Airborne algae have been associated with respiratory illness in the setting of coastal harmful algae blooms but little is known about their effects in urban populations distributed across a country, and whether ambient air pollution is an effect modifier. Using cross-sectional data from 11,256 participants of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), we tested the association between lung function expressed as a forced expiratory volume (FEV) and airborne concentrations of algae measured by a rotation impact sampler in the participant's city of residence on the day of spirometric testing. The daily upper 95th percentiles of algae ranged from 12.7 to 104.3 grains/m. An interquartile range increase in algae was associated with a 2.55% (95%CI: 1.88, 3.23) decrease in percent predicted 1-s forced expiratory volume pp FEV, and a 2.54% (95%CI: -2.93, -2.14) decrease in pp FEV/forced vital capacity (FVC) after adjustment for participants' age, sex, education, annual income, active cigarette smoking, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, fine particulate air pollution (PM), total fungal spores and total pollen grains. An interquartile increase in PM was associated with a 0.86% (95%CI: 0.78, 0.94) decrease in FEV, but we found no significant interaction between air pollutants and algae. Our findings suggest that independent of air pollution, airborne algae may influence lung function in urban populations widely distributed across Canada, and the observed effect was of larger magnitude than that of air pollution.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.120640 | DOI Listing |
Environ Sci Process Impacts
December 2024
National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
This article emphasizes the crucial role of metrology, the science of measurement, in modern life. It explores the history and importance of the global measurement system in ensuring reliable and comparable data; how this system has evolved over the years into what we now recognise as the International System of Units; and the recent changes that have future proofed our system of measurement against the challenges of technological developments yet to come. The text highlights the particular significance of accurate measurements for air quality studies as having direct impact on policy decisions and assessment of the health effects of air pollution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Allergy Clin Immunol Pract
December 2024
Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE. Electronic address:
As the effects of anthropogenic climate change have become more apparent, the influences of climate and extreme weather events on health have continued to gain attention. The fact Earth has warmed over the past century is indisputable and the rate of warming is more alarming. As a result of anthropogenic climate change an alteration in the air mixture has occurred over time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Pollut
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 10012, China.
Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and bisphenol A (BPA) are recognized as common endocrine disruptors associated with various adverse effects on human health. However, limitations in existing systematic studies, particularly in air detection, have raised concerns about potential health risks from inhalation exposure. In this study, PM samples were collected in Dongying, a petrochemical city, from October 27 to December 6, 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Pollut
December 2024
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China; Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Ningbo, China. Electronic address:
This study investigates the prevalence and impacts of suspended atmospheric microplastics (SAMPs) in the coastal metropolitan city of Ningbo in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China. The sampling was conducted at both urban centre and urban-rural fringe areas, near the coast but distant from large urban populations. SAMP abundance ranged from 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Res
December 2024
Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is associated with harmful impacts on human health and population growth in urban areas has exacerbated this exposure. In this study, we compare the exposure between cities at a national level and between different regions within cities considering the population in situ. We estimate the impacts of pollution and population on exposure by spatial and time series analysis from 2000 to 2018 based on 1-km grid data.
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