Inhaled particulate matter linked to kidney damage in 9/11 first responders

For the first time, researchers have linked high levels of inhaled particulate matter by 9/11 first responders to kidney damage.

After the tragedy, workers at Ground Zero were exposed to air filled with cement dust, smoke, glass fibers, and heavy metals. The WTC-CHEST Program at Mount Sinai has previously linked this particulate matter exposure to lung and heart abnormalities. However, its effects on the kidney health of first responders have never been explored until now.

In their new study, Mount Sinai researchers examined urine samples of 183 first responders exposed to particulate matter at Ground Zero taking into account each first responder's time of arrival, proximity, duration, and level of exposure at Ground Zero. To assess their kidney damage, researchers measured the level of the protein called albumin in their urine, which when this main blood protein is found in urine it is abnormal and an indicator of renal damage. Research results show a significant link between a high level of exposure to particulate matter by first responders at Ground Zero and the increased level of the protein albumin in their urine.

"Our study shows the first responders with the highest exposure to the 9/11 particulate matter had significantly greater levels of albumin in their urine than the first responders in the study with low exposure levels," says Mary Ann McLaughlin, MD, principal investigator for the WTC-CHEST Program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai who also serves as medical director of the Cardiac Health Program and co-director of the Women's Cardiac Assessment and Risk Evaluation Program at The Mount Sinai Hospital. "We believe high exposure to the massive dust cloud of air pollution at Ground Zero may have extremely inflamed the endothelial lining of blood vessels leading to the kidneys causing kidney malfunction and the development of kidney damage in first responders."

Albumin may leak into the urine when kidney function is compromised from inflammation or kidney damage. When albumin starts to spill incorrectly into the urine it is called "albuminuria". A high-level of albuminuria can signal kidney disease from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney inflammation. Standard medical assessments test for albuminuria to catch kidney disease early. When kidney disease progresses, it can lead to kidney failure, kidney dialysis, or even potentially a kidney transplant.

"We observed a statistically significant and independent relationship between first responder's high exposure to particulate matter and albuminuria," says Dr. McLaughlin. "Our novel research findings will pave the way for the future early diagnosis and care of these first responders' impaired kidney health. Also, in addition, it will lead to further exploration of the impact of environmental exposures and inflammation in the pathogenesis of albuminuria."

World Health Organization has classified air pollution as carcinogenic to humans

“The air we breathe has become polluted with a mixture of cancer-causing substances”

The specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), announced today that it has classified outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans.

After thoroughly reviewing the latest available scientific literature, the world’s leading experts convened by the IARC Monographs Programme concluded that there is sufficient evidence that exposure to outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer (Group 1). They also noted a positive association with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Particulate matter, a major component of outdoor air pollution, was evaluated separately and was also classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

The IARC evaluation showed an increasing risk of lung cancer with increasing levels of exposure to particulate matter and air pollution. Although the composition of air pollution and levels of exposure can vary dramatically between locations, the conclusions of the Working Group apply to all regions of the world.

A major environmental health problem Air pollution is already known to increase risks for a wide range of diseases, such as respiratory and heart diseases. Studies indicate that in recent years exposure levels have increased significantly in some parts of the world, particularly in rapidly industrializing countries with large populations. The most recent data indicate that in 2010, 223 000 deaths from lung cancer worldwide resulted from air pollution.

“The air we breathe has become polluted with a mixture of cancer-causing substances,” says Dr Kurt Straif, Head of the IARC Monographs Section. “We now know that outdoor air pollution is not only a major risk to health in general, but also a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths.”

The IARC Monographs Programme, dubbed the “encyclopaedia of carcinogens”, provides an authoritative source of scientific evidence on cancer-causing substances and exposures. In the past, the Programme evaluated many individual chemicals and specific mixtures that occur in outdoor air pollution. These included diesel engine exhaust, solvents, metals, and dusts. But this is the first time that experts have classified outdoor air pollution as a cause of cancer.

“Our task was to evaluate the air everyone breathes rather than focus on specific air pollutants,” explains Dr Dana Loomis, Deputy Head of the Monographs Section. “The results from the reviewed studies point in the same direction: the risk of developing lung cancer is significantly increased in people exposed to air pollution.”

The IARC reviewed more than 1000 scientific papers from studies on five continents. The reviewed studies analyse the carcinogenicity of various pollutants present in outdoor air pollution, especially particulate matter and transportation-related pollution.The evaluation is driven by findings from large epidemiologic studies that included millions of people living in Europe, North and South America, and Asia.

The predominant sources of outdoor air pollution are transportation, stationary power generation, industrial and agricultural emissions, and residential heating and cooking. Some air pollutants have natural sources, as well.

“Classifying outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic to humans is an important step,” stresses IARC Director Dr Christopher Wild. “There are effective ways to reduce air pollution and, given the scale of the exposure affecting people worldwide, this report should send a strong signal to the international community to take action without further delay.”

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Harvard researchers say better air quality means improved U.S. life expectancy

A study led by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has found an association between reductions in fine particulate matter and improved life expectancy in 545 counties in the U.S. from 2000 to 2007. It is the largest study to date to find beneficial effects to public health of continuing to reduce air pollution levels in the U.S.

“Despite the fact that the U.S. population as a whole is exposed to much lower levels of air pollution than 30 years ago—because of great strides made to reduce people’s exposure—it appears that further reductions in air pollution levels would continue to benefit public health,” said lead author Andrew Correia, a PhD candidate in the Department of Biostatistics at HSPH.

The study looked at the effects on health of fine particulate matter, small particles of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter—referred to as PM2.5. Numerous studies have shown associations between acute and chronic exposure to fine particle air pollution and cardiopulmonary disease and mortality. Studies have also shown that reductions in air pollution are associated with reductions in adverse health effects and improved life expectancy. Air pollution has been declining steadily in the U.S. since 1980, but the rate has slowed in the years since 2000. The HSPH researchers wanted to know whether the relatively smaller decreases in PM2.5 levels since 2000 are still improving life expectancy.

Controlling for socioeconomic status, smoking prevalence, and demographic characteristics, the results showed that a decrease of 10 micrograms per cubic meter (10 ?g/m3) in the concentration of PM2.5 during the period 2000 to 2007 was associated with an average increase in life expectancy of 0.35 years in 545 U.S. counties.

The research expanded on a 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by some of the same authors (Pope, Ezzati, and Dockery) that found that reduced air pollution was associated with increased life expectancy in 211 urban counties. This new study looked at more recent data, more than two-and-a-half times as many counties, and included both rural and urban areas. The findings showed that there’s a stronger association between declining air pollution and increased life expectancy in more urban, densely populated areas than in rural areas. The results also suggested that reduced levels of air pollution may be more beneficial to women than to men.

As to why there was a stronger association between reductions in fine particulate matter and improvements in life expectancy in urban areas, the researchers speculated that the composition of the particulates there may be different from that in rural areas.

“Since the 1970s, enactment of increasingly stringent air quality controls has led to improvements in ambient air quality in the United States at costs that the U.S. Environ­mental Protection Agency has estimated as high as $25 billion per year. However, the extent to which more recent regulatory actions have benefited public health remains in question. This study provides strong and compelling evidence that continuing to reduce ambient levels of PM2.5 prolongs life,” said senior author Francesca Dominici, professor of biostatistics at HSPH.

Photo: freedigitalphotos.net

Air pollution from burger grills worse than trucks

When you think of air pollution, you automatically think of diesel engine fumes, smoke stacks from industrial plants and machine exhaust. You don’t think of a charbroiled hamburger.

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, however, have found that commercial charbroilers — the same ones that grill hamburgers from your favorite burger joint — emit a large amount of particulate matter into the air we breathe; even more than diesel engines.

As such, UC Riverside is conducting a study on commercial cooking emissions. Co-funded by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD), the project’s goal is to evaluate potential controls by conducting emissions testing.
Commercial cooking equipment generates grease, smoke, heat, water vapor, and combustion products, but there are very few regulations for restaurant emissions. In its 2007 Air Quality Management Plan, SCAQMD determined that commercial cooking is second-largest source of particulate matter in the South Coast Air Basin.

“Emissions from commercial charbroilers are a very significant uncontrolled source of particulate matter…more than twice the contribution by all of the heavy-duty diesel trucks,” said Bill Welch, principal development engineer for the study at UC Riverside’s Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-Cert). “For comparison, an 18-wheeler diesel-engine truck would have to drive 143 miles on the freeway to put out the same mass of particles as a single charbroiled hamburger patty.”


Photo: freedigitalphotos.net

Video: Arizona dust storms and poor air quality

On August 6, 2012, we wrote about the incredible dust storms sweeping southwestern United States.

Below is a video of one of the most recent dust storms in Phoenix, Arizona by Blaine Coury.

With that type of dust activity happening more and more regularly, owning an air purifier is becoming a necessity, as it is important to keep your indoor air free of excess particles, chemicals and bacteria.

Contact AllerAir for more details. Our IAQ experts will be happy to help you find the right air purifier.

Show your support for a greener and healthier lifestyle: become a member of this blog today!

AllerAir's Super-HEPA - a new barrier for particles

FlexTuff Super-HEPA is available
for AllerAir's 5000 Series.

AllerAir is committed to continuous research and development to improve indoor air quality. Now AllerAir is raising the bar again – this time for particle filtration – with a new FlexTuff Super-HEPA particle filter.

A standard HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter is typically made out of randomly arranged fiberglass fibers and is pleated in a V pattern to increase its surface area. It’s an effective particle filter, but its rigid nature requires careful handling, as the material gets damaged easily.

For outstanding particle filtration with more advantages, AllerAir now offers the FlexTuff Super-HEPA, which is wrapped around the carbon canister and made out of a robust and flexible material (FlexTuff) that contains no binders, no glue and no Polyamide (plastic) to keep the filter in place.

The Super-HEPA has been shown to remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. In addition, its strong and flexible nature guarantees that the FlexTuff Super-HEPA won’t get damaged during normal handling – and it emits zero odors.

The Super-HEPA is available for AllerAir’s numerical series, including the MCS units.

Take control of your indoor air environment

AllerAir’s powerful, portable air filtration systems for the home or office are an ideal choice for those who are concerned about chemicals, gases, odors and particles in the air.

AllerAir uses only the most effective filtration technologies with a deep bed of activated carbon, a 5” to 7” filtration path through the carbon, an advanced Super-HEPA particle filter and ProDense pre-filters (or 100% unbleached organic cotton pre-filters for MCS units) to clean the air.

With a smart airflow design and different carbon blends, AllerAir air purifiers allow you to target specific airborne pollutants.

Many units can also be equipped with a UV lamp, which neutralizes biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and mold mycotoxins for added protection (UV is not recommended for clients affected by MCS).

AllerAir also offers units that are configured for positive and negative pressure.

Contact one of AllerAir’s air quality experts for more information: 1-888-852-8247.

Respiratory diseases to worsen with climate change: Lung doctors

Climate change will bring more lung disease: Doctors

Lung doctors are predicting worldwide increases in the incidences of asthma, allergies, infectious and cardiovascular diseases because of climate change, according to a position paper released earlier this month.

As the planet heats up, not only will average temperatures rise, but ozone levels in urban areas are increasing, more desert-like areas will appear and there will be more ranges of communicable diseases, the respiratory and airway physicians state.

The American Thoracic Society published the position paper to help its members know how to respond to these changes and to say that international cooperation may be needed to deal with these anticipated health effects of global warming.

The society is based in the United States, but has members around the world.

The researchers are particularly concerned about the effects of deteriorating air quality on the respiratory system, especially when it comes to smoke and particulate matter from more wildfires, airborne particles from dust storms and other air pollution issues.

Other air concerns include mold spores. Some mold spores that previously were only seen in Central America can now be traced to as far north as Vancouver, BC, which can lead to more allergies and asthma problems.

Also, some infectious diseases common in the Mediterranean region have been traveling as far north as Scandinavia as the climate is warming up.

Some individuals will be more susceptible to health impacts from climate change, the doctors say, including vulnerable populations such as infants and young children or the elderly.

The paper was published online and in print in the Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society.

Source: University of California – Davis Health System

Keep your indoor air clean with air purifiers

Air purifiers with activated carbon and HEPA can help remove a wide range of air pollutants, including chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold spores.

AllerAir offers portable and powerful air purifiers for the home and office that feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter as well as HEPA and other filtration, if desired.

Some of AllerAir’s specialized units can tackle indoor air concerns caused by wildfires and tobacco smoke, mold spores and mold mycotoxins, allergy and asthma relief as well as multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) relief.

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.
 

Texas wildfires threaten homes and lungs

Poor air quality is a dangerous
byproduct of wildfires.

Central Texas has been hit with out-of-control wildfires that are driven over the drought-battered land by strong winds, destroying hundreds of homes so far.

Firefighters have been battling the blazes non-stop since the beginning of the week.

At a news conference, Gov. Rick Perry described the disaster as "a monstrous storm of smoke and fire," adding that "this one is as mean-looking as I've ever seen."

Air quality suffers during and after wildfires

The scope of the damage may only become apparent over the next couple of days, but experts warn that there can be immediate and long-term health effects linked to wildfire smoke exposure.

While most people in the area will be most concerned about their homes and possessions at a time like this, it's important to keep health and well-being in mind, too.

“80% to 90% of wildfire smoke is made up of very fine particles that can stay suspended in the air for a long time and can penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled,” says AllerAir’s Stephanie Bristow.

“Anytime there is an increase in this type of airborne particulate matter, studies have shown a link to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.”

Homeowners in nearby regions should also take precautions. Smoke can travel far beyond the main burn zone and studies show that even a small increase in airborne fine particulate matter can affect overall health.

Remove wildfire smoke chemicals and particles with carbon + HEPA filters

Wildfire smoke travels far and wide and can easily enter homes and residences. Among the most vulnerable groups to wildfire smoke are children, seniors and those with sensitivities (chemicals and particles).

AllerAir's AirMedic+ Series
combines great particle filtration
with chemical and odor control.

AllerAir offers portable, powerful air purifiers with deep-bed activated carbon and HEPA that can remove a wide range of chemicals, odors, gases, fumes and particles from the ambient air.

Featured air purifiers for wildfire (and tobacco) smoke are:

• AirMedic+ Vocarb, featuring a medical-grade HEPA and a large activated carbon filter
• 5000 DS or 6000 DS, which have been designed for smoke and odor relief and feature special tar-trapping pre-filters, a deep bed of activated carbon and micro-HEPA filters for particle removal.

For more information and personalized recommendations, contact AllerAir today.

Related posts:

• Q&A: Air purifiers for wildfires
• Wildfires blaze in southern California (2008)

Knoxville, Tennessee Deemed Asthma Capital of the World; Poor Air Quality to Blame

According to a 2008 Asthma and Allergy Foundation report, Knoxville is the asthma capital of the world—- due in great measure to the poor air quality in East Tennessee. Ozone and particulate matter are the two greatest contributors to air pollution in the area.

Mark Wenzler, the director of clean air and climate programs with the National Parks Conservation Association told knoxnews.com that people should pay close attention to air-quality alerts because “even healthy people could be impacted due to ozone”.

The Indoor Air Quality Experts at AllerAir agree with Wenzler, adding: “People who seek refuge indoors, especially in places like Knoxville, where pollution is very high, often don’t realize that indoor air is often times much worse than outdoor air,” said Karen Hand, an IAQ specialist with the company. “We have many customers in East Tennessee, and our recommendation is always the same: get an air purifier for your home—- it will make a world of difference, especially to asthma sufferers.”

To speak with an Indoor Air Quality Expert at AllerAir, you can call toll free at 888 852 8247 for a no-obligation consultation.

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York State

Due to high levels of ozone and high levels of particulate matter, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and State Department of Health (DOH) have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the New York City Metro and Long Island regions of New York state for today, September 4, 2008.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Experts are reminding New York state residents that indoor air is affected as well as outdoor air. Residents should use fans to circulate air, and air conditioners if necessary.

Since people spend up to 90% of our time indoors, it’s essential that the air we breathe is clean — especially when an Air Quality Health Advisory has been issued, IAQ experts say. This is especially important for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory difficulties.

Residents living in areas experiencing an Air Quality Health Advisory are invited to call 888-852-8247 to speak to an IAQ Expert to receive information on how an air purifier can remove dangerous particles and chemicals from indoor air.