Deposition of airborne cyanobacteria and microalgae in the human respiratory tract (Baltic Sea coastal zone, Poland).

Scientific research confirms the harmful effects of airborne cyanobacteria and microalgae. However, determining human exposure to these microorganisms remains a challenge. The six-stage Tisch impactor was used to collect bioaerosols from April to September 2020 in the coastal zone of the southern Baltic.

Integrated meta-analyses of genome-wide effects of PM in human cells identifies widespread dysregulation of genes and pathways associated with cancer progression and patient survival.

Epidemiological studies have consistently shown a positive association between exposure to ambient PM, a major component of air pollution, and various types of cancer. Previous biological research has primarily focused on the association between PM and lung cancer, with limited investigation into other cancer types. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis on multiple PM-treated normal human cell lines to identify potential molecular targets and pathways of PM.

Elemental Characterization of Ambient Particulate Matter for a Globally Distributed Monitoring Network: Methodology and Implications.

Global ground-level measurements of elements in ambient particulate matter (PM) can provide valuable information to understand the distribution of dust and trace elements, assess health impacts, and investigate emission sources. We use X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize the elemental composition of PM samples collected from 27 globally distributed sites in the Surface PARTiculate mAtter Network (SPARTAN) over 2019-2023. Consistent protocols are applied to collect all samples and analyze them at one central laboratory, which facilitates comparison across different sites.

Protecting Child Health From Air Pollution in India.

Recent research has underscored the diverse ways in which air pollution detrimentally affects child health in India. Notably, India shoulders one of the highest burdens of mortality of children under five years of age globally due to exposure to air pollution. Distinct mitigation strategies are vital to reduce air pollution exposure and its resultant health burdens among children in India when compared to strategies applicable in the global West.

Application of multi-angle spaceborne observations in characterizing the long-term particulate organic carbon pollution in China.

Ambient PM pollution is recognized as a leading environmental risk factor, causing significant mortality and morbidity in China. However, the specific contributions of individual PM constituents remain unclear, primarily due to the lack of a comprehensive ground monitoring network for constituents. This issue is particularly critical for carbonaceous species such as organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), which are known for their significant health impacts, and understanding the OC/EC ratio is crucial for identifying pollution sources.

Excess Mortality Risk Due to Heat Stress in Different Climatic Zones of India.

India is at a high risk of heat stress-induced health impacts and economic losses owing to its tropical climate, high population density, and inadequate adaptive planning. The health impacts of heat stress across climate zones in India have not been adequately explored. Here, we examine and report the vulnerability to heat stress in India using 42 years (1979-2020) of meteorological data from ERA-5 and developed climate-zone-specific percentile-based human comfort class thresholds.

Addressing Biases in Ambient PM Exposure and Associated Health Burden Estimates by Filling Satellite AOD Retrieval Gaps over India.

Ambient PM exposure statistics in countries with limited ground monitors are derived from satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) products that have spatial gaps. Here, we quantified the biases in PM exposure and associated health burden in India due to the sampling gaps in AOD retrieved by a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. We filled the sampling gaps and derived PM in recent years (2017-2022) over India, which showed fivefold cross-validation of 0.

Cumulative effect of PM components is larger than the effect of PM mass on child health in India.

While studies on ambient fine particulate matter (PM) exposure effect on child health are available, the differential effects, if any, of exposure to PM species are unexplored in lower and middle-income countries. Using multiple logistic regression, we showed that for every 10 μg m increase in PM exposure, anaemia, acute respiratory infection, and low birth weight prevalence increase by 10% (95% uncertainty interval, UI: 9-11), 11% (8-13), and 5% (4-6), respectively, among children in India. NO, elemental carbon, and NH were more associated with the three health outcomes than other PM species.

India's photovoltaic potential amidst air pollution and land constraints.

India aims for ambitious solar energy goal to fulfill its climate commitment but there are limited studies on solar resource assessment considering both environmental and land availability constraints. The present work attempts to address this issue using satellite-derived air pollution, radiation, and land use data over the Indian region. Surface insolation over India has been decreasing at a rate of -0.

An environmental justice analysis of air pollution in India.

Due to the lack of timely data on socioeconomic factors (SES), little research has evaluated if socially disadvantaged populations are disproportionately exposed to higher PM concentrations in India. We fill this gap by creating a rich dataset of SES parameters for 28,081 clusters (villages in rural India and census-blocks in urban India) from the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4) using a precision-weighted methodology that accounts for survey-design. We then evaluated associations between total, anthropogenic and source-specific PM exposures and SES variables using fully-adjusted multilevel models.

A cross-sectional analysis of ambient fine particulate matter (PM) exposure and haemoglobin levels in children aged under 5 years living in 36 countries.

Low haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and anaemia in children have adverse effects on development and functioning, some of which may have consequences in later life. Exposure to ambient air pollution is reported to be associated with anaemia, but there is little evidence specific to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where childhood anaemia prevalence is greatest. We aimed to determine if long-term ambient fine particulate matter (≤2.

A satellite-driven model to estimate long-term particulate sulfate levels and attributable mortality burden in China.

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM) pollution is a major environmental and public health challenge in China. In the recent decade, the PM level has decreased mainly driven by reductions in particulate sulfate as a result of large-scale desulfurization efforts in coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities. Emerging evidence also points to the differential toxicity of particulate sulfate affecting human health.

A cross-sectional analysis of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and cognitive development in children aged 3-4 years living in 12 low- and middle-income countries.

Exposure to ambient air pollution may affect cognitive functioning and development in children. Unfortunately, there is little evidence available for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where air pollution levels are highest. We analysed the association between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (≤2.

Impact of Air Pollution on Child Health in India and the Way Forward.

Recent research in epidemiological modelling reveals that air pollution affects child health in various ways resulting in low birthweight, stillbirth, preterm birth, developmental delay, growth failure, poor respiratory and cardiovascular health, and a higher risk of anemia. India has embarked on the national clean air program, but a much stronger coordinated multi-sectoral approach is required to minimize the child health burden caused by air pollution. Air pollution should be treated as a public health crisis that can only be managed with policy backed by science, gradual transition to clean energy use, emission reduction supported by clean air technologies, long-term commitment from the Government, and cooperation of the citizens.

Association between Acute Exposure to PM Chemical Species and Mortality in Megacity Delhi, India.

The association between daily all-cause mortality and short-term fine particulate matter (PM) exposure is well established in the literature. However, association between acute exposure to PM chemical species and mortality is not well known, especially in developing countries like India. Here we examined associations between mortality and acute exposure to PM mass concentration and their 15 chemical components using data from 2013 to 2016 in megacity Delhi using a semiparametric quasi-Poisson regression model, adjusting for mean temperature, relative humidity, and long-term time trend as the major potential confounders.

Child Survival and Early Lifetime Exposures to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter in India: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Ambient fine particulate matter [PM in aerodynamic diameter ()] is a major health risk for children, particularly in South Asia, which currently experiences the highest levels globally. Nevertheless, there is comparatively little epidemiological evidence from this region to quantify the effects of on child survival.

Objectives: We estimated the association between exposure and child survival in India.

Robust relationship between ambient air pollution and infant mortality in India.

Background: Ambient exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is one of the top global health concerns. We estimate the associations between in-utero and perinatal exposure to PM and infant, neonatal and postneonatal mortality in India. We evaluate the sensitivity of this association to two widely-used exposure assessments.

Ambient air pollution and acute respiratory infection in children aged under 5 years living in 35 developing countries.

Background: Evidence from developed countries suggests that fine particulate matter (≤2.5 µm [PM]) contributes to childhood respiratory morbidity and mortality. However, few analyses have focused on resource-limited settings, where much of this burden occurs.

Crop Fires and Cardiovascular Health - A Study from North India.

We examine the impact of exposure to biomass burning events (primarily crop burning) on the prevalence of hypertension in four North Indian states. We use data from the National Family Health Survey-IV for 2015-16 and employ a multivariate logistic and linear model to estimate the effect of exposure to biomass burning on the prevalence of hypertension and blood pressure, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio of hypertension among individuals living in areas with high intensity of biomass (HIB) burning (defined as exposure to 100 fire-events during the past 30 days) is 1.

The Association Between Ambient PM Exposure and Anemia Outcomes Among Children Under Five Years of Age in India.

Unlabelled: Anemia is highly prevalent in India, especially in children. Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM) is a potential risk factor for anemia via. systemic inflammation.

Tradeoffs between air pollution mitigation and meteorological response in India.

To curb the staggering health burden attributed to air pollution, the sustainable solution for India would be to reduce emissions in future. Here we project ambient fine particulate matter (PM) exposure in India for the year 2030 under two contrasting air pollution emission pathways for two different climate scenarios based on Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.