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Environmental Health Perspectives Jul 2023Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global disease burden. The current evidence on the impact of air pollution on HF remains inconsistent. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global disease burden. The current evidence on the impact of air pollution on HF remains inconsistent.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis to provide a more comprehensive and multiperspective assessment of the associations between short- and long-term air pollution exposure and HF from epidemiological evidences.
METHODS
Three databases were searched up to 31 August 2022 for studies investigating the association between air pollutants (, , , , CO, ) and HF hospitalization, incidence, or mortality. A random effects model was used to derive the risk estimations. Subgroup analysis was conducted by geographical location, age of participants, outcome, study design, covered area, the methods of exposure assessment, and the length of exposure window. Sensitivity analysis and adjustment for publication bias were performed to test the robustness of the results.
RESULTS
Of 100 studies covering 20 countries worldwide, 81 were for short-term and 19 were for long-term exposure. Almost all air pollutants were adversely associated with the risk of HF in both short- and long-term exposure studies. For short-term exposures, we found the risk of HF increased by 1.8% [relative risk , 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.011, 1.025] and 1.6% (, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.020) per increment of and , respectively. HF was also significantly associated with , , and CO, but not . Positive associations were stronger when exposure was considered over the previous 2 d (lag 0-1) rather than on the day of exposure only (lag 0). For long-term exposures, there were significant associations between several air pollutants and HF with RR (95% CI) of 1.748 (1.112, 2.747) per increment in , 1.212 (1.010, 1.454) per increment in , and 1.204 (1.069, 1.356) per increment in , respectively. The adverse associations of most pollutants with HF were greater in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of our results.
DISCUSSION
Available evidence highlighted adverse associations between air pollution and HF regardless of short- and long-term exposure. Air pollution is still a prevalent public health issue globally and sustained policies and actions are called for to reduce the burden of HF. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11506.
Topics: Humans; Particulate Matter; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Heart Failure
PubMed: 37399145
DOI: 10.1289/EHP11506 -
The European Respiratory Journal Jul 2023https://bit.ly/43d9A75
https://bit.ly/43d9A75
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Soot; Air Pollution; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 37343979
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00818-2023 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Nov 2023Air pollution causes premature mortality and increased morbidity in Denmark as well as worldwide. This review investigates how the climate changes contribute to these... (Review)
Review
Air pollution causes premature mortality and increased morbidity in Denmark as well as worldwide. This review investigates how the climate changes contribute to these through e.g., wildfires and increased levels of ozone. Air pollution and climate gases share sources such as burning of fossil fuels and biomass and thus a reduction in the use of these will improve health, mitigate climate change, and reduce societal costs simultaneously. The costs of actions against climate change could thus be reduced.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollution; Climate Change; Fossil Fuels; Ozone
PubMed: 37987437
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has no socioeconomic, topographical, or sex limitations as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The significant drivers of CVD... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has no socioeconomic, topographical, or sex limitations as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The significant drivers of CVD are cardio-metabolic, behavioral, environmental, and social risk factors. However, some significant risk factors for CVD (e.g., a pitiable diet, tobacco smoking, and a lack of physical activities), have also been linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyles and environmental factors are known key variables in cardiovascular disease. The familiarity with smoke goes along with the contact with the environment: air pollution is considered a source of toxins that contribute to the CVD burden. The incidence of myocardial infarction increases in males and females and may lead to fatal coronary artery disease, as confirmed by epidemiological studies. Lipid modification, inflammation, and vasomotor dysfunction are integral components of atherosclerosis development and advancement. These aspects are essential for the identification of atherosclerosis in clinical investigations. This article aims to show the findings on the influence of CVD on the health of individuals and human populations, as well as possible pathology and their involvement in smoking-related cardiovascular diseases. This review also explains lifestyle and environmental factors that are known to contribute to CVD, with indications suggesting an affiliation between cigarette smoking, air pollution, and CVD.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cigarette Smoking; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Air Pollution; Atherosclerosis
PubMed: 38045957
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.967047 -
Nature Communications Jul 2023Air pollution is one of the leading causes of health complications and mortality worldwide, especially affecting lower-income groups, who tend to be more exposed and...
Air pollution is one of the leading causes of health complications and mortality worldwide, especially affecting lower-income groups, who tend to be more exposed and vulnerable. This study documents the relationship between ambient air pollution exposure and poverty in 211 countries and territories. Using the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2021 revised fine particulate matter (PM2.5) thresholds, we show that globally, 7.3 billion people are directly exposed to unsafe average annual PM2.5 concentrations, 80 percent of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, 716 million of the world's lowest income people (living on less than $1.90 per day) live in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Air pollution levels are particularly high in lower-middle-income countries, where economies tend to rely more heavily on polluting industries and technologies. These findings are based on high-resolution air pollution and population maps with global coverage, as well as subnational poverty estimates based on harmonized household surveys.
Topics: Humans; Poverty; Air Pollution; Environmental Pollution; Income; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 37481598
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39797-4 -
The Lancet. Planetary Health Sep 2023
Topics: Climate Change; Air Pollution
PubMed: 37673539
DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00189-4 -
Environment International Nov 2023DNA methylation-based measures of biological aging have been associated with air pollution and may link pollutant exposures to aging-related health outcomes. However,...
BACKGROUND
DNA methylation-based measures of biological aging have been associated with air pollution and may link pollutant exposures to aging-related health outcomes. However, evidence is inconsistent and there is little information for Black women.
OBJECTIVE
We examined associations of ambient particulate matter <2.5 μm and <10 μm in diameter (PM and PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) with DNA methylation, including epigenetic aging and individual CpG sites, and evaluated whether associations differ between Black and non-Hispanic White (NHW) women.
METHODS
Validated models were used to estimate annual average outdoor residential exposure to PM, PM, and NO in a sample of self-identified Black (n=633) and NHW (n=3493) women residing in the contiguous US. We used sampling-weighted generalized linear regression to examine the effects of pollutants on six epigenetic aging measures (primary: DunedinPACE, GrimAgeAccel, and PhenoAgeAccel; secondary: Horvath intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration [EAA], Hannum extrinsic EAA, and skin & blood EAA) and epigenome-wide associations for individual CpG sites. Wald tests of nested models with and without interaction terms were used to examine effect measure modification by race/ethnicity.
RESULTS
Black participants had higher median air pollution exposure than NHW participants. GrimAgeAccel was associated with both PM and NO among Black participants, (Q4 versus Q1, PM: β=1.09, 95% CI: 0.16-2.03; NO: β=1.01, 95% CI 0.08-1.94) but not NHW participants (p-for-heterogeneity: PM=0.10, NO=0.20). In Black participants, we also observed a monotonic exposure-response relationship between NO and DunedinPACE (Q4 versus Q1, NO: β=0.029, 95% CI: 0.004-0.055; p-for-trend=0.03), which was not observed in NHW participants (p-for-heterogeneity=0.09). In the EWAS, pollutants were significantly associated with differential methylation at 19 CpG sites in Black women and one in NHW women.
CONCLUSIONS
In a US-wide cohort study, our findings suggest that air pollution is associated with DNA methylation alterations consistent with higher epigenetic aging among Black, but not NHW, women.
Topics: Humans; Female; Air Pollutants; Cohort Studies; Nitrogen Dioxide; White; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter; Aging; Environmental Pollutants; Epigenesis, Genetic; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 37890265
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108270 -
EBioMedicine Jul 2023The extensive evidence regarding the effects of ambient air pollution on child health is well documented, but limited review summarized their health effects during... (Review)
Review
The extensive evidence regarding the effects of ambient air pollution on child health is well documented, but limited review summarized their health effects during infancy. Symptoms or health conditions attributed to ambient air pollution in infancy could result in the progression of severe diseases during childhood. Here, we reviewed previous empirical epidemiological studies and/or reviews for evaluating the linkages between ambient air pollution and various infant outcomes including adverse birth outcomes, infant morbidity and mortality, early respiratory health, early allergic symptoms, early neurodevelopment, early infant growth and other relevant outcomes. Patterns of the associations varied by different pollutants (i.e., particles and gaseous pollutants), exposure periods (i.e., pregnancy and postpartum) and exposure lengths (i.e., long-term and short-term). Protection of infant health requires that paediatricians, researchers, and policy makers understand to what extent infants are affected by ambient air pollution, and a call for action is still necessary to reduce ambient air pollution.
Topics: Infant; Child; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Infant Health; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 37169689
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104609 -
Environment International Aug 2023Household air pollution (HAP) from indoor combustion of solid fuel is a global health burden linked to lung cancer. In Xuanwei, China, lung cancer rate for nonsmoking...
BACKGROUND
Household air pollution (HAP) from indoor combustion of solid fuel is a global health burden linked to lung cancer. In Xuanwei, China, lung cancer rate for nonsmoking women is among the highest in the world and largely attributed to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are produced from combustion of smoky (bituminous) coal used for cooking and heating. Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), a DNA methylation-based biomarker of aging, has been shown to be highly correlated with biological processes underlying the susceptibility of age-related diseases. We aim to assess the association between HAP exposure and EAA.
METHODS
We analyzed data from 106 never-smoking women from Xuanwei, China. Information on fuel type was collected using a questionnaire, and validated exposure models were used to predict levels of 43 HAP constituents. Exposure clusters were identified using hierarchical clustering. EAA was derived for five epigenetic clocks defined as the residuals resulting from regressing each clock on chronological age. We used generalized estimating equations to test associations between exposure clusters derived from predicted levels of HAP exposure, ambient 5-methylchrysene (5-MC), a PAH previously found to be associated with risk of lung cancer, and EAA, while accounting for repeated-measurements and confounders.
RESULTS
We observed an increase in GrimAge EAA for clusters with 31 and 33 PAHs reflecting current (β = 0.77 y per standard deviation (SD) increase, 95 % CI:0.36,1.19) and childhood (β = 0.92 y per SD, 95 % CI:0.40,1.45) exposure, respectively. 5-MC (ng/m-year) was found to be associated with GrimAge EAA for current (β = 0.15 y, 95 % CI:0.05,0.25) and childhood (β = 0.30 y, 95 % CI:0.13,0.47) exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that exposure to PAHs from indoor smoky coal combustion, particularly 5-MC, is associated with GrimAge EAA, a biomarker of mortality.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child; Air Pollution, Indoor; Air Pollution; Smoke; Coal; China; Lung Neoplasms; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Aging; Epigenesis, Genetic
PubMed: 37354880
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108041 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Nov 2023To estimate all cause and cause specific deaths that are attributable to fossil fuel related air pollution and to assess potential health benefits from policies that... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
To estimate all cause and cause specific deaths that are attributable to fossil fuel related air pollution and to assess potential health benefits from policies that replace fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy sources.
DESIGN
Observational and modelling study.
METHODS
An updated atmospheric composition model, a newly developed relative risk model, and satellite based data were used to determine exposure to ambient air pollution, estimate all cause and disease specific mortality, and attribute them to emission categories.
DATA SOURCES
Data from the global burden of disease 2019 study, observational fine particulate matter and population data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) satellites, and atmospheric chemistry, aerosol, and relative risk modelling for 2019.
RESULTS
Globally, all cause excess deaths due to fine particulate and ozone air pollution are estimated at 8.34 million (95% confidence interval 5.63 to 11.19) deaths per year. Most (52%) of the mortality burden is related to cardiometabolic conditions, particularly ischaemic heart disease (30%). Stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease both account for 16% of mortality burden. About 20% of all cause mortality is undefined, with arterial hypertension and neurodegenerative diseases possibly implicated. An estimated 5.13 million (3.63 to 6.32) excess deaths per year globally are attributable to ambient air pollution from fossil fuel use and therefore could potentially be avoided by phasing out fossil fuels. This figure corresponds to 82% of the maximum number of air pollution deaths that could be averted by controlling all anthropogenic emissions. Smaller reductions, rather than a complete phase-out, indicate that the responses are not strongly non-linear. Reductions in emission related to fossil fuels at all levels of air pollution can decrease the number of attributable deaths substantially. Estimates of avoidable excess deaths are markedly higher in this study than most previous studies for these reasons: the new relative risk model has implications for high income (largely fossil fuel intensive) countries and for low and middle income countries where the use of fossil fuels is increasing; this study accounts for all cause mortality in addition to disease specific mortality; and the large reduction in air pollution from a fossil fuel phase-out can greatly reduce exposure.
CONCLUSION
Phasing out fossil fuels is deemed to be an effective intervention to improve health and save lives as part the United Nations' goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Ambient air pollution would no longer be a leading, environmental health risk factor if the use of fossil fuels were superseded by equitable access to clean sources of renewable energy.
Topics: Humans; Fossil Fuels; Air Pollution; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Income; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 38030155
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-077784