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At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Effects of air pollution on blood pressure: a population-based approach.

OBJECTIVES: This analysis assessed the association between blood pressure, meteorology, and air pollution in a random population sample. METHODS: Blood pressure measurements of 2607 men and women aged 25 to 64 years who participated in the Augsburg Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease survey were analyzed in association with 24-hour mean concentrations of air pollutants. RESULTS: During the air pollution episode in Europe in January 1985, an association between blood pressure and air pollution was observed, which disappeared after adjustment for meteorology. Continuous concentrations of total suspended particulates and sulfur dioxide were associated with an increase in systolic blood pressure of 1.79 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.63, 2.95) per 90 micrograms/m3 total suspended particulates and 0.74 mm Hg (95% CI = 0.08, 1.40) per 80 micrograms/m3 sulfur dioxide. In subgroups with high plasma viscosity levels and increased heart rates, systolic blood pressure increased by 6.93 mm Hg (95% CI = 4.31, 9.75) and 7.76 mm Hg (95% CI = 5.70, 9.82) in association with total suspended particulates. CONCLUSIONS: The observed increase in systolic blood pressure associated with ambient air pollution could be related to a change in cardiovascular autonomic control.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Heavy-metal pollution and its state in algae in Kakehashi river and Godani river at the foot of Ogoya mine, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Alga as Achnanthes minutissima among diatoms is a widely adaptable taxon on the state of an aquatic environment. In this study, it was found that diatom had a specific tolerance to heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd etc.) in river water samples, because the diatom assemblage consisted of almost only Achnanthes minutissima in Kakehashi river and Godani river, which were polluted with waste water from Ogoya copper mine. The relationship between the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in river water and the attached substances (algae and silt etc.) and the relative abundances of diatom taxa were investigated in detail. The results indicated that the higher is the concentration of heavy metals in the river environment, the higher is only the relative abundances of Achnanthes minutissima. Thus, the taxon can be used as a bioindicator of heavy metal pollution. The relative rates of toxic chemical forms of copper in algae were 61 - 92% in the attached substances and 49-70% in the sediment on the river bed, respectively. Therefore, it was found that diatom as Achnanthes minutissima had a tolerance to heavy metals in river water, being able to live in such an environment. Since the water treated with calcium hydroxide from the deposition reservoir of Ogoya mine enters in Godani river, the river is polluted by heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd etc.). From the viewpoint of both biological and chemical analyses, Godani river is still polluted with heavy metals, because their concentrations in the river samples were very high. On the other hand, in Kakehashi river, the concentrations of heavy metals were very low and the distributions of some diatoms appeared in an unpolluted Nishimata river were observed. Therefore, Kakehashi river seems to be considerably recovered from heavy-metal pollution after closing the Ogoya mine.

Eukaryota↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is the level of pollutants a risk factor for exercise-induced asthma prevalence?

Increased prevalence of asthma is commonly though to be associated with increased air pollution and with lifestyle changes. This study evaluates a possible relationship of levels of exposure to outdoor pollutants and exercise-induced asthma prevalence. Two groups of students (age 14-17) in distant urban areas were randomly selected (n = 649): Group I (n = 430), Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Group II (n = 219), Prague, Czech Republic. The free running asthma screening test was performed at both locations; self-report questionnaires were distributed to all participants. Peak expiratory flow rates were used to evaluate baseline and postexercise spirometry. A 15% decrease was considered a positive response to exercise challenge. The information on ambient air quality (SO2, NO2, O3, PM10) was obtained from appropriate institutions. Of 649 subjects tested [Group I: n = 430, F = 251 (58.4%,) M = 179 (41.6%) and Group II: n = 219, F = 112 (51.6%), M = 107 (48.4%)], 81 of the participants (13.2%) responded positively to the exercise challenge [Group I: n = 55 (12.8%) and Group II: n = 26 (11.8%)]. Of the population tested, 150 (23.6%) participants self-reported a history of allergic disease [Group I: 94 (21.9%) and Group II: 56 (25.6%)]. The levels of air pollutants obtained for Group II significantly exceeded those obtained for Group I. This study reports a prevalence of 12.3% of exercised-induced asthma among high school students, when free running asthma screening test and peak expiratory flow rate are used. Significantly different levels of common pollutants do not correlate with asthma prevalence. Although it is recognized that air pollution is a well-known asthma trigger, it cannot be a simple explanation for the continued problem of rising asthma prevalence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Particulate air pollution and chronic respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Bangkok.

In this cross-sectional study, the authors examined the relationship between traffic-based air pollution and chronic, nonspecific respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 1,603 policemen who lived and worked in areas that had 3 different levels of airborne particulates were evaluated. The authors used a modified standardized questionnaire to identify nonspecific respiratory disease (NSRD) in participants. The prevalence of NSRD in heavily polluted, moderately polluted, and suburban areas was 13.0%, 10.9%, and 9.4%, respectively. Among nonsmokers, the age-adjusted prevalence of NSRD in the heavily polluted areas was significantly higher than in the suburban control area. Also among nonsmokers, the odds ratio for NSRD for each 10-microg/m3 increase in ambient particulate matter was 1.11. The authors concluded that the increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Bangkok was associated with urban traffic air pollution.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indoor air pollution in rural China: cooking fuels, stoves, and health status.

Solid fuels are a major source of indoor air pollution, but in less developed countries the short-term health effects of indoor air pollution are poorly understood. The authors conducted a large cross-sectional study of rural Chinese households to determine associations between individual health status and domestic cooking as a source of indoor air pollution. The study included measures of health status as well as measures of indoor air-pollution sources, such as solid cooking fuels and cooking stoves. Compared with other fuel types, coal was associated with a lower health status, including negative impacts on exhaled carbon monoxide level, forced vital capacity, lifetime prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and health care utilization. Decreasing household coal use, increasing use of improved stove technology, and increasing kitchen ventilation may decrease the short-term health effects of indoor air pollution.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Confounding or aggravating factors in noise-induced health effects: air pollutants and other stressors.

Different scientific groups have studied and continue to study the health impacts of physical and chemical agents in the environment. In most cases, every study group has considered the health effect as being solely due to the air pollutant(s) under investigation, for example air pollution without due regard for the simultaneous presence of noise pollution whereas both have an impact on the cardiovascular system. Or in the case of noise studies the contribution of solvent, asphyxiant or metal exposures has not been considered, which can have an impact on hearing impairment. One can, therefore, question the stringency of the available evidence of epidemiological studies in both fields to warrant the consideration of air pollutants as confounding or aggravating factors in studies of specific effects due to noise (and vice versa). In this paper we weigh the existing evidence on the association of noise and air pollutant exposure and associated health impacts. In forthcoming publications, the authors will consider the influence of other factors, which can confound noise studies but are currently not included in the analysis.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1999

Recommendations for the monitoring of short-term health effects of air pollution: lessons from the APHEA Multi Centre European Study.

Accumulating evidence from European cities indicates that current levels of ambient air pollution are likely to be associated with detectable effects on daily mortality and hospital admissions. Public health authorities everywhere are concerned about the possible effects of air pollution on the health of their populations but there are no guidelines for how these effects can efficiently be monitored. Furthermore, decisions about air pollution monitoring tend to be made without reference to the epidemiological requirements of health monitoring. The APHEA project (Air Pollution and Health a European Approach) investigated the short-term health effects of air pollution in 15 European cities. Experience gained in this project provides a basis for recommendations to public health and environmental authorities concerning the requirements for a basic health monitoring system. This paper considers the theoretical and practical aspects of a monitoring system and makes recommendations concerning 1) the minimum data set required, 2) the methods of statistical analysis and presentation and 3) Europe-wide coordination of monitoring.

Air Pollution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The resistance of soil microorganisms to soil pollution by heavy metals].

Microbial communities of grey podzolized soil of Left-Bank Ukraine are characterized by high potential resistance to pollution with heavy metals: above 40% of organotrophic microorganisms are capable to resist to pollution with a mixture of heavy metals (Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+) in a dose of 20 MPC of each metal. Relative amount of resistant microorganisms in polluted soil increases up to 93%. White zeolites and biohumus are promising for reclamation of soils polluted with heavy metals. They decrease toxic effect of heavy metals on soil microflora and promote development of microflora resistant to pollution.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1999

A synergistic decline in humoral and cellular immunity of diabetic mice on exposure to polluted air.

It is clinically known that diabetic patients are more prone to infectious diseases, due to low immune status. Since, some of the common air pollutants are reported to suppress immune system, how exposure to artificially polluted air influences the immune responses in experimental diabetic mice was studied. A diabetic state was induced by alloxan and mice were exposed to artificially polluted air for 30 days. During the period of exposure, the humoral (antibody titer) and cellular (foot and swelling) immune responses to antigenic challenges with sheep RBC were investigated. The exposure to polluted air produced a significant decline in the immune responses in non-diabetic mice whereas a synergistic decline was observed in diabetic group. Since, daily oral treatment with vitamin E (150 mg/kg) significantly prevented the pollution induced immunosuppression, the involvement of free radicals is suggested.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2000

[Parameters of cellular immunity in maternal and umbilical cord blood in relation to air pollution. Preliminary results of a pregnancy outcomes study].

BACKGROUND: The study is a part of the project Pregnancy Outcome (Teplice Program) examining effects of polluted environment on the quality of reproduction in Teplice (high polluted) and Prachatice (control) districts. Selected parameters of cell mediated and humoral immunity in maternal and umbilical samples after delivery were assayed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lymphocytes in 768 samples of maternal venous blood and 739 samples of umbilical blood collected in May 1994-October 1997 were phenotyped using flow cytometry. Medical and personal questionnaires were used to obtain data on clinical risk factors during pregnancy, health and life style of mothers, the course and prolongation of labour and newborn's status. The percentages of T and NK lymphocytes in both umbilical and maternal blood were associated with a number of variables, including the course of labour. After adjustment for the other predictors, the percentage of NK lymphocytes was found significantly higher in Teplice than in Prachatice samples--in both maternal and umbilical blood. CONCLUSIONS: A part of the observed difference between distribution of NK and T lymphocytes can be attributed to living in the polluted district. To see effects of polluted environment, the association of seasonal difference in levels of major pollutants with seasonal changes in lymphocyte phenotype will be analyzed.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2000

Indoor air pollution in developing countries: a major environmental and public health challenge.

Around 50% of people, almost all in developing countries, rely on coal and biomass in the form of wood, dung and crop residues for domestic energy. These materials are typically burnt in simple stoves with very incomplete combustion. Consequently, women and young children are exposed to high levels of indoor air pollution every day. There is consistent evidence that indoor air pollution increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and of acute respiratory infections in childhood, the most important cause of death among children under 5 years of age in developing countries. Evidence also exists of associations with low birth weight, increased infant and perinatal mortality, pulmonary tuberculosis, nasopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, cataract, and, specifically in respect of the use of coal, with lung cancer. Conflicting evidence exists with regard to asthma. All studies are observational and very few have measured exposure directly, while a substantial proportion have not dealt with confounding. As a result, risk estimates are poorly quantified and may be biased. Exposure to indoor air pollution may be responsible for nearly 2 million excess deaths in developing countries and for some 4% of the global burden of disease. Indoor air pollution is a major global public health threat requiring greatly increased efforts in the areas of research and policy-making. Research on its health effects should be strengthened, particularly in relation to tuberculosis and acute lower respiratory infections. A more systematic approach to the development and evaluation of interventions is desirable, with clearer recognition of the interrelationships between poverty and dependence on polluting fuels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Environmental air pollution in an intensive care unit for nephrology and dialysis.

The quality of indoor air depends on external pollutant concentrations and on internal sources, such as heating and air conditioning systems, building materials, ventilation, cleaning products, personnel and their activity. This study assessed environmental air pollution in an intensive care unit (ICU) for nephrology and dialysis. Air-dispersed particulate pollution was measured using a gravimetric method and spectroscopic photocorrelation. Microbiological pollution was evaluated by passive and active collection. Particulate concentrations exceeded recommended limits in some of the environments. There was a prevalence of small particulates, which are the most harmful type of all. An overall evaluation of bacterial pollution showed low levels of contamination in some of the rooms. In none of the environments we were able to detect pathogens such as Aspergillus fumigatus, methycillin-resistant Staphylococci or toxin-producing fungi.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2001

The influence of lead and cadmium environmental pollution on anthropometric health factors in children.

THE AIM: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between environment pollution (lead and cadmium) and selected anthropological factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 267 children, aged 11 +/- 0.4. Blood sampling and anthropological measurements were carried out in Kraków (polluted area) and in the Krosno region (low polluted area) in 1995. The lead and cadmium concentrations in the whole blood were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace and automatic dosage. The anthropometric measurements were made at the same time as the blood collection. RESULTS: The blood lead content in boys and girls was: 5.89 +/- 2.54, 5.01 +/- 1.62 micrograms/dl respectively, and the cadmium blood content was: 0.65 +/- 0.30, 0.68 +/- 0.47 microgram/l. Body mass and height did not correlate with lead and cadmium concentrations in the children's blood. Smaller head circumferences, independently of gender, were associated with a higher cadmium level. The values of four skin-folds (on the arm: biceps, triceps, under scapular bone and above iliac crest), as well as the percentage of fat content in the organism (PFDWB) calculated by the Slaughter-Lohman equation was higher in girls than in boys. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The relationships between cadmium and lead blood levels in children on the one hand and the degree of environmental pollution with these metals, and the gender of the children on the other were observed. The boys accumulated more lead, whereas the girls absorbed more cadmium. 2. Anthropometric analysis did not show a significant influence exerted by the polluted environment on the basic auxological parameters. In the group of children examined, the only differences observed were related to gender, head circumferences and indicators of obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

[Total water pollution load determining on Tianxi catchment area in Shenyang city].

This paper analysed and determined the total water pollution load of Tianxi catchment area in Shenyang city systematically; by giving the reliability measurement to the total pollution load, put forward the suggestions to improve the system information reliability. It was found that to strengthen monitoring and investigation for the pumping station is of great advantage to control the pollutants of heavy metals, moreover, by adding monitoring to the Huanglatuozi section of Xi river, not only can the pollution load be identified clearly but also organic pollutants can be controlled more accurately and timely.

China↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of complex indices of environmental air pollution for sanitary ranging of the territory of the South Administrative District of Moscow].

Whether complex indices of ambient air pollution can be used for sanitary ranging of primary facilities of the district was studied. The indices were calculated by using single air samples. The impact of "zero samples" on the results of calculation of the significance of differences in the single concentrations of individual chemical air pollutants was examined. The average annual concentrations of pollutants were calculated on the basis of average daily maximum allowable concentrations and the a-coefficient recommended by M. A. Pinigin. The database contains 20,000 definitions of the most hazardous chemical pollutants in the ambient air. Significant and insignificant values of chemical pollutants in single ambient air samples may be used in calculating complex indices as the rate of result coincidence was 80%, the suitability of insignificant values for ranging was confirmed in 81.25% of cases.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2001

[Environmental illnesses, illnesses of the 21st century. Respiratory tract pathology and indoor air pollution].

Air pollution becomes a major concern in the 21st century. There is of course a relation between outdoor pollution and pollution in the building where we live and work. Indoor pollution, nevertheless is characterized by a higher concentration of several pollutants. This article is a short review of the main chemical and biological substances present in the indoor environment which may impair the lung health.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2001

[Quality of aquatic environment at Haihe River and the pollutant fluxes flowing into sea].

On the basis of the data of water quality monitored from 1993 to 1997, the pollution indexes of each pollutant was computed. The results showed that the pollution at Haihe river was severe. The rank of water quality at all monitoring site were between IV and V grade. The main pollution factors were NH3-N, NO2-N and organic contaminants. During the 5 years, water quality of Haihe River was improved, however, the pollutant fluxes flowing into Bohai Bay, especially CODMn, BOD, NH3-N, NO3-N and NO2-N, were increased, they were increased from 1555, 655, 337, 156 and 25 t.a-1 in 1993 to 8710, 4317, 2516, 1528 and 188 t.a-1 in 1996, and sharply decreased to 1331, 973, 572, 355 and 31 t.a-1 in 1997, respectively. It may be mainly due to the change of runoff at Haihe River.

Fresh Water↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of pollutant runoff in Lake Biwa tributaries, Japan and the Brunette River watershed, Canada.

This study is aimed at verifying runoff pollutant loadings from urban areas. Urban runoff has been considered an important source of diffuse pollution especially during storm events. This paper describes the pollutant runoff during storm events, mainly in terms of effects of watershed characteristics. Data collected from Lake Biwa tributaries, Japan, have shown fundamental information to control pollutant runoff into receiving water. Also, data from the Brunette River watershed, Canada, which is a highly urbanized watershed in the Vancouver region, have been used for a comparative analysis. In the results, available information for the environmental management of urban storm water runoff was obtained by comparing the data on pollutant runoff in both watersheds.

Canada↗