Environmental health perspectives
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Environ. Health Perspect. · Apr 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialExposure to household air pollution from wood combustion and association with respiratory symptoms and lung function in nonsmoking women: results from the RESPIRE trial, Guatemala.
With 40% of the world's population relying on solid fuel, household air pollution (HAP) represents a major preventable risk factor for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Meta-analyses have confirmed this relationship; however, constituent studies are observational, with virtually none measuring exposure directly. ⋯ Our results provide further support for the effects of HAP exposures on airway inflammation. Further longitudinal research modeling continuous exposure to particulate matter against lung function will help us understand more fully the impact of HAP on COPD.
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Environ. Health Perspect. · Mar 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialReducing personal exposure to particulate air pollution improves cardiovascular health in patients with coronary heart disease.
Air pollution exposure increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and is a major global public health concern. ⋯ Reducing personal exposure to air pollution using a highly efficient face mask appeared to reduce symptoms and improve a range of cardiovascular health measures in patients with coronary heart disease. Such interventions to reduce personal exposure to PM air pollution have the potential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events in this highly susceptible population.
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Environ. Health Perspect. · Nov 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialIntervention to lower household wood smoke exposure in Guatemala reduces ST-segment depression on electrocardiograms.
A large body of evidence suggests that fine particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a cause of cardiovascular disease, but little is known in particular about the cardiovascular effects of indoor air pollution from household use of solid fuels in developing countries. RESPIRE (Randomized Exposure Study of Pollution Indoors and Respiratory Effects) was a randomized trial of a chimney woodstove that reduces wood smoke exposure. ⋯ The stove intervention was associated with reduced occurrence of nonspecific ST-segment depression, suggesting that household wood smoke exposures affect ventricular repolarization and potentially cardiovascular health.
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Environ. Health Perspect. · Oct 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of reduced maternal exposures to wood smoke from an introduced chimney stove on newborn birth weight in rural Guatemala.
A growing body of evidence indicates a relationship between household indoor air pollution from cooking fires and adverse neonatal outcomes, such as low birth weight (LBW), in resource-poor countries. ⋯ A chimney stove reduced wood smoke exposures and was associated with reduced LBW occurrence. Although not statistically significant, the estimated effect was consistent with previous studies.
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Environ. Health Perspect. · Jul 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialChimney stove intervention to reduce long-term wood smoke exposure lowers blood pressure among Guatemalan women.
RESPIRE, a randomized trial of an improved cookstove, was conducted in Guatemala to assess health effects of long-term reductions in wood smoke exposure. Given the evidence that ambient particles increase blood pressure, we hypothesized that the intervention would lower blood pressure. ⋯ The between-group comparisons provide evidence, particularly for DBP, that the chimney stove reduces blood pressure, and the before-and-after comparisons are consistent with this evidence.