International Journal of Environmental Health Research最新文献

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between health-protective behaviors against fine particle exposure and cognitive function among the elderly. A total of 100 individuals aged 60 and above at a dementia relief center in a specific district participated in this study. Cognitive function was examined using the Cognitive Screening Test (CIST). Descriptive analysis, t-tests, cross-tabulations, binary logistic regression, and linear regression were used to analyze the data. The results indicated significant correlations between fine particle health-protective behaviors and cognitive function, which persisted even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. These findings suggest that higher levels of protective behaviors are associated with better cognitive outcomes, highlighting the importance of interventions in aging populations. Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether fine particle health-protective behavior can help maintain cognitive function.

This study investigated the relationship between air pollution and influenza incidence in Chongqing from 2013 to 2022 using a generalized additive model (GAM), analyzing 199,712 cases. Subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the impact of age, gender, season, and the COVID-19. Influenza incidence was positively associated with PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂ and CO, but negatively with O₃. SO₂ had the most effect. In single-day lag models, the largest percentage changes in influenza incidence at lag0 for each pollutant were: 2.930% for SO₂, 1.552% for CO, -0.637% for O₃, 0.516% for PM_2.5, and 0.405% for PM₁₀. NO₂ showed the largest change at lag11 (1.376%). In multi-day lag models, changes peaked at lag011-014. Stratified analyses revealed children aged 0-14 years as particularly vulnerable during the cold season and COVID-19 period. The study demonstrates that short-term lags and cumulative effects of air pollution exposure increase influenza incidence, significant for establishing influenza response strategies.

The burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) attributable to lead exposure in China remains poorly understood. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, we aim to explore the epidemiological trends and specific burdens, providing insights into environmental health. In 2019, the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years of IHD attributable to lead exposure in China reached 105,857 and 1,899,139, respectively. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) were 6.46 and 101.29 per 100,000 population, respectively. The burden was higher in males than in females. The estimated ASMR is projected to decrease to 7.08 and 3.37 per 100,000 for males and females by 2030, while the ASDR is expected to decline to 100.57 and 45.30 per 100,000 for males and females. The burden of IHD attributable to lead exposure is substantial in China, highlighting the grave public health concern posed by lead pollution.

Air samples were collected at the Lianhu (urban) and Yanta (semi-urban) regions between January 2020 and December 2023 to determine the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Xi'an, which is an important tourist city in China. The concentration of PAHs was ascertained using liquid chromatography. The concentration of Σ₁₆PAHs in Xi'an was 0.13-105.02 ng/m³, while the concentration of Σ₁₆PAHs for the sampling regions at Lianhu and Yanta were 0.13-105.02 ng/m³ and 0.34-82.64 ng/m³, respectively. PAHs with 4-5 rings were the predominant PAHs pollutants in Xi'an, mainly from coal combustion and automobile exhaust. Risks through inhalation to three groups, adult males, adult females, and children, were estimated. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) value for local adults and children were less than 10^-6, considered to be at a safe level. However, the ILCR is relatively close to the minimum risk threshold (10^-6), and it still needs to be highly valued.

This study investigates the impact of heat exposure on health outcomes among older adults in 10 Indian states, using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study of India (LASI-Wave I) and climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Propensity score matching and ordered probit models were employed to control for demographic factors and isolate the effects of heat exposure. Our results show a significant association between heat exposure and worsening self-reported health and mental health, including increased feeling of depression, fatigue, fear, and decreased life satisfaction. The analysis indicates that access to cooling devices mitigates adverse health effects in rural areas, while access to onsite water benefits urban residents. These findings underscore the critical role of housing and environment factors in moderating the health impacts of heat exposure and suggest targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations.

Lead is an environmental and occupational heavy metal and contaminant that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study analyzed the long-term trend burden from 1990-2021 using Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, projecting trends through 2050 with Bayesian age-period-cohort models. In 2021, the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of lead-associated CKD was 8635.60 and 189127.20. And age-standardized mortality and DALYs rates were 0.47 per 100,000 population and 9.39 per 100,000 population, respectively. Compared with 1900, all indicators have declined except for death number, all of which were below global level. The sex-specific burden increased with increasing age, and was higher in males. The downward trend in sex-specific burden from 2020-2050 was observed. While overall burden has decreased, persistent environmental lead pollution necessitates targeted prevention for males and middle-aged/elderly populations. CKD management and pollution control remain critical public health challenges in China.

Outdoor air pollution poses a significant threat to children, especially those in low socioeconomic areas exposed to dense traffic pollutants. This study explores the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity, and air pollution exposure among primary school children in Auckland, New Zealand. Findings indicate that NO₂ levels do not vary significantly between schools in low versus high SES areas; however, Pacifica children experience the highest exposure, with levels reaching up to 13.37 μg/m³. Central regions of Auckland show particularly high pollution levels, measuring 15.7 μg/m³-significantly above the regional average of 13.16 μg/m³, which amplifies health risks for children in these areas. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution. Future research should broaden the scope to include more pollutants and utilize more recent data to assess the health impacts of air pollution.   .

This study aims to analyze the nutrient profile, carbon and water footprints of traditional menus across geographical regions of Türkiye. The recipes were selected from cookbooks and were analyzed through Google Trends. The menus showed significantly higher levels of energy, protein, carbohydrates and several vitamins and minerals (p < 0.05). Carbon footprint analysis revealed Southeast Anatolia had the highest footprint (5.54 ± 0.55 kg CO₂ eq/d), while Central Anatolia had the lowest (2.01 ± 0.23 kg CO₂ eq/d) (p < 0.05). Water footprint data indicated Marmara had the highest values (4165.03 ± 386.95 L/kg/d), with Central Anatolia having lowest (1132.14 ± 101.18 L/kg/d) (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between traditional menus and the EAT-Lancet Planetary Diet. These findings highlight the importance of developing sustainability strategies that preserve cultural heritage while promoting plant-based ingredients, seasonal and local foods, and eco-friendly cooking methods to mitigate environmental impact.

We investigated the relation between non-persistent pesticides and hypertension using data from 4260 adults in NHANES (2007-2014). Urinary concentrations of biomarkers for non-persistent pesticides were served as the level of pesticide exposure. The hypertension prevalence was 42.6%. The weighted logistic regression revealed a significant positive association between para-nitrophenol (PNP) and hypertension (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.20, p = 0.010), while the 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol (TCPY), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) showed no significant association with hypertension. The bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) also supported the positive association of PNP with hypertension. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) confirmed the relation between PNP and hypertension was linear. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) demonstrated a positive association between combined exposure to the four pesticide biomarkers and hypertension (OR: 1.16, 95%CI: 1.02-1.32, p = 0.027), with PNP contributing the most (weighted 0.663). Our study emphasized the relationship between exposure to PNP and hypertension.

A study conducted around Urmia Lake, Iran, investigated the impact of dust storms on fungal concentrations in the air. Researchers collected samples over a year, analyzing fungal variations during dusty and normal days.  The average fungal concentration was found to be 436.2 CFU/m³, with Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Cladosporium iridis being the most prevalent species. Notably, fungal concentrations during dust days averaged 967.65 CFU/m³, which is 3.6 times higher than on normal days (267.10 CFU/m³). A total of 61 species were detected on normal days, compared to 45 on dusty days, with Aspergillus and Cladosporium spp. dominating both conditions. The study also linked environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and wind speed to fungal concentrations. Additionally, the distribution of dust was analyzed using the HYSPLIT model and MODIS satellite imagery, highlighting the health risks associated with high fungal concentrations and changing mycobiota due to dust disturbances.