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EBioMedicine Dec 2022A growing number of studies have reported an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and respiratory disease (RD) within hours after exposure to ambient air... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of intraday effects of ambient air pollution and temperature on cardiorespiratory morbidities: First few hours of exposure matters to life.
BACKGROUND
A growing number of studies have reported an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and respiratory disease (RD) within hours after exposure to ambient air pollution or temperature. We assemble published evidence on the sub-daily associations of CVD and RD with ambient air pollution and temperature.
METHODS
Databases of PubMed and Web of Science were searched for original case-crossover and time-series designs of English articles examining the intra-day effects of ambient air pollution [particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM), ≤10 μm (PM), 2.5-10μm (PM), and < 7 μm (SPM), O, SO, NO, CO, and NO] and temperatures (heat and cold) on cardiorespiratory diseases within 24 h after exposure in the general population by comparing with exposure at different exposure levels or periods. Meta-analyses were conducted to pool excess risks (ERs, absolute percentage increase in risk) of CVD and RD morbidities associated with an increase of 10 μg/m in particulate matters, 0.1 ppm in CO, and 10 ppb in other gaseous pollutants.
FINDINGS
Final analysis included thirty-three papers from North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Meta-analysis found an increased risk of total CVD morbidity within 3 h after exposure to PM [ER%: 2.65% (95% CI: 1.00% to 4.34%)], PM [0.31% (0.02% to 0.59%)], O [1.42% (0.14% to 2.73%)], and CO [0.41% (0.01% to 0.81%)]. The risk of total RD morbidity elevated at lag 7-12 h after exposure to PM [0.69% (0.14% to 1.24%)] and PM [0.38% (0.02% to 0.73%)] and at lag 12-24 h after exposure to SO [2.68% (0.94% to 4.44%)]. Cause-specific CVD analysis observed an increased risk of myocardial infarction morbidity within 6 h after exposure to PM, PM, and NO, and an increased risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest morbidity within 12 h after exposure to CO. Risk of total CVD also increased within 24 h after exposure to heat.
INTERPRETATION
This study supports a sudden risk increase of cardiorespiratory diseases within a few hours after exposure to air pollution or heat, and some acute and highly lethal diseases such as myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest could be affected within a shorter time.
FUNDING
The National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42105165; 81773518), the High-level Scientific Research Foundation of Anhui Medical University (Grant No. 0305044201), and the Discipline Construction of Anhui Medical University (Grant No. 0301001836).
Topics: Humans; Temperature; Nitrogen Dioxide; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Morbidity; Myocardial Infarction; China; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 36323182
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104327 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Mar 2023The adverse effects of air pollution on human health include many diseases and health conditions associated with mortality, morbidity and disability. One example of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The adverse effects of air pollution on human health include many diseases and health conditions associated with mortality, morbidity and disability. One example of these outcomes that can be translated into economic costs is the number of days of restricted activity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of outdoor exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 and 2.5 μm (PM, PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), and ozone (O), on restricted activity days.
METHODS
Observational epidemiological studies with different study designs were included, and pooled relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for an increase of 10 μg/m of the pollutant of interest. Random-effects models were chosen because of the environmental differences between the studies. Heterogeneity was estimated using prediction intervals (PI) and I-Squared (I2) values, while risk of bias was assessed using a tool developed by the World Health Organization specifically designed for air pollution studies, and based on different domains. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed where possible. The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022339607).
RESULTS
We included 18 articles in the quantitative analysis. Associations between pollutants and restricted activity days in time-series studies of short-term exposures, measured as work-loss days, school-loss days, or both were significant for PM (RR: 1.0191; 95%CI: 1.0058-1.0326; 80%PI: 0.9979-1.0408; I2: 71%) and PM (RR: 1.0166; 95%CI: 1.0050-1.0283; 80%PI: 0.9944-1.0397; I2: 99%), but not for NO or O. Some degree of heterogeneity between studies was observed, but sensitivity analysis showed no differences in the direction of the pooled relative risks when studies with a high risk of bias were excluded. Cross-sectional studies also showed significant associations for PM and restricted activity days. We could not perform the analysis for long-term exposures because only two studies analysed this type of association.
CONCLUSION
Restricted activity days and related outcomes were associated with some of the pollutants under evaluation, as shown in studies with different designs. In some cases, we were able to calculate pooled relative risks that can be used for quantitative modelling.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants; Nitrogen Dioxide; Cross-Sectional Studies; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter; Ozone; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 36991377
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00979-8 -
Journal of Endocrinological... Jul 2023Air pollution is an environmental stimulus that may predispose pregnant women to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This systematic review and meta-analysis were... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Air pollution is an environmental stimulus that may predispose pregnant women to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the relationship between air pollutants and GDM.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched for retrieving English articles published from January 2020 to September 2021, investigating the relationship of exposure to ambient air pollution or levels of air pollutants with GDM and related parameters, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance. Heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated using I-squared (I2), and Begg's statistics, respectively. We also performed the subgroup analysis for particulate matters (PM2.5, PM10), Ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the different exposure periods.
RESULTS
A total of 13 studies examining 2,826,544 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to non-exposed women, exposure to PM2.5 increases the odds (likelihood of occurrence outcome) of GDM by 1.09 times (95% CI 1.06, 1.12), whereas exposure to PM10 has more effect by OR of 1.17 (95% CI 1.04, 1.32). Exposure to O3 and SO2 increases the odds of GDM by 1.10 times (95% CI 1.03, 1.18) and 1.10 times (95% CI 1.01, 1.19), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study show a relationship between air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, O3, and SO2 and the risk of GDM. Although evidence from various studies can provide insights into the linkage between maternal exposure to air pollution and GDM, more well-designed longitudinal studies are recommended for precise interpretation of the association between GDM and air pollution by adjusting all potential confounders.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Air Pollutants; Diabetes, Gestational; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 36807891
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02037-z -
Life Sciences Feb 2019This review aims to systematically review and synthesize scientific evidence for the influence of air pollution exposure and outdoor exercise on health. We conducted a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This review aims to systematically review and synthesize scientific evidence for the influence of air pollution exposure and outdoor exercise on health. We conducted a literature search in the PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Web of Science for articles that evaluated the combination effect of air pollution exposure and exercise on health. Questionnaires regarding exposure history, or studies examining indoor air pollution were excluded. Each included study needs to have clear exercise intervention plan. The pooled estimates of the combination effect of air pollution exposure and outdoor exercise on health were calculated in the meta-analysis. The quality of each included study was assessed and the quality of evidence for each outcome assessed in the meta-analysis was also measured. Twenty-five studies were identified. Six studies addressed ozone exposure, four diesel exhaust exposure, six traffic-related air pollution, ten particulate matter (PM) exposure. Only peak expiratory flow (effect size [ES] = -0.238, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.389, -0.088) was found to be significantly decreased after exercise intervention in a polluted environment in the meta-analysis. Seven studies reported exposure to air pollutant during exercise was associated with an increased risk of airway inflammation and decrements in pulmonary function. Six studies discovered that exposure of traffic pollution or high PM during exercise may contribute to changes in blood pressure, systemic conduit artery function and micro-vascular function. The combination effect of air pollution and exercise was found to be associated with the increased risk of potential health problems of cardiopulmonary function, immune function, and exercise performance.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Exercise; Humans; Pneumonia
PubMed: 30582950
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.12.036 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Sep 2023Air pollution plays, nowadays, a huge role in human's health and in the personal economy. Moreover, there has been a rise in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental... (Review)
Review
Air pollution plays, nowadays, a huge role in human's health and in the personal economy. Moreover, there has been a rise in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders like the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in recent years. Current scientific studies have established a link between prenatal or perinatal exposure to environmental pollutants and ASD. This systematic review summarizes the current literature available about the relationship between exposure to air pollutants (particulate matter [PM], Second Organic Aerosols [SOA], Diesel Exhaust [DE], and Traffic Related Air Pollution [TRAP]) and neurodevelopmental disorders in preclinical models using rats and mice. The articles were selected and filtered using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, and bias-evaluated using the SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool. Overall, our findings suggest that air pollutants are associated with negative developmental outcomes characterized by ASD-like behaviors, abnormal biochemical patterns, and impaired achievement of developmental milestones in rodents. However, there is not sufficient information in certain domains to establish a clear relationship. Short phrases for indexing terms: Air pollution affects neurodevelopment; PM exposure modifies glutamate system; Prenatal exposure combined with postnatal affect more to behavioral / cognitive domain; Air pollution modifies social behavior in rodents; Cognitive deficits can be detected after gestational exposure to air pollution.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Animals; Mice; Rats; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Vehicle Emissions
PubMed: 37442496
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105314 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Apr 2022Aerosol pollutants are known to raise the risk of development of non-communicable respiratory diseases (NCRDs) such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Aerosol pollutants are known to raise the risk of development of non-communicable respiratory diseases (NCRDs) such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis. Sub-Saharan Africa's rapid pace of urbanization, economic expansion, and population growth raise concerns of increasing incidence of NCRDs. This research characterizes the state of research on pollution and NCRDs in the 46 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This research systematically reviewed the literature on studies of asthma; chronic bronchitis; allergic rhinitis; and air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, NOx, and sulfuric oxide.
METHODS
We searched three major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) using the key words "asthma", "chronic bronchitis", "allergic rhinitis", and "COPD" with "carbon monoxide (CO)", "sulfuric oxide (SO)", "ozone (O3)", "nitrogen dioxide (NO2)", and "particulate matter (PM)", restricting the search to the 46 countries that comprise SSA. Only papers published in scholarly journals with a defined health outcome in individuals and which tested associations with explicitly measured or modelled air exposures were considered for inclusion. All candidate papers were entered into a database for review.
RESULTS
We found a total of 362 unique research papers in the initial search of the three databases. Among these, 14 met the inclusion criteria. These papers comprised studies from just five countries. Nine papers were from South Africa; two from Malawi; and one each from Ghana, Namibia, and Nigeria. Most studies were cross-sectional. Exposures to ambient air pollutants were measured using spectrometry and chromatography. Some studies created composite measures of air pollution using a range of data layers. NCRD outcomes were measured by self-reported health status and measures of lung function (spirometry). Populations of interest were primarily schoolchildren, though a few studies focused on secondary school students and adults.
CONCLUSIONS
The paucity of research on NCRDs and ambient air pollutant exposures is pronounced within the African continent. While capacity to measure air quality in SSA is high, studies targeting NCRDs should work to draw attention to questions of outdoor air pollution and health. As the climate changes and SSA economies expand and countries urbanize, these questions will become increasingly important.
Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Bronchitis, Chronic; Child; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Rhinitis, Allergic
PubMed: 35422005
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00852-0 -
Environment International Jun 2023The health effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) continue to be of important public health interest across the globe. Following its 2010 review, the Health... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The health effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) continue to be of important public health interest across the globe. Following its 2010 review, the Health Effects Institute appointed a new expert Panel to systematically evaluate the epidemiological evidence regarding the associations between long-term exposure to TRAP and selected health outcomes. This paper describes the main findings of the systematic review on non-accidental mortality.
METHODS
The Panel used a systematic approach to conduct the review. An extensive search was conducted of literature published between 1980 and 2019. A new exposure framework was developed to determine whether a study was sufficiently specific to TRAP, which included studies beyond the near-roadway environment. We performed random-effects meta-analysis when at least three estimates were available of an association between a specific exposure and outcome. We evaluated confidence in the evidence using a modified Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) approach, supplemented with a broader narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
Thirty-six cohort studies were included. Virtually all studies adjusted for a large number of individual and area-level covariates-including smoking, body mass index, and individual and area-level socioeconomic status-and were judged at a low or moderate risk for bias. Most studies were conducted in North America and Europe, and a few were based in Asia and Australia. The meta-analytic summary estimates for nitrogen dioxide, elemental carbon and fine particulate matter-pollutants with more than 10 studies-were 1.04 (95% CI 1.01, 1.06), 1.02 (1.00, 1.04) and 1.03 (1.01, 1.05) per 10, 1 and 5 µg/m, respectively. Effect estimates are interpreted as the relative risk of mortality when the exposure differs with the selected increment. The confidence in the evidence for these pollutants was judged as high, because of upgrades for monotonic exposure-response and consistency across populations. The consistent findings across geographical regions, exposure assessment methods and confounder adjustment resulted in a high confidence rating using a narrative approach as well.
CONCLUSIONS
The overall confidence in the evidence for a positive association between long-term exposure to TRAP and non-accidental mortality was high.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Environmental Exposure; Particulate Matter; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 37210806
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107916 -
PloS One 2016Household air pollution from solid fuel burning kills over 4 million people every year including half a million children from acute lower respiratory infections.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Household air pollution from solid fuel burning kills over 4 million people every year including half a million children from acute lower respiratory infections. Although biologically plausible, it is not clear whether household air pollution is also associated with acute lower respiratory infections in adults. We systematically reviewed the literature on household air pollution and acute lower respiratory infection in adults to identify knowledge gaps and research opportunities.
METHODS
Ten bibliographic databases were searched to identify studies of household air pollution and adult acute lower respiratory infection. Data were extracted from eligible studies using standardised forms.
RESULTS
From 4617 titles, 513 abstracts and 72 full-text articles were reviewed. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria of which 2 found a significant adjusted increased risk of acute lower respiratory infection, 2 identified a univariate association whilst 4 found no significant association. Study quality was generally limited. Heterogeneity in methods and findings precluded meta-analysis.
DISCUSSION
A systematic review of the literature found limited evidence for an association between household air pollution and risk of acute lower respiratory infection in adults. Additional research, with carefully defined exposure and outcome measures, is required to complete the risk profile caused by household air pollution in adults.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42015028042.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Child; Environmental Exposure; Family Characteristics; Humans; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 27907205
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167656 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Sep 2023Exposure to air pollution has destructive health consequences and a potential role in ovarian cancer etiology. We conducted a systematic review of the studies assessing... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Exposure to air pollution has destructive health consequences and a potential role in ovarian cancer etiology. We conducted a systematic review of the studies assessing the associations between ovarian malignancy and exposure to air pollutants.
CONTENT
The included studies were categorized based on types of measured ambient air pollutants, including particulate matter (five studies), gases (two studies), air pollutant mixtures (eight studies), and traffic indicators for air pollution (only one study). Because of the heterogeneity of quantitative data of the reviewed studies, we qualitatively reviewed the air pollution role in ovarian cancer risk with representing incidence and/or the mortality rate of ovarian cancer in related with air pollution. Nine studies were ecological study design. Except for one, all studies confirmed a positive correlation between exposure to ambient air pollution (AAP) and increased ovarian cancer risks.
SUMMARY
We concluded that prolonged air pollution exposure through possible mechanisms, estrogen-like effects, and genetic mutations might affect ovarian tumorigenesis. This research surveyed the limitations of the previous studies, including issues with ambient air pollution surveillance and assessing the exposure, determining the air pollution sources, data analysis approaches, and study designs.
OUTLOOK
Finally, the authors provide suggestions for future environmental epidemiological inquiries on the impact of exposure to ambient air pollution on ovarian malignancy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Ovarian Neoplasms
PubMed: 35575767
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0129 -
Annals of Global Health 2023There is very little epidemiological evidence on the effects of ambient air pollution on brain tumor risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There is very little epidemiological evidence on the effects of ambient air pollution on brain tumor risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between exposure to air pollution and the incidence of brain tumors.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search in five international databases, including PubMed/Medline, ProQuest, Scopus, Embase, and ISI/WOS on April 15, 2019, was conducted. The methodology of the present study was based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) statement. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form was used to evaluate the quality of the selected papers.
RESULTS
Five studies that measured adult brain tumors as well as their long-term exposure to at least one of the pollutants criteria for air pollution, PM absorbance, and proximity to traffic (Trafnear) were reviewed. The results showed that the pooled relative risk (RR) for incidence of brain tumor and long term exposure to Trafnear, PM, PM absorbance, O and NOx were RR = 1.07, (95% CI 0.99-1.16), P = 0.079, for Trafnear; RR = 0.90, (95% CI 0.80-1.00), P = 0.064 for PM; RR = 1.63, (95% CI 1.04-2.55), P = 0.031 for PM absorbance; RR = 1.3, (95% CI 1.03-1.6), P = 0.023 for O; and RR = 1.16, (95% CI 0.93-1.45), P = 0.173 for NOx. Exposure to other air pollutants had no statistically significant association with brain tumor incidence.
CONCLUSION
The results showed that exposure to air pollutants, such as O and PM absorbance, had the highest correlation with brain tumor incidence. They also showed an absence of correlation between exposure to certain pollutants (SO, CO, NO, PM, PM) and brain tumor incidence.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Particulate Matter; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Brain Neoplasms
PubMed: 37362828
DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3889