The effect of air pollution quality on lung cancer rates in middle-income and high-income countries: a panel data analysis approach.

Background: Air pollution is one of the biggest problems in societies today. The intensity of indoor and outdoor air pollutants and the urbanization rate can cause or trigger many different diseases, especially lung cancer. In this context, this study's aim is to reveal the effects of the indoor and outdoor air pollutants, and urbanization rate on the lung cancer cases. Methods: Panel data analysis method is applied in this study. The research includes the period between 1990 and 2019 as a time series and the data type of the variables is annual. The dependent variable in the research model is lung cancer cases per 100,000 people. The independent variables are the level of outdoor air pollution, air pollution level indoor environment and urbanization rate of countries. Results: In the modeling developed for the developed country group, it is seen that the variable with the highest level of effect on lung cancer is the outdoor air pollution level. Conclusions: In parallel with the development of countries, it has been determined that the increase in industrial production wastes, in other words, worsening the air quality, may potentially cause an increase in lung cancer cases. Indoor air quality is also essential for human health; negative changes in this variable may negatively impact individuals' health, especially lung cancer.

Associations between abnormal sleep behavior and indoor environmental risk factors among children with a chronic cough in Wuxi, China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Indoor environmental factors, such as pet ownership, presence of cockroaches, mattress quality, fuel usage (gas or electricity), use of biomass for cooking and heating, exposure to tobacco smoke or household molds can significantly affect the sleep quality of children with chronic cough. However, data regarding the effects of indoor environmental conditions on sleep in this population are limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of abnormal sleep behaviors and to establish associations between indoor environmental factors and sleep behaviors among children with chronic cough in Wuxi, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed in this study, involving children aged 3-18 years. Data on sociodemographic factors, allergies, home environmental exposures, and sleep characteristics of the participants were collected using paper-based questionnaires. The association between indoor environmental factors and sleep behaviors in children with chronic cough was analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that the prevalence of chronic cough among children in Wuxi was 15.50%. The chronic cough group exhibited a significantly higher incidence of eczema, wheezing, rhinitis, food allergy, and nasosinusitis than the non-chronic cough group. In addition, children with chronic cough also tended to have a family history of sleep disorders and adenoid hypertrophy (P < 0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, a significant association was observed between bruxism (teeth grinding) and chronic cough (sometimes: odds ratio [OR] = 1.04; confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.08; always: OR = 1.11; CI = 1.04-1.19; P < 0.01). Among children with chronic cough, recent home decoration was associated with sleepwalking (OR = 1.04; CI = 1.00-1.07; P < 0.05), mold exposure was associated with bruxism (OR = 1.15; CI = 1.0-1.31; P < 0.05), and carpet use at home was associated with apnea (OR = 1.09; CI = 1.02-1.17; P < 0.05), twitching during sleep (OR = 1.13; CI = 1.00-1.27; P < 0.01) and morning headache (OR = 1.14; CI = 1.05-1.23; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Children with chronic cough are more prone to some abnormal sleep behaviors than children without chronic cough. Household decoration within a year, household mold exposure, and carpet use were all significantly positively associated with abnormal sleep behaviors in children with chronic cough. Our study provides novel insights into the impact of the indoor environment on children's sleep and the occurrence of chronic cough, offering guidance for tailored health promotion programs for families.

Investigating neighbourhood environmental risk factors associated with childhood acute respiratory infection symptoms in Ethiopia mixed effect and multilevel logistic regression analysis based on EDHS 2016.

Background: Acute respiratory infection is an infectious illness caused by acute viral or bacterial infection. According to a 2018 WHO report, exposures to indoor and ambient air environmental pollution were contributing factors to a higher risk of respiratory problems following 7 million deaths of children under five globally. Housing conditions such as wall material, roof type, kitchen location, sanitation condition, and cooking fuel type are household-level predictors of acute respiratory disease among children under five years of age. Method: This research used EDHS-2016 secondary data, which are nationally representative. The data collection period was from January 18, 2016, to June 27, 2016. Among the 16,650 total surveys, 10,006 households that had children below 5 years of age. The outcome variable for this study was acute respiratory infection symptoms. Analyses were performed using STATA Version 17.1. The data were weighted before performing analysis to reinstate the representativeness of the sample. In the bivariable analysis, a p value <0.2 was used to screen for multivariable. Multicollinearity was checked using the variance inflation factor. Then, a multilevel multivariable regression model was used in this study for the analysis of acute respiratory infection symptoms and possible predictor variables. Variables with a p value <0.05 in multivariable regression analysis were considered statistically significant predictors. Results: Most (95.00%) households commonly used solid fuel for cooking, and household main construction materials: 81.44 and 91.03% of floors and walls of households were constructed with unprocessed natural materials, respectively. The prevalence of acute respiratory infection symptoms among children under five years of age was 7.955% (7.397, 8.551%). The findings indicated that acute respiratory infection symptoms among children under five years of age were significantly linked with the age of the children, diarrhea status, residence, region, fuel type, stool disposal, wall material, and floor material. Conclusion: Interventions should target modifiable factors such as proper stool disposal of the youngest child, informing the health effects of poor housing conditions such as improving wall and floor construction material to reduce acute respiratory infection symptoms among children under five years of age.

Association between biomass exposure and COPD occurrence in Fez, Morocco: results from the BOLD study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between biomass exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a representative sample of adults from the Moroccan population METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Fez as part of the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study, which included apparently healthy subjects aged 40 years and above. Biomass exposure was defined as self-report use of various biomass types for heating or cooking. The Wood Heating Exposure Index, and the Cooking Biomass Exposure Index were used to assess biomass exposure. Participants underwent post-bronchodilator spirometry and COPD was defined as having a forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio <0.7. Descriptive, univariate and multivariable statistical analyses adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, smoking, education level, Mokken scale (wealth index) and occupational dust exposure were performed for the general population and separately for men and women. RESULTS: A total of 760 subjects were included, comprising 350 men and 410 women. In the multivariable analyses, we found a statistically significant association between a higher Wood Heating Exposure Index and COPD in men (adjusted OR=3.8; 95% CI: 1.4 to 10.4). While for women, a high Cooking Biomass Exposure Index was the main factor potentially linked to the increased risk of COPD (adjusted OR=7.2; 95% CI: 1.7 to 30.0). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that biomass exposure is a significant risk factor for COPD development in both men and women, independently of the smoking status which is known as its main risk factor.

Indoor air pollution impacts cardiovascular autonomic control during sleep and the inflammatory profile.

The present study explores the modifications of cardiovascular autonomic control (CAC) during wake and sleep time and the systemic inflammatory profile associated with exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) in a cohort of healthy subjects. Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled. Indoor levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored using a portable detector for 7 days. Together, a 7-day monitoring was performed through a wireless patch that continuously recorded electrocardiogram, respiratory activity and actigraphy. Indexes of CAC during wake and sleep time were derived from the biosignals: heart rate and low-frequency to high-frequency ratio (LF/HF), index of sympathovagal balance with higher values corresponding to a predominance of the sympathetic branch. Cyclic variation of heart rate index (CVHRI events/hour) during sleep, a proxy for the evaluation of sleep apnea, was assessed for each night. After the monitoring, blood samples were collected to assess the inflammatory profile. Regression and correlation analyses were performed. A positive association between VOC exposure and the CVHRI (Δ% = +0.2% for 1 µg/m3 VOCs, p = 0.008) was found. The CVHRI was also positively associated with LF/HF during sleep, thus higher CVHRI values corresponded to a shift of the sympathovagal balance towards a sympathetic predominance (r = 0.52; p = 0.018). NO2 exposure was positively associated with both the pro-inflammatory biomarker TREM-1 and the anti-inflammatory biomarker IL-10 (Δ% = +1.2% and Δ% = +2.4%, for 1 µg/m3 NO2; p = 0.005 and p = 0.022, respectively). The study highlights a possible causal relationship between IAP exposure and higher risk of sleep apnea events, associated with impaired CAC during sleep, and a pro-inflammatory state counterbalanced by an increased anti-inflammatory response in healthy subjects. This process may be disrupted in vulnerable populations, leading to a harmful chronic pro-inflammatory profile. Thus, IAP may emerge as a critical and often neglected risk factor for the public health that can be addressed through targeted preventive interventions.

Reaction to at-home air purifiers installed to reduce traffic-related air pollution in near-highway residences.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Traffic-related ultrafine particle pollution near highways is associated with adverse health. Reducing exposure by use of portable air purifiers in homes is one approach to reducing this risk. However, the reaction of residents to having air purifiers in homes is not well studied. METHODS: Within the framework of our randomized crossover trial of air purifiers in homes near a major highway, we collected data about participants' use and reactions to air purifiers using questionnaires at their 30-day and 90-day home visits, recorded electricity consumption using HOBO monitors, and conducted structured interviews with participants. RESULTS: Nearly all 150 participants reported running the air purifiers virtually 24 h every day in both their living room and their bedroom in the prior month. The units' HOBO electricity use, from a subset of 45 participants, supported the participants' responses from the questionnaire. Approximately 80% of participants reported setting their air purifier on the medium setting. Tolerance to air purifier noise increased significantly between the 30-day and 90-day home visits, with approximately two thirds reporting not being bothered at all by the noise. The qualitative interviews in a subset of 26 participants yielded consistent responses to those from the questionnaires. Size of unit, airflow, and energy consumption were additional concerns that emerged during the interviews. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the questionnaires, HOBO data, and structured interviews all suggest participants had positive reactions towards the presence of in-home APs, and therefore may be receptive to using air purifiers in their homes on a regular basis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04279249 . Registered 09 October 2019.

Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada.

Poor indoor air quality poses significant health risks. This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the prevalence of indoor air pollutants in remote and rural First Nation communities in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Dust samples from 75 homes were collected and analysed for house dust mites, pet allergens, mould antigens, and bacterial endotoxins. Indoor air quality parameters, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity, were measured. A detailed questionnaire on household characteristics and potential pollutant sources was administered. Homes exhibited exposure to multiple pollutants, with wood stove smoke identified as a primary source. Felis domesticus (cat allergen) and Canis familiaris (dog allergen) were prevalent, with detectable levels in 64% and 60% of homes, respectively. Bacterial endotoxins were present in all households. One-third of homes exceeded recommended thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. This study provides critical insights into the prevalence and magnitude of indoor air pollutants, contributing to a broader initiative to characterise respiratory health in First Nations communities. While many homes in First Nations communities had acceptable air quality, one-third of homes exceeded thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. The results can guide ongoing community efforts to address housing concerns and advocate for increased federal funding.

On the informative value of community-based indoor radon values in relation to lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Radon is a radioactive gas and a major risk factor for lung cancer (LC). METHODS: We investigated the dose-response relationship between radon and LC risk in the International Lung Cancer Consortium with 8927 cases and 5562 controls from Europe, North America, and Israel, conducted between 1992 and 2016. Spatial indoor radon exposure in the residential area (sIR) obtained from national surveys was linked to the participants' residential geolocation. Parametric linear and spline functions were fitted within a logistic regression framework. RESULTS: We observed a non-linear spatial-dose response relationship for sIR < 200 Bq/m3. The lowest risk was observed for areas of mean exposure of 58 Bq/m3 (95% CI: 56.1-59.2 Bq/m3). The relative risk of lung cancer increased to the same degree in areas averaging 25 Bq/m3 (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.01-1.59) as in areas with a mean of 100 Bq/m3 (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20-1.45). The strongest association was observed for small cell lung cancer and the weakest for squamous cell carcinoma. A stronger association was also observed in men, but only at higher exposure levels. The non-linear association is primarily observed among the younger population (age < 69 years), but not in the older population, which can potentially represent different biological radiation responses. CONCLUSIONS: The sIR is useful as proxy of individual radon exposure in epidemiological studies on lung cancer. The usual assumption of a linear, no-threshold dose-response relationship, as can be made for individual radon exposures, may not be optimal for sIR values of less than 200 Bq/m3.

Childhood Helicobacter pylori infection: Impacts of environmental exposures and parental stress.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) is extremely common in the world, particularly in less developed areas, but the primary causes of childhood HPI are unspecified. OBJECTIVES: To determine the influences of exposure to home environmental factors (HEFs), outdoor air pollutants (OAPs), and parental stress (PS), as well as their interactions on children's HPI. METHODS: We implemented a retrospective cohort study with 8689 preschoolers from nine districts at Changsha, China, was conducted using questionnaires to collect data of health and HEFs. Temperature and OAPs data were collected from ten and eight monitoring stations, individually. Temperature and OAPs exposures were calculated for all home addresses using the inversed distance weighted (IDW) model. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the separate and combined impacts of HEFs, OAPs, and PS on HPI. RESULTS: Children's HPI was significantly associated with exposure to moisture-specific indoor allergens in one-year preceding conception, gestation, and first year, smoke-specific air pollution throughout life, and plant-specific allergens in previous year. Outdoor exposures to CO in the 7th-9th month before conception, as well as PM2.5 in the second trimester and previous year, were associated with HPI, with ORs (95 % CIs) of 1.22 (1.05-1.41), 1.23 (1.03-1.46), and 1.33 (1.14-1.55). Parents' socioeconomic and psychological stress indicators were positively related to HPI. High socioeconomic indicators and psychological stresses increased the roles of indoor renovation and moisture indicators as well as outdoor SO2, PM2.5 and O3 on children's HPI over their entire lives. Parental psychological stress interacts with indoor renovation-specific air pollution, moisture- and plant-specific allergens, as well as outdoor traffic-related air pollution on HPI, during a critical time window in early life. CONCLUSIONS: Indoor and outdoor air pollutants, as well as allergens, separately and interactively exert important effects on childhood HPI, lending support to the "(pre-) fetal origin of HPI" hypothesis.

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.

The association between flooring materials and childhood asthma: A prospective birth cohort in the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma is known to be affected by a range of factors, including conditions in the indoor environment. While flooring material influences indoor air conditions, the potential association between flooring materials and childhood asthma remains poorly understood in Japan. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to assess the association between childhood asthma incidence and the primary flooring material with the ongoing prospective nationwide birth cohort data of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS). METHODS: The JECS gathered data on mothers and children through 15 Regional Centres across Japan. The present study assessed flooring materials used in the home and asthma incidence at age four among children born between 2011 and 2014. We implemented logistic regressions, setting asthma incidence among the children as the outcome and home floor type as the exposure. Additional analyses were conducted, stratifying the home's age as a proxy for tatami age, to assess whether the potential effect of tatami flooring on asthma risk is influenced by its age. RESULTS: The present study included total of 75,629 infants. For tatami flooring, the main multivariable regression and additional sub-group regression for homes over ten years old produced odds ratios of 1.09; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.01-1.17] and 1.10; 95% CI [1.00-1.21] compared with flooring, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results imply that exposure to tatami flooring, particularly in older homes, may be associated with childhood asthma incidence. Moreover, our study highlights the importance of evaluating the relationship between regional and cultural differences between asthma and flooring materials.

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.

Epidemiological insights into neonatal deaths: The role of cooking fuel pollution in Colombia.

PURPOSE: Household air pollution is one of the leading causes of death and disease globally. Emerging evidence of elevated risk of neonatal death has been reported in Africa and South Asia. However, evidence on the extent of the problem in Latin America is limited despite the persistent use of highly polluting cooking fuels. We assessed whether the use of high-polluting household cooking fuels increases the risk of neonatal death compared to low-polluting fuels in Colombia. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the 2005-2015 Colombian Demographic Health Survey and performed a survey-featured multivariate logistic regression. We selected adjustment covariates based on a causal diagram, addressed missing data through multiple imputation, and conducted several sensitivity analysis, such as propensity score matching. RESULT: We found evidence suggesting an increased risk of neonatal death in households using high-polluting fuels (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 0.91, 2.39). The sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main analysis. CONCLUSION: We observed increased odds of neonatal death associated with using high-polluting household cooking fuels compared to low-polluting fuels, although this association was not statistically significant. This study contributes evidence to a region where the issue is not yet a priority and should be included in national-level discussions and interventions that impact cooking fuel use patterns.

Association of solid fuel use with cognitive function and the modifying role of lifestyle: A nationwide cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: As opposed to a healthy lifestyle, indoor air pollution from solid fuel use may be harmful for cognitive function. However, the extent to which lifestyle modifies the association between solid fuel use and cognitive function remains unknown. METHODS: A total of 21,008 individuals aged 16 to 92 were enrolled in 2010 and followed up to 2014 in the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Cognitive function was assessed using standardized math and word tests in two waves. Solid fuel use at baseline was assessed by self-reporting of firewood, straw, or coal used for cooking. Lifestyle profile was classified into two groups (favorable vs. unfavorable) based on five modifiable lifestyle factors including alcohol drinking, smoking, body mass index, diet, and physical activity. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to assess the association of solid fuel use and lifestyle with cognitive function. The effect modification of lifestyle was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 49.7% of the study population used solid fuels for cooking and 17.4% had a favorable lifestyle. Solid fuel use was associated with a significant decrease in cognitive function (ß = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.39, -0.19 for math test; ß = -0.62, 95% CI: -0.84, -0.41 for word test). Lifestyle significantly modified this association (p-interaction: 0.006 for math test; 0.016 for word test), with the corresponding association being less pronounced among participants adhering to a favorable lifestyle compared to those with an unfavorable lifestyle. CONCLUSION: A favorable lifestyle may attenuate the adverse association between solid fuel use and cognitive function. Adopting a favorable lifestyle has the potential to mitigate the adverse neurological effects due to indoor air pollution.

Residential radon decay products are associated with cough and phlegm in patients with COPD.

Radon decay products attach to particulate matter (referred to as particle radioactivity, PR) has been shown to be potential to promote airway damage after inhalation. In this study, we investigated associations between PR with respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with COPD. 141 male patients with COPD, former smokers, completed the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) after up to four 1-week seasonal assessments (N=474) of indoor (home) and ambient (central site) particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC). Indoor PR was measured as α-activity (radiation) on PM2.5 filter samples. The ratio of indoor/ambient sulfur in PM2.5 (a ventilation surrogate) was used to estimate α-PR from indoor radon decay. SGRQ responses assessed frequent cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, wheeze, and chest attacks in the past 3 months. Multivariable linear regression with generalized estimating equations accounting for repeated measures was used to explore associations, adjusting for potential confounders. Median (IQR) indoor α-PR was 1.22 (0.62) mBq/m3. We found that there were positive associations between α-PR with cough and phlegm. The strongest associations were with estimated α-PR of indoor origin for cough (31.1 % increase/IQR, 95 %CI: 8.8 %, 57.8 %), and was suggestive for phlegm (13.0 % increase/IQR, 95 %CI: -2.5 %, 31.0 %), similar adjusting for indoor BC or PM2.5. α-PR of indoor origin was positively associated with an increase in SGRQ Symptoms score [1.2 units/IQR; 95 %CI: -0.3, 2.6] that did not meet conventional levels of statistical significance. Our results suggested that exposure to indoor radon decay products measured as particle radioactivity, a common indoor exposure, is associated with cough, and suggestively associated with phlegm and worse HRQL symptoms score in patients with COPD.

PM10-bound microplastics and trace metals: A public health insight from the Korean subway and indoor environments.

Inhalable airborne microplastics (MPs) presented in indoor and outdoor environments, can deeply penetrate the lungs, potentially triggering inflammation and respiratory illnesses. The present study aims to evaluate human health risks from respirable particulate matter (PM)-bound trace metals and MPs in indoor (SW- subway and IRH- indoor residential houses) and outdoor (OD) environments. This research provides an initial approach to human respiratory tract (HRT) mass depositions of PM10-bound total MPs and nine specific MP types to predict potential human health threats from inhalation exposure. Results indicate that PM-bound trace metals and MPs were around 4 times higher in SW microenvironments compared to OD locations. In IRH, cancer risk (CR) levels were estimated 9 and 4 times higher for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Additionally, MP particle depositions per gram of lung cell weight were highest in IRH (23.77), followed by OD and SW. Whereas, lifetime alveoli depositions of MPs were estimated at 13.73 MP/g, which exceeds previously reported respiratory disease fatality cases by 10 to 5 times. Prolonged exposure duration at IRH emerged as a key factor contributing to increased CR and MP lung deposition levels. This research highlights severe lung risks from inhaling PM-bound MPs and metals, offering valuable health insights.

Association of 1-bromopropane exposure with asthma prevalence: A Korean National health and Nutritional examination survey (2020-2021)-based study.

Exposure to 1-bromopropane (1-BP) is an emerging environmental and health concern due to its increasing environmental prevalence. Although the health effects of 1-BP exposure have been under-recognized, current evidence suggests the possibility of adverse pulmonary health effects due to 1-BP exposure. However, the association between 1-BP exposure and asthma prevalence remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to examine the association between 1-BP exposure and asthma prevalence in the general population. Using nationally representative data, we explored the potential impacts of indoor air quality (IAQ)-related behavioral factors on the level of 1-BP exposure. This study included 1506 adults from the 2020-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence of asthma was based on self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma. Urinary N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine (BPMA) levels were measured as a biomarker of 1-BP exposure, using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to investigate the associations between urinary BPMA metabolite and asthma prevalence after adjusting for potential confounders. Log-linear multiple regression models were used to examine the association between IAQ-related behavior and urinary BPMA concentration. Forty-seven individuals with asthma and 1459 without asthma were included. Individuals in the highest quartile of urinary BPMA concentration had a 2.9 times higher risk of asthma than those in the lowest quartile (odds ratio [OR]: 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-7.98). The combination of natural and mechanical ventilation was associated with a reduced urinary BPMA concentration. Our findings suggest that 1-BP exposure is associated with the prevalence of asthma in adults and revealed higher urinary levels of BPMA in our study population compared to those in other countries. Given the emerging importance of IAQ, actively managing and modifying behavioral patterns to reduce 1-BP exposure in indoor environments could substantially attenuate the risk of asthma-related to 1-BP exposure.

Sociodemographic Determinants of Extreme Heat and Ozone Risk Among Older Adults in 3 Sun Belt Cities.

BACKGROUND: Vulnerable populations across the United States are frequently exposed to extreme heat, which is becoming more intense due to a combination of climate change and urban-induced warming. Extreme heat can be particularly detrimental to the health and well-being of older citizens when it is combined with ozone. Although population-based studies have demonstrated associations between ozone, extreme heat, and human health, few studies focused on the role of social and behavioral factors that increase indoor risk and exposure among older adults. METHODS: We conducted a household survey that aimed to understand how older adults are affected by extreme heat and ozone pollution inside and outside of their homes across Houston, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. We examine contributing factors to the risk of self-reported health effects using a generalized linear mixed-effects regression model of telephone survey data of 909 older adults in 2017. RESULTS: We found an increased occurrence of self-reported symptoms for extreme heat with preexisting respiratory health conditions and a lack of air conditioning access; self-reported ozone symptoms were more likely with preexisting respiratory health conditions. The risk of heat-related symptoms was slightly higher in Los Angeles than Houston and Phoenix. We found several demographic, housing, and behavioral characteristics that influenced the risk of heat- and ozone-related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk among older adults based on specific social and behavioral factors identified in this study can inform public health policy and help cities tailor their heat and ozone response plans to the specific needs of this vulnerable population.

Exploring the Cellular Impact of Size-Segregated Cigarette Aerosols: Insights into Indoor Particulate Matter Toxicity and Potential Therapeutic Interventions.

Exposure to anthropogenic aerosols has been associated with a variety of adverse health effects, increased morbidity, and premature death. Although cigarette smoke poses one of the most significant public health threats, the cellular toxicity of particulate matter contained in cigarette smoke has not been systematically interrogated in a size-segregated manner. In this study, we employed a refined particle size classification to collect cigarette aerosols, enabling a comprehensive assessment and comparison of the impacts exerted by cigarette aerosol extract (CAE) on SH-SY5Y, HEK293T, and A549 cells. Exposure to CAE reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with organic components having a greater impact and SH-SY5Y cells displaying lower tolerance compared to HEK293T and A549 cells. Moreover, CAE was found to cause increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased levels of apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy, leading to increased cell death. Furthermore, we found that rutin, a phytocompound with antioxidant potential, could reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species and protect against CAE-triggered cell death. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of antioxidant drugs in mitigating the adverse effects of cigarette aerosol exposure for better public health outcomes.