The air quality in and around your home may have negative effects on your child’s intelligence, according to a study by Columbia University Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH).

The study, released a week ago by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), found that children exposed to chemical pollutants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in the air, water, and soil scored lower on IQ tests than children with lower exposure.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are chemical pollutants that can be found in the air, water, and soil. PAHs are typically released from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, diesel, oil, gas, etc.), tobacco and other natural substances. Auto emissions are a major source of PAHs in the United States, especially in heavily trafficked urban areas.

Doctor Frederica Perera, lead author and professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, compares the exposure to such pollutants to low-level lead exposure. “These findings are of concern because these decreases in IQ could be educationally meaningful in terms of school performance,” she says. “IQ is an important predictor of future academic performance.”

A child’s developing fetal and nervous system is more vulnerable than an adult’s, and PAHs have been associated with higher cancer risk, asthma, allergies, low birth weight, and a reduced head circumference. Reduced head circumference, according to CCCEH, is connected with lower cognitive functioning and academic performance. In this study, the first of its kind, researchers hoped to study the relationship of in utero PAH exposure on a child’s intelligence.
 
Participants were non-smoking black and Dominican-American women, aged 18-35, residing in Washington Heights, Harlem and South Bronx, N.Y.—areas with higher pollutant exposure. During pregnancy participants regularly completed questionnaires and were asked to wear monitors that measured PAH levels.

Researchers followed the children, measuring IQ levels at age three and again at age five using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of the Intelligence. Of the 249 children, 140 had higher than the average 2.26 n/m3 level of exposure. The mean score for all children was 98.72, with a mean score of 96.6 for children whose exposure was classified as “high” and 101.6 for children with lower exposure. Scores differed by 4.67 on the verbal and 4.31 points on the full-scale test.

Researchers will continue to follow children to age 11 to learn more about the effects of PAHs on intelligence and child development. “It should serve as a warning bell to us all,” says Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., director of NIEHS. “We need to do more to prevent environmental exposures from harming our children.”

Want more information about health during pregnancy? Visit Healia's Pregnancy Community or take the Healia Pregnancy Quiz!

Scientists report today in the New England Journal of Medicine that people who live in areas with high levels of ozone, a main constituent of smog, face a significantly higher risk of death from lung diseases than those living in areas with lower ozone concentrations. The study found the risk of dying from respiratory diseases to be 30 percent higher in metropolitan areas with the highest average smog levels.

The new study is the first to examine the long-term health impact of ozone exposure in metropolitan areas throughout the nation. Several studies have examined the effects of particulates, the small (less than 2.5 microns) particles present in soot, and found that exposure to these particles elevates the risk of heart and lung disease, but no previous study has examined the effects of long-term ozone exposure independent of particulates.

In the present study, researchers analyzed data on nearly half a million people who were living in 96 metropolitan areas of the U.S. between 1982 and 2000. They subtracted out the effects due to particulate pollution and found that while ozone does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease like particulates do, ozone does severely impact respiratory health: the higher the ozone level in a particular city, the more likely its residents were to die of lung disease. For every increase of 10 parts-per-billion in ozone levels, the risk of respiratory death rose 4%. Even the city with the lowest ozone level, San Francisco, had an associated 14 percent increase in risk compared to no ozone exposure at all. The researchers controlled for individual risk factors, such as age, smoking status, body mass, and diet, and also for regional differences.

The present Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality standards are based on short-term peaks in ozone exposure which occur during the spring and summer and can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies. The present study links elevated risk of respiratory death to long-term cumulative effects of ozone exposure. The researchers note that their results suggest that environmental agencies should pay more attention to the health risks associated with long-term elevations in ozone levels. The EPA will be reviewing its ozone standard in the coming year.

Ground ozone (O₃), a reactive form of oxygen, is formed when sunlight reacts with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), mostly from tailpipe and factory emissions) and oxygen (O₂) in the air. Its levels tend to be highest in the warmer months, in places with more overall sun exposure, and in cities with greater nitrogen dioxide emissions from cars and factories.

You can find out about current ozone levels in your area by visiting the government website http://airnow.gov/ . Want to learn more about respiratory diseases? Join the Healia Community for Lung Diseases. For more about allergies, read the Healia Health Guide to Outdoor Allergies or the Healia Health Guide on Allergies ; for more on asthma, see the Healia Health Guide to Asthma.

 

_{Photo: Dr. Keats, Flickr, Creative Commons}

The State of the Air report is an annual publication of the American Lung Association (ALA) that ranks cities and counties based on their levels of air pollution. The following is a list of the cleanest cities for air pollution from that report, based on the annual PM2.5 concentration, a measure of the yearly concentration of particles in the air that are less than 2.5 micrometers in size (PM2.5), which are thought to be the most harmful to human health. The ALA used the Environmental Protection Agency’s database to obtain the data, calculated the concentration of a pollutant, and ranked cities based on the EPA’s determination of the number of days that violated the national ambient air quality standard for annual PM2.5 of 15 µg/m³. The list below represents the cities with the best annual PM2.5 measures over the years 2004-2006 followed in parentheses by the total population that inhabits each area. Note that mostly small and medium-sized cities make the list.

The top 10 cities with the cleanest air in the U.S. are:

1. Cheyenne, WY (85,384)
2. Santa Fe-Espanola, NM (183,356)
3. Honolulu, HI (909,863)
4. Great Falls, MT (79,385)
5. Farmington, NM 126,473
6. Tucson, AZ (946,362)
7. Bismarck, ND (101,138)
8. Flagstaff, AZ 124,953
9. Anchorage, AK (359,180)
10. Salinas, CA (410,206)

To find out more about diseases caused by air pollution, join the Healia Health Community for Lung Diseases or the Healia Health Community for Heart Diseases.

Related blog posts: Study Finds Cleaner Air Lengthens American Lives by Nearly Five Months

        The Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in America

_{Source: American Lung Association, State of the Air 2008, Table 2. http://www.stateoftheair.org/2008/key-findings/SOTA08_Table2.pdf}

_{Photo: Reba Rear, Flickr, Creative Commons}

The American Lung Association (ALA) recently released its annual State of the Air report for 2008, which ranks cities and counties based on their levels of air pollution. The following is a list of the worst cities for air pollution based on the 24-hour PM2.5 concentration. This measure is the maximum daily value of the concentration of particles in the air that are less than 2.5 micrometers in size (PM2.5), which are thought to be the most harmful to human health. The ALA used the Environmental Protection Agency’s database to obtain the data and ranked cities based on the number of days that the 24-hour PM2.5 was rated in the categories unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy, or hazardous. The list below represents the cities (and surrounding areas) with the worst 24-hour PM2.5 measures over the years 2004-2006 followed in parentheses by the total population that inhabits each area. Note that cities both small and large make the list.

The top 10 most polluted cities in the U.S. are:

1. Pittsburgh-New Castle, PA (2,462,571)
2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, CA (17,775,984)
3. Fresno-Madera, CA (1,038,101)
4. Bakersfield, CA (780,117)
5. Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, AL (1,180,206)
6. Logan, UT-ID (111,156)
7. Salt Lake City-Ogden-Clearfield, UT (1,632,814)
8. Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Yuba City, CA-NV (2,373,596)
9. Detroit-Warren-Flint, MI (5,410,014)
10. Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC-MD-VA (8,211,213)

To find out more about diseases caused by air pollution, join the Healia Health Community for Lung Diseases or the Healia Health Community for Heart Diseases.

Related blog post: Study Finds Cleaner Air Lengthens American Lives by Nearly Five Months

 

_{Source: American Lung Association, State of the Air 2008, Table 2. http://www.stateoftheair.org/2008/key-findings/SOTA08_Table2.pdf}

_{Photo: saeru, Flickr, Creative Commons}

 

A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that cleaner air is responsible for lengthening the lives of the average American by nearly five months. The researchers report that improvements made in air quality over the past two decades have added 21 weeks to the life expectancy of the average American. It’s the first study to clearly demonstrate that reducing air pollution leads to longer lives.

Overall, the average life expectancy of Americans has risen 2.72 years since the early 1980s, in part because of reduced smoking rates and improved socioeconomic conditions. But the researchers found that 15 percent of that increase in longevity, about 21 weeks, is attributable to reductions in air pollution. Other studied indicate that this increase in longevity is likely due to declines in heart and lung diseases that are associated with air pollution.

The study looked at data on particulate pollution levels and life expectancies from 51 metropolitan areas across the nation during the 1980s and 1990s. On average, particulate levels fell from 21 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 14 micrograms per cubic meter in the cities studied, while the life expectancy increased by nearly three years.

What’s more, the communities that saw larger decreases in particulate levels also showed greater increases in life expectancy. In fact, the researchers found a reliable relationship between the two factors: for every reduction of 10 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate pollution in a city, its residents' average life expectancy increased by more than seven months. Thus, in Pittsburgh and Buffalo where the decrease was close to 14 micrograms per cubic meter, the life expectancy increased by nearly 10 months.

In 1970, the U.S. instituted the Clean Air Act, which gave the federal government power to institute national standards for air pollution. The law led to the development of catalytic converters on vehicles and new standards for factory emissions. While all of this came at great cost, researchers say that findings such as those released today make it all worthwhile.

Even better news is that data from the Environmental Protection Agency show that particulate levels have dropped another 11 percent nationally since 2001, the final year of data that was included in the study.

For more information on lung diseases related to air pollution, join the Healia Health Community for Lung Diseases. To find out more about heart disease, consult the Healia Health Guide on Heart Disease.

 

 

_{Photp: pfala, Flickr, Creative Commons}

Below is a list of the top 15 healthiest countries in the world as ranked by Forbes magazine. To arrive at their rank, research staff at Forbes examined statistics such as pollution; the percentage of a country's population with access to improved drinking water and sanitation; infant mortality rates; the rate of prevalence of tuberculosis; the density of physicians per 1,000 people; undernourishment rates; and healthy life expectancy for men. Forbes eliminated from the analysis the countries that did not have statistics in every measure (including some that would likely have made the top 15 such as Ireland, Belgium, and Norway.

The 15 healthiest countries in the world are:

1. Iceland
   This small Scandinavian island in the North Atlantic is the healthiest country in the world due to its long healthy life expectancies, low pollution levels, high density of physicians per capita, and low TB and infant mortality rates.
2. Sweden
   The largest of the Scandinavian countries – both in area and population – Sweden has some of the cleanest air in the world. Its infant mortality rate and TB prevalence are some of the lowest in the world. But the physician density, while relatively high, is not enough to knock Iceland from the top spot.
3. Finland
   Rounding out the top three is yet another Scandinavian country. Finland shares the clean air, low TB prevalence, and low infant mortality rate of its regional brethren ahead of it on the list, but comes up just a little short on those measures to crack the top two.
4. Germany
   The German health care system, one of the best in the world, provides one of the highest physician densities on the list and Germany’s clean air solidifies its position in the top five.
5. Switzerland
   Switzerland has the second-highest health spending per capita of all the countries considered and has one of the world’s highest physician densities and longest healthy life expectancies. However, its air pollution levels are higher than the others in the top five.
6. Australia
   Australia has an excellent health care system that requires insurance companies to charge policyholders the same premiums regardless of their status or past. The country also has some of the world’s cleanest air, but its relatively high TB prevalence keeps it out of the top five.
7. Denmark
   While this forth Scandinavian country to make the list has some of the highest income taxes to help pay for the country’s universal health care coverage, the Danish health care system isn’t very efficient, perhaps due in part to its having one of the lowest physician densities on the list. The country does have one of the highest healthy life expectancies on the list.
8. Canada
   Canadians enjoy one of the world's longest life expectancies despite having the lowest physician density on the list. Our neighbor to the north also has one of the lowest TB rates, but gets marked down for its relatively high infant mortality rate.
9. Austria
   Austria has a relatively high physician density and a low infant mortality rate, but its poor air quality and high TB prevalence prevent it form climbing any higher on the list.
10. Netherlands
    This highly urbanized, densely populated nation suffers from pollution in the water, air, and soil, but its low TB rate and average healthy life expectancy keep in the top ten.
11. United States
    The U.S.far outspends any other country on health care, but 15% of the population still lacks health insurance. However the U.S does have the lowest infant mortality rate in the world, the second-highest healthy life expectancy, and a low TB rate.
12. Israel
    Israel has one of the highest levels of air pollution on the list, but its physician density is the highest in the world and life expectancy is average for the countries on the list.
13. Czech Republic
    The Czech Republic has one of the list’s lowest healthy life expectancies as well and relatively poor sanitation and high TB prevalence. However, the country now boasts one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.
14. Spain
    A high physician density, healthy life expectancy, and low infant mortality rate make Spain a pretty healthy place to live, but a high tuberculosis rate and air pollution temper this somewhat.
15. France
    France’s excellent health care system, clean air and high density of physicians per capita landed it on the list, while poor wastewater treatment and a high tuberculosis rate kept France from climbing any higher.

_{Source: Forbes Special Report: World's Healthiest Countries, Allison Van Dusen and Ana Patricia Ferrey, April 08, 2008.
Photo: keeshu, MorgueFIle license}

Although there were no deaths reported from the recent string of wildfires in Southern California, the danger from such fires goes beyond the fire lines. Residents in regions surrounding the fires were exposed to air containing high levels of soot and particulates that can have serious health repercussions for people with asthma and other respiratory problems. The poor air quality may even adversely affect normally healthy individuals, according to the American Lung Association.

For sensitive people, poor air quality can be a life-threatening emergency. A study released this week reports on the devastating impact of another set of wildfires that occurred in Southern California in October 2003. During a 90 day period surrounding those fires, Southern California hospitals saw a 34% increase in asthma admissions, a 67% increase in acute bronchitis admissions, a 48% increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admissions, and a 45% increase in pneumonia admissions. While young children and the elderly were most affected, teens with asthma also accounted for some of the increase in hospital visits.

Whether you have respiratory problems or not, the American Lung Association of California recommends that you stay indoors as much as possible during periods when you can smell smoke in the air or you notice irritation in your eyes or throat. If you have to be outside, limit your activity level and try not to exert yourself. Wearing a mask such as those available at hardware stores may help but it will not filter out the smallest particles.

People with asthma or other respiratory problems who live in the areas surrounding a fire should also use air purifiers or air conditioners set to recirculate if possible, to prevent exposure to toxic outside air. If outdoor trips in smoky areas are necessary, you can breathe through a damp cloth to help filter out particles in the air.

Those with asthma should consult their asthma management plan or talk with their doctor about how to optimize their asthma medications during the time of the fire and about what to do in case of an asthma attack. If your asthma symptoms are not under control normally you are more likely to have problems when you are exposure to irritants such as smoke from fires. If you are not sure whether your asthma is under control or not, see the Healia Health Guide on Uncontrolled Asthma. If you find that your symptoms are not relieved by your usual medications, or if you develop a persistent cough or painful breathing, seek medical attention right away. Remember that symptoms may appear as much as two days after exposure to smoke and may last for many days after the fires have ended.

For more information about asthma, see the Healia Health Guide for Asthma. If your asthma symptoms seem to be holding you back from living a normal life, check out the Healia Health Guide on Uncontrolled Asthma, or take the Asthma Quiz and find out if your asthma really is under control.

 

_{Photo: Erik Charlton, Flickr, Creative Commons} 

This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dramatically strengthened the national standards for airborne lead particles by slashing the maximum allowable concentration to a tenth of the previous standard set in 1978. On the advice of government science advisers, the new standard was set at 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which is ten times lower than the previous standard.

For the last few decades, government agencies have been trying to reduce lead exposure in people by removing lead from gasoline, reducing factory emissions, removing lead-based paint from older homes, and other public health interventions.

Lead exposure is a particular problem among children. Those exposed to lead at an early age may develop brain and nervous system damage, have behavior and learning problems, and experience other health problems. Typically, children become exposed to lead by breathing or swallowing lead dust or particles, or by eating contaminated soil or paint chips. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 310,000 American children between 1 and 5 years old have blood lead levels that exceed the public health action standard.

Parents should survey their children’s environment and identify and remove any sources of lead. Methods for minimizing childhood lead exposure include regularly washing of children's hands and toys, reducing indoor dust accumulation, and minimizing their exposure to soil.

For more ideas for lead prevention, join Healia’s Health Community for Lead Poisoning.

 

_{Photo: Library of Congress, public domain}

 

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)  are fire retardant chemicals that are added to plastics and foam products so that they become more fire resistant. They are widely used in electronics, furniture, and other products in the home. A small pilot study conducted by the Environmental Working Group has found that levels of PBDEs in toddlers were typically about three times higher than levels in their mothers.

There is some concern from scientists that PBDEs, which are hormone-disrupting chemicals that build up in the blood and tissues, may cause brain damage in animals and hyperactivity in children. However, the health effects of PBDEs in people are unclear. It is not surprising that this chemical was found in higher levels in young children compared to their mothers given that children frequently put their hands and objects into their mouths.

Some tips for parents to reduce their child’s exposure to PBDEs and other similar environmental contaminants include:

• Minimize a child’s direct contact with products that may have PBDEs, such as TVs, stereos, upholstered furniture, and mattresses
• Wash a child’s hands before every meal
• Keep your home as dust free as possible with regular dusting and vacuuming
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

For more advice about how to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants, ask a Healia Health Expert or Community member. 

Poor air quality is on the minds of many Olympic athletes in Beijing. Yesterday, a Portuguese cyclist withdrew from the Olympic Games and many American cyclists wore face masks when they arrived. Although the IOC medical authority believed yesterday’s air quality to be non-hazardous, many athletes took their health into their own hands.

Portugal's Sergio Paulinho withdrew from the Olympic Games due to concerns about a respiratory problem that may get worse in areas of heavy air pollution. Marathoner Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia, who has asthma, said he would not compete because of the poor air quality in Beijing.

China promised to clean up the air when they were initially awarded the Olympic Games. Despite efforts to reduce automobile traffic and close polluting factories, some recent air quality measurements have been far below World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The IOC monitors the government's hourly analysis of air quality and plans to postpone or cancel events if needed.

For additional information, see Healia’s blog: Air Quality Proving to be Major Concern for Beijing Olympics.

air quality Beijing Olympics pollution