OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between short-term exposure to indoor total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) among young female adults. METHODS: This panel study recruited 50 young females from one university in Beijing, China from December 2021 to April 2022. All the participants underwent two sequential visits. During each visit, real time indoor TVOC concentration was monitored using an indoor air quality detector. The real time levels of indoor temperature, relative humidity, noise, carbon dioxide and fine particulate matter were monitored using a temperature and humidity meter, a noise meter, a carbon dioxide meter and a particulate counter, respectively. HRV parameters were measured using a 12-lead Holter. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the association between the TVOC and HRV parameters and establish the exposure-response relationships, and two-pollutant models were applied to examine the robustness of the results. RESULTS: The mean age of the 50 female subjects was (22.5±2.3) years, and the mean body mass index was (20.4±1.9) kg/m². During this study, the median (interquartile range) of indoor TVOC concentrations was 0.069 (0.046) mg/m³, the median (interquartile range) of indoor temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, noise level and fine particulate matter concentration were 24.3 (2.7) ℃, 38.5% (15.0%), 0.1% (0.1%), 52.7 (5.8) dB(A) and 10.3 (21.5) μg/m³, respectively. Short-term exposure to indoor TVOC was associated with significant changes in time-domain and frequency-domain HRV parameters, and the exposure metric for most HRV parameters with the most significant changes was 1 h-moving average. Along with a 0.01 mg/m³ increment in 1 h-moving average concentration of indoor TVOC, this study observed decreases of 1.89% (95%CI: -2.28%, -1.50%) in standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals (SDNN), 1.92% (95%CI: -2.32%, -1.51%) in standard deviation of average normal to normal intervals (SDANN), 0.64% (95%CI: -1.13%, -0.14%) in percentage of adjacent NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50), 3.52% (95%CI: -4.30%, -2.74%) in total power (TP), 5.01% (95%CI: -6.21%, -3.79%) in very low frequency (VLF) power, and 4.36% (95%CI: -5.16%, -3.55%) in low frequency (LF) power. The exposure-response curves showed that indoor TVOC was negatively correlated with SDNN, SDANN, TP, and VLF when the concentration exceeded 0.1 mg/m³. The two-pollutant models indicated that the results were generally robust after controlling indoor noise and fine particulate matter. CONCLUSION Short-term exposure to indoor TVOC was associated with significant negative changes in nocturnal HRV of young women. This study provides an important scientific basis for relevant prevention and control measures.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Heart Rate/physiology* ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis* ; Carbon Dioxide ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Pollutants

Air pollution has severe detrimental effects on public health.A substantial number of studies have demonstrated that air pollution exposure is a risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and a cause of non-communicable diseases.Both long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution are associated with respiratory diseases,stroke,coronary artery disease,and diabetes.Aiming to better understand the association,we reviewed the latest studies about the association of air pollution with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,especially stroke,coronary heart disease,arrhythmia,hypertension,and heart failure,and summarized the underlying mechanisms of the health damage caused by long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution.
Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology* ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/etiology* ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Humans ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Stroke/complications*

Objective: To explore the association between size-fractionated particle number concentrations (PNC) and respiratory health in children. Methods: From November 2018 to June 2019, there were 65 children aged 6-9 years from an elementary school in shanghai recruited in this panel study with three rounds of follow-up. The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁), and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were measured and buccal mucosa samples of children were collected at each follow-up visit. The level of PNC, temperature and humidity of the elementary school was monitored from 3 days before each physical examination to the end of the physical examination. The linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the association between PNC and indicators of respiratory health in children. Results: Linear mixed effects model analysis revealed that, at lag 2 day, an interquartile range increase in PNC for particles measuring 0.25-0.40 μm was associated with the absolute changes in FVC, FEV₁ and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) about -60.15 ml (95%CI:-88.97 ml, -31.32 ml), -34.26 ml (95%CI:-63.22 ml, -5.31 ml), -6.00 (95%CI:-9.15, -2.84) and percentage change in FeNO about 12.10% (95%CI: 3.05%, 21.95%), respectively. These adverse health effects increased with the decrease of particle size. Conclusion: The short-term exposure to particulate matter is associated with reduced lung function, buccal microbe diversity and higher airway inflammation level among children. These adverse health effects may increase with the decrease of particle size.
Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Child ; China ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Humans ; Lung ; Nitric Oxide ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Vital Capacity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential effect of modification of antihypertensive medications on the association of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) long-term exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Data of the national representative sample of adult population from the China National Survey of Chronic Kidney Disease (2007-2010) were included in the analyses, and exposure data of NO₂ were collected and matched. Generalized mixed-effects models were used to analyze the associations between NO₂ and CKD, stratified by the presence of hypertension and taking antihypertensive medications. The stratified exposure-response curves of NO₂ and CKD were fitted using the natural spine smoothing function. The modifying effects of antihypertensive medications on the association and the exposure-response curve of NO₂ and CKD were analyzed. RESULTS: Data of 45 136 participants were included, with an average age of (49.5±15.3) years. The annual average exposure concentration of NO₂ was (7.2±6.4) μg/m³. Altogether 6 517 (14.4%) participants were taking antihypertensive medications, and 4 833 (10.7%) participants were identified as having CKD. After adjustment for potential confounders, in the hypertension population not using antihypertensive medications, long-term exposure to NO₂ was associated with a significant increase risk of CKD (OR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.24-1.54, P < 0.001); while in the hypertension population using antihypertensive medications, no significant association between long-term exposure to NO₂ and CKD (OR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.86-1.07, P=0.431) was observed. The exposure-response curve of NO₂ and CKD suggested that there was a non-linear trend in the association between NO₂ and CKD. The antihypertension medications showed significant modifying effects both on the association and the exposure-response curve of NO₂ and CKD (interaction P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The association between long-term exposure to NO₂ and CKD was modified by antihypertensive medications. Taking antihypertensive medications may mitigate the effect of long-term exposure to NO₂ on CKD.
Adult ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Air Pollution/analysis* ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Nitrogen Dioxide/analysis* ; Particulate Matter ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology*

The effect of air pollution on the lung function of adults with asthma remains unclear to date. This study followed 112 patients with asthma at 3-month intervals for 2 years. The pollutant exposure of the participants was estimated using the inverse distance weight method. The participants were divided into three groups according to their lung function level at every visit. A linear mixed-effect model was applied to predict the change in lung function with each unit change in pollution concentration. Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM_2.5) was negatively associated with large airway function in participants. In the severe group, exposure to chronic sulfur dioxide (SO2) was negatively associated with post-bronchodilator forced expiratory flow at 50%, between 25% and 75% of vital capacity % predicted (change of 95% CI per unit: -0.34 (-0.55, -0.12), -0.24 (-0.44, -0.03), respectively). In the mild group, the effect of SO₂ on the small airways was similar to that in the severe group, and it was negatively associated with large airway function. Exposure to CO and PM_2.5 was negatively associated with the large airway function of adults with asthma. The negative effects of SO₂ were more evident and widely observed in adults with severe and mild asthma than in adults with moderate asthma. Patients with asthma react differently to air pollutants as evidenced by their lung function levels.
Adult ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Asthma/epidemiology* ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Lung ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Sulfur Dioxide/adverse effects*

Plastics are extensively used in our daily life. However, a significant amount of plastic waste is discharged to the environment directly or via improper reuse or recycling. Degradation of plastic waste generates micro- or nano-sized plastic particles that are defined as micro- or nanoplastics (MNPs). Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 mm, while nanoplastics (NPs) range in diameter from 1 to 100 or 1000 nm. In the current review, we first briefly summarized the environmental contamination of MNPs and then discussed their health impacts based on existing MNP research. Our review indicates that MNPs can be detected in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide and be ingested and accumulated by animals along the food chain. Evidence has suggested the harmful health impacts of MNPs on marine and freshwater animals. Recent studies found MPs in human stool samples, suggesting that humans are exposed to MPs through food and/or drinking water. However, the effect of MNPs on human health is scarcely researched. In addition to the MNPs themselves, these tiny plastic particles can release plastic additives and/or adsorb other environmental chemicals, many of which have been shown to exhibit endocrine disrupting and other toxic effects. In summary, we conclude that more studies are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of MNP pollution hazards and also provide a basis for the subsequent pollution management and control.
Environmental Exposure ; Environmental Monitoring ; Microplastics ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Water Pollutants ; adverse effects ; analysis

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Coke ; adverse effects ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: Most of the studies on the effect of heat stress on preterm birth (PTB) are conducted in temperate climates. Evidence on this effect in hot and arid countries with low and middle income is limited. This paper describes the short-term effect of exposure to the hot and cold environment on a daily number of PTB in Iran. METHODS: The daily number of PTB was obtained from all hospitals of the city. Meteorological and air pollution data from 2011 to 2017 were obtained from a metrological station in the city. A semi-parametric generalized additive model following a quasi-Poisson distribution with the distributed lag non-linear model was selected as a modeling framework for time-series analysis to simultaneously model the short-term and lagged effect of heat stress on PTB in the Sabzevar city. RESULTS: The minimum and maximum daily temperature were - 11.2 and 45.4 °C respectively. The highest risk estimate at extreme cold temperature was found for apparent temperature (relative risk (RR) 1.83; 95% CI 1.61: 2.09). This pattern was seen for both models. For extreme hot temperatures, the model with mean temperature showed the highest risk increase for both the main model and air pollution adjusted model (RR 1.36; 95% CI 1.25: 1.49). The lowest risk estimate in extremely cold conditions was found in the model with mean temperature. However, for extremely hot temperature conditions, the lowest risk estimate was found for both maximum and apparent temperature. CONCLUSION Obstetricians working in semi-arid areas should be aware of the influence of environmental extreme temperature on the incidence of PTB.
Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Climate ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Female ; Hospital Records ; Hot Temperature ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Poisson Distribution ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; etiology ; Risk Factors

Previous studies suggest that air pollution has a negative effect on semen quality. However, most studies are cross-sectional and the results are controversial. This study investigated the associations between air pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃) and semen quality among sperm donation candidates, especially when the air pollution was artificially controlled in Beijing, China. We analyzed 8945 semen samples in the human sperm bank of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) from October 2015 to May 2018. Air pollution data during the entire period (0-90 days prior) and key stages (0-9, 10-14, and 70-90 days prior) of sperm development were collected from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre. The association between air pollutants and semen parameters (sperm concentration and progressive motility) was analyzed by a mixed model adjusted for age, abstinence duration, month, and average ambient temperature. Only O₃during key stages of 0-9 days and 10-14 days and the entire period was negatively associated with sperm concentration between 2015 and 2018 (P < 0.01). During the period of air pollution control from November 2017 to January 2018, except for the increase in O₃concentration, other five pollutants' concentrations decreased compared to those in previous years. In this period, the sperm concentration decreased (P < 0.001). During the pollution-control period, O₃exposure 10-14 days prior was negatively associated with sperm concentration (95% CI: -0.399--0.111; P < 0.001). No significant association was found between the other five pollutants and semen quality during that period. Our study suggested that only O₃exposure was harmful to semen quality. Therefore, O₃should not be neglected during pollution control operation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Beijing ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Middle Aged ; Oxidants, Photochemical/adverse effects* ; Ozone/adverse effects* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Young Adult

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Benzene ; adverse effects ; Blood Cell Count ; Commerce ; Environmental Monitoring ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Ownership