International Journal of Environmental Health Research最新文献

We conducted a modified case-crossover study to examine whether wildfires in the Paraná River Delta departments surrounding Rosario, Argentina, during 2021-2022 increased PM₂.₅ concentrations in this city and if this rise subsequently elevated the risk of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We first observed that daily PM₂.₅ levels in Rosario were significantly higher on wildfire days compared to non-wildfire days (34 µg/m³ vs. 25.75 µg/m³, p < 0.01). In the case-crossover analysis, we found that the odds of STEMI were significantly higher on days when PM₂.₅ concentrations exceeded 20 µg/m³ (OR 2.2 [95% CI 1.2-4.2, p = 0.02]). Additionally, the odds of STEMI increased with higher PM₂.₅ concentrations, with a significant difference when comparing the first and fourth quartiles concentration (OR 1.76 [95% CI 1.06-2.92, p = 0.03] and OR 2.02 [95% CI 1.25-3.27, p < 0.01], respectively). In conclusion, wildfires in the surrounding departments of Rosario City in the Paraná River Delta led to elevated PM₂.₅ levels, and this increase was associated with a higher risk of STEMI hospital admissions.

A level 1 Environmental Risk Assessment, based on the USEPA guidelines, was conducted using a risk quotient to evaluate the risk of pesticide use. The Culiacan Valley was chosen as study area because of its importance as agricultural zone in northwest Mexico. Records of pesticide applications allowed the critical contaminants to be identified, and a stratified random sampling was carried out to assess pesticide presence in agricultural soils. For each pesticide detected a toxicity reference value was used, and the risk quotient was determined based on the worst possible scenario for five trophic levels. Critical contaminants such as organochlorines, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids represented high risk for aquatic and low risk for terrestrial biota. Overall, the study indicates that a more exhaustive risk assessment should be conducted. This information could be useful in the design of better pesticide regulations aimed at mitigating undesirable environmental consequences.

E-cigarettes are gaining popularity worldwide, necessitating their control. This study investigated the impact of parental factors on E-cigarette use among children-adolescents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey involving 1,044 parents of children aged 10- to 21 was conducted in malls. A structured questionnaire assessed parental socio-economic status, smoking/vaping habits, and attitudes toward E-cigarette use.Data were analysed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and binary logistic regression (significance set at 0.05). Results showed 176 (16.9%) parents reported their children using E-cigarettes. Older adolescents (18-21 age group) were significantly more likely to use E-cigarettes compared to younger ones (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]:6.456, 95% CI:3.664-11.374). Parents with a permissive attitude were more likely to have children who vape. (AOR:1.643, 95% CI:1.149-2.348). While open parent-child communication about traditional smoking reduced E-cigarettes use (AOR:0.772, 95% CI:0.639-0.934). Parental attitudes and open communication are crucial for mitigating youth E-cigarette use.

Vascular function serves as a prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease and may exhibit seasonal variations due to lifestyle and environmental factors. Our systematic review aimed to determine whether seasonal variations in vascular function are present. We conducted a search of five databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Biomed Central) to identify evidence of seasonal variations in vascular function. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they assessed vascular function in adult humans during two or more seasons and were published in English. Of the 20,420 studies screened, 12 were eligible and none were excluded due to bias. Nine studies reported significant seasonal variations in vascular function, whereas three studies found no significant seasonal variations. The seasonality of vascular function remains unclear. However, current literature indicates that vascular dysfunction may exhibit a seasonal pattern, with vascular function reduced in the winter. Seasonal variations in endothelial function necessitate further exploration, particularly concerning factors such as exercise, temperature, light exposure, and air pollution. Future research should adopt standardised protocols, involve diverse and larger populations, employ longitudinal designs to minimise confounding factors, systematically measure and adjust for environmental variables, and accurately assess the impact of seasonal variation on vascular function.

The relationships among neighbourhood greenness, physical activity, and mental health are unclear; therefore, we examined the independent and synergistic associations between neighbourhood greenness and self-rated mental health among a nationally representative sample of urban-dwelling adults in Canada (18-79 years) from the 2007-2019 Canadian Health Measures Survey (n = 12,531). We assessed neighbourhood greenness using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index within a 500-meter radius of participants' residential postal codes. We measured physical activity using accelerometers and determined adherence to the recommended 150-minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) per week. We used weighted logistic regression models to test whether MVPA guideline adherence was an effect modifier in the association between neighbourhood greenness and self-rated mental health, adjusting for individual and neighbourhood characteristics. Neighbourhood greenness (aOR = 0.89 [0.62, 1.29]) and MVPA adherence (aOR = 1.22 [0.89, 1.69]) were not associated with self-rated mental health, and no interaction were found on the additive (Relative Excess Risk Due to Interaction = -0.45 [-1.24, 0.35], Attributable Proportion = -0.38 [-1.02, 0.26], Synergy Index = 0.28 [0.02, 3.20]) or multiplicative (OR = 0.7 [0.4, 1.3]) scales. Engaging in the recommended amount of MVPA did not change the finding that Canadian adults had similar self-rated mental health regardless of their neighbourhood greenness.

Few studies have examined the impact of ambient air pollutants on sensory impairments (SI_S) in adults. Using a nationally representative study of 13,505 participants from 125 Chinese cities, we investigated the association of air pollutants with SI_S among middle-aged and elderly adults. The SI_S were evaluated by self-reported visual impairment (VI) and/or hearing impairment. Residential exposure to particulate matter (PM) ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), ≤ 10 μm (PM₁₀), and ≤ 1 μm (PM₁), nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide were estimated using a satellite model. Each 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 1.015, 95% CI:1.00-1.032) and PM₁ (1.035, 1.007-1.064) was associated with SI. Moreover, a significant association with VI was found for annual PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁. The association was stronger in individuals who had chronic diseases. Long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁, was associated with SI_S among adults, underscoring the importance of improving air quality to prevent SI_S.

This study to examine associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), 24-hour movement components, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children from southern Brazil, emphasizing the critical variables in these relationships. The sample included 186 schoolchildren (6-11 years, 8.57±1.56). Waist circumference (WC) and CRF were assessed using PROESP-Br protocols, while physical activity (moderate to vigorous - MVPA, and light - LPA) was measured via accelerometers. Sleep and screen time were reported by parents, and fasting blood samples provided data on triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Network analysis highlight WC, systolic blood pressure, and MVPA as central variables with significant connectivity. MVPA emerged as central among 24-hour movement behaviors, with CRF playing an intermediary role. Results underscore WC and MVPA's relationship on cardiometabolic health, supporting interventions targeting MVPA to prevent early cardiometabolic risks in children.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of ubiquitous organic compounds mainly produced during the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic materials. Multiple studies have acknowledged PAHs as human carcinogen, which necessitates its detoxication from human and animals. Great and continuous efforts have been made to alleviate the adverse effects of PAHs to human and animals. This study summarizes plenty of techniques, including herbal extraction, phytochemicals, commercial agent and microbes, coupled with some optimized strategies, have utilized for the detoxication of PAHs, which also have limitations. Augmenting the delivery systems of phytochemicals for the improvement of sustained release property and enhancement of the bioavailability, introducing newly screened microbes for PAHs detoxication via biodegrading, as well as engineering microbes for the production of phytochemicals and degradation enzymes are the three future aspects needed to be considered in-depth.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure has been linked to asthma, but their individual and combined effects in children remain unclear. Using data from the 2003-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we investigated the associations between PAHs and asthma through logistic regression, Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, Quantile g Computation (qg computation), and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant impact of PAHs on asthma, particularly in males. The WQS model showed a marginally significant combined effect of 9 PAHs on asthma (Odds Ratio = 1.37, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.06-1.75). BKMR also indicated a positive association between combined PAH exposure and asthma. 2-Hydroxyfluorene and 1-Hydroxypyrene were identified as the most significant contributors. These findings suggest that mixed PAH exposure is associated with asthma risk in children.

The growing demand for ferrous metals and abundant scrap materials has fueled Nigeria's scrap-iron smelting industry, leading to hazardous pollutant emissions. This study investigated the concentrations, seasonal and indoor-outdoor variations, origins, and health impacts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in dust samples around a scrap-iron smelting facility. Analyses of dust samples revealed that high molecular weight PAHs (HMWPAHs) dominated during both seasons, with 5-ring PAHs (34%) contributing most during the rainy season and 3-ring PAHs (36%) during the dry season. Carcinogenic PAHs were more prevalent in the rainy season compared to the dry season. Seven PAH sources were identified, with gasoline combustion being the dominant source during the rainy season and iron and steel production during the dry season. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) assessments showed PAH concentrations within safe limits, with dermal contact identified as the primary exposure pathway for both children and adults in the study area.