Environmental research
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Environmental research · Mar 2019
Manganese levels in newborns' hair by maternal sociodemographic, dietary and environmental factors.
Exposure to manganese (Mn) has been associated with neurodevelopmental problems in children. Mn exposure begins in utero, and maternal sociodemographic, dietary and environmental factors may affect Mn levels in newborns' hair. This study aimed to characterize in utero Mn exposure using Mn levels in newborns' hair as a biomarker of prenatal exposure, and to analyze its relationship with sociodemographic, dietary and environmental factors in the Spanish INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort. ⋯ The median Mn concentration in newborns´ hair was 0.31 µg/g (P5 = 0.02; P95 = 1.23). Mn levels in newborns´ hair were associated with smoking during pregnancy (β = 0.222; 95% CI = 0.065-0.379) and with maternal PM2.5 exposure (β = 0.025; 95% CI = 0.004; 0.047), as well as with cereal and pasta intake in the first trimester of pregnancy (β = 0.002; 95% CI = 0.0004; 0.003). In conclusion, fetal exposure to Mn was associated with smoking and exposure to atmospheric pollution during pregnancy.
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Environmental research · Feb 2019
Relationships between home ventilation rates and respiratory health in the Colorado Home Energy Efficiency and Respiratory Health (CHEER) study.
As societies adopt green building practices to reduce energy expenditures and emissions that contribute to climate change, it is important to consider how such building design changes influence health. These practices typically focus on reducing air exchange rates between the building interior and the outdoor environment to minimize energy loss, the health effects of which are not well characterized. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between air exchange rates and respiratory health in a multi-ethnic population living in low-income, urban homes. ⋯ While prior studies have highlighted the potential hazards of low ventilation rates in residences, this study suggests high ventilation rates in single-family homes, duplexes and town-homes in urban areas may also have negative impacts on respiratory health, possibly due to the infiltration of outdoor pollutants.
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Environmental research · Feb 2019
Impact of heatwaves on daily outpatient visits of respiratory disease: A time-stratified case-crossover study.
This study aims to estimate the impact of heatwaves from July 2010 to October 2012 on daily outpatient visits for respiratory disease (RD) in Cangnan, China and identify vulnerable populations. ⋯ Heatwaves had a significant harmful impact on daily outpatient visits for RD in Cangnan, especially for vulnerable population identified. These results can be used not only to strengthen the health education and protection of these vulnerable populations, but also to assist relevant organizations with developing intervention programmes and improving disease prevention and community care.
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Environmental research · Jan 2019
Dietary patterns, bone lead and incident coronary heart disease among middle-aged to elderly men.
Most absorbed lead ends up in the bone, where it can be measured as a biomarker of cumulative exposure, elevations of which have been shown to predict a higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Knowledge about the role of dietary patterns is critical to the development of effective interventions for the cardiovascular toxicity of cumulative lead exposure. ⋯ Prudent diet may reduce the risk of development of CHD in relation to patella lead. However, these findings need to be interpreted with caution, given the modest sample size.
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Environmental research · Nov 2018
Prenatal nitrate air pollution exposure and reduced child lung function: Timing and fetal sex effects.
Prenatal particulate air pollution exposure may alter lung growth and development in utero in a time-sensitive and sex-specific manner, resulting in reduced lung function in childhood. Such relationships have not been examined for nitrate (NO3-). ⋯ Early gestational NO3- exposure is associated with reduced child lung function, especially in boys.