Particulate matter (PM) is a key indicator of air pollution brought into the air by a variety of natural and human activities. As it can be suspended over long time and travel over long distances in ...the atmosphere, it can cause a wide range of diseases that lead to a significant reduction of human life. The size of particles has been directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles of concern include “inhalable coarse particles” with a diameter of 2.5 to 10μm and “fine particles” smaller than 2.5μm in diameter. As the source–effect relationship of PM remains unclear, it is not easy to define such effects from individual sources such as long-range transport of pollution. Because of the potent role of PM and its associated pollutants, detailed knowledge of their human health impacts is of primary importance. This paper summarizes the basic evidence on the health effects of particulate matter. An in-depth analysis is provided to address the implications for policy-makers so that more stringent strategies can be implemented to reduce air pollution and its health effects.
•Diverse sources of particulate matter deteriorate air quality and exert impact on human health.•An overview of PM is provided by synthesizing information of its impact and regulation efforts.•The management skills of PM from the areas suffering from its worst pollution are also addressed.
The increase in cases of asthma and allergies has become an important health issue throughout the globe. Although these ailments were not common diseases a few short decades ago, they are now ...affecting a large part of the population in many regions. Exposure to environmental (both outdoor and indoor) pollutants may partially account for the prevalence of such diseases. In this review, we provide a multidisciplinary review based on the most up-to-date survey of literature regarding various types of airborne pollutants and their associations with asthma-allergies. The major pollutants in this respect include both chemical (nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds) and biophysical parameters (dust mites, pet allergens, and mold). The analysis was extended further to describe the development of these afflictions in the human body and the subsequent impact on health. This publication is organized to offer an overview on the current state of research regarding the significance of air pollution and its linkage with allergy and asthma.
•The increase of asthma and allergies has become an important health issue throughout the globe.•Their symptoms of asthma and allergies can worsen, if not managed against harmful pollutants.•In this study, we up-to-date information linking these affiliations with air pollution.
► Breath testing has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. ► Advantages of breath tests include their non-invasive nature and safety. ► Breath testing is critical for patients who have ...to control daily functioning. ► Current use shows that breath testing has great potential for future applications.
In this review, we describe technical developments in breath analysis and its applications in clinical diagnosis, monitoring disease state, and assessing environmental exposure. Breath tests have been successfully employed in clinical analyses for symptoms including lung disease, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal disease, metabolic disorders, and Helicobacter pylori infection.
Although gas chromatography has been used mainly for the analysis of volatile constituents in breath samples, other techniques (e.g., sensors and lasers) have also been used satisfactorily. The analytical results of breath analysis can be derived both qualitatively and quantitatively. However, evaluation of the data from different approaches remains insufficient because of the lack of standardized procedures and poor methods of validation. Further research is therefore required to expand the applicability of breath analysis in clinical diagnosis of diseases.
Pesticides are used widely to control weeds and insect infestation in agricultural fields and various pests and disease carriers (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, rats, and mice) in houses, offices, malls, ...and streets. As the modes of action for pesticides are not species-specific, concerns have been raised about environmental risks associated with their exposure through various routes (e.g., residues in food and drinking water). Although such hazards range from short-term (e.g., skin and eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea) to chronic impacts (e.g., cancer, asthma, and diabetes), their risks are difficult to elucidate due to the involvement of various factors (e.g., period and level of exposure, type of pesticide (regarding toxicity and persistence), and the environmental characteristics of the affected areas). There are no groups in the human population that are completely unexposed to pesticides while most diseases are multi-causal to add considerable complexity to public health assessments. Hence, development of eco-friendly pesticide alternatives (e.g., EcoSMART) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques is desirable to reduce the impacts of pesticides. This paper was hence organized to present a comprehensive review on pesticides with respect to their types, environmental distribution, routes of exposure, and health impacts.
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•Pesticides are designed to function with reasonable certainty and minimal risk to human health.•Pesticide exposure is however turned out to be linked with various diseases including cancer.•In light of the significance of pesticide pollution, the general aspects of pesticides are assessed.•The current state of knowledge regarding pesticide use and its detrimental impacts is described.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of organic compounds comprised of two or more fused benzene rings arranged in various configurations. PAHs are widespread environmental ...contaminants formed as a result of incomplete combustion of organic materials such as fossil fuels. The occurrence of PAHs in ambient air is an increasing concern because of their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Although emissions and allowable concentrations of PAHs in air are now regulated, the health risk posed by PAH exposure suggests a continuing need for their control through air quality management. In light of the environmental significance of PAH exposure, this review offers an overview of PAH properties, fates, transformations, human exposure, and health effects (acute and chronic) associated with their emission to the atmosphere. Biomarkers of PAH exposure and their significance are also discussed.
Hair dye products now represent one of the most rapidly growing beauty and personal care industries as both men and women commonly change hair color to enhance youth and beauty and to follow fashion ...trends. Irrespective of economic and education status, people dye their hair to emphasize the importance given to appearance. Despite adverse reactions, many people continue dyeing mainly for cosmetic purposes. This paper provides a comprehensive review on various aspects of hair dying products, especially with respect to the hair-coloring process, classification, chemical ingredients, possible human health impacts, and regulations. Permanent hair dye, which is the most commonly used product type, is formed by an oxidative process involving arylamines to bring about concerns with long-term exposure. Hence, significant efforts have been put to understand the possible side effects of such exposure including cancer risk. However, hair dyes and their ingredients are mainly identified to have moderate to low acute toxicity such as the cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Although some hair dye components are reported to be carcinogenic in animals, such evidence is not consistent enough in the case of human studies. Consequently, further research is desirable to critically address the significance of this issue, especially with respect to the safety of hair dye ingredients.
•Hair dye is used to emphasize the importance of appearance for cosmetic purposes.•This paper provides a comprehensive review on various aspects of hair dying products.•Hair dyes are mainly identified to have moderate to low acute toxicity like contact allergies.•Evidence is yet inconsistent to identify carcinogenic effects of hair dyes in human studies.•Further research is desirable to critically address the significance of hair dye ingredients.
Bioaerosols consist of aerosols originated biologically such as metabolites, toxins, or fragments of microorganisms that are present ubiquitously in the environment. International interests in ...bioaerosols have increased rapidly to broaden the pool of knowledge on their identification, quantification, distribution, and health impacts (e.g., infectious and respiratory diseases, allergies, and cancer). However, risk assessment of bioaerosols based on conventional culture methods has been hampered further by several factors such as: (1) the complexity of microorganisms or derivatives to be investigated; (2) the purpose, techniques, and locations of sampling; and (3) the lack of valid quantitative criteria (e.g., exposure standards and dose/effect relationships). Although exposure to some microbes is considered to be beneficial for health, more research is needed to properly assess their potential health hazards including inter-individual susceptibility, interactions with non-biological agents, and many proven/unproven health effects (e.g., atopy and atopic diseases).
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► The health hazard associated with the use of biomass fuel is one important area of indoor pollution. ► A review on the type of diseases resulting from the use of biomass fuel is evaluated ...thoroughly. ► The status of indoor pollution and related diseases is evaluated by comparing many studies. ► It is one of the major global public health threats that require greater efforts for prevention.
Nearly one third of the world's population use biomass fuels such as coal, wood, animal dung, and crop residues as their primary source of domestic energy. Due to their incomplete combustion, a multitude of pollutants associated with high levels of indoor air pollution (IAP) are released which include suspended particulate matter (SPM), carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), etc. There is a line of evidence that exposure to those pollutants can lead to increased risk of diseases including respiratory infections (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and asthma), low birth weight, cataracts, and cardiovascular events. It is one of the major global public health threats that require greater efforts for prevention through research and policy-making. This review summarizes the available information on potential health risks associated with biomass fuel use.
•For waterpipe tobacco smoking, it is important to quantify its toxic substances.•Public health problem was raised to assess the extent of key odorant species.•The human health impacts of its use ...have been documented by many reserachers.•The associated legislation efforts are necessary to regulate its use and similar events.
Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS, also known as hookah, shisha, narghile, and many other names) involves passing tobacco smoke through water prior to inhalation by the consumer. As the number of waterpipe smokers is rising rapidly, there is growing concern over the use of WTS, particularly as there has been a widely held misconception that WTS is free from health hazards. In reality, it is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes on both a short- and long-term basis. Hence, it is desirable to develop advanced techniques for surveillance, intervention, and regulatory/policy frameworks specific to the production and use of waterpipe tobacco. This review is written to survey the types and extent of pollutants released from its use and their potential health risks. A review of the present regulation guidelines is also included.
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