Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mei W. Tessum, Lianne Sheppard, Timothy Larson, Timothy R. Gould, Joel D. Kaufman, Sverre Vedal
Summary: This study investigates the use of mobile or stationary passive sampling device (PSD) monitoring data collected over a single 2-week period in improving air pollution models in predicting NO2 and NOx concentrations over a 9-year study period. Results show that including mobile or PSD data substantially enhances model performance, particularly in areas with initially poor model performance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marshall Lloyd, Ellison Carter, Florencio Guzman Diaz, Kento Taro Magara-Gomez, Kris Y. Hong, Jill Baumgartner, Victor M. G. Herrera, Scott Weichenthal
Summary: This study developed new models to estimate within-city spatial variations in outdoor ultrafine particles (UFP) and black carbon (BC) concentrations in Bucaramanga, Colombia, using a hybrid approach combining land use data with convolutional neural networks (CNN). The results showed that the combined models outperformed the CNN and land use regression (LUR) models, indicating that a combined approach may reduce exposure measurement error in epidemiological studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangyu Xu, Ning Qin, Zhenchun Yang, Yunwei Liu, Suzhen Cao, Bin Zou, Lan Jin, Yawei Zhang, Xiaoli Duan
Summary: The study found that independently developed daytime/nighttime LUR models outperformed full-day models in predicting PM2.5 and PM10, and this modeling strategy is consistent with residential activity patterns. Nighttime could be a critical exposure period due to high pollutant concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Minmeng Tang, Tri Dev Acharya, Deb A. Niemeier
Summary: This study integrated a land use model with four machine learning models to estimate traffic-related black carbon (BC) concentrations in Oakland, CA. The best-performing model, Random Forest, showed good accuracy in estimating BC concentrations. However, this approach was inefficient at identifying hyperlocal hotspots, especially in a complex urban environment where significant emission sources like highways and truck routes exist.
ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shao Lin, Ian Ryan, Sanchita Paul, Xinlei Deng, Wangjian Zhang, Gan Luo, Guang-Hui Dong, Arshad Nair, Fangqun Yu
Summary: This study found immediate and lasting effects of particle surface area concentration (PSC) on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and delayed and prolonged impacts of ultrafine particle number concentration (UFPnc). Larger PSC was associated with higher risks of stroke, hypertension, and ischemic heart diseases.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cheng Lin, Kevin J. Lane, Jeffrey K. Griffiths, Doug Brugge
Summary: This study focused on examining the potential long-term health impacts of short-term peak exposures to traffic-related ultrafine particles (UFPs) and proposed a new exposure metric. Through a survey of participants from near-highway/urban background neighborhoods in the Greater Boston Area, it was found that peak exposure levels were not strongly correlated with annual averages, suggesting that peak exposure and annual average exposure should be considered as distinct metrics.
JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hoda Talaat, Junshi Xu, Marianne Hatzopoulou, Hossam Abdelgawad
Summary: This study developed a spatial model for predicting black carbon concentrations in the Greater Cairo Region in Egypt using mobile data and compared the accuracy of different models. The neural network model showed higher accuracy in estimating BC concentrations compared to the land use regression model.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Siqi Zhang, Susanne Breitner, Regina Pickford, Timo Lanki, Enembe Okokon, Lidia Morawska, Evangelia Samoli, Sophia Rodopoulou, Massimo Stafoggia, Matteo Renzi, Tamara Schikowski, Qi Zhao, Alexandra Schneider, Annette Peters
Summary: An increasing number of epidemiological studies have found an association between ultrafine particles (UFP) and imbalanced autonomic control of the heart, which may be a potential mechanism linking particulate matter air pollution to cardiovascular disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that short-term exposure to ambient UFP is associated with decreased heart rate variability (HRV), particularly as an immediate response within hours.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. M. Mirzadeh, F. Nejadkoorki, S. A. Mirhoseini, V. Moosavi
Summary: By combining the wavelet transform technique with artificial intelligence methods, this study aimed to improve the short-term and long-term prediction accuracy of particulate matter concentration. The results showed that the wavelet-support vector regression and wavelet-adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system models had higher accuracy in daily forecasting, around 99%, while wavelet-support vector regression had higher accuracy in hourly forecasting, around 96%.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marshall Lloyd, Arman Ganji, Junshi Xu, Alessya Venuta, Leora Simon, Mingqian Zhang, Milad Saeedi, Shoma Yamanouchi, Joshua Apte, Kris Hong, Marianne Hatzopoulou, Scott Weichenthal
Summary: This study developed new models to estimate within-city spatial variations in concentrations and sizes of ultrafine particles (UFP) and black carbon (BC) in Montreal and Toronto. The combined models had slightly higher R-2 values than the generalized additive models and deep Convolutional Neural Network models. Predictions from these models are useful for future research on the long-term health effects of outdoor UFPs and BC.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Zapata-Marin, Alexandra M. Schmidt, Scott Weichenthal, Daniel S. W. Katz, Tim Takaro, Jeffrey Brook, Eric Lavigne
Summary: This study analyzed pollen measurements in Toronto, Canada from March to October 2018. It estimated the concentration of different types of pollen, examined the association between pollen concentration and environmental variables, and provided spatiotemporal surfaces of pollen concentration. The results showed associations between tree, grass, and weed pollen with various environmental factors. The predicted surfaces can assist future epidemiological studies in investigating the relationship between pollen levels and health outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Li Li, Pei Niu, Xuan Wang, Fangbo Bing, Wenchang Tan, Yunlong Huo
Summary: Inhalation of ultrafine zinc particles for 4 weeks can alleviate cardiac and hemodynamic dysfunctions caused by myocardial infarction, although the long-term effects are still unknown.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shailendra Kumar Yadav, Rajeev Kumar Mishra, Bhola Ram Gurjar
Summary: The study evaluated the particle number size distribution of green cracker emissions and found that green crackers emit more particles with smaller diameters than traditional crackers. If the emission of small particles from green crackers can be controlled, using green crackers for celebrations may be an option.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Remy Petremand, Pascal Wild, Camille Creze, Guillaume Suarez, Sophie Besancon, Valerie Jouannique, Amelie Debatisse, Irina Guseva Canu
Summary: The study utilized a Bayesian spline method to evaluate the real-time UFP number concentration in the personal breathing zone of Parisian subway professionals, revealing higher PNC levels closer to the subway tracks and on station platforms. Event and week day variables were found to have a lesser influence on UFP number concentrations.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yihui Ge, Qingyan Fu, Min Yi, Yuan Chao, Xiaoning Lei, Xueyi Xu, Zhenchun Yang, Jianlin Hu, Haidong Kan, Jing Cai
Summary: This study developed a land-use regression (LUR) model for UFP exposure assessment in Shanghai, China, and showed the importance of high-resolution models for UFP exposure assessment in urban areas. The final model explained 69% of the spatial variability in UFP concentration, with predictors including traffic-related NOx emissions, number of restaurants, building footprint area, and distance to the nearest national road, within a relatively small buffer size.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Bernice Scholten, Lutzen Portengen, Anjoeka Pronk, Rob Stierum, George S. Downward, Jelle Vlaanderen, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: This study evaluates the exposure-response curve for benzene and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by integrating data across multiple evidence bases and using Bayesian meta-regression models. The results suggest that integrating different types of data can provide more precise risk estimates, although the heterogeneity between studies hampers interpretation of the results.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Joline W. J. Beulens, Maria G. M. Pinho, Taymara C. Abreu, Nicole R. den Braver, Thao M. Lam, Anke Huss, Jelle Vlaanderen, Tabea Sonnenschein, Noreen Z. Siddiqui, Zhendong Yuan, Jules Kerckhoffs, Alexandra Zhernakova, Milla F. Brandao Gois, Roel C. H. Vermeulen
Summary: Type 2 diabetes is primarily influenced by environmental risks and modifiable factors such as lifestyle choices. The external exposome, including built, social, physico-chemical, and lifestyle/food environments, plays a significant role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Air pollution, residential noise, and area-level socioeconomic deprivation have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, while neighborhood walkability and green space are associated with a reduced risk. The impact of food environment, social environment, and outdoor temperature on type 2 diabetes risk remains inconclusive and requires further investigation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mariana Simoes, Anke Huss, Nicole Janssen, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported psychological distress (SPD) and self-perceived health (SPH) in residents living near pesticide-treated agricultural land. The results showed no significant association between residential proximity to pesticide-treated crops with psychological distress or perceived health, except for a slight correlation between 'all crops' and perceived health.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Susan Peters, Danielle Vienneau, Alexia Sampri, Michelle C. Turner, Gemma Castano-Vinyals, Merete Bugge, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: OMEGA-NET aims to optimize the use of European occupational cohorts for aetiological research. An online inventory has been set up to collect meta-data on exposure assessment tools, providing support for researchers to find available tools for assessing occupational exposures in their cohorts.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bernice Scholten, Laura Guerrero Simon, Shaji Krishnan, Roel Vermeulen, Anjoeka Pronk, Benjamin M. Gyori, John A. Bachman, Jelle Vlaanderen, Rob Stierum
Summary: This study investigated an automated approach combining machine reading and network visualization tools to improve the efficiency and accuracy of evidence identification for hazard assessment. The results showed that this method can help quickly identify relevant statements and their connections.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jules Kerckhoffs, Jibran Khan, Gerard Hoek, Zhendong Yuan, Thomas Ellermann, Ole Hertel, Matthias Ketzel, Steen Solvang Jensen, Kees Meliefste, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: High-resolution air quality maps based on street-by-street measurements are now possible through large-scale mobile measurement campaigns. This study used Google Street View cars to measure NO2 concentrations on every street in Amsterdam and Copenhagen, and developed a mixed model framework that combined data-only mapping and LUR models, resulting in improved concentration predictions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Roel Vermeulen, Lutzen Portengen, Guilan Li, Ethel S. Gilbert, Graca M. Dores, Bu-Tian Ji, Richard Hayes, Sognian Yin, Nathaniel Rothman, Martha S. Linet, Qing Lan
Summary: This study aims to investigate the relationship between benzene exposure and the risk of benzene poisoning, with a focus on low doses and susceptible populations. The results show a clear association between benzene exposure and benzene poisoning, with no threshold effect and higher risks for workers exposed at a younger age.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hamed Jalilian, Monica Guxens, Sanna Heikkinen, Eero Pukkala, Anke Huss, Seyed Kamal Eshagh Hossaini, Kristina Kjaerheim, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) and electric shocks and the risk of lymphoma. Based on a large Nordic census-based cohort, the study found no association between occupational exposure to ELF-MFs and electric shocks and the risk of lymphoma.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhebin Yu, Gerard H. Koppelman, Jolanda M. A. Boer, Gerard Hoek, Jules Kerckhoffs, Judith M. Vonk, Roel Vermeulen, Ulrike Gehring
Summary: The study found that long-term exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) is associated with an increased risk of asthma development, but this association becomes non-significant after adjusting for other pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhendong Yuan, Jules Kerckhoffs, Gerard Hoek, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: The study found that combining transfer-learning techniques with mobile and long-term monitoring data improves the estimation accuracy of long-term near-road air pollution concentrations. Transfer-learning LUR models performed better than models trained only with mobile measurements, showing an improvement in predicting long-term near-road concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Femke Bouma, Gerard Hoek, Gerard H. Koppelman, Judith M. Vonk, Jules Kerckhoffs, Roel Vermeulen, Ulrike Gehring
Summary: This study investigated the association between long-term exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) and allergic sensitization in children. The findings showed no significant association between UFP exposure and sensitization to inhalant and food allergens. However, NO2, PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance, and PM10 were found to be associated with sensitization to food allergens.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Femke Bouma, Nicole A. H. Janssen, Joost Wesseling, Sjoerd van Ratingen, Maciek Strak, Jules Kerckhoffs, Ulrike Gehring, Wouter Hendricx, Kees de Hoogh, Roel Vermeulen, Gerard Hoek
Summary: This study investigated the associations between long-term exposure to ultrafine particles and natural and cause-specific mortality in the Netherlands. The results showed that long-term exposure to ultrafine particles was associated with increased respiratory disease and lung cancer mortality, but a weaker association with cardiovascular disease mortality.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhendong Yuan, Jules Kerckhoffs, Youchen Shen, Kees de Hoogh, Gerard Hoek, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: Mobile air quality measurements collected for a short period of time on roads have limitations in estimating long-term concentrations at residential addresses. To address this issue, the Global2Local model was proposed, using long-term measurements collected over a larger geographical area as transfer targets. Empirical testing showed that the airshed countries scale provided the lowest errors, while the Europe-wide scale had the highest R2. The Global2Local model significantly reduced errors compared to local mobile and global LUR models, improving the accuracy in mapping long-term residential concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniella van de Langenberg, Jelle Vlaanderen, Nina Berentzen, Hans Kromhout, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: Night-shift work is associated with an increased risk of using sleep medication and melatonin, but not with suboptimal sleep duration and quality.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justiina Ronkainen, Rozenn Nedelec, Angelica Atehortua, Zhanna Balkhiyarova, Anna Cascarano, Vien Ngoc Dang, Ahmed Elhakeem, Esther van Enckevort, Ana Goncalves Soares, Sido Haakma, Miia Halonen, Katharina F. Heil, Anni Heiskala, Eleanor Hyde, Benedicte Jacquemin, Elina Keikkala, Jules Kerckhoffs, Anton Klavus, Joanna A. Kopinska, Johanna Lepeule, Francesca Marazzi, Irina Motoc, Mari Naatanen, Anton Ribbenstedt, Amanda Rundblad, Otto Savolainen, Valentina Simonetti, Nina de Toro Eadie, Evangelia Tzala, Anna Ulrich, Thomas Wright, Iman Zarei, Enrico d'Amico, Federico Belotti, Carl Brunius, Christopher Castleton, Marie-Aline Charles, Romy Gaillard, Kati Hanhineva, Gerard Hoek, Kirsten B. Holven, Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, Marika A. Kaakinen, Eero Kajantie, Maryam Kavousi, Timo Lakka, Jason Matthews, Andrea Piano Mortari, Marja Vaarasmaki, Trudy Voortman, Claire Webster, Marie Zins, Vincenzo Atella, Maria Bulgheroni, Marc Chadeau-Hyam, Gabriella Conti, Jayne Evans, Janine F. Felix, Barbara Heude, Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, Marjukka Kolehmainen, Rikard Landberg, Karim Lekadir, Stefano Parusso, Inga Prokopenko, Susanne R. de Rooij, Tessa Roseboom, Morris Swertz, Nicholas Timpson, Stine M. Ulven, Roel Vermeulen, Teija Juola, Sylvain Sebert
Summary: The current epidemics of cardiovascular and metabolic noncommunicable diseases are associated with changes in modern postwar societies, including rural-to-urban migration, modernization of agricultural practices and transportation, climate change, and aging. The LongITools project aims to investigate the link between multidimensional environmental exposures and the occurrence of these diseases.
ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)