A review of recent advances in metal-organic frameworks materials for zero-energy passive adsorption of chemical pollutants in indoor environments.

Approximately 75-90 % of a person's lifetime is spent inside increasingly airtight buildings, where indoor pollutant levels typically exceed those outdoors. Poor indoor air quality can lead to allergies, respiratory diseases, and even cancer, and can also reduce the longevity of buildings. Passive adsorption materials play a crucial role in reducing indoor pollutants. This review highlights the latest advances in using Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) as passive adsorption materials for indoor pollutant capture and outlines the principles for developing high-performance adsorbents. It provides a comparative analysis of the development and performance of MOFs and composite adsorbent materials, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations in indoor pollutant adsorption technology. The article proposes strategies to address these challenges and offers a comprehensive review of current practical adsorption devices. Finally, aiming to advance commercialization of MOFs, the anticipated development of indoor pollutant adsorption technology is discussed in this paper.

Effects of indoor environments and outdoor air pollutants in residential areas on acute exacerbation in patients with severe asthma.

This study aimed to determine the effects of indoor environment (IE) and outdoor air pollutants (OAPs) in residential areas on acute exacerbation (AE) in patients with severe asthma. A total of 115 participants were recruited. To characterize IE, we used structured questionnaires and estimated OAP concentrations using a land-use regression model. Participants who were exposed to passive smoking and lived in houses where the kitchen and living room were not separated showed a significantly higher rate of AE (p = 0.014 and 0.0016, respectively). The mean concentration of PM2.5 in residential areas during the last 3 years was significantly higher in participants with AE than that in those without AE (19.8 ± 3.1 vs. 21.0 ± 2.5 µg/m3, p = 0.033). Moreover, the serum level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine significantly increased in participants with AE compared to those without AE (56.9 ± 30.0 vs. 94.7 ± 44.5 ng/mL, p = 0.0047) suggesting enhanced oxidative stress in those with AE.

Investigating exceedances of formaldehyde levels and source identification in offices of an academic medical institute.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors associated with indoor formaldehyde levels in office settings within an academic medical institute. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 offices (261 workers) at a medical university in Thailand. Questionnaires gathered data on demographics, work patterns, and office equipment usage (printers, photocopiers, air fresheners, liquid paper, glue, cleaning agents, and marker pens). The building environment was assessed by a multidisciplinary team. Formaldehyde levels and relevant parameters (temperature and relative humidity) were measured in each room both indoors and outdoors. A multiple linear regression model investigated the relationship between formaldehyde and office factors, controlling for room conditions. RESULTS: Median office formaldehyde levels were 442.1 µg/m3 (interquartile range: 343.8-908.7 µg/m3), exceeding World Health Organization and Thai guidelines. Photocopier use was significantly associated with higher levels of indoor formaldehyde (ß = .20; 95% CI, 0.30-0.37; P = .02). Air freshener use also showed a significant association (ß = .56; 95% CI, 0.30-0.81; P < .001). No correlation was found between the use of liquid paper, glue, printers, cleaning agents, or marker pens and indoor formaldehyde levels. CONCLUSIONS: Indoor formaldehyde levels in these offices exceeded the established guidelines. Use of photocopiers and air fresheners was associated with increased formaldehyde levels. Implementing interventions such as improved ventilation and regular screening is essential for creating healthier office environments.

Indoor air pollution and airway health.

Because of the disproportionate amount of time that people spend indoors and the complexities of air pollutant exposures found there, indoor air pollution is a growing concern for airway health. Both infiltration of outdoor air pollution into the indoor space and indoor sources (such as smoke from tobacco products, cooking or heating practices and combustion of associated fuels, and household materials) contribute to unique exposure mixtures. Although there is substantial literature on the chemistry of indoor air pollution, research focused on health effects is only beginning to emerge and remains an important area of need to protect public health. We provide a review of emerging literature spanning the past 3 years and relating indoor air exposures to airway health, with a specific focus on the impact of either individual pollutant exposures or common combustion sources on the lower airways. Factors defining susceptibility and/or vulnerability are reviewed with consideration for priority populations and modifiable risk factors that may be targeted to advance health equity.

Associations between fine particulate matter, gene expression, and promoter methylation in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed within a classroom under air-liquid interface.

Associations between indoor air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM with aerodynamic diameter dp < 2.5 µm) and human health are poorly understood. Here, we analyse the concentration-response curves for fine and ultrafine PM, the gene expression, and the methylation patterns in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) exposed at the air-liquid interface (ALI) within a classroom in downtown Rome. Our results document the upregulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and genes associated with xenobiotic metabolism (CYP1A1 and CYP1B1) in response to single exposure of cells to fresh urban aerosols at low fine PM mass concentrations within the classroom. This is evidenced by concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFPs, dp < 0.1 µm), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and ratios of black carbon (BC) to organic aerosol (OA). Additionally, an interleukin 18 (IL-18) down-regulation was found during periods of high human occupancy. Despite the observed gene expression dysregulation, no changes were detected in the methylation levels of the promoter regions of these genes, indicating that the altered gene expression is not linked to changes in DNA methylation and suggesting the involvement of another epigenetic mechanism in the gene regulation. Gene expression changes at low exposure doses have been previously reported. Here, we add the possibility that lung epithelial cells, when singly exposed to real environmental concentrations of fine PM that translate into ultra-low doses of treatment, may undergo epigenetic alteration in the expression of genes related to xenobiotic metabolism. Our findings provide a perspective for future indoor air quality regulations. We underscore the potential role of indoor UFPs as carriers of toxic molecules with low-pressure weather conditions, when rainfall and strong winds may favour low levels of fine PM.

Association of anaemia with indoor air pollution among older Indian adult population: multilevel modelling analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Anaemia is a disease of public health importance with multi-causal pathways. Previous literature suggests the role of indoor air pollution (IAP) on haemoglobin levels, but this has been studied less due to logistic constraints. A high proportion of the population in developing countries, including India, still depends on unclean fuel, which exacerbates IAP. The objective was to study the association between anaemia and IAP among the older Indian adult population (≥ 45 years) as per gender. METHODS: Our study analysed the nationally representative dataset of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI 2017-18, Wave-1). We have documented the association of anaemia (outcome variable) with IAP (explanatory variable). To reduce the confounding effects of demographic and socioeconomic; health related and behavioural covariates; propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted. Nested multilevel regression modelling was conducted. States and union territories were categorised cross tabulated as low, middle and high as per anaemia and IAP exposure. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. SATA version 17 was used for analysis. RESULTS: More than half (52.52%) of the participants were exposed to IAP (male (53.55%) > female (51.63%)). The odds of having anaemia was significantly 1.19 times higher (AOR 1.19 (1.09-1.31)) among participants using unclean/ solid fuel. The adjusted odds were significantly higher among participants exposed to pollution-generating sources (AOR 1.30; 1.18-1.43), and household indoor smoking (AOR 1.17 (1.07-1.29). The odds of having anaemia were significantly higher (AOR 1.26; 1.15-1.38) among participants exposed to IAP, which was higher in males (AOR 1.36; 1.15-1.61) than females (AOR 1.21; 1.08-1.35). Empowered Action Group (EAG) states like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar had both high anaemia and IAP exposure. CONCLUSION: This study established the positive association of anaemia with indoor air pollution among older Indian adults through a nationally representative large dataset. The association was higher among men. Further research is recommended to understand detailed causation and to establish temporality. It is a high time to implement positive intervention nationally to decrease solid/ unclean fuel usage, vulnerable ventilation, indoor smoking, IAP and health hazards associated with these with more focused actions towards EAG states.

Association between exposure to smoke from cooking fuels and anaemia among women of reproductive age in Ghana.

In low- and middle-income countries, indoor air pollution (IAP) is a serious public health concern, especially for women and children who cook with solid fuels. IAP exposure has been linked to a number of medical conditions, including pneumonia, ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and anaemia. Around 500 million women of reproductive age (WRA) suffer from anaemia globally, with an estimated 190 million cases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study, which is based on prior research, investigates the relationship between IAP exposure and anaemia among WRA in Ghana. A diverse sample of 2,406 WRA living in Ghana were interviewed, of which 58.06% were anaemic and used high-pollutant fuels for cooking. Age, place of residence, region, education level, religion, ethnicity, wealth index, type of drinking water, type of toilet facility, and type of cooking fuels were all found to be significantly linked with anaemic state by bivariate analysis. Type of cooking fuels utilized, age, region of residence, and the type of residence were shown to be significant predictors of anaemia status using sequential binary logit regression models. The results emphasise the critical need for efforts to promote the usage of clean cooking fuel in an attempt to lower anaemia prevalence in Ghana. To reduce dependency on solid fuels for cooking, initiatives should promote the use of cleaner cooking fuels and enhance the socioeconomic status of households. These interventions could have significant public health effects by reducing the burden of anaemia and improving maternal and child health outcomes due to the prevalence of anaemia among WRA. Overall, this study sheds light on the relationship between IAP exposure and anaemia in Ghana and highlights the demand for focused public health initiatives to address this serious health problem.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds in offices and in residential and educational buildings in the European Union between 2010 and 2023: A systematic review and health risk assessment.

Chronic exposure to indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can result in several adverse effects including cancers. We review reports of levels of VOCs in offices and in residential and educational buildings in the member states of the European Union (EU) published between 2010 and 2023. We use these data to assess the risk to population health by estimating lifetime exposure to indoor VOCs and resulting non-cancer and cancer risks and, from that, the burden of cancer attributable to VOC exposure and associated economic losses. Our systematic review identified 1783 articles, of which 184 were examined in detail, with 58 yielding relevant data. After combining data on VOC concentrations separately for EU countries and building types, non-cancer and cancer risks were assessed in terms of hazard quotient and lifetime excess cancer risk (LECR) using probabilistic Monte Carlo Simulations. The LECR was used to estimate disability adjusted life years (DALYs) from VOC-related cancers and associated costs. We find that the LECR associated with formaldehyde exposure was above the acceptable risk level (ARL) in France and Germany and that of from exposure to benzene was also above the ARL in Spanish females. The sum of DALYs and related costs/1,000,000 population/year from exposure to acetaldehyde, benzene, formaldehyde, tetrachloroethylene, and trichloroethylene were 4.02 and €41,010, respectively, in France, those from exposure to acetaldehyde, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene were 3.91 and €39,590 in Germany, and those from exposure to benzene were 0.1 and €1030 in Spain. Taken as a whole, these findings show that indoor exposure to VOCs remains a public health concern in the EU. Although the EU has set limits for certain VOCs, further measures are needed to restrict the use of these chemicals in consumer products.

Phytoremediation of formaldehyde by three selected non-native indoor plant species.

Formaldehyde is an organic volatile compound and a commonly used chemical in various construction materials thus causing dwellers to be exposed to it inside a building. Its remediation from indoor air has been carried out through various techniques where potted plants and living walls are at the front foot. It is necessary to study plants under various conditions for their efficiency. We selected three plant species Epipremnum aureum, Chlorophytum comosum, and Spathiphyllum wallisii non-native of Bahrain. These plants were tested under normal conditions in a sealed fumigation box where formaldehyde concentration was kept ∼3 ppm, CO2 ∼ 450 ppm, light intensity 1000 Lx (equal to 13.5 µmol.m-2.s-1), irrigated with tap water. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical method was performed to test the significant differences of purification efficiencies of the tested indoor plants against HCHO. In addition, the statistical method was used to test the significant difference, if any, of the plants to CO2 emission because of absorbing HCHO. The physical health of plants and their short-term remediation ability reveals that all plants exhibited up to 70% remediation potential and tolerance to remediate the target chemical. It is evident that the impact of local environmental factors on the plants is negligible.

Epipremnum aureum, Chlorophytum comosum, and Spathiphyllum wallisii are non-native plants available in Bahrain for decorative purposes.Their efficiency against formaldehyde under local indoor environment was studied for the first time.Under normal conditions the plant proved to be sufficiently tolerant toward normal conditions. The efficiency in normal soil system is very good.The efficiency of the three species was mutually compared, statistical modeling reveal that they are significantly close to each other in terms of formaldehyde remediation to purify ambient air.

A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Effects of Formaldehyde on the Upper Respiratory Tract.

Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants at high concentrations can have adverse health effects on the respiratory system of individuals who spend most of their time indoors. Formaldehyde (FA) is a common indoor air pollutant because of its extensive use in household products such as cleaners, floorings, and furnishings. As a chemical, FA is highly water soluble and reactive. When its airborne form is inhaled, it is mainly absorbed in the upper airways. FA has been extensively studied for its carcinogenic effects, but it can also cause inflammation in the upper airways. The objective of the current review was to assess the secondary effects of such inflammation and how it can contribute to an increased risk for upper respiratory infections, which are mostly caused by viruses. A rigorous literature review was conducted through gathering, reading, and analyzing relevant literature, including peer-reviewed articles published after 1990 and seminal literature regardless of publication date. Findings from the review provide a greater understanding of the outcomes of FA exposure, the potential accumulative damage to the upper respiratory tract, and the associated increased risk for acute infections of the upper respiratory tract. This information can help in the development and enforcement of stricter regulations for furniture and building materials for household-related products to limit exposure to indoor pollutants such as FA.

Pulsed radio wave as a sustainable control technology to improve indoor air quality.

The need for technologies that can clean the air indoors has grown in pace with the rise in outside pollution. Maintaining interior environment adaptability requires a permanent air purification system that may be utilized to control PM2.5/10. In addition to more traditional methods of air purification, developing advanced control systems that effectively reduce PM levels sustainably is necessary. Pulsed radio waves may expedite the dry deposition of particles having aerodynamic dimensions of less than 30 µm. The charging and coagulation processes are evaluated in an indoor restricted environment. Experimental results reveal a similar pattern to the Monte Carlo models. Distribution of charge due to the nature of the charging environment increases the coagulation rate. Contained experimental testing confirms the filtering system functions as expected, corroborated by the present research. Daily average levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were lowered by between 55 and 41% according to a study done in three indoor settings using the control technology. Research conducted throughout all seasons showed that the approach was consistently efficient in reducing PM2.5/10. It was shown that PM concentrations could be lowered by around 45 percent using pulse radio wave technology, leading to this conclusion. The use of electromagnetic waves (EM waves) to eliminate air pollution has been suggested as a radical new approach. Considering the limitations of already used strategies, this is of paramount significance while considering solutions to control air pollution.

Indoor air pollution: an Italian Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) study among the general population.

Background: Indoor air pollution negatively affects population health and the national health services in terms of socio-economic costs. The presence of indoor pollutants depends a lot on lifestyles. Study design: The aim of this work is to evaluate knowledge, daily habits and the preventive behaviors in order to contrast the effects on health caused by indoor pollutants. Methods: The study was conducted through the administration of questionnaires to the population resident in the metropolitan city of Messina (Italy), asking about sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, daily habits and preventive behaviors. Results: The questionnaire was filled by 894 subjects (46.8% M; 53.2% F). Regarding knowledge, 66.8% had heard of indoor air pollution and 94.9% knew what the most common indoor pollutants are; regarding daily habits they often aired out the house (91.9% in the morning and 71.4% after cleaning), 24.8% were smokers and 36.7 of them smoked indoors; regarding preventive behaviors, 41.6% chose the cleaning products based on habit and only 32.9% bought plants able to purify environments. Conclusions: Although the analyzed population had adequate knowledge of indoor air pollution, this did not strongly impact on the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Therefore, it becomes necessary to intervene on a social level with environmental education activities, starting from school age.

Microalgal biochar assisted simultaneous removal of particulate matter, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC's) from indoor air.

Biochar-based materials for air treatment have gained significant attention for removing health-detrimental volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) in indoor air settings. However, high turnaround time, multiple pretreatment processes involved, and high pore size and low surface area (>10 µm, <100 m2 g-1) of lignocellulosic feedstocks demand alternative biochar feedstock material. Considering this, we designed a simple first-of-its-kind indoor air scrubbing material using diatoms-enriched microalgae biochar. In the present study, the microalgae were cultivated on waste anaerobic digestate (biogas slurry) and were pyrolyzed at three different temperatures: 300 °C (BC300), 500 °C (BC500), and 700 °C (BC700). The BC500 and BC700 showed the highest removal efficiencies (99 %) for total volatile organic carbons (TVOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) at concentrations of 1.22 mg m-3 HCHO and 8.57 mg m-3 TVOC compared to 50% efficiency obtained with commercially available surgical, cloth, and N95 masks. The biochar obtained showed a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 238 m2 g-1 (BC500) and 480 m2 g-1 (BC700) and an average pore size of 9-11 nm due to the mesoporous characteristic of diatom frustules. The comparatively poor performance of BC300 was due to lower surface area (150 m2 g-1) arising from incomplete organic removal, as evidenced by FESEM-EDX and FTIR. The high removal efficiencies in BC500 and BC700 were also attributed to the presence of reactive functional groups such as -OH and R-NH2. Concurrently, the average particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) removal efficiency for BC500 and BC 700 ranged between 66 and 82.69 %. The PM removal performance of BC500 and BC700 was lower (15-20%) than commercially available masks. Overall, the present study highlights the importance of diatoms (reactive Si) present inside the pores of microalgal biochar for enhanced removal of PM, TVOCs, and HCHO at temperatures above 500 °C. This complete approach signifies a step towards establishing a self-sustainable and circular process characterized by minimal waste generation for indoor air treatment.

Reconsidering gas as clean energy: Switching to electricity for household cooking to reduce NO2-attributed disease burden.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a prevalent air pollutant in urban areas, originating from outdoor sources, household gas consumption, and secondhand smoke. The limited evaluation of the disease burden attributable to NO2, encompassing different health effects and contributions from various sources, impedes our understanding from a public health perspective. Based on modeled NO2 exposure concentrations, their exposure-response relationships with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus, and baseline disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), we estimated that 1,675 (655-2,624) thousand DALYs were attributable to NO2 in urban China in 2019 [138 (54-216) billion Chinese yuan (CNY) economic losses]. The transition from gas to electricity for household cooking was estimated to reduce the attributable economic losses by 35%. This reduction falls within the range of reductions achieved when outdoor air meets the World Health Organization interim target 3 and air quality guidelines for annual NO2, highlighting the significance of raising awareness of gas as a polluting household energy for cooking. These findings align with global sustainable development initiatives, providing a sustainable solution to promote public health while potentially mitigating climate change.

Health risk assessment from inhalation exposure to indoor formaldehyde: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated studies on formaldehyde (FA) inhalation exposure in indoor environments and related carcinogenic (CR) and non-carcinogenic (HQ) risk. Studies were obtained from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and Embase databases without time limitation until November 21, 2023. Studies not meeting the criteria of Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes (PECO) were excluded. The 45 articles included belonged to the 5 types of sites: dwelling environments, educational centers, kindergartens, vehicle cabins, and other indoor environments. A meta-analysis determined the average effect size (ES) between indoor FA concentrations, CR, and HQ values in each type of indoor environment. FA concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 1620 µg/m3. The highest FA concentrations were stated in water pipe cafés and the lowest in residential environments. In more than 90% of the studies uncertain (1.00 ×10-6 1.00 ×10-4) due to FA inhalation exposure was reported and non-carcinogenic risk was stated acceptable. The meta-analysis revealed the highest CR values due to inhalation of indoor FA in high-income countries. As 90% of the time is spent indoors, it is crucial to adopt effective strategies to reduce FA concentrations, especially in kindergartens and schools, with regular monitoring of indoor air quality.

A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study on Respiratory Health and Spirometry-Assessed Pulmonary Function Among Textile Workers in Tamil Nadu, India.

Introduction The textile industry is one of the largest economic activities. Still, the laborers involved in it are exposed to various health-damaging air pollutants, putting them at risk of health issues including morbidities of the respiratory system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pulmonary function parameters of the workers involved in textile manufacturing-related jobs. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out among adult individuals who had been working in textile manufacturing-related jobs as their main work. The details such as sociodemographic, clinical, workplace conditions, and smoking habits were collected, as well as chest auscultation and lung spirometry using a hand-held spirometer. The participants who had normal and abnormal lung function patterns were statistically analyzed for potential influencing factors. Results The findings of the study conducted from 95 eligible participants identified that the pulmonary function parameters assessed by spirometry were in the abnormal range among 84 (88%) participants. Around 72 (82%) of them had a restrictive pattern, and six (6%) had both restrictive and obstructive (mixed) patterns of lung disease. Smokers and those who lacked cross-ventilation and/or fresh source of air in the workplace were more likely to have abnormal lung function. Participants who had their workplace and residence as same had significantly 6.44 (95% CI: 1.24, 33.36) times higher odds of having abnormal lung function in spirometry. Conclusion As workers involved in household-run textile manufacturing jobs are found to be at a higher risk of developing abnormal lung function, using personal protective equipment, following occupational safety measures, and improving the working environment to acceptable standards are essential to safeguard the respiratory health of laborers in such unorganized sectors.

Household use of solid fuel and sarcopenia among middle-aged and older adults: The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have examined the effects of air pollution on the risk of sarcopenia, especially pollution in indoor settings. We explored the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of household use of solid fuel for cooking and heating, separately and simultaneously, with risk of sarcopenia. METHODS: Cross-sectional and follow-up data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. Multivariable-adjusted generalized linear models and Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to estimate the odds ratio and hazard ratio for sarcopenia, respectively. RESULTS: 11,494 (median age: 57.0 years; 47.4 % males) and 7483 (median age: 57.0 years; 46.9 % males) participants were included in the cross-sectional and longitudinal study, respectively. After fully adjusting for covariates, including outdoor concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5), both the use of solid fuels for cooking and use for heating were positively associated with incident sarcopenia in the longitudinal analyses, with hazard ratios (95 % confidence interval) of 1.56 (1.28-1.89) and 1.26 (1.04-1.52), respectively. Moreover, significant multiplicative and/or additive interactions were observed between age, smoking and cooking with solid fuel and risk of sarcopenia (all P for interaction <0.05). Similar results were found in the cross-sectional analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Household use of solid fuel was significantly associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia, while ageing and smoking had synergetic effects with burning solid fuels on the risk of sarcopenia. Our results highlight the importance of taking multi-pronged measures with respect to both air pollution and healthy lifestyle to prevent sarcopenia and promote healthy ageing.

Indoor air pollution and cognitive function among older adults in India: a multiple mediation approach through depression and sleep disorders.

BACKGROUND: Studies across multiple countries reveal that depression and sleep disorders can lead to cognitive decline. This study aims to speculate on the effect of different sources of indoor air pollution on cognition and to explore the mediation effect of depression and sleep disorders on cognition when exposed to indoor air pollution. We hypothesize that an older adult experiences higher cognitive decline from indoor pollution when mediated by depression and sleep disorders. METHODS: We use data from Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), 2017-2018, and employ a multiple mediation model to understand the relationship between indoor air pollution and cognition through sleep disorders and depression while adjusting for possible confounders. Sensitivity analysis was applied to see the effect of different sources of indoor pollution (cooking fuel, indoor smoke products, and secondhand smoke) on cognitive performance. RESULTS: The effect of three sources of indoor pollutants on cognition increased when combined, indicating stronger cognitive decline. Unclean cooking practices, indoor smoke (from incense sticks and mosquito coils), and secondhand smoke were strongly associated with sleep disorders and depression among older adults. Indoor air pollution was negatively associated with cognitive health (ß= -0.38) while positively associated with depression (ß= 0.18) and sleep disorders (ß= 0.038) acting as mediators. Sensitivity analysis explained 45% variability while adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: The study lays a foundation for future investigations into the nexus of indoor pollution and mental health. It is essential to formulate policies to reduce exposure to varying sources of indoor air pollutants and improve screening for mental health services as a public health priority.

Indoor air pollution is associated with respiratory symptoms in children in urban Vietnam.

Exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) is a leading environmental risk for respiratory diseases. We investigated the relationship between respiratory symptoms and polluting indoor activities such as smoking, cooking and contact with pets among children in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. A cross-sectional survey applied a multistage sampling method in 24 randomly selected secondary schools across the city. Approximately 15,000 students completed self-administrated questionnaires on risk factors and respiratory health outcomes within the preceding 12 months. Data were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model with robust standard errors. Wheeze was the most common respiratory symptom (39.5 %) reported, followed by sneezing and runny nose (28.3 %). A small percentage of students self-reported asthma (8.6 %). Approximately 56 % of participants lived with family members who smoked. A positive association between exposure to indoor secondhand smoke and respiratory symptoms was observed, with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of 1.41 (95 % CI: 1.25-1.60, p < 0.001) for wheezing and 1.64 (95 % CI: 1.43-1.87, p < 0.001) for sneezing and runny nose, respectively. Using an open stove fuelled by coal, wood, or kerosene for cooking was associated with wheeze (aOR: 1.36, CI 95 %: 1.10-1.68, p = 0.01) and sneezing and runny nose (aOR: 1.36, CI 95 %: 1.09-1.69, p = 0.01). In the present study, IAP was associated with adverse health outcomes, as evidenced by an increase in respiratory symptoms reported within the previous 12 months.

Household cooking fuel and gallbladder cancer risk: a multi-centre case-control study in India.

PURPOSE: Gallbladder cancers (GBC), unique to certain geographical regions, are lethal digestive tract cancers, disproportionately affecting women, with limited information on risk factors. METHODS: We evaluated the association between household cooking fuel and GBC risk in a hospital-based case-control study conducted in the North-East and East Indian states of Assam and Bihar. We explored the potential mediation by diet, fire-vents, 'daily exposure duration' and parity (among women). We recruited biopsy-confirmed GBC (n = 214) men and women aged 30-69 years between 2019 and 2021, and controls frequency-matched by age, sex and region (n = 166). Information about cooking fuel, lifestyle, personal and family history, female reproductive factors, socio-demographics, and anthropometrics was collected. We tested associations using multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: All participants (73.4% women) were categorised based on predominant cooking fuel use. Group-1: LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) users in the previous 20 years and above without concurrent biomass use (26.15%); Group-2: LPG users in the previous 20 years and above with concurrent secondary biomass use (15.9%); Group-3: Biomass users for ≥ 20 years (57.95%). Compared to group-1, accounting for confounders, GBC risk was higher in group-2 [OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.00-4.07] and group-3 [OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.08-3.73] (p-trend:0.020). These associations strengthened among women that attenuated with high daily consumption of fruits-vegetables but not with fire-vents, 'daily exposure duration' or parity. CONCLUSION: Biomass burning was associated with a high-risk for GBC and should be considered as a modifiable risk factor for GBC. Clean cooking fuel can potentially mitigate, and a healthy diet can partially reduce the risk among women.