| 1. |
- Dobric, Julia, et al.
(författare)
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Preschool Children’s Inhalation Rates Estimated from Accelerometers—A Tool to Estimate Children’s Exposure to Air Pollution
- 2022
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Ingår i: Aerosol and Air Quality Research. - : AAGR Aerosol and Air Quality Research. - 1680-8584 .- 2071-1409. ; 22:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Children are particularly sensitive to air pollution exposure, and their personal exposures may differ significantly from those of adults. One key factor for understanding the personal inhaled dose of air pollutants is the respiratory minute ventilation (Ve). To estimate the amount of particles circulated through the lungs, 24 h averages of Ve are often used. These averages poorly capture variations in Ve during the day, and between individuals. We here develop and implement a concept to assess individual Ve of children, with minimal impact on their natural activity and movement pattern by using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Activity of 136 preschool children in the ages 3 to 5 years was logged using accelerometers while the children attended their preschools during a week. A linear regression equation is developed and used for estimating Ve from the accelerometer data retrieved for each individual child. The results show large variations in weekly average Ve between individuals, ranging from 0.33 to 0.48 L min–1 kg–1. Over the days the averages of the individuals’ 1st and 3rd quartiles were 0.28 and 0.48 L min–1 kg–1, respectively. Outdoor activities resulted in a 17% higher Ve than indoor activities, which may be important to consider when estimating the inhaled dose of air pollutants since pollution levels and particle toxicities can be different indoors and outdoors. The observations motivate the use of individual values of Ve in exposure assessments and suggest that accelerometers are a suitable tool for estimating children’s individual Ve in their natural environment. Combined with time resolved local air pollution monitoring, these measurements can provide the basis of a more precise estimate of children’s inhaled dose of air pollutants. © The Author(s).
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| 2. |
- Linell, Julia, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of breathing variables on modelled particle lung deposition at physical activity for children and adults
- 2023
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Ingår i: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media B.V.. - 1873-9318 .- 1873-9326.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The respiratory tract deposited fraction (DF) is the link between exposure and health effects of airborne particles. Here, we investigate how breathing pattern alterations at increasing physical activity affect DF in different regions of the respiratory tract and compare DF between adults and children (5 and 10 years old). We performed a literature review on the alteration of tidal volume with minute ventilation at increasing physical activity and used the results to model the size resolved (0.001–10 µm) DF, primarily using the deposition models from NCRP and Yeh and Schum (1980), but also MPPD. We found a shift in the deposited size distribution with increasing physical activity—DF of ultrafine particles increased in the alveolar region and decreased in the other regions, while DF of coarser particles decreased in the alveolar region and increased in the extra-thoracic region. Children had a 10–20% higher DF of ultrafine particles in the alveolar region compared to adults. We also present parametrizations of the daily average size resolved (0.005–5 µm) DF, accounting for varying physical activity throughout the day and oral/nasal breathing. These can be applied to any size distribution to estimate deposited doses. We found that deposited mass and number doses were more than twice as high for 5-year-olds compared to adults when normalized for body weight, primarily caused by their higher weight normalized minute ventilation. This demonstrates the importance of studying children’s exposure to air pollution and not only rely on data from adults.
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| 3. |
- Familari, Mary, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure of trophoblast cells to fine particulate matter air pollution leads to growth inhibition, inflammation and ER stress
- 2019
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 14:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ambient air pollution is considered a major environmental health threat to pregnant women. Our previous work has shown an association between exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) and an increased risk of developing pre-eclamspia. It is now recognized that many pregnancy complications are due to underlying placental dysfunction, and this tissue plays a pivotal role in pre-eclamspia. Recent studies have shown that PM can enter the circulation and reach the human placenta but the effects of PM on human placental function are still largely unknown. In this work we investigated the effects of airborne PM on trophoblast cells. Human, first trimester trophoblast cells (HTR-8/SV) were exposed to urban pollution particles (Malmö PM2.5; Prague PM10) for up to seven days in vitro and were analysed for uptake, levels of hCGβ and IL-6 secretion and proteomic analysis. HTR-8/SVneo cells rapidly endocytose PM within 30 min of exposure and particles accumulate in the cell in perinuclear vesicles. High doses of Prague and Malmö PM (500–5000 ng/ml) significantly decreased hCGβ secretion and increased IL-6 secretion after 48 h exposure. Exposure to PM (50 ng/ml) for 48h or seven days led to reduced cellular growth and altered protein expression. The differentially expressed proteins are involved in networks that regulate cellular processes such as inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cellular survival and molecular transport pathways. Our studies suggest that trophoblast cells exposed to low levels of urban PM respond with reduced growth, oxidative stress, inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress after taking up the particles by endocytosis. Many of the dysfunctional cellular processes ascribed to the differentially expressed proteins in this study, are similar to those described in PE, suggesting that low levels of urban PM may disrupt cellular processes in trophoblast cells. Many of the differentially expressed proteins identified in this study are involved in inflammation and may be potential biomarkers for PE.
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| 4. |
- Lovén, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of cleaning spray use on eyes, airways, and ergonomic load
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 23:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundCleaning workers are exposed to chemicals and high physical workload, commonly resulting in airway problems and pain. In this study the response in the upper airways and the physical workload following airborne and ergonomic exposure of cleaning spray was investigated.MethodsA survey was answered by professional cleaning workers to investigate their use of cleaning sprays and the perceived effects on eyes, airways and musculoskeletal pain. A human chamber exposure study was then conducted with 11 professional cleaning workers and 8 non-professional cleaning workers to investigate the airborne exposure, acute effects on eyes and airways, and physical load during cleaning with sprays, foam application and microfiber cloths premoistened with water. All cleaning products used were bleach, chlorine, and ammonia free. The medical assessment included eye and airway parameters, inflammatory markers in blood and nasal lavage, as well as technical recordings of the physical workload.ResultsA high frequency of spray use (77%) was found among the 225 professional cleaning workers that answered the survey. Based on the survey, there was an eight times higher risk (p < 0.001) of self-experienced symptoms (including symptoms in the nose, eyes and throat, coughing or difficulty breathing) when they used sprays compared to when they cleaned with other methods. During the chamber study, when switching from spray to foam, the airborne particle and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations showed a decrease by 7 and 2.5 times, respectively. For the whole group, the peak nasal inspiratory flow decreased (-10.9 L/min, p = 0.01) during spray use compared to using only water-premoistened microfiber cloths. These effects were lower during foam use (-4.7 L/min, p = 0.19). The technical recordings showed a high physical workload regardless of cleaning with spray or with water.ConclusionSwitching from a spraying to a foaming nozzle decreases the exposure of both airborne particles and VOCs, and thereby reduces eye and airway effects, and does not increase the ergonomic load. If the use of cleaning products tested in this study, i.e. bleach, chlorine, and ammonia free, cannot be avoided, foam application is preferable to spray application to improve the occupational environment.
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| 5. |
- Mandakh, Yumjirmaa, et al.
(författare)
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Maternal Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Risk of Preeclampsia : A Population-Based Cohort Study in Scania, Sweden
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601. ; 17:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of developing preeclampsia (PE) associated with gestational exposure to ambient air pollutants in southern Sweden, a low-exposure area. We used a cohort of 43,688 singleton pregnancies and monthly mean exposure levels of black carbon (BC), local and total particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and NOX at the maternal residential address estimated by Gaussian dispersion modeling from 2000 to 2009. Analyses were conducted using binary logistic regression. A subtype analysis for small-for-gestational age (SGA) was performed. All analyses were adjusted for obstetrical risk factors and socioeconomic predictors. There were 1286 (2.9%) PE cases in the analysis. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.35 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.11-1.63 was found when comparing the lowest quartile of BC exposure to the highest quartile in the third trimester The AOR for PE associated with each 5 µg/m3 increase in locally emitted PM2.5 was 2.74 (95% CI: 1.68, 4.47) in the entire pregnancy. Similar patterns were observed for each 5 µg/m3 increment in locally emitted PM10. In pregnancies complicated by PE with SGA, the corresponding AOR for linear increases in BC was 3.48 (95% CI: 1.67, 7.27). In this low-level setting, maternal exposure to ambient air pollution during gestation was associated with the risk of developing PE. The associations seemed more pronounced in pregnancies with SGA complications, a finding that should be investigated further.
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| 6. |
- Ohlsson, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Short-term exposure to urban PM2.5 particles induces histopathological and inflammatory changes in the rat small intestine
- 2022
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Ingår i: Physiological Reports. - : Wiley. - 2051-817X. ; 10:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Air pollution and exposure to fine airborne particles with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) negatively impacts human health. Airways constitute a primary route of exposure but PM2.5-contaminated food, drinks as well as mucociliary and hepatobiliary clearance all constitute potential entry points into the intestine. This study evaluated intestinal histopathological and inflammatory changes as well as enteric neuronal numbers after short- or long-term exposure to urban PM2.5. Using a nebulizer, male rats were exposed to a mist with a concentration of 5.3mg PM2.5/m3 for 8 h (short term) or 1.8 mg PM2.5/m3 for 3 h/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks (long-term) with controls run in parallel. Samples were taken from three regions of the small intestine as well as the colon. Results showed that short-term exposure to PM2.5 induces mucosal lesions and reduces IL1β levels in the small intestine but not colon. No significant changes were observed after long-term exposure, suggesting the presence of intestinal adaptation to environmental stressors in the PM2.5. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically characterize regional effects along the intestine.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Abera, Asmamaw, et al.
(författare)
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Air pollution measurements and land-use regression in urban sub-saharan Africa using low-cost sensors—possibilities and pitfalls
- 2020
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Ingår i: Atmosphere. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4433. ; 11:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Air pollution is recognized as the most important environmental factor that adversely affects human and societal wellbeing. Due to rapid urbanization, air pollution levels are increasing in the Sub-Saharan region, but there is a shortage of air pollution monitoring. Hence, exposure data to use as a base for exposure modelling and health effect assessments is also lacking. In this study, low-cost sensors were used to assess PM2.5 (particulate matter) levels in the city of Adama, Ethiopia. The measurements were conducted during two separate 1-week periods. The measurements were used to develop a land-use regression (LUR) model. The developed LUR model explained 33.4% of the variance in the concentrations of PM2.5. Two predictor variables were included in the final model, of which both were related to emissions from traffic sources. Some concern regarding influential observations remained in the final model. Long-term PM2.5 and wind direction data were obtained from the city’s meteorological station, which should be used to validate the representativeness of our sensor measurements. The PM2.5 long-term data were however not reliable. Means of obtaining good reference data combined with longer sensor measurements would be a good way forward to develop a stronger LUR model which, together with improved knowledge, can be applied towards improving the quality of health. A health impact assessment, based on the mean level of PM2.5 (23 µg/m3), presented the attributable burden of disease and showed the importance of addressing causes of these high ambient levels in the area.
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| 9. |
- Abera, Asmamaw, et al.
(författare)
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Air Quality in Africa : Public Health Implications
- 2021
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Ingår i: Annual review of public health. - : Annual Reviews. - 0163-7525 .- 1545-2093. ; 42, s. 193-210
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This review highlights the importance of air quality in the African urban development process. We address connections between air pollution and (a) rapid urbanization, (b) social problems, (c) health impacts, (d) climate change, (e) policies, and ( f ) new innovations. We acknowledge that air pollution levels in Africa can be extremely high and a serious health threat. The toxic content of the pollution could relate to region-specific sources such as low standards for vehicles and fuels, cooking with solid fuels, and burning household waste. We implore the pursuit of interdisciplinary research to create new approaches with relevant stakeholders. Moreover, successful air pollution research must regard conflicts, tensions, and synergies inherent to development processes in African municipalities, regions, and countries. This includes global relationships regarding climate change, trade, urban planning, and transportation. Incorporating aspects of local political situations (e.g., democracy) can also enhance greater political accountability and awareness about air pollution. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 42 is April 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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| 10. |
- Abrahamsson, Camilla, et al.
(författare)
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Aerosolized particulate matter from fragmentation of carbon nanotube-enhanced concrete
- 2023
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Ingår i: Abstracts from the 2022 Airmon-10 conference and the 2023 Inhaled Particles and NanOEH conference. - 2398-7316 .- 2398-7308. ; 67:Supplement_1, s. i94-i95
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Construction and demolition workers are exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM) from building materials throughout their working life. Although nano-enabled building materials (NEBMs) may improve the performance and functionality of buildings, concerns are being raised regarding health risks from occupational exposure to PM from NEBMs. In this work, an experimental set-up for integrated resuspension and characterization of PM from NEBMs was developed and tested using three types of concrete (low density, normal, high strength), each enhanced with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) at different concentrations (0, low, high). The performance of portable devices used in occupational exposure assessments (DustTrak and NanoTracer) was compared with stationary instruments and gravimetric filter techniques. 40-70% of the mass and 90-98% of the number of particles were within the respirable fraction, with primary modes at 150 nm and 2-3 µm. Addition of CNTs significantly decreased mean particle number concentrations (PNCs) across the entire characterized size range (7 nm - 20 µm) for low density concrete, whereas the opposite was the case for normal strength and high strength concrete. It was hypothesised that the concrete matrix primarily governs the PM formation, which is in turn modulated by CNT-matrix interactions either suppressing or supporting fragmentation during crushing. SEM imaging could display partially submerged CNTs protruding from concrete fragments. Fundamental interactions at the interface of the nanomaterial and the surrounding matrix needs to be investigated to determine how the PM generated from NEBMs differ from their non-nano counterparts and how to prevent future exposure during demolition.
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