Environment international
-
Environment international · Mar 2019
Ambient air pollution exposures and risk of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Few epidemiological studies have explored the effects of air pollution on the risk of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). ⋯ Our finding suggest that exposure to ambient air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, O3, and CO) are associated with increased risk of DR-TB. We provided epidemiological evidence of association between pollution exposure and mono-, poly- and multi-drug resistance.
-
Environment international · Feb 2019
Urinary concentrations of phenols and phthalate metabolites reflect extracellular vesicle microRNA expression in follicular fluid.
Phenols and phthalates are potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are associated with adverse health outcomes. These EDCs dysregulate a number of biomolecules and pathways, including microRNAs. MicroRNAs can be carried in transport systems called extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are present in most biofluids. EVs in the follicular fluid, which fills the ovarian follicle and influences oocyte developmental competency, carry microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) that have been associated with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcomes. However, it remains unclear whether EDCs affect EV-miRNAs in follicular fluid. ⋯ Our results show that urinary concentrations of select phenol and phthalate metabolites are correlated with altered EV-miRNAs expression in follicular fluid. These findings may provide insight regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying adverse effects of phenol and phthalate exposure on female fertility.
-
Environment international · Feb 2019
Urinary concentrations of monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in adults from the U.S. Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 (2013-2014).
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants formed from incomplete combustion of organic matter; some PAHs are carcinogens. Smoking, diet, and other activities contribute to exposure to PAHs. Exposure data to PAHs among combustible tobacco product users (e.g. cigarette smokers) exist; however, among non-combustible tobacco products users (e.g., e-cigarette users), such data are rather limited. ⋯ Users of tobacco products had higher PAH urinary biomarker concentrations compared to never users, and concentrations differed by type and frequency of tobacco product use.
-
Environment international · Dec 2018
Assessment of impact of traffic-related air pollution on morbidity and mortality in Copenhagen Municipality and the health gain of reduced exposure.
Health impact assessment (HIA) of exposure to air pollution is commonly based on city level (fine) particle concentration and may underestimate health consequences of changing local traffic. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution can be assessed at a high resolution by modelling levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which together with ultrafine particles mainly originate from diesel-powered vehicles in urban areas. The purpose of this study was to estimate the health benefits of reduced exposure to vehicle emissions assessed as NO2 at the residence among the citizens of Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark. ⋯ Reducing the NO2 exposure by controlling traffic-related air pollution reduces the occurrence of some of the most prevalent chronic diseases and increases life expectancy. Such health benefits can be quantified by DYNAMO-HIA in a high resolution exposure modelling. This paper demonstrates how traffic planners can assess health benefits from reduced levels of traffic-related air pollution.
-
Environment international · Dec 2018
A population-based birth cohort study of the association between childhood-onset asthma and exposure to industrial air pollutant emissions.
Studies of the association between air pollution and asthma onset have mostly focused on urban and traffic-related air pollution. We investigated the associations between exposure to industrial emissions and childhood-onset asthma in a population-based birth cohort in Quebec, Canada, 2002-2011. ⋯ In this population-based birth cohort, residential exposure to industrial air pollutant emissions was associated with childhood-onset asthma. Additional studies with improved models for estimating exposure to industrial point-sources are needed to further support the observed associations.