| 1. |
- Gustafsson, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Effekter av vinterdäck : en kunskapsöversikt
- 2006
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Choice of winter tyres has, from mainly being a matter of safety and economic costs for wearing of road pavements, during later years also become a matter of inhalable particles formed during pavement wear from studded tyres and their negative effects on public health. Further, the tyres' effects on environment and noise have been illustrated in several studies. The issue is also complicated by the fact that tyre choice effects on traffic safety have several components, including such diverging parameters as friction and behaviour. Finally all aspects have to be evaluated from a socioeconomic point of view for society to be able to decide which kind of distribution of tyre types that is the most profitable. This report is a summary of current knowledge in this complex research field.
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| 2. |
- Ayres, JG, et al.
(författare)
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Climate change and respiratory disease : European Respiratory Society position statement
- 2009
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Ingår i: European Respiratory Journal. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 34:2, s. 295-302
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Climate change will affect individuals with pre-existing respiratory disease, but the extent of the effect remains unclear. The present position statement was developed on behalf of the European Respiratory Society in order to identify areas of concern arising from climate change for individuals with respiratory disease, healthcare workers in the respiratory sector and policy makers. The statement was developed following a 2-day workshop held in Leuven (Belgium) in March 2008. Key areas of concern for the respiratory community arising from climate change are discussed and recommendations made to address gaps in knowledge. The most important recommendation was the development of more accurate predictive models for predicting the impact of climate change on respiratory health. Respiratory healthcare workers also have an advocatory role in persuading governments and the European Union to maintain awareness and appropriate actions with respect to climate change, and these areas are also discussed in the position statement.
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| 3. |
- Baccini, Michela, et al.
(författare)
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Heat effects on mortality in 15 European cities.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.). - 1531-5487. ; 19:5, s. 711-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies show that high temperatures are related to mortality, but little is known about the exposure-response function and the lagged effect of heat. We report the associations between daily maximum apparent temperature and daily deaths during the warm season in 15 European cities. METHODS: The city-specific analyses were based on generalized estimating equations and the city-specific results were combined in a Bayesian random effects meta-analysis. We specified distributed lag models in studying the delayed effect of exposure. Time-varying coefficient models were used to check the assumption of a constant heat effect over the warm season. RESULTS: The city-specific exposure-response functions have a V shape, with a change-point that varied among cities. The meta-analytic estimate of the threshold was 29.4 degrees C for Mediterranean cities and 23.3 degrees C for north-continental cities. The estimated overall change in all natural mortality associated with a 1 degrees C increase in maximum apparent temperature above the city-specific threshold was 3.12% (95% credibility interval = 0.60% to 5.72%) in the Mediterranean region and 1.84% (0.06% to 3.64%) in the north-continental region. Stronger associations were found between heat and mortality from respiratory diseases, and with mortality in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: There is an important mortality effect of heat across Europe. The effect is evident from June through August; it is limited to the first week following temperature excess, with evidence of mortality displacement. There is some suggestion of a higher effect of early season exposures. Acclimatization and individual susceptibility need further investigation as possible explanations for the observed heterogeneity among cities.
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| 4. |
- Bedada, G. B., et al.
(författare)
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Urban background particulate matter and allergic sensitization in adults of ECRHS II
- 2007
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Ingår i: Int J Hyg Environ Health. - : Elsevier BV. - 1438-4639. ; 210:6, s. 691-700
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown weak or inconsistent associations between ambient air pollutants and allergic sensitization. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether regional urban air pollution may partly explain the large variation in the prevalence of allergic sensitization across cities of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) II. METHODS: ECRHS is a cross-sectional survey initiated in 29 countries across Europe in the 1990s (ECRHS I) with a follow-up conducted 10 years later (ECRHS II). Subject characteristics were measured by questionnaires and blood tests conducted for the measurement of specific immunoglobulin E. Fine particle mass (PM(2.5), <2.5mum) and sulphur on PM(2.5) were measured in 21 centres and annual averages of urban regional background air pollution were calculated. Results were scaled by an interquartile range increase in ambient PM(2.5) (6.03mug/m(3)) and sulphur (1336ng/m(3)). Generalized estimating equations were applied to compute population average effect estimates with adjustment for age, gender, smoking habit, education and number of siblings. RESULTS: A notable variation in pollution level and prevalence of allergic sensitization was observed. Moreover, exposure to urban regional background air pollution was not associated with allergic sensitization; adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence interval were 1.02 (0.95-1.09) for PM(2.5) and 1.08 (0.86-1.31) for sulphur. These statistically non-significant associations were sensitive to model specification. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that regional air pollution measured at fixed sites is not associated with allergic sensitization among adults in ECRHS II.
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| 5. |
- Bosson, Jenny, et al.
(författare)
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Ozone enhances the airway inflammation initiated by diesel exhaust.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 101:6, s. 1140-1146
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse health effects, with particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O(3)) both indicated to be of considerable importance. Diesel engine exhaust (DE) and O(3) generate substantial inflammatory effects in the airways. However, as yet it has not been determined whether a subsequent O(3) exposure would add to the diesel-induced airway inflammatory effects. Healthy subjects underwent two separate exposure series: A 1-h DE exposure at a PM-concentration of 300 microg/m(3), followed after 5h by a 2-h exposure to filtered air and 0.2 ppm O(3), respectively. Induced sputum was collected 18 h after the second exposure. A significant increase in the percentage of neutrophils (PMN) and concentration of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was seen in sputum post DE+O(3) vs. DE+air (p<0.05 and <0.05, respectively). Significant associations were observed between the responses in MPO concentration and total PMN cells (p=0.001), and also between MPO and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) (p<0.001). The significant increase of PMN and MPO after the DE+O(3) exposures, compared to DE+air, denotes an O(3)-induced magnification of the DE-induced inflammation. Furthermore, the correlation between responses in MPO and number of PMNs and MMP-9 illustrate that the PMNs are activated, resulting in a more potent inflammatory response. The present study indicates that O(3) exposure adds significantly to the inflammatory response that is established by diesel exhaust. This interaction between exposure to particulate pollution and O(3) in sequence should be taken into consideration when health effects of air pollution are considered.
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| 6. |
- Bråbäck, Lennart, et al.
(författare)
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Does traffic exhaust contribute to the development of asthma and allergic sensitization in children : findings from recent cohort studies.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Environmental Health. - 1476-069X. ; 8:17, s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this review was to assess the evidence from recent prospective studies that long-term traffic pollution could contribute to the development of asthma-like symptoms and allergic sensitization in children. We have reviewed cohort studies published since 2002 and found in PubMed in Oct 2008. In all, 13 papers based on data from 9 cohorts have evaluated the relationship between traffic exposure and respiratory health. All surveys reported associations with at least some of the studied respiratory symptoms. The outcome varied, however, according to the age of the child. Nevertheless, the consistency in the results indicates that traffic exhaust contributes to the development of respiratory symptoms in healthy children. Potential effects of traffic exhaust on the development of allergic sensitization were only assessed in the four European birth cohorts. Long-term exposure to outdoor air pollutants had no association with sensitization in ten-year-old schoolchildren in Norway. In contrast, German, Dutch and Swedish preschool children had an increased risk of sensitization related to traffic exhaust despite fairly similar levels of outdoor air pollution as in Norway. Traffic-related effects on sensitization could be restricted to individuals with a specific genetic polymorphism. Assessment of gene-environment interactions on sensitization has so far only been carried out in a subgroup of the Swedish birth cohort. Further genetic association studies are required and may identify individuals vulnerable to adverse effects from traffic-related pollutants. Future studies should also evaluate effects of traffic exhaust on the development and long term outcome of different phenotypes of asthma and wheezing symptoms.
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| 7. |
- Castro-Giner, Francesc, et al.
(författare)
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Traffic-related air pollution, oxidative stress genes, and asthma (ECHRS)
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 117:12, s. 1919-1924
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Traffic-related air pollution is related with asthma, and this association may be modified by genetic factors. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the role of genetic polymorphisms potentially modifying the association between home outdoor levels of modeled nitrogen dioxide and asthma. METHODS: Adults from 13 cities of the second European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II) were included (n = 2,920), for whom both DNA and outdoor NO(2) estimates were available. Home addresses were geocoded and linked to modeled outdoor NO(2) estimates, as a marker of local traffic-related pollution. We examined asthma prevalence and evaluated polymorphisms in genes involved in oxidative stress pathways [gluthatione S-transferases M1 (GSTM1), T1 (GSTT1), and P1 (GSTP1) and NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1)], inflammatory response [tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA)], immunologic response [Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)], and airway reactivity [adrenergic receptor beta2 (ADRB2)]. RESULTS: The association between modeled NO(2) and asthma prevalence was significant for carriers of the most common genotypes of NQO1 rs2917666 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-2.24], TNFA rs2844484 (OR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.30-3.27). For new-onset asthma, the effect of NO(2) was significant for the most common genotype of NQO1 rs2917666 (OR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.09-2.16). A significant interaction was found between NQO1 rs2917666 and NO(2) for asthma prevalence (p = 0.02) and new-onset asthma (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic polymorphisms in the NQO1 gene are related to asthma susceptibility among persons exposed to local traffic-related air pollution. This points to the importance of antioxidant pathways in the protection against the effects of air pollution on asthma.
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| 8. |
- Forsberg, Bertil, et al.
(författare)
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Akuta hälsoeffekter av luftföroreningar som indikator : en analys av möjligheterna att använda tidsserieanalyserbaserade på hälsoregister och haltmätningar
- 2005
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Luftföroreningars snabbt uppkommande hälsoeffekter har påvisats även i Sverige genomanalys av tidsserier bland annat hämtade från nationella hälsoregister. I en av Socialstyrelsenm.fl. utgiven rapport med titelnFörslag till indikatorer för uppföljning av hälsorelaterademiljökvalitetsmålframgår att det råder oklarhet i frågan om hur resultaten frånregisterbaserade tidsserieanalyser ska tolkas och kan användas. I rapporten föreslåsföljaktligen "att möjligheterna att använda tidsseriestudier som indikatorer utreds vidare".Utifrån egen lång erfarenhet av tidsserieanalyser, inledningsvis med paneldata och senarefrämst med registerdata har vi genomfört denna utredning för att belysa användningsmöjligheternaoch informationens lämplighet för miljömålsuppföljning.Hälsoindikatorer vid miljömålsuppföljning ska spegla utvecklingen i relation till förändringari befolkningens exponering för de aktuella miljöfaktorerna. Frekvensdata är inget lämpligtmått eftersom luftföroreningar bara förklarar en liten del av variationen i föreslagnafrekvensmått. Det är heller inte lämpligt att som indikator använda mått på hur högtidsvariation man har i frekvensdata i sig, eftersom man inte som i tidsseriestudierna ”rensarbort” variation i dygnsfrekvenser som beror på andra faktorer.Slutsatsen av vår genomgång är att en lämplig hälsoindikator för luftkvalitet är att medtidsserieteknik kvantifiera korttidssambanden mellan halter i luft och ohälsovariabler frånregister, vilket resulterar i exponerings-responssamband som kan användas för att kvantifieraantal fall per år som beror på korttidsexponering för luftföroreningar. Denna typ avberäkningar kan utifrån halt- och frekvensdata uppdateras lika ofta som nya haltdata redovisas(årligen), även om inte nya exponerings-responssamband beräknas lika ofta.Vi har inte funnit att överskattning av effekterna genom s.k. harvesting eller analystekniskaproblem utgör några argument mot användandet av resultat från tidsserieanalyser.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Forsberg, Bertil, et al.
(författare)
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En analys av Göteborgs luft över 40 år - halter och dödlighet
- 2005
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Det primära syftet med detta projekt har varit att insamla, digitalisera och sammanställa historiska data för sot och svaveldioxid från Göteborg, samt att studera korttidshalternas samband med dagligt antal dödsfall. Genom insamlandet av mätresultat från olika arkiv har en samlad digitaliserad databas upprättats, som går tillbaka till 1959, innehållande dygnsdata för sot och svaveldioxid. Under studieperiodens början låg halterna av sot och svaveldioxid i Göteborg liksom på många andra platser i Europa, allmänt 5-10 gånger högre än idag. Under 60-talet var det ganska vanligt med dygnsmedelhalter för sot på över 125 μg/m3 och enstaka dagar låg sothalten över 200 μg/m3. Svaveldioxidhalten kunde under 60-talet som dygnsmedelvärde enstaka dygn uppgå till 500-600 μg/m3. För de epidemiologiska analyserna har bildats fem delperioder huvudsakligen definierade av teknik- och mätplatsbyten för sotmätningarna i Göteborg. Medelvärdet för sot var under de fem delperioderna cirka 39, 22, 14, 8 respektive 6 μg/m3. Dödligheten tycks öka med sothalten främst under den första delperioden, då den kumulativa effekten av halten de senaste 14 dagarna är statistiskt säkerställd, och effekten av halten de senaste 7 respektive 21 dygnen också är nära att vara statistiskt säkerställda.
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