Environmental research
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Environmental research · Nov 2018
Prenatal nitrate air pollution exposure and reduced child lung function: Timing and fetal sex effects.
Prenatal particulate air pollution exposure may alter lung growth and development in utero in a time-sensitive and sex-specific manner, resulting in reduced lung function in childhood. Such relationships have not been examined for nitrate (NO3-). ⋯ Early gestational NO3- exposure is associated with reduced child lung function, especially in boys.
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Environmental research · Oct 2018
Copper and zinc levels in soil, water, wheat, and hair of inhabitants of three areas of the Orenburg region, Russia.
The objective of the present study was to assess the level of zinc and copper in soil, water, wheat and hair of inhabitants of the western, central, and eastern areas of the Orenburg region. A total of 525 water, soil, and wheat samples, as well as 420 hair samples were assessed using atomic absorption spectrometry (water, soil, wheat) and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (hair). The highest levels of Zn and Cu in water (4.9(4.2-5.1) and 1.0(0.9-1.1) mg/l), soil (23.8(20.7-27.0) and 2.6(1.9-3.1) mg/kg), and wheat (24.7(20.5-31.0) and 4.8(4.2-5.5) mg/kg) were observed in the eastern area (p < 0.001). ⋯ For copper significant direct correlation was observed only between soil and water Cu content. In multiple regression models, only water zinc level was significantly associated with hair Zn content, although the general model accounted for 55% of variability of hair Zn content. Higher zinc and copper exposure in the eastern area is presumably associated with higher activity of metal-processing industry.
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Environmental research · Aug 2018
Second-hand smoke exposure in outdoor hospitality venues: Smoking visibility and assessment of airborne markers.
After the implementation of smoke-free policies in indoor hospitality venues (including bars, cafeterias, restaurants, and pubs), smokers may have been displaced to their outdoor areas. We aimed to study smoking visibility and second-hand smoke exposure in outdoor hospitality venues. ⋯ Outdoor hospitality venues are areas where non-smokers, both employees and patrons, continue to be exposed to second-hand smoke. These spaces should be further studied and considered in future tobacco control interventions.
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Environmental research · Feb 2018
The association between exposure to air pollutants including PM10, PM2.5, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide concentration and the relative risk of developing STEMI: A case-crossover design.
Unfavorable associations between air pollution and myocardial infarction are broadly investigated in recent studies and some of them revealed considerable associations; however, controversies exists between these investigations with regard to culprit components of air pollution and significance of correlation between myocardial infarction risk and air pollution. ⋯ Air pollution is a worldwide pandemic with great potential to cause terrible events especially cardiovascular ones. PM2.5 and PM10 are amongst ambient air pollutant with a high risk of developing STEMI. Thus, more restrictive legislations should be applied to define a safe level of indoor and outdoor air pollutant production.
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Environmental research · Feb 2018
Systemic inflammatory markers associated with cardiovascular disease and acute and chronic exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) among US NHANES adults with metabolic syndrome.
There has been no investigation to date of adults with metabolic syndrome examining the association of short and long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution with cardiovascular-disease related inflammatory marker (WBC and CRP) levels in a nationally representative sample. The goal of this study is to assess the susceptibility of adults with metabolic syndrome to PM2.5 exposure as suggested by increased cardiovascular-disease related inflammatory marker levels. ⋯ A total of 7134 NHANES participants (35% with metabolic syndrome) met the inclusion criteria. After adjusting for confounders, we observed a significant effect of PM2.5 acutely at lag day 0 on CRP level; a 10µg/m3 rise in lag day 0 PM2.5 level was associated with a 10.1% increase (95% CI: 2.2-18.6%) in CRP levels for participants with metabolic syndrome. For those without metabolic syndrome, the change in CRP was -1.3% (95% CI -8.8%, 6.8%). There were no significant associations for WBC count. In this first national study of the effect of PM2.5 air pollution on levels of cardiovascular-disease related inflammatory markers in adults with metabolic syndrome, CRP levels were found to be significantly increased in those with this condition with increased fine particulate matter levels at lag day 0. With one third of US adults with metabolic syndrome, the health impact of PM2.5 in this sensitive population may be significant.