-
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) Oct 2012Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. In support of this observation, the World Health Organization estimates that... (Review)
Review
Air pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. In support of this observation, the World Health Organization estimates that every year, 2.4 million people die because of the effects of air pollution on health. Mitigation strategies such as changes in diesel engine technology could result in fewer premature mortalities, as suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This review: (i) discusses the impact of air pollution on respiratory disease; (ii) provides evidence that reducing air pollution may have a positive impact on the prevention of disease; and (iii) demonstrates the impact concerted polices may have on population health when governments take actions to reduce air pollution.
Topics: Air Pollution; Humans; Public Health; Respiratory Tract Diseases; World Health Organization
PubMed: 22726103
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02213.x -
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews Jun 2014Public awareness of the impact of air quality on health is increasing worldwide. Indoor and outdoor air pollutants impair children's growing lungs, and increase the risk... (Review)
Review
Public awareness of the impact of air quality on health is increasing worldwide. Indoor and outdoor air pollutants impair children's growing lungs, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. In many cities, children face indoor air pollution from fuels used for cooking and heating, as well as outdoor pollution from vehicle exhausts. Research identifies at-risk groups and seeks to establish biological plausibility for the associations already observed; and looks towards identifying the harmful pollutants that are responsible for respiratory morbidity and mortality. These findings may then serve to influence public debate and future policy at national and international level to improve air quality in cities, and improve children's health.
Topics: Air Pollution; Child; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Urban Health
PubMed: 24704510
DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2014.03.001 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022Air pollution is inevitably the result of human civilization, industrialization, and globalization. It is composed of a mixture of gases and particles at harmful levels.... (Review)
Review
Air pollution is inevitably the result of human civilization, industrialization, and globalization. It is composed of a mixture of gases and particles at harmful levels. Particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxides (CO) are mainly generated from vehicle emissions and fuel consumption and are the main materials causing outdoor air pollution. Exposure to polluted outdoor air has been proven to be harmful to human eyes. On the other hand, indoor air pollution from environmental tobacco smoking, heating, cooking, or poor indoor ventilation is also related to several eye diseases, including conjunctivitis, glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the past 30 years, no updated review has provided an overview of the impact of air pollution on the eye. We reviewed reports on air pollution and eye diseases in the last three decades in the PubMed database, Medline databases, and Google Scholar and discussed the effect of various outdoor and indoor pollutants on human eyes.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 35162209
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031186 -
Future Microbiology Jun 2023Publications addressing air pollution-induced human respiratory microbiome shifts are reviewed in this article. The healthy respiratory microbiota is characterized by a... (Review)
Review
Publications addressing air pollution-induced human respiratory microbiome shifts are reviewed in this article. The healthy respiratory microbiota is characterized by a low density of bacteria, fungi and viruses with high diversity, and usually consists of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria, viruses and fungi. The air's microbiome is highly dependent on air pollution levels and is directly reflected within the human respiratory microbiome. In addition, pollutants indirectly modify the local environment in human respiratory organs by reducing antioxidant capacity, misbalancing proteolysis and modulating inflammation, all of which regulate local microbiomes. Improving air quality leads to more diverse and healthy microbiomes of the local air and, subsequently, residents' airways.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollution; Microbiota; Respiratory System; Bacteria; Inflammation
PubMed: 37477532
DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0258 -
Journal of Environmental Management Jan 2022Humans face threats from air pollutants present in both indoor and outdoor environments. The emerging role of plants in remediating the atmospheric environment is now... (Review)
Review
Humans face threats from air pollutants present in both indoor and outdoor environments. The emerging role of plants in remediating the atmospheric environment is now being actively investigated as a possible solution for this problem. Foliar surfaces of plants (e.g., the leaves of cotton) can absorb a variety of airborne pollutants (e.g., formaldehyde, benzene, trimethylamine, and xylene), thereby reducing their concentrations in indoor environments. Recently, theoretical and experimental studies have been conducted to offer better insights into the interactions between plants and the surrounding air. In our research, an overview on the role of plants in reducing air pollution (often referred to as phytoremediation) is provided based on a comprehensive literature survey. The major issues for plant-based research for the reduction of air pollution in both outdoor and indoor environments are discussed in depth along with future challenges. Analysis of the existing data confirms the effectiveness of phytoremediation in terms of the absorption and purification of pollutants (e.g., by the leaves and roots of plants and trees), while being controlled by different variables (e.g., pore characteristics and planting patterns). Although most lab-scale studies have shown that plants can effectively absorb pollutants, it is important for such studies to reflect the real-world conditions, especially with the influence of human activities. Under such conditions, pollutants are to be replenished continually while the plant surface area to ambient atmosphere volume ratio vastly decreases (e.g., relative to lab-based experiments). The replication of such experimental conditions is the key challenge in this field of research. This review is expected to offer valuable insights into the innate ability of various plants in removing diverse pollutants (such as formaldehyde, benzene, and particulate matter) under different environmental settings.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Humans; Particulate Matter; Plants
PubMed: 34626947
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113860 -
Environment International Sep 2018Several studies have demonstrated the association between air pollution and different medical conditions including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Air... (Review)
Review
Several studies have demonstrated the association between air pollution and different medical conditions including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Air pollutants might have a role also in the etiology of mental disorders in the light of their toxicity on central nervous system. Purpose of the present manuscript was to review and summarize available data about an association between psychiatric disorders and air pollution. A research in the main database sources has been conducted to identify relevant papers about the topic. Different air pollutants and in particular PM and nitric oxides have been associated with poor mental health; long exposition to PM has been associated with an increased risk of new onset of depressive symptoms (Cohen's effect size d: 0.05-0.81), while increased concentration of nitric dioxide in summer with worsening of existing depressive conditions (Cohen's effect size d: 0.05-1.77). However, the interpretation of these finding should take into account the retrospective design of most of studies, different periods of observations, confounding factors such as advanced age or medical comorbidity. Further studies with rigorous methodology are needed to confirm the results of available literature about this topic.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Humans; Mental Disorders; Particulate Matter; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29883762
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.05.044 -
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine Mar 2018The review describes current status of air pollution in India, summarizes recent research on adverse health effects of ambient and household air pollution, and outlines... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The review describes current status of air pollution in India, summarizes recent research on adverse health effects of ambient and household air pollution, and outlines the ongoing efforts and future actions required to improve air quality and reduce morbidity and mortality because of air pollution in India.
RECENT FINDINGS
Global burden of disease data analysis reveals more than one million premature deaths attributable to ambient air pollution in 2015 in India. More than one million additional deaths can be attributed to household air pollution. Particulate matter with diameter 2.5 μm or less has been causatively linked with most premature deaths. Acute respiratory tract infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, exacerbations of preexisting obstructive airway disease and lung cancer are proven adverse respiratory effects of air pollution. Targeting air quality standards laid by WHO can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality because of air pollution in India.
SUMMARY
India is currently exposed to high levels of ambient and household air pollutants. Respiratory adverse effects of air pollution are significant contributors to morbidity and premature mortality in India. Substantial efforts are being made at legislative, administrative, and community levels to improve air quality. However, much more needs to be done to change the 'status quo' and attain the target air quality standards. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COPM/A24.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Humans; India; Particulate Matter; Respiratory Tract Diseases
PubMed: 29300211
DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000463 -
Analytical Chemistry Jun 1987
-
Analytical Chemistry Apr 1969
-
Annual Review of Public Health Apr 2022Unhealthy levels of air pollution are breathed by billions of people worldwide, and air pollution is the leading environmental cause of death and disability globally.... (Review)
Review
Unhealthy levels of air pollution are breathed by billions of people worldwide, and air pollution is the leading environmental cause of death and disability globally. Efforts to reduce air pollution at its many sources have had limited success, and in many areas of the world, poor air quality continues to worsen. Personal interventions to reduce exposure to air pollution include avoiding sources, staying indoors, filtering indoor air, using face masks, and limiting physical activity when and where air pollution levels are elevated. The effectiveness of these interventions varies widely with circumstances and conditions of use. Compared with upstream reduction or control of emissions, personal interventions place burdens and risk of adverse unintended consequences on individuals. We review evidence regarding the balance of benefits and potential harms of personal interventions for reducing exposure to outdoor air pollution, which merit careful consideration before making public health recommendations with regard to who should use personal interventions and where, when, and how they should be used.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Humans
PubMed: 34936825
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052120-103607