International Journal of Environmental Health Research最新文献

This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the relationship between nutrition according to chronotype and the Mediterranean diet and environmental footprints. "Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire" was used to determine the chronotype classification, and "Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener" was used to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. In addition, the food consumption record of the participants was taken and the carbon and water footprints were calculated. A total of 472 adults with a mean age of 22.7 ± 5.0 years participated in the study. Accordingly, 61.0% of the participants were morning type, 15.7% were intermediate type, and 23.3% were evening type. Individuals with higher chronotype values (morning) tended to be more adherent to the Mediterranean diet and had lower environmental (carbon and water) footprints (p < 0.05). The results of this study; showed that diet according to chronotype affects adherence to the Mediterranean diet and environmental footprints.

Previous research yields inconsistent findings on the effect of telecommuting on health and little knowledge on its explanatory mechanisms. In reply, this study investigated work-home interference, home-work interference and social support from colleagues as explanations (mediators) of the relationship between the extent of telecommuting and psychological distress. We collected 4-wave data during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-June 2020) from 5,959 Belgian workers. Using Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Modeling, we investigated within-person processes over time. Results showed that telecommuting predicted work-home interference and social support, with these effects varying by pandemic stage. Also, the effects of the mediators on psychological distress varied over time. No indirect effects from telecommuting to psychological distress via the mediators were found. Our findings suggest that the context presents certain challenges to teleworkers that may make telecommuting demanding in terms of home-work interference and social support, implying the need for tailored support.

The spatio-temporal distribution, source apportionment, and risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) were investigated in the Sombreiro River Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Water, sediment and oysters were obtained from the estuary and analyzed for 16 priority PAHs using gas chromatograph coupled with mass selective detector after extraction. The levels of the ∑16-PAHs in the water, sediment and oyster ranged from 25-10079 µg/L, 495-12811 µg/kg and 489-10823 µg/kg respectively for all locations and seasons. The results showed significant spatio-temporal variations in PAHs concentrations in all the matrices. The ecological risk assessment revealed high risk posed by the PAHs level to the estuarine ecosystem. The health risk indicated unacceptable carcinogenic risk to human via ingestion of oysters. Besides, for water and sediments, both ingestion and dermal pathways indicated unacceptable cancer risk. Source apportionment suggested that the PAHs in the estuary were from both pyrogenic and petrogenic sources.   .

The study aimed to elucidate metal transitions from cooking utensils to the solutions at different pH. Alkaline, acidic, drinking water solutions were boiled in themost preferred cooking utensils determined by a survey. The metal concentrations were measured using ICP-MS for Aluminium, Iron, Nickel, and Lead. Theresults showed that the most preferred utensils were stainless-steel, granite, teflon and cast-iron. There was a considerable difference between the transition amounts of the metals in acidic and alkaline solutions depending on the cookware.Cooking in stainless-steel, teflon, and cast-iron lead to metal concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines in acidic and alkaline media.Granite was the safest pot to cook in all media. Different brands of utensils made of the same material showed different amounts of metals released in different environmental conditions. Choosing the right cooking utensil and standardizing the metal release is important to minimize heavy metal exposure and the related health impacts.

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.