Air Pollution

This double-blind, randomized, crossover trial aims to test the hypothesis that longer-term indoor air filtration intervention can slow atherothrombosis progression by reducing indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in adults with ischemic heart disease history.

Physical activity (PA) refers to bodily movements that result in a significant increase in energy expenditure due to the contraction of skeletal muscles. Physical inactivity has become a major global public health concern and is currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) per week. Although some studies suggest that individual differences in PA may have a genetic basis, PA is generally considered to be largely under voluntary control and influenced by climatic and environmental factors. For instance, extreme temperatures-either hot or cold-can increase health risks and reduce individuals' willingness to engage in physical activity. In addition, air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses serious health risks. Exercising in polluted environments may trigger asthma, cardiovascular, or pulmonary conditions. Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuel emissions have contributed to a global surface temperature increase of approximately 1.1°C, with projections suggesting a further rise of 2.5-2.9°C by the end of the century. At the same time, PM2.5 pollution has become a pressing issue, contributing to an estimated 7 million deaths globally in 2012-over one-third of which occurred in rapidly developing Asian countries. Given the seasonal and geographic variability in climate and air quality, physical activity levels are likely to be affected accordingly.This study aims to investigate the extent to which climatic and environmental factors influence physical activity levels and intensity.

The purpose of the study is to better understand the mechanisms of lung injury from ozone exposure. Subjects will participate in two exposure sessions: filtered air and 0.2 ppm ozone. The exposure visits will be at least 2 weeks apart. Subjects will be asked to produce sputum through coughing after each exposure. The samples will be analyzed for macrophage activity.

The goal of this randomized, double-blind, crossover trial is to test the hypothesis that a longer-term indoor HEPA filtration intervention can improve cardiometabolic profiles by reducing indoor PM2.5 exposures in at-risk individuals.

Climate change is characterized by global temperature increase, melting of glaciers and increasing temperature of ocean waters. Increase in greenhouse gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide negatively affects air and water quality. Extreme events such as extreme heat waves, floods and hurricanes are events seen with climate change. It is known that climate change and air pollution have negative effects on public health. Its adverse effects are often seen in individuals with rhinosinusitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Air pollution is expected to increase due to the ongoing economic growth and population growth worldwide, resulting in more respiratory diseases and disease burden. This study aims to assess the awareness level of individuals with chronic lung disease on climate change, heat waves, air pollution and their interaction with physical activity and anxiety and depression levels, and to better understand the experiences of patients and learn their perspectives. Within the scope of the study, it is planned to provide patients brief information on this subject and receive feedback about this information.

This is a CONTROLLED PROSPECTIVE COHORT study of a long-term care facility. At the start of the study a dedicated section A of the facility ventilation system will have routine HVAC filters of the same dimensions installed, while section B of the same facility ventilation system will have C-POLAR (cationic polymeric coated) HVAC filters installed. There will be continuous Indoor Air Quality monitors (PM 2.5, CO2, VOC, Radon, Temp, and RH) installed at different vent locations throughout the long-term care facility for the duration of the study. Air samples with an Airport MD8 BAMS machine will be taken once a week at various vent locations at the long-term care facility.

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the impact of primary air pollutants and weather parameters on emergency department (ED) visits in the metropolitan area of Florence.

Almost 3 billion people worldwide, including 89% people in Bangladesh, are exposed to harmful household air pollutants (HAP) emitted from combustion of biomass (wood, agricultural residue, cow dung, etc.) fuel use for cooking. While health risks associated with air-pollution have been reasonably well-studied in developed countries, there is little evidence on health benefits achievable by HAP reduction through clean fuel use, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Earlier the investigators showed that Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) for 24 months, reduced personal PM2.5 exposure by 58.17 percent which induced novel changes in immune and inflammatory responses in the participants; however cardiopulmonary markers remained relatively stable in post-intervention assessment. In this study, the investigators aim to evaluate the effects of mobile phone based (mHealth) Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) intervention on adoption and exclusive use of LPG. The investigators also aimed to observe whether long-term effects of HAP reduction can impact the subclinical measures of cardio-vascular and pulmonary dysfunction and regulate innate and inflammatory immune function among women and children in semi-rural settings in Bangladesh. The investigators will also investigate the influence of exposure to HAP on antibody response to vaccines (adaptive immunity). The BCC intervention will be provided by conducting a large household level randomized controlled trial by educational intervention using mHealth based technology. In addition, the investigators will continue following the cohort and will conduct rigorous and repeated personalized (24 hours) and area (over 5 days) assessments of PM2.5 and black carbon (BC) exposure to examine the long-term effects of HAP reduction on subclinical measures of cardio-pulmonary and immune dysfunction including effect of HAP exposure on antibody response to vaccine.

In this project there are 2 time points during the pregnancy included, namely at 21 weeks and 30 weeks of gestation, to measure the predictive values of FGR, strain and strain rate. The fetal growth parameters will be collected at the same time points, to define the growth (differences) throughout gestation of both fetuses. A maternal blood sample will be taken at 21 weeks of gestation to identify the level of exposure to air pollution (black carbon) and the level of biochemical markers of placental dysfunction. Doppler ultrasounds will be used for antenatal identification of placenta insufficiency. At birth, umbilical cord blood and the placenta will be collected. The placenta will be examined, to identify morphological findings which are associated with FGR. The umbilical cord blood and placental biopsy will be used for the level of exposure to air pollution and the level of oxidative stress. One to three days after birth, neonatal strain and strain rate will be measured to define postnatal cardiac remodeling as well as the neonatal blood pressure as cardiovascular risk factor.