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PubMed2005

Indoor air pollutants: limited-resource households and child care facilities.

This paper reports on a study of indoor air quality in homes and child care facilities in non-metropolitan counties of New York State. Specific pollutants examined were lead, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and mold. Some homes had high levels of pollutants, and certain pollutants were significantly and negatively correlated with household income. High levels of pollutants also were observed in many child care facilities, which raises questions about constant exposure of children to pollutants. Recommendations are made for lowering pollutant levels in low-income households and child care facilities.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2005

[Polluted characteristics of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu and As in soil of different mining activity zones].

Depending upon the polluted features of various mining activities in a typical nonferrous metal mine, the contaminated soil area was divided into four zones which were polluted by tailings, mine drainage, dust deposition in wind and spreading minerals during vehicle transportation respectively. In each zone, soil samples were collected. Total 28 soil samples were dug and be analyzed by ICP-AES and other relevant methods. The results indicated that the average contents of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu and As in soils were 508.6 mg x kg(-1), 384.8 mg x kg(-1), 7.53 mg x kg(-1), 356 mg x kg(-1) and 44.6 mg x kg(-1) respectively. But the contents of heavy metals in different zone have distinct differences. The pollution intension of tailing was the heaviest which Nemero index was 17.3. Ranking of pollution intension of different zones from heavy to light is in the sequence of tailing zone, mineral transportation zone, mine drainage zone, and dust deposition zone. The original phase of heavy metals and minerals is the main pollution ingredient of each zone. The proportion of oxidizing association with organic substance is small. Difference of the association of heavy metals is small in different polluted zones.

Arsenic↗
PubMed2005

[Pollution-ecological problems of old industrial and mining areas and future research prospects].

Environmental pollution and its solicitation in ecological problems of old industrial and mining areas have become a worldwide technological puzzle restricting sustainable economic and social development. But, the definition and category of old industrial and mining areas is still disputed as an important concept. In this paper, the concept of old industrial and mining area was discussed in theory, and, proceeded with analyzing the complexity of current situation and environmental pollution problems of old industrial and mining areas in China, more keystone attention was paid to the secondary pollution problems from old industrial and mining areas as an important frontier of science. On the basis of expounding the complexity and characters of environmental pollution in old industrial and mining areas, it was suggested that as two key scientific problems in environmental sciences and ecology, the formation mechanisms and control technology of secondary pollution in old industrial and mining areas and the responses of new-type diseases to environmental pollution based on molecular ecotoxicology should be systematically studied on the national scale, and be an important component of environmental protection strategy in China in the future.

China↗
PubMed2006

[Effects of air pollution on respiratory health].

Air pollution, which started to become a serious health concern with industrial revolution, has been threatening human health. Epidemiological studies have reported a close relation between air pollution and respiratory morbidity and mortality. Studies investigating the mechanisms underlying respiratory effects of air pollution have reported that pollutants lead to increased respiratory symptoms, decreased respiratory function and induce inflammatory changes in airways. In vitro studies have demonstrated that air pollutants exert their effects by causing cellular injury directly, and indirectly activating intracellular oxidative pathways. Air way epithelial cells, which form the first line of defence against air pollutants, may play an active role in this pathophysiological course.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2006

Pulmonary expression of preproET-1 and preproET-3 mRNAs is altered reciprocally in rats after inhalation of air pollutants.

Perturbation of vascular homeostasis is an important mechanism related to the acute health effects of inhaled pollutants. Inhalation of urban particulate matter and ozone by rats has been shown to result in increased synthesis of the potent vasoactive peptide endothelin (ET)-1 in the lungs, with spillover into the circulation. In the present work, we have analyzed the interrelationships between responses of the three major endothelin isoforms, ET-1[1-21], ET-2[1-21], and ET-3[1-21], to inhaled pollutants at the peptide and gene expression levels. Fisher-344 rats were exposed for 4 hrs by nose-only route to clean air, urban particles EHC-93 (0, 50 mg/m3), ozone (0, 0.8 ppm), or ozone and particles together. Circulating levels of both the ET-1 [1-21] and ET-3[1-21] peptides were increased immediately after exposure to particulate matter or ozone. While expression of preproET-1 mRNA in the lungs increased, expression of preproET-3 mRNA decreased immediately after exposure. PreproET-2 mRNA was not detected in the lungs, and exposure to either pollutant did not affect plasma ET-2 levels. Co-exposure to ozone and particles, while altering lung preproET-1 and preproET-3 mRNA levels in a fashion similar to ozone alone, did not cause changes in the circulating levels of the two corresponding peptides. Thus, de novo synthesis of ET-3 in the lungs is not responsible for the increase of circulating plasma ET-3 after inhalation of pollutants, which implies regulation of preproET-3 at a remote site and, hence, systemic impacts of the pollutants. Upregulation of preproET-1 coupled with down-regulation of preproET-3 in the lungs of animals exposed to air pollutants implies a mismatch of local ET-1/ET(A) receptor-mediated vasoconstriction and ET-3/ET(B) receptor-mediated vasodilation.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2006

[Assessment on heavy metal pollution in the sediment of Poyang Lake].

In order to know the heavy metals content and the degree of the potential ecological risk in the sediment of Poyang Lake in high-water period and low-water period, based on the detailed survey and analysis of the current state of pollution in Poyang Lake, using the Index of Geoaccumulation and the Potential Ecological Risk Index evaluate the heavy metals pollution of Poyang Lake. The results indicate that Poyang Lake has been polluted by heavy metals in various degrees. According to the Index of Geoaccumulation, the order of the analyzed heavy metals, arranged from highest to lowest pollution degree, is as follows: Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd; The ecological risk to Poyang Lake is: Cd>Pb> Zn>Cu;And the pollution is different from space and time, the pollution degree of each sampling site is arranged in the following order: Rao River> Longkou > Nanji shan > Dongku shan > Yumin village, and the degrees in low-water season are bigger than the degrees that in the high-water period commonly.

Cadmium↗
PubMed1991

[Studies on the effects of air pollution on health of the population of Annaberg district with special reference to acute respiratory diseases].

From 1978 to 1988 in the district of Annaberg (Saxony, state frontier to Czechoslovakia) investigations were accomplished to assess the state of health in people living there. The southern part of the district rises to a crest (Saxon Ore Mountains). It is influenced by air pollution from Northern Bohemia. The incidence of acute infections of the upper airways showed a remarkable dependence on the degree of air pollution in the age groups up to 18 years, especially in the group of infants. In the polluted area (high overload) the morbidity of infants was 7-fold in relation to the unpolluted area of the district. In the polluted area when temperature was lower than -5 degrees C the incidence of acute respiratory infections in infants closely correlated (r = 0.90) with the concentration of SO2 in ambient air. In the town Annaberg (urban air pollution) the frequency of absence of children from school caused by acute respiratory infections was elevated in relation to the rural parts of the district, but there were no differences among these rural parts. In the polluted area the severe stages of cardiorespiratory diseases were passed through with evident acceleration. In healthy adults living there the mean values for immunoglobulins of class A and class M tended to be elevated, and in school children the antibody titers against influenza A and B were increased.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Immunoglobulins and some serum proteins in children with altered resistance coming from areas with variously polluted atmosphere.

In four areas with different types of atmospheric pollution 534 children of school age were examined for serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE), saliva IgA (sIgA), lysozymes (LYS) and acute phase reactants (alfa-l-antitrypsin - A1AT, alfa-2-macroglobulin -A2M, ceruloplasmin -CPL, transferrin - TRF). The children were divided into two groups: those with altered resistance (AR) comprising allergoses of all types and recurrent or persistent infections and those without the above health problems, i.e. healthy (H). There were more children with AR in areas with higher atmospheric pollution than in control areas. The frequency of AR was higher among boys than among girls. In the control area BN, a number of parameters in the AR group differed significantly from those in the H group. In areas with substantial atmospheric pollution these differences were generally less pronounced. Significant differences were found between the control and polluted areas in many indicators. In the area KO characterized by an intermediate degree of industrial pollution the means of the tested parameters were habitually elevated, whereas in the heavily polluted areas they were decreased. The most sensitive tests for evaluating differences between the areas were the levels of A1AT, LYS, and IgE, while the variations of sIgA, sLYS and CPL were less pronounced.

Air Pollution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Atopy, environmental pollution and respiratory function. Study of 1000 children from 2 areas of the city of Naples].

The aim of this study was to observe the chronic respiratory deficiency in childhood caused by two possible motives: allergy and ambiental pollution. We executed aerial samples in two zones of Naples, one (USL 45) with heavy pollution because many factories present and other with slight pollution (USL 40). The authors calculated the PEF (Peak Expiratory Flow at the first second) and in a group of subject also the spirometric values, in two groups of subjects, one of atopic children and in the other of non atopic children. The study showed a greater number of atopic subjects with abnormal PEF in the zone with heavy pollution; in non atopic children the abnormal PEF was greater in the zone with heavy pollution (35.2%) in comparison with slight pollution zone (3%).

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1987

Industrial pollution with copper and other heavy metals in a beef cattle ranch.

Experimental evidence of air borne heavy metal pollution as the cause of a disease of unknown etiology in beef cattle was obtained. Analysis of metals in natural grasses and leaves of tree defined Cu, Zn and Pb as the major pollutants, with Cd being a minor one. Emissions from a Cu smelter were traced as the main source of metallic pollution. No evidence of metal accumulation in the soil was found, mainly because of the short duration and intermittent pattern of pollution. A progressive intake of the several heavy metals contained in dusts deposited on the grasses was considered the cause of the sickness; this was associated with the grazing of cattle on contaminated grasses. The most severe cases were found in the most polluted pastures. Excepting Cd, the concentrations of the metals in the livers and kidneys of affected cattle were high. No overlapping of the respective ranges between test and control samples from both organs was found. Mean hepatic levels of Cu (925.7 mg/kg DM), Zn (491.2 mg/kg) and Pb (26.7 mg/kg) reflected the decreasing order of the concentrations of these elements in the polluted grasses. The main clinical and pathological features of this disease were discussed in light of the organic levels of the investigated metals. Disease could not be ascribed to a pure chronic toxicosis with any one of these.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Harvard Air Pollution Health Study in six cites in the U.S.A.

The Harvard Air Pollution Health Study has been a ten year prospective study of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of children and adults living in six U.S. communities. Indices of acute and chronic effects of air pollution exposures have been studied. Evidence is presented for adverse effects of ambient and indoor air pollution on children. Relationships between ambient TSP concentrations and hospital emergency room admissions, temporary decreases in pulmonary functions and prevalence of community bronchitis all indicate a slight adverse effect. Refinements of these relationships will occur when fine fraction and acid sulfate aerosol concentrations are incorporated into the health analysis. Exposures to cigarette smoke at home are associated with increased reported respiratory symptoms in children. There is a negative relationship between maternal smoking and age and sex adjusted height for children. Results from indoor and personal exposure studies have lead to the design of an acute symptoms and indoor air pollution study. Between 1985 and 1988 1800 children will be tracked for a year while respirable particles, nitrogen dioxide, water vapor and air exchange will be measured in their homes. Using continuous sulfate/sulfuric acid monitors built at Harvard, we are characterizing the magnitude, duration and frequency of acid aerosol events in each of our study cities. This information will be utilized in the analysis of the respiratory symptom data. The Harvard Air Pollution Health Study is providing information on the relationship among health variables and air pollutant exposures. In addition, this study will add to our understanding of lung growth and aging and the risk factors associated with chronic respiratory disabilities.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Short-term effects of air pollution on health: a European approach using epidemiological time-series data. The APHEA project: background, objectives, design.

Recent studies investigating the adverse health effects of air pollution indicate that effects exist around and below the current national and international air quality guidelines and standards. However, the difficult methodological issues involved, and the diversity of analytical techniques so far applied, hinder direct between-study comparability and the drawing of clear conclusions. The APHEA (Air Pollution on Health: European Approach) project is an attempt to provide quantitative estimates of the short-term health effects of air pollution, using an extensive data base from 10 different European countries, which represent various social, environmental and air pollution situations. Within the framework of the project, the methodology of analysing epidemiological time series data, as well as that of performing meta-analysis, are further developed and standardized. Data have been collected from 15 European cities with a total population exceeding 25 million. The exposure data consist of daily measurements of black smoke, sulphur dioxide, suspended particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone (each available in several, though not all, cities) from already existing monitoring networks. There is substantial variability in air pollution mixtures and air pollutant levels in participating cities. The mean (24 h) levels of SO2 range 27-327 micrograms.m-3 in the winter season, and those of black smoke range 15-292 micrograms.m-3. The mean (1 h) levels of ozone in the summer season range 32-166 micrograms.m-3. The outcome data are daily counts of total and cause-specific deaths and hospital emergency admissions. Data on potential confounders (mainly meteorological and chronological variables) are also used. There is large diversity in the climatic conditions in the different cities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1976

Epidemiological evidence on the carcinogenic risk of air pollution.

In summary, higher lung cancer morbidity and mortality in urban than in rural areas and the presence of carcinogens in polluted air suggest that smoking habits and specific occupational exposures cannot account for all the urban air pollution may play a role in this disease. Surveys of lung cancer have shown that differences in excess. Positive correlations between lung cancer death rates and indices of pollution in different places, the experience of migrants and a possibile decline in lung cancer mortality with decline in pollution provide support for the view that air pollution is a factor in this disease. But the effect of pollution cannot be large. It is likely to be a small fraction (possibly a tenth) of the effect of cigarette smoking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Effects of air pollution on health of residents in vicinity of an electrometallurgical factory in Chengdu].

Air pollution in an electrometallurgical plant in Chengdu was monitored in 1988. Results showed that atmospheric TSP and Ni concentrations in the vicinity of the plant were higher than those in control area; and TSP content higher than its health standard level. A population of 262 children was physically examined in the same pollution and control areas in May, 1988. Physical examinations were as follows:otorhinolaryngological examination, skin patch test of Ni and Co, immune function test (including PHA skin test, salivary LZM content), Ni levels in human hair and urine etc. We found that body burdens of Ni in population of pollution area increased because of the pollution of Ni compounds in the atmosphere. Hair Ni content in pollution area was significantly higher than that in control area, and the positive rate of Ni skin patch test was also markedly higher than that in control area. Case history indicated that there was a significant difference in Ni content as detected by otorhinolaryngological examinations between the pollution and control areas. Some measures were suggested to improve the air quality based on the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Air pollution information activities at state and local agencies--United States, 1992.

Because air pollution is a pervasive environmental health problem in the United States, one of the national health objectives for the year 2000 is to increase from 49.7% to 85.0% the proportion of persons who live in counties that have not exceeded any air quality standard during the previous 12 months (1). Public support for air pollution control efforts is critical if this national health objective is to be achieved. To characterize public health information activities related to air pollution, in 1992, the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators (STAPPA) and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO), with the assistance of CDC, conducted a survey of state and local air pollution control agencies. This report summarizes the findings of that survey.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1995

Industrial pollution and quality of life of workers in Bangladesh.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of industrial pollution on the quality of life of workers in Bangladesh. A total of 110 workers comprising 60 from a polluted industry and 50 from a non-polluted industry were randomly selected for this study. The measuring instruments used were: The Inventory of Subjective Health (Dirken, 1967), The General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg, 1972), The Occupational Stress Index (Srivastava and Singh, 1981), The Life Descriptive Scale (Wright, 1988), and the Interview Schedule on Personal and Health Related Questionnaire (Khaleque, 1988). The results showed that the workers of the polluted industry suffered more from health problems and were less satisfied with their quality of life than those of the non-polluted industry. The results also revealed that the workers' health, well-being and quality of life were also affected by unhygienic home environment, malnutrition, transport problems, and lack of health care facilities. The result supported the view that the workplace pollution and the health and well-being of the workers were negatively related to each other.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Lichens and moss as bioindicators and bioaccumulators in air pollution monitoring.

In this study, we review research conducted in the La Spezia district during 1989, 1992, and 1994, using lichens and moss as indicators of air pollution. SO2 pollution was examined by means of an Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) based on the frequency of epiphytic lichen within a sampling grid. Metal deposits were estimated using the lichen Parmelia caperata and the moss Hypnum cupressiforme as bioaccumulators. IAP maps show progressive air quality improvement from 1989 to 1994. This trend correlates to a decrease in SO2 emissions during recent years that is attributed to the use of methane for residential heating and the closing of a coal-fired power plant. Metal contamination maps show that the most polluted area is now in the southeastern part of the gulf. The pattern of pollution coincides with the location of the chief pollution sources in the area. From 1989 to 1994, the metal concentrations in lichens decreased, but metal deposits in the southeastern area were cause for concern. High concentrations of lead in the area are related to emissions from a waste incinerator and a plant that produces lead oxide. Epidemiological investigations reveal that the area population has the highest levels of lead in their blood. The use of bioindicators and bioaccumulators permits long-term and large-scale monitoring of environmental pollutant levels in full agreement with traditional methods.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1997

Eutrophication, pollution and fragmentation: effects on the parasite communities in roach and perch in four lakes in central Finland.

Parasite communities in the four study lakes reflected the influences of habitat fragmentation, pollution and eutrophication. Discriminant analysis of communities at the individual host level reveal two major axes. One, characterized by reduced numbers of digeneans and myxosporeans and increased numbers of acanthocephalans and monogeneans, contrasts communities in a lake affected by chemical pollution from a pulp mill with two eutrophic, less polluted lakes. Changes in the density of intermediate hosts, direct effects on ectoparasites and impaired immune systems were regarded as important mechanisms. The second contrasts communities in an oligotrophic, unpolluted lake with the two eutrophic lakes, and was more complex, reflecting habitat fragmentation, and pollution or eutrophication, probably mediated by the same mechanisms as above. Monitoring easily seen discriminating parasites following 8 years of reduced pollutant loading showed some, but not all, of the effects of pollution could be reserved in a relatively short time.

Animals↗