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Ambient air pollution is a significant environmental risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth. However, the impact of different pollutants across various regions and trimesters of pregnancy has not been fully investigated in Brazil. This study aimed to examine the associations between exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and O3 during different trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth across five regions of Brazil. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (OR) of preterm birth associated with PM2.5, NO2, and O3 adjusting for potential confounders such as maternal age, education, and socioeconomic status. Our study included over 9.9 million live births from 2001 to 2018, with data obtained from the Ministry of Health in Brazil. On average, for each 1-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5, we estimated a 0.26â¯% (95â¯% CI: 0.08-0.44â¯%) increase in the risk of preterm birth nationally in the first trimester. For NO2, each 1ppb increase was associated with a percentage increase in preterm birth risk of 7.26â¯% (95â¯% CI: 4.77-9.74â¯%) in the first trimester, 8.05â¯% (95â¯% CI: 5.73-10.38â¯%) in the second trimester, and 7.48â¯% (95â¯% CI: 5.25-9.72â¯%) in the third trimester. For O3, each 1ppb increase was associated with a percentage increase in preterm birth risk of 1.24â¯% (95â¯% CI: 0.29-2.18â¯%) in the first trimester, 1.51â¯% (95â¯% CI: 0.60-2.41â¯%) in the second trimester, and 0.72â¯% (95â¯% CI: -0.18-1.62â¯%) in the third trimester. This study highlights the significant impact of ambient air pollution on preterm birth risk in Brazil, with significant regional variations. Our findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate the effects of air pollution on pregnancy outcomes, particularly in the most affected regions.
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Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Contaminación del Aire , Exposición Materna , Nacimiento Prematuro , Embarazo , Nacimiento Prematuro/epidemiología , Femenino , Brasil/epidemiología , Humanos , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Contaminación del Aire/estadística & datos numéricos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Adulto , Exposición Materna/estadística & datos numéricos , Exposición Materna/efectos adversos , Material Particulado/análisis , Adulto Joven , Ozono/análisis , Dióxido de Nitrógeno/análisisRESUMEN
Objectives: For the development of the 2021 global air quality guidelines, the World Health Organization (WHO) commissioned a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses to assess the association between exposure to air pollution and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. One of these reviews, which we aim to update, focused on the effects of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 on all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Methods: The protocol for this study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023425327). We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for studies published between September 2018 and May 2023. Study-specific effects were pooled using random-effects models. Results: We included 106 studies in the meta-analysis, 46 studies from the previous review and 60 from this update. All exposure-outcome pairs analysed showed positive and significant associations, except for PM10 and cerebrovascular mortality. The certainty of the evidence was rated as high for the majority of exposure-outcome pairs. Conclusion: We included a large number of new cohorts, and provided new concentration-response functions that will inform WHO advice on the use of this information for air pollution health risk assessments.
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Contaminación del Aire , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Material Particulado , Organización Mundial de la Salud , Humanos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/efectos adversos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversos , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/normas , Mortalidad/tendencias , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Material Particulado/normas , Medición de RiesgoRESUMEN
Resumen Introducción. La calidad del aire es un asunto de interés para la salud pública por su rápido deterioro en los países de bajos y medianos ingresos, y los efectos del aire contaminado en la salud de las poblaciones. Objetivo. Explorar las condiciones de la calidad del aire en las que los repartidores de plataformas digitales desarrollaron su trabajo en las localidades de Kennedy y Usaquén de Bogotá durante el 2021. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio mixto, paralelo y convergente, basado en cuatro fuentes de información: 1) observación etnográfica en cinco ubicaciones comerciales de las dos localidades; 2) monitoreo de PM10 y PM2.5 en 56 rutas de reparto, empleando un equipo de bajo costo; 3) bitácoras diarias de los recorridos que apoyaron la interpretación de los datos del equipo, y 4) entrevista semiestructurada con el rutero para explorar sus percepciones frente a los peligros durante los recorridos. Resultados. Se identificaron diferencias en las condiciones de trabajo, las percepciones y las exposiciones a material particulado de los repartidores entre las dos localidades de estudio que constituyeron fuentes de injusticia ambiental. Los recorridos que realizaron los repartidores en la localidad de Kennedy registraron mayores concentraciones de PM10 y PM2.5. Las fuentes de contaminación atmosférica identificadas por los repartidores mostraron los peores parámetros en Kennedy. Conclusiones. Se evidenció que la calidad del aire, el equipamiento urbano, la infraestructura vial, las fuentes móviles y la ubicación geoespacial son elementos que marcan la presencia de injusticia ambiental para los repartidores. Para disminuir esta inequidad, es necesario que las plataformas de reparto digital y el gobierno distrital implementen estrategias que reduzcan la exposición y la emisión de contaminantes del aire con el fin de proteger la salud de los repartidores de plataformas.
Abstract Introduction. Air quality is a matter of interest for public health due to its rapid deterioration in low- and middle-income countries and the effects of polluted air on the health of populations. Objective. To explore the air quality conditions in which digital platform delivery workers carry out their work, evaluating the localities of Kennedy and Usaquén in Bogotá, 2021. Materials and methods. We developed a mixed parallel convergent study based on four sources of information: 1) Ethnographic observation in five commercial locations of the two localities; 2) Monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 in 56 delivery routes using a low-cost sensor; 3) Daily logs of the routes to support the device data interpretation, and 4) A semi-structured interview applied to the drivers to explore their danger perception during the routes. Results. We identified elements causing environmental injustice among digital platform delivery workers between the two study locations. The routes made by the delivery drivers in the locality of Kennedy registered higher concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, compared to the values observed in Usaquén. The sources of air pollution identified by the delivery drivers through ethnographic observation and the router logbook showed the worst parameters in Kennedy. Conclusions. We evidenced that air quality, urban equipment, road infrastructure, mobile sources, and geospatial location are elements that mark the presence of environmental injustice for the digital platform delivery drivers in the studied localities. To reduce this inequity, it is necessary for digital delivery platforms and the district government to implement strategies that reduce the exposure and emission of air pollutants to protect the health of digital platform delivery workers.
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been linked to air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM). PM comprises various elements, including iron-rich particles that may reach the brain through inhalation. Lima, Peru is one of the most polluted cities in Latin America, with a high rate of AD. The study aims to evaluate the association between iron (Fe) trace elements in PM10 and AD cases in Lima, Peru. This retrospective ecological study used monthly Fe concentration data from the Peruvian Ministry of Health. AD cases (ICD-10-G30) and dementia in AD cases (DAD, ICD-10-F00) were obtained from the Peruvian CDC. Fe trace element data were available for six districts in Lima for the years 2017-2019 and 2022. Cases were standardized based on ≥60-year-old populations of each district. Hierarchical mixed-effects models of Gaussian and negative binomial families were constructed to evaluate both outcomes jointly (AD + DAD) and separately (AD, and DAD). A sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding data from Lima's downtown district. In the complete model, log-Fe concentration was associated with a higher rate of AD + DAD and DAD, and with a higher IRR for the three outcomes. After controlling for other metals, a higher DAD rate was observed (ß-coeff = 6.76, 95%CI 0.07; 13.46, p = 0.048), and a higher IRR for AD + DAD (1.55, 95%CI 1.09; 2.20, p = 0.014) and DAD (1.83, 95%CI 1.21; 2.78, p = 0.004). The association was not significant in the sensitivity analysis. In conclusion, exposure to Fe through PM10 inhalation may be associated with the presence of AD in Lima.
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In both developed and developing countries, atmospheric pollution with particulate matter (PM) remains an important issue. Despite the health effects of poor air quality, studies on air pollution are often limited by the high costs of continuous monitoring and the need for extensive sampling. Furthermore, these particles are often enriched with potentially toxic trace elements and organic pollutants. This study evaluates both the composition of atmospheric dust accumulated during a certain timespan on Hedera helix and Senecio cineraria leaves and the potential for their use as bio-monitors. The test plants were positioned near automatic air quality monitoring stations at four different sites with respectively high, moderate and low traffic intensity. The gravimetric deposition of PM10 and PM2.5 on leaves was compared with data recorded by the monitoring stations and related to the weather conditions reported by Argentina's National Meteorological Service. To determine the presence of trace elements enriching the PM deposited on leaves, two analytical techniques were applied: XRF (not destructive) and ICP (destructive). The results indicated that only in the unpaved street location (site 2) did PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations (90 µg m-3 and 9 µg m-3) in the air exceed more than five times WHO guidelines (15 µg m-3 and 5 µg m-3). However, several trace elements were found to be enriching PM deposited on leaves from all sites. Predominantly, increased concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ti, Mn, Zn and Fe were found, which were associated with construction, traffic and unpaved street sources. Furthermore, based on its capability to sequester above 2800 µg cm-2 of PM10, 2450 µg cm-2 of PM2.5 and trace elements, Senecio cineraria can be taken into consideration for adoption as a bio-monitor or even for PM mitigation.
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Introduction: Air quality is a matter of interest for public health due to its rapid deterioration in low- and middle-income countries and the effects of polluted air on the health of populations. Objective: To explore the air quality conditions in which digital platform delivery workers carry out their work, evaluating the localities of Kennedy and Usaquén in Bogotá, 2021. Materials and methods: We developed a mixed parallel convergent study based on four sources of information: 1) Ethnographic observation in five commercial locations of the two localities; 2) Monitoring of PM10 and PM2.5 in 56 delivery routes using a low-cost sensor; 3) Daily logs of the routes to support the device data interpretation, and 4) A semi-structured interview applied to the drivers to explore their danger perception during the routes. Results: We identified elements causing environmental injustice among digital platform delivery workers between the two study locations. The routes made by the delivery drivers in the locality of Kennedy registered higher concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, compared to the values observed in Usaquén. The sources of air pollution identified by the delivery drivers through ethnographic observation and the router logbook showed the worst parameters in Kennedy. Conclusions: We evidenced that air quality, urban equipment, road infrastructure, mobile sources, and geospatial location are elements that mark the presence of environmental injustice for the digital platform delivery drivers in the studied localities. To reduce this inequity, it is necessary for digital delivery platforms and the district government to implement strategies that reduce the exposure and emission of air pollutants to protect the health of digital platform delivery workers.
Introducción: La calidad del aire es un asunto de interés para la salud pública por su rápido deterioro en los países de bajos y medianos ingresos, y los efectos del aire contaminado en la salud de las poblaciones. Objetivo: Explorar las condiciones de la calidad del aire en las que los repartidores de plataformas digitales desarrollaron su trabajo en las localidades de Kennedy y Usaquén de Bogotá durante el 2021. Materiales y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio mixto, paralelo y convergente, basado en cuatro fuentes de información: 1) observación etnográfica en cinco ubicaciones comerciales de las dos localidades; 2) monitoreo de PM10 y PM2.5 en 56 rutas de reparto, empleando un equipo de bajo costo; 3) bitácoras diarias de los recorridos que apoyaron la interpretación de los datos del equipo, y 4) entrevista semiestructurada con el rutero para explorar sus percepciones frente a los peligros durante los recorridos. Resultados: Se identificaron diferencias en las condiciones de trabajo, las percepciones y las exposiciones a material particulado de los repartidores entre las dos localidades de estudio que constituyeron fuentes de injusticia ambiental. Los recorridos que realizaron los repartidores en la localidad de Kennedy registraron mayores concentraciones de PM10 y PM2.5. Las fuentes de contaminación atmosférica identificadas por los repartidores mostraron los peores parámetros en Kennedy. Conclusiones: Se evidenció que la calidad del aire, el equipamiento urbano, la infraestructura vial, las fuentes móviles y la ubicación geoespacial son elementos que marcan la presencia de injusticia ambiental para los repartidores. Para disminuir esta inequidad, es necesario que las plataformas de reparto digital y el gobierno distrital implementen estrategias que reduzcan la exposición y la emisión de contaminantes del aire con el fin de proteger la salud de los repartidores de plataformas.
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Contaminación del Aire , Material Particulado , Colombia , Humanos , Contaminación del Aire/análisis , Material Particulado/análisis , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Exposición Profesional/prevención & control , Justicia Social , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisisRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between indoor air pollution and respiratory morbidities in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) recruited from the multicenter BPD Collaborative. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed among participants <3 years old in the BPD Collaborative Outpatient Registry. Indoor air pollution was defined as any reported exposure to tobacco or marijuana smoke, electronic cigarette emissions, gas stoves, and/or wood stoves. Clinical data included acute care use and chronic respiratory symptoms in the past 4 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 1011 participants born at a mean gestational age of 26.4 ± 2.2 weeks were included. Most (66.6%) had severe BPD. More than 40% of participants were exposed to ≥1 source of indoor air pollution. The odds of reporting an emergency department visit (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.18-2.45), antibiotic use (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.12-3.21), or a systemic steroid course (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.24-3.84) were significantly higher in participants reporting exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) compared with those without SHS exposure. Participants reporting exposure to air pollution (not including SHS) also had a significantly greater odds (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08-2.03) of antibiotic use as well. Indoor air pollution exposure (including SHS) was not associated with chronic respiratory symptoms or rescue medication use. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to indoor air pollution, especially SHS, was associated with acute respiratory morbidities, including emergency department visits, antibiotics for respiratory illnesses, and systemic steroid use.
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Introduction. Asthma is a chronic disease affecting millions of people around the world. Air quality is a major factor in triggering asthma symptoms. Objective. To analyze air quality and asthma in high-altitude residents of La Paz, Bolivia. Materials and methods. In this analytical, descriptive, and retrospective study, we collected data from patients diagnosed with asthma at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax and the Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. In addition, air quality monitoring of particulate matter was carried out at the stations of the Red de Monitoreo de la Calidad del Aire. Results. Women represented 56.9% of cases at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax and the Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. In both institutions, the average age was 47 years and patients were overweight or obese. Increases in PM2.5 were recorded in autumn, winter and spring from 2014, 2016 to 2019 and 2015 in all four seasons. PM10 showed increases in autumn and winter from 2014 to 2020 within the established limits. We observed a positive and significant association between PM2,5 concentration and the spirometry parameters of forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and "reversibility percentage" or "bronchodilator response percentage". The association of PM10 and forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, and peak expiratory flow, was also statistically significant. Conclusion. Asthma cases occur on average at 47 years of age in overweight or obese people. We observed a positive association between particles PM2,5 and PM10 with spirometric parameters, stronger with particulate matter PM2,5.
Introducción. El asma es una enfermedad crónica que afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo. La calidad del aire es uno de los factores clave que puede desencadenar los síntomas del asma. Objetivo. Analizar la calidad del aire y su relación con el asma en habitantes de grandes altitudes en La Paz (Bolivia). Materiales y métodos. Se desarrolló un estudio analítico, descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se recolectaron datos de pacientes con diagnóstico de asma en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax y en el Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. Además, se monitoreó la calidad del aire y su material particulado en las estaciones de la "Red de monitoreo de la calidad del aire". Resultados. El 56,9 % de los casos fueron mujeres del Instituto Nacional del Tórax y el 45,7 % del Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. En ambas instituciones, la media de edad fue de 47 años y los pacientes presentaban sobrepeso u obesidad. Se registraron incrementos de material particulado fino (PM2,5) en otoño, invierno y primavera, en 2014, 2016-2019 y en las cuatro estaciones del 2015. El material particulado inhalable grueso (PM10) se incrementó en otoño e invierno del 2014 al 2020, dentro de los límites establecidos. Se observó una asociación positiva y significativa entre la concentración de material particulado PM2,5 y los parámetros espirométricos de capacidad vital forzada, flujo espiratorio máximo y el porcentaje de reversión. La relación de partículas PM10 y los parámetros espirométricos de capacidad vital forzada, volumen espiratorio máximo en el primer segundo y flujo espiratorio máximo, también fue estadísticamente significativa. Conclusión. Los casos de asma se presentaron en promedio a los 47 años y en personas con sobrepeso u obesidad. Se observó una asociación positiva entre el material particulado, PM2,5 y PM10, con los parámetros espirométricos, la cual fue más marcada con las partículas PM2,5.
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Contaminación del Aire , Altitud , Asma , Material Particulado , Humanos , Asma/epidemiología , Bolivia/epidemiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Femenino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Material Particulado/análisis , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Masculino , Adulto , Contaminación del Aire/análisis , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Estaciones del Año , AncianoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Pollution harms the health of people with asthma. The effect of the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway in chronic allergic inflammation associated to pollution is poorly understood. METHODS: One hundred eight animals were divided into 18 groups (6 animals). Groups included: wild type mice (WT), genetically modified with reduced VAChT (VAChTKD), and those sensitized with ovalbumin (VAChTKDA), exposed to metal powder due to iron pelletizing in mining company (Local1) or 3.21 miles away from a mining company (Local2) in their locations for 2 weeks during summer and winter seasons. It was analyzed for hyperresponsivity, inflammation, remodeling, oxidative stress responses and the cholinergic system. RESULTS: During summer, animals without changes in the cholinergic system revealed that Local1 exposure increased the hyperresponsiveness (%Rrs, %Raw), and inflammation (IL-17) relative to vivarium animals, while animals exposed to Local2 also exhibited elevated IL-17. During winter, animals without changes in the cholinergic system revealed that Local2 exposure increased the hyperresponsiveness (%Rrs) relative to vivarium animals. Comparing the exposure local of these animals during summer, animals exposed to Local1 showed elevated %Rrs, Raw, and IL-5 compared to Local 2, while in winter, Local2 exposure led to more IL-17 than Local1. Animals with VAChT attenuation displayed increased %Rrs, NFkappaB, IL-5, and IL-13 but reduced alpha-7 compared to animals without changes in the cholinergic system WT. Animals with VAChT attenuation and asthma showed increased the hyperresponsiveness, all inflammatory markers, remodeling and oxidative stress compared to animals without chronic lung inflammation. Exposure to Local1 exacerbated the hyperresponsiveness, oxidative stressand inflammation in animals with VAChT attenuation associated asthma, while Local2 exposure led to increased inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced cholinergic signaling amplifies lung inflammation in a model of chronic allergic lung inflammation. Furthermore, when associated with pollution, it can aggravate specific responses related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and remodeling.
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The increase of coarse particulate matter (PM10) due to industrialization and urban sprawl has been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution and a threat to human skin health and premature aging. The objective was to analyze the antioxidant effect of phenolic-enriched extracts (PHE) obtained from black bean (BB) and pinto bean (PB) varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and pure phenolic compounds (rutin, catechin, and gallic acid) in two human dermal fibroblasts cell lines exposed to PM10. Petunidin-3-O-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin, with 57 ± 0.9 mg/g dry extract (DE) in PHE-BB. Gallic acid was the prevalent phenolic acid with 8.2 ± 2.8 mg/g DE in PHE-BB (p < 0.05). Hs27 and Hs68 cell lines were exposed to PM10 (100 µg/mL) to induce oxidative stress; PHE-BB reduced it by 69% ± 12 and PHE-PB by 80% ± 5 relative to PM10 treatment (p < 0.05). Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside showed the highest binding affinity in adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) with -9.0 kcal/mol and quercetin-3-D-galactoside with -6.9 kcal/mol in sirtuin 1 (Sirt1). Rutin increased the expression of Sirt1 by 30% (p < 0.05) in the Hs27 cell line treated with PM10. Common bean extracts can potentially reduce oxidative stress induced by PM10 in human dermal fibroblasts.
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Fibroblastos , Phaseolus , Extractos Vegetales , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos , Polifenoles , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno , Humanos , Fibroblastos/efectos de los fármacos , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/química , Phaseolus/química , Línea Celular , Polifenoles/farmacología , Polifenoles/química , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/farmacología , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/química , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Antioxidantes/química , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Resumen Introducción. El asma es una enfermedad crónica que afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo. La calidad del aire es uno de los factores clave que puede desencadenar los síntomas del asma. Objetivo. Analizar la calidad del aire y su relación con el asma en habitantes de grandes altitudes en La Paz (Bolivia). Materiales y métodos. Se desarrolló un estudio analítico, descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se recolectaron datos de pacientes con diagnóstico de asma en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax y en el Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. Además, se monitoreó la calidad del aire y su material particulado en las estaciones de la "Red de monitoreo de la calidad del aire". Resultados. El 56,9 % de los casos fueron mujeres del Instituto Nacional del Tórax y el 45,7 % del Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. En ambas instituciones, la media de edad fue de 47 años y los pacientes presentaban sobrepeso u obesidad. Se registraron incrementos de material particulado fino (PM2,5) en otoño, invierno y primavera, en 2014, 2016-2019 y en las cuatro estaciones del 2015. El material particulado inhalable grueso (PM10) se incrementó en otoño e invierno del 2014 al 2020, dentro de los límites establecidos. Se observó una asociación positiva y significativa entre la concentración de material particulado PM2,5 y los parámetros espirométricos de capacidad vital forzada, flujo espiratorio máximo y el porcentaje de reversión. La relación de partículas PM10 y los parámetros espirométricos de capacidad vital forzada, volumen espiratorio máximo en el primer segundo y flujo espiratorio máximo, también fue estadísticamente significativa. Conclusión. Los casos de asma se presentaron en promedio a los 47 años y en personas con sobrepeso u obesidad. Se observó una asociación positiva entre el material particulado, PM2,5 y PM10, con los parámetros espirométricos, la cual fue más marcada con las partículas PM2,5.
Abstract Introduction. Asthma is a chronic disease affecting millions of people around the world. Air quality is a major factor in triggering asthma symptoms. Objective. To analyze air quality and asthma in high-altitude residents of La Paz, Bolivia. Materials and methods. In this analytical, descriptive, and retrospective study, we collected data from patients diagnosed with asthma at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax and the Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. In addition, air quality monitoring of particulate matter was carried out at the stations of the Red de Monitoreo de la Calidad del Aire. Results. Women represented 56.9% of cases at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax and the Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura. In both institutions, the average age was 47 years and patients were overweight or obese. Increases in PM2.5 were recorded in autumn, winter and spring from 2014, 2016 to 2019 and 2015 in all four seasons. PM10 showed increases in autumn and winter from 2014 to 2020 within the established limits. We observed a positive and significant association between PM2,5 concentration and the spirometry parameters of forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow,, and "reversibility percentage" or "bronchodilator response percentage". The association of PM10 and forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, and peak expiratory flow, was also statistically significant. Conclusion. Asthma cases occur on average at 47 years of age in overweight or obese people. We observed a positive association between particles PM2,5 and PM10 with spirometric parameters, stronger with particulate matter PM2,5.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a significant global public health concern. Recent epidemiological studies have highlighted the link between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and a decline in renal function. PM2.5 exerts harmful effects on various organs through oxidative stress and inflammation. Acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) involves biological processes similar to those involved in PM2.5 toxicity and is a known risk factor for CKD. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of PM2.5 exposure on IRI-induced AKI. Through a unique environmentally controlled setup, mice were exposed to urban PM2.5 or filtered air for 12 weeks before IRI followed by euthanasia 48 h after surgery. Animals exposed to PM2.5 and IRI exhibited reduced glomerular filtration, impaired urine concentration ability, and significant tubular damage. Further, PM2.5 aggravated local innate immune responses and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as enhancing cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway activation. This increased renal senescence and suppressed the anti-ageing protein klotho, leading to early fibrotic changes. In vitro studies using proximal tubular epithelial cells exposed to PM2.5 and hypoxia/reoxygenation revealed heightened activation of the STING pathway triggered by cytoplasmic mitochondrial DNA, resulting in increased tubular damage and a pro-inflammatory phenotype. In summary, our findings imply a role for PM2.5 in sensitising proximal tubular epithelial cells to IRI-induced damage, suggesting a plausible association between PM2.5 exposure and heightened susceptibility to CKD in individuals experiencing AKI. Strategies aimed at reducing PM2.5 concentrations and implementing preventive measures may improve outcomes for AKI patients and mitigate the progression from AKI to CKD. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Lesión Renal Aguda , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Material Particulado , Daño por Reperfusión , Animales , Lesión Renal Aguda/patología , Lesión Renal Aguda/inducido químicamente , Lesión Renal Aguda/etiología , Lesión Renal Aguda/metabolismo , Daño por Reperfusión/patología , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Material Particulado/toxicidad , Ratones , Masculino , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Riñón/patología , Riñón/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Tasa de Filtración GlomerularRESUMEN
Introduction: Air quality is directly affected by pollutant emission from vehicles, especially in large cities and metropolitan areas or when there is no compliance check for vehicle emission standards. Particulate Matter (PM) is one of the pollutants emitted from fuel burning in internal combustion engines and remains suspended in the atmosphere, causing respiratory and cardiovascular health problems to the population. In this study, we analyzed the interaction between vehicular emissions, meteorological variables, and particulate matter concentrations in the lower atmosphere, presenting methods for predicting and forecasting PM2.5. Methods: Meteorological and vehicle flow data from the city of Curitiba, Brazil, and particulate matter concentration data from optical sensors installed in the city between 2020 and 2022 were organized in hourly and daily averages. Prediction and forecasting were based on two machine learning models: Random Forest (RF) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. The baseline model for prediction was chosen as the Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model, and for forecast, we used the naive estimation as baseline. Results: RF showed that on hourly and daily prediction scales, the planetary boundary layer height was the most important variable, followed by wind gust and wind velocity in hourly or daily cases, respectively. The highest PM prediction accuracy (99.37%) was found using the RF model on a daily scale. For forecasting, the highest accuracy was 99.71% using the LSTM model for 1-h forecast horizon with 5 h of previous data used as input variables. Discussion: The RF and LSTM models were able to improve prediction and forecasting compared with MLR and Naive, respectively. The LSTM was trained with data corresponding to the period of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021) and was able to forecast the concentration of PM2.5 in 2022, in which the data show that there was greater circulation of vehicles and higher peaks in the concentration of PM2.5. Our results can help the physical understanding of factors influencing pollutant dispersion from vehicle emissions at the lower atmosphere in urban environment. This study supports the formulation of new government policies to mitigate the impact of vehicle emissions in large cities.
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This study is a comprehensive analysis of the oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) and its environmental and health impacts. The researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis and scoping review, screening 569 articles and selecting 368 for further analysis. The study found that OP is an emerging field of study, with a notable increase in the number of publications in the 2010s compared to the early 2000s. The research is primarily published in eight journals and is concentrated in a few academic and university-based institutions. The study identified key research hotspots for OP-PM, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, interdisciplinary collaboration, understanding emission sources and atmospheric processes, and the impacts of PM and its OP. The study highlighted the need to consider the effects of climate change on OP-PM and the regulatory framework for PM research. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of PM and its consequences, including human exposure and its effects. It will also inform strategies for managing air quality and protecting public health. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the field of OP-PM research and highlights the need for continued research and collaboration to address the environmental and health impacts of PM.
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Air pollution is an urgent concern linked to numerous health problems in low- and middle-income countries, where 92% of air pollution-related deaths occur. Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is the most harmful component of air pollutants, increasing inflammation and changing gut microbiota, favoring obesity, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). PM2.5 contains lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which can activate the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway. This pathway can lead to the release of pro-inflammatory markers, including interleukins, and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3), which inhibits leptin action, a hormone that keeps the energy homeostasis. Leptin plays a role in preventing amyloid plaque deposition and hyperphosphorylation of tau-protein (p-tau), mechanisms involved in the neurodegeneration in AD. Approximately 50 million people worldwide are affected by dementia, with a significant proportion living in low-and middle-income countries. This number is expected to triple by 2050. This mini-review focuses on the potential impact of PM2.5 exposure on the TLR4 signaling pathway, its contribution to leptin resistance, and dysbiosis that exacerbates the link between obesity and AD.
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Contaminación del Aire , Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Inflamación , Leptina , Obesidad , Material Particulado , Animales , Humanos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/efectos adversos , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/etiología , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Inflamación/metabolismo , Inflamación/etiología , Leptina/metabolismo , Obesidad/metabolismo , Obesidad/etiología , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Transducción de Señal , Receptor Toll-Like 4/metabolismoRESUMEN
SUMMARY: The study explores the relationship between chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sourced from wood smoke, and the histological structure and endocrine function of the uterus in nulliparous adult rats. It assesses potential structural changes in the uterus that could impact reproductive health, viewing PM2.5 exposure as a possible risk factor. A controlled experiment was conducted in a city known for high air pollution levels, exposing rats to filtered and unfiltered air conditions, thus mimicking human PM2.5 exposure. Histological findings indicated a significant increase in collagen density and uterine wall thickness in PM2.5 exposed subjects, suggesting a reproductive function risk. However, no significant differences were observed in progesterone and estradiol hormone levels, pointing to the complex relationship between PM2.5 exposure and its endocrine impact, and emphasizing the need for further studies for a deeper understanding. This work highlights the importance of thoroughly investigating the long-term effects of PM2.5 pollution on reproductive health, underlining the significance of considering environmental exposure as a critical factor in reproductive health research.
El estudio explora la relación entre la exposición crónica a partículas finas (PM2,5), procedentes del humo de leña, y la estructura histológica y la función endocrina del útero en ratas adultas nulíparas. Evalúa posibles cambios estructurales en el útero que podrían afectar la salud reproductiva, considerando la exposición a PM2,5 como un posible factor de riesgo. Se llevó a cabo un experimento controlado en una ciudad conocida por sus altos niveles de contaminación del aire, exponiendo ratas a condiciones de aire filtrado y sin filtrar, imitando así la exposición humana a PM2,5. Los hallazgos histológicos indicaron un aumento significativo en la densidad del colágeno y el grosor de la pared uterina en sujetos expuestos a PM2,5, lo que sugiere un riesgo para la función reproductiva. Sin embargo, no se observaron diferencias significativas en los niveles de las hormonas progesterona y estradiol, lo que apunta a la compleja relación entre la exposición a PM2,5 y su impacto endocrino, y enfatiza la necesidad de realizar más estudios para una comprensión más profunda. Este trabajo destaca la importancia de investigar a fondo los efectos a largo plazo de la contaminación por PM2,5 en la salud reproductiva, subrayando la importancia de considerar la exposición ambiental como un factor crítico en la investigación de la salud reproductiva.
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Animales , Femenino , Ratas , Humo/efectos adversos , Útero/efectos de los fármacos , Madera , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/toxicidad , Contaminación del Aire , Material Particulado/toxicidad , Genitales Femeninos/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Fungi are ubiquitous and metabolically versatile. Their dispersion has important scientific, environmental, health, and economic implications. They can be dispersed through the air by the aerosolization of near surfaces or transported from distant sources. Here, we tested the contribution of local (scale of meters) versus regional (kilometers) sources by analyzing an airborne fungal community by ITS sequencing around a copper mine in the North of Chile. The mine was the regional source, whereas the soil and vegetal detritus were the local sources at each point. The airborne community was highly homogeneous at ca. 2000 km2, impeding the detection of regional or local contributions. Ascomycota was the dominant phylum in the three communities. Soil and vegetal detritus communities had lower alpha diversity, but some taxa had abundance patterns related to the distance from the mine and altitude. On the contrary, the air was compositionally even and unrelated to environmental or spatial factors, except for altitude. The presence of plant pathogens in the air suggests that other distant sources contribute to this region's airborne fungal community and reinforces the complexity of tracking the sources of air microbial communities in a real world where several natural and human activities coexist.
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Exposure to particulate matter (PM) pollution is a significant health risk, driving the search for innovative metrics that more accurately reflect the potential harm to human health. Among these, oxidative potential (OP) has emerged as a promising health-based metric, yet its application and relevance across different environments remain to be further explored. This study, set in two high-altitude Bolivian cities, aims to identify the most significant sources of PM-induced oxidation in the lungs and assess the utility of OP in assessing PM health impacts. Utilizing two distinct assays, OPDTT and OPDCFH, we measured the OP of PM samples, while also examining the associations between PM mass, OP, and black carbon (BC) concentrations with hospital visits for acute respiratory infections (ARI) and pneumonia over a range of exposure lags (0-2 weeks) using a Poisson regression model adjusted for meteorological conditions. The analysis also leveraged Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to link these health outcomes to specific PM sources, building on a prior source apportionment study utilizing the same dataset. Our findings highlight anthropogenic combustion, particularly from traffic and biomass burning, as the primary contributors to OP in these urban sites. Significant correlations were observed between both OPDTT and PM2.5 concentration exposure and ARI hospital visits, alongside a notable association with pneumonia cases and OPDTT levels. Furthermore, PMF analysis demonstrated a clear link between traffic-related pollution and increased hospital admissions for respiratory issues, affirming the health impact of these sources. These results underscore the potential of OPDTT as a valuable metric for assessing the health risks associated with acute PM exposure, showcasing its broader application in environmental health studies.
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Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Altitud , Ciudades , Material Particulado , Material Particulado/análisis , Bolivia/epidemiología , Humanos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Adulto , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/epidemiología , Oxidación-Reducción , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Femenino , Neumonía/epidemiología , Neumonía/inducido químicamente , Adulto Joven , Adolescente , Contaminación del Aire/análisis , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Niño , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , PreescolarRESUMEN
Although some studies have found that short-term PM2.5 exposure is associated with lung cancer deaths, its impact on other cancer sites is unclear. To answer this research question, this time-stratified case-crossover study used individual cancer death data between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2019, extracted from the Brazilian mortality information system to quantify the associations between short-term PM2.5 exposure and cancer mortality from 25 common cancer sites. Daily PM2.5 concentration was aggregated at the municipality level as the key exposure. The study included a total of 34,516,120 individual death records, with the national daily mean PM2.5 exposure 15.3 (SD 4.3) µg/m3. For every 10-µg/m3 increase in three-day average PM2.5 exposure, the odds ratio (OR) for all-cancer mortality was 1.04 (95% CI 1.03-1.04). Apart from all-cancer deaths, PM2.5 exposure may impact cancers of oesophagus (1.04, 1.00-1.08), stomach (1.05, 1.02-1.08), colon-rectum (1.04, 1.01-1.06), lung (1.04, 1.02-1.06), breast (1.03, 1.00-1.06), prostate (1.07, 1.04-1.10), and leukaemia (1.05, 1.01-1.09). During the study period, acute PM2.5 exposure contributed to an estimated 1,917,994 cancer deaths, ranging from 0 to 6,054 cases in each municipality. Though there has been a consistent downward trend in PM2.5-related all-cancer mortality risks from 2000 to 2019, the impact remains significant, indicating the continued importance of cancer patients avoiding PM2.5 exposure. This nationwide study revealed a notable association between acute PM2.5 exposure and heightened overall and site-specific cancer mortality for the first time to our best knowledge. The findings suggest the importance of considering strategies to minimize such exposure in cancer care guidelines. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: The 20-year analysis of nationwide death records in Brazil revealed that heightened short-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with increased cancer mortality at various sites, although this association has gradually decreased over time. Despite the declining impact, the research highlights the persistent adverse effects of PM2.5 on cancer mortality, emphasizing the importance of continued research and preventive measures to address the ongoing public health challenges posed by air pollution.
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Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Neoplasias , Material Particulado , Humanos , Material Particulado/toxicidad , Material Particulado/análisis , Brasil/epidemiología , Neoplasias/mortalidad , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/toxicidad , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/efectos adversos , Masculino , Femenino , Estudios Cruzados , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , AdultoRESUMEN
Particulate matter is a type of air pollution that consists of fine particles with a diameter <2.5 µm (PM2.5), which can easily penetrate the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream, increasing health risks for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Recent reports have suggested that there is a positive association between PM2.5 exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, most evidence of this relationship comes from Western countries. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the association between PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy and birth outcomes among pregnant women in Colombia. This study included 542,800 singletons born in 2019 to Colombian women, aged 15+ years, residing in 981 municipalities. Data on parental, child and birth characteristics were extracted from anonymized live birth records. Satellite-based estimates of monthly PM2.5 concentrations at the surface level were extracted for each municipality from the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group (ACAG). PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy was indicated by the monthly average of PM2.5 concentrations across the pregnancy duration for the municipality where the child was born. The associations of municipality-level PM2.5 concentration during pregnancy with pre-term birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) were tested in separate two-level logistic regression models, with babies nested within municipalities. The prevalence of PTB and LBW were 8.6 % and 8.3 %, respectively. The mean PM2.5 concentration across the 981 municipalities was 18.26 ± 3.30 µg/m3, ranging from 9.11 to 31.44 µg/m3. Greater PM2.5 concentration at municipality level was associated with greater odds of PTB (1.05; 95%CI: 1.04-1.06) and LBW (1.04; 95%CI: 1.03-1.05), after adjustment for confounders. Our findings provide new evidence on the association between PM2.5 on adverse pregnancy outcomes from a middle-income country.