Environmental and Health Impacts of E-cycling - Policy Briefing Note produced by the TRANSITION Clean Air Network

Electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes) can have an important role in enabling UK transport to achieve net zero, improve air quality, increase levels of physical activity and improve mental and physical health. This briefing note examines the current evidence on the environmental and health impacts of e-cycling, highlighting why the promotion of e-cycling should be a key component to address UK health, climate and clean air challenges. The TRANSITION Clean Air Network is a UK-wide network, led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with nine universities and over 20 cross-sector partners, aiming to optimise the air quality and health outcomes of transport decarbonisation; it is funded by UKRI via the UK Clean Air Strategic Priorities Fund, administered by NERC [NE/V002449/1]

New Air Quality Targets & Interim Goals for Fine Particulate Matter – PM2.5: Implications for the West Midlands

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the implications of more stringent PM2.5 targets on air quality and public health in the West Midlands. By examining the sources and levels of PM2.5 pollution, exploring potential air quality scenarios and strategies, and estimating the health burden, this document seeks to inform stakeholders and decision makers in their efforts to improve air quality and reduce associated health risks and inequalities

Patterns of domestic exposure to carbon monoxide and particulate matter in households using biomass fuel in Janakpur, Nepal

Household Air Pollution (HAP) from biomass cooking fuels is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income settings worldwide. In Nepal the use of open stoves with solid biomass fuels is the primary method of domestic cooking. To assess patterns of domestic air pollution we performed continuous measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate Matter (PM2.5) in 12 biomass fuel households in Janakpur, Nepal. We measured kitchen PM2.5 and CO concentrations at one-minute intervals for an approximately 48-h period using the TSI DustTrak II 8530/SidePak AM510 (TSI Inc, St. Paul MN, USA) or EL-USB-CO data logger (Lascar Electronics, Erie PA, USA) respectively. We also obtained information regarding fuel, stove and kitchen characteristics and cooking activity patterns. Household cooking was performed in two daily sessions (median total duration 4 h) with diurnal variability in pollutant concentrations reflecting morning and evening cooking sessions and peak concentrations associated with fire-lighting. We observed a strong linear relationship between PM2.5 measurements obtained by co-located photometric and gravimetric monitoring devices, providing local calibration factors of 4.9 (DustTrak) and 2.7 (SidePak). Overall 48-h average CO and PM2.5 concentrations were 5.4 (SD 4.3) ppm (12 households) and 417.6 (SD 686.4) μg/m3 (8 households), respectively, with higher average concentrations associated with cooking and heating activities. Overall average PM2.5 concentrations and peak 1-h CO concentrations exceeded WHO Indoor Air Quality Guidelines. Average hourly PM2.5 and CO concentrations were moderately correlated (r = 0.52), suggesting that CO has limited utility as a proxy measure for PM2.5 exposure assessment in this setting. Domestic indoor air quality levels associated with biomass fuel combustion in this region exceed WHO Indoor Air Quality standards and are in the hazardous range for human health

An epidemiological assessment of viral infections in pre-school aged children using biomarkers in oral fluid

The hygiene hypothesis suggests that improved hygiene, and an associated reduction in exposure to infections in early life, increases the risk of development of allergic disorders in later childhood. This thesis reports the first phase of a longitudinal study designed to examining this hypothesis, using data from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). Objective measures of exposure to infections were obtained using oral fluid samples collected from 14 630 children in the home setting when cohort children were age 3 years. Samples were tested for antibodies to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) and total IgG as a marker of sample quality. Oral fluid samples were received from 11883 (81.3%) cohort children, over 98% of which were suitable for assay testing. Children whose mothers were of Black Caribbean ethnicity or who lived in non-English speaking households were less likely to provide a sample. Mothers reporting a history of asthma were more likely to return a sample from their child. The estimated prevalence of EBV in the UK was 21.5% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 20.4-22.5). Risk factors for early acquisition were maternal Black African, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Other or Indian ethnic group, with decreased acquisition amongst children with mothers aged over 40 years. The prevalence of VZV in children in the UK was estimated using oral fluid assay and maternal report of varicella history, with prevalence estimates of 47.3% (95% CI: 46.1-48.6) and 46.1% (95% CI: 44.8-47.4) respectively. The level of concordance between measures was 70% with Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 68.0% and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 70.6%. Oral fluid sample quality was evaluated by measurement of total IgG concentration with median 2.19 mg/L (IQ range: 0.99-4.4). High total IgG was associated with children whose mothers were of Bangladeshi ethnicity or with shorter duration of postal transit time. Oral fluid is a highly acceptable and feasible biological sample for collection in a large-scale child cohort study, although formal interpreter support may increase participation. Ethnic, social and demographic patterns of acquisition may be mediated by cultural, behavioural or biological factors. These findings form the basis for informing future studies of oral fluid collection, and together with further work regarding oral fluid sample quality will give the most recent prevalence estimates for EBV and VZV in the UK

Speed limits, air quality and health

Improving air quality by lowering vehicle emissions is important for public health. Limiting vehicle speeds on the UK strategic road network can reduce individual vehicle exhaust emissions, however, there are implications for driver behaviour and traffic congestion patterns. This briefing note examines the current evidence for speed limit reduction to benefit air quality and health and provides recommendations for future priority research. Recommended citation: Lacey, S., Zhong, J., Ghaffarpasand, O. and Bartington, S.E. (2023). ‘Speed limits, air quality and health’, TRANSITION Clean Air Network, Birmingham, U

Low Emission (Clean Air) Zones - Policy Briefing Note produced by the TRANSITION Clean Air Network

Low Emission Zones – also known as Clean Air Zones – aim to achieve compliance with legal air quality objectives by discouraging the use of highly polluting vehicles in urban areas. This briefing note examines current knowledge as to whether these initiatives work, gaps in our understanding and lessons for future place- based air quality solutions. The TRANSITION Clean Air Network is a UK-wide network, led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with nine universities and over 20 cross-sector partners, aiming to optimise the air quality and health outcomes of transport decarbonisation; it is funded by UKRI via the UK Clean Air Strategic Priorities Fund, administered by NERC [NE/V002449/1]

Air Quality in Transport Hubs - Policy Briefing Note produced by the TRANSITION Clean Air Network

Transport hubs (for example railway and bus stations) may be important air pollution hotspots contributing significantly to overall pollutant exposure. This briefing note, produced by the TRANSITION Clean Air Network, examines the current evidence and regulatory landscape, and explores potential opportunities to reduce exposure in these environments. The TRANSITION Clean Air Network is a UK-wide network, led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with nine universities and over 20 cross-sector partners, aiming to optimise the air quality and health outcomes of transport decarbonisation; it is funded by UKRI via the UK Clean Air Strategic Priorities Fund, administered by NERC [NE/V002449/1]