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PubMed1993

The relationship between low-level air pollution exposure and short-term changes in lung function in Dutch children.

Following air pollution episodes in the winters of 1985 and 1987, a series of studies was initiated to investigate short-term changes in health status in children in relationship to short-term changes in air pollution concentrations. Air pollution exposure was characterized by measurements of SO2, NO2, PM10, nitrate, sulfate, H+, and HONO. Panels of unselected children were studied in four winters (1987-1991). Lung function was measured repeatedly with spirometry in these children. In the winter of 1990/1991, a panel of children with chronic respiratory symptoms was studied as well, with repeated observations of Peak Expiratory Flow made at the home. The three winters of 87/88, 88/89 and 89/90 were very mild; no air pollution episodes with long range transport from the east occurred. In these three winters, lung function was measured on 86 different days. Altogether, over 800 children participated. H+ concentrations (expressed as H2SO4) were generally below 0.6 microgram/m3, with a maximum of only 3 micrograms/m3. Daily mean SO2 concentrations never exceded 100 micrograms/m3 in this period. Nevertheless, lung function in these unselected children was found to decrease with increasing levels of especially particulate matter air pollution. In the winter of 1990/1991, a minor air pollution episode occurred. Maximum SO2 and PM10 concentrations were 105 micrograms/m3 and 174 micrograms/m3 respectively. This episode was associated with decreased lung function in a group of about 112 unselected children. There was also a relationship with decreased daily PEF readings in a panel of 73 children with chronic respiratory symptoms.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1998

[Pollution and allergy: the contributions of animal and in vitro experimentation].

The respiratory pathological symptoms induced by atmospheric pollutants are closely dependent on the action of the aerocontaminants on the cells of the respiratory tract that are exposed to their effects. Two methods of experimental investigation are used to specify the effects of pollutants on the respiratory system: Study of the morphological and functional alterations of animal respiratory systems after exposure to different pollution constituents. Exposure of bronchitic or pulmonary cells to microquantities of pollutants, using different techniques that create direct contact between the pollutant and target cells. In animals gaseous pollutants alter the means of defence (muco-ciliary purification and antibacterial defence), inducing development of a neutrophil inflammatory reaction and, for ozone and NO2 favouring sensitisation by allergen-dependent IgE; diesel particles are responsible for restrictive ventilation problems, an inflammatory reaction, a sensitisation develops to pneumoallergens and in some cases of the development of pulmonary tumours. In vitro studies specify the cellular mechanisms and the molecules that are responsible for the observed phenomena: increase in the synthesis and expression of messenger DNA the codes for the pro-inflammatory cytokines, adherance molecules and chimiokines.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of groundwater and soil pollution in a landfill area using electrical resistivity imaging survey.

Landfills are sources of groundwater and soil pollution due to the production of leachate and its migration through refuse. This study was conducted in order to determine the extent of groundwater and soil pollution within and around the landfill of Seri Petaling located in the State of Selangor, Malaysia. The condition of nearby surface water was also determined. An electrical resistivity imaging survey was used to investigate the leachate production within the landfill. Groundwater geochemistry was carried out and chemical analysis of water samples was conducted upstream and downstream of the landfill. Surface water was also analyzed in order to determine its quality. Soil chemical analysis was performed on soil samples taken from different locations within and around the landfill in the vadose zone (unsaturated zone) and below the water table (in the soil saturated zone). The resistivity image along line L-L1 indicated the presence of large zones of decomposed waste bodies saturated with highly conducting leachate. Analysis of trace elements indicated their presence in very low concentrations and did not reflect any sign of heavy metal pollution of ground and surface water or of soil. Major ions represented by Na, K, and Cl were found in anomalous concentrations in the groundwater of the downstream bore hole, where they are 99.1%, 99.2%, and 99.4%, respectively, higher compared to the upstream bore hole. Electrical conductivity (EC) was also found in anomalous concentration downstream. Ca and Mg ions represent the water hardness (which is comparatively high downstream). There is a general trend of pollution towards the downstream area. Sulfates (SO4) and nitrates (NO3) are found in the area in low concentrations, even below the WHO standards for drinking water, but are significantly higher in the surface water compared to the groundwater. Phosphate (PO4) and nitrite (NO2), although present in low levels, are significantly higher at the downstream. There is no significant difference in the amount of fluoride (F) in the different locations. In the soil vadose zone, heavy metals were found to be in their typical normal ranges and within the background concentrations. Soil exchangeable bases were significantly higher in the soil saturated zone compared to the vadose zone, and no significant difference was obtained in the levels of inorganic pollutants. With the exception of Cd, the concentration ranges of all trace elements (Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, and Ni) of Seri Petaling landfill soils were below the upper limits of baseline concentrations published from different sources.

Aluminum Silicates↗

PubMed2026

Air Pollution and Heat Impacts on Respiratory Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes in Africa: A Systematic Review Towards a Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This review synthesised evidence on associations between air pollution and respiratory morbidity in Africa. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, ScienceDirect and Elicit for case-control studies published between 2015 and 2025. RECENT FINDINGS: Thirteen studies from ten African countries reported pollutant levels far exceeding WHO guidelines. Indoor PM₂.₅ in biomass-using homes ranged from 96 to 177 µg/m³, and ambient PM₂.₅ reached 259 µg/m³. Nitrogen oxides were consistently associated with reduced lung function in children, while household air pollution increased risks of under-five mortality and low birthweight. Associations with acute respiratory infections varied across settings. Vulnerability was greatest among young children, those with airway hyperresponsiveness, and households with poor ventilation. Only three studies included temperature, and none examined heat-respiratory interactions. Across African case-control studies, particulate matter and household air pollution remain consistently linked to adverse respiratory outcomes, highlighting urgent needs for cleaner fuels, improved ventilation, and stronger evidence on combined pollution and heat exposures.

Humans↗

PubMed2003

Air pollution and children's health in São Paulo (1986-1998).

Air pollution in the conurbation of São Paulo, Brazil, with 17 million inhabitants, has been measured from air quality monitoring stations. In three contrasted sample areas, children's respiratory health parameters were collected to assess the role of air pollution in 1986. Twelve years later, in 1998, a similar study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of pollution control programs on the respiratory symptoms of children living in the same neighborhoods previously studied. Results indicated that pollution control programs were in part neutralized by increased number of cars and that the control of a single pollutant was not enough to protect children's health. In the area where both particulate matter and sulfur dioxide levels decreased, there was a reduction in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Fish, fishing, and pollutant reduction in the Baltic Sea.

The Baltic Sea is heavily polluted yet supports major commercial fisheries for cod (Gadus morhua), herring (Clupea harengus), and sprat (Sprattus sprattus). Emissions of persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT, were high during the 1960s and 1970s, and concentrations in fish and other fauna are still significant. Several models of the fluxes of these pollutants among the water, sediment, and atmosphere have been developed, but these generally omit the roles of fish and fisheries. We show that the standing stock of the most abundant fish species in the Baltic Sea was a sink for 260 kg of PCBs in the late 1980s to early 1990s and that the fishery removed as much or more PCB (31 kg yr(-1))than other budget components (e.g., degradation in the water column). Accounting for fish and fisheries could increase our understanding of the fluxes of pollutants, and banning the discard of highly contaminated organs such as cod liver could be part of the pollution management.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Flux rates of atmospheric lead pollution within soils of a small catchment in northern Sweden and their implications for future stream water quality.

It is not well-known how the accumulated pool of atmospheric lead pollution in the boreal forest soil will affect the groundwater and surface water chemistry in the future as this lead migrates through the soil profile. This study uses stable lead isotopes (206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/ 207Pb ratios) to trace the transport of atmospheric lead pollution within the soil of a small catchment and predict future lead level changes in a stream draining the catchment. Low 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb ratios for the lead in the soil water (1.16 +/- 0.02; 2.43 +/- 0.03) and streamwater (1.18 +/- 0.03; 2.42 +/- 0.03) in comparison to that of the mineral soil (>1.4; >2.5) suggest that atmospheric pollution contributes by about 90% (65-100%) to the lead pool found in these matrixes. Calculated transport rates of atmospheric lead along a soil transect indicate that the mean residence time of lead in organic and mineral soil layers is at a centennial to millennial time scale. A maximum release of the present pool of lead pollution in the soil to the stream is predicted to occur within 200-800 years. Even though the uncertainty of the prediction is large, it emphasizes the magnitude of the time lag between the accumulation of atmospheric lead pollution in soils and the subsequent response in streamwater quality.

Atmosphere↗

PubMed2003

The impact of environmental pollution on congenital anomalies.

Major congenital anomalies are diagnosed in 2-4% of births. In this paper we review epidemiological studies that have specifically looked at congenital anomalies as a possible outcome of community exposure to chemical exposures associated with environmental pollution. These include studies of drinking water contaminants (heavy metals and nitrates, chlorinated and aromatic solvents, and chlorination by-products), residence near waste disposal sites and contaminated land, pesticide exposure in agricultural areas, air pollution and industrial pollution sources, food contamination, and disasters involving accidental, negligent or deliberate chemical releases of great magnitude. We conclude that there are relatively few environmental pollution exposures for which we can draw strong conclusions about the potential to cause congenital anomalies and, if so, the chemical constituents implicated, to provide an evidence base for public health and clinical practice. A precautionary approach should be adopted at both community and individual level. In order to prevent congenital anomalies, one must reduce exposure to potential teratogens before pregnancy is recognized (i.e. preconceptionally and in the first few weeks of pregnancy). It is a challenge to develop effective strategies for preconceptional care within the primary care framework. Prenatal service providers and counsellors need to be aware of the uncertainties regarding environmental pollution when addressing parental concerns.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed1998

Effects of air pollution and smoking on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.

Although both tobacco smoking and air pollution are believed to be environmental factors affecting the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma, the mechanisms by which they induce/aggravate these diseases are still not known in detail. While smoking has been demonstrated to cause and aggravate COPD and bronchial asthma, the influence of air pollution, suspected to have hazardous environmental effects since the historical episodes of severe air pollution such as the London Smog, on the prevalence of airway diseases remains unclear. This is due, in part, to changes over time in the nature of the air pollutants concerned. There have been no consistent findings on the effects on airway diseases of air pollutants at levels currently observed in developed countries. It is believed that cessation of smoking is the most important factor in preventing the development of COPD.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pollution of confined air in non-industrial environments].

Indoor atmospheric pollution includes a lot of pollutants coming partly from outdoors and produced partly by internal sources. Concerns about potential public health problems are based on evidence that urban residents typically spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors and concentrations of some contaminants are higher indoors than outdoors. Adverse effects of indoor air pollution are obviously dependent on the type of pollutant; among the more important indoor contaminants are passive tobacco smoke, radon decay products, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, asbestos fibers, microorganisms and allergens. Efforts to assess health risks associated with indoor air pollution are limited by insufficient information about the number of people exposed, the pattern and severity of exposures and the health consequences of exposures. An overall strategy should be developed to control sources, dilute indoor contaminants and promulgate specific regulations.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1987

Marine pollution and health in South Africa.

Although the RSA does not have a serious marine pollution problem, rapid population growth and increasing industrialization make it imperative to assess the pollution status of coastal waters and to plan for future developments. All pollution on earth ends up in the sea, which consequently contains a mixture of substances, the effects of which on the biota and on human health are poorly understood. Many of these substances are accumulated by marine organisms and become ever more concentrated along the food chain; where man is at the top of the chain, he thus runs the greatest risk of all. Too much raw sewage is allowed to pollute the sea, the provision of sewage treatment plants being largely inadequate for the growing population. Notwithstanding the excellent work done by a number of South African organisations and individuals, and the sound basis of the country's anti-marine pollution legislation, a plea is made for greater co-operation between those whose expertise and/or official position would enable them to contribute to combating the problem.

Seawater↗

PubMed1999

Translocation of microbenthic algal assemblages used for In situ analysis of metal pollution in rivers

Effects of metal pollution from a zinc factory on microbenthic algal communities were assessed in three neighboring streams on the Dutch-Belgian border. Diatom species composition was experimentally related to water quality by transferring racks with colonized glass discs from a polluted stream to a reference stream and vice versa. The succession of species and the changes in biomass and metal accumulation were measured during experiments in spring, autumn, and winter. Metal concentrations and dry weight in translocated biofilms tended to conform with those in local biofilms within an incubation time of 14 to 18 days. Bray-Curtis similarity values from the different communities indicated that diatom communities responded more completely to the metal-polluted conditions than to the reference water quality. Cymbella minuta, Diatoma vulgare var. ehrenbergii, Navicula sp., and Melosira varians had a lower percentage in assemblages placed in the metal-polluted streams. In contrast, Pinnularia sp. and Neidium ampliatum decreased in assemblages from the polluted streams that were transferred to the reference stream. Achnanthes minutissima and Navicula seminulum (N. atomus) proliferated on any translocation, possibly reflecting an opportunistic strategy and a high tolerance for Zn and Cd. The behavior of the species in relation to metal pollution generally accorded with observations in the literature. However, it seems that metal tolerance is not the only selective factor, and other ecological variables may also influence the composition of microphytobenthic communities.http://link.springer-ny. com/link/service/journals/00244/bibs/37n1p19.html

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Comparing Environmental Conditions Using Indicators of Pollution Hazard

/ Land use/land cover classifications for 1973 and 1991, derived from the interpretation of satellite imagery, are quantified on the basis of biophysical land units in a study area in southeastern Australia. Nutrient export potentials are estimated for each land unit based on their composition of land use/land cover classes. Spatial and temporal comparisons are made of the land units based on the calculated pollution hazard indicators to provide an insight into changes in the state of the environment and the regional significance of land use changes. For example, one ecosystem, unique to the study, showed a large increase in pollution hazard over the study period as a manifestation of an 11-fold rise in cleared area and an expansion of cropping activities. The benefits to environmental management in general are discussed.KEY WORDS: Land cover change; Nutrient export; Environmental condition; Pollution hazard; Agricultural pollution; Nonpoint source pollution; Diffuse pollution; Environmental degradation

Journal Article↗

PubMed1987

Seasonal changes in the sulphate content of deciduous woodland soils exposed to atmospheric pollution.

Seasonal changes in soil pH, sulphate concentration and total-S were measured in two brown earth soils, sampled from deciduous woodlands. One site studied was exposed to severe atmospheric pollution from a coking works while the other site was relatively unpolluted but located in an area receiving wet and dry deposited acidity of greater than 1.0 and 2.4 kg H(+) ha(-1) year(-1), respectively The pH of soil at the heavily polluted site was lower than the relatively unpolluted soil at each monthly sample point, except during November. Annual average sulphate concentrations (LiCl-extractable) were highest in the soil exposed to coking pollution, where they peaked during summer and autumn. A marked difference in total-S was found in soils from the two sites, the heavily polluted soil showing the highest concentration with peaks again occurring during late summer and autumn. Only 4.0% (w/w) of the total-S of the heavily polluted soil occurred as LiCl-extractable sulphate, compared to 21.4% (w/w) for the relatively unpolluted soil, showing that organic sulphur is increased in brown earths following exposure to severe atmospheric pollution from the coking works.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1988

Root growth responses of Anagallis arvensis L., primulaceae to air pollution.

The root growth response to air pollution in populations of Anagallis arvensis growing about 0.5, 2, 6, 12 and 20 km leeward from a power plant complex varied with the level of pollution, age of the stand and meteorological conditions. The roots were more affected by the pollutants at a young stage and the loss in net primary productivity was proportional to the pollution level. The populations up to 2 km from the source of pollution completed their life cycle quickly. The coal consumption rate at the power plant, relative humidity, wind direction and other environmental factors were found to influence the degree of growth response to air pollution.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Photochemical oxidant pollution and vegetation: effects of mixtures of gases, fog and particles.

Photochemical 'smog' contains mixtures of gases (e.g. ozone, nitrogen dioxide), and dry particles (e.g. nitrates). Intermittent fog in the same geographical area can be acidic with high concentrations of nitric acid. Results from recent field studies in the Los Angeles Basin have emphasized the relative toxicity of these components of photochemical air pollution. Studies have focused on gaseous+fog or gaseous+dry particulate effects on conifers, gaseous+fog effects on crops, and the effects of trace pollutants produced during generation of ozone on crops. Data from these studies indicate that direct alterations in growth and physiological responses were observed only with gaseous pollutants (primarily ozone), or repeated applications of highly acidic fogs (pH < 2.7). Direct particle dry deposition effects are unclear. Few interactions have been found between gaseous pollutants and acidic fog. Charcoal-filtered open-top chambers are highly effective in removing pollutants in the following order: fog (100%) > peroxyacetyl nitrate > ozone > nitrogen dioxide > sulfur dioxide > nitrate ion > ammonium ion > sulfate ion. However, nitric oxide concentrations are higher in charcoal-filtered chambers than in ambient air. The studies point out the importance of considering other components of photochemical pollution in addition to ozone, especially when investigating subtle, long-term effects on vegetation.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Vicia faba as a bioindicator of oil pollution.

In 1990, the Gulf War caused an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. More than 700 oil wells were set on fire, emitting thousands of tons of oxides of nitrogen, sulfur, soot and oil mist at high temperatures. The blazing oil wells and lakes were the major cause of environmental pollution, damaging flora and fauna throughout Kuwait and the surrounding region. We set up this study in order to investigate whether Vicia faba could be used as a bioindicator of oil pollution. Growth parameters of Vicia faba, such as levels of photosynthetic pigments, proteins, free amino acids, phenols, sugars, biomass, moisture and fatty acids, were studied. Levels of total reducible sugars, phenols, proteins, free amino acids and proline were found to be higher in plants grown in hydrocarbon-polluted soil, compared to those grown in control soil. However, biomass, moisture, pheophytin, the 435/415 nm ratio for chlorophylls and the chlorophyll a/carotenoid ratio, were higher in the plants grown in control soil than those grown in polluted soil. Our results indicate that Vicia faba can be used as a bioindicator of pollution and a ratio of the fatty acid C(20:1)/C(18:1) is an important index of environmental oil pollution.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Association of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and myopia in Chinese children.

Ambient air pollution is recognized as a major global health concern, but evidence on its association with childhood myopia remains limited, particularly under multi-pollutant exposure conditions. A school-based study was conducted in Tianjin, China, including 212,566 students in grades 4-6. The 3-yr mean concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), its major components (sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), organic matter (OM), and black carbon (BC)), and ozone (O3) were estimated using machine-learning exposure models and linked to school locations. Restricted cubic splines and quartile-based modified Poisson models were used to assess single-pollutant exposure-response relationships, and quantile-based g-computation was applied to estimate joint pollutant associations. In single-pollutant models, the highest quartile of SO42- was associated with higher myopia prevalence compared with the lowest quartile (PR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07-1.13). O3 showed weaker and non-monotonic positive patterns (Q4 vs Q1: PR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05). In mixture analyses, a one-quartile increase in joint exposure was associated with higher myopia prevalence (PR = 1.017; 95% CI, 1.007-1.027). Sensitivity analyses generally supported the direction of the main findings. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to specific ambient air pollutants may be associated with myopia in school-aged children.

Chemical components↗