Effets des changements climatiques sur la sant�� et la s��curit�� des travailleurs au Qu��bec

Les impacts des changements climatiques sur la population sont nombreux et ont ��t�� relativement bien document��s, ce qui n���est pas le cas de ces impacts sur la sant�� et la s��curit�� des travailleurs. L���objectif de cette th��se est de documenter les effets n��gatifs des changements climatiques sur la sant�� et la s��curit�� des travailleurs dans une r��gion d���un pays industrialis�� �� climat temp��r��, comme le Qu��bec. Pour y arriver, deux approches ont ��t�� utilis��es : a) les dangers et les effets sanitaires ont ��t�� identifi��s par une revue de la litt��rature valid��e par des experts nationaux et internationaux, et des priorit��s de recherche ont ��t�� ��tablies �� l���aide d���une m��thode de consultation it��rative, b) des mod��les statistiques, utiles �� l���estimation des impacts sanitaires des changements climatiques, ont ��t�� d��velopp��s pour appr��cier les associations entre la survenue de l��sions professionnelles et l���exposition des travailleurs aux chaleurs estivales et �� l���ozone troposph��rique, deux probl��matiques pr��occupantes pour le Qu��bec. Le bilan des connaissances a mis en ��vidence cinq cat��gories de dangers pouvant affecter directement ou indirectement la sant�� et la s��curit�� des travailleurs au Qu��bec (vagues de chaleur, polluants de l���air, rayonnements ultraviolets, ��v��nements m��t��orologiques extr��mes, maladies vectorielles transmissibles et zoonoses) et cinq conditions pouvant entra��ner des modifications dans l���environnement de travail et pouvant ultimement affecter n��gativement la sant�� et la s��curit�� des travailleurs (changements dans les m��thodes agricoles et d�����levage, alt��rations dans l���industrie de la p��che, perturbations de l�����cosyst��me forestier, d��gradation de l���environnement b��ti et ��mergence de nouvelles industries vertes). Quant aux mod��lisations, elles sugg��rent que les indemnisations quotidiennes pour des maladies li��es �� la chaleur et pour des accidents de travail augmentent avec les temp��ratures estivales, et que ces associations varient selon l�����ge des travailleurs, le secteur industriel et la cat��gorie professionnelle (manuelle vs autre). Des associations positives statistiquement non significatives entre les indemnisations pour des atteintes respiratoires aigu��s et les concentrations d���ozone troposph��rique ont aussi ��t�� observ��es. Dans l���ensemble, cette th��se a permis de d��gager douze pistes de recherche prioritaires pour le Qu��bec se rapportant �� l���acquisition de connaissances, �� la surveillance ��pid��miologique et au d��veloppement de m��thodes d���adaptation. Selon les r��sultats de cette recherche, les intervenants en sant�� au travail et les d��cideurs devraient d��ployer des efforts pour prot��ger la sant�� et la s��curit�� des travailleurs et mettre en place des actions pr��ventives en vue des changements climatiques.

Effects of Air Pollution Control on Climate

Urban air pollution and climate are closely connected due to shared generating processes (e.g., combustion) for emissions of the driving gases and aerosols. They are also connected because the atmospheric lifecycles of common air pollutants such as CO, NOx and VOCs, and of the climatically important methane gas (CH4) and sulfate aerosols, both involve the fast photochemistry of the hydroxyl free radical (OH). Thus policies designed to address air pollution may impact climate and vice versa. We present calculations using a model coupling economics, atmospheric chemistry, climate and ecosystems to illustrate some effects of air pollution policy alone on global warming. We consider caps on emissions of NOx, CO, volatile organic carbon, and SOx both individually and combined in two ways. These caps can lower ozone causing less warming, lower sulfate aerosols yielding more warming, lower OH and thus increase CH4 giving more warming, and finally, allow more carbon uptake by ecosystems leading to less warming. Overall, these effects significantly offset each other suggesting that air pollution policy has a relatively small net effect on the global mean surface temperature and sea level rise. However, our study does not account for the effects of air pollution policies on overall demand for fossil fuels and on the choice of fuels (coal, oil, gas), nor have we considered the effects of caps on black carbon or organic carbon aerosols on climate. These effects, if included, could lead to more substantial impacts of capping pollutant emissions on global temperature and sea level than concluded here. Caps on aerosols in general could also yield impacts on other important aspects of climate beyond those addressed here, such as the regional patterns of cloudiness and precipitation.

Asma ocupacional en peluquer��a: una revisi��n de la literatura

Este art��culo pretende realizar una revisi��n de la literatura vigente acerca del asma ocupacional secundaria a la exposici��n de los factores de riesgo identificados en peluquer��a. Se realiz�� una b��squeda sistem��tica en las bases de datos PubMed y Cochrane de art��culos de revistas indexadas con las palabras claves ���Asthma occupational, hairdressers, hairdresser, work related asthma���. Aplicando los criterios de selecci��n descritos, se revisaron 26 art��culos en total donde se inclu��an reportes de casos, estudios de prevalencia, incidencia, corte transversa y revisiones, abarcando principalmente los temas de epidemiologia, fisiopatolog��a, diagn��stico y prevenci��n. Se agruparon seg��n la metodolog��a PRISMA para su respectiva comparaci��n. Se concluy�� que a pesar de la importancia de esta patolog��a en el sector de peluquer��a, existen factores asociados como la informalidad del sector, la falta de estudios de investigaci��n originales de cohorte o el desconocimiento de un protocolo claro de diagn��stico en este tipo de trabajadores, que limitan datos concluyentes acerca de la misma. Sin embargo, la mayor��a de los autores concluye la relaci��n entre la patolog��a y la labor de peluquer��a, as�� falte esclarecer los mecanismos fisiopatol��gicos relacionados con los al��rgenos identificados.

Comparing meta-analysis and ecological-longitudinal analysis in time-series studies: a case study of the effects of air pollution on mortality in three Spanish cities

The objective of this paper is to introduce a diVerent approach, called the ecological-longitudinal, to carrying out pooled analysis in time series ecological studies. Because it gives a larger number of data points and, hence, increases the statistical power of the analysis, this approach, unlike conventional ones, allows the complementation of aspects such as accommodation of random effect models, of lags, of interaction between pollutants and between pollutants and meteorological variables, that are hardly implemented in conventional approaches. Design���The approach is illustrated by providing quantitative estimates of the short-termeVects of air pollution on mortality in three Spanish cities, Barcelona,Valencia and Vigo, for the period 1992���1994. Because the dependent variable was a count, a Poisson generalised linear model was first specified. Several modelling issues are worth mentioning. Firstly, because the relations between mortality and explanatory variables were nonlinear, cubic splines were used for covariate control, leading to a generalised additive model, GAM. Secondly, the effects of the predictors on the response were allowed to occur with some lag. Thirdly, the residual autocorrelation, because of imperfect control, was controlled for by means of an autoregressive Poisson GAM. Finally, the longitudinal design demanded the consideration of the existence of individual heterogeneity, requiring the consideration of mixed models. Main results���The estimates of the relative risks obtained from the individual analyses varied across cities, particularly those associated with sulphur dioxide. The highest relative risks corresponded to black smoke in Valencia. These estimates were higher than those obtained from the ecological-longitudinal analysis. Relative risks estimated from this latter analysis were practically identical across cities, 1.00638 (95% confidence intervals 1.0002, 1.0011) for a black smoke increase of 10 ��g/m3 and 1.00415 (95% CI 1.0001, 1.0007) for a increase of 10 ��g/m3 of sulphur dioxide. Because the statistical power is higher than in the individual analysis more interactions were statistically significant,especially those among air pollutants and meteorological variables. Conclusions���Air pollutant levels were related to mortality in the three cities of the study, Barcelona, Valencia and Vigo. These results were consistent with similar studies in other cities, with other multicentric studies and coherent with both, previous individual, for each city, and multicentric studies for all three cities

Report of the 2010 assessment of the scientific assessment panel: future ozone and its impact on surface UV

SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY Globally averaged total column ozone has declined over recent decades due to the release of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) into the atmosphere. Now, as a result of the Montreal Protocol, ozone is expected to recover from the effects of ODSs as ODS abundances decline in the coming decades. However, a number of factors in addition to ODSs have led to and will continue to lead to changes in ozone. Discriminating between the causes of past and projected ozone changes is necessary, not only to identify the progress in ozone recovery from ODSs, but also to evaluate the effectiveness of climate and ozone protection policy options. Factors Affecting Future Ozone and Surface Ultraviolet Radiation ��� At least for the next few decades, the decline of ODSs is expected to be the major factor affecting the anticipated increase in global total column ozone. However, several factors other than ODS will affect the future evolution of ozone in the stratosphere. These include changes in (i) stratospheric circulation and temperature due to changes in long-lived greenhouse gas (GHG) abundances, (ii) stratospheric aerosol loading, and (iii) source gases of highly reactive stratospheric hydrogen and nitrogen compounds. Factors that amplify the effects of ODSs on ozone (e.g., stratospheric aerosols) will likely decline in importance as ODSs are gradually eliminated from the atmosphere. ��� Increases in GHG emissions can both positively and negatively affect ozone. Carbon dioxide (CO2)-induced stratospheric cooling elevates middle and upper stratospheric ozone and decreases the time taken for ozone to return to 1980 levels, while projected GHG-induced increases in tropical upwelling decrease ozone in the tropical lower stratosphere and increase ozone in the extratropics. Increases in nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) concentrations also directly impact ozone chemistry but the effects are different in different regions. ��� The Brewer-Dobson circulation (BDC) is projected to strengthen over the 21st century and thereby affect ozone amounts. Climate models consistently predict an acceleration of the BDC or, more specifically, of the upwelling mass flux in the tropical lower stratosphere of around 2% per decade as a consequence of GHG abundance increases. A stronger BDC would decrease the abundance of tropical lower stratospheric ozone, increase poleward transport of ozone, and could reduce the atmospheric lifetimes of long-lived ODSs and other trace gases. While simulations showing faster ascent in the tropical lower stratosphere to date are a robust feature of chemistry-climate models (CCMs), this has not been confirmed by observations and the responsible mechanisms remain unclear. ��� Substantial ozone losses could occur if stratospheric aerosol loading were to increase in the next few decades, while halogen levels are high. Stratospheric aerosol increases may be caused by sulfur contained in volcanic plumes entering the stratosphere or from human activities. The latter might include attempts to geoengineer the climate system by enhancing the stratospheric aerosol layer. The ozone losses mostly result from enhanced heterogeneous chemistry on stratospheric aerosols. Enhanced aerosol heating within the stratosphere also leads to changes in temperature and circulation that affect ozone. ��� Surface ultraviolet (UV) levels will not be affected solely by ozone changes but also by the effects of climate change and by air quality change in the troposphere. These tropospheric effects include changes in clouds, tropospheric aerosols, surface reflectivity, and tropospheric sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The uncertainties in projections of these factors are large. Projected increases in tropospheric ozone are more certain and may lead to reductions in surface erythemal (���sunburning���) irradiance of up to 10% by 2100. Changes in clouds may lead to decreases or increases in surface erythemal irradiance of up to 15% depending on latitude. Expected Future Changes in Ozone Full ozone recovery from the effects of ODSs and return of ozone to historical levels are not synonymous. In this chapter a key target date is chosen to be 1980, in part to retain the connection to previous Ozone Assessments. Noting, however, that decreases in ozone may have occurred in some regions of the atmosphere prior to 1980, 1960 return dates are also reported. The projections reported on in this chapter are taken from a recent compilation of CCM simulations. The ozone projections, which also form the basis for the UV projections, are limited in their representativeness of possible futures since they mostly come from CCM simulations based on a single GHG emissions scenario (scenario A1B of Emissions Scenarios. A Special Report of Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 2000) and a single ODS emissions scenario (adjusted A1 of the previous (2006) Ozone Assessment). Throughout this century, the vertical, latitudinal, and seasonal structure of the ozone distribution will be different from what it was in 1980. For this reason, ozone changes in different regions of the atmosphere are considered separately. ��� The projections of changes in ozone and surface clear-sky UV are broadly consistent with those reported on in the 2006 Assessment. ��� The capability of making projections and attribution of future ozone changes has been improved since the 2006 Assessment. Use of CCM simulations from an increased number of models extending through the entire period of ozone depletion and recovery from ODSs (1960���2100) as well as sensitivity simulations have allowed more robust projections of long-term changes in the stratosphere and of the relative contributions of ODSs and GHGs to those changes. ��� Global annually averaged total column ozone is projected to return to 1980 levels before the middle of the century and earlier than when stratospheric halogen loading returns to 1980 levels. CCM projections suggest that this early return is primarily a result of GHG-induced cooling of the upper stratosphere because the effects of circulation changes on tropical and extratropical ozone largely cancel. Global (90��S���90��N) annually averaged total column ozone will likely return to 1980 levels between 2025 and 2040, well before the return of stratospheric halogens to 1980 levels between 2045 and 2060. ��� Simulated changes in tropical total column ozone from 1960 to 2100 are generally small. The evolution of tropical total column ozone in models depends on the balance between upper stratospheric increases and lower stratospheric decreases. The upper stratospheric increases result from declining ODSs and a slowing of ozone destruction resulting from GHG-induced cooling. Ozone decreases in the lower stratosphere mainly result from an increase in tropical upwelling. From 1960 until around 2000, a general decline is simulated, followed by a gradual increase to values typical of 1980 by midcentury. Thereafter, although total column ozone amounts decline slightly again toward the end of the century, by 2080 they are no longer expected to be affected by ODSs. Confidence in tropical ozone projections is compromised by the fact that simulated decreases in column ozone to date are not supported by observations, suggesting that significant uncertainties remain. ��� Midlatitude total column ozone is simulated to evolve differently in the two hemispheres. Over northern midlatitudes, annually averaged total column ozone is projected to return to 1980 values between 2015 and 2030, while for southern midlatitudes the return to 1980 values is projected to occur between 2030 and 2040. The more rapid return to 1980 values in northern midlatitudes is linked to a more pronounced strengthening of the poleward transport of ozone due to the effects of increased GHG levels, and effects of Antarctic ozone depletion on southern midlatitudes. By 2100, midlatitude total column ozone is projected to be above 1980 values in both hemispheres. ��� October-mean Antarctic total column ozone is projected to return to 1980 levels after midcentury, later than in any other region, and yet earlier than when stratospheric halogen loading is projected to return to 1980 levels. The slightly earlier return of ozone to 1980 levels (2045���2060) results primarily from upper stratospheric cooling and resultant increases in ozone. The return of polar halogen loading to 1980 levels (2050���2070) in CCMs is earlier than in empirical models that exclude the effects of GHG-induced changes in circulation. Our confidence in the drivers of changes in Antarctic ozone is higher than for other regions because (i) ODSs exert a strong influence on Antarctic ozone, (ii) the effects of changes in GHG abundances are comparatively small, and (iii) projections of ODS emissions are more certain than those for GHGs. Small Antarctic ozone holes (areas of ozone <220 Dobson units, DU) could persist to the end of the 21st century. ��� March-mean Arctic total column ozone is projected to return to 1980 levels two to three decades before polar halogen loading returns to 1980 levels, and to exceed 1980 levels thereafter. While CCM simulations project a return to 1980 levels between 2020 and 2035, most models tend not to capture observed low temperatures and thus underestimate present-day Arctic ozone loss such that it is possible that this return date is biased early. Since the strengthening of the Brewer-Dobson circulation through the 21st century leads to increases in springtime Arctic column ozone, by 2100 Arctic ozone is projected to lie well above 1960 levels. Uncertainties in Projections ��� Conclusions dependent on future GHG levels are less certain than those dependent on future ODS levels since ODS emissions are controlled by the Montreal Protocol. For the six GHG scenarios considered by a few CCMs, the simulated differences in stratospheric column ozone over the second half of the 21st century are largest in the northern midlatitudes and the Arctic, with maximum differences of 20���40 DU between the six scenarios in 2100. ��� There remain sources of uncertainty in the CCM simulations. These include the use of prescribed ODS mixing ratios instead of emission fluxes as lower boundary conditions, the range of sea surface temperatures and sea ice concentrations, missing tropospheric chemistry, model parameterizations, and model climate sensitivity. ��� Geoengineering schemes for mitigating climate change by continuous injections of sulfur-containing compounds into the stratosphere, if implemented, would substantially affect stratospheric ozone, particularly in polar regions. Ozone losses observed following large volcanic eruptions support this prediction. However, sporadic volcanic eruptions provide limited analogs to the effects of continuous sulfur emissions. Preliminary model simulations reveal large uncertainties in assessing the effects of continuous sulfur injections. Expected Future Changes in Surface UV. While a number of factors, in addition to ozone, affect surface UV irradiance, the focus in this chapter is on the effects of changes in stratospheric ozone on surface UV. For this reason, clear-sky surface UV irradiance is calculated from ozone projections from CCMs. ��� Projected increases in midlatitude ozone abundances during the 21st century, in the absence of changes in other factors, in particular clouds, tropospheric aerosols, and air pollutants, will result in decreases in surface UV irradiance. Clear-sky erythemal irradiance is projected to return to 1980 levels on average in 2025 for the northern midlatitudes, and in 2035 for the southern midlatitudes, and to fall well below 1980 values by the second half of the century. However, actual changes in surface UV will be affected by a number of factors other than ozone. ��� In the absence of changes in other factors, changes in tropical surface UV will be small because changes in tropical total column ozone are projected to be small. By the middle of the 21st century, the model projections suggest surface UV to be slightly higher than in the 1960s, very close to values in 1980, and slightly lower than in 2000. The projected decrease in tropical total column ozone through the latter half of the century will likely result in clear-sky surface UV remaining above 1960 levels. Average UV irradiance is already high in the tropics due to naturally occurring low total ozone columns and high solar elevations. ��� The magnitude of UV changes in the polar regions is larger than elsewhere because ozone changes in polar regions are larger. For the next decades, surface clear-sky UV irradiance, particularly in the Antarctic, will continue to be higher than in 1980. Future increases in ozone and decreases in clear-sky UV will occur at slower rates than those associated with the ozone decreases and UV increases that occurred before 2000. In Antarctica, surface clear-sky UV is projected to return to 1980 levels between 2040 and 2060, while in the Arctic this is projected to occur between 2020 and 2030. By 2100, October surface clear-sky erythemal irradiance in Antarctica is likely to be between 5% below to 25% above 1960 levels, with considerable uncertainty. This is consistent with multi-model-mean October Antarctic total column ozone not returning to 1960 levels by 2100. In contrast, by 2100, surface clear-sky UV in the Arctic is projected to be 0���10% below 1960 levels.

Exposure to ambient levels of particles emitted by traffic worsens emphysema in mice

Objectives: We investigated effects of chronic exposure (2 months) to ambient levels of particulate matter (PM) on development of protease-induced emphysema and pulmonary remodeling in mice. Methods: Balb/c mice received nasal drop of either papain or normal saline and were kept in two exposure chambers situated in an area with high traffic density. One of them received ambient air and the other had filters for PM. Results: mean concentration of PM10 was 2.68 +/- 0.38 and 33.86 +/- 2.09 mu g/m(3), respectively, in the filtered and ambient air chambers (p<0.001). After 2 months of exposure, lungs from papain-treated mice kept in the chamber with ambient air presented greater values of mean linear intercept, an increase in density of collagen fibers in alveolar septa and in expression of 8-isoprostane (p = 0.002, p < 0.05 and p = 0.002, respectively, compared to papain-treated mice kept in the chamber with filtered air). We did not observe significant differences between these two groups in density of macrophages and in amount of cells expressing matrix metalloproteinase-12. There were no significant differences in saline-treated mice kept in the two chambers. Conclusions: We conclude that exposure to urban levels of PM worsens protease-induced emphysema and increases pulmonary remodeling. We suggest that an increase in oxidative stress induced by PM exposure influences this response. These pulmonary effects of PM were observed only in mice with emphysema. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Avalia����o da genotoxicidade induzida por emiss��es de ve��culos automotores - Ctenomys minutus como organismo bioindicador

Existe um n��mero crescente de componentes qu��micos lan��ados ao meio ambiente, muitos dos quais s��o capazes de induzir efeitos danosos adversos �� sa��de de animais e humanos, representando uma causa importante de preocupa����o por seus poss��veis efeitos a longo prazo. O impacto ecol��gico e os riscos a sa��de dos organismos associados com a exposi����o a poluentes ambientais s��o extremamente dif��ceis de se avaliar devido a muitos desses componentes serem parte de misturas complexas. Os gases produzidos pelos motores dos ve��culos �� combust��o cont��m diversos poluentes sabidamente genot��xicos, como ��xidos de nitrog��nio (NOX), mon��xido de carbono (CO), ��xidos de enxofre (SOx), hidrocarbonetos (HC) e seus derivados, bem como particulados, e metais (c��dmio, cromo, cobre, n��quel, van��dio, zinco e chumbo). Todos esses compostos isolados ou associados a outros elementos s��o t��xicos ou de efeito danoso aos organismos, de forma n��o totalmente esclarecida. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar o poss��vel efeito genot��xico das emiss��es dos autom��veis em roedor nativo Ctenomys minutus cronicamente exposto, atrav��s do Ensaio Cometa (EC), comparando os resultados com o Teste de Micron��cleos (MN), ambos em sangue perif��rico. Levando em considera����o alguns fatores que pudessem influenciar os resultados dos testes de genotoxicidade, este trabalho ainda teve como objetivos: identificar a presen��a de alguns agentes envolvidos na polui����o gerada pelos ve��culos; verificar poss��veis diferen��as sazonais, como temperatura e ventos; e se existe influ��ncia da idade e sexo dos roedores. Os C. minutus (Octodontidae-Rodentia), foram capturados em dois campos diferentes, ambos ao lado da estrada RS/030, na cidade de Os��rio, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS): (a) Amaral, e (b) Weber. Animais para controle externo foram capturados no Campo Maribo �� cerca de 3 km de dist��ncia de outra estrada (RS/389-Os��rio/RS), conseq��entemente afastada das emiss��es dos ve��culos. No final do per��odo desse estudo, foram capturados 123 animais (73 f��meas e 50 machos).

Limpeza da superf��cie de corte de rebolos por um sistema de ar comprimido na retifica����o cil��ndrica externa de mergulho de materiais cer��micos refrigerados com a t��cnica da m��nima quantidade de lubrificante (MQL)

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Indoor NO2 air pollution and lung function of professional cooks

Studies of cooking-generated NO2 effects are rare in occupational epidemiology. In the present study, we evaluated the lung function of professional cooks exposed to NO2 in hospital kitchens. We performed spirometry in 37 cooks working in four hospital kitchens and estimated the predicted FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75, based on age, sex, race, weight, and height, according to Knudson standards. NO2 measurements were obtained for 4 consecutive days during 4 different periods at 20-day intervals in each kitchen. Measurements were performed inside and outside the kitchens, simultaneously using Palm diffusion tubes. A time/exposure indicator was defined as representative of the cumulative exposure of each cook. No statistically significant effect of NO2 exposure on FVC was found. Each year of work as a cook corresponded to a decrease in predicted FEV1 of 2.5% (P = 0.046) for the group as a whole. When smoking status and asthma were included in the analysis the effect of time/exposure decreased about 10% and lost statistical significance. on predicted FEF25-75, a decrease of 3.5% (P = 0.035) was observed for the same group and the inclusion of controllers for smoking status and asthma did not affect the effects of time/exposure on pulmonary function parameter. After a 10-year period of work as cooks the participants of the study may present decreases in both predicted FEV1 and FEF25-75 that can reach 20 and 30%, respectively. The present study showed small but statistically significant adverse effects of gas stove exposure on the lung function of professional cooks.

Real-time monitoring of ozone in air using substrate-integrated hollow waveguide mid-infrared sensors

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Atmospheric pollutants in S��o Paulo state, Brazil and effects on human health ��� a review

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Contamina����o do len��ol fre��tico por hidrocarbonetos na regi��o de Avar�� - SP

P��s-gradua����o em Engenharia Civil e Ambiental - FEB

The impact of atmospheric particulate matter on cancer incidence and mortality in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

This study aimed to verify the impact of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) on cancer incidence and mortality in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Statistical techniques were used to investigate the relationship between PM10 on cancer incidence and mortality in selected districts. For some types of cancer (skin, lung, thyroid, larynx, and bladder) and some periods, the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.60 to 0.80 for incidence. Lung cancer mortality showed more correlations during the overall period. Spatial analysis showed that districts distant from the city center showed higher than expected relative risk, depending on the type of cancer According to the study, urban PM10 can contribute to increased incidence of some cancers and may also contribute to increased cancer mortality. The results highlight the need to adopt measures to reduce atmospheric PM10 levels and the importance of their continuous monitoring.

Tr��fego veicular e mortalidade por doen��as do aparelho circulat��rio em homens adultos

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associa����o entre indicadores de exposi����o �� polui����o por tr��fego veicular e mortalidade por doen��as do aparelho circulat��rio em homens adultos. M��TODOS: Foram analisadas informa����es sobre vias e volume de tr��fego no ano de 2007 fornecidas pela companhia de engenharia de tr��fego local. Mortalidade por doen��as do aparelho circulat��rio no ano de 2005 entre homens ��� 40 anos foram obtidas do registro de mortalidade do Programa de Aprimoramento de Informa����es de Mortalidade do Munic��pio de S��o Paulo, SP. Dados socioecon��micos do Censo 2000 e informa����es sobre a localiza����o dos servi��os de sa��de tamb��m foram coletados. A exposi����o foi avaliada pela densidade de vias e volume de tr��fego para cada distrito administrativo. Foi calculada regress��o (�� = 5%) entre esses indicadores de exposi����o e as taxas de mortalidade padronizadas, ajustando os modelos para vari��veis socioecon��micas, n��mero de servi��os de sa��de nos distritos e autocorrela����o espacial. RESULTADOS: A correla����o entre densidade de vias e volume de tr��fego foi modesta (r�� = 0,28). Os distritos do centro apresentaram os maiores valores de densidade de vias. O modelo de regress��o espacial de densidade de vias indicou associa����o com mortalidade por doen��as do aparelho circulat��rio (p = 0,017). N��o se observou associa����o no modelo de volume de tr��fego. Em ambos os modelos ��� vias e volume de tr��fego (ve��culos leves/pesados) ��� a vari��vel socioecon��mica foi estatisticamente signi��� cante. CONCLUS��ES: A associa����o entre mortalidade por doen��as do aparelho circulat��rio e densidade de vias converge com a literatura e encoraja a realiza����o de mais estudos epidemiol��gicos em n��vel individual e com m��todos mais acurados de avalia����o da exposi����o.

Air pollution and health: bridging the gap from sources to health outcomes: conference summary

Air Pollution and Health: Bridging the Gap from Sources to Health Outcomes, an international specialty conference sponsored by the American Association for Aerosol Research, was held to address key uncertainties in our understanding of adverse health effects related to air pollution and to integrate and disseminate results from recent scientific studies that cut across a range of air pollution-related disciplines. The Conference addressed the science of air pollution and health within a multipollutant framework (herein "multipollutant" refers to gases and particulate matter mass, components, and physical properties), focusing on five key science areas: sources, atmospheric sciences, exposure, dose, and health effects. Eight key policy-relevant science questions integrated across various parts of the five science areas and a ninth question regarding findings that provide policy-relevant insights served as the framework for the meeting. Results synthesized from this Conference provide new evidence, reaffirm past findings, and offer guidance for future research efforts that will continue to incrementally advance the science required for reducing uncertainties in linking sources, air pollutants, human exposure, and health effects. This paper summarizes the Conference findings organized around the science questions. A number of key points emerged from the Conference findings. First, there is a need for greater focus on multipollutant science and management approaches that include more direct studies of the mixture of pollutants from sources with an emphasis on health studies at ambient concentrations. Further, a number of research groups reaffirmed a need for better understanding of biological mechanisms and apparent associations of various health effects with components of particulate matter (PM), such as elemental carbon, certain organic species, ultrafine particles, and certain trace elements such as Ni, V, and Fe(II), as well as some gaseous pollutants. Although much debate continues in this area, generation of reactive oxygen species induced by these and other species present in air pollution and the resulting oxidative stress and inflammation were reiterated as key pathways leading to respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes. The Conference also underscored significant advances in understanding the susceptibility of populations, including the role of genetics and epigenetics and the influence of socioeconomic and other confounding factors and their synergistic interactions with air pollutants. Participants also pointed out that short-and long-term intervention episodes that reduce pollution from sources and improve air quality continue to indicate that when pollution decreases so do reported adverse health effects. In the limited number of cases where specific sources or PM2.5 species were included in investigations, specific species are often associated with the decrease in effects. Other recent advances for improved exposure estimates for epidemiological studies included using new technologies such as microsensors combined with cell phone and integrated into real-time communications, hybrid air quality modeling such as combined receptor-and emission-based models, and surface observations used with remote sensing such as satellite data.