scholarly journals Exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse cardiopulmonary health effects in international travellers

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Ruzmyn Vilcassim ◽  
George D Thurston ◽  
Lung-Chi Chen ◽  
Chris C Lim ◽  
Eric Saunders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Statistical Design ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Asian Cities ◽  
Acute Changes ◽  
Travel Abroad

Abstract Background With the number of annual global travellers reaching 1.2 billion, many individuals encounter greater levels of air pollution when they travel abroad to megacities around the world. This study’s objective was to determine if visits to cities abroad with greater levels of air pollution adversely impact cardiopulmonary health. Methods A total of 34 non-smoking healthy adult participants who travelled abroad to selected cities from the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area were pre-trained to measure lung function, blood pressure and heart rate (HR)/HR variability (HRV) and record symptoms before, during and after travelling abroad. Outdoor particulate matter (PM)2.5 concentrations were obtained from central monitors in each city. Associations between PM exposure concentrations and cardiopulmonary health endpoints were analysed using a mixed effects statistical design. Results East and South Asian cities had significantly higher PM2.5 concentrations compared with pre-travel NYC PM2.5 levels, with maximum concentrations reaching 503 μg/m3. PM exposure–related associations for lung function were statistically significant and strongest between evening Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) and same-day morning PM2.5 concentrations; a 10-μg/m3 increase in outdoor PM2.5 was associated with a mean decrease of 7 mL. Travel to a highly polluted city (PM2.5 > 100 μg/m3) was associated with a 209-ml reduction in evening FEV1 compared with a low polluted city (PM2.5 < 35 μg/m3). In general, participants who travelled to East and South Asian cities experienced increased respiratory symptoms/scores and changes in HR and HRV. Conclusions Exposure to increased levels of PM2.5 in cities abroad caused small but statistically significant acute changes in cardiopulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in healthy young adults. These data suggest that travel-related exposure to increased PM2.5 adversely impacts cardiopulmonary health, which may be particularly important for travellers with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac disease.

Ambient air pollution exposure and lung function assessment of filling station attendants in Ibadan, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-218
Author(s):  
Toluwanimi Mobolade Oni ◽  
Godson R.E.E. Ana
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Filling Station

Abstract Background There is an increasing range of adverse health effects associated with air pollution at very low concentrations. Few studies have assessed respiratory parameters among filling station attendants. Objectives This study assessed air pollutants; particulate matter (PM10) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) concentrations at filling stations as well as determined forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) levels among filling station attendants. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess PM10 and TVOC concentrations at 20 systematically selected filling stations in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Ibadan for 2 months using a Thermo Scientific pDR 1500 PM10 monitor and SF2000-TVOC meter. FEV1 and PEFR levels were measured in order to assess the effect of exposure to PM10 and TVOC on lung function of 100 filling station attendants using a PIKO-1 Electronic peakflow/FEV1 meter. Results Total mean PM10 concentrations (μg/m3) in the morning (43.7±16.5) and afternoon (27.8±7.9) were significantly lower (p<0.01) than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limit (50 μg/m3). Total mean TVOC concentrations (ppm) in the morning (12.0±3.4) and afternoon (5.6±2.4) were however significantly higher (p<0.01) than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guideline limit (3 ppm). Mean FEV1 for filling station attendants was 1.63±0.39 and PEFR was 171.7±45.9. Conclusion Filling stations are hotspots for the emission of VOCs and PM10. However, filling station attendants in this study are at risk of exposure to high concentrations of VOCs but not PM10. FEV1 and PEFR values among filling station attendants were very low which could possibly be attributed to extended exposure to air pollutants. Regular medical examinations should also be conducted on filling station attendants in order to aid early detection of deviations in their health status.

scholarly journals Acute changes in lung function following controlled exposure to cookstove air pollution in the subclinical tests of volunteers exposed to smoke (STOVES) study

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen M. Fedak ◽  
Nicholas Good ◽  
Ethan S. Walker ◽  
John Balmes ◽  
Robert D. Brook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Controlled Exposure ◽  
Acute Changes

scholarly journals Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function among Ethiopian Women in Relation to Household Fuel Use

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Tamire ◽  
Adamu Addissie ◽  
Abera Kumie ◽  
Emma Husmark ◽  
Susann Skovbjerg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
European Respiratory Society ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Exposure to household air pollution has been linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function. This study aims to assess respiratory symptoms and lung function among Ethiopian women in relation to exposure to HAP. We conducted a cross-sectional study among non-smoking women responsible for household cooking. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms and risk factors using a validated questionnaire. Spirometry with reversibility testing was performed according to American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines. We used independent t-test and multivariable logistic regression to compare the means and measure association respectively. A total of 545 women participated in the study out of which 231 (42.3%) performed spirometry with at least three acceptable manoeuvres. Everyone in the rural group and 43% of the urban group were exposed to HAP from solid fuels during cooking. The odds of developing at least one respiratory symptom when compared with those using cleaner fuels are twice as high for women cooking within the living house. We also found significantly lower forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (L) among solid fuels users compared with cleaner energy users. Given the larger population settlement in the rural areas and the use of solid fuel as the only energy source, there is a higher risk of developing chronic respiratory health problems for those women in Ethiopia.

Airway reactivity and lung function in triiodothyronine-induced thyrotoxicosis

1985 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 1485-1488 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Irwin ◽  
M. R. Pratter ◽  
D. H. Stivers ◽  
L. E. Braverman
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Airway Reactivity ◽  
Percent Change ◽  
Serum T3 ◽  
The Mean

To evaluate the possible relationship between asthma and hyperthyroidism, airway reactivity and lung function were prospectively compared in healthy volunteers before, during, and after liothyronine (triiodothyronine, T3)-induced hyperthyroidism. Base-line evaluation of the 10 subjects included clinical evaluation, thyroid and pulmonary function tests, and airway reactivity assessed by methacholine inhalational challenge (MIC). All studies were normal. During T3-induced hyperthyroidism, no subject developed respiratory symptoms or changes in pulmonary function or airway reactivity. The mean percent change in forced expiratory volume at 1 s from base line (delta FEV1) of -2.4 +/- 3.0 after MIC was not significantly different from that obtained before T3 administration (-1.4 +/- 1.5, P greater than 0.2). When all serum T3 concentrations and delta FEV1 values before, during and after T3-induced hyperthyroidism were compared, there was no significant correlation. We conclude that T3-induced hyperthyroidism of 3-wk duration has no effect on airway reactivity or lung function in normal volunteers.

scholarly journals Traffic-related air pollution in relation to respiratory symptoms, allergic sensitisation and lung function in schoolchildren

Thorax ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 573-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Rosenlund ◽  
F Forastiere ◽  
D Porta ◽  
M De Sario ◽  
C Badaloni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Allergic Sensitisation

scholarly journals Maternal age at delivery, lung function and asthma in offspring: a population-based survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1601611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Gómez Real ◽  
John A. Burgess ◽  
Simona Villani ◽  
Julia Dratva ◽  
Joachim Heinrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Birth Registry ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Smoking In Pregnancy

There is limited information about potential impact of maternal age on the respiratory health of offspring. We investigated the association of maternal age at delivery with adult offspring's lung function, respiratory symptoms and asthma, and potential differences according to offspring sex.10 692 adults from 13 countries participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) II responded to standardised interviews and provided lung function measurements and serum for IgE measurements at age 25–55 years. In logistic and linear multilevel mixed models we adjusted for participants’ characteristics (age, education, centre, number of older siblings) and maternal characteristics (smoking in pregnancy, education) while investigating for differential effects by sex. Maternal age was validated in a subsample using data from the Norwegian birth registry.Increasing maternal age was associated with increasing forced expiratory volume in 1 s (2.33 mL per year, 95% CI 0.34–4.32 mL per year), more consistent in females (ptrend 0.025) than in males (ptrend 0.14). Asthma (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.79–0.92) and respiratory symptoms (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.82–0.92) decreased with increasing maternal age (per 5 years) in females, but not in males (pinteraction 0.05 and 0.001, respectively). The results were consistent across centres and not explained by confounding factors.Maternal ageing was related to higher adult lung function and less asthma/symptoms in females. Biological characteristics in offspring related to maternal ageing are plausible and need further investigation.

scholarly journals Cohort profile: The Chikwawa lung health cohort; a population-based observational non-communicable respiratory disease study of adults in Malawi

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242226
Author(s):  
Martin W. Njoroge ◽  
Sarah Rylance ◽  
Rebecca Nightingale ◽  
Stephen Gordon ◽  
Kevin Mortimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Lung Health

Purpose The aim of this article is to provide a detailed description of the Chikwawa lung health cohort which was established in rural Malawi to prospectively determine the prevalence and causes of lung disease amongst the general population of adults living in a low-income rural setting in Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants A total of 1481 participants were randomly identified and recruited in 2014 for the baseline study. We collected data on demographic, socio-economic status, respiratory symptoms and potentially relevant exposures such as smoking, household fuels, environmental exposures, occupational history/exposures, dietary intake, healthcare utilization, cost (medication, outpatient visits and inpatient admissions) and productivity losses. Spirometry was performed to assess lung function. At baseline, 56.9% of the participants were female, mean age was 43.8 (SD:17.8) and mean body mass index (BMI) was 21.6 Kg/m2 (SD: 3.46) Findings to date The cohort has reported the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms (13.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.9–15.4), spirometric obstruction (8.7%, 95% CI, 7.0–10.7), and spirometric restriction (34.8%, 95% CI, 31.7–38.0). Additionally, an annual decline in forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] of 30.9mL/year (95% CI: 21.6 to 40.1) and forced vital capacity [FVC] by 38.3 mL/year (95% CI: 28.5 to 48.1) has been reported. Future plans The ongoing phases of follow-up will determine the annual rate of decline in lung function as measured through spirometry and the development of airflow obstruction and restriction, and relate these to morbidity, mortality and economic cost of airflow obstruction and restriction. Population-based mathematical models will be developed driven by the empirical data from the cohort and national population data for Malawi to assess the effects of interventions and programmes to address the lung burden in Malawi. The present follow-up study started in 2019.

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