Air pollution linked to irregular menstrual cycles

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

The air your teenage daughter breathes may be causing irregular menstrual cycles. Well documented negative health effects from air pollution exposure include infertility, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. This study is the first to show that exposure to air pollution among teen girls (ages 14-18) is associated with slightly increased chances of menstrual irregularity and longer time to achieve such regularity in high school and early adulthood.

 

The air your teenage daughter breathes may be causing irregular menstrual cycles. Well documented negative health effects from air pollution exposure include infertility, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. This study is the first to show that exposure to air pollution among teen girls (ages 14-18) is associated with slightly increased chances of menstrual irregularity and longer time to achieve such regularity in high school and early adulthood.

“While air pollution exposures have been linked to cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, this study suggests there may be other systems, such as the reproductive endocrine system, that are affected as well,” said corresponding author Shruthi Mahalingaiah, MD, MS, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine and a physician in obstetrics and gynecology at Boston Medical Center.

The menstrual cycle is responsive to hormonal regulation. Particulate matter air pollution has demonstrated hormonal activity. However, it was not known if air pollution was associated with menstrual cycle regularity, until now.

The researchers used health and location data gathered in the Nurses’ Health Study 2 plus air pollution exposure metrics from the EPA air quality monitoring system to understand a participants’ exposure during a particular time window. They found exposure to air pollution in during high school was correlated with menstrual cycle irregularity.

“Implications on human disease may come through reducing emissions on a global and individual level,” said Mahalingaiah.

The findings appear in the journal Human Reproduction.

via Air pollution linked to irregular menstrual cycles — ScienceDaily

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Bangkok residents brace for worse pollution

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Bangkok’s air pollution which exceeds health safety levels has improved but it could worsen at the end of next month, according to the Department of Pollution Control (DPC).

The pollution in the capital has improved after getting worse over the past seven days due to still and stagnant air, said Thaloengsak Phetsuwan, the department’s director of Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau.

The amount of fine particulates no more than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, known as PM2.5, had exceeded the safety limit of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre of air (50µg/m3) over the past week, he said.

These stagnant conditions normally occurred for a short period in the capital during the seasonal transition from winter to summer, when there was little or no wind.

This allowed pollution, mainly from vehicles, to accumulate in the air.

It had the appearance of white or white-brown mist, he said.

However, the situation returned to normal Thursday due to some rainfall, he said.

The Bangkok skyline was obscured by smog on Thursday. The Department of Pollution Control reported that safe air quality levels had returned to most parts of Bangkok later in the day, thanks to scattered showers.

The PM2.5 level dropped to below 50µg/m3 in every location where air quality was measured, except on Intarapitak Road in Thon Buri district which the hazardous pollution was measured at 57 microgrammes.

In Bangkok the department took daily air quality measurements, usually at five locations.

Mr Thaloengsak said that as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast that temperatures will drop again later this month, the pollution may return.

Pollution problems in Bangkok could be prevalent until the end of February, Mr Thaloengsak said.

When the level of fine particulates breaches the safe ceiling, people experience throat irritation and breathing difficulties.

The tissue of organs in the respiratory system could be destroyed by long exposure to unsafe air, Mr Thaloengsak said.

He advised people to limit outdoor activities and wear face masks.

On Thursday the TMD warned of heavy rain in the lower part of the northern region, northeastern provinces, the Central Plains and Greater Bangkok until Sunday.

A drop in temperature will then follow throughout next week and some areas will experience strong winds, the weather office said.

Temperatures will plunge by 6C-8C over the period, the department says.

Meanwhile, environmental activists called on the DPC to include PM2.5 in its regular air quality evaluation for the sake of people’s health.

Residents wear face masks as they walk around Bangkok’s Victory Monument Thursday.

Tara Buakamsri, the Thailand country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said there is a big loophole in the process for evaluating air quality in the country because PM2.5, which is important to air quality internationally, has yet to be included in the department’s regular evaluation. The department normally uses the level PM10 level for its evaluation and public alerts.

He said that by not including the PM2.5 factor, the department is failing to inform the public of important information.

Bangkok on Wednesday was dominated by heavy smog all day, Mr Tara said.

via Bangkok residents brace for worse pollution | Bangkok Post: news

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Bangkok air pollution at harmful levels

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Bangkok’s air pollution exceeded health safety levels on five of the last eight days, brought on by still and stagnant air, the Pollution Control Department reported on Thursday.

The amount of fine particulates up to 2.5 micrometres in diameter had exceeded the safety limit of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre of air these five days, Thaloengsak Phetsuwan, air and noise quality director of the department, said.

These stagnant conditions normally occurred for a short period in the capital during the seasonal transition from winter to summer, when there was little or no wind. This allowed pollution, mainly from vehicles, to accumulate in the air. It had the appearance of white or white-brown mist, he said.

In Bangkok the department took daily air quality measurements at five locations. Readings on Thursday showed the air was hazardous on Intarapitak Road in Thon Buri district, at 57 microgrammes.

When the level of fine particulates breaches the safe ceiling, people experience throat irritation and breathing difficulties. The tissue of organs in the respiratory system could be destroyed by long exposure to the unsafe air, Mr Thaloengsak said. He advised people to limit outdoor activities and wear a face mask.

via Bangkok air pollution at harmful levels | Bangkok Post: news

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Air pollution tied to preterm births in China

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Chinese mothers who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution during pregnancy may be more likely to deliver preterm infants than women who live where the air is cleaner, a recent study suggests.

Researchers examined data on more than 1.3 million healthy singleton pregnancies from 30 provinces in mainland China in 2013 and 2014. Almost 105,000 of the babies, or 8 percent, were born before 37 weeks’ gestation, making them premature arrivals.

To see how air quality may have influenced the risk of a preterm delivery, researchers used mothers’ home addresses to estimate their exposure to an extremely small type of fine particulate matter known as PM 1, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets smaller than 1 micrometer in diameter that’s found in traffic exhaust and can include dust, dirt, soot, and smoke.

Over their entire pregnancies, half of the women in the study were exposed to average PM 1 levels of 46 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3). For each 10 ug/m3 increase in PM 1 exposure, women had a 9 percent higher risk of a preterm delivery.

“We’ve long known that air pollution contributes to preterm birth,” said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, an environmental medicine researcher at New York University School of Medicine in New York City, who wasn’t involved in the study.

“What’s novel in this study is the careful examination of smaller particles which are more readily inhaled,” Trasande said by email.

Much of the previous research linking air pollution to preterm births has focused on what’s known as PM 2.5, or fine particulate matter that’s smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, Xu Ma of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing and colleagues note in JAMA Pediatrics.

The current study offers fresh evidence of the harmful effects of PM 1, which makes up about 80 percent of PM 2.5. Compared to larger particles, PM 1 has a higher surface area to mass ratio and can reach alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, Ma and colleagues write. Ma didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Women living in the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei regions, the Yangtze River delta, the Sichuan Basin, and the Pearl River delta were exposed to PM 1 levels greater than 52.7 ug/m3 over their entire pregnancy, the study found.

For every 10 ug/m3 increase in PM 1 exposure levels throughout their pregnancy, women were 20 percent more likely to have very preterm births, with babies arriving between 28 and 31 weeks gestation, and 29 percent more likely to have extremely premature babies, with infants delivered between 20 and 27 weeks.

Pregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks, and babies born after 37 weeks are considered full term.

In the weeks immediately after birth, preemies often have difficulty breathing and digesting food. They can also encounter longer-term challenges such as impaired vision, hearing and cognitive skills, as well as social and behavioral problems.

One limitation of the study is its reliance on satellite data to estimate mothers’ exposure to air pollution, a method that might not always reflect women’s actual exposure because it can’t account for the quality of air indoors, at work, or during commutes.

Still, pregnant women should take precautions to limit their exposure to air pollution, whether by reducing their time outdoors during high-traffic hours or wearing an air filtration mask, advised Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, an environmental health researcher at Boston University Medical Campus who wasn’t involved in the study.

Women considering pregnancy might also ask their doctor whether taking baby aspirin or progesterone might help reduce their risk of a preterm delivery, Mahalingaiah said by email.

Because the link between air pollution and preterm births may be stronger when women are overweight or obese, mothers might also help reduce their risk of a preterm birth by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and exercising, said Ryan Allen, an environmental health researcher at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.

“Poor health can actually increase susceptibility to air pollution’s effects,” Allen said by email.

via Air pollution tied to preterm births in China – Business Insider

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Hong Kong air quality at unhealthy levels; children and elderly told to stay indoors

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Many areas in Hong Kong experienced high levels of smog on Monday (Jan 22), five days after local media first reported heavy air pollution there.

Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department reported on Monday that “higher than normal” pollution levels were recorded.

As of 5pm on Monday, all 16 air-quality monitoring stations had Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) readings of seven to 10+, which pose “high”, “very high” and “serious” health risks. Tung Chung, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun stations recorded air pollution readings of 10+, which indicate “serious” health risk.

Areas in the city centre – Causeway Bay and Central – had “very high” readings of nine.

Many other areas including Eastern, Kwai Chung, Tseung Kwan O and Mong Kok recorded readings of eight, also placing these areas in the “very high” category.

Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po and Sha Tin showed readings of seven, indicating a “high” health risk.

According to the Environmental Protection Department, light winds and sun have contributed to these high air-pollution readings. The lack of wind has led to an accumulation of air pollutants, while the sun has enhanced the formation of ozone and fine particulates. The high level of ozone has also promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide, authorities said.

“It is expected that the AQHI at some general and roadside air monitoring stations may reach the “serious” level later today (Monday),” warned the environment agency.

As the health risk readings in several places reached the “serious” category, children, elderly and people with heart or respiratory illnesses were advised to avoid physical exertion and outdoor activities.

The Education Bureau provided guidelines for teachers to reduce or completely halt physical activities when the health risk reaches the “high” level.

Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection has also advised members of the public to wear face masks.

According to the Environmental Protection Department, pollution levels are set to improve when wind levels strengthen as an intense monsoon affects the south China coast this week.

via Hong Kong air quality at unhealthy levels; children and elderly told to stay indoors – Channel NewsAsia

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Polluted streets ‘still poisoning lungs’ in Scotland

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Environmentalists have named the Scottish streets they say are being blighted by air pollution fumes. Ten streets across four towns and cities have been revealed as continuing to break Scottish and European air quality standards in 2017, according to figures from Friends of the Earth Scotland (FOES). Glasgow’s Hope Street was yet again ranked Scotland’s most polluted street for nitrogen dioxide but levels have decreased from 65mcg per cubic metre to 58. The campaign group examined figures for two key pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and “particulate matter” (small particles including smoke, dust and dirt, some of which can be hazardous). Salamander Street in Edinburgh is the worst for particulate matter overtaking Queensferry Road in the capital and Atholl Street in Perth. FOES described air pollution as a “public health crisis” and blamed it for over 2,500 early deaths every year in Scotland and costing the Scottish economy more than £1.1 billion annually. Emilia Hanna, air pollution campaigner for FOES, said polluted streets were “still poisoning our lungs” despite the legal deadline for improvements almost 10 years ago. “Once again, streets in Scotland have dangerous levels of toxic pollution, breaking legal limits.

“The situation is potentially showing some slow signs of improvements, but filthy streets continue to poison our lungs nearly a decade after a legal deadline. “Scotland’s first low emission zone will be in Glasgow by the end of this year, and this will be an important test of commitment to address this problem.” Ms Hanna added: “Our society is far too car dependent. The Scottish Government and local councils should work together to promote sustainable transport alternatives like walking, cycling, and public transport. “Only then will we see the step change needed to improve health and adequately tackle the devastating silent killer that is air pollution.”

Glasgow’s low emission zone will be followed by three more in Dundee, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen by 2020.

Three roads in Aberdeen have fallen out of the league tables with Lochee Road in Dundee newly entering the top six along with Clarence Drive in Glasgow. High Street in Crieff has also dropped out. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We have committed to introducing low emission zones into Scotland’s four biggest cities between 2018 and 2020, and then into all other air quality management areas by 2023 where the national low emission framework appraisals support such mitigation. “We will continue to work with industry to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. We have invested more than £210 million in active travel since the start of the 2011 spending review, and the most recent Programme for Government announced we would double the active travel budget from £40 million to £80 million in 2018-19.” She added: “Our Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy sets out an ambitious programme of action promoting air quality. Scotland is the first country in Europe to pass legislation based on World Health Organisation guidelines for fine particulate matter.”

via Polluted streets ‘still poisoning lungs’ in Scotland – The Scotsman

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Bangkok choked with air pollution: deputy governor

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Bangkok’s busy business areas are being choked with air pollution, with concentrations of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) much higher than safe standards, Bangkok officials warned on Thursday.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) deputy governor Suwanna Jungrungruang raised the warning during an academic seminar on establishing clean air zones in inner Bangkok. Suwanna told the seminar that the BMA had measured the air quality at 23 locations in the capital last year and found that toxic PM2.5 was present in concentrations much higher than safe standards of 50 micrograms per cubic metre. For example, in Bang Khen and Thon Buri, PM2.5 was present in concentrations of 116 mg/m. Suwanna said vehicles were the main cause of the increasing air pollution. She added that construction on roads also contributed to the worsening air quality.
Since air pollution has serious impacts on the health of Bangkok residents, the BMA plans to launch clean air zones with a pilot project in Pathumwan district. As part of the project, the BMA will clean roads more frequently and plant more trees while creating a network including volunteers and private companies to monitor air quality in the city, Suwanna said.

via Bangkok choked with air pollution: deputy governor

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Pollution blankets Hong Kong on Wednesday, with air quality hitting very unhealthy levels in some parts

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Respro® UK Ltd

Pollution blankets Hong Kong on Wednesday, with air quality hitting very unhealthy levels in some parts
The environmental authority said an airstream was transporting pollutants to the territory, but rain and cloudier weather in the coming days might lower pollution levels.

Air pollution blanketed multiple areas of Hong Kong on Wednesday, with 14 of 16 air quality monitoring stations showing a “high” to “very high” health risk in the early afternoon, prompting the environmental authority to urge old people and children to stay indoors.

The warning came barely a day after official statistics indicated that Hongkongers endured nearly twice the number of days of unhealthy air last year compared with the previous year.

By 3pm on Wednesday, all but two air quality monitoring stations were showing readings of 7 to 10 on the 11-tier Air Quality Health Index.

Eastern District station had a reading of 6 while Tap Mun station is temporarily closed.

Several stations were forecast to have readings of 10+ or the “serious” health risk level, with ambient air readings at five – Mong Kok, Tuen Mun, Tung Chung, Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan – hitting that level as at 5pm.

At levels of “very high” or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce or avoid physical exertion and outdoor activities.

In a statement, the Environmental Protection Department said it was detecting higher than normal levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter across the territory.

It cited an airstream affecting Hong Kong transporting pollutants to the territory, while light north-westerly winds hindered their dispersal. However, it said it expected cloudier weather and some rain patches in the next couple of days, which would help lower pollution levels.

The department had earlier said that warmer temperatures and less rain had caused more pollution last year.

In its statement on Wednesday, it said: “Sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the formation of ozone and fine particulates, resulting in today’s high pollution in the vicinity of Hong Kong.”

“The high level of ozone has promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide, particularly in parts of the urban areas and at the roadside.”

At the Causeway Bay roadside station, one of three in the heart of the city, hourly NO2 concentrations were at 269 micrograms per cubic metre of air at 11am, far in excess of the 200 mcg hourly concentration limit set by the government under its current air quality objectives and the recommended safe level set by the World Health Organisation.

Tung Chung clocked in at 295 mcg for NO2 and 258 mcg for respirable suspended particulates, also known as PM10 and 182 mcg for fine suspended particulates, or PM2.5.

Ambient air monitoring stations in Sha Tin and Tseung Kwan O measured one-hour average concentrations of smog-inducing ozone as high as 138 mcg per cubic metre, which was more than double last year’s annual average of 51 mcg.

Hong Kong’s eight-hour mean concentration limit for ozone is 160 mcg, while the WHO sets its guideline value at 100 mcg.

Ozone, a secondary pollutant, is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds – emitted from vehicles, industrial activities and power plant emissions – mix in the air under sunlight. It is closely linked to regional pollution and sources of volatile organic compounds can come from anywhere within the Pearl River Delta area.

According to the WHO, excessive ozone in the air can have a “marked effect on human health” and can cause breathing problems, trigger asthma, reduce lung function and result in lung disease.

Data from last year released by the department on Tuesday showed ozone pollution had increased by 19 per cent in five years, and was at its worst level in nearly two decades. Roadside NO2 pollution also reversed three years of consecutive decline, climbing by 5 per cent.

The number of hours when readings on the index hit “high” or above at monitoring stations added up to 44 days last year, from 26 days the preceding year. At roadsides, about 55 days of high risk air were measured compared to 31 days in 2016.

via Pollution blankets Hong Kong on Wednesday, with air quality hitting very unhealthy levels in some parts | South China Morning Post

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