Acute Particulate Matter Exposure and Suicide in North East Asia: A Literature Review

A systematic literature review was conducted on research exploring the relationship between acute exposures to ambient particulate matter and changes in suicide rates in North East Asian countries. From the eight studies analyzed limited evidence was found and additional research about the association is suggested

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from monoterpene ozonolysis in the presence of inorganic aerosols: acid effects on SOA yields

Traditionally SOA formation has been predicted using a thermodynamic partitioning theory which does not take into consideration the presence of inorganic aerosols although SOA mass has been shown to be affected by the presence inorganic acidic aerosols. Acid particles are able to catalyze the formation of higher molecular weight structures within SOA and alter the thermodynamic partitioning equilibrium. The equilibrium is reestablished when additional mass partitions the aerosols increasing the particulate mass formed. The effects of preexisting acidic particles on the SOA formation of a series of biogenic precursor gases has been investigated experimentally using an indoor smog chamber and modeled using mathematical models describing the gas, and particle phase chemistry. The model predicts the total SOA mass and the fraction of heterogeneous acid-catalyzed aerosol mass formed. The effect of varying acidity and relative humidity on the heterogeneous acid-catalyzed aerosol mass produced is also captured. Thermal gravimetric analysis was used to quantify the fraction of heterogeneous acid catalyzed aerosol mass in SOA, and to evaluate model predictions. The developed model more accurately describes the SOA formation process as it occurs in the ambient atmosphere by including the influence of inorganic aerosols

Assessing psychophysiological effects of malodorous pollutants in residents of Leandrinho, Bahia, Brazil: A Pilot Study using a WhatsApp-based Questionnaire

Background: Leandrinho is located in the region that is home to the largest industrial chemical complex in the southern hemisphere that covers approximately 49 km2. Leandrinho residents have reported experiencing adverse health effects that co-occur during periods of malodor emitted by the petrochemical industry. However, there is currently no tool for the residents to systematically record incidents of malodor. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of using a questionnaire designed through Whatsapp, a text-messaging application commonly used among residents. Method: Leandrinho residents were randomly recruited to complete a daily questionnaire using either paper (n=24) or Whatsapp (n=24) over the course of 49 days. All study participants (n=42) spent most of their days in the town. The age for inclusion ranged from 18 to 50. The questionnaire comprised of six questions that asked when and where odor was detected, as well as the level of odor intensity and symptoms experienced. Results: Preliminary analysis shows that of the 24 participants randomized into the paper group, only two participants recorded using the paper forms, citing WhatsApp was easier and more convenient. Of the 42 participants, only 30 sent at least one reply over the course of the study. The average number of replies per day was 5.5, and the highest number of responses received on a single day was 12. Only 6 of the 30 participants sent replies on at least 50% of the days. Odor was reported on 24 study days; however, 16 of those days were reported only by one person. Given the low response rate, determining the days when an odor occurred was difficult to determine. Conclusion: Evaluating the feasibility of a data collecting tool that is widely available and user-friendly is important for addressing the environmental concerns experienced by Leandrinho and for highlighting the need for such tool to be further developed. Further development could result in a more accurate representation of the experiences of Leandrinho and other communities alike

Integrating modelling and smart sensors for environmental and human health.

Sensors are becoming ubiquitous in everyday life, generating data at an unprecedented rate and scale. However, models that assess impacts of human activities on environmental and human health, have typically been developed in contexts where data scarcity is the norm. Models are essential tools to understand processes, identify relationships, associations and causality, formalize stakeholder mental models, and to quantify the effects of prevention and interventions. They can help to explain data, as well as inform the deployment and location of sensors by identifying hotspots and areas of interest where data collection may achieve the best results. We identify a paradigm shift in how the integration of models and sensors can contribute to harnessing 'Big Data' and, more importantly, make the vital step from 'Big Data' to 'Big Information'. In this paper, we illustrate current developments and identify key research needs using human and environmental health challenges as an example.E.S. is funded by NIH R21ES024715. M.C. gratefully acknowledges the Minnesota Discovery, Research and InnoVation Economy (MnDRIVE) “Global Food Venture” funding and the Institute on the Environment “Discovery Grant” funding at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities. S.R. and S.S. acknowledge the support for the conceptual development and testing of personal exposure monitoring methods by the UK Natural Environment Research Council through National Capability funding.This is the final version of the article. It was first available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.06.00

Combining Community Engagement and Scientific Approaches in Next-Generation Monitor Siting: The Case of the Imperial County Community Air Network.

Air pollution continues to be a global public health threat, and the expanding availability of small, low-cost air sensors has led to increased interest in both personal and crowd-sourced air monitoring. However, to date, few low-cost air monitoring networks have been developed with the scientific rigor or continuity needed to conduct public health surveillance and inform policy. In Imperial County, California, near the U.S./Mexico border, we used a collaborative, community-engaged process to develop a community air monitoring network that attains the scientific rigor required for research, while also achieving community priorities. By engaging community residents in the project design, monitor siting processes, data dissemination, and other key activities, the resulting air monitoring network data are relevant, trusted, understandable, and used by community residents. Integration of spatial analysis and air monitoring best practices into the network development process ensures that the data are reliable and appropriate for use in research activities. This combined approach results in a community air monitoring network that is better able to inform community residents, support research activities, guide public policy, and improve public health. Here we detail the monitor siting process and outline the advantages and challenges of this approach

The Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Network: A Model for Community-based Environmental Monitoring for Public Health Action.

The Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Network (the Network) is a collaborative group of community, academic, nongovernmental, and government partners designed to fill the need for more detailed data on particulate matter in an area that often exceeds air quality standards. The Network employs a community-based environmental monitoring process in which the community and researchers have specific, well-defined roles as part of an equitable partnership that also includes shared decision-making to determine study direction, plan research protocols, and conduct project activities. The Network is currently producing real-time particulate matter data from 40 low-cost sensors throughout Imperial County, one of the largest community-based air networks in the United States. Establishment of a community-led air network involves engaging community members to be citizen-scientists in the monitoring, siting, and data collection process. Attention to technical issues regarding instrument calibration and validation and electronic transfer and storage of data is also essential. Finally, continued community health improvements will be predicated on facilitating community ownership and sustainability of the network after research funds have been expended

Community Odor Exposure and its Association with Stress and Respiratory Symptoms

BACKGROUND: Odors from industrial facilities are typically characterized as nuisances, however researchers are increasingly studying the potential adverse health effects of community odor exposure. Chronic low-level odor exposure to non-toxic compounds can lead to irritation and physical symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to examine whether there is an association between odor exposure and respiratory symptoms or stress in communities that are located near industrial facilities. METHODS: Using the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology, risk of bias and quality of evidence was assessed for each study. These measures were used to evaluate the overall strength of evidence for an association. RESULTS: Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were rated from “low” to “high” for risk of bias and “low” to “moderate” for quality of evidence. Overall, the body of evidence had “limited” strength due to imprecision and because bias and confounding could not be completely ruled out. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence to support an association between industrial odor exposure and respiratory symptoms or stress. More rigorously designed odor assessment studies are needed before a recommendation can be made regarding industrial odor exposure

Elevated blood pressure in adults and household air pollution caused by use of unimproved cookstoves: a systematic review

There is emerging evidence that household air pollution (HAP) created by the use of unimproved cookstoves using solid fuels (wood, crop residues, charcoal, coal, and animal dung) could be a risk factor for elevated blood pressure in adults. Numerous reviews have found a risk associated with ambient particle air pollution and cardiovascular disease and clinical research has shown pathways in which the body\u27s response to irritating air pollutants can have effects on the cardiovascular system (Brook 2008). These responses are inflammatory in nature and can lead to oxidative stress which has been shown to play a role in the physiology of hypertension, systemically high blood pressure (Rodrigo et al 2007). If ambient pollution is a risk factor for elevated blood pressure, then pollution created in the home from similar fuels is conceivably causing an added risk for elevated BP levels and perhaps cardiovascular disease if left unchecked (Lim et al 2012). This review aimed to summarize studies that have researched the association between indoor cookstoves and their fuels and the association with hypertension. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles pertaining to adults using unimproved cookstoves and the association with hypertension or elevated blood pressure. 10 articles were found within these guidelines and all found some significant evidence supporting the hypothesis that unimproved cookstoves increases the risk for elevated blood pressure, specifically in older women with higher BMIs. Further research must be done to fully substantiate this hypothesis specifically longitudinal studies and intervention trials with longer follow up time. However, the research is being done regularly as this review was done months after a similar one was published with multiple new articles included

Environmental Degradation in Baía de Todos os Santos, Brazil: A Review of the Evidence

The communities living in Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS) has been subjected to toxicants released into the environment by the growing petrochemical industry surrounding the area. Community members are concerned about the effects that these chemicals have on the health and wellbeing of the people, as well as the natural environment. Many of the communities are artisanal fishers and rely on the fish and shellfish produced by the bay for a living. Working in collaboration with the Movement of Artisanal Fisher People (MPP), this research aims to summarize previous research conducted in the BTS. The research describes the environmental quality of the Bay and exposures to humans and animals living in the bay. A target systematic review was conducted to identify peer reviewed literature meeting the search criteria. This study reviews twenty five scientific papers that monitor and evaluate the environmental conditions in BTS. The research found strong data that proves the environmental degradation occurring in BTS has a toxic effect on the air, sediment, and water quality in the area. Also, studies that analyze the biota living in the Bay indicated excess stress in the organisms due to the surrounding petrochemical plants that leak pollutants into the water. The chemicals found in all four categories: sediment, water, air, and biota were then scanned for possible carcinogenic effects, as well as the chronic and acute exposure effects on humans. The health impacts of these unregulated petrochemical plants on the residents of BTS have not been quantified. The summary was developed to be a foundation for potential change in policy or regulation of toxic chemicals in Baía de Todos os Santos