Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuo-Hsien Shiau, Su-Fen Yang, Rishan Adha, Syamsiyatul Muzayyanah, Giia-Sheun Peng
Summary: This study examines the relationship between household energy efficiency, ambient air pollution, climate change, and mortality risk from chronic respiratory diseases. The findings indicate that enhancing household energy efficiency decreases the mortality rate associated with chronic respiratory diseases. The study collected observational data in six major cities in Taiwan from 2008 to 2020.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ambe J. Njoh
Summary: A GLM was used to analyze secondary data from World Bank databases to study the impact of renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions differentials in Africa. The results indicated an inverse relationship between energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hwa-Dong Liu, Ping-Hsun Shen, Wei-Jen Chen
Summary: This study proposes a novel Chain Recooling Energy Recovery Ventilator (CR-ERV) system to address the drawbacks of the typical Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system. The experiment conducted in a hot and humid climate shows that the proposed system can significantly reduce indoor CO2 and PM2.5 concentrations, thus improving indoor air quality. Although there is a slight increase in electricity consumption, the implementation of this system is straightforward and economical, making it worth integrating into future residential building projects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ali Hemmatifar, Jin Soo Kang, Nil Ozbek, Kai-Jher Tan, T. Alan Hatton
Summary: A novel electrochemically mediated direct air capture (DAC) system using quinone-based chemistry for CO2 capture and release is reported. The system relies solely on the affinity of quinone moieties towards CO2 molecules, without requiring temperature or pH swing. The performance of the system is evaluated with small- and meso-scale cells, demonstrating high CO2 capture efficiency and low energy consumption.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chloe Friedman, Dana Dabelea, Deborah H. Glueck, William B. Allshouse, John L. Adgate, Kayleigh P. Keller, Sheena E. Martenies, Sheryl Magzamen, Anne P. Starling
Summary: Higher levels of black carbon in early childhood were associated with increased adiposity and altered insulin homeostasis at around 5 years old. However, there was inconsistent evidence of associations between prenatal black carbon exposure and cardiometabolic health outcomes in early childhood.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Daogui Tang, Tao Jiang, Chaoyuan Xu, Zhe Chen, Yupeng Yuan, Wuyou Zhao, Josep M. Guerrero
Summary: This research focuses on the potential of onshore power supply (OPS) to improve energy efficiency in the Port of Ningbo Zhoushan, China. The findings suggest that OPS can enhance the energy efficiency of berthed ships, although the effectiveness is diminished when considering indirect emissions and energy loss.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qian Luo, Fernando Garcia-Menendez, Haozhe Yang, Ranjit Deshmukh, Gang He, Jiang Lin, Jeremiah X. Johnson
Summary: China's regulated power system is transitioning towards market mechanisms to reduce costs and improve reliability. By modeling power system operations under economic dispatch, significant reductions in mortality related to air pollution and CO2 emissions can be achieved through more efficient coal-powered generation. Incorporating emission externalities in electricity generation costs can further enhance health and climate benefits. However, the transition may lead to unevenly distributed impacts across China.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicoletta Lotrecchiano, Daniele Sofia
Summary: Heating is a major contributor to pollution in urban areas, but implementing a district heating system can reduce the presence of traditional heating systems and lower particulate matter emissions. A case study in Serra San Bruno, Italy, found that using a biomass plant as a thermal conversion plant for district heating can effectively reduce particulate matter pollution.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qian Luo, Fernando Garcia-Menendez, Haozhe Yang, Ranjit Deshmukh, Gang He, Jiang Lin, Jeremiah X. Johnson
Summary: China's power system is undergoing a transition from equal-share dispatch to economic dispatch, which can result in significant reductions in air pollution-related mortality and CO2 emissions. Incorporating emission externalities in electricity generation costs can further enhance health and climate benefits. However, the uneven distribution of benefits across China may lead to increased health damage in some regions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Suhil Kiwan, Abdullah Alali, Mohammad Al-Safadi
Summary: This study integrates a freezing desalination unit into a conventional power plant to improve performance and produce desalinated water. A mathematical model is used to simulate the modified cycle and analyze the effects of compressor inlet air temperature on thermal performance and fuel consumption. Results show that the proposed system can efficiently produce a large amount of desalinated water and increase energy utilization efficiency. Additionally, the operational cost for desalinated water production is compared with other desalination technologies.
Article
Economics
Jakub Sokolowski, Stefan Bouzarovski
Summary: This paper examines the energy mix policies in the Polish residential sector from 1990 to 2021. The study finds that policymakers in Poland initially overlooked the interests of households, resulting in high coal consumption rates. However, recent anti-smog regulations and clean air programs have shown some positive effects. The 2021 energy policy now prioritizes decarbonization, reducing energy poverty, and improving air quality in the residential sector.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yiting Li, Anikender Kumar, Yin Li, Michael J. Kleeman
Summary: An analysis of environmental justice shows that adopting low-carbon energy sources by 2050 can reduce the race/ethnicity disparity in air pollution exposure in California by up to 20% for PM2.5 mass and up to 40% for PM0.1 mass. Evaluations of six different energy scenarios using the CA-TIMES model indicate that deeper reductions in carbon intensity of energy sources lead to decreased PM exposure and reduced racial disparities. The findings suggest that the adoption of low-carbon energy can significantly improve public health and reduce racial inequalities in air quality.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tommaso Filippini, Kenneth J. Rothman, Silvia Cocchio, Elena Narne, Domenico Mantoan, Mario Saia, Alessia Goffi, Fabrizio Ferrari, Giuseppe Maffeis, Nicola Orsini, Vincenzo Baldo, Marco Vinceti
Summary: After the appearance of COVID-19 in China, Italy was severely affected, especially in the North where the virus spread rapidly. Research indicated an association between air pollution levels and COVID-19 mortality rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bhishma Tyagi, Goutam Choudhury, Naresh Krishna Vissa, Jyotsna Singh, Matthias Tesche
Summary: The study investigated the air pollution pattern over India during the COVID-19 lockdown, revealing higher pollution levels over eastern India near coal-fired power plants clusters and predicting it to become a new hotspot region for air pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chatsuda Mata, Sattamat Lappharat, Yaowares Chusiri, Metida Khumjorhor, Nutta Taneepanichskul
Summary: Residential proximity to a lignite-fired power plant was found to be associated with sleep quality and morning salivary cortisol levels among the elderly, but not with depression. Living within 10 kilometers of the power plant increased the risk of negative health outcomes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paola Filigrana, Jonathan Levy, Josette Gauthier, Stuart Batterman, Sara D. Adar
Summary: This study examines the effects of promoting electric vehicles (EV) and walking/bicycling on reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality and health in Seattle. The results show that increasing the use of EV, walking, and bicycling can lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions, lower air pollutant concentrations, and prevent premature deaths and asthma cases.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Keith R. Spangler, Jonathan Levy, M. Patricia Fabian, Beth M. Haley, Fei Carnes, Prasad Patil, Koen Tieskens, R. Monina Klevens, Elizabeth A. Erdman, T. Scott Troppy, Jessica H. Leibler, Kevin J. Lane
Summary: Infectious disease surveillance often lacks complete information on race and ethnicity, hindering the identification of health disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought greater attention to this issue, revealing significant missing demographic details in reported cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. This study analyzed individual-level data on confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts from March 2020 to February 2021 and found that missing race and ethnicity data varied over time, showed nonrandom distribution across towns, and were associated with various individual- and town-level characteristics.
JOURNAL OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jonathan I. Levy, Lisa Bowleg
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tracey J. Woodruff, Swati D. G. Rayasam, Daniel A. Axelrad, Patricia D. Koman, Nicholas Chartres, Deborah H. Bennett, Linda S. Birnbaum, Phil Brown, Courtney C. Carignan, Courtney Cooper, Carl F. Cranor, Miriam L. Diamond, Shari Franjevic, Eve C. Gartner, Dale Hattis, Russ Hauser, Wendy Heiger-Bernays, Rashmi Joglekar, Juleen Lam, Jonathan I. Levy, Patrick M. MacRoy, Maricel V. Maffini, Emily C. Marquez, Rachel Morello-Frosch, Keeve E. Nachman, Greylin H. Nielsen, Catherine Oksas, Dimitri Panagopoulos Abrahamsson, Heather B. Patisaul, Sharyle Patton, Joshua F. Robinson, Kathryn M. Rodgers, Mark S. Rossi, Ruthann A. Rudel, Jennifer B. Sass, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Ted Schettler, Rachel M. Shaffer, Bhavna Shamasunder, Peggy M. Shepard, Kristin Shrader-Frechette, Gina M. Solomon, Wilma A. Subra, Laura N. Vandenberg, Julia R. Varshavsky, Roberta F. White, Ken Zarker, Lauren Zeise
Summary: The manufacture and production of industrial chemicals continues to increase, leading to widespread population exposures and resultant health impacts. Low-wealth communities and communities of color often bear disproportionate burdens of exposure and impact. Multiple authoritative bodies and scientific consensus groups have called for actions to prevent harmful exposures via improved policy approaches. We developed consensus recommendations for health-protective, scientific approaches to reduce harmful chemical exposures, which can be applied to current US policies governing industrial chemicals and environmental pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Greylin H. Nielsen, Wendy J. Heiger-Bernays, Jonathan I. Levy, Roberta F. White, Daniel A. Axelrad, Juleen Lam, Nicholas Chartres, Dimitri Panagopoulos Abrahamsson, Swati D. G. Rayasam, Rachel M. Shaffer, Lauren Zeise, Tracey J. Woodruff, Gary L. Ginsberg
Summary: Human health risk assessment currently uses the reference dose or reference concentration approach to describe the level of exposure to chemical hazards without appreciable risk for non-cancer health effects in people. However, this approach has limited utility for decision-making and can benefit from incorporating probabilistic methods to estimate risk across a wide range of exposures.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel D. Nguyen, Eric A. Whitsel, Gregory A. Wellenius, Jonathan Levy, Jessica H. Leibler, Stephanie T. Grady, James D. Stewart, Matthew P. Fox, Jason M. Collins, Melissa N. Eliot, Andrew Malwitz, JoAnn E. Manson, Junenette L. Peters
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the association between long-term aircraft noise exposure and the risk of hypertension among post-menopausal women. The findings showed no relationship between aircraft noise exposure and incident hypertension among older women in the U.S.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jacob O. Bor, Sabrina Assoumou, Kevin I. Lane, Yareliz Diaz, Bisola Ojikutu, Julia Raifman, Jonathan Levy
Summary: This study examined the vaccination and booster coverage across different ZIP codes in Massachusetts and found significant inequities in coverage. The share of children vaccinated ranged from under 40% to over 90% across ZIP codes, while the share of elderly adults boosted ranged from under 60% to 100%. Education levels were the strongest predictor of vaccine and booster uptake. After adjusting for age and education levels, vaccine and booster uptake was higher in ZIP codes with many Black/Latino/Indigenous residents or essential workers. These inequities may lead to disparities in morbidity, mortality, and economic losses due to COVID-19.
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
Jonathan I. Levy
Summary: Historically redlined communities have faced disproportionate environmental and social challenges due to lower housing values and unequal access to investments and resources. New research examines the potential correlation between redlining and the location of fossil fuel power plants, and how this relationship has evolved over time.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Prasad Patil, Xiaojing Peng, Beth M. Haley, Keith R. Spangler, Koen F. Tieskens, Kevin J. Lane, Fei Carnes, MPatricia Fabian, R. Monina Klevens, T. Scott Troppy, Jessica H. Leibler, Jonathan I. Levy
Summary: Researchers compared the use of finer-resolution data with coarser-resolution data to study the predictors of COVID-19. The results showed changes in estimates and tighter confidence intervals at the census-tract level. Conclusions based on town or county-resolution data may be misleading when studying high-risk populations.
ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chloe S. Chung, Kevin J. Lane, Flannery Black-Ingersoll, Eric Kolaczyk, Claire Schollaert, Sijia Li, Matthew C. Simon, Jonathan I. Levy
Summary: Aircraft emissions, especially during arrival periods, contribute to elevated levels of ultrafine particle concentration (PNC) in communities near airports. This study evaluated the impact of arrival aircraft on PNC across six study sites near Boston Logan International Airport. The findings showed that PNC was higher at sites closer to the airport and during hours with high aircraft activity, with arrival aircraft accounting for up to 50% of the total PNC at the nearest monitoring site. This highlights the intermittent but significant contributions of arrival aircraft to ambient PNC.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kevin J. Lane, Jonathan I. Levy, Allison P. Patton, John L. Durant, Wig Zamore, Doug Brugge
Summary: This study used structural equation modeling to assess the association between traffic-related air pollution and social stressors with inflammation. The results showed a strong correlation between traffic-related air pollution and inflammation, and a negative correlation between socio-economic status and inflammation. Structural equation modeling played an important role in the analysis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie T. Grady, Jaime E. Hart, Francine Laden, Charlotte Roscoe, Daniel D. Nguyen, Elizabeth J. Nelson, Matthew Bozigar, Trang VoPham, JoAnn E. Manson, Jennifer Weuve, Sara D. Adar, John P. Forman, Kathryn Rexrode, Jonathan I. Levy, Junenette L. Peters
Summary: This study examined the association between aircraft noise and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among two US cohorts. The results showed no adverse associations between aircraft noise and CVD incidence, CVD mortality, or all-cause mortality.
ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amelia K. Wesselink, Perry Hystad, Kipruto Kirwa, Joel D. Kaufman, Mary D. Willis, Tanran R. Wang, Adam A. Szpiro, Jonathan I. Levy, David A. Savitz, Kenneth J. Rothman, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Lauren A. Wise
Summary: This study found that ambient concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and O3 were not significantly associated with reduced fecundability in both the U.S. and Canada. Different concentrations of these pollutants also had varying impacts on fecundability.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sarabeth Buckley, Catherine L. Connolly, Pamela H. Templer, Jacqueline Ashmore, Luis Carvalho, Nathan Phillips, Patricia Fabian
Summary: Simultaneous rooftop garden and ventilation upgrades can reduce CO2 emissions, save energy, and decrease costs.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Beth M. Haley, Prasad Patil, Jonathan I. Levy, Keith R. Spangler, Koen F. Tieskens, Fei Carnes, Xiaojing Peng, R. Monina Klevens, T. Scott Troppy, M. Patricia Fabian, Kevin J. Lane, Jessica H. Leibler
Summary: Occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 varies by profession, but essential workers are often considered in aggregate in COVID-19 models. We used census tract-resolution American Community Survey data to develop novel essential worker categories among the occupations designated as COVID-19 Essential Services in Massachusetts. Our findings show elevated COVID-19 case incidence in census tracts with higher proportions of workers in construction/transportation/buildings maintenance, production, and public-facing sales and services occupations. We also found that a greater percentage of essential workers able to work from home was associated with reduced case incidence. Estimating industry-specific risk for essential workers is important in targeting interventions for COVID-19 and other diseases.
JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2023)