Long-term exposure to air pollution on cardio-respiratory, and lung cancer mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Air pollution is a major cause of specific deaths worldwide. This review article aimed to investigate the results of cohort studies for air pollution connected with the all-cause, cardio-respiratory, and lung cancer mortality risk by performing a meta-analysis. Relevant cohort studies were searched in electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus). We used a random effect model to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and their 95% CIs (confidence intervals) of mortality. The risk of bias for each included study was also assessed by Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) checklists. We applied statistical tests for heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. The registration code of this study in PROSPERO was CRD42023422945. A total of 88 cohort studies were eligible and included in the final analysis. The pooled relative risk (RR) per 10 µg/m3 increase of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was 1.080 (95% CI 1.068-1.092) for all-cause mortality, 1.058 (95% CI 1.055-1.062) for cardiovascular mortality, 1.066 (95%CI 1.034-1.097) for respiratory mortality and 1.118 (95% CI 1.076-1.159) for lung cancer mortality. We observed positive increased associations between exposure to PM2.5, PM10, black carbon (BC), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and lung cancer mortality, but the associations were not significant for nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3). The risk of mortality for males and the elderly was higher compared to females and younger age. The pooled effect estimates derived from cohort studies provide substantial evidence of adverse air pollution associations with all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory, and lung cancer mortality. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-024-00900-6.

Ambient dust pollution with all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A severe health crisis has been well-documented regarding dust particle exposure. We aimed to present the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality due to particulate matter (PM) exposure during non-dust and dust storm events by performing a meta-analysis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted by an online search of the databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed) with no restrictions according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines until December 2022. We performed a random-effects model to compute the pooled rate ratio (RR) of mortality with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). The Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) risk of bias rating tool was prepared to assess the quality of the individual study. The registration number in PROSPERO was CRD42023423212. We found a 16 % (95 % CI: 0.7 %, 24 %) increase in all-cause, 25 % (95 % CI: 14 %, 37 %) increase in cardiovascular, and 18 % (95 % CI: 13 %, 22 %) increase in respiratory mortality per 10 µg/m3 increment in dust exposure. Furthermore, the RRs per 10 µg/m3 increment in PM10-2.5 were 1.046 (95 % CI: 1.019, 1.072)¸ 1.085 (95 % CI: 1.045, 1.0124), and 1.089 (95 % CI: 0.939, 1.24) for all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, respectively. PM10 during dust days significantly increased the all-cause (1.013, 95 % CI: 1.007, 1.018) cardiovascular mortality risk (1.014, 95 % CI: 1.009, 1.02). We also found significant evidence for all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality among females and the elderly age group due to dust particle (PM10-2.5 and PM10) exposure. Our results provided significant evidence about high concentrations of PM10-2.5 and PM10 during dust storm events related to mortality risk.

Estimation of health-related and economic impacts of PM2.5 in Arak, Iran, using BenMAP-CE.

Ambient air quality is one of the most critical threats to human health. In this study, the health and economic benefits of reducing PM2.5 were estimated in the city of Arak during the period of 2017-2019. The concentration data were obtained from the Environmental Protection Organization of Central Province, while the demographic data were obtained from the website of the Iran Statistics Center. The number of premature deaths from all causes, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer, attributable to PM2.5 pollution was estimated using the Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program-Comprehensive Version (BenMAP_CE) to limit the guidelines of the World Health Organization. The results showed that improving air quality in 2017, 2018, and 2019 in Arak could prevent the deaths of 729, 654, and 460 people, respectively. The number of years of life lost (YLL) in 2017, 2018, and 2019 was 11383, 10362, and 7260 years, respectively. The total annual economic benefits of reducing the PM2.5 concentration in Arak under the proposed scenarios in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were estimated to be 309,225,507, 262,868,727, and 182,224,053 USD, respectively, using the statistical life method (VSL). Based on the results of this study, there are significant health and economic benefits to reducing PM2.5 concentrations in Arak City. Therefore, planning and adopting control policies to reduce air pollution in this city are necessary.

Air pollution and COVID-19 mortality and hospitalization: An ecological study in Iran.

Exposure to air pollution can exacerbate the severe COVID-19 conditions, subsequently causing an increase in the death rate. In this study, we investigated the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and risks of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in Arak, Iran. Air pollution data was obtained from air quality monitoring stations located in Arak, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO). Daily numbers of Covid-19 cases including hospital admissions (hospitalization) and deaths (mortality) were obtained from a national data registry recorded by Arak University of Medical Sciences. A Poisson regression model with natural spline functions was applied to set the effects of air pollution on COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality. The percent change of COVID-19 hospitalization per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10 were 8.5% (95% CI 7.6 to 11.5) and 4.8% (95% CI 3 to 6.5), respectively. An increase of 10 µg/m3 in PM2.5 resulting in 5.6% (95% CI: 3.1-8.3%) increase in COVID-19 mortality. The percent change of hospitalization (7.7%, 95% CI 2.2 to 13.3) and mortality (4.5%, 95% CI 0.3 to 9.5) were positively significant per one ppb increment in SO2, while NO2, O3 and CO were inversely associated with hospitalization and mortality. Our findings strongly suggesting that a small increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and SO2 elevating risks of hospitalization and mortality related to COVID-19.

Association Between Leukocyte Telomere Length and Serum Concentrations of PCBs and Organochlorine Pesticides.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) through food, water, and air occurred during the life, which may change telomere length (TL) in peripheral blood leukocytes. The present study was designed to investigate the association between TL and serum levels of PCBs and OCPs in Tehran male's population. Whole blood samples were randomly taken from 300 adult males, aged between 25 and 40 years. TL was determined by real-time PCR to measure the number of the telomere (T) repeats to the number of a single-copy gene (S). We applied the multivariate linear regression model to compare the effect of each lipid adjusted serum levels of PCBs and OCPs congener on the TL, with adjustment for age, body mass index, education, smoking, and food patterns. Each doubling of the nondioxin-like PCBs, dioxin-like PCBs, and OCPs levels were associated with 1.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.70 to 5.40%], 2.5% (95% CI 0.30-8.3%), and - 2.4% (95% CI - 0.70 to - 6.2%) variation in the TL, respectively. The percent difference in the TL with exposure to nondioxin-like PCBs, dioxin-like PCBs, and OCPs for participants with older than age 37 years were 6.45% (95% CI 2.81-16.50%), 4.52% (95% CI 1.60-10.54%), and - 7.44% (95% CI - 1.55 to - 15.51%), respectively. Exposures to nondioxin-like PCBs (except for PCB 28 and 52) with high chlorine in structure and dioxin-like PCBs were related to longer TLs. Conversely, serum levels of OCPs can be associated with oxidative stress and systemic inflammation that lead to telomere shortening.

Serum level of PCBs and OCPs and leukocyte telomere length among adults in Tehran, Iran.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) may change leukocyte telomere length (TL) at the end of the DNA sequence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between PCBs and OCPs exposure with TL in Tehran adult males. Whole-blood samples were randomly taken from three hundred adult males in population-based cross-section study from October 2016 to November 2017. We studied the serum levels of PCBs, OCPs as well as socio-demographic characteristics of individuals. The quantitative PCR was used to investigate the number of the telomere (T) repeats to the number of a single copy gene. We measured the effect of each PCBs and OCPs congeners on TL using linear regressions adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, and dietary patterns. The median level of the six non-dioxin-likes, five dioxin-likes PCBs three OCPs and TL in the study population were 344.5, 306.0, 45.0 ng/g lipid and 5377.7 ± 573.4 base pairs, respectively. In the adjusted model, the percent difference in the TLs with exposure to Σnon-dioxin-like PCBs, Σdioxin-like PCBs, and OCPs were 1.93 (-0.70 to 5.4), 3.4 (1.8-8.3) and -2.4 (-0.80 to -6.2), respectively. In the fourth quartile compared to the first quartile, the percent difference in the TLs due to Σnon-dioxin-like PCBs, Σdioxin-like PCBs, and OCP exposure were 0.01 (-0.01 to 0.05), 10.3 (2.9-18.1) and -0.20 (-0.10 to -4.5), respectively. Exposures to ndl-PCBs and dl-PCBs (except for PCB28) were related to longer TLs, but OCPs exposure can be related to telomere shortening.

Serum Level of Total Lipids and Telomere Length in the Male Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Telomeres contain TTAGGG (T; Thymine, A; Adenine and G; Guanine) repetitive sequences and are placed at the end of human chromosomes. Telomere dysfunction is implicated in some age-related and chronic diseases, but its association with total serum lipids and obesity is unknown. Our objective was to determine influenced of total serum lipids on leukocyte telomere lengths (TLs). Participants were selected by cluster sampling from 22 districts of Tehran. The questionnaires were completed by 500 subjects and after the initial assessment in terms of lifestyle, nutrition, home, and job, 300 healthy people, aged 25-40 years were finally selected. TLs and serum level of total lipids were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and the Phillips method, respectively. The average telomere length (T/S) and total lipids were 1.05 ± 0.3 mg/dl and 643.3 ± 70.8 mg/dl, respectively. We found that a one unit difference in the following parameters were associated with kilo base pair differences in TL: Age -0.0002 (95% CI [-0.0022, -0.0018]), BMI -0.0019 (95% CI [-0.0003, -0.0034]), TC 0.0001 (95% CI [-0.0006, -0.0007]), TG -0.0010 (95% CI [-0.0015, -0.0004]), PL 0.0001 (95% CI [-0.0005, -0.0007]), and TSL -0.0003 (95% CI [-0.0008, 0.0001]). Spearman correlation analysis revealed an inverse relationship between TC (R = -0.53; 95% CI [-0.61, -0.44]), TG (R = -0.50; 95% CI [-0.58, -0.41]), PL (R = -0.46; 95% CI [-0.54-0.36]), and TSL (R = -0.63; 95% CI [-0.69, -0.56]) with T/S. Our research suggests that the inverse relationship was found between TL and weight, BMI, age, and TSL which were associated with obesity. High serum lipids concentration may be associated with systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis and may lead to oxidative stress, resulting in telomere shortening.

Foods, Dietary Patterns and Occupational Class and Leukocyte Telomere Length in the Male Population.

Telomeres contain TTAGGG repetitive sequences and are located at the end of human chromosomes. Telomere dysfunction is associated with some age-related and chronic diseases, but its relationship with foods, dietary patterns, and occupational class in the young male population is not yet known. In this cross-sectional study, 300 healthy men, residents of Tehran, aged 25-40 years were enrolled from January to December 2016. We employed a cross-sectional study of 300 healthy people, residents of Tehran, aged 25-40 years. A food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain food intakes of all participants and converted into actual food intake (g/day). The principal components analysis was used to determine dietary patterns and other demographic characteristics. Leukocyte telomere length (TL) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to measure number of telomere repeat copy number (T) to the relative number of 36B4 copies (S) (T/S ratio). T/S in office-workers, waste recyclers, and other workers were 1.22 ± 0.4, 1.08 ± 0.3, and 1.094 ± 0.34, respectively. The results of multivariate linear regression adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking were showed that whole grains (ß = 0.02; p = .05), refined grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and dairy products were associated with an increase in log-T/S, but consumption of nuts and seeds (ß = -0.00072; p = .06), meats (ß = -0.00043; p = .9), produced meats (ß = -0.00238; p = .03), oils and solid fats (ß = -0.00146; p = .03) had a negative relationship with log-T/S in all studied occupational classes. A positive relationship was reported between the healthy (ß = 0.017; p = .2) and traditional dietary pattern (ß = 0.012; p = .4) with log-T/S, but western pattern identified negative relationship (ß = -0.004; p = .7). Adherence to a healthy (with consumption whole grains, refined grains, dairy, and cereals) and then traditional pattern with increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, fish and dairy products are necessary to prevent TL destruction in all studied occupational classes.

A multi-objective model for sustainable recycling of municipal solid waste.

The efficient management of municipal solid waste is a major problem for large and populated cities. In many countries, the majority of municipal solid waste is landfilled or dumped owing to an inefficient waste management system. Therefore, an optimal and sustainable waste management strategy is needed. This study introduces a recycling and disposal network for sustainable utilisation of municipal solid waste. In order to optimise the network, we develop a multi-objective mixed integer linear programming model in which the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability are concurrently balanced. The model is able to: select the best combination of waste treatment facilities; specify the type, location and capacity of waste treatment facilities; determine the allocation of waste to facilities; consider the transportation of waste and distribution of processed products; maximise the profit of the system; minimise the environmental footprint; maximise the social impacts of the system; and eventually generate an optimal and sustainable configuration for municipal solid waste management. The proposed methodology could be applied to any region around the world. Here, the city of Tehran, Iran, is presented as a real case study to show the applicability of the methodology.

Is Leukocyte Telomere Length Related with Lung Cancer Risk?: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have probed the correlation between telomere length and the risk of lung cancer, but their findings are inconsistent in this regard. The present meta-analysis study has been carried out to demonstrate the association between relative telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes and the risk of lung cancer using an established Q-PCR technique. METHODS: A systematic search was carried out using PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI before 2015. A total of 2925 cases of lung cancer and 2931 controls from 9 studies were employed to probe the relationship between lung cancer and telomere length .ORs were used at 95% CI. Random-effects models were used to investigate this relationship based on the heterogeneity test. Heterogeneity among studies was analyzed employing subgroup analysis based on type studies and the year of publication. RESULTS: Random-effects meta-analysis revealed that patients with lung cancer were expected to have shorter telomere length than the control (1.13, 95% CI: 0.82-1.81, P=0.46). The summary of the pooled ORs of telomere length in adenocarcinoma lung cancer patients was 1 (95%CI=0.68-1.47, I2=93%) compared to patients with squamous cell lung cancer, which was 1.78 (95% CI=1.25-2.53, I2=3.9%). The meta-regression revealed that the effect of telomere length shortening, decreased and increased with the year of publication and the age of risks to lung cancer, was clearly related to short telomeres lengths. CONCLUSION: Lung cancer risks clearly related with short telomeres lengths. In patients with breathing problems, lung cancer risk can be predicted by telomere length adjustment with age, sex, and smoking.

Biodegradation of naphthalene using Pseudomonas aeruginosa by up flow anoxic-aerobic continuous flow combined bioreactor.

BACKGROUND: Naphthalene is a poly aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) present in many sediment-water systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of an anoxic/aerobic system for the biological treatment of water polluted by naphthalene by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1707 to utilize naphthalene. The naphthalene elimination from wastewater was determined in anoxic-aerobic continuous flow combined bioreactor under continuously oxic and anoxic conditions. Experiments were conducted in continues mode, and naphthalene was administered in consecutive spike doses. Then Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria suspension with a specific turbidity (0.5-10 NTU) was prepared from growing bacteria on R2A medium and injected to reactor. FINDINGS: At naphthalene concentration = 0.5-20 mg/L, 33-65.5% naphthalene removal efficiencies were observed. Mean COD removal efficiency in solid retention times of 2, 4, 6, and 8 days was 82.7, 92.45, 95.97 and 96.1%, respectively. Naphthalene removal efficiency by bacterium pseudomonas at pH 8 was 96% and at pH 4, 5.5, 7 and 9.5, 68, 80, 90 and 85%, respectively. As the initial concentration of naphthalene increased from 0.5 to 20 mg/L, the remaining concentration of naphthalene decreased from 33.4% to 65.5% after 3 days. CONCLUSION: Based on experimental results, it was determined that this process can effectively reduce naphthalene under optimal conditions and this method can be used for the removal of similar compounds.

Indicator pathogens, organic matter and LAS detergent removal from wastewater by constructed subsurface wetlands.

BACKGROUND: Constructed wetland is one of the natural methods of municipal and industrial wastewater treatments with low initial costs for construction and operation as well as easy maintenance. The main objective of this study is to determine the values of indicator bacteria removal, organic matter, TSS, ammonia and nitrate affecting the wetland removal efficiency. RESULTS: The average concentration of E. coli and total coliform in the input is 1.127 × 1014 and 4.41 × 1014 MPN/100 mL that reached 5.03 × 1012 and 1.13 × 1014 MPN/100 mL by reducing 95.5% and 74.4% in wetland 2. Fecal streptococcus reached from the average 5.88 × 1014 in raw wastewater to 9.69 × 1012 in the output of wetland 2. Wetland 2 could reduce 1.5 logarithmic units of E. coli. The removal efficiency of TSS for the wetlands is 68.87%, 71.4%, 57.3%, and 66% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results show that wetlands in which herbs were planted had a high removal efficiency about the indicator pathogens, organic matter, LAS detergent in comparison to a control wetland (without canes) and could improve physicochemical parameters (DO, ammonia, nitrate, electrical conductivity, and pH) of wastewater.