How Well do Heat Wave Warnings Work?

U.S. Heat Wave and Earth’s Energy Balance (Photo credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video)

Are heat warning systems effective?(10 page pdf, Ghasem (Sam) Toloo, Gerard FitzGerald, Peter Aitken, Kenneth Verrall and Shilu Tong, Environmental Health, Apr. 5, 2013)

Today we review an analyses of a number of case studies or reports on the effectiveness and cost of “heat warning systems” (HWS) or “heat health warning systems” (HHWS). Those studies which had cost benefit estimates showed that having an effective warning system more than pays for itself. Further, the main factor that prompted the public to take action was the perceived threat of a heat wave which would encourage agencies responsible for public warnings (such as the national meteorological service) to improve how they communicate the warnings. Underlining the need to improve heat warning is the greater frequency of heat waves, as climate warming proceeds, especially in large cities where there may be twice or triple the number experienced now.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

How Does Urban Population Growth Affect Health in China and Elsewhere?

Urbanisation and health in China (10 page pdf, Peng Gong, Song Liang, Elizabeth J Carlton, Qingwu Jiang, Jianyong Wu, Lei Wang, Justin V Remais, The Lancet, Mar. 3, 2012)

Today we review the state of the environment and health in the most quickly growing (and largest) cities in the world that have come about because of a massive shift from rural  to urban areas where migrants make up 40% of  the population. A major health threat comes from the parallel increase in industry and increase in the use of vehicles which affect outdoor air quality and is the cause of 400,000 premature deaths each year which becomes even more critical in a society that is aging faster (and is older) than the global average (by 2050, median age expected to be 50 vs 38 years). The paper under review calls for more stringent regulation of industrial and vehicle emissions.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Roadside Emissions and Asthma in Europe

Chronic burden of near-roadway traffic pollution in 10 European cities (APHEKOM network)

Asthma before-after (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Abstract, Laura Perez, Christophe Declercq, Carmen Iñiguez, Inmaculada Aguilera, Chiara Badaloni, Ferran Ballester, Catherine Bouland, Olivier Chanel, FB Cirarda, Francesco Forastiere, Bertil Forsberg, Daniela Haluza, Britta Hedlund, Koldo Cambra, Marina Lacasaña, Hanns Moshammer, Peter Otorepec, Miguel Rodríguez-Barranco, Sylvia Medina, Nino Künzli, European Respiratory Journal, Mar. 21, 2013)

Also discussed here: Road Traffic Pollution as Serious as Passive Smoke in the Development of Childhood Asthma(Science Daily, Mar. 21, 2013)

Today we review research from Europe aimed at identifying the contribution that roadside emissions make to the incidence of asthma. Results indicate that 15% of all cases of asthma are attributable to exposure to the air pollution near busy roads and notes the need for policy to reduce this “large and preventable share of chronic disease” to as low as 2% of all asthma cases.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

What are the Health Costs of Driving a Car in the US and Canada?

Source Attribution of Health Benefits from Air Pollution Abatement in Canada and the United States: An Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis(32 page pdf, Amanda Joy Pappin and Amir Hakami, Environmental Health Perspectives, Feb. 22, 2013)

Today we review research aimed at estimating the health benefits/disbenefits as a result of subtracting/adding vehicle emissions from the state of urban air pollution (specifically NO2 and O3)  in cities in the USA and Canada. The cost ranges from $300 to $830 per vehicle per year. Part of the variability on cost is due to the interaction between NO2 and O3 and efforts to reduce one or the other pollutant in different cities with different policies, especially with regard to transportation emissions which is a major source. The highest costs/vehicle are in cities along the California coast, near Vancouver, in the Windsor-Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal corridor and in Virginia and northeast of Texas.

(Estimated yearly benefits attributed to elimination of one average vehicle in a given location)

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Is “Clean Coal” an Oxymoron when it comes to Health Impacts from Coal Power Generation?

The Unpaid Health Bill – how coal power plants make us sick(46 page pdf, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL),  March 2013)

Also discussed here: Air pollution: Europe’s avoidable health risk(1 page pdf, Lancet, Mar. 16, 2013)

Today we review a report that calls for an end to coal powered plants in the EU by 2040, although the same reasons for doing so apply elsewhere, particularly in the United States, because of the impact of coal power emissions not only on human health, but also on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from carbon sources as soon as possible to mitigate climate change. Over 18,000 premature deaths/year in the EU can be linked to coal emissions which make up 20% of the GHG emissions for Europe. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, touted as the vanguard of “clean coal”, is found to have even more emissions of NO2 with lower SO2.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

The Future of Urban Roads – Safe, Healthy?

Our Approach to Health and Road Safety(20 page pdf, EMBARQ)

Also discussed here: More Urbanites, More Cars: The Challenge of Urban Road Safety and Health(Claudia Adriazola and Benoit Colin, WRI Insights,  Feb. 21, 2013)

And here: What’s Next for Sustainable Transport in Cities?(EMBARQ, Jan 31, 2013)

Today we review a report from EMBARQ, a leading advocate for urban mobility, which examined the growth of vehicles in cities and what this means for the future in terms of health and road safety. Among some of the statistics presented is the link between the distance driven each year and road deaths by vehicles- the death rate per 100,000 inhabitants grows sixfold (from 5 to 30)  as the distance driven increases from 15 miles/day to 50. If ways can be found to reduce car dependence by making transit cycling and walking more attractive, there would be fewer deaths and cleaner, healthier cities.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Exposure to Air Pollution after a Heart Attack

Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with survival following acute coronary syndrome(6 page pdf, Cathryn Tonne and Paul Wilkinson, European Heart Journal, Jan. 19, 2013)

Also discussed here: Exposure to Air Pollution Is Associated With Increased Deaths After Heart Attacks(Science Daily, Feb. 20, 2013)

Today we review an extensive investigation of the impact of exposure to varying levels of PM 2.5 on the survival rate of patients who have had a heart attack. Results indicate that exposure for as little as a year to a 10mg/m3 increase was linked to a 20% higher death rate and the reverse was also true. Even more important to survival rates than air pollution were a number of socio-economic  factors such as smoking and income levels.

Serious air pollution (Photo credit: Andrew.T@NN)

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Health Impacts from Proximity to Traffic

Changes in Residential Proximity to Road Traffic and the Risk of Death From Coronary Heart Disease(8 page pdf, Wen Qi Gan, Lillian Tamburic, Hugh W. Davies, Paul A. Demers, Mieke Koehoorn, and Michael Brauer, Epidemiology, Sept.  2010)

Also discussed here: Traffic-related air pollution, community noise and coronary heart disease mortality(49 page pdf, Wenqi Gan, PHO Rounds, Toronto, Mar. 12, 2012)

Today we review research on traffic related air pollution in Vancouver that examines how proximity to that traffic is linked to deaths from heart disease (CHD). Results indicate that those who are within 50 m of highways have approximately 50% greater relative risk (RR) compared to those who are not exposed to traffic. This drops to 20 to 40 % greater risk for those more than 150 m from a highway or within 50 m of a major road. The author notes that proximity to roads is only a proxy for estimating traffic volume and air pollution concentration near roads and that traffic noise is another factor that affect CHDs as well as air pollution.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Health Impacts of Nanoparticles (NPs)

Nanoparticles in the environment: assessment using the causal diagram approach(11 page pdf, Suchi Smita, Shailendra K Gupta, Alena Bartonova, Maria Dusinska, Arno C Gutleb, Qamar Rahman, Environmental Health, Jun. 28, 2012)

Today we review research into the impacts of naturally occuring (NNPs)and man-made nanoparticles (ENPs)which range from impacts on high level noctiluent clouds (and from this climate warming) to impacts on vegetation and human health. Their very small size (less than 100 nm) poses a potentially greater threat than the particulate matter that has been studied in depth because of their greater reactivity potential and a number of diverse health impacts have been identified ranging from heart and lung diseases to impacts on vital organs, including the brain, via NPs in the bloodstream.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Traffic -Related Air Pollution and Heart Rate Variability

Traffic-related air pollution exposures and changes in heart rate variability in Mexico City: A panel study (26 page pdf, Kyra Naumoff Shields, Jennifer M Cavallari, Megan J Hunt, Mariana Lazo, Mario Molina, Luisa Molina and Fernando Holguin, Environmental Health, Jan. 18, 2013)

Today we review an article that looked at the impact of exposure to traffic emissions over several hours on heart rate variability. Results indicate that traffic can cause acute changes in HRV which in turn has an impact on heart disease and premature death, especially for older people.

Carlos Lazo ave., main entrance to Santa Fe, Mexico City. The avenue was completed in 2005. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

The Global Impact of Air Pollution on Health

A comparative risk assessment of burden of disease and injury attributable to 67 risk factors and risk factor clusters in 21 regions, 1990–2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (37 page pdf, Stephen S Lim, Theo Vos, Abraham D Flaxman, Goodarz Danaei, Kenji Shibuya, Heather Adair-Rohani, Markus Amann, H Ross Anderson, Kathryn G Andrews, Martin Aryee, Charles Atkinson, Loraine J Bacchus, Adil N Bahalim, Kalpana Balakrishnan, John Balmes, Suzanne Barker-Collo, Amanda Baxter, Michelle L Bell, Jed D Blore, Fiona Blyth, Carissa Bonner, Guilherme Borges, Rupert Bourne, Michel Boussinesq, Michael Brauer, Peter Brooks, Nigel G Bruce, Bert Brunekreef, Claire Bryan-Hancock, Chiara Bucello, Rachelle Buchbinder, Fiona Bull, Richard T Burnett, Tim E Byers, Bianca Calabria, Jonathan Carapetis, Emily Carnahan, Zoe Chafe, Fiona Charlson, Honglei Chen, Jian Shen Chen, Andrew Tai-Ann Cheng, Jennifer Christine Child, Aaron Cohen, K Ellicott Colson, Benjamin C Cowie, Sarah Darby, Susan Darling, Adrian Davis, Louisa Degenhardt, Frank Dentener, Don C Des Jarlais, Karen Devries, Mukesh Dherani, Eric L Ding, E Ray Dorsey, Tim Driscoll, Karen Edmond, Suad Eltahir Ali, Rebecca E Engell, Patricia J Erwin, Saman Fahimi, Gail Falder, Farshad Farzadfar, Alize Ferrari, Mariel M Finucane, Seth Flaxman, Francis Gerry R Fowkes, Greg Freedman, Michael K Freeman, Emmanuela Gakidou, Santu Ghosh, Edward Giovannucci, Gerhard Gmel, Kathryn Graham, Rebecca Grainger, Bridget Grant, David Gunnell, Hialy R Gutierrez, Wayne Hall, Hans W Hoek, Anthony Hogan, H Dean Hosgood III, Damian Hoy, Howard Hu, Bryan J Hubbell, Sally J Hutchings, Sydney E Ibeanusi, Gemma L Jacklyn, Rashmi Jasrasaria, Jost B Jonas, Haidong Kan, John A Kanis, Nicholas Kassebaum, Norito Kawakami, Young-Ho Khang, Shahab Khatibzadeh, Jon-Paul Khoo, Cindy Kok, Francine Laden, Ratilal Lalloo, Qing Lan, Tim Lathlean, Janet L Leasher, James Leigh, Yang Li, John Kent Lin, Steven E Lipshultz, Stephanie London, Rafael Lozano, Yuan Lu, Joelle Mak, Reza Malekzadeh, Leslie Mallinger, Wagner Marcenes, Lyn March, Robin Marks, Randall Martin, Paul McGale, John McGrath, Sumi Mehta, George A Mensah, Tony R Merriman, Renata Micha, Catherine Michaud, Vinod Mishra, Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafi ah, Ali A Mokdad, Lidia Morawska, Dariush Mozaff arian, Tasha Murphy, Mohsen Naghavi, Bruce Neal, Paul K Nelson, Joan Miquel Nolla, Rosana Norman, Casey Olives, Saad B Omer, Jessica Orchard, Richard Osborne, Bart Ostro, Andrew Page, Kiran D Pandey, Charles D H Parry, Erin Passmore, Jayadeep Patra, Neil Pearce, Pamela M Pelizzari, Max Petzold, Michael R Phillips, Dan Pope, C Arden Pope III, John Powles, Mayuree Rao, Homie Razavi, Eva A Rehfuess, Jürgen T Rehm, Beate Ritz, Frederick P Rivara, Thomas Roberts, Carolyn Robinson, Jose A Rodriguez-Portales, Isabelle Romieu, Robin Room, Lisa C Rosenfeld, Ananya Roy, Lesley Rushton, Joshua A Salomon, Uchechukwu Sampson, Lidia Sanchez-Riera, Ella Sanman, Amir Sapkota, Soraya Seedat, Peilin Shi, Kevin Shield, Rupak Shivakoti, Gitanjali M Singh, David A Sleet, Emma Smith, Kirk R Smith, Nicolas J C Stapelberg, Kyle Steenland, Heidi Stöckl, Lars Jacob Stovner, Kurt Straif, Lahn Straney, George D Thurston, Jimmy H Tran, Rita Van Dingenen, Aaron van Donkelaar, J Lennert Veerman, Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Robert Weintraub, Myrna M Weissman, Richard A White, Harvey Whiteford, Steven T Wiersma, James D Wilkinson, Hywel C Williams, Warwick Williams, Nicholas Wilson, Anthony D Woolf, Paul Yip, Jan M Zielinski, Alan D Lopez†, Christopher J L Murray†, Majid Ezzati, Lancet, Dec. 2012)

Also discussed here: Beijing is not the only Asian city with lethal air pollution – The Chinese capital is just one of hundreds of cities where poisonous air is the fastest growing cause of death(Guardian, Jan. 17, 2013)

Today we review a massive global assessment of causes of death from a variety of factors or risks and how these have changed in time and by region or location. The impact of the population shifts toward cities and the increase in sheer numbers of cars in those cities highlighted the growth of air pollution and associated health impacts, especially in large Asian cities, such as Beijing. Overall, the number of deaths attributed to air pollution have quadrupled over the last decade from 800,000 (2000) to 3.2 million (2010) and air pollution, for the first time, is listed as one of the top ten killer diseases.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Monitoring Roadside Air Pollution and Urban Health Impacts

Evolution of Air Pollution Monitoring in Ottawa (60 slide ppt, Natty Urquizo and Martha Robinson, Upwind Downwind Conference 2012, Hamilton, ON, Feb. 27, 2012)

Also discussed here: Ottawa Air Quality Information System(10 page pdf, Natividad Urquizo, Daniel Spitzer, William Pugsley and Martha Robinson, 44th Annual Congress of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Ottawa, ON, May 29-June 4, 2010)

And here: Mapping Small Scale Air Pollution Distribution using Satellite Observations an a Large Canadian City(6 page pdf, Natividad Urquizo; D. Spitzer; W. Pugsley and M. Robinson, 11th Conference on Atmospheric Chemistry of the annual conference of the American Meteorological Society at Phoenix AZ, Jan. 12, 2009)

And here: Is Air Quality Affecting Your Health?(John Lorinc, UofT Magazine, Jan. 11, 2013)

Today we review a paper presented at the biannual Upwind-Downwind Conference in Hamilton that describes the development of a fairly unique urban air quality program. The program was given a boost in 2007 by a project that combined satellite air quality data  from space with observations from a dozen ground stations to produce maps at 10 km resolution at 10 minute intervals for a year over the national capital area (which includes the twin cities of Ottawa and Gatineau). Further applications of these data with real-time traffic flow data allowed for mapping down to the street level in downtown Ottawa and assessments of health impacts near these roads which showed that over 50% of schools and old age homes are located within 50 m of heavy traffic, placing the most vulnerable residents at risk from vehicle emissions. A new program has just been announced by the University of Toronto to examine similar applications of roadside emissions and health impacts in Canada’s largest city.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

How Do Tobacco Smoke and Air Pollution Affect Asthma in Young Children?

Wreaths of tobacco smoke. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Air pollution, fetal and infant tobacco smoke exposure, and wheezing in preschool children: a population-based prospective birth cohort(23 page pdf, Agnes MM Sonnenschein-van der Voort ,Yvonne de Kluizenaar, Vincent WV Jaddoe, Carmelo Gabriele Hein Raat, Henriëtte A Moll, Albert Hofman, Frank H Pierik, Henk ME Miedema, Johan C de Jongste, Liesbeth Duijts, Environmental Health, Dec. 11, 2012)

The key conclusion drawn by the study under review today is that early exposure to tobacco smoke makes the lungs of children more vulnerable to air pollution. Also short term exposure to air pollutants alone could affect development of respiratory while long term exposure has greater impact when combined with tobacco smoke

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports abut this post, click HERE

What Can London do to Improve its Air Quality?

English: view from Grange Road over parts of SE London Haze / air pollution is quite apparent even at 9/ 10 o’clock on a bright and breezy day (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Air pollution in London – issues paper(19 page pdf, Health and Environment Committee,  London Assembly, D3ec. 10, 2012)

Also discussed here: Air pollution in London – issues paper(Health and Environment Committee, London Assembly, D3ec. 10, 2012)

London’s air pollution continues to be a concern for local and national authorities following the 2012 Olympic Games when it was a major issue (as it was in Beijing China in the last summer games four years earlier) with over 4,000 premature deaths each year in the city and health impacts across the UK of  to £20 billion a year. Today, we review a report from the City of London’s Health and Environment Committee on how bad it is from measurements by the 100 monitors and what is needed to have improvements. The focus of recommendations is to reduce particulate pollution by further controls on diesel vehicles, focus attention on NO2 vehicle emissions which exceeded the EU threshold of 40 ugm/m3 concentration at all roadside monitoring locations and find ways to increase walking and cycling instead of driving.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 42,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 10 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Top 10 Posts for 2012 on Pollution Free Cities-WordPress Edition

At year end, bloggers sometimes look back at their posts to see which ones were the most popular- and I did just that with the list of links clipped below, in case you want to revisit any of them. There continues to be interest in pollution free cities such as Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates and advances being made to reduce or eliminate energy consumption, traffic congestion, pollution (including noise) in cities, along with an ongoing interest in the health impacts of all this. Perhaps surprising is that only one post in the last year was as popular as the older posts- the one on GEO Medicine and accumulated exposure to air pollution over a lifetime.

Masdar City – zero carbon, zero waste

Health Effects of Noise

Low and Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB)

Global Health Impact of Air, Land and Water Pollution

Managing Urban Noise

Traffic-Related Air Pollution Literature Review

The Cleanest (and Dirtiest) Cities in the World

Health Effects of Air Pollution from Motor Vehicles

Impact of Traffic Air Pollution on Health in Toronto

GEO Medicine and Lifetime Exposure to Poor Air Quality

Health and Urban Poverty

Babies near Traffic and the Risk of Autism

Traffic-Related Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, and Autism(Abstract, Heather E. Volk, Fred Lurmann, Bryan Penfold; Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Rob McConnell, Arch Gen Psychiatry, Nov 2012)

Also discussed here: Autism and early exposure to traffic pollution linked(Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 26, 2012)

And here: Autism Risk for Developing Children Exposed to Air Pollution: Infant Brain May Be Affected by Air Quality(Science Daily, Nov. 26, 2012)

And here: Older dads pass down more mutations: the implications(Rosie Mestel Los Angeles Times, Aug. 24, 2012)

And here: A direct characterization of human mutation based on microsatellites(Abstract,James X Sun, Agnar Helgason, Gisli Masson, Sigríður Sunna Ebenesersdóttir, Heng Li, Swapan Mallick, Sante Gnerre, Nick Patterson, Augustine Kong, David Reich & Kari Stefansson, Nature Genetics, Aug. 23, 2012)
New findings on the causes of autism were published recently with a focus on the environment and genetics as they affect the fetus and new-borns although uncertainty exists in the research community. One study in California found that exposure of babies to nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants found near roads with heavy traffic was linked to three times higher incidences of autism. Another study indicated that the mutations that occur in older fathers which double over a typical lifetime also lead to genetic changes associated with autism in their offspring. As people live longer, “old age diseases” such as autism become more a concern and more needs to be done to reduce the threats at the start of life, starting with keeping residences with mothers further away from traffic.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Air Pollution in Mediterranean MegaCities

Megacities as hot spots of air pollution in the East Mediterranean(45 page pdf, Maria Kanakidou, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Tayfun Kindap, Ulas Im, Mihalis Vrekoussis, Evangelos Gerasopoulos, Eirini Dermitzaki, Alper Unal, Mustafa Koçak, Kostas Markakis, Dimitris Melas, Georgios Kouvarakis, Ahmed F. Youssef, Andreas Richter, Nikolaos Hatzianastassiou, Andreas Hilboll, Felix Ebojie, Folkard Wittrock, Christian von Savigny, John P. Burrows, Annette Ladstaetter-Weissenmayer, Hani Moubasher, Atmos. Environ., Nov. 30, 2010)

Also discussed here: Impacts of East Mediterranean megacity emissions on air quality( 21 page pdf, U. Im and M. Kanakidou, Atmos. Phy. July 23, 2012)

And here: Mediterranean capital pollution has far-reaching effects on air quality(Science for Environment Policy, Nov. 22, 2012)

Today we review research that examines the state of air pollution in several eastern Mediterranean magacities (Cairo, Istanbul, Athens – over 10M population) and the impact of some mitigation strategies on the cities as well as on the surrounding region. What is special about these urban areas is the combination of a large number of vehicles which often lack catalytic coverts or particulate filters and the year round impact of very warm temperatures which exacerbate the air pollution, especially ozone.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

How Does Air Pollution Affect Your Thinking Ability?

Bad Air Means Bad News for Seniors’ Brainpower(1 page pdf, Press Release, The Gerontological Society of America, (GSA) 65th AnnualScientific Meeting, Nov. 16, 2012)

Also discussed here: Bad Air Means Bad News for Seniors’ Brainpower(ScienceDaily, Nov. 16, 2012)

And here: Does Air Pollution Hurt Memory of Older Adults?(WebMD, Nov. 16, 2012)

And here: Air pollution in towns and cities ‘ages brains of over-50s by three years’(MailOnline, Nov. 16, 2012)

And here: Exposure to particulate air pollution and cognitive decline in older women(Abstract, Weuve J, Puett RC, Schwartz J, Yanosky JD, Laden F, Grodstein F. , Arch Intern Med, Feb. 13, 2012)

Today’s feature review article takes a new look at the impact of air pollution on how well people over 50 think after analyzing tests assessing word recall, knowledge, language, and orientation. The results indicate that an increase of 10 micrograms/cubic meter of fine particulate matter (roughly the difference between living in a typical built-up cities to living in rural areas) translates into an additional aging of 3 years.  This comes in addition to the other well documented effects of air pollution on health which shorten life expectancy (by 7-8 months in the UK for example). This prompts one to consider if the rise in dementia and Alzheimer’s might also be associated this in urban areas, along with the large increase in the population of seniors in many countries.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Where are the Worst Hazardous Waste Sites in the World?

The World’s Worst Pollution Problems: Assessing Health Risks at Hazardous Waste Sites(52 page pdf, Blacksmith Institute, Oct. 23, 2012)

Also discussed here: Pollution as harmful as malaria, TB in developing world – study(Jonathan Allen, AlertNet, Oct. 23, 2012)

Today we review a report that assesses the state of toxic waste sites around the world and how much waste from ten industries affect human health and mortality- excluding the contributions from urban emissions from traffic and poor sanitation but including the impact of landfills and such items as electronic waste. The results, in terms of years of healthy life lost, indicate that these sources of pollution have a similar impact (17M) as malaria (14M), tuberculosis(25M) or HIV (29M) in the 49 countries examined.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Short Term Exposure to Air Pollution and Minor Strokes

Short-term effects of ambient particulates and gaseous pollutants on the incidence of transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke: a case- crossover study(20 page pdf, Getahun Bero Bedada, Craig J Smith, Pippa J Tyrrell, Adrian A Hirst and Raymond Agius, Environmental Health, Oct. 15, 2012)

English: Comparison of the amount of air pollutants produced by the three alternatives. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The research reviewed today is a first look at the relationship between short term exposure to six -common pollutants and the occurrence of minor strokes in the Manchester-Liverpool area of the UK. A marginal association was found with Nitrogen Oxide(NO) , produced by combustion from vehicles and a precursor for NO2, but not from the others. More research was recommended with larger samples to confirm this finding.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Heart Attacks in Cold Cities

English: Pneumonia and influenza mortality for 122 US cities, 4 years through week ending October 31, 2009. This time series shows the seasonality of seasonal influenza, and that during the 2007-2008 season influenza exceeded the US epidemic threshold. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Influenza epidemics, seasonality, and the effects of cold weather on cardiac mortality(20 page pdf, Stephanie von Klot, Antonella Zanobetti and Joel Schwartz,  Environmental Health, Oct.1, 2012)

Today we review a study of a large sample of seniors in 78 cities across the USA to assess what impact cold weather has on heart attacks and how much influence influenza epidemics  has on the mortality rate – in the absence, unfortunately, of corresponding air pollution data which is known to have health impacts. Results indicate that there is a link between variations in mortality rates with the influenza. While these results are interesting, a similar study in colder countries with many more sub-zero winter days, such as Russia or Canada, along with associated air pollution data would be revealing.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Teaching Children about Air Pollution

Wings and Thingamajigs E- Book(21 page pdf, Halton Region, September, 2012)

Also discussed here: Wings and Thingamajigs – Children’s Picture Book(Halton Region)

Today we review a rare and exceptionally well-illustrated picture book, aimed at teaching children from 4 to 8 years old about air quality and climate change. It comes from Public Health in Halton Region, one of the more advanced  in the province of Ontario, when it comes to improving air quality and its impacts on human health- one of the first in Canada to use roadside air quality monitors, for example.The e-book is available free in a number of languages including French, Spanish, Cantonese, Polish and Punjabi, to meet the needs of the diverse multicultural community in southwestern Ontario (and for some in the rest of the world). Highly recommended!

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Traffic, Noise and Health

Atlanta Downtown Connector at night (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Traffic noise has impact on sleep(Health24, Sep. 11, 2012)

Also discussed here: Real Noise from the Urban Environment: How Ambient Community Noise Affects Health and What Can Be Done About It(Abstract, Anne Vernez Moudon, Dr es Sc, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, August 2009)

Today we review some research that assessed the degree of sleep disturbance and high annoyance from traffic noise on the populations of three cities in and near Atlanta, Georgia. Results indicate that just under 10% are highly annoyed and 2.5% are sleep deprived. The article calls for the control and abatement of noise in order to improve the health of communities.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Reducing Road Deaths and Injuries in London England

Towards a Road Safety Action Plan for London: 2020 (115 page pdf, Mayor of London, Transport for London, July 2012)

Also discussed here: Towards a new Road Safety Action Plan for London: 2020 (Transport for London, July 2012)

And here: London’s road safety action plan(Jenny Jones, MayorWatch, Sep. 3, 2012)

Today we look at a consultation report from London to improve road safety. Among the 70 recommendations are some aimed at pedestrians and cyclists and youth between 18 and 23, both of which are showing increased or peak casualties from road accidents. The 10 key policy proposals call for a 40% drop in road casualties by 2020 though better communications, examining best case examples from other cities and making prime use of technology.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Traffic Air Pollution and Heart Disease in Denmark

Traffic air pollution and mortality from cardiovascular disease and all causes: a Danish cohort study (29 page pdf, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, Zorana Jovanovic Andersen, Steen Solvang Jensen, Matthias Ketzel, Mette Sørensen, Johnni Hansen, Steffen Loft, Anne Tjønneland and Kim Overvad, Environmental Health, Sep. 5, 2012)

Today’s review concerns the link between air pollution from traffic near residences of people in Denmark and heart disease, taking into account the other effects of noise, diet and other items. Results indicate a significant link with air pollution which is lessened in those with a higher diet of fruits and vegetables.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Monitoring Air Pollution in Schools

Hand-held CO2 monitors could improve school air quality(Helen Albert, medwireNews, Aug. 23, 2012)
Also discussed here: Portable FID Model 115 (4 page pdf, Portable FID For Method 21 and Environmental Monitoring of VOC’s including methane, PID Analyzers)

As one of the most vulnerable to air pollution impacts, school children may be exposed to levels of pollution that present a health hazard. Today we review a new portable monitor that can be used to monitor these levels and if they are elevated, take measures to control or reduce them. The device provides for up to three weeks without recharging.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Roadside Air Quality as a Priority Research Issue

Why are we concerned with near-road air quality?(11  page pdf, Rich Baldauf, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 27, 2010)

Also discussed here: Freeways Don’t Need to be a Housing Show-Stopper(The Greater Marin, Aug. 13, 2012)

Today we highlight a summary of the issues and research priorities and recent findings in the scientific literature for air pollution near major roads from the perspective of the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA. Among other points, the use of vegetation along roads to contain the pollution is seen as a promising approach for the future.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

How Much Do Pine Trees Pollute?

Aging of biogenic secondary organic aerosol via gas-phase OH radical reactions(Abstract, Neil M. Donahuea, Kaytlin M. Henry, Thomas F. Mentel, Astrid Kiendler-Scharr, Christian Spindler, Birger Bohn, Theo Brauers, Hans P. Dorn, Hendrik Fuchs, Ralf Tillmann, Andreas Wahner, Harald Saathoff, Karl-Heinz Naumann, Ottmar Möhler, Thomas Leisner, Lars Müller, Marc-Christopher Reinnig, Thorsten Hoffmann, Kent Salo, Mattias Hallquist, Mia Frosch, Merete Bilde, Torsten Tritscher, Peter Barmet, Arnaud P. Praplan, Peter F. DeCarlo, Josef Dommen, Andre S.H. Prévôt, and Urs Baltensperger, Jul. 4, 2012)

Also discussed here: Pine Trees One of Biggest Contributors to Air Pollution: Pine Gases Chemically Transformed by Free Radicals (ScienceDaily, Aug. 9, 2012)

Today we review research that established a link between the aerosols or tiny particles that are emitted by a  number of sources both natural and man-made and the chemical process with the pollutant, alpha-pinene, released by pine trees. The result is three times more particulates than what was originally emitted – and three times the health impact on humans.

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Estimating UK Deaths due to Local Particulate Air Pollution

Statement on Estimating the Mortality Burden of Particulate Air Pollution at the Local Level (13 page pdf, Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP), Aug. 2, 2012)

Also discussed here: Mortality burden of particulate air pollution

And here: The Mortality Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution in the United Kingdom (108 page pdf, Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP), 2010) (Press Release, Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP), Aug. 2, 2012)

Today we review a statement from COMEAP calling for estimate of deaths attributable to air pollution at the local level across the UK. The statement assesses and analyses methods and uncertainties associated with this approach. Roadside emission sources were not included but only long term exposure to particulate pollution. Separating anthropogenic from natural sources of particulates is another uncertainty which must be considered in the estimate of the health burden.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

English: A graph of particulate pollution (PM 2.5 vs date) for sensors located in . The particulate pollution shows a seasonal variation. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

Health Impacts of Air Pollution in New Zealand

Updated Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand Study – Volume 2: Technical Reports (86 page pdf, Gerda Kuschel and Jayne Metcalfe, Emily Wilton, Jagadish Guria, Simon Hales, Kevin Rolfe, Alistair Woodward, HAPINZ, March 2012)

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL CENTER – NARA – 542766 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Also discussed here: Updated Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand Study (2012)

And here: Pollution harming Aucklanders’ health – report  (Trevor Quinn, Auckland Now, Jul. 31, 2012)

And here: Air Quality (Auckland Council)

From New Zealand comes an updated report on the health impacts of air pollution based on an expanded monitoring of air pollution sources both natural and man made. The impacts are consistent with those in other developed countries where, for example, the number of premature deaths for Canada’s capital region, (Ottawa and Gatineau), with a population of just over 1.3 million and 530 deaths per year (reference: Illness Costs of Air Pollution for Ontario, 2008) compared to New Zealand’s capital, Auckland, with population of 1.4 million and 436 deaths, with over half coming from motor vehicle emissions. The report also flags impacts on children, specifically during the neonatal period.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Public Health as an Integrated Climate Change Index

A healthy turn in urban climate change policies; European city workshop proposes health indicators as policy integrators(15 page pdf, Hans Keune, David Ludlow, Peter van den Hazel, Scott Randall and Alena Bartonova^, Environmental Health, Jun. 28.2012)

Today we examine the results of a backcasting workshop in Europe that, after establishing targets for cities in 2030, assessed how to get there, based on the growing importance of public health as an integrator of impacts from climate change, urbanization and a graying society. It is noted that some health impacts are not presently associated with climate change in the public mind although there are and this will become more evident as climate change continues and impacts become more severe – an example being the spread of infectious or vector borne diseases such as West Nile Virus.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Is There a Link between Depression and Air Pollution?

old age at Rotchild BLVD (Photo credit: shyb)

Air Pollution and Symptoms of Depression in Elderly Adults (6 page pdf, Youn-Hee Lim, Ho Kim, Jin Hee Kim, Sanghyuk Bae, Hye Yin Park, Yun-Chul Hong^,  Environ Health Perspect, April 18, 2012)

Also discussed here: Air Pollution and Emergency Department Visits for Suicide Attempts in Vancouver, Canada (8 page pdf, Mieczysław Szyszkowicz,  Jeff B. Willey, Eric Grafstein, Brian H. Rowe, and Ian Colman, Environmental Health Insights, Oct. 15, 2010)

The causes for depression leading to suicide have been studied for some time. In today’s review article, the focus is on the older population and an investigation of the links with air pollution. Results indicate a significant association for depression with NO2, O3 and PM 10 and highlights what could become a major health issue in the graying society, especially in urban areas where these three pollutants tend to be worse.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Soot’s Impact on Lungs

Experimental determination of deposition of diesel exhaust particles in the human respiratory tract(Abstract, Jenny Rissler, Erik Swietlicki, Agneta Bengtsson, Christoffer Boman, Joakim Pagels, Thomas Sandström, Anders Blomberg, Jakob Löndahl, Journal of Aerosol Science, June 2012)

Also discussed here: Half of Inhaled Soot Particles from Diesel Exhaust, Fires Gets Stuck in the Lungs (ScienceDaily. Jun. 27, 2012)

According to the research reviewed today, soot particles from diesel engines present a greater  heath hazard because there more small particles from this source are absorbed into the lungs,  compared to emissions from wood stoves and coal-driven power stations.  In addition, soot particles impact on climate change and reduction must accompany action to reduce greenhouse gases.

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Health Impacts from Short Term Exposures to Ozone

English: Ozone molecular electrical potential surface 3D-vdW (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Controlled Exposure of Healthy Young Volunteers to Ozone Causes Cardiovascular Effects (27 page pdf, Robert B. Devlin, Kelly E. Duncan, Melanie Jardim, Michael T. Schmitt, Ana G. Rappold, and David Diaz-Sanchez,  Circulation, Jun. 25, 2012)

Also discussed here: Ozone Exposure Linked to Potential Heart Attacks (ScienceDaily, Jun. 25, 2012)

And here: New evidence links ozone exposure to potential heart attacks (American Heart Association, Jun. 25, 2012)

Today we review research into the link between exposure to ozone for a few hours and the impacts on the cardiovascular system, as well as the pathway to explain these impacts. Results indicate a clear link that adds to the complexity of assessing impact on heart disease from air pollution, previously thought to be mainly from fine particulate matter.

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Diesel Exhaust and Lung Cancer

The Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study: A Nested Case–Control Study of Lung Cancer and Diesel Exhaust (18 page pdf, Debra T. Silverman, Claudine M. Samanic, Jay H. Lubin, Aaron E. Blair, Patricia A. Stewart, Roel Vermeulen, Joseph B. Coble, Nathaniel Rothman, Patricia L. Schleiff, William D. Travis, Regina G. Ziegler, Sholom Wacholder and Michael D. Attfield,  Journal of the National Cancer Institute,  Mar.5, 2012)

Also discussed here: IARC: Diesel Engine Exhaust Carcinogenic (4 page pdf, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Jun. 12, 2012)

And here: Diesel exhaust found to cause lung cancer (Carly Weeks , Globe and Mail, Jun. 12, 2012)

And here: Diesel fumes cause cancer (The Connexion, June 13, 2012)

And here: WHO: exhaust fumes more cancer causing than secondhand smoke ( Yukio Strachan, Digital Journal, Jun. 13, 2012)

Today we review a report from the WHO stating that there is “sufficient evidence” to link diesel exhaust directly to lung cancer and “limited evidence” to a link with bladder cancer which is stronger than earlier statements on health risk. The report goes on to recommend worldwide measures to reduce or eliminate exposure to diesel exhaust as a priority.

Main sites of metastases for some common cancer types. Primary cancers are denoted by “…cancer” and their main metastasis sites are denoted by “…metastases”. List of included entries and references is found on main image page in Commons: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Nanoparticles and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Citrullination of proteins: a common post-translational modification pathway induced by different nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo (15 page pdf, Bashir M Mohamed, Navin K Verma, Anthony M Davies, Aoife McGowan, Kieran Crosbie Staunton, Adriele Prina-Mello, Dermot Kelleher, Catherine H Botting, Corey P Causey, Paul R Thompson, Ger JM Pruijn, Elena R Kisin, Alexey V Tkach, Anna A Shvedova  & Yuri Volkov, Nanomedicine,  May 25, 2012)

Also discussed here: Nanoparticles in Polluted Air, Smoke & Nanotechnology Products Have Serious Impact On Health (ScienceDaily, Jun. 11, 2012)

Nanoparticles found in smoke, dust and in diesel  vehicle exhaust are known to have significant health impacts. Today we review research using animals that links the breakdown of the autoimmune system by nanoparticles which in turn may lead to rheumatoid arthritis .

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Long time Exposure to Air Pollution and Heart Disease

Air Pollution Linked to Chronic Heart Disease (ScienceDaily, June 5, 2012)

Also discussed here: Air Pollution Linked to Chronic Heart Disease (Press Release, American Friends Tel Aviv University,  June 5, 2012)

And here: Cumulative exposure to air pollution and long term outcomes after first acute myocardial infarction: A population-based cohort study. Objectives and methodology (7 page pdf, Yariv Gerber, Vicki Myers, David M Broday, Silvia Koton, David M Steinberg, and Yaacov Drory, BMC Public Health, Jun. 24, 2010)

Research from Israel reveals that air pollution not only has a significant impact on mortality but also that those in the population that have undergone one heart attack are 43% more likely to have a repeat attack, compared to those who live in areas with better air quality. The authors point out that more population health assessment is needed and that more air pollution monitoring is needed to support that.

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Traffic-related Air Pollution and Health – a Canadian Literature Review

Traffic-related air pollution and health : a Canadian perspective on scientific evidence and potential exposure-mitigation strategies (112 page pdf, Michael Brauer, Conor Reynolds, Perry Hystad, The University of British Columbia, School of Population and Public Health, Mar. 1, 2012)

Today we review a significant addition to the state of knowledge about the health risks to that part of the public located near the pollution from road traffic. A third of Canadians live within 100 m of a major road or 500 m of a highway. The report concludes citing evidence from Canada and abroad that traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a significant public health issue and makes recommendations on how to reduce this threat.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Residences Near Roads and Childhood Asthma

Residential Proximity to a Major Roadway Is Associated with Features of Asthma Control in Children (9 page pdf, Meredith S. Brown, Stefanie Ebelt Sarnat, Karen A. DeMuth1, Lou Ann S. Brown, Denise R. Whitlock1, Shanae W. Brown, Paige E. Tolbert, Anne M. Fitzpatrick, PLoS ONE, May 17,2012)

Today’s review focuses on research into the relationship between proximity of residences to major roads in Atlanta Georgia, USA ( a city known for high rates of asthma as well as for traffic related-pollution) and the occurrence of asthma in children. Results indicate significant impacts as measured by wheeziness and hospital ization when the residences are within 417m as well as gastroesophageal reflux.

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Childhood Asthma and Ambient Air Pollution

Satellite-based Estimates of Ambient Air Pollution and Global Variations in Childhood Asthma Prevalence (32 page pdf, H Ross Anderson, Barbara K. Butland, Aaron van Donkelaar, Michael Brauer, David P. Strachan, Tadd Clayton, Rita van Dingenen, Markus Amann, Bert Brunekreef, Aaron Cohen, Frank Dentener, Christopher Lai, Lok N. Lamsal, Randall V. Martin, ISAAC Phase One and Phase Three study groups, Environ Health Perspect , May 1, 2012)

Today we review research aimed at testing the hypothesis that variations in asthma world-wide can be explained by variations in long term ambient pollution at the community level (O3, PM2.5 and NO2) which was in turn estimated using satellite-derived estimates. Although short term variations appear to be linked, the results indicate no such link over the long term.

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Heart Disease in Polluted Urban Cores

Sternocostal surface of heart. (Right coronary artery visible at left.) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The relation between coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic subjects and both traditional risk factors and living in the city centre: a DanRisk substudy (Abstract, J. Lambrechtsen, O. Gerke, K. Egstrup, N. P. Sand, B. L. Nørgaard, H. Petersen, H. Mickley, A. C. P. Diederichsen, Journal of Internal Medicine, Dec. 20,2011)

Also discussed here: Heart Study Suggests City Center Pollution Doubles Risk of Calcium Build-Up in Arteries (Science Daily, Apr. 26, 2012)

Today, we review research that looked at the heart disease impacts for those living in city centres.  Results indicate a much greater chance of heart disease there than in the suburbs or rural areas, especially with men.

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Active Transportation Choices and Health in Toronto

Road to Health: Improving Walking and Cycling in Toronto (109 page pdf, Toronto Public Health, April 2012)

Today, we look at a report on Toronto that examines how walking and cycling as active transportation modes benefit health and how much more improvement could be achieved if both forms were optimized. Estimated benefits are over 129 fewer deaths/year and $475 M/year which could be doubled by choosing active transportation modes to only match the active transportation statistics in Vancouver which has both fewer collisions and deaths and higher modal statistics than Toronto. Many options could be pursued from the range of best practices presented, such as Traffic Demand Management to reduce traffic speed and collisions that make walking and cycling a safer choice.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about  this post, click HERE

Lifetime Population Exposure to Air Pollution in Canada

Spatiotemporal air pollution exposure assessment for a Canadian population-based lung cancer case-control study (26 page pdf, Perry Hystad, Paul A Demers, Kenneth C Johnson, Jeff Brook, Aaron van Donkelaar, Lok Lamsal, Randall Martin and Michael Brauer, Environmental Health, Apr.4, 2012)

Today, we review a report that develops a method of assessing exposure to air pollution over several decades, based on the exposure of residents to air pollution from industrial and mobile sources, as deduced from the conventional national air pollution network and from vehicle emissions, updated using space based sensors on the OMI satellite. The approach used will likely be very useful for then assessing the lifetime risk of cancer from accumulated exposure to air pollution.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click  HERE

Safe Roads for Seniors

Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving the Mobility and Safety of Older Americans (25 page pdf, TRIP and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Feb. 2012)

Also discussed here: Forgive and Forget (Streetsblog, Mar. 5, 2012)

And here: Few U.S. cities are ready for aging Baby Boomer population (USA Today-Your Life, Mar. 25, 2012)

Under review today is a report that looks at the safety issues on local streets that the growing older population either drives on (80% of them do) or uses on foot. These include: the higher risks for seniors making left turns at intersections and the window available for them to avoid heavy traffic, becoming shorter because of the increased congestion from noon on. Combining these issues with the poor design of many city streets that borrow from highway design and fail to achieve either mobility or efficiency- the “STROAD”. The future will see twice as many seniors so that all these problems will amplify in the absence of corrections.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE

Harvard Six Cities Study Update on Mortality from Exposure to Fine Particles

Chronic Exposure to Fine Particles and Mortality: An Extended Follow-Up of the Harvard Six Cities Study from 1974 to 2009 (31 page pdf, Johanna Lepeule, Francine Laden, Douglas Dockery, Joel Schwartz, Environ Health Perspect,  Mar. 28, 2012)

The research article of interest today is an update of the famous 1993 Six Cities Study (in the USA) that established links between long term exposure to fine PM and mortality. The newer research continued to showed a significant relationship between PM 2.5 and both lung and cardiovacular mortality, without any lower safe threshold and points to the public health benefits of further reductions in PM 2.5 levels.

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Diesel Trucks, Oil-Heated Homes and Childhood Asthma

Domestic airborne black carbon and exhaled nitric oxide in children in NYC (Abstract, Alexandra G Cornell, Steven N Chillrud, Robert B Mellins, Luis M Acosta, Rachel L Miller, James W Quinn, Beizhan Yan, Adnan Divjan, Omar E Olmedo, Sara Lopez-Pintado, Patrick L Kinney, Frederica P Perera, Judith S Jacobson, Inge F Goldstein, Andrew G Rundle, Matthew S Perzanowski, Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, Feb. 29, 2012)

Also discussed here:

Air Pollution from Trucks and Low-Quality Heating Oil May Explain Childhood Asthma Hot Spots (Science News, Mar. 27, 2012)

Today’s review deals with the health of children in New York City who live near diesel truck traffic. Results show up to three times greater risk for asthma and the need for further reductions in emissions from buildings burning low grade heating oil and from diesel trucks whose routes take them near homes.

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Characteristics and Components of Particulate Matter

Characterization of Fine Particulate Matter and Associations between Particulate Chemical Constituents and Mortality in Seoul, Korea (34 page pdf, Ji-Young Son, Jong-Tae Lee, Ki-Hyun Kim, Kweon Jung, Michelle L. Bell, Environ Health Perspect ,  Mar.22, 2012)

Today we review some leading edge research into the make-up of particulate pollution from the aspect of what associated chemicals are found with PM 2.5 and how do they affect their impact on human health. Results indicate higher concentrations of PM 2.5 in winter than summer when rain cleans the atmosphere and higher in late morning and evening because of vehicle emissions. Magnesium (Mg) was found to increase mortality rates at least in South Korea where the data were gathered.

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Respiratory Health Impacts from Exposure to Roadside Emissions

Association between proximity to major roads and sputum cell counts (6 page pdf, Julie Wallace, Liesel D’silva, John Brannan, Frederick E Hargreave, Pavlos Kanaroglou, and Parameswaran Nair, Can Respir J, January/February 2011)

Today we review some research into respiratory health impacts from exposure to nearby roadside emissions in the highly industrialized City of Hamilton. Results indicate increased bronchitis and asthma even for people located1 km away from major roads and highways.

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Secondary Organic Aerosols from Gasoline Powered Vehicles

Gasoline emissions dominate over diesel in formation of secondary organic aerosol mass (Roya Bahreini, Ann M. Middlebrook, Joost A de Gouw, Carsten Warneke, Michael K. Trainer, Charles A. Brock, Harald Stark, Steven S. S Brown, William P. P Dube, Jessica B. Gilman, katharine Hall, John S. S. Holloway, William C. Kuster, Anne E. Perring, Andre S.H. Prevot, Joshua Peter Schwarz, J. Ryan Spackman, Soenke Szidat, Nicolas L. Wagner, Rodney J. Weber, Peter Zotter, David D. D. Parrish, Abstract, Geophysical Research Letters, Feb. 26, 2012)

Also discussed here: Gasoline Worse Than Diesel When It Comes to Some Types of Air Pollution (Science Daily, Mar. 2, 2012)

Today, we review some research from Los Angeles that examines the contribution of diesel emissions to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA), tiny particles that make up most of the aerosol component of urban air pollution and highly harmful to health. The authors concluded that diesels contribute next to nothing to the SOA.  The result is that even greater attention has to be paid to reducing gasoline emissions, previously thought to be less serious a health threat than diesel emissions.

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