Environment and health - Air pollution

Title

Estimated Short-Term Effects of Coarse Particles on Daily Mortality in Stockholm, Sweden

Reference

Environmental Health Perspectives

Author(s)

Kadri Meister, Christer Johansson, Bertil Forsberg

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Whereas serious health effects associated with particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10) and ≤ 2.5 µm (fine fraction; PM2.5) are documented in many studies, the effects of coarse particles with aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 and 10 µm (PM2.5-10) are still under debate. In this study we estimate the effects of short-term exposure of coarse particles on daily mortality in Stockholm.
METHOD: We collected data on daily mortality for the years 2000–2008. Concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, O3 and CO were measured simultaneously in central Stockholm. We used additive Poisson regression models to examine the association between daily mortality and the coarse fraction at day of death and day before. Effect estimates were adjusted for other pollutants (two-pollutant models) during different seasons.
RESULTS: We estimated a 1.68% increase [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20, 3.15%] in daily mortality per 10 µg m-3 increase in PM2.5-10 (single-pollutant model). The association with PM2.5-10 was stronger for November – May when road dust is most important (1.69% increase, CI 0.21, 3.17%) compared to the rest of the year (1.31% increase, CI -2.08, 4.70%), although the difference was not statistically significant. When adjusted for other pollutants, particularly PM2.5, the effect estimates per 10 µg m-3 for coarse particles decreased slightly, but were still higher than corresponding effect estimates for PM2.5.
CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis shows an increase in daily mortality associated with elevated urban background levels of coarse particles. Regulation of the coarse particle fraction should be considered, along with actions to specifically reduce coarse particle emissions, especially road dust suspension, in cities.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution

Keywords

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103995
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kadri.meister@envmed.umu.se

Title

Benefits of shift from car to active transport

Reference

Transport Policy
Volume 19, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 121-131

Author(s)

Ari Rabl, Audrey de Nazelle

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

There is a growing awareness that significant benefits for our health and environment could be achieved by reducing our use of cars and shifting instead to active transport, i.e. walking and bicycling. The present article presents an estimate of the health impacts due to a shift from car to bicycling or walking, by evaluating four effects: the change in exposure to ambient air pollution for the individuals who change their transportation mode, their health benefit, the health benefit for the general population due to reduced pollution and the risk of accidents. We consider only mortality in detail, but at the end of the paper we also cite costs for other impacts, especially noise and congestion. For the dispersion of air pollution from cars we use results of the Transport phase of the ExternE project series and derive general results that can be applied in different regions. We calculate the health benefits of bicycling and walking based on the most recent review by the World Health Organization. For a driver who switches to bicycling for a commute of 5 km (one way) 5 days/week 46 weeks/yr the health benefit from the physical activity is worth about 1300 €/yr, and in a large city (>500,000) the value of the associated reduction of air pollution is on the order of 30 €/yr. For the individual who makes the switch, the change in air pollution exposure and dose implies a loss of about 20 €/yr under our standard scenario but that is highly variable with details of the trajectories and could even have the opposite sign. The results for walking are similar. The increased accident risk for bicyclists is extremely dependent on the local context; data for Paris and Amsterdam imply that the loss due to fatal accidents is at least an order of magnitude smaller than the health benefit of the physical activity. An analysis of the uncertainties shows that the general conclusion about the order of magnitude of these effects is robust. The results can be used for cost-benefit analysis of programs or projects to increase active transport, provided one can estimate the number of individuals who make a mode shift.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Managing emissions >> Reduction measures
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Sustainable mobility >> Transport behaviour             
Urban environment >> Urban planning >> Healthy cities

Keywords

Bicycling; Walking; Life expectancy; Mortality; Air pollution; Accidents

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X11001119

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ari.rabl@gmail.com

Title

The Aggregate Risk Index: An intuitive tool providing the health risks of air pollution to health care community and public

Reference

Atmospheric Environment
Volume 46, January 2012, Pages 11-16
EU Funded

Author(s)

Pierre Sicard, Charles Talbot, Olivia Lesne, Antoine Mangin, Nicolas Alexandre, Rémy Collomp

Study type

Peer Review Journal 

Abstract

In the framework of the European project PASODOBLE (FP7), we set up downstream information services by combining environmental and health data with a view to support the health care community and to improve vulnerable people welfare. Indeed there is a profound relationship between human health, well-being and air pollution levels. The main objectives are to establish correlations between air quality, exposure of populations and their reactivity, to develop and validate air quality indexes and to construct a prediction model of this sanitary index. This index will be implemented on 3 European sites: Greece (Athens and Thessaloniki), the Netherlands and “Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur” (South East of France). The selected region and cities are among the most affected by the atmospheric pollution in Europe and leads to serious sanitary concerns. The service aims to provide up-to-date, detailed information on air quality discomfort. The Aggregate Risk Index is based on the Cairncross’s concept, obtained from the Relative Risk associated with short-term exposure to common air pollutants and takes into account the possible effects of a mixture of pollutants. This communication tool, easy to use and intuitive, about the levels of air pollution and the associated health risks, will be used to communicate information to the general population, authorities and to the health care community and will provide advanced warning of potentially health-damaging air pollution events.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies     

Keywords

Aggregate Risk Index; ARI; Air quality; Health; Pasodoble; Relative risk

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231011011277

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pierre.sicard@acri-st.fr

Title

Saharan Dust and Associations between Particulate Matter and Daily Mortality in Rome, Italy

Reference

Author(s)

Sandra Mallone, Massimo Stafoggia, Annunziata Faustini, Gian Paolo Gobbi, Achille Marconi, Francesco Forastiere

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background: Outbreaks of Saharan-Sahel dust over Euro-Mediterranean areas frequently induce exceedances of the Europen Union's 24-hr standard of 50 μg/m3 for particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤ than 10 μm (PM10).
Objectives: We evaluated the effect of Saharan dust on the association between different PM fractions and daily mortality in Rome, Italy.
Methods: In a study of 80,423 adult residents who died in Rome between 2001 and 2004, we performed a time-series analysis to explore the effects of PM2.5, PM2.5–10, and PM10 on natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory mortality. We defined Saharan dust days by combining light detection and ranging (LIDAR) observations and analyses from operational models. We tested a Saharan dust–PM interaction term to evaluate the hypothesis that the effects of PM, especially coarse PM (PM2.5–10), on mortality would be enhanced on dust days.
Results: Interquartile range increases in PM2.5–10 (10.8 μg/m3) and PM10 (19.8 μg/m3) were associated with increased mortality due to natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory causes, with estimated effects ranging from 2.64% to 12.65% [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–25.42%] for the association between PM2.5–10 and respiratory mortality (0- to 5-day lag). Associations of PM2.5–10 with cardiac mortality were stronger on Saharan dust days (9.73%; 95% CI, 4.25–15.49%) than on dust-free days (0.86%; 95% CI, –2.47% to 4.31%; p = 0.005). Saharan dust days also modified associations between PM10 and cardiac mortality (9.55% increase; 95% CI, 3.81–15.61%; vs. dust-free days: 2.09%; 95% CI, –0.76% to 5.02%; p = 0.02).
Conclusions: We found evidence of effects of PM2.5–10 and PM10 on natural and cause-specific mortality, with stronger estimated effects on cardiac mortality during Saharan dust outbreaks. Toxicological and biological effects of particles from desert sources need to be further investigated and taken into account in air quality standards.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Terrestrial emissions
Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution

Keywords

air pollution, epidemiology, mortality, particulate matter, Saharan dust.

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1003026
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stafoggia@asplazio.it

Title

Biomarkers of exposure and effect-interpretation in human risk assessment

Reference

Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health
Doi. 10.1007/s11869-011-0133-8
EU Funded

Author(s)

Radim J. Sram, Blanka Binkova, Olena Beskid, Alena Milcova, Pavel Rossner, Pavel Rossner Jr, Andrea Rossnerova, Ivo Solansky and Jan Topinka

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The effect of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed onto respirable air particles (PM2.5, diameter < 2.5 μm) on DNA adducts and chromosomal aberrations was repeatedly studied in Prague, Czech Republic, in groups of policemen working in the downtown area and in bus drivers. Personal exposure was evaluated using personal samplers during working shifts. DNA adducts were analyzed in lymphocytes by the 32P-postlabeling assay and chromosomal aberrations were analyzed by conventional cytogenetic analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The impact of environmental pollution on DNA adducts and chromosomal aberrations was studied in a total of 950 subjects. Our results suggest that the environmental exposure of nonsmokers to concentrations higher than 1 ng benzo[a]pyrene/m3 represents a risk of DNA damage, as indicated by an increase in DNA adducts and the genomic frequency of translocations determined by FISH.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution

Keywords

Personal monitoring; Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons;  Benzo[a]pyrene ; DNA adducts; Chromosomal aberrations

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156305/pdf/11869_2011_Article_133.pdf This study is free to view

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sram@biomed.cas.cz

Title

Estimating the Global Public Health Implications of Electricity and Coal Consumption

Reference

Environ Health Perspect 119:821-826
doi:10.1289/ehp.1002241.

Author(s)

Julia M. Gohlke, Reuben Thomas, Alistair Woodward, Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Annette Prüss-üstün, Simon Hales, Christopher J. Portier

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background: The growing health risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions highlight the need for new energy policies that emphasize efficiency and low-carbon energy intensity.
Objectives: We assessed the relationships among electricity use, coal consumption, and health outcomes.
Methods: Using time-series data sets from 41 countries with varying development trajectories between 1965 and 2005, we developed an autoregressive model of life expectancy (LE) and infant mortality (IM) based on electricity consumption, coal consumption, and previous year's LE or IM. Prediction of health impacts from the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) integrated air pollution emissions health impact model for coal-fired power plants was compared with the time-series model results.
Results: The time-series model predicted that increased electricity consumption was associated with reduced IM for countries that started with relatively high IM (> 100/1,000 live births) and low LE (< 57 years) in 1965, whereas LE was not significantly associated with electricity consumption regardless of IM and LE in 1965. Increasing coal consumption was associated with increased IM and reduced LE after accounting for electricity consumption. These results are consistent with results based on the GAINS model and previously published estimates of disease burdens attributable to energy-related environmental factors, including indoor and outdoor air pollution and water and sanitation.
Conclusions: Increased electricity consumption in countries with IM < 100/1,000 live births does not lead to greater health benefits, whereas coal consumption has significant detrimental health impacts.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Climate change

Keywords

air pollution, climate change, coal, electricity, energy policy, global health, health impact modeling, infant mortality, life expectancy, time series.

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1002241
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jgohlke@uab.edu

Title

CAESAR models for developmental toxicity

Reference

Chemistry Central Journal 2010, 4(Suppl 1):S4
doi:10.1186/1752-153X-4-S1-S4

Author(s)

Antonio Cassano , Alberto Manganaro, Todd Martin, Douglas Young, Nadège Piclin, Marco Pintore, Davide Bigoni and Emilio Benfenati

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background
The new REACH legislation requires assessment of a large number of chemicals in the European market for several endpoints. Developmental toxicity is one of the most difficult endpoints to assess, on account of the complexity, length and costs of experiments. Following the encouragement of QSAR (in silico) methods provided in the REACH itself, the CAESAR project has developed several models.
Results
Two QSAR models for developmental toxicity have been developed, using different statistical/mathematical methods. Both models performed well. The first makes a classification based on a random forest algorithm, while the second is based on an adaptive fuzzy partition algorithm. The first model has been implemented and inserted into the CAESAR on-line application, which is java-based software that allows everyone to freely use the models.
Conclusions
The CAESAR QSAR models have been developed with the aim to minimize false negatives in order to make them more usable for REACH. The CAESAR on-line application ensures that both industry and regulators can easily access and use the developmental toxicity model (as well as the models for the other four endpoints).

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Health impacts
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/4/S1/S4
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emilio.benfenati@marionegri.it

Title

Exposure to major volatile organic compounds and carbonyls in European indoor environments and associated health risk

Reference

Environment International
Volume 37, Issue 4, May 2011, Pages 743-765 EU Funded

Author(s)

Dimosthenis A. Sarigiannis, Spyros P. Karakitsios, Alberto Gotti, Ioannis L. Liakos and Athanasios Katsoyiannis

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper summarizes recent data on the occurrence of major organic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylenes, styrene, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, naphthalene, limonene, α-pinene and ammonia, classified by the European Commission's INDEX strategy report as the priority pollutants to be regulated) and evaluates accordingly cancer and non-cancer risks posed by indoor exposure in dwellings and public buildings in European Union (EU) countries. The review process indicated that significant differences in indoor air quality exist within and among the countries where data were available, indicating corresponding differences in sources and emission strength of airborne chemicals, identified or not. Conservative exposure limits were not exceeded for non-carcinogenic effects, except for formaldehyde; for carcinogenic agents the estimated risks were up to three orders of magnitude higher than the one (10− 6) proposed as acceptable by risk management bodies. However, the risk assessment evaluation process faces crucial difficulties, either due to the relative paucity of indoor air quality measurements in many EU countries, or by the lack of sampling consistency in the already existing studies, indicating the need for additional measurements of indoor air quality following a harmonized sampling and analytical protocol. Additionally, uncertainties embodied in the cancer potency factors and exposure limit values impose further difficulties in substance prioritization and risk management.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies

Keywords

Volatile organic compounds; Indoor air quality; Exposure assessment; Health risk

Entry Source:

N/A

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412011000079
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denis@eng.auth.gr

Title

Road Traffic and Childhood Leukemia: The ESCALE Study (SFCE)

Reference

Environ Health Perspectives 119:566-572. doi:10.1289/ehp.1002429

Author(s)

Alicia Amigou, Claire Sermage–Faure, Laurent Orsi, Guy Leverger, André Baruchel, Yves Bertrand, Brigitte Nelken, Alain Robert, Gérard Michel, Geneviève Margueritte, Yves Perel, Françoise Méchinaud, Pierre Bordigoni, Denis Hémon, Jacqueline Clavel

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background: Traffic is a source of environmental exposures, including benzene, which may be related to childhood leukemia.
Objectives: A national registry–based case–control study [ESCALE (Etude Sur les Cancers et les Leucémies de l·Enfant, Study on Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors of Childhood Cancers and Leukemia)] carried out in France was used to assess the effect of exposure to road traffic exhaust fumes on the risk of childhood leukemia.
Methods: Over the study period, 2003–2004, 763 cases and 1,681 controls < 15 years old were included, and the controls were frequency matched with the cases on age and sex. The ESCALE data were collected by a standardized telephone interview of the mothers. Various indicators of exposure to traffic and pollution were determined using the geocoded addresses at the time of diagnosis for the cases and of interview for the controls. Indicators of the distance from, and density of, main roads and traffic nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations derived from traffic emission data were used. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using unconditional regression models adjusted for potential confounders.
Results: Acute leukemia (AL) was significantly associated with estimates of traffic NO₂ concentration at the place of residence > 27.7 µg/m³ compared with NO₂ concentration < 21.9 µg/m³ [OR = 1.2; confidence interval (CI), 1.0–1.5] and with the presence of a heavy-traffic road within 500 m compared with the absence of a heavy-traffic road in the same area (OR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0–3.6). There was a significant association between AL and a high density of heavy-traffic roads within 500 m compared with the reference category with no heavy-traffic road within 500 m (OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1–4.2), with a significant positive linear trend of the association of AL with the total length of heavy-traffic road within 500m.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution>> Impact of emissions>> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks>>Air pollution

Keywords

acute leukemia, benzene, children, environment, epidemiology, road traffic.

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1002429  
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jacqueline.clavel@inserm.fr

Title

2008-2011 Improving Knowledge and Communication for Decision Making on Air Pollution and Health in Europe

Reference

Summary report of the Aphekom project

Author(s)

Aphekom.

Study type

Report

Abstract

Much has been done in recent years to reduce air pollution and its harmful effects on the health of Europeans. Yet gaps remain in stakeholders' knowledge and understanding of this continuing threat that hamper the planning and implementation of measures to protect public health more effectively.
Sixty Aphekom scientists have therefore worked for nearly 3 years in 12 countries across Europe to provide new information and tools that enable decision makers to set more effective European, national and local policies; health professionals to better advise vulnerable individuals; and all individuals to better protect their health.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution>> Impact of emissions >>Health impacts
Environment and health>> Health risks>> Air pollution
Environmental information services>> Environmental communication>>Stakeholder/public engagement

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

www.endseurope.com/docs/110302b.pdf
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s.medina@invs.sante.fr
www.aphekom.org

Title

Prostate cancer and industrial pollution: Risk around putative focus in a multi-source scenario

Reference

Environment International
Volume 37, Issue 3, April 2011, Pages 577-585

Author(s)

Rebeca Rami, Peter Diggle, Koldo Cambra and Gonzalo López-Abente

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men but its aetiology is still largely unknown. Different studies have proposed several risk factors such as ethnic origin, age, genetic factors, hormonal factors, diet and insulin-like growth factor, but the spatial distribution of the disease suggests that other environmental factors are involved. This paper studies the spatial distribution of prostate cancer mortality in an industrialized area using distances from each of a number of industrial facilities as indirect measures of exposure to industrial pollution.
Materials and methods
We studied the Gran Bilbao area (Spain) with a population of 791,519 inhabitants distributed in 657 census tracts. There were 20 industrial facilities within the area, 8 of them in the central axis of the region. We analysed prostate cancer mortality during the period 1996-2003. There were 883 deaths giving a crude rate of 14 per 100,000 inhabitants.
We extended the standard Poisson regression model by the inclusion of a multiplicative non-linear function to model the effect of distance from an industrial facility. The function's shape combined an elevated risk close to the source with a neutral effect at large distance. We also included socio-demographic covariates in the model to control potential confounding.
Results
We aggregated the industrial facilities by sector: metal, mineral, chemical and other activities. Results relating to metal industries showed a significantly elevated risk by a factor of approximately 1.4 in the immediate vicinity, decaying with distance to a value of 1.08 at 12 km. The remaining sectors did not show a statistically significant excess of risk at the source.
Discussion
Notwithstanding the limitations of this kind of study, we found evidence of association between the spatial distribution of prostate cancer mortality aggregated by census tracts and proximity to metal industrial facilities located within the area, after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics at municipality level.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >>Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution

Keywords

Prostate cancer, Environmental exposure, Industrial pollution, Metal industry, Non-linear

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412010002461
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rramis@isciii.es

Title

Economic valuation of air pollution mortality: A 9-country contingent valuation survey of value of a life year (VOLY)

Reference

Ecological Indicators
Volume 11, Issue 3, May 2011, Pages 902-910

Author(s)

B. Desaigues et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper provides a key element for the calculation of the damage costs of air pollution, namely the valuation of mortality, important because premature mortality makes by far the largest contribution.Whereas several studies have tried to quantify the cost of air pollution mortality by multiplying a number of deaths by the 'value of prevented fatality' (also known as 'value of statistical life'), we explain why such an approach is not correct and why one needs to evaluate the change in life expectancy due to air pollution. Therefore, an estimate for the monetary value of a life year (VOLY) is needed. The most appropriate method for determining VOLY is contingent valuation (CV). To determine VOLY for the EU, we have conducted a CV survey in 9 European countries: France, Spain, UK, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland with a total sample size of 1463 persons. Based on the results from this 9-country CV survey we recommend a VOLY estimate of 40,000 D for cost-benefit analysis of air pollution policies for the European Union. As for confidence intervals, we argue that VOLY is at least25,000 D and at the most 100,000 D

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Environmental economics >> Economic impacts of environmental change

Keywords

Air pollution, Mortality valuation, Life expectancy, Life years lost, Contingent valuation, Environmental policy

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X10002116
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ari.rabl@gmail.com

Title

Reference

Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology 21, 106113; doi:10.1038/jes.2009.63;

Author(s)

Willem Dhooge, Elly Den Hond, Gudrun Koppen, Liesbeth Bruckers, Vera Nelen, Els van de Mieroop, Maaike Bilau, Kim Croes, Willy Baeyens, Greet Schoeters and Nicolas van Larebeke

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Flanders is densely populated with much industry and intensive farming. Hormonal status of 14- to 15-year-old male adolescents was studied in relation to internal exposure to pollutants. A total of 887 participants were selected as a random sample of the adolescents residing in the study areas. Confounding factors and significant covariates were taken into account. Serum levels of testosterone, free testosterone and estradiol, and the aromatase index showed significant positive associations with serum levels of marker polychlorobiphenyls (sum of PCBs 138, 153, and 180) and of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and a negative association with urinary cadmium concentration. Serum levels of estradiol also showed a positive association with serum levels of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE). A doubling of serum concentrations of marker PCBs and HCB and of urinary concentration of cadmium were, respectively, associated with an increase of 16.4% (P<0.00001) and 16.6% (P<0.001) and a decrease of 9.6% (P<0.001) in serum testosterone concentration. Similar findings were made after additional adjustment for concurrent exposures. Associations between biological effects and internal exposures were, in terms of the regression coefficient, often stronger at exposures below the median. Environmental exposures to pollutants resulting in 'normal' levels of internal exposure were associated with quite substantial differences in hormone concentrations.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Human biomonitoring

Keywords

Lead, Cadmium, Organochlorines, Polychlorobiphenyls, PCB 118, Dioxin-like activity, Hexachlorobenzene, p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, Body mass index, Height, Health effects, Low dose

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

View this study at:

http://www.nature.com/jes/journal/v21/n1/full/jes200963a.html
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nicolas.vanlarebeke@ugent.be

Title

Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Lead, and Mercury Are Associated with Liver Disease in American Adults: NHANES 2003–2004

Reference

Environ Health Perspect 118:1735-1742 doi:10.1289/ehp.1002720

Author(s)

Matt Cave , Savitri Appana, Mihir Patel, Keith Cameron Falkner, Craig J. McClain, Guy Brock

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background: High-level occupational exposures to some industrial chemicals have been associated with liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the potential role of low-level environmental pollution on liver disease in the general population has not been evaluated. Objective: We determined whether environmental pollutants are associated with an elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and suspected NAFLD in U.S. adults. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study evaluated adult participants without viral hepatitis, hemochromatosis, or alcoholic liver disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2003-2004. ALT elevation was defined in men as ≥ 37 IU/L (age18-20 years) and ≥ 48 IU/L (age ≥ 21 years) and in women as ≥ 30 IU/L (age 18-20 years) and ≥ 31 IU/L (age ≥ 21 years). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for ALT elevation were determined across exposure quartiles for 17 pollutant subclasses comprising 111 individual pollutants present with at least a 60% detection rate. Adjustments were made for age, race/ethnicity, sex, body mass index, poverty income ratio, and insulin resistance. Individual pollutants from subclasses associated with ALT elevation were subsequently analyzed. Results: The overall prevalence of ALT elevation was 10.6%. Heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were associated with dose-dependent increased adjusted ORs for ALT elevation. Within these subclasses, increasing whole-blood levels of lead and mercury and increasing lipid-adjusted serum levels of 20 PCBs were individually associated with ALT elevation. Conclusions: PCB, lead, and mercury exposures were associated with unexplained ALT elevation, a proxy marker of NAFLD, in NHANES 2003-2004 adult participants.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Human biomonitoring

Keywords

environmental liver disease, hepatotoxicity, lead, mercury, NAFLD, NASH, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls, TASH.

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1002720 There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

craig.mcclain@louisville.edu