Research

12 pages, 1525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Laboratory Chamber Evaluation of Flow Air Quality Sensor PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ Measurements

by Natalie Crnosija, Misti Levy Zamora, Ana M. Rule and Devon Payne-Sturges

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7340; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127340 - 15 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1849

Abstract

The emergence of low-cost air quality sensors as viable tools for the monitoring of air quality at population and individual levels necessitates the evaluation of these instruments. The Flow air quality tracker, a product of Plume Labs, is one such sensor. To evaluate [...] Read more.

The emergence of low-cost air quality sensors as viable tools for the monitoring of air quality at population and individual levels necessitates the evaluation of these instruments. The Flow air quality tracker, a product of Plume Labs, is one such sensor. To evaluate these sensors, we assessed 34 of them in a controlled laboratory setting by exposing them to PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and compared the response with Plantower A003 measurements. The overall coefficient of determination (R²) of measured PM_2.5 was 0.76 and of PM₁₀ it was 0.73, but the Flows’ accuracy improved after each introduction of incense. Overall, these findings suggest that the Flow can be a useful air quality monitoring tool in air pollution areas with higher concentrations, when incorporated into other monitoring frameworks and when used in aggregate. The broader environmental implications of this work are that it is possible for individuals and groups to monitor their individual exposure to particulate matter pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Health Assessment of Chinese National Parks Based on Landscape Pattern: A Case Study in Shennongjia National Park

by Hang Shu, Chunwang Xiao, Ting Ma and Weiguo Sang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11487; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111487 - 31 Oct 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2651

Abstract

Assessing the health of the ecosystem based on the landscape pattern of national parks can facilitate policy makers in formulating more targeted conservation policies to better manage national park ecosystems. To analyze the landscape patterns and characteristics of the national park, the ecosystem [...] Read more.

Assessing the health of the ecosystem based on the landscape pattern of national parks can facilitate policy makers in formulating more targeted conservation policies to better manage national park ecosystems. To analyze the landscape patterns and characteristics of the national park, the ecosystem health evaluation index system of the national park was constructed using the vigor-organization-resilience (VOR) model to evaluate the health status. In this study, the Shennongjia National Park in China was selected as a case study area to be assessed using the index system. The results revealed that the patches of construction land and farmland are the largest in number and the most complex in shape, reflecting the obvious fragmentation of construction land and farmland patches. All patch types in this national park were evenly distributed. The results of the analysis showed that the comprehensive index of national park heath, according to the VOR model, is 0.74, indicating that the ecosystems in this study area were in a good state of health. Ecosystems in strictly protected areas of this park had the highest ecosystem health index levels, while the traditional utilization areas had the lowest. Ecosystem health levels were characterized by significant spatial agglomeration characteristics, with high-high aggregation distribution areas, mainly clustered in strictly protected areas, and low-low aggregation distribution, mainly clustered in traditional utilization areas and marginal areas. This study provided a set of ecosystem health assessment systems and their practical use in China’s newly established national parks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 20189 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Physical Activity and the Objectively-Measured Built Environment in Low- and High-Income South African Communities

by Moses Isiagi, Kufre Joseph Okop and Estelle Victoria Lambert

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(8), 3853; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18083853 - 07 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2602

Abstract

There is limited data concerning the built environment and physical activity (PA) in a country with a history of sociopolitically motivated, spatial and economic disparities. We explored the extent to which objectively measured attributes of the built environment were associated with self-report or [...] Read more.

There is limited data concerning the built environment and physical activity (PA) in a country with a history of sociopolitically motivated, spatial and economic disparities. We explored the extent to which objectively measured attributes of the built environment were associated with self-report or device-measured PA in low- and high-socioeconomic status (SES) communities. Methods: In a convenient sample of residents (n = 52, aged 18–65 years) from four urban suburbs in low- and high-income settings near Cape Town, South Africa, self-reported transport- and leisure-time PA, and device-measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) data were collected. Built environment constructs derived from individual-level street network measures (1000 m buffer, ArcGIS, 10.51) were obtained. We assessed PA between four groups, based on income and GIS walkability (derived by a median split, low or high SES and low or high walkable). Results: No relationships between self-reported MVPA and GIS-measured walkability were found. Only intersection density was significantly, inversely associated with moderate and total MVPA (rho = −0.29 and rho = −0.31, respectively, p < 0.05). In the high SES group, vigorous PA was inversely associated with intersection density (rho = −0.39, p < 0.05). Self-report transport PA differed between groups (p < 0.013). Conclusions: Results suggest that the construct of walkability may relate to volitional (leisure) and utilitarian (transport) PA differently, in highly inequitable settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 5137 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring and Assessment of Water Level Fluctuations of the Lake Urmia and Its Environmental Consequences Using Multitemporal Landsat 7 ETM⁺ Images

by Viet-Ha Nhu, Ayub Mohammadi, Himan Shahabi, Ataollah Shirzadi, Nadhir Al-Ansari, Baharin Bin Ahmad, Wei Chen, Masood Khodadadi, Mehdi Ahmadi, Khabat Khosravi, Abolfazl Jaafari and Hoang Nguyen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(12), 4210; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17124210 - 12 Jun 2020

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 4422

Abstract

The declining water level in Lake Urmia has become a significant issue for Iranian policy and decision makers. This lake has been experiencing an abrupt decrease in water level and is at real risk of becoming a complete saline land. Because of its [...] Read more.

The declining water level in Lake Urmia has become a significant issue for Iranian policy and decision makers. This lake has been experiencing an abrupt decrease in water level and is at real risk of becoming a complete saline land. Because of its position, assessment of changes in the Lake Urmia is essential. This study aims to evaluate changes in the water level of Lake Urmia using the space-borne remote sensing and GIS techniques. Therefore, multispectral Landsat 7 ETM⁺ images for the years 2000, 2010, and 2017 were acquired. In addition, precipitation and temperature data for 31 years between 1986 and 2017 were collected for further analysis. Results indicate that the increased temperature (by 19%), decreased rainfall of about 62%, and excessive damming in the Urmia Basin along with mismanagement of water resources are the key factors in the declining water level of Lake Urmia. Furthermore, the current research predicts the potential environmental crisis as the result of the lake shrinking and suggests a few possible alternatives. The insights provided by this study can be beneficial for environmentalists and related organizations working on this and similar topics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of IAQ Management Using an IoT-Based Indoor Garden

by Ho-Hyun Kim, Min-Jung Kwak, Kwang-Jin Kim, Yoon-Kyung Gwak, Jeong-Hun Lee and Ho-Hyeong Yang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(6), 1867; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17061867 - 13 Mar 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2985

Abstract

This study was designed to verify the effectiveness of smart gardens by improving indoor air quality (IAQ) through the installation of an indoor garden with sensor-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology that identifies pollutants such as particulate matter. In addition, the study aims to introduce [...] Read more.

This study was designed to verify the effectiveness of smart gardens by improving indoor air quality (IAQ) through the installation of an indoor garden with sensor-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology that identifies pollutants such as particulate matter. In addition, the study aims to introduce indoor gardens for customized indoor air cleaning using the data and IoT technology. New apartments completed in 2016 were selected and divided into four households with indoor gardens installed and four households without indoor gardens. Real-time data and data on PM_2.5, CO₂, temperature, and humidity were collected through an IoT-based IAQ monitoring system. In addition, in order to examine the effects on the health of occupants, the results were analyzed based on epidemiological data, prevalence data, current maintenance, and recommendation criteria, and were presented and evaluated as indices. The indices were classified into a comfort index, which reflects the temperature and humidity, an IAQ index, which reflects PM_2.5 and CO₂, and an IAQ composite index. The IAQ index was divided into five grades from “good” to “hazardous”. Using a scale of 1 to 100 points, it was determined as follows: “good (0–20)”, “moderate (21–40)”, “unhealthy for sensitive group (41–60)”, “bad (61–80)”, “hazardous (81–100)”. It showed an increase in the “good” section after installing the indoor garden, and the “bad” section decreased. Additionally, the comfort index was classified into five grades from “very comfortable” to “very uncomfortable”. In the comfort index, the “uncomfortable” section decreased, and the “comfortable” section increased after the indoor garden was installed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 6109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cookstove Smoke Impact on Ambient Air Quality and Probable Consequences for Human Health in Rural Locations of Southern Nepal

by Sagar Adhikari, Parth Sarathi Mahapatra, Chiranjibi Prasad Pokheral and Siva Praveen Puppala

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(2), 550; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17020550 - 15 Jan 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4407

Abstract

Residential emission from traditional biomass cookstoves is a major source of indoor and outdoor air pollution in developing countries. However, exact quantification of the contribution of biomass cookstove emissions to outdoor air is still lacking. In order to address this gap, we designed [...] Read more.

Residential emission from traditional biomass cookstoves is a major source of indoor and outdoor air pollution in developing countries. However, exact quantification of the contribution of biomass cookstove emissions to outdoor air is still lacking. In order to address this gap, we designed a field study to estimate the emission factors of PM_2.5 (particulate matter of less than 2.5 µ diameter) and BC (black carbon) indoors, from cookstove smoke using biomass fuel and with smoke escaping outdoors from the roof of the house. The field study was conducted in four randomly selected households in two rural locations of southern Nepal during April 2017. In addition, real-time measurement of ambient PM_2.5 was performed for 20 days during the campaign in those two rural sites and one background location to quantify the contribution of cooking-related emissions to the ambient PM_2.5. Emission factor estimates indicate that 66% of PM_2.5 and 80% of BC emissions from biomass cookstoves directly escape into ambient air. During the cooking period, ambient PM_2.5 concentrations in the rural sites were observed to be 37% higher than in the nearby background location. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO)’s AirQ+ model simulation, this 37% rise in ambient PM_2.5 during cooking hours can lead to approximately 82 cases of annual premature deaths among the rural population of Chitwan district. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study

by Jinyoung Shin, Seol-Heui Han and Jaekyung Choi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3767; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16193767 - 07 Oct 2019

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 4192

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between ambient air pollutants and cognitive impairment in Korean older adults. The cognitive function of 2,896 participants aged 70 to 84 years was measured using the Korean version of the mini-mental state examination, [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between ambient air pollutants and cognitive impairment in Korean older adults. The cognitive function of 2,896 participants aged 70 to 84 years was measured using the Korean version of the mini-mental state examination, the digit span test, the word list learning test, and the frontal assessment battery. After matching the average concentrations of particulate matter (PM) <10 μm in size (PM₁₀) and <2.5 μm (PM_2.5), NO₂, CO, SO₂, and O₃ between 2013 and 2017, the association between air pollutants and cognitive scales was analyzed using a linear mixed regression and a multiple logistic regression analysis (after adjusting for age, sex, health related behaviors, socioeconomic status, comorbidity, and meteorological data). Exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, and CO was associated with cognitive impairment above and beyond age or education level effects. Specifically, PM_2.5 was negatively associated with most components of the cognitive scales (interquartile range for PM_2.5: 2.0 μg/m³, odds ratio for poor global cognition: 2.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.60–3.26). These associations may be affected by sex, residence area, or alcohol intake. Conclusively, air pollutants, especially PM_2.5, were associated with cognitive impairment, including global cognition, attention, memory, and executive function in Korean older adults aged ≥70 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 984 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association Between Surrounding Greenness and Schizophrenia: A Taiwanese Cohort Study

by Hao-Ting Chang, Chih-Da Wu, Wen-Chi Pan, Shih-Chun Candice Lung and Huey-Jen Su

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(8), 1415; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16081415 - 19 Apr 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3786

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the association between surrounding greenness and schizophrenia incidence in Taiwan. Data of 869,484 individuals without a history of schizophrenia were included from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database from 2000 through 2010 for analysis. The diagnoses of schizophrenia were [...] Read more.

This study aims to investigate the association between surrounding greenness and schizophrenia incidence in Taiwan. Data of 869,484 individuals without a history of schizophrenia were included from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database from 2000 through 2010 for analysis. The diagnoses of schizophrenia were based on ICD-9 codes. Greenness exposure was assessed using the satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index, assuming individuals lived near the hospital they most often visited for common cold during the study period. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the association between greenness exposure and schizophrenia incidence after adjustments were made for the potential confounders. A total of 5,069 schizophrenia cases were newly diagnosed during the study period. A negative significant (p < 0.05) association found using 2000-m buffer distances (distance of a moderately paced 20-min walk) in the whole Taiwan island, cities, and metropolitan areas. The results of the stratified analysis based on sex and health insurance rate suggested surrounding greenness has approximately equal effects of reducing the risk of schizophrenia, regardless of sex or financial status. In conclusion, our findings suggest that more surrounding greenness may reduce the risk of schizophrenia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Environmental Health Studies with Remote Sensing Technologies: Exposure Assessment and Health Outcomes

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI