smokers. Tobacco strength (amount of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide) and different additives might have an effect on the amount of PM. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
The inhalation of particulate matter (PM) in second-hand smoke (SHS) is hazardous to health of smokers and non-smokers. Tobacco strength (amount of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide) and different additives might have an effect on the amount of PM. This study aimed to investigate the influence of tobacco strength or additives on PM. Four cigarette types of the brand Marlboro with different strengths and with or without additives were analyzed in comparison to the 3R4F reference cigarette. SHS was generated by an automatic environmental tobacco smoke emitter (AETSE) in an enclosed space with a volume of 2.88 m³. PM concentrations (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) were measured with a laser aerosol spectrometer followed by statistical analysis. The two strongest Marlboro brands (Red and Red without additives) showed the highest PM concentrations of all tested cigarettes. The measured mean concentrations Cmean of PM10 increased up to 1458 µg/m³ for the Marlboro Red without additives (PM2.5: 1452 µg/m³, PM1: 1263 µg/m³). The similarly strong Marlboro Red showed very similar PM values. The second strongest type Marlboro Gold showed 36% (PM10, PM2.5) and 32% (PM1) lower values, respectively. The “lightest” type Marlboro Silver Blue showed 54% (PM10, PM2.5) or 50% (PM1) lower PM values. The results indicate that the lower the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide amounts, as well as the longer the cigarette filter, the lower are the PM levels. An influence of additives could not be determined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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8 pages, 297 KiB  
Article
Influence of Particulate Matter during Seasonal Smog on Quality of Life and Lung Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
by Chaicharn Pothirat, Warawut Chaiwong, Chalerm Liwsrisakun, Chaiwat Bumroongkit, Athavudh Deesomchok, Theerakorn Theerakittikul, Atikun Limsukon, Pattraporn Tajaroenmuang and Nittaya Phetsuk
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16010106 - 02 Jan 2019
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3951
Abstract
The impact of outdoor air pollution on the quality of life (QoL) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, as measured by the COPD assessment test (CAT) questionnaire, is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a short-term [...] Read more.
The impact of outdoor air pollution on the quality of life (QoL) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, as measured by the COPD assessment test (CAT) questionnaire, is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a short-term increase in outdoor particulate matter in which the particles are less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) during a seasonal smog period on QoL, symptoms, and lung function in COPD patients. This prospective observational study was conducted at Chiang Dao Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand between March and August 2016. Measurement of QoL, severity of dyspnea, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) were performed at both high and low PM10 periods. Fifty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria for enrollment into the study, with the mean age being 71.5 ± 8.0 years. Total CAT score, but not mMRC score, was statistically higher during the high PM10 period. The two lung function parameters, FVC and FEV1, were significantly lower at the high PM10 compared to the low PM10 period. We concluded that exposure to PM10 during the seasonal smog period resulted in short-term negative impact on the quality of life and lung function in COPD patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
12 pages, 309 KiB  
Article
Association between Atmospheric Particulate Pollutants and Mortality for Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases in Chinese Korean Population: A Case-Crossover Study
by Chao Zhang, Zhenyu Quan, Qincheng Wu, Zhezhen Jin, Joseph H. Lee, Chunhua Li, Yuxin Zheng and Lianhua Cui
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(12), 2835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122835 - 12 Dec 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3129
Abstract
Background: Air pollution in large Chinese cities has led to recent studies that highlighted the relationship between particulate matters (PM) and elevated risk of cardio-cerebrovascular mortality. However, it is unclear as to whether: (1) The same adverse relations exist in cities with relatively [...] Read more.
Background: Air pollution in large Chinese cities has led to recent studies that highlighted the relationship between particulate matters (PM) and elevated risk of cardio-cerebrovascular mortality. However, it is unclear as to whether: (1) The same adverse relations exist in cities with relatively low levels of air pollution; and (2) the relationship between the two are similar across ethnic groups. Methods: We collected data of PM2.5 (PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) and PM10 (aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm) in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016. Using a time-stratified case-crossover design, we investigated whether levels of particulate pollutants influence the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular disease mortality among ethnic Korean vs. ethnic Han residents residing in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture. Results: Under the single air pollutant model, the odds ratios (ORs) of cardio-cerebrovascular disease were 1.025 (1.024–1.026) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 at lag0 day, 1.012 (1.011–1.013) for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 at lag1 day. In the multi-pollutant model adjusted by PM10, SO2, and NO2, the ORs of cardio-cerebrovascular disease were 1.150 (1.145–1.155) for ethnic Koreans and 1.154 (1.149–1.158) for ethnic Hans for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5. In the multi-pollutant model adjusted by PM2.5, SO2, and NO2, the ORs of cardio-cerebrovascular disease were 1.050 (1.047–1.053) for ethnic Koreans and 1.041 (1.039–1.043) for ethnic Hans for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10. Conclusion: This study showed that PM2.5 and PM10 were associated with increased risks of acute death events in residential cardio-cerebrovascular disease in Yanbian, China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)

Review

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18 pages, 710 KiB  
Review
Association of Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Cardio-Metabolic Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
by Suganthi Jaganathan, Lindsay M. Jaacks, Melina Magsumbol, Gagandeep K. Walia, Nancy L. Sieber, Roopa Shivasankar, Preet K. Dhillon, Safraj Shahul Hameed, Joel Schwartz and Dorairaj Prabhakaran
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(14), 2541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142541 - 16 Jul 2019
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4647
Abstract
Background: Numerous epidemiological studies indicated high levels of particulate matter less than2.5 μm diameter (PM2.5) as a major cardiovascular risk factor. Most of the studies have been conducted in high-income countries (HICs), where average levels of PM2.5 are far less [...] Read more.
Background: Numerous epidemiological studies indicated high levels of particulate matter less than2.5 μm diameter (PM2.5) as a major cardiovascular risk factor. Most of the studies have been conducted in high-income countries (HICs), where average levels of PM2.5 are far less compared to low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), and their socio-economic profile, disease burden, and PM speciation/composition are very different. We systematically reviewed the association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) in LMICs. Methods: Multiple databases were searched for English articles with date limits until March 2018. We included studies investigating the association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 (defined as an annual average/average measure for 3 more days of PM2.5 exposure) and CMDs, such as hospital admissions, prevalence, and deaths due to CMDs, conducted in LMICs as defined by World Bank. We excluded studies which employed exposure proxy measures, studies among specific occupational groups, and specific episodes of air pollution. Results: A total of 5567 unique articles were identified, of which only 17 articles were included for final review, and these studies were from Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, and Mexico. Outcome assessed were hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related emergency room visits/admissions, death, and mortality. Largely a positive association between exposure to PM2.5 and CMDs was found, and CVD mortality with effect estimates ranging from 0.24% to 6.11% increased per 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5. CVD-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits increased by 0.3% to 19.6%. Risk factors like hypertension had an odds ratio of 1.14, and type 2 diabetes mellitus had an odds ratio ranging from 1.14–1.32. Diversity of exposure assessment and health outcomes limited the ability to perform a meta-analysis. Conclusion: Limited evidence on the association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and CMDs in the LMICs context warrants cohort studies to establish the association. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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11 pages, 670 KiB  
Review
Indoor Air Pollution in Cars: An Update on Novel Insights
by Nicole Zulauf, Janis Dröge, Doris Klingelhöfer, Markus Braun, Gerhard M. Oremek and David A. Groneberg
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(13), 2441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132441 - 09 Jul 2019
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6423
Abstract
From a global viewpoint, a lot of time is spent within the indoor air compartment of vehicles. A German study on mobility has revealed that, on average, people spend 45 minutes per day inside vehicles. In recent years the number of cars has [...] Read more.
From a global viewpoint, a lot of time is spent within the indoor air compartment of vehicles. A German study on mobility has revealed that, on average, people spend 45 minutes per day inside vehicles. In recent years the number of cars has increased to around 43 million vehicles in private households. This means that more than one car can be used in every household. The ratio has been growing, especially in eastern Germany and rural areas. “Overall and especially outside the cities, the car remains by far number one mode of transport, especially in terms of mileage”. Therefore, numerous international studies have addressed different aspects of indoor air hygiene, in the past years. In this paper, meaningful original studies on car indoor air pollution, related to VOCs, COx, PMs, microbials, BFRs, OPFRs, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, high molecular weight plasticizer, and NOx are summarized in the form of a review. This present review aimed to summarize recently published studies in this important field of environmental medicine and points to the need for further studies with special recommendations for optimizing the interior air hygiene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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15 pages, 771 KiB  
Review
Meta-Analysis of Heterogeneity in the Effects of Wildfire Smoke Exposure on Respiratory Health in North America
by Michelle C. Kondo, Anneclaire J. De Roos, Lauren S. White, Warren E. Heilman, Miranda H. Mockrin, Carol Ann Gross-Davis and Igor Burstyn
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(6), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16060960 - 18 Mar 2019
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6095
Abstract
Epidemiological studies consistently show an association between wildfire-related smoke exposure and adverse respiratory health. We conducted a systematic review of evidence in published literature pertaining to heterogeneity of respiratory effects from this exposure in North America. We calculated the within-study ratio of relative [...] Read more.
Epidemiological studies consistently show an association between wildfire-related smoke exposure and adverse respiratory health. We conducted a systematic review of evidence in published literature pertaining to heterogeneity of respiratory effects from this exposure in North America. We calculated the within-study ratio of relative risks (RRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to examine heterogeneity of effect by population subgroup, and then summarized the RRRs using meta-analysis. We found evidence of a greater effect of wildfire smoke on respiratory health among females relative to males for asthma (RRR: 1.035, 95% CI: 1.013, 1.057) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RRR: 1.018, 95% CI: 1.003, 1.032). There was evidence of a lower relative risk for all respiratory outcomes among youth compared to adults (RRR: 0.976, 95% CI: 0.963, 0.989). We also found wildfire smoke effects stratified by income, race, education, health behaviors, access to care, housing occupancy, geographic region, and urban/rural status. However, data were insufficient to quantitatively evaluate effect modification by these characteristics. While we found evidence that certain demographic subgroups of the population are more susceptible to respiratory health outcomes from wildfire smoke, it is unclear whether this information can be used to inform policy aimed to reduce health impact of wildfires. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Health)
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