air pollution

Our objective was to determine the relationship between short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 mortality and morbidity through a systematic review and meta-analysis. To do so, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for original studies up to February 1, 2023. Observational studies reporting risk estimates for the association between air pollution exposure and COVID-19 outcomes were included. The methodological quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Pooled estimates were calculated using a random effects model. We employed the I² statistic and chi-square test to assess heterogeneity among studies. Egger’s and Begg’s tests were used to evaluate potential publication bias. A total of 2823 articles were identified in the initial database search. After screening, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant association between PM10 and O3 exposure and COVID-19 mortality, with relative risks of 1.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.04) and 1.09 (95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 1.14), respectively. Our meta-analysis suggests that exposure to O3 and PM10 is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 mortality. Additionally, the study found a significant link between exposure to NO2 , PM2.5, and PM10 and increased COVID-19 mortality, with PM2.5 showing the strongest association. These findings underscore the need for effective policies to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution and highlight the importance of integrated strategies to address the broader effects of climate change.

Air quality is one of the most vital elements for sustaining life on this planet. Without it, the existence of living beings would be impossible, making the preservation of air quality essential. However, the rapid growth of technology and urbanization has led to a significant increase in air pollutants. Given their harmful effects on human health and the environment, governments are compelled to adopt extraordinary measures to prevent air pollution and environmental degradation. Furthermore, a healthy and pollution-free environment is a fundamental citizenship right, as emphasized in numerous international and domestic laws. The persistent air pollution in Tehran, coupled with inadequate control and supervision, constitutes a violation of citizens’ rights. This review study explores the right of citizens to a healthy environment, with a focus on Tehran’s air pollution. It begins by examining Tehran’s air pollution from an environmental perspective. The second section discusses the legal framework in Iran, analyzing the rules, regulations, and approvals that address the right to a healthy living environment. Finally, the third section investigates civil rights to a healthy environment within international law, highlighting its recognition in both mandatory and non-mandatory documents.

Air pollution has a negative impact on various body systems, including auditory system. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of research investigating the effects of air pollution on various levels of the auditory system, including peripheral and central components, as well as related cognitive processing and associated disorders.

Air pollution includes a diverse and complex mixture of chemicals, particulate matter or biological substances in ambient air. Air pollution can be harmful to humans and other living things. It has become a major environmental concern in recent decades, especially in developing and industrialized countries. There is a lot of evidence showing that air pollution can harm different parts of the body, like the lungs, heart, brain, and ears. Hearing loss is the second most common non-infectious disorder, and its effects can lead to serious issues in communication, speech, language, education, social interactions, finances, and mental well-being.

This study examines various research studies that link air pollution to hearing problems, highlighting how air pollutants can harm different aspects of the auditory system.

  Air pollution is one of the world’s major global issues. In this research we aimed to calculate the impact of weather factors on air pollution and show the results by using the econometric method of data analysis. After that, we also studied the effect of car exhaust on air pollution in relation to urban congestion and car age.

Data cleaning methods used in this research include as correcting structural errors, dealing with missing data and sorting data. For calculation, correlation analysis was used to find the relationship of the time series dataset, and then used panel model for the test results, which are estimated by least squares method. In correlation analysis, used air quality and weather’s data of Ulaanbaatar city’s last 3 years.

As a result of the research, we found that the amount of air pollutant depends on weather factors, that is, location and wind speed have the greatest influence on air pollution. Also the decrease in the amount of sulfur dioxide is due to the ban on burning raw coal in the capital. Our findings indicate that the nitrogen dioxide level in the residential area is high even in the warm season, which is due to congestion and age of vehicles.

The most important weather factors affecting air pollution are location and wind direction. In the future, with comprehensive data collection, future research could better identify sources of air pollution and develop effective mitigation strategies.

Air pollution can trigger the attack in asthmatic patients if uncontrolled. Previous works focused on controlling pollution by proposing algorithms to predict air pollution. While these prediction algorithms save patients from attack triggers, they have limitations such as prediction accuracy, mathematical complexity, and lack of adequate patient notification systems.

This study proposed a novel Intelligent Air Pollution Prediction (IAPP) algorithm based on optimizing Random Forest Regression (RFR) to predict air pollution and send an alert message to the patient and hospital in real time. Meanwhile, IAPP utilized reliable data from Internet of Things (IoT)-based air pollution detection nodes. The performance of IAPP was evaluated in a real-world environment during the peak pollutant season to test the prediction accuracy of air pollution.

Results showed that the proposed IAPP achieved a high prediction accuracy of 99.98% with an R squared value of 0.99. This demonstrated that the IAPP algorithm based on the RFR model can effectively protect asthmatic patients from attack triggers.

As a result, the IAPP algorithm reduces hospital visits during high pollution and enables patients to complete their daily activities without obstacles or absence.

There are many artisans brick kilns near the communities in Nejapa city. The reported prevalence of respiratory diseases or symptoms in this city is 7.2%. This study aims to determine the relationship between exposure to smoke generated by artisan brick kilns and the presence of respiratory symptoms in residents ≥18 years of age in a gated community in the Nejapa city.

This is an analytical cross-sectional study that included 46 individuals. Data were collected through an interview form and an observation form. Frequency analysis, association measures, and prevalence ratios were calculated. This study received ethical approval.

Twenty-nine individuals reported respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. Twenty-eight people reported experiencing respiratory symptoms. The most frequently reported symptoms were sneezing, nasal itching, nasal congestion, and cough. Daily exposure to smoke from the brick kilns doubled the risk of nasal congestion. Living at 61 m or more from the brick kilns increased the risk of nasal congestion by 3.22 times. Living at a distance between 46 and 60 m from the kilns doubled the risk of coughing.

There is a relationship between the development of respiratory symptoms and daily exposure to smoke generated by artisan brick kilns. The risk of developing symptoms varies depending on the distance between the individual’s residence and the brick kilns.

Air pollution is a significant environmental challenge globally, exacerbated by industrialization and increasing vehicular emissions. This study focuses on Jaipur, India, where rapid urbanization and industrial growth have intensified pollution levels, impacting public health and environmental quality.

This study utilized secondary data from the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and satellite imagery obtained from the NRSC BHUVAN. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools were employed to analyze pollution data from six sample sites in Jaipur. Interpolation techniques, including Kriging and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), were used to map the spatial distribution of pollutants.

From 2011 to 2019, Jaipur experienced varying levels of air pollution, with high concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM10), Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) observed in industrial and commercial zones, such as the Vishwakarma Industrial Area and Ajmeri Gate. Areas with natural features, like Jhalana Dungri and the Malaviya Industrial Area, consistently showed lower pollution levels.

The study highlights significant spatial and temporal variations in air quality across Jaipur, influenced by industrial activities and vehicular emissions. Effective pollution control measures and urban planning strategies are essential to mitigate the adverse impacts of air pollution on public health and environmental sustainability in Jaipur and similar urban centers.

Environmental changes driven by anthropogenic and natural factors significantly affect human health, the environment, and economic systems globally. This study investigated the ecological impacts of environmental variables in the Yazd-Ardakan Plain using remote sensing data and geospatial analysis.

Google Earth Engine (GEE) and R software were used to assess spatiotemporal trends from 2018 to 2023 using data from Landsat-8, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-5P. Key indices, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), temperature, surface runoff, and concentrations of NO2, CO, O3, and SO2, were calculated to evaluate patterns in green space, air quality, temperature, and precipitation.

Elevated NO2 and CO levels were observed in the centers of Yazd and  Ardakan, with O3 and SO2 peaking in 2019-2020 and improving by 2023. The highest aerosol concentrations were in 2019 and 2023, with a decrease in 2022. NDVI values peaked in 2020 but declined until 2023. The spatial analysis identified denser green spaces in Ardakan, elevated temperatures in Steel, and consistent precipitation across the regions. A positive correlation was found between temperature and pollution, whereas NDVI and precipitation showed negative correlations with temperature, indicating that vegetation loss exacerbates the effects of warming and pollution.

This study highlights significant climatic and environmental changes in the Yazd-Ardakan plain from 2018 to 2023, including rising temperatures and pollution, alongside declining precipitation and vegetation. These trends underscore the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate environmental degradation, protect public health, and promote sustainable development through advanced monitoring and policy intervention.

Air pollution is recognized as a critical global health challenge, contributing to approximately 7 million deaths annually and ranking among the most severe environmental crises confronting humanity. A substantial portion of the global population resides in regions where air pollution levels, driven by emissions from industrial activities, power generation, vehicular traffic, and residential combustion, significantly exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended air quality guidelines. Ambient air pollution has emerged as a pressing global public health issue due to its widespread presence and severe adverse effects on human health, particularly its association with cancer. Extensive evidence from epidemiological studies, experimental research in laboratory animals, and mechanistic investigations has established a strong link between air pollution particularly exposure to particulate matter (PM) and an increased risk of cancer incidence and mortality. Long-term exposure to PM and other air pollutants contributes to oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and epigenetic modifications, all of which are implicated in carcinogenesis. In this study, we explore the intricate relationship between air pollution and the occurrence of specific cancers, including lung, bladder, and breast cancer, while also elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive pollution-induced carcinogenesis. By analyzing recent research findings and mechanistic data, we aim to enhance the understanding of how chronic exposure to air pollution contributes to cancer development. Addressing this issue requires global efforts to implement stringent air quality regulations, promote clean energy alternatives, and increase public awareness to mitigate the long-term health impacts of air pollution.

Exposure to heavy metals in coffee house air poses notable occupational health risks. This study aimed to quantify heavy metal and particulate pollution levels in Tehran's traditional coffee houses.

In this study of 57 Tehran coffee houses, samples were collected using personal sampling pumps and 0.8 µm cellulose ester filters following National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH-7300) guidelines. Heavy metal levels were determined using ICP-AES analysis.

The results showed that iron and magnesium metals had the lowest concentration of metals in the air within coffee houses, with an average of 10-8 µg/m3, whereas manganese metals had the highest concentration, with an average of 4.507 10-5 µg/m3. Two of the 57 locations under study had greater Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) than the others, whereas other locations had lower TLV mixtures, and these two locations had mixed TLVs of 1.315 and 1.282, respectively. 96.49 percent of the 57 measured locations had a mixed TLV below the standard and 3.51 percent above it. According to the findings of the current study, there are eight heavy metals present in Traditional coffee houses air, ranging in concentration from more to less of Fe, Mg > Pb > Ag > Cu > Ca >Na >Mn.

The health of coffee house employees may suffer adverse effects from chronic exposure to these elements. To protect the health of Traditional Coffee Houses employees, it is essential to incorporate engineering controls for indoor air quality, monitor ventilation systems, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Global warming is caused by increased carbon dioxide and other industrial gases, which shift the climate of human habitat and environment, impacting human health globally. In this review, we tried to overview the current knowledge of climate change’s impact on neurological disease.

A comprehensive search on PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus was conducted to find the relevant original studies. Language, sex, age, date, or country of study were not restricted. Included studies report increased Alzheimer’s disease mortality and hospital admission.

This increase was seen from the first day with high temperature to 3-4 days later. Parkinson’s disease (PD) subjects were more vulnerable to high temperatures compared to dementia patients (RR for dementia: 1.29 and for PD: 1.41). Global warming was linked to the increase in the incidence of Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) (from 0.1% to 5.4%), Japanese encephalitis (OR: 2 when floods occur), and ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) (RR: 1.62 for each 1◦C increase per month).

Health-related consequences of climate change are inevitable. The burden of medical problems related to the elderly population (especially the elderly with dementia), infectious diseases, and CFP on the healthcare system will naturally increase. Studying global warming trends could empower us with more precise predictions of the future and better planning to face climate change-related challenges.

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are prevalent respiratory disorders with significant societal and healthcare impacts. This study will be conducted on the participants of the Persian Cohort study at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (POCM) to determine the prevalence of asthma and COPD and to explore their relationship with dietary patterns, urban structure, lifestyle, and the severity in Iran.  A comprehensive assessment will be employed in this cohort study, including lifestyle factors, dietary patterns, anthropometry, spirometry, depression and stress levels, sleep quality, and physical activity. Individual-level analysis will utilize multivariate logistic regression to assess associations between outcome variables and potential predictors like air quality, smoking, occupation, socioeconomic status, and nutritional status. Adjustments for gender, age, chronic health conditions, and other potential confounders will be incorporated.  This study will investigate the most closely associated factors influencing the prevalence and severity of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  The final outcomes will delineate the relationship between the prevalence of asthma and COPD and various lifestyle factors, including socioeconomic status, air pollution, and physical activity.

Rising greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations are exacerbating global warming. The recognition of the right to a healthy environment as a human right has compelled countries to prioritize the fulfillment of basic human needs and ecological reserves. Governments take other legal and effective measures to strengthen the law, ensure its effective enforcement, and develop a legal basis for preventing and controlling air pollution. Despite the State's commitments to fulfilling the right to a healthy environment, there are still various international challenges in realizing these commitments. The main question of this research is what are the multiple approaches to managing Carbon dioxide 'CO2' emissions from a legal perspective. So, from a legal standpoint, this review study is aimed at of current examining the critical international instruments on climate change and 'CO2' emissions and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of international instruments addressing air pollution, the role of various industries, and the States' commitments to reduce 'GHG' emissions by 2050, and in the end, identifying some of the most effective strategies to achieve net-zero and net negative 'CO2' emissions by the world's major emitter states. It concludes emissions decreasing global ' CO2' emissions requires all States' cooperation and technical assistance. In this regard, the evolution and development of world legislation regarding the control of 'CO2' pollution and creating roadmaps to reduce the 'CO2' footprint up to 2050 in different countries is significant. As the world's major emitters, some countries have committed themselves to reducing 'GHG' emissions according to their proposed roadmaps.

Traffic congestion and the increase in the number of vehicles lead to an increase in vehicle emissions, consequently causing, a decrease in ambient air quality. The objective of this study is to investigate and compare the concentrations of exhaust gases, namely carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and oxygen (O2), emitted by cars tested at the Technical Inspection Centers in Shahrekord and Rasht.

In this cross‑sectional study, primary data from 82,316 cars examined at the technical centers in Shahrekord and Rasht were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. The car frequencies considered were 1000 and above. Overall, 16 types of Iranian and foreign cars were assessed, with 51,919 cars from Rasht and 30,397 cars from Shahrekord. The statistical analysis employed a six‑way multivariate analysis of variance.

The proportion of carbureted cars that were rejected exceeded that of injection cars, while the percentage of cars rejected due to CO2 emissions was lower than that of authorized cars (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the likelihood of these associations occurring in Shahrekord city was higher than in Rasht city, with a chance ratio and confidence interval (CI) of 95. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% CI) were 1.936 (1.829–2.050) and 3.036 (2.924–3.151), respectively. Moreover, the rejection rates were higher (P < 0.05) for cars manufactured in Iran compared to foreign‑made cars, private vehicles compared to public vehicles, and cars with CO pollution compared to licensed cars. The likelihood of these associations transpiring in Shahrekord city, in comparison to Rasht city, were as follows: OR (95% CI) of 0.793 (0.755–0.834), 0.667 (0.743–0.598), and 0.018 (0.016–0.020), respectively. The audit analysis, which involved a linear combination of O2, CO, CO2, HC, and vehicle age, successfully differentiated between cars in Shahrekord and Rasht, yielding a correct prediction rate of 81.3% (Wilks’ Lambda statistic = 0.687, Eigen value = 0.455, Canonical correlation value = 0.60 with a P < 0.0001).

The findings of this study offer a practical approach to address the complexities arising from the emission of polluting gases, contributing to the global warming phenomenon.

Respiratory infections, a global health priority according to the World Health Organization, cause around 7.5 million deaths annually, constituting 14% of global mortality. Beyond severe health implications, these diseases exacerbate social disparities and impose a substantial economic burden. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  (COPD) combines chronic bronchitis  (airway inflammation) and emphysema (air sac destruction) caused by prolonged exposure to irritants, and poor lifestyle choices lead to airway blockage and breathing difficulties. Lifestyle choices significantly influence health trajectories, evidenced by a consistent increase in “positive comfort” over time. A Chinese study highlights the correlation between adopting a healthy lifestyle and increased life expectancy. European health initiatives address these challenges, emphasizing early detection through large‑scale health camps to identify new cases and assess severity. Exacerbation and infections are primary triggers, with bacteria and viruses requiring antibiotic interventions. Awareness campaigns targeting causes, symptoms, and prevention, including childhood infection initiatives with influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, are crucial. Motivating smoking cessation and encouraging whole grain, fruit, and vegetable consumption mitigate lung oxidative damage. Promoting physical activity and addressing environmental pollution contribute to overall lung health. Timely nutritional evaluations for newly diagnosed cases manage obesity and malnutrition and prevent further lung function deterioration. There is growing attention toward the influence of poor lifestyle choices like sedentary lifestyle, environmental exposure, and unhealthy dietary patterns on the increased risk of COPD development besides smoking. This essay explores these factors, recognizing the intricate interplay between lifestyle and COPD prevention and management.

Air pollution has become a serious threat to public health. Epidemiological and clinical evidence in recent years has shown air pollutants are associated with respiratory diseases. We aimed to analyze the impact of environmental factors on influenza incidence by examining the most polluted countries in the world.

To analyze the relationship between environmental factors and influenza incidence in eighteen countries, we used a system generalized method of moments (GMM) using data from 2010 to 2020.

The results suggest a positive effect of air pollution (PM2.5 and NO2) and population density on the incidence of influenza. While government health expenditures and education have a negative effect on influenza in the studied countries.

Our results confirmed the importance of environmental and social factors in the incidence of influenza. Furthermore, our results are interesting and informative for policymakers to design public health policies synchronized with other policies such as education, industrial, and environmental policies, for better management of influenza.