ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0056-6680
Current Organisation
University of Alabama at Birmingham
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Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 07-2017
DOI: 10.1111/INA.12401
Abstract: To evaluate the association between pre-natal and post-natal exposure to pet ownership and lung function in children, a cross-sectional study named Seven Northeastern Cities (SNEC) study was conducted. In this study, children's lung function including the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVRES.2018.12.047
Abstract: No evidence exists concerning the association between blood pressure and ambient particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1.0 µm (PM
Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
Date: 09-2017
DOI: 10.1192/BJP.BP.117.202325
Abstract: Little is known about the joint mental health effects of air pollution and tobacco smoking in low- and middle-income countries. To investigate the effects of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter pollution (PM 2.5 ) and smoking and their combined (interactive) effects on depression. Multilevel logistic regression analysis of baseline data of a prospective cohort study ( n =41785). The 3-year average concentrations of PM 2.5 were estimated using US National Aeronautics and Space Administration satellite data, and depression was diagnosed using a standardised questionnaire. Three-level logistic regression models were applied to examine the associations with depression. The odds ratio (OR) for depression was 1.09 (95% CI 1.01–1.17) per 10 μg/m 3 increase in ambient PM 2.5 , and the association remained after adjusting for potential confounding factors (adjusted OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.19). Tobacco smoking (smoking status, frequency, duration and amount) was also significantly associated with depression. There appeared to be a synergistic interaction between ambient PM 2.5 and smoking on depression in the additive model, but the interaction was not statistically significant in the multiplicative model. Our study suggests that exposure to ambient PM 2.5 may increase the risk of depression, and smoking may enhance this effect.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2018.09.056
Abstract: The linkage between ambient air pollution exposure and occurrence of diabetes mellitus is not well defined. This study examined the association between exposure to fine particles (PM
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVRES.2017.01.025
Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated associations between serum levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and asthma or asthma related-biomarkers. However, no studies have reported a possible relationship between PFASs exposure and lung function among children. The objective of the present study is to test the association between PFASs exposure and lung function in children from a high exposure area by using a cross-sectional case-control study, which included 132 asthmatic children and 168 non-asthmatic controls recruited from 2009 to 2010 in the Genetic and Biomarkers study for Childhood Asthma. Structured questionnaires were administered face-to-face. Lung function was measured by spirometry. Linear regression models were used to examine the influence of PFASs on lung function. The results showed that asthmatics in our study had significantly higher serum PFAS concentrations than healthy controls. Logistic regression models showed a positive association between PFASs and asthma, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-1.21) to 2.76 (95% CI: 1.82-4.17). Linear regression modeling showed serum PFASs levels were significantly negatively associated with three pulmonary function measurements (forced vital capacity: FVC forced expiratory volume in 1s: FEV
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2017
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.015739
Abstract: Short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate pollution (PM 2.5 ) has been linked to increased stroke. Few studies, however, have examined the effects of long-term exposure. A total of 45 625 participants were interviewed and included in this study, the participants came from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health, a prospective cohort in 6 low- and middle-income countries. Ambient PM 2.5 levels were estimated for participants’ communities using satellite data. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to examine the association between long-term PM 2.5 exposure and stroke. Potential effect modification by physical activity and consumption of fruit and vegetables was assessed. The odds of stroke were 1.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.22) for each 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 . This effect remained after adjustment for confounding factors including age, sex, smoking, and indoor air pollution (adjusted odds ratio=1.12 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.21). Further stratified analyses suggested that participants with higher levels of physical activity had greater odds of stroke, whereas those with higher consumption of fruit and vegetables had lower odds of stroke. These effects remained robust in sensitivity analyses. We further estimated that 6.55% (95% confidence interval, 1.97%–12.01%) of the stroke cases could be attributable to ambient PM 2.5 in the study population. This study suggests that ambient PM 2.5 may increase the risk of stroke and may be responsible for the astounding stroke burden in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, greater physical activity may enhance, whereas greater consumption of fruit and vegetables may mitigate the effect.
Location: United States of America
No related grants have been discovered for Steven Howard.