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American Journal of Respiratory and... Nov 2022
Topics: Humans; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Prospective Studies; Smokers; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Lung Neoplasms; China
PubMed: 36095140
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202209-1641ED -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022With the aggravation of air pollution, the impact of air pollution on the stock market, especially from the perspective of investor sentiment, has been of great concern...
With the aggravation of air pollution, the impact of air pollution on the stock market, especially from the perspective of investor sentiment, has been of great concern and widely discussed. Based on data from China's A-share listed firms from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020, the relationship between urban air pollution and stock liquidity of listed firms and the internal mechanism is examined. Firstly, based on local preference theory, we start by predicting the impact of air pollution on stock liquidity. We, then, build a regression model for air pollution and stock liquidity, introducing the intermediary effect model to detect the relationship between the two and its mechanism. Finally, by subdividing the samples, we discuss the differential impact of air pollution on stock liquidity under different circumstances. We found that when air pollution worsens it reduces stock liquidity. The results of the mechanism analysis show that investor sentiment plays an intermediary role in the process of air pollution affecting stock liquidity, and pessimism induced by air pollution can reduce stock liquidity. Heterogeneity test results show that there are differences in the impact of air pollution on stock liquidity between heavily polluting firms and non-heavily polluting firms, different industries, different city sizes, and different levels of air pollution, has a greater effect in non-heavily polluting enterprises, manufacturing and other industries, medium sized cities and light pollution. The results of this research have important reference value for environmental protection departments to establish and improve air pollution monitoring systems and for listed firms to improve stock liquidity and deal with the environmental financial risks appropriately.
Topics: Air Pollution; Industry; Commerce; Conservation of Natural Resources; Attitude
PubMed: 36276384
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.989457 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Recently, there has been interest in the relationship between mental health and air pollution; however, the results are inconsistent and the contribution of foreign...
Recently, there has been interest in the relationship between mental health and air pollution; however, the results are inconsistent and the contribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) has received little attention. This article studies the effects of air pollution on mental health and the moderating role of FDI based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data in 2015 and 2018 applying the fixed effects panel regression approach and the threshold model. The results show that mental health is adversely affected by air pollution, especially PM, PM, sulfur dioxide (SO), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO). Second, FDI has an alleviating influence on the negative relationship. Third, the effects of air pollution and FDI are heterogeneous based on regional characteristics, including location, medical resource and investment in science and technology, and individual characteristics covering education level, age, income, and physical health. Finally, the threshold effects show that FDI has a moderating effect when it is >1,745.59 million renminbi (RMB). There are only 11.19% of cities exceeding the threshold value in China. When the value of air quality index (AQI) exceeds 92.79, air pollution is more harmful to mental health. Government should actively introduce high-quality FDI at the effective level and control air pollution to improve mental health.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; China; Longitudinal Studies; Mental Health
PubMed: 35669748
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.858672 -
The Science of the Total Environment Oct 2022Togo, in west Africa, is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but has made a negligible contribution to causing it. Togo ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017,...
Togo, in west Africa, is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but has made a negligible contribution to causing it. Togo ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017, committing to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that outline Togo's climate change mitigation commitment. Togo's capital, Lomé, as well as other areas of Togo have ambient air pollutant levels exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines for human health protection, and 91 % of Togolese households cook using solid biomass, elevating household air pollution exposure. In Togo's updated NDC, submitted in 2021, Togo acknowledges the importance and opportunity of achieving international climate change mitigation targets in ways that improve air quality and achieve health benefits for Togo's citizens. The aim of this work is to evaluate priority mitigation measures in an integrated assessment of air pollutant, Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to identify their effectiveness in simultaneously reducing air pollution and Togo's contribution to climate change. The mitigation assessment quantifies emissions for Togo and Grand Lomé from all major source sectors for historical years between 2010 and 2018, for a baseline projection to 2030 and for mitigation scenarios evaluating ten mitigation measures. The assessment estimates that Togo emitted ~21 million tonnes of GHG emissions in 2018, predominantly from the energy and Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sectors. GHG emissions are projected to increase 42 % to 30 million tonnes in 2030 without implementation of mitigation policies and measures. The implementation of the ten identified priority mitigation measures could reduce GHG emissions by ~20 % in 2030 compared to the baseline, while SLCPs and air pollutants were estimated to be reduced more, with a more than 75 % reduction in black carbon emissions in 2030. This work therefore provides a clear pathway by which Togo can reduce its already small contribution to climate change while simultaneously achieving local benefits for air quality and human health in Togo and Grand Lomé.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Climate Change; Environmental Pollutants; Greenhouse Gases; Humans; Particulate Matter; Togo
PubMed: 35810891
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157107 -
Geospatial Health Apr 2022Due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), human mobility and economic activity have slowed down considerably since early 2020. A relatively...
Due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), human mobility and economic activity have slowed down considerably since early 2020. A relatively high number of those infected develop serious pneumonia leading to progressive respiratory failure, system disease and often death. Apart from close human-to-human contact, the acceleration and global diffusion of this pandemic has been shown to be associated with changes in atmospheric chemistry and air pollution by microscopic particulate matter (PM). Breathing air with high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and PM can result in over-expression of the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) leading to stress of organs, such as heart and kidneys. Satellite monitoring can play a crucial role in spatio-temporal surveillance of the disease by producing data on pollution as proxy for industrial activity, transport and traffic circulation. Real-time monitoring of COVID-19 in air and chemical pollution of the atmospheric boundary layer available from Earth-observing satellites commuting with Health Information Systems (HIS) would be useful for decision makers involved with public health.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; COVID-19; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Pandemics; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 35385928
DOI: 10.4081/gh.2022.1052 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Oct 2021Air pollution is a serious threat to our health and has become one of the major causes of many diseases including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and... (Review)
Review
Air pollution is a serious threat to our health and has become one of the major causes of many diseases including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. The association between air pollution and various diseases has long been a topic of research interest. However, it remains unclear how air pollution actually impacts health by modulating several important cellular functions. Recently, some evidence has emerged about air pollution-induced epigenetic changes, which are linked with the etiology of various human diseases. Among several epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation represents the most prominent epigenetic alteration underlying the air pollution-induced pathogenic mechanism. Several other types of epigenetic changes, such as histone modifications, miRNA, and non-coding RNA expression, have also been found to have been linked with air pollution. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), one of the most prevalent forms of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), is triggered by the inhalation of certain organic and inorganic substances. HP is characterized by inflammation in the tissues around the lungs' airways and may lead to irreversible lung scarring over time. This review, in addition to other diseases, attempts to understand whether certain pollutants influence HP development through such epigenetic modifications.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 34498177
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16056-x -
Journal of Environmental and Public... 2023Air pollution is the result of economic growth and urbanization. Air pollution has been progressively recognized as a serious problem for cities, through widespread...
BACKGROUND
Air pollution is the result of economic growth and urbanization. Air pollution has been progressively recognized as a serious problem for cities, through widespread effects on health and well-being. There is less concern from stakeholders about greenness and air pollution mitigating factors in an urban area. This research targeted to indicate the spatial dissemination of greenery, air quality levels (PM, PM, CO, and AQI), and exposure to air quality-related health risks for the people in the urban area.
METHOD
The data were collected by measuring air quality at transportation stations and manufacturing industries with Air visual pro, then observing and mapping greenness in the city within the administrative boundary by GIS (street greenery, forest, availability of greenness in the manufacturing industry), and lastly questionnaire and interview were employed for air quality-related health issues. Then, the air quality data were analyzed by using USAQI standards and health messages. Both quantitative and qualitative research approach had employed to explore air pollution levels, availability of greenness, and air quality-related health issues. Moreover, Health questionnaires and greenness were correlated with air quality levels by a simple linear regression model.
RESULT
The result indicated that there was unhealthy air quality in the transportation and manufacturing industries. The measured air quality showed in a range of 50.13-96.84 g/m of PM, 645-1764 ppm of CO and 137-179 Air quality index (AQI). The highest mean of PM and air quality concentrations at Addis Ababa transportation stations and manufacturing sites ranged between 63.46 and 104.45 g/m and 179-326, respectively. It was observed with less street greenery and greenness available in residential, commercial areas, and manufacturing industries. The pollution level was beyond the limit of WHO standards. The result has shown a health risk to the public in the city, particularly for drivers, street vendors, and manufacturing industry employees. Among 480 respondents, 57.92% experienced health risks due to air pollution by medical evidence.
CONCLUSION
High health risks due to industries and old motor vehicles in the city need to be reduced by introducing policies and strategies for low-carbon, minimizing traveling distance, encouraging high occupancy vehicles, and promoting a green legacy in the street network and green building.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants; Public Health; Particulate Matter; Ethiopia; Air Pollution; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 36755782
DOI: 10.1155/2023/8516622 -
Integrated Environmental Assessment and... Nov 2021Several epidemiological studies have suggested a link between air pollution and respiratory tract infections. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a... (Review)
Review
Several epidemiological studies have suggested a link between air pollution and respiratory tract infections. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a great threat to public health worldwide. However, some parts of the globe have been worse affected in terms of prevalence and deaths than others. The causes and conditions of such variations have yet to be explored. Although some studies indicated a possible correlation between air pollution and COVID-19 severity, there is yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer. This review summarizes the impact of air pollution on COVID-19 infections and severity and discusses the possible management strategies and challenges involved. The available literature investigating the correlation between air pollution and COVID-19 infections and mortality are included in the review. The studies reviewed here suggest that exposure to air pollution, particularly to PM and NO , is positively correlated with COVID-19 infections and mortality. Some data indicate that air pollution can play an important role in the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A high percentage of COVID-19 incidences has been reported in the most polluted areas, where patients needed hospital admission. The available data also show that both short-term and long-term air pollution may enhance COVID-19 severity. However, most of the studies that showed a link between air pollution and COVID-19 infections and mortality did not consider potential confounders during the correlation analysis. Therefore, more specific studies need to be performed focusing on some additional confounders such as individual age, population density, and pre-existing comorbidities to determine the impact of air pollution on COVID-19 infections and deaths. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1114-1122. © 2021 SETAC.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; COVID-19; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Particulate Matter; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33913626
DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4435 -
Annals of Global Health Dec 2019
Topics: Air Pollution; Humans; Mortality, Premature; Policy Making; Politics; Public Policy
PubMed: 31871906
DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2670 -
Current Environmental Health Reports Jun 2022In this paper, we seek to elucidate the impact of car-free days and events on human health. Car-free days and events are often designed to alleviate the impact of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
In this paper, we seek to elucidate the impact of car-free days and events on human health. Car-free days and events are often designed to alleviate the impact of transportation-related air pollution, noise, physical inactivity, traffic congestion, or other detrimental externalities of private motor vehicle travel. We reviewed existing peer-reviewed and gray literature to understand the variety of potential public health impacts that have been measured as a result of car-free days or events and associated changes in environmental exposures and lifestyles.
RECENT FINDINGS
The impacts of car-free days and events are highly variable and seem to depend on the scope (frequency, duration, and geographic size) and goals of each car-free day and event. Most of the existing literature measures impacts in terms of air and noise pollution and some studies focus on physical activity metrics. In some cases, car-free days and events were successful in reducing the concentration of certain air pollutants but had little or adverse impacts on the concentration of others. Often, traffic is diverted from cordoned areas to surrounding streets, displacing traffic congestion and adverse environmental exposures to other areas of a city, with potential understudied implications to environmental justice. Car-free days and events are often an attractive policy option; however, they require intensive planning to be successful. The organization and execution of car-free days and events, as well as public support and stakeholder engagement, greatly influence the level of success and the sustainability of such initiatives. Health benefits may be a palatable and convincing argument to the general public. However, very few studies focus on actual health impacts associated with car-free days and events. Future research could be most useful if it focused on measuring health outcomes associated with car-free days and events through longitudinal studies.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Cities; Humans; Motor Vehicles; Transportation
PubMed: 35146704
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00342-y