Journal of Air Pollution and Health

Econometric analysis of the effects of globalization, technology innovation and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions: Evidence from top five CO2-emitting countries

2025-12-27T09:52:37+00:00

Introduction: Anthropogenic CO₂ emission is a pressing global challenge wreaking serious health, environmental and socioeconomic havocs which require urgent attention. Given these undesirable outcomes and the enormous contribution of some set of countries to global CO₂ emissions; this study investigated the long-run effects of globalization, technology innovation and renewable energy consumption on CO₂ emissions in top 5 CO₂-emitting countries across the globe.

Materials and methods: To achieve the study objective, annual CO₂ emissions, globalization, technology innovation, renewable energy and economic growth data of the top 5 CO₂-emitting countries spanning from 1990 to 2022 was analysed using panel autoregressive distributed lag modelling technique and Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test.

Results: CO₂ emissions, globalization, technology innovation, renewable energy consumption and economic growth were found to have long-run relationship in top 5 CO₂-emitting countries. Particularly, renewable energy consumption was found to have negative effect on CO₂ emissions while globalization and technology innovation were found to have positive direct effects on CO₂ emissions. However, globalization and technology innovation had inhibitive interaction effect on CO₂ emissions. Findings also revealed mutually reinforcing causal relationship between economic growth and CO₂ emissions; and between technology innovation and CO₂ emissions.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the fact that urgent prioritisation of renewable energy consumption and international relationships which encourage the transfer, development and adoption of environment-friendly technological innovations will reduce CO₂ emissions and its undesirable environmental, health and socioeconomic effects in top 5 CO₂-emitting countries.

Air pollution and stroke mortality in Arak, Iran: Short-term and long- term exposure effects analyzed using zero-inflated negative binomial

2025-12-27T09:52:36+00:00

Introduction: Air pollution poses significant public health risks in industrial regions, with stroke mortality emerging as a critical outcome. This study examines the association between air pollutant exposure and stroke mortality in Arak, Iran - an industrial city with consistently poor air quality exceeding WHO thresholds.

Materials and methods: We conducted a time-series analysis of 1,010 stroke deaths (2019-2022) using zero-inflated negative binomial regression to model over-dispersed mortality data. Pollutant concentrations (PM2.5, PM10,

NO₂, O₃, SO₂) were collected from four monitoring stations representing

industrial, traffic, and residential zones. Effects were assessed for short-term (1-3 months) and long-term (6-24 months) exposures, with adjustment for meteorological and demographic confounders.

Results: NO₂ demonstrated the strongest short-term association (2-month RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.30-1.75, p<0.001). PM₁₀ showed a slight increase in risk at the 2-month lag (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.98–1.14), although it was not statistically significant. Long-term PM2.5 exposure significantly increased mortality risk (24-month RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.58). A possible invers association was observed for SO₂ (2-month RR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36–0.97), while O₃ effects varied over time.

Conclusion: Industrial emissions (particularly NO₂ and particulate matter) significantly contribute to stroke mortality in Arak. The identified exposure– response relationships highlight the importance of stricter emission controls on vehicular and industrial sources and targeted health interventions for high-risk populations. Further investigation of pollutant interactions is also essential to better understand their combined effects on stroke mortality.

Analysis and health risk assessment of priority gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during meat frying: A mathematical modelling

2025-12-27T09:52:34+00:00

Introduction: Emissions from cooking activities are among the major sources of indoor and ambient air pollution.

Materials and methods: This experimental research aims to explore the levels of 16 gaseous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) during calf meat frying in laboratory, utilizing different frying temperatures (i.e 150, 190, and 240 °C) and oils (non-frying oil and, frying oil). Furthermore, non-cancer and cancer risks were also assessed. For the purpose of the study, 36 air samples were taken during meat frying and analyzed by a Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Agilent GC8890, USA) equipped with a Flame Ionization Detector (FID) for 16 PAH compounds.

Results: The concentration of ∑16PAHs during meat frying using sunflower oil and frying oil use varied from 5.037-10.025 µg/m³ and 3.978-8.075 µg/ m³, respectively. Hazard Quotients (HQs) associated with PAHs exposure during meat frying using frying oil for cooks, adults and children were in the range of 0.440-1.338 (0.769), 0.503-1.527 (0.879) and 0.504-1.531 (0.881), respectively. For frying oil, HQ values were in the ranges of 0.32-1.19 (0.69), 0.37-1.36 (0.79), and 0.37-1.36 (0.79) for cooks, adults, and children, respectively. The inhalation cancer risk values through exposure to meat using sunflower oil for cooks, adults and children were 1.4E-04-4.2E-04 (2.4E-04), 2.8E-05-8.6E-05 (4.9E-05), and 7.7E-06-2.3E-05 (1.3E-05), respectively. For frying oil, the cancer risk values were as: 1.0E-04-3.7E-04 (2.2E-04) for cooks, 2.1E-05-7.6E-05 (4.4E-05) for adults and 5.63E-06-2.08E-05 (1.2E- 05) for children.

Conclusion: This study showed high levels of PAHs during meat frying indicating health risks for children and adults. The research’s results have practical use for public health professionals and policy makers, for regular monitoring of indoor PAHs during cooking and the development of policies to reduce exposure to these air pollutants in enclosed spaces.

Indoor dust as a mercury reservoir: A case study on indoor microenvironments located in Ernakulam district, Kerala state, India

2025-12-27T09:52:33+00:00

Introduction: Research on indoor air pollution using settled dust as a medium is limited in India; therefore, this study presents the first comprehensive assessment of Total mercury (THg) in settled indoor dust across various indoor microenvironments in the Ernakulam district of Kerala state, located in southwestern India.

Materials and methods: Sampling was conducted in the third week of February and the first week of March 2022 (n=32) in seven types of indoor microenvironments. Passive sampling was employed for the collection of settled dust samples, and THg in the dust samples was analysed using a Direct Mercury Analyser (Milestone DMA-80, USA).

Results: The average THg concentration across all sampled environments was 0.90±0.66 mg/kg. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate (r=0.48) but statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) between THg levels and population density, likely due to contaminants brought to the indoor spaces by the people. Health risk evaluation based on hazard quotient (HQ) for ingestion and dermal exposures suggested that ingestion is the primary route of mercury exposure, with museums posing a high HQing value (0.0295) and furniture making shops posing a low HQing value (0.0001).

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for mercury monitoring in urban built environments and the possible sources of mercury contamination in various indoor microenvironments. The study suggests protective measures for personal protection from dust exposure. Finally, the study concludes by suggesting the requirement for broader surveillance of mercury in various built environments in India.

Occupational perchloroethylene exposure in dry-cleaning workers: Oxidative stress and hepatorenal biomarkers

2025-12-27T09:52:32+00:00

Introduction: Perchloroethylene (PCE) is widely used in dry cleaning and has been linked to hepatorenal toxicity. We aimed to assess the relationship between occupational PCE exposure, oxidative stress, and biomarkers of liver and kidney function.

Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 30 male Iranian dry-cleaning workers and 30 frequency-matched controls. Personal full-shift air samples were collected for PCE. Serum biomarkers of oxidative stress ; Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT); and organ function; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, creatinine, urea; were measured.

Results: Exposed workers had a mean Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 29 ppm, exceeding the 25-ppm Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL). Compared with controls, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatinine were higher (p<0.05), while SOD and CAT were lower (p<0.05); ALP and bilirubin did not differ. Within the exposed group, longer employment was associated with worsening oxidative and hepatorenal markers. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that PCE exposure remained a significant independent predictor of oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, CAT) even after adjusting for age and smoking.

Conclusion: Findings indicate oxidative stress accompanies subclinical liver injury and early renal impact at prevailing occupational exposures. Reducing PCE through engineering controls and safer technologies should be prioritized.

Airborne microplastic pollution in healthcare waste disposal systems: A cross-sectional study in Tehran

2025-12-27T09:52:31+00:00

Introduction: Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a significant global environmental concern, with various sources contributing to its spread. However, the release of MPs from healthcare waste disposal systems, which often involve shredding plastic waste, has not been widely studied. This research investigates the presence and concentration of MPs in the air surrounding autoclave and hydroclave devices at hospital waste disposal sites in Tehran.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2024 in eight hospitals in Tehran, encompassing both autoclave and hydroclave systems. Air samples were collected from distances of 0, 5, and 10 m from the waste management units during their operation and when they were off. A total of 48 samples were analyzed for microplastic particles using light microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to determine particle characteristics such as size, shape, and color.

Results: The average concentration of MPs in the air surrounding autoclave and hydrocalve devices was 45±43 (N/m³) and higher concentrations were observed when the devices were active. No significant differences were observed between the autoclave and hydroclave systems. Microplastic particles in the air of the disinfected areas were mainly fibrous (95%) and black (70%), and the average particle length was 34.93 μm. Smaller particles, which pose more health risks, were the most common particles.

Conclusion: Hospital waste disposal units, especially their shredder systems, are a significant source of airborne MPs. These emissions, especially through inhalation are a potential health risk. This study highlights the need for further research and mitigation strategies to reduce microplastic emissions in healthcare settings.

A global meta-analysis of particulate and gaseous air pollutants in relation to COVID-19 mortality and hospitalization

2025-12-27T09:52:29+00:00

A growing body of evidence implicates ambient air pollution in the exacerbation of clinical outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. To synthesize this evidence, we performed a global systematic review and meta-analysis to precisely quantify the associations between exposure to specific atmospheric contaminants and the subsequent risks of COVID-19-related mortality and hospital admission.

Our methodology adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, involving a comprehensive search of scientific databases for literature published until the end of August 2025. From this search, 44 publications were deemed eligible for inclusion. We employed random-effects models to compute summary Risk Ratios (RRs) representing the change in health risk per 1 µg/m³ increment in atmospheric pollutant concentration. Our findings indicate that long term exposure to fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), coarse Particles (PM₁₀), Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) significantly increased the likelihood of fatal outcomes from COVID-19. The respective pooled RRs were 1.046 (95% CI: 1.031–1.062), 1.079 (95% CI: 1.005–1.154), 1.017 (95% CI: 1.004–1.029), and 1.077 (95% CI: 1.021– 1.133). Acute exposures to ambient PM2.5 and NO₂ concentrations were similarly associated with increased mortality, demonstrating risk ratios of

1.043 (95% CI: 1.033–1.053) and 1.033 (95% CI: 1.019–1.048) respectively per 1 µg/m³ increment. Additionally, both acute and chronic exposures to PM2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ showed significant associations with higher COVID-19 hospitalization rates.

This meta-analysis provides robust quantitative suggestion that ambient PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, and SO₂ are significant and modifiable risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes. These results emphasize the critical need for enhanced air quality standards as a fundamental element of public health policy to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 and bolster defenses against forthcoming respiratory epidemics.