Impact of Air Pollutants on Lung Function and Inflammatory Response in Asthma in Shanghai

Objective Air pollution is a leading public health issue.This study investigated the effect of air quality and pollutants on pulmonary function and inflammation in patients with asthma in Shanghai.Methods The study monitored 27 asthma outpatients for a year,collecting data on weather,patient self-management[daily asthma diary,peak expiratory flow(PEF)monitoring,medication usage],spirometry and serum markers.To explore the potential mechanisms of any effects,asthmatic mice induced by ovalbumin(OVA)were exposed to PM_(2.5).Results Statistical and correlational analyses revealed that air pollutants have both acute and chronic effects on asthma.Acute exposure showed a correlation between PEF and levels of ozone(O_(3))and nitrogen dioxide(NO_(2)).Chronic exposure indicated that interleukin-5(IL-5)and interleukin-13(IL-13)levels correlated with PM_(2.5)and PM_(10)concentrations.In asthmatic mouse models,exposure to PM_(2.5)increased cytokine levels and worsened lung function.Additionally,PM_(2.5)exposure inhibited cell proliferation by blocking the NF-κB and ERK phosphorylation pathways.Conclusion Ambient air pollutants exacerbate asthma by worsening lung function and enhancing Th2-mediated inflammation.Specifically,PM_(2.5)significantly contributes to these adverse effects.Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which PM_(2.5)impacts asthma.

Climate change,ambient air pollution,and students'mental health

The impact of global climate change and air pollution on mental health has become a crucial public health issue.Increased public awareness of health,advancements in medical diagnosis and treatment,the way media outlets report environmental changes and the variation in social resources affect psychological responses and adaptation methods to climate change and air pollution.In the context of climate change,extreme weather events seriously disrupt people's living environments,and unstable educational environments lead to an increase in mental health issues for students.Air pollution affects students'mental health by increasing the incidence of diseases while decreasing contact with nature,leading to problems such as anxiety,depression,and decreased cognitive function.We call for joint efforts to reduce pollutant emissions at the source,improve energy structures,strengthen environmental monitoring and governance,increase attention to the mental health issues of students,and help student groups build resilience;by establishing public policies,enhancing social support and adjusting lifestyles and habits,we can help students cope with the constantly changing environment and maintain a good level of mental health.Through these comprehensive measures,we can more effectively address the challenges of global climate change and air pollution and promote the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Exploring the relationship between ambient sulfur dioxide and semen quality parameters:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To investigate the relationship between ambient sulfur dioxide(SO2)exposure and semen quality parameters.Methods:A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating the association between SO2 exposure and semen quality parameters.This search encompassed the timeframe from January 2000 to May 2023 and included electronic databases such as Web of Science,Google Scholar,PubMed,Cochrane,and Scopus.Pooled effect estimates with 95%confidence intervals(CI)were calculated using percent changes(PC).The meta-analysis included seven studies with 6711 participants and 15087 semen samples.Results:The results revealed a significant negative association between ambient SO2 exposure and certain semen quality parameters.In particular,SO2 exposure was associated with a significant decrease in progressive motility(PC=0.032;95%CI:-0.063 to-0.001;P=0.044)and sperm concentration(PC=-0.020;95%CI:-0.036 to-0.005;P=0.012).However,no statistically significant associations were observed for total sperm count(PC=-0.038;95%CI:-0.079 to 0.003;P=0.070),seminal fluid volume(PC=-0.009;95%CI:-0.048 to-0.030;P=0.662)and sperm motility(PC=-0.17;95%CI:-0.363 to 0.022;P=0.830).In addition,the results of the subgroup analysis revealed specific variables that were associated with the decrease in relevant sperm parameters.Conclusions:This systematic review and meta-analysis provides compelling evidence supporting a consistent negative association between exposure to ambient SO2 and semen quality parameters.

Association between Ambient Air Pollution and Hospital Emergency Admissions for Respiratory and Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing: a Time Series Study

Objective To investigate the association between ambient air pollution and hospital emergency admissions in Beijing. Methods In this study, a semi-parametric generalized additive model （GAM） was used to evaluate the specific influences of air pollutants （PM10, SO2, and NO2） on hospital emergency admissions with different lag structures from 2009 to 2011, the sex and age specific influences of air pollution and the modifying effect of seasons on air pollution to analyze the possible interaction. Results It was found that a 10μg/m3 increase in concentration of PMlo at lag 03 day, SO2 and NO2 at lag 0 day were associated with an increase of 0.88%, 0.76%, and 1.82% respectively in overall emergency admissions. A 10 lag/m3 increase in concentration of PM10, SO2 and NO2 at lag 5 day were associated with an increase of 1.39%, 1.56%, and 1.18% respectively in cardiovascular disease emergency admissions. For lag 02, a 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM10, SO2 and NO2 were associated with 1.72%, 1.34%, and 2.57% increases respectively in respiratory disease emergency admissions. Conclusion This study further confirmed that short-term exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of hospital emergency admissions in Beijing.

The Health Cost of Ambient Air Pollution in Lagos

Globally, air pollution is a significant cause of death, illness and social discomfort. The problem is particularly severe in Nigeria, the country with the highest number of premature deaths due to ambient particulate matter pollution in Sub Saharan region. It is especially worrying in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital and one of the world’s fastest growing megacities. Despite growing concerns about its deadly impacts, there is currently no reliable monetary estimate of the effects of ambient air pollution, nor a comprehensive control plan in Lagos. Using available ground-level monitored data and the most recent valuation techniques, this paper estimates that in 2018 alone, ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) caused about 11,200 premature deaths, and generated a health cost of US$2.1 billion in Lagos. This is equivalent to about 2.1 percent of Lagos’ GDP in the same year. These results call for an urgent plan of action to improve air quality in the city, with primary focus on the main pollution sources: road transport, industrial emissions, and power generation.

Trace Metals in Fine and Respirable Ambient Air Particulates on Trinidad’s West Coast

The paper analyzed the concentrations of trace metals in fine and respirable particulates (fine-PM1 and PM2.5;respirable-PM10) to determine baseline concentrations in the ambient air and the factors impacting its distribution such as land use and time of year when levels may be concerning to public health. Measurements of particulates along with meteorological parameters were made at four sites over the heavily populated west coast of Trinidad (10°32'N, 61°18'W) during March ’15-May ’16, representing rural, urban, mixed background and industrial land uses. The study found mean levels of trace metals to be highest at the industrial and urban stations. Public health exceedances (referenced to the Canadian AAQ public health standards (Ontario-MoE, 2012)) were measured for beryllium, cadmium, chromium, iron, manganese and nickel (in PM10). Iron, manganese and nickel, most associated with particulates at the industrial station, were in frequent exceedance. Beryllium—concentrated in coarse PM (PM2.5-10) with only a single measured exceedance at the mixed background station likely poses minimal threat to the health of the nearby population. Cadmium—concentrated in fine PM which peaked once only at the rural station was likely due to an irregular event within a narrow timeframe during the time of sampling. Iron and manganese were frequently above the Canadian public health threshold, but predominated in the coarse PM fraction, suggesting localised sources. Nickel, concentrated in the fine PM fraction, was frequently in exceedance particularly at the industrial station. Cadmium and nickel are genotoxic and should be regulated in order to reduce the burden of toxic carcinogens to which the population can be exposed.

Cardiovascular disease mortality and air pollution in countries with different socioeconomic status

Background Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)account for 17.9 million deaths annually.Behavioral risk factors increase the risk of dying from CVD.Air pollution is not included in this risk calculation since the appreciation of air pollution as a modifiable risk factor is still limited.The purpose of this study was to analyze CVD mortality attributed to air pollution in all World Health Organization WHO member states and demonstrate the association of CVD mortality with air pollution depending on countries'income level.Methods The CVD death rate was calculated by dividing the number of deaths by the total population.The proportion of the population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technologies for cooking was calculated as an indicator of household air pollution.The annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter≤2.5µg/m^(3) and≤10.0µg/m^(3) to which the population is exposed was used as an indicator of ambient air pollution.Results There is a gradual increase in CVD mortality attributed to air pollution from high-income countries(HICs)to low-income countries(LICs).Household air pollution is the major cause of CVD mortality in LICs.Ischemic heart disease mortality attributed to ambient air pollution in all countries is higher than stroke mortality attributed to ambient air pollution.In LIC,mortality from stroke is attributed to household air pollution of 39.27±14.47,which is more than twice the stroke mortality attributed to ambient air pollution at 18.60±5.64,t=7.17,p<0.01.Conclusion Air pollution control should be an essential component of the CVD preventive strategy,along with lifestyle modifications and effective disease management.