| 1. |
- Gidhagen, Lars, et al.
(author)
-
Towards climate services for European cities : Lessons learnt from the Copernicus project Urban SIS
- 2020
-
In: Urban Climate. - Amsterdam, Netherlands : Elsevier. - 2212-0955. ; 31
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The growing share of Europe's population living in cities makes urban climate change impact assessment and adaptation a critical issue. The urban environment is characterized by its sensitivity to small-scale meteorological, hydrological and environmental processes. These are generally not fully described in climate models, largely because of the models' insufficient spatial resolution. The Urban SIS climate service offers historical and future simulated data downscaled to 1 km × 1 km resolution over selected European metropolitan areas. The downscaled data are subsequently used as input to air quality and hydrological impact models, all made available to users as Essential Climate Variables and Sectoral Impact Indicators through a web portal. This paper presents the Urban SIS climate service and demonstrates its functionality in a case study in Stockholm city, Sweden. Good model performance was attained for intra-city temperature gradients and small-scale precipitation extremes. Less positive results were obtained for large-scale precipitation and hydrology, mainly due to an insufficient domain size in the meteorological and climate modelling, in turn related to the substantial computational requirements. An uncertainty classification approach was developed to aid the interpretation and user application of the data. We hope our lessons learnt will support future efforts in this direction.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Andersson, Camilla, et al.
(author)
-
Achievements and experiences from science–policy interaction in the field of air pollution : Synthesising 20 years of research and outreach,thinking about future needs
- 2021
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- For 20 years, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency together with the MISTRA research foundation have funded five air pollution research programmes with focus on producing knowledge that supports policy and emission control in national and international arenas. The research has been multidisciplinary and has included research on emissions, atmospheric transport and transformation processes, human health effects, ecosystem effects, and emission control strategies. Research has also been conducted on the interaction between air pollution and climate change.Over these years, the link between the research programmes and the development of emission control strategies and policies in Sweden, the EU, and the UNECE Air Convention has been of high importance. This report presents how the research programmes have created societal benefits through support for the development of air pollution policies and emission control measures. The report also identifies future research needs to ensure continued progress towards even better air quality for future generations.
|
|
| 4. |
- Andersson, John, et al.
(author)
-
Pm2.5 and dementia in a low exposure setting : the influence of odor identification ability and APOE
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 92:2, s. 679-689
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Growing evidence show that long term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of dementia.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between PM2.5 exposure and dementia in a low exposure area, and to investigate the role of olfaction and the APOE ε4 allele in these associations.Methods: Data were drawn from the Betula project, a longitudinal study on aging, memory, and dementia in Sweden. Odor identification ability was assessed using the Scandinavian Odor Identification Test (SOIT). Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from a dispersion-model and matched at the participants’ residential address. Proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios.Results: Of 1,846 participants, 348 developed dementia during the 21-year follow-up period. The average annual mean PM2.5 exposure at baseline was 6.77 µg/m3, which is 1.77 µg/m3 above the WHO definition of clean air. In a fully adjusted model (adjusted for age, sex, APOE, SOIT, cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, and education) each 1 µg/m3 difference in annual mean PM2.5-concentration was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.23 for dementia (95% CI: 1.01–1.50). Analyses stratified by APOE status (ε4 carriers versus non-carriers), and odor identification ability (high versus low), showed associations only for ε4 carriers, and for low performance on odor identification ability.Conclusion: PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of dementia in this low pollution setting. The associations between PM2.5 and dementia seemed stronger in APOE carriers and those with below average odor identification ability.
|
|
| 5. |
- Andersson, John, et al.
(author)
-
PM2.5 and Dementia in a Low Exposure Setting : The Influence of Odor Identification Ability and APOE
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. - 1387-2877. ; 92:2, s. 679-689
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Growing evidence show that long term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of dementia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between PM2.5 exposure and dementia in a low exposure area, and to investigate the role of olfaction and the APOE ɛ4 allele in these associations. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Betula project, a longitudinal study on aging, memory, and dementia in Sweden. Odor identification ability was assessed using the Scandinavian Odor Identification Test (SOIT). Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from a dispersion-model and matched at the participants' residential address. Proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios. RESULTS: Of 1,846 participants, 348 developed dementia during the 21-year follow-up period. The average annual mean PM2.5 exposure at baseline was 6.77μg/m3, which is 1.77μg/m3 above the WHO definition of clean air. In a fully adjusted model (adjusted for age, sex, APOE, SOIT, cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, and education) each 1μg/m3 difference in annual mean PM2.5-concentration was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.23 for dementia (95% CI: 1.01-1.50). Analyses stratified by APOE status (ɛ4 carriers versus non-carriers), and odor identification ability (high versus low), showed associations only for ɛ4 carriers, and for low performance on odor identification ability. CONCLUSION: PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of dementia in this low pollution setting. The associations between PM2.5 and dementia seemed stronger in APOE carriers and those with below average odor identification ability.
|
|
| 6. |
- André, Karin, et al.
(author)
-
Assessing the Quality of Knowledge for Adaptation : Experiences From Co-designing Climate Services in Sweden
- 2021
-
In: Frontiers in Climate. - Lausanne, Switzerland : Frontiers Research Foundation. - 2624-9553. ; 3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adaptation to climate change is becoming more urgent, but the wealth of knowledge that informs adaptation planning and decision-making is not used to its full potential. Top-down approaches to knowledge production are identified as one important reason for the gap between science and practice and are criticized for not meeting the needs of intended users. In response to this challenge, there is a growing interest in the creation of user-oriented and actionable climate services to support adaptation. At the same time, recent research suggests that greater efforts are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of knowledge co-production processes and the best criteria by which to gauge the quality of knowledge outcomes, while also considering different stakeholder perspectives. This paper explores these issues through a critical assessment of the quality of knowledge for adaptation generated from a climate services co-design process in two case studies in Sweden. The study draws on experiences from a 5-year research collaboration in which natural and social science researchers, together with local stakeholders, co-designed climate services to support climate adaptation planning and decision-making. The well-established knowledge quality criteria of credibility, legitimacy, saliency, usability, and usefulness remain relevant, but are not sufficient to capture factors relating to whether and how the knowledge actually is applied by climate change adaptation planners and decision-makers. We observe that case-specific circumstances beyond the scope of the co-design process, including the decision-making context as well as non-tangible outcomes, also play crucial roles that should be accounted for in the knowledge assessment processes.
|
|
| 7. |
- Bennet, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
-
Vedeldning i Västra Götaland : Rapport till Naturvårdsverket från enkätstudie om eldningsvanor
- 2020
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- I luftföroreningsmodellering är emissioner från vedeldning ett område behäftat med stora osäkerheter. Denna rapport sammanfattar resultaten från en enkät om vedeldningsvanor i sju kommuner, vilket ger en bild av hur vedeldningen i Västra Götaland sker och medför att vi kan förbättra antaganden om vilka emissionsfaktorer som gäller i detta område vid modellering av luftföroreningar. Exempel på insamlad data som påverkar emissioner är användning av torr ved samt eldningsmönster över dygn och år vilket förbättrar den temporala variationen av emissioner. Detta påverkar också hur den spatiala fördelningen av årsmedelhalter eftersom transport av luftföroreningar ser olika ut vid olika tidpunkter. Underlaget används för emissionsberäkningar i projektet SCAPIS-luft. Både resultat och enkät är fritt tillgängligt att användas av andra för emissionsmodellering och undersökningar av eldningsvanor i olika regioner. Ytterligare datainsamlingar om eldningsvanor i Sverige behövs för att med större säkerhet kunna estimera dessa utsläpp.
|
|
| 8. |
- Carlsen, Hanne Krage, et al.
(author)
-
Exposure to traffic-related particle matter and effects on lung function and potential interactions in a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study in west Sweden.
- 2020
-
In: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 10:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To investigate the long-term effects of source-specific particle matter (PM) on lung function, effects of Surfactant Protein A (SP-A) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes GSTP1 and GSTT1 gene variants and effect modification by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype.Cohort study with address-based annual PM exposure assigned from annual estimates of size (PM10, PM2.5 and PMBC) and source-specific (traffic, industry, marine traffic and wood burning) dispersion modelling.Gothenburg, Sweden.The ADult-Onset asthma and NItric oXide Study had 6685 participants recruited from the general population, of which 5216 (78%) were included in the current study with information on all variables of interest. Mean age at the time of enrolment was 51.4 years (range 24-76) and 2427 (46.5%) were men.The primary outcome was forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1). Secondary outcome measures were effects and gene-environment interactions of SP-A and GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes.Exposure to traffic-related PM10 and PM2.5 was associated with decreases in percent-predicted (% predicted) FEV1 by -0.48% (95% CI -0.89% to -0.07%) and -0.47% (95% CI -0.88% to -0.07%) per IQR 3.05 and 2.47 µg/m3, respectively, and with decreases in % predicted FVC by -0.46% (95% CI -0.83% to -0.08%) and -0.47% (95% CI -0.83% to -0.10%). Total and traffic-related PMBC was strongly associated with both FEV1 and FVC by -0.53 (95% CI -0.94 to -0.13%) and -0.43% (95% CI -0.77 to -0.09%) per IQR, respectively, for FVC, and similarly for FEV1. Minor allele carrier status for two GSTP1 SNPs and the GSTT1 null genotype were associated with decreases in % predicted lung function. Three SP-A SNPs showed effect modification with exposure to PM2.5 from industry and marine traffic.PM exposure, specifically traffic related, was associated with FVC and FEV1 reductions and not modified by genotype. Genetic effect modification was suggested for industry and marine traffic PM2.5.
|
|
| 9. |
- Carlsen, Hanne Krage, et al.
(author)
-
Indicators of residential traffic exposure: Modelled NOX, traffic proximity, and self-reported exposure in RHINE III
- 2017
-
In: Atmospheric Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1352-2310 .- 1873-2844. ; 167, s. 416-425
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Few studies have investigated associations between self-reported and modelled exposure to traffic pollution. The objective of this study was to examine correlations between self-reported traffic exposure and modelled (a) NOX and (b) traffic proximity in seven different northern European cities; Aarhus (Denmark), Bergen (Norway), Gothenburg, Umeå, and Uppsala (Sweden), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Tartu (Estonia). We analysed data from the RHINE III (Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, www.rhine.nu) cohorts of the seven study cities. Traffic proximity (distance to the nearest road with >10,000 vehicles per day) was calculated and vehicle exhaust (NOX) was modelled using dispersion models and land-use regression (LUR) data from 2011. Participants were asked a question about self-reported traffic intensity near bedroom window and another about traffic noise exposure at the residence. The data were analysed using rank correlation (Kendall's tau) and inter-rater agreement (Cohen's Kappa) between tertiles of modelled NOX and traffic proximity tertile and traffic proximity categories (0–150 metres (m), 150–200 m, >300 m) in each centre. Data on variables of interest were available for 50–99% of study participants per each cohort. Mean modelled NOX levels were between 6.5 and 16.0 μg/m3; median traffic intensity was between 303 and 10,750 m in each centre. In each centre, 7.7–18.7% of respondents reported exposure to high traffic intensity and 3.6–16.3% of respondents reported high exposure to traffic noise. Self-reported residential traffic exposure had low or no correlation with modelled exposure and traffic proximity in all centres, although results were statistically significant (tau = 0.057–0.305). Self-reported residential traffic noise correlated weakly (tau = 0.090–0.255), with modelled exposure in all centres except Reykjavik. Modelled NOX had the highest correlations between self-reported and modelled traffic exposure in five of seven centres, traffic noise exposure had the highest correlation with traffic proximity in tertiles in three centres. Self-reported exposure to high traffic intensity and traffic noise at each participant's residence had low or weak although statistically significant correlations with modelled vehicle exhaust pollution levels and traffic proximity. © 2017
|
|
| 10. |
- Eklund, Veronica, et al.
(author)
-
Emissions from navigation and fishing including international bunkers Emissions from navigation and fishing including international : Quality assurance of emissions 1990-2010 for reporting to UNFCCC, NEC and CLRTAP
- 2011
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In this study, bottom-up estimates of emissions from domestic navigation and fish-ing have been produced. Also, fuel data in the Monthly fuel, gas and inventory statistics, used as activity data for estimating emissions from national navigation and international maritime bunkers has been analyzed. Data from other sources relating to these emissions from international bunkers has been explored and ana-lyzed.ConclusionsNational navigation, CRF 1A3dGiven the completely different approaches and uncertainties that are included in models and emission factors, bottom-up estimates using Shipair seem to corre-spond quite well with estimates produced using fuel data from energy statistics. Results do not imply that there is an obvious need for revision of emissions report-ed to the UNFCCC.Fishing, CRF 1A4cThe current model used produces slightly higher estimates than if using fuel data for 2007 from Swedish Board of Fisheries. Compared to bottom-up estimates using Shipair, the current model gives much higher estimates, estimates from Shipair being approximately one third. Since smaller fishing vessels are not obliged by law to have AIS transponders, one should expect the coverage of Shipair to be some-what limited. To give an estimate of how much the emissions are underestimated due to this fact, one would need to study the ship population more closely. It is also possible that the estimates for fishing based on fuel statistics are overestimated by the current model. However, since the only time series available is data on installed power for the Swedish fishing fleet used in the current model, we do not have enough information to judge whether the current time series is wrong. A revision of the time series is not possible with the current data situation. It is however clear that data should be updated and evaluated again coming years. Also, the estimates by the bottom-up approach will improve as the AIS-usage becomes more and more wide-spread, in time making it possible to perform a more complete independent validation.International bunkers, CRF 1C1bData on international bunker fuel in the Monthly fuel, gas and inventory statistics has been found to be of excellent quality. As a consequence of that VAT is applied on national fuel consumption but not on international bunkers, all respondents to the survey are able to separate these fuel amounts with high accuracy. Fuels used for domestic and international navigation have been separated correctly and in line with IPCC Guidelines. Fluctuations in time series are to a large extent due to "spot sales". Occasional fluctuations in time series for international maritime bunkers 2should be expected. The increasing trend is, in addition to driving forces such as amount of goods or tonnage of the fleet, due to acquired international customers and an expansion in the fleet of lighters.Various data from energy statistics, transport statistics, trade statistics and fuel price statistics have been found and could be used further if additional analysis is wanted.RecommendationsNational navigation, CRF 1A3dThe current methodology should be used for reporting to the UNFCCC also in the future. Estimates using Shipair should preferably be updated for 2008-2010 and also for coming years, thus producing a time series that in due time will provide more information and verification of emissions reported to the UNFCCC.Fishing, CRF 1A4cThe current methodology should be used for reporting to the UNFCCC also in submission 2012. Estimates using Shipair should preferably be updated for 2008- 2010 and also for coming years, thus producing a time series that in due time will provide more information and verification of emissions reported to the UNFCCC. The current methodology should be evaluated again when the next update of the national statistics on fishing is available.International bunkers, CRF 1C1bCurrent data is found to be of excellent quality and should be used also in the fu-ture for reporting to the UNFCCC.
|
|
| 11. |
- Hansson, Katarina, et al.
(author)
-
Diffusa emissioner till luft och vatten
- 2012
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- I Sverige finns det sedan länge stor kunskap om utsläpp från punktkällor genom miljörapportsystemet. Punktkällorna utgör dock endast en begränsad del av de totala utsläppen. Detta gör att bidraget från diffusa källor är viktigt för att kartlägga spridningen av olika ämnen till miljön. Exempel på diffusa källor är vägtrafik, jordbruk, användning av lösningsmedel, kemikalier som avges under en varas an-vändning och mindre industrier. Idag presenteras diffusa emissioner till luft på "Utsläpp i Siffror" (UTIS). Dessa data kommer från luft/klimatrapporteringarna CLRTAP och UNFCCC. Data på UTIS finns för några organiska miljögifter, t.ex. PAH och några tungmetaller. Data över diffusa emissioner till vatten finns idag inte på UTIS. Vissa diffusa emissioner till vatten ingår i internationella rapporte-ringar, så som HELCOM PLC periodical och EEA WISE SoE Emissions.Föreliggande projekt härstammar i stort från utvecklingsprojektet "Förstudie över möjlig presentation av diffusa emissioner på UTIS" och har som mål att: Presentera data över emission från diffusa källor till främst vatten, från några sektorer och ämnen/ämnesgrupper. Jämföra framtagna data över diffusa emissioner med avseende på storlek med rapporterade E-PRTR data. Utifrån lärdomar från projektet föreslå hur uttag av diffusa emissionsdata kan genomföras på ett mer rutinmässigt sätt.De ämnen som ingår i projektet är näringsämnen (kväve och fosfor), metaller (bly, kadmium, koppar, kvicksilver, nickel och zink) samt vissa organiska ämnen (PAH, PBDE, nonylfenol, PCB, HCH, DDT, endosulfan och dioxiner). För de organiska ämnena saknas data i vissa matriser.Projektet består av fyra separata delprojekt:1. Diffusa emissioner av metaller och näringsämnen till vatten2. Diffusa emissioner av vissa organiska miljögifter till vatten3. Diffusa emissioner av nonylfenol och nonylfenoletoxilater från olika pro-duktgrupper4. Analys av rapporterade data till luft och vatten och jämförelse av dessa med diffusa utsläpp.Delprojekt 1 täcker in följande diffusa källor: atmosfärisk deposition på sjöyta, skogsmark, jordbruk, övrig mark, dagvatten, enskilda avlopp samt industrier och reningsverk som inte ingår i rapporteringen till E-PRTR. För koppar ingår även emission från båtbottenfärg. Resultaten från delprojekt 1 visar att för kväve och fosfor dominerar emission från jordbruksmark och skogsmark. Skogsmark domine-rar som källa för alla metaller. För de flesta metaller är även diffus emission från jordbruk, atmosfärisk deposition på sjöyta, övrig mark och dagvatten betydande. Den geografiska fördelningen visar att emission från dagvatten är mer betydande i söder (Norra Östersjöns-, Södra Östersjöns- och Västerhavets vattendistrikt) än i 9norr (Bottenvikens och Bottenhavets vattendistrikt). Det var väntat eftersom det är mer trafik i söder. Data från vattenrapporteringar kan i framtiden på ett relativt enkelt sätt omarbetas i geodatabasen för att uttaget ska passa presentationen på UTIS. En samordning med programområde Vatten är en förutsättning för detta.Resultaten från delprojekt 2 visar att det endast finns data för ett fåtal PRTR ämnen (t.ex. PAH, PBDE, nonylfenol, dioxiner, DEHP, PCB, HCH, DDT, endosulfan och klorparaffiner) och för många av dessa ämnen finns i nuläget endast data för någon eller några diffusa källor (mindre industrier, mindre reningsverk, atmosfärisk depo-sition på sjöyta, dagvatten och atmosfärisk deposition på land). De data över diffus emission av dessa ämnen som finns idag är osäkra och bygger på få mätningar.Delprojekt 3 visar att det går att uppskatta emissionen till luft, mark och avlopps-vatten av nonylfenolekvivalenter (NFekv.). Den största emission till avloppsvatten av NFekv. kommer från textilier, och en liten del från rengöringsmedel. Data är dock osäkra eftersom beräkningarna bygger på emissionsfaktorer med relativt stora osä-kerheter.Slutligen visar resultaten från delprojekt 4 att de diffusa emissionerna är betydande. Den diffusa emissionen till vatten för kväve, fosfor och metaller är minst 10 gånger högre eller mer, i nästan samtliga fall, jämfört med punktkällor. Jordbruksmark dominerar som källa när det gäller fosfor och kväve. För organiska ämnen till vat-ten är det stora luckor i data eftersom mycket få företag rapporterar. För emission av organiska ämnen och metaller till luft är i de flesta fall skillnaden mellan punkt-källor enligt (E-PRTR) och den diffusa emissionen baserad på data från CLRTAP inte lika stor som för vatten. För koppar är den diffusa emissionen till luft från bromsbelägg den absolut största källan (>90 %) och för PAH är den diffusa emiss-ionen från energisektorn helt dominerande, nästan 100 %. Emissionen från respek-tive ämne, är i nästan samtliga fall större till vatten än till luft, när det gäller punkt-källor, diffusa källor och totalt. För utsläpp från olika branscher framgår det t.ex. att anläggningar inom skogsindustrin bidrar med cirka 90 % när det gäller utsläpp av kadmium till vatten från punktkällor enligt E-PRTR (totalt 440 kg). De är dock mycket lägre än de diffusa emissionerna (delprojekt 1), vilka är totalt 3900 kg. Det betyder att de diffusa emissionerna är nästan 9 gånger högre. Skillnaden mellan rapporterade data till E-PRTR och UTIS (punktkällor ej rapporterade till E-PRTR) inte är så stor, för utsläpp till vatten. Det visar att punktkällor enligt E-PRTR inklu-derar en stor andel av utsläpp från punktkällor till vatten.Datakvalitén håller för att visa diffusa emissioner av både näringsämnen och metal-ler på UTIS, nationellt, per vattendistrikt eller på finare nivå, eftersom data bygger på rapporterade värden till EU och HELCOM. När det gäller organiska ämnen till vatten och emission av nonylfenol från varor är data osäkrare och rekommenderas inte i nuläget att visas på UTIS. För utsläpp till luft är slutsatsen att nationella tota-ler, vilka rapporteras till UNFCCC och CLRTAP kan inkluderas i presentationen på UTIS.
|
|
| 12. |
- Hansson, Katarina, et al.
(author)
-
Diffuse emissions to air and water
- 2012
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The Swedish environmental reporting system has large amounts of information regarding point source discharges. But, point sources represent only a limited part of the total discharges. Therefore contributions from diffuse sources are important to identify in relation to the spread of various substances to the environment. Ex-amples of diffuse sources include road traffic, agriculture, use of solvents, chemi-cals emitted from use-phase of products, and small industries. Here, these and simi-lar diffuse emissions to air are published in the Swedish Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (S-PRTR, with Swedish acronym UTIS). This data is derived from the air and climate reporting made to the Convention on Long-range Trans-boundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and UNFCCC. Data at the S-PRTR is listed for several organic pollutants, such as PAHs and heavy metals. Data on diffuse emis-sions to water is currently not provided at the S-PRTR website. Certain diffuse emissions into water are included in the international emission reporting, such as the HELCOM PLC periodical and EEA WISE SoE Emissions.The project described herein is based on the development project "Feasibility study for possible publication of diffuse emissions at SPRTR, and is designed to: Publish data on emissions from diffuse sources, primarily to water, from selected sectors and substances or substance groups. Compare data collected for these diffuse emissions in relation to totals for data reported to E-PRTR. Based on the knowledge acquired during this project to propose more regu-lar procedures for collecting data regarding diffuse emissions.Substances considered in the project include nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), metals (lead, cadmium, copper, mercury, nickel and zinc) and certain organic com-pounds (PAHs, PBDEs, nonylphenols, PCBs, HCHs, DDT, endosulfan, and diox-ins. There is currently no data in certain matrices for these organic pollutants.The project has four separate subprojects: Diffuse emissions of metals and nutrients to water.Diffuse emissions of certain organic pollutants to water.Diffuse emissions of nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates from different product groups.Analyses of report-ed data for air and water, and comparison with diffuse emissions.Project 1 covers the following diffuse sources: atmospheric deposition on water, forest land, agriculture, other land, stormwater, local on-site wastewater treatment facilities, industrial facilities and wastewater treatment plants not included in reporting to E-PRTR. Copper is also considered as emission from antifouling boat paint. Subpro-ject 1 findings show that the most significant emission source for nitrogen and phosphorus is agricultural and forests land. Forests dominate as the source of all metals. As well, diffuse emissions of most other metal are significant from agricul-ture, deposition on water, other land and stormwater. Geographically, distribution of emissions shows that stormwater is more significant in the south (Northern Baltic, Southern Baltic, and Skagerrak and Kattegat river basin districts) than in the north (Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea river basin districts). This is as expected due to greater traffic volumes in the south. In future, data from water load reporting can be easily recalculated in the geo-database to match publication in the E-PRTR. Coordinating with departments producing water emission statistics is necessary, though.Subproject 2 findings show that data for only a few organic pollutants is currently available (such as PAHs, PBDEs, nonylphenols, dioxins, DEHP, PCBs, HCH, DDT, endosulfan and chlorinated paraffins). Data for many of these substances is available only for single or a few diffuse sources (small industries and WWTPs, deposition on water, stormwater and deposition on land). Data for diffuse emis-sions of organic pollutants that is currently available are uncertain and based on few measurements.Subproject 3 shows that it is possible to estimate nonylphenols (NPequ) emissions to air, soil and wastewater. The largest source of NPequ to wastewater is from textiles, while smaller amounts are from detergents. The data are uncertain, however, as they are based on emission factors with significant uncertainties.Finally,subproject 4 findings show that all diffuse emissions are significant. Dif-fuse emission of nitrogen, phosphorus and metals to water is at least 10 times or more larger compared to point sources, in nearly all cases. Agricultural land domi-nates as a source in the case of phosphorus and nitrogen. Emissions of organic pollutants to water show significant gaps in the data because very few companies report emissions.Regarding emissions of organic pollutants and metals to the air, the difference between point sources (E-PRTR) and diffuse emissions based on data from CLRTAP are in most cases not as great as for water. For copper, diffuse emissions to air from brake linings is the largest source of diffuse emission (>90%). And for PAH, diffuse emissions from the energy sector dominates, corresponding to nearly 100% of the total. Emissions of each pollutant (nearly all) is greater to water than to air for point sources, diffuse sources, and the total.When comparing emissions from various industries, findings show that forestry industry facilities contribute approximately 90% when it comes to cadmium emis-sions to water from point sources according to E-PRTR (total 440 kg). Still, this is much lower than diffuse emissions as found in Subproject 1, 3,900 kg – indicating diffuse emissions are nearly 9 times greater. The difference for emissions to water is not very large between point sources reported to E-PRTR and those not (in the e-PRTR) – indicating that the point sources under E-PRTR include a large portion of all discharges from point sources to water.The quality of data is sufficient to show diffuse emission levels of nutrients and metals at the S-PRTR, reported for the national, river basin district or more refined levels, since this data is based on values reported to the EU and HELCOM. Re-garding organic pollutants to water and nonylphenols from products, the data is more uncertain and is therefore not recommended to be published in the S-PRTR. For emissions to air, our conclusion is that national totals, as reported to the UNPCCC and CLRTAP can be included in the S-PRTR.
|
|
| 13. |
- Hedström, Anna Karin, et al.
(author)
-
Association between exposure to combustion-related air pollution and multiple sclerosis risk
- 2023
-
In: International Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0300-5771 .- 1464-3685. ; 52:3, s. 703-714
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Smoking and occupational pulmonary irritants contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) development. We aimed to study the association between ambient air pollution and MS risk and potential interaction with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*15:01 allele.Methods: Exposure to combustion-related air pollution was estimated as outdoor levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the participants’ residence locations, by spatially resolved dispersion modelling for the years 1990–18. Using two population-based case-control studies (6635 cases, 8880 controls), NOx levels were associated with MS risk by calculating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression models. Interaction between high NOx levels and the HLA-DRB1*15:01 allele regarding MS risk was calculated by the attributable proportion due to interaction (AP). In addition, a register study was performed comprising all MS cases in Sweden who had received their diagnosis between 1993 and 2018 (n = 22 173), with 10 controls per case randomly selected from the National Population register.Results: Residential air pollution was associated with MS risk. NOx levels (3-year average) exceeding the 90th percentile (24.6 µg/m3) were associated with an OR of 1.37 (95% CI 1.10–1.76) compared with levels below the 25th percentile (5.9 µg/m3), with a trend of increasing risk of MS with increasing levels of NOx (P <0.0001). A synergistic effect was observed between high NOx levels (exceeding the lower quartile among controls) and the HLA-DRB1*15:01 allele regarding MS risk (AP 0.26, 95% CI 0.13–0.29).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that moderate levels of combustion-related ambient air pollution may play a role in MS development.
|
|
| 14. |
|
|
| 15. |
- Kilbo Edlund, Karl, et al.
(author)
-
High-resolution dispersion modelling of PM2.5, PM10, NOx and NO2 exposure in metropolitan areas in Sweden 2000‒2018 – large health gains due to decreased population exposure
- 2024
-
In: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health. - 1873-9318 .- 1873-9326.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ambient air pollution remains the major environmental cause of disease. Accurate assessment of population exposure and small-scale spatial exposure variations over long time periods is essential for epidemiological studies. We estimated annual exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), and nitrogen oxides (NOx, NO2) with high spatial resolution to examine time trends 2000‒2018, compliance with the WHO Air Quality Guidelines, and assess the health impact. The modelling area covered six metropolitan areas in Sweden with a combined population of 5.5 million. Long-range transported air pollutants were modelled using a chemical transport model with bias correction, and locally emitted air pollutants using source-specific Gaussian-type dispersion models at resolutions up to 50 × 50m. The modelled concentrations were validated using quality-controlled monitoring data. Lastly, we estimated the reduction in mortality associated with the decrease in population exposure. The validity of modelled air pollutant concentrations was good (R2 for PM2.5 0.84, PM10 0.61, and NOx 0.87). Air pollution exposure decreased substantially, from a population weighted mean exposure to PM2.5 of 12.2µgm−3 in 2000 to 5.4µgm−3 in 2018. We estimated that the decreased exposure was associated with a reduction of 2719 (95% CI 2046–3055) premature deaths annually. However, in 2018, 65%, 8%, and 42% of residents in the modelled areas were still exposed to PM2.5, PM10, or NO2 levels, respectively, that exceeded the current WHO Air Quality Guidelines for annual average exposure. This emphasises the potential public health benefits of reductions in air pollution emissions.
|
|
| 16. |
- Kilbo Edlund, Karl, et al.
(author)
-
Long-term exposure to air pollution, coronary artery calcification, and carotid artery plaques in the population-based Swedish SCAPIS Gothenburg cohort.
- 2022
-
In: Environmental research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1096-0953 .- 0013-9351. ; 214:Pt 2
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with cardiovascular events. A main suggested mechanism is that air pollution accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis, yet current evidence is inconsistent regarding the association between air pollution and coronary artery and carotid artery atherosclerosis, which are well-established causes of myocardial infarction and stroke. We studied associations between low levels of long-term air pollution, coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, and the prevalence and area of carotid artery plaques, in a middle-aged population-based cohort. The Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) Gothenburg cohort was recruited during 2013-2017 and thoroughly examined for cardiovascular risk factors, including computed tomography of the heart and ultrasonography of the carotid arteries. In 5070 participants (age 50-64 years), yearly residential exposures to air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, PMcoarse, NOx, and exhaust-specific PM2.5 1990-2015) were estimated using high-resolution dispersion models. We used Poisson regression to examine associations between long-term (26 years' mean) exposure to air pollutants and CAC score, and prevalence of carotid artery plaques, adjusted for potential confounders. Among participants with carotid artery plaques, we also examined the association with plaque area using linear regression. Mean exposure to PM2.5 was low by international standards (8.5μg/m3). There were no consistent associations between long-term total PM2.5 exposure and CAC score or presence of carotid artery plaques, but an association between total PM2.5 and larger plaque area in participants with carotid plaques. Associations with traffic-related air pollutants were consistently positive for both a high CAC score and bilateral carotid artery plaques. These associations were independent of road traffic noise. We found stronger associations among men and participants with cardiovascular risk factors. The results lend some support to atherosclerosis as a main modifiable pathway between low levels of traffic-related ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease, especially in vulnerable individuals.
|
|
| 17. |
- Langner, J., et al.
(author)
-
Model-simulated source contributions to PM2.5 in Santiago and the central region of Chile
- 2020
-
In: Aerosol and Air Quality Research. - : Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research. - 2071-1409 .- 1680-8584. ; 20:5, s. 1111-1126
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The contributions to PM2.5 from different emission sectors across central Chile and the Santiago metropolitan area during summer/fall and winter have been evaluated using a chemical transport model. The simulations generally underestimate the mean PM2.5 concentrations compared to measurements conducted at stations in Santiago that belong to the Chilean National Air Quality Information System (SINCA). The potential reasons for this discrepancy include underestimated direct PM2.5 emissions, missing emissions for semi-and intermediately volatile organic compounds (SVOCs and IVOCs) and overestimated wind speeds in the simulations. The simulated winter PM2.5 concentrations in Santiago are lower and higher than the values observed during nighttime, and daytime and late evening, respectively, which may be related to excessive simulated wind speeds, as well as to uncertainties in the diurnal variation in the emissions. During summer/fall, the simulated diurnal variation better agrees with the observations, but the peak concentrations during the morning are underestimated, whereas those during the evening are overestimated. The simulated contributions of different aerosol components to the PM2.5 at one station in Santiago are all lower than the observed values, except for elemental carbon equivalent black carbon (BCe), which exhibit comparable or higher levels in the simulations. The absolute differences are the largest for the total organic matter, whereas the relative differences are the largest for BCe and ammonium. The simulated sector contributions indicate that emissions originating from transport and construction machinery dominate the PM2.5 in Santiago; however, residential wood combustion is the primary source in other urban areas of central Chile, except near major point sources. Away from urban areas, traffic routes and major industrial sources, secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) is estimated to be the largest component of the aerosol, whereas the simulated secondary organic aerosol (SOA) only contributes a small fraction.
|
|
| 18. |
- Nilsson Sommar, Johan, et al.
(author)
-
Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and presence and progression of carotid artery plaques : A northern Sweden VIPVIZA cohort study
- 2022
-
In: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 211
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: To estimate the association between long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and sub-clinical atherosclerosis based on the existence of plaque and the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).METHODS: Visualization of asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease for optimum cardiovascular prevention (VIPVIZA) is a randomised controlled trial integrated within the Västerbotten Intervention Programme, an ongoing population-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme in northern Sweden. Individuals aged 40, 50, or 60 years with one or more conventional CVD risk factors in Umeå municipality were eligible to participate. The 1425 participants underwent an ultrasound assessment of cIMT and plaque formation during the period 2013-2016 and at 3-year follow-up. Source-specific annual mean concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM10) and ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), and black carbon (BC) at the individual's residential address were modelled for the calendar years 1990, 2001 and 2011. Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios for presence of carotid artery plaques, and linear regression for cIMT.RESULTS: The plaque prevalence was 43% at baseline and 47% at follow-up. An interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM10 (range in year 2011: 7.1-13.5 μg/m3) was associated with a prevalence ratio at baseline ultrasound of 1.11 (95% CI 0.99-1.25), 1.08 (95% CI 0.99-1.17), and 1.00 (95% CI 0.93-1.08) for lag 23, 12 and 2 years, and at follow-up 1.04 (95% CI 0.95-1.14), 1.08 (95% CI 1.00-1.16), and 1.01 (95% CI 0.95-1.08). Similar prevalence ratios per IQR were found for PM2.5 and BC, but with somewhat lower precision for the later. Particle concentrations were however not associated with the progression of plaque. No cross-sectional or longitudinal associations of change were found for cIMT.CONCLUSIONS: This study of individuals with low/moderate risk for CVD give some additional support for an effect of long-term air pollution in early subclinical atherosclerosis.
|
|
| 19. |
- Nilsson Sommar, Johan, et al.
(author)
-
Long-term residential exposure to source-specific particulate matter and incidence of diabetes mellitus : A cohort study in northern Sweden
- 2023
-
In: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 217
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Diabetes mellitus (DM) incidence have been assessed in connection with air pollution exposure in several studies; however, few have investigated associations with source-specific local emissions. This study aims to estimate the risk of DM incidence associated with source-specific air pollution in a Swedish cohort with relatively low exposure. Individuals in the Västerbotten intervention programme cohort were followed until either a DM diagnosis or initiation of treatment with glucose-lowering medication occurred. Dispersion models with high spatial resolution were used to estimate annual mean concentrations of particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM10) and ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) at individual addresses. Hazard ratios were estimated using Cox regression models in relation to moving averages 1-5 years preceding the outcome. During the study period, 1479 incident cases of DM were observed during 261,703 person-years of follow-up. Increased incidence of DM was observed in association with PM10 (4% [95% CI: -54-137%] per 10 μg/m3), PM10-traffic (2% [95% CI: -6-11%] per 1 μg/m3) and PM2.5-exhaust (11% [95% CI: -39-103%] per 1 μg/m3). A negative association was found for both PM2.5 (-18% [95% CI: -99-66%] per 5 μg/m3), but only in the 2nd exposure tertile (-10% [95% CI: -25-9%] compared to the first tertile), and PM2.5-woodburning (-30% [95% CI: -49-4%] per 1 μg/m3). In two-pollutant models including PM2.5-woodburning, there was an 11% [95% CI: -11-38%], 6% [95% CI: -16-34%], 13% [95% CI: -7-36%] and 17% [95% CI: 4-41%] higher risk in the 3rd tertile of PM10, PM2.5, PM10-traffic and PM2.5-exhaust, respectively, compared to the 1st. Although the results lacked in precision they are generally in line with the current evidence detailing particulate matter air pollution from traffic as an environmental risk factor for DM.
|
|
| 20. |
- Orru, Hans, et al.
(author)
-
Health impacts of PM2.5 originating from residential wood combustion in four nordic cities
- 2022
-
In: BMC Public Health. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2458. ; 22:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Residential wood combustion (RWC) is one of the largest sources of fine particles (PM2.5) in the Nordic cities. The current study aims to calculate the related health effects in four studied city areas in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark.Methods: Health impact assessment (HIA) was employed as the methodology to quantify the health burden. Firstly, the RWC induced annual average PM2.5 concentrations from local sources were estimated with air pollution dispersion modelling. Secondly, the baseline mortality rates were retrieved from the national health registers. Thirdly, the concentration-response function from a previous epidemiological study was applied. For the health impact calculations, the WHO-developed tool AirQ + was used.Results: Amongst the studied city areas, the local RWC induced PM2.5 concentration was lowest in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (population-weighted annual average concentration 0.46 µg m− 3) and highest in Oslo (2.77 µg m− 3). Each year, particulate matter attributed to RWC caused around 19 premature deaths in Umeå (95% CI: 8–29), 85 in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (95% CI: 35–129), 78 in Copenhagen (95% CI: 33–118), and 232 premature deaths in Oslo (95% CI: 97–346). The average loss of life years per premature death case was approximately ten years; however, in the whole population, this reflects on average a decrease in life expectancy by 0.25 (0.10–0.36) years. In terms of the relative contributions in cities, life expectancy will be decreased by 0.10 (95% CI: 0.05–0.16), 0.18 (95% CI: 0.07–0.28), 0.22 (95% CI: 0.09–0.33) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.26–0.96) years in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Umeå, Copenhagen and Oslo respectively. The number of years of life lost was lowest in Umeå (172, 95% CI: 71–260) and highest in Oslo (2458, 95% CI: 1033–3669).Conclusions: All four Nordic city areas have a substantial amount of domestic heating, and RWC is one of the most significant sources of PM2.5. This implicates a substantial predicted impact on public health in terms of premature mortality. Thus, several public health measures are needed to reduce the RWC emissions.
|
|
| 21. |
- Oudin, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Association between air pollution from residential wood burning and dementia incidence in a longitudinal study in Northern Sweden
- 2018
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 13:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: There is highly suggestive evidence for an effect of air pollution exposure on dementia-related outcomes, but evidence is not yet present to clearly pinpoint which pollutants are the probable causal agents. The aims of this study was to assess the longitudinal association between exposures of fine ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) from residential wood burning, and vehicle exhaust, with dementia.METHOD: We used data from the Betula study, a longitudinal study of dementia in Umeå, Northern Sweden. The study size was 1 806 and the participants were followed from study entry (1993-1995) to 2010. Modelled levels of source-specific fine particulate matter at the residential address were combined with information on wood stoves or wood boilers, and with validated data on dementia diagnosis and individual-level characteristics from the Betula study. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HRs) and their 95% CIs for dementia incidence (vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease), adjusted for individual-level characteristics.RESULTS: The emission of PM2.5 from local residential wood burning was associated with dementia incidence with a hazard ratio of 1.55 for a 1 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.00-2.41, p-value 0.05). Study participants with an address in an area with the highest quartile of PM2.5 from residential wood burning and who also had a wood-burning stove were more likely to develop dementia than those in the lower three quartiles without a wood-burning stove with hazard ratios of 1.74 (CI: 1.10-2.75, p-value 0.018). Particulate matter from traffic exhaust seemed to be associated with dementia incidence with hazard ratios of 1.66, (CI: 1.16-2.39), p-value 0.006, and 1.41 (CI: 0.97-2.23), p-value 0.07, in the third and fourth quartiles, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: If the associations we observed are causal, then air pollution from residential wood burning, and air pollution from traffic, might be independent important risk factors for dementia.
|
|
| 22. |
- Oudin, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Exposure to source-specific air pollution in residential areas and its association with dementia incidence : a cohort study in Northern Sweden
- 2024
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 14:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between source-specific ambient particulate air pollution concentrations and the incidence of dementia. The study encompassed 70,057 participants from the Västerbotten intervention program cohort in Northern Sweden with a median age of 40 years at baseline. High-resolution dispersion models were employed to estimate source-specific particulate matter (PM) concentrations, such as PM10 and PM2.5 from traffic, exhaust, and biomass (mainly wood) burning, at the residential addresses of each participant. Cox regression models, adjusted for potential confounding factors, were used for the assessment. Over 884,847 person-years of follow-up, 409 incident dementia cases, identified through national registers, were observed. The study population’s average exposure to annual mean total PM10 and PM2.5 lag 1–5 years was 9.50 µg/m3 and 5.61 µg/m3, respectively. Increased risks were identified for PM10-Traffic (35% [95% CI 0–82%]) and PM2.5-Exhaust (33% [95% CI − 2 to 79%]) in the second exposure tertile for lag 1–5 years, although no such risks were observed in the third tertile. Interestingly, a negative association was observed between PM2.5-Wood burning and the risk of dementia. In summary, this register-based study did not conclusively establish a strong association between air pollution exposure and the incidence of dementia. While some evidence indicated elevated risks for PM10-Traffic and PM2.5-Exhaust, and conversely, a negative association for PM2.5-Wood burning, no clear exposure–response relationships were evident.
|
|
| 23. |
- Oudin Åström, Daniel, et al.
(author)
-
Local Contrasts in Concentration of Ambient Particulate Air Pollution (PM2.5) and Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia : Results from the Betula Cohort in Northern Sweden
- 2021
-
In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 81:1, s. 83-85
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) is emerging as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but existing studies are still limited and heterogeneous. We have previously studied the association between dementia (AD and vascular dementia) and PM2.5 stemming from vehicle exhaust and wood-smoke in the Betula cohort in Northern Sweden. The aim of this commentary is to estimate the association between total PM2.5 and dementia in the Betula cohort, which is more relevant to include in future meta-estimates than the source-specific estimates. The hazard ratio for incident dementia associated with a 1μg/m3 increase in local PM2.5 was 1.38 (95% confidence interval: 0.99 -1.92). The interpretation of our results is that they indicate an association between local contrasts in concentration of PM2.5 at the residential address and incidence of dementia in a low-level setting.
|
|
| 24. |
- Persson, Asa, et al.
(author)
-
Long-term exposure to transportation noise and obesity: A pooled analysis of eleven Nordic cohorts
- 2024
-
In: ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY. - 2474-7882. ; 8:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Available evidence suggests a link between exposure to transportation noise and an increased risk of obesity. We aimed to assess exposure-response functions for long-term residential exposure to road traffic, railway and aircraft noise, and markers of obesity. Methods:Our cross-sectional study is based on pooled data from 11 Nordic cohorts, including up to 162,639 individuals with either measured (69.2%) or self-reported obesity data. Residential exposure to transportation noise was estimated as a time-weighted average L-den 5 years before recruitment. Adjusted linear and logistic regression models were fitted to assess beta coefficients and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for body mass index, overweight, and obesity, as well as for waist circumference and central obesity. Furthermore, natural splines were fitted to assess the shape of the exposure-response functions. Results:For road traffic noise, the OR for obesity was 1.06 (95% CI = 1.03, 1.08) and for central obesity 1.03 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.05) per 10 dB L-den. Thresholds were observed at around 50-55 and 55-60 dB L-den, respectively, above which there was an approximate 10% risk increase per 10 dB L-den increment for both outcomes. However, linear associations only occurred in participants with measured obesity markers and were strongly influenced by the largest cohort. Similar risk estimates as for road traffic noise were found for railway noise, with no clear thresholds. For aircraft noise, results were uncertain due to the low number of exposed participants. Conclusion:Our results support an association between road traffic and railway noise and obesity.
|
|
| 25. |
- Pyko, Andrei, et al.
(author)
-
Long-Term Exposure to Transportation Noise and Ischemic Heart Disease: A Pooled Analysis of Nine Scandinavian Cohorts.
- 2023
-
In: Environmental health perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 131:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transportation noise may induce cardiovascular disease, but the public health implications are unclear.The study aimed to assess exposure-response relationships for different transportation noise sources and ischemic heart disease (IHD), including subtypes.Pooled analyses were performed of nine cohorts from Denmark and Sweden, together including 132,801 subjects. Time-weighted long-term exposure to road, railway, and aircraft noise, as well as air pollution, was estimated based on residential histories. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models following adjustment for lifestyle and socioeconomic risk factors.A total of 22,459 incident cases of IHD were identified during follow-up from national patient and mortality registers, including 7,682 cases of myocardial infarction. The adjusted HR for IHD was 1.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00, 1.05] per 10 dB Lden for both road and railway noise exposure during 5 y prior to the event. Higher risks were indicated for IHD excluding angina pectoris cases, with HRs of 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.08) and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.08) per 10 dB Lden for road and railway noise, respectively. Corresponding HRs for myocardial infarction were 1.02 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.05) and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.08). Increased risks were observed for aircraft noise but without clear exposure-response relations. A threshold at around 55 dB Lden was suggested in the exposure-response relation for road traffic noise and IHD.Exposure to road, railway, and aircraft noise in the prior 5 y was associated with an increased risk of IHD, particularly after exclusion of angina pectoris cases, which are less well identified in the registries. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10745.
|
|
| 26. |
- Roswall, Nina, et al.
(author)
-
Long-term exposure to traffic noise and risk of incident colon cancer : A pooled study of eleven Nordic cohorts
- 2023
-
In: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 224
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundColon cancer incidence is rising globally, and factors pertaining to urbanization have been proposed involved in this development. Traffic noise may increase colon cancer risk by causing sleep disturbance and stress, thereby inducing known colon cancer risk-factors, e.g. obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, but few studies have examined this.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the association between traffic noise and colon cancer (all, proximal, distal) in a pooled population of 11 Nordic cohorts, totaling 155,203 persons.MethodsWe identified residential address history and estimated road, railway, and aircraft noise, as well as air pollution, for all addresses, using similar exposure models across cohorts. Colon cancer cases were identified through national registries. We analyzed data using Cox Proportional Hazards Models, adjusting main models for harmonized sociodemographic and lifestyle data.ResultsDuring follow-up (median 18.8 years), 2757 colon cancer cases developed. We found a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99–1.10) per 10-dB higher 5-year mean time-weighted road traffic noise. In sub-type analyses, the association seemed confined to distal colon cancer: HR 1.06 (95% CI: 0.98–1.14). Railway and aircraft noise was not associated with colon cancer, albeit there was some indication in sub-type analyses that railway noise may also be associated with distal colon cancer. In interaction-analyses, the association between road traffic noise and colon cancer was strongest among obese persons and those with high NO2-exposure.DiscussionA prominent study strength is the large population with harmonized data across eleven cohorts, and the complete address-history during follow-up. However, each cohort estimated noise independently, and only at the most exposed façade, which may introduce exposure misclassification. Despite this, the results of this pooled study suggest that traffic noise may be a risk factor for colon cancer, especially of distal origin.
|
|
| 27. |
- Roswall, Nina, et al.
(author)
-
Long-Term Exposure to Transportation Noise and Risk of Incident Stroke : A Pooled Study of Nine Scandinavian Cohorts
- 2021
-
In: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 129:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Transportation noise is increasingly acknowledged as a cardiovascular risk factor, but the evidence base for an association with stroke is sparse.Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between transportation noise and stroke incidence in a large Scandinavian population.Methods: We harmonized and pooled data from nine Scandinavian cohorts (seven Swedish, two Danish), totaling 135,951 participants. We identified residential address history and estimated road, railway, and aircraft noise for all addresses. Information on stroke incidence was acquired through linkage to national patient and mortality registries. We analyzed data using Cox proportional hazards models, including socioeconomic and lifestyle confounders, and air pollution.Results: During follow-up (median=19.5y), 11,056 stroke cases were identified. Road traffic noise (Lden) was associated with risk of stroke, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.08] per 10-dB higher 5-y mean time-weighted exposure in analyses adjusted for individual- and area-level socioeconomic covariates. The association was approximately linear and persisted after adjustment for air pollution [particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5μm (PM2.5) and NO2]. Stroke was associated with moderate levels of 5-y aircraft noise exposure (40–50 vs. ≤40 dB) (HR=1.12; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.27), but not with higher exposure (≥50 dB, HR=0.94HR; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.11). Railway noise was not associated with stroke.Discussion: In this pooled study, road traffic noise was associated with a higher risk of stroke. This finding supports road traffic noise as an important cardiovascular risk factor that should be included when estimating the burden of disease due to traffic noise.
|
|
| 28. |
- Segersson, David, et al.
(author)
-
Concentrations of NOx in Sweden over three decades using dispersion modelling at local and regional scale
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- We have evaluated a modelling methodology to describe ambient concentrationsof air pollutants at a local scale over large areas. The methodology has been applied toestimate NO x concentrations with a spatial resolution of 100x100 m 2 in Sweden for the period1990-2015, providing a uniquely detailed description of NO x concentrations for the country.The method is based on dispersion modelling at regional and local scale. A post-processingscheme, BUDD (Back-trace Upwind Diffuse Downwind) is used to remove the contributionfrom local sources in the regional scale concentration fields, avoiding double-counting whenconcentrations from the different scales are added. The applied method is implemented in thenew air quality modelling toolbox CLAIR, which is also used as the basis for the Swedishnational air quality modelling system SIMAIR. The evaluation indicates good agreement withmeasurements for both regional and urban background concentrations.
|
|
| 29. |
- Segersson, David, et al.
(author)
-
Health Impact of PM10, PM2.5 and Black Carbon Exposure Due to Different Source Sectors in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Umea, Sweden
- 2017
-
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 14:7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The most important anthropogenic sources of primary particulate matter (PM) in ambient air in Europe are exhaust and non-exhaust emissions from road traffic and combustion of solid biomass. There is convincing evidence that PM, almost regardless of source, has detrimental health effects. An important issue in health impact assessments is what metric, indicator and exposure-response function to use for different types of PM. The aim of this study is to describe sectorial contributions to PM exposure and related premature mortality for three Swedish cities: Gothenburg, Stockholm and Umea. Exposure is calculated with high spatial resolution using atmospheric dispersion models. Attributed premature mortality is calculated separately for the main local sources and the contribution from long-range transport (LRT), applying different relative risks. In general, the main part of the exposure is due to LRT, while for black carbon, the local sources are equally or more important. The major part of the premature deaths is in our assessment related to local emissions, with road traffic and residential wood combustion having the largest impact. This emphasizes the importance to resolve within-city concentration gradients when assessing exposure. It also implies that control actions on local PM emissions have a strong potential in abatement strategies.
|
|
| 30. |
- Segersson, David, et al.
(author)
-
Metod-och kvalitetsbeskrivning Geografisk fördelning av emissioner till luft år 2008
- 2010
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Sverige rapporterar årligen nationella utsläpp till luft till UNFCCC (FN:s klimatkonvention) och CLRTAP (UNECE:s konvention om gränsöverskridande luftföroreningar). Förutom emissioner på nationell nivå finns även behov av data med högre geografisk upplösning. För regional uppföljning av miljömålen behövs emissioner på kommun- och länsnivå.Detta dokument utgör en metod- och kvalitetsbeskrivning av geografiskt fördelade emissioner för år 2008. Emissionerna presenteras i 40 olika sektorer uppdelade på 8 huvudsektorer. Huvudsektorerna är Energiförsörjning, Industriprocesser, Transporter, Lösningsmedels-användning, Avfall och avlopp, Internationell luftfart och sjöfart, Jordbruk samt Arbetsmaskiner.Inga växthusgaser fördelas geografiskt för huvudsektorn Internationell luftfart och sjöfart. Orsaken är att riktlinjerna för rapportering av växthusgaser till UNFCCC kräver att man utgår från mängd bunkrat bränsle inom landet. Emissionerna från detta bränsle sker sedan längs hela fartygets eller flygplanets färd och endast en mindre del emitteras inom Sveriges gränser. Nuvarande metodik för geografisk fördelning innebär att emissioner fördelas ut inom Sveriges gränser, och täcker därmed inte in specialfallet som växthusgaser från internationell luftfart och sjöfart utgör.Den geografiska fördelningen utförs huvudsakligen enligt konceptet "top-down". Detta innebär att emissioner bryts ner från en nationell eller regional totalemission för att uppnå en högre rumslig upplösning. Nedbrytningen till högre rumslig upplösning kräver en geografisk begränsning av emissionerna och statistik på regional nivå.Metoden för geografisk fördelning tillåter för vissa sektorer en mycket hög rumslig upplösning (t.ex. för vägtrafik). För flera sektorer är emellertid resultaten otillförlitliga om de ska studeras med högre upplösning än kommunnivå (och i vissa fall länsnivå). Denna leverans innehåller resultat i form av Excel-tabeller på läns- och kommunnivå. Exempel på resultaten redovisas grafiskt på länsnivå och för huvudsektorer i Bilaga 3. Dessutom levereras kartmaterial med ämnesvis totalemissioner för alla ingående ämnen.Arbetet med geografisk fördelning av Sveriges utsläpp till luft är sedan 2007 ett årligt projekt. Projektet har ett långsiktigt perspektiv med målsättningen att stegvis förbättra kvaliteten på geografiskt upplösta emissionsdata. Resultaten för alla sektorer presenteras med samma geografiska upplösning även om kvaliteten varierar. På grund av detta krävs det att användare av dessa emissionsdata går igenom kvalitetsbeskrivningen och bedömer om osäkerheterna är acceptabla för den aktuella tillämpningen. I de fall metodiken förbättras kan det innebära ett brott i tidsserien för emissioner från en viss sektor. För att inte förändringar i tidsserierna som orsakats av metodförändringar skall tolkas som verkliga förändringar redovisas samtliga förändringar som gjorts i fördelningsmetodiken i och med årets framtagning av data (se avsnittet Metodikförändringar). Under 2010 är ett projekt planerat för att möjliggöra omräkningar av tidigare års emissioner. På detta sätt kommer flera trendbrott kunna korrigeras.
|
|
| 31. |
- Segersson, David, et al.
(author)
-
Near-source risk functions for particulate matter are critical when assessing the health benefits of local abatement strategies
- 2021
-
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 18:13
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- When mortality or other health outcomes attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are estimated, the same exposure–response function (ERF) is usually assumed regardless of the source and composition of the particles, and independently of the spatial resolution applied in the exposure model. While several recent publications indicate that ERFs based on exposure models resolving within-city gradients are steeper per concentration unit (μgm−3), the ERF for PM2.5 recommended by the World Health Organization does not reflect this observation and is heavily influenced by studies based on between-city exposure estimates. We evaluated the potential health benefits of three air pollution abatement strategies: electrification of light vehicles, reduced use of studded tires, and introduction of congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg, using different ERFs. We demonstrated that using a single ERF for PM2.5 likely results in an underestimation of the effect of local measures and may be misleading when evaluating abatement strategies. We also suggest applying ERFs that distinguish between near-source and regional contributions of exposure to PM2.5. If separate ERFs are applied for near-source and regional PM2.5, congestion charges as well as a reduction of studded tire use are estimated to be associated with a significant reduction in the mortality burden in both Gothenburg and Stockholm. In some scenarios the number of premature deaths is more than 10 times higher using separate ERFs in comparison to using a single ERF irrespective of sources as recommended by the WHO. For electrification, the net change in attributable deaths is small or within the uncertainty range depending on the choice of ERF.
|
|
| 32. |
- Segersson, David, 1978-
(author)
-
Quantification of population exposure and health impacts associated with air pollution
- 2021
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- There is substantial evidence that air pollution, in particular particulate matter (PM), affects our health. The overall objective of this thesis is to understand and quantify population exposure to ambient air pollution and related health impacts. In four included papers, atmospheric dispersion modelling is used to estimate source-specific contributions to pollution levels. Results from the dispersion modelling are evaluated by comparison with available concentration measurements and used to estimate the related health impact. New approaches for health impact assessment are proposed and new methods for exposure assessment are developed. Assessment of health impacts related to different sources of air pollution can be used to identify the most cost-effective abatement strategies. The proposed methods for health impact assessment are applied to evaluate three viable abatement strategies for Stockholm and Gothenburg, the two largest cities in Sweden.The first two papers in the thesis more specifically investigate the importance of using source-specific associations between exposure and premature mortality. One of the main conclusions is that different health risk functions should be applied for near-source and long-range exposure to fine PM. The praxis of today, to use the same linear risk function regardless of source and composition of the PM, most likely underestimates the importance of local sources and may thereby discourage cities from acting to reduce emissions. It is also concluded that a more specific risk function for exposure to coarse PM from road wear would allow for better prioritizations between different abatement measures, especially for countries where studded winter tires are used.Near-source exposure in the urban environment is characterized by strong gradients, requiring a relatively high spatial resolution to capture variations within the population. A new method that allow estimating source-specific exposure with sufficient spatial resolution over large areas and long time periods is presented and applied to create a uniquely detailed NOx exposure assessment for Sweden over three decades.Emissions from road traffic and residential wood combustion (RWC) are found to be the most important contributors to near-source exposure to PM. When three abatement strategies for road traffic are evaluated for Stockholm and Gothenburg, it is shown that a strategy resulting in overall traffic reduction, such as introduction of congestion charges, is a good choice. Reduced use of studded tires is also evaluated, but this measure mainly affects the emissions of coarse PM from road wear, for which health impacts are more uncertain. The on-going electrification of light vehicles also has more uncertain health benefits, at least when studded tires are used, given that the heavier electric vehicles lead to increased emissions of coarse PM from road wear.Improving the description of exposure to PM from RWC is identified as first priority to increase the accuracy in estimates of near-source exposure in Sweden. A comparative study of how this exposure is estimated in the Nordic countries is presented. It is concluded that a more extensive reference dataset with descriptions of emissions and concentration measurements for RWC would be highly valuable for model evaluation and further improvement of model parametrizations.
|
|
| 33. |
- Segersson, David, et al.
(author)
-
Uppdatering av typfartyg för svensk inrikes sjöfart
- 2012
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Ett uppdaterat typfartyg har tagits fram för svensk inrikes civil sjöfart. Avsikten är att denna beskrivning skall användas inom kommande internationell rapportering. Typfartyget grundas på samtliga fartygsrörelser som registrerats av HELCOM:s AIS-nätverk inom Östersjön och Västerhavet under år 2011. Endast fartygsrörelser mellan svenska hamnar används i sammanvägningen. Fartygen har klassats utifrån sin identitet (MMSI och IMO-nummer) och den information som finns att tillgå i Sjöfartsverkets databaser. Uppdelning på olika motortyper och bränsletyper inom varje fartygskategori har gjorts utifrån tidigare studier. Begränsningar i detaljeringsgraden vid klassificering av fartygen gjorde det svårt att avgöra hur bränsle bör allokeras mellan passagerarfärjor, Ro-Pax och kryssningsfartyg. Då emissionsfaktorer för dessa ligger nära varandra påverkas inte den slutliga emissionsberäkningen mer än marginellt.
|
|
| 34. |
- Stockfelt, Leo, 1981, et al.
(author)
-
Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution, Black Carbon, and Their Source Components in Relation to Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke
- 2019
-
In: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - Durham : National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 127:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air has been associated with cardiovascular mortality, but few studies have considered incident disease in relation to PM from different sources.OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study associations between long-term exposure to different types of PM and sources, and incident ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in three Swedish cities.METHODS: ), and black carbon (BC) from road wear, traffic exhaust, residential heating, and other sources in Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Umeå. Registry data for participants from four cohorts were used to obtain incidence of IHD and stroke for first hospitalization or death. We constructed time windows of exposure for same-year, 1- to 5-y, and 6- to 10-y averages preceding incidence from annual averages at residential addresses. Risk estimates were based on random effects meta-analyses of cohort-specific Cox proportional hazard models.RESULTS: exposure from residential heating.DISCUSSION: Few consistent associations were observed between different particulate components and IHD or stroke. However, long-term residential exposure to locally emitted BC from traffic exhaust was associated with stroke incidence. The comparatively low exposure levels may have contributed to the paucity of associations.
|
|
