Showing posts with label Air pollution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Air pollution. Show all posts
Autism genes are selectively targeted by environmental pollutants including pesticides, heavy metals, bisphenol A, phthalates and many others in food, cosmetics or household products
The increasing incidence of autism suggests a major environmental influence. Epidemiology has implicated many candidates and genetics many susceptibility genes. Gene/environment interactions in autism were analysed using 206 autism susceptibility genes (ASG's) from the Autworks database to interrogate ∼1 million chemical/gene interactions in the comparative toxicogenomics database. Any bias towards ASG's was statistically determined for each chemical. Many suspect compounds identified in epidemiology, including tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, pesticides, particulate matter, benzo(a)pyrene, heavy metals, valproate, acetaminophen, SSRI's, cocaine, bisphenol A, phthalates, polyhalogenated biphenyls, flame retardants, diesel constituents, terbutaline and oxytocin, inter alia showed a significant degree of bias towards ASG's, as did relevant endogenous agents (retinoids, sex steroids, thyroxine, melatonin, folate, dopamine, serotonin). Numerous other suspected endocrine disruptors (over 100) selectively targeted ASG's including paraquat, atrazine and other pesticides not yet studied in autism and many compounds used in food, cosmetics or household products, including tretinoin, soy phytoestrogens, aspartame, titanium dioxide and sodium fluoride. Autism polymorphisms influence the sensitivity to some of these chemicals and these same genes play an important role in barrier function and control of respiratory cilia sweeping particulate matter from the airways. Pesticides, heavy metals and pollutants also disrupt barrier and/or ciliary function, which is regulated by sex steroids and by bitter/sweet taste receptors. Further epidemiological studies and neurodevelopmental and behavioural research is warranted to determine the relevance of a large number of suspect candidates whose addition to the environment, household, food and cosmetics might be fuelling the autism epidemic in a gene-dependent manner.
Air pollution, stroke, and anxiety | The BMJ
The
effects of air pollution on the lungs and heart are now widely
appreciated, with expanding evidence for an important role in cardiac
disease.1 The Global Burden of Disease Study identified fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
in outdoor air and household air pollution from use of solid fuels as
the ninth and fourth leading risk factors, respectively, for disease
worldwide,2 and the World Health Organization attributes one in every eight deaths to air pollution.3
The effects of air pollution are not limited to cardiopulmonary
diseases. Recent evidence suggests a role in diverse outcomes, including
diabetes,4 low birth weight, and preterm birth.5
This research stems from improved understanding of the role of air
pollution in initiating systemic inflammation, a response that may
affect multiple organ systems. Two linked studies (doi:10.1136/bmj.h1295, doi:10.1136/bmj.h1111) add to growing evidence that air pollution is an important risk factor for an increasing number of common diseases.6 7
effects of air pollution on the lungs and heart are now widely
appreciated, with expanding evidence for an important role in cardiac
disease.1 The Global Burden of Disease Study identified fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
in outdoor air and household air pollution from use of solid fuels as
the ninth and fourth leading risk factors, respectively, for disease
worldwide,2 and the World Health Organization attributes one in every eight deaths to air pollution.3
The effects of air pollution are not limited to cardiopulmonary
diseases. Recent evidence suggests a role in diverse outcomes, including
diabetes,4 low birth weight, and preterm birth.5
This research stems from improved understanding of the role of air
pollution in initiating systemic inflammation, a response that may
affect multiple organ systems. Two linked studies (doi:10.1136/bmj.h1295, doi:10.1136/bmj.h1111) add to growing evidence that air pollution is an important risk factor for an increasing number of common diseases.6 7
In the first of the two papers, Shah and colleagues6
systematically reviewed and meta-analysed 103 studies conducted in 28
countries and including 6.2 million events to assess the role of short
term fluctuations in air pollution as a trigger for stroke. Although
evidence from several cohort studies of long term exposure to
particulate matter indicates associations with stroke mortality, such
findings are not universal.8
systematically reviewed and meta-analysed 103 studies conducted in 28
countries and including 6.2 million events to assess the role of short
term fluctuations in air pollution as a trigger for stroke. Although
evidence from several cohort studies of long term exposure to
particulate matter indicates associations with stroke mortality, such
findings are not universal.8
The
role of air pollution as a possible trigger for stroke has important
implications for disease burden, especially in China where air pollution
and the incidence of (especially haemorrhagic) stroke are high. In
their analysis, Shah and colleagues found that increases in each of the
common gaseous and particulate air pollutants were significantly
associated with admission to hospital for stroke or stroke related
mortality, with associations strongest for strokes on the same day as
exposure; increased ozone was only weakly associated with
cerebrovascular events.
role of air pollution as a possible trigger for stroke has important
implications for disease burden, especially in China where air pollution
and the incidence of (especially haemorrhagic) stroke are high. In
their analysis, Shah and colleagues found that increases in each of the
common gaseous and particulate air pollutants were significantly
associated with admission to hospital for stroke or stroke related
mortality, with associations strongest for strokes on the same day as
exposure; increased ozone was only weakly associated with
cerebrovascular events.
New evidence links air pollution to autism, schizophrenia
A new study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives describes how exposure to air pollution early in life produces harmful changes in the brains of mice, including an enlargement of part of the brain that is seen in humans who have autism and schizophrenia.The new findings are consistent with several recent studies that have shown a link between air pollution and autism in children. Most notably, a 2013 study in JAMA Psychiatry reported that children who lived in areas with high levels of traffic-related air pollution during their first year of life were three times as likely to develop autism. "Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that air pollution may play a role in autism, as well as in other neurodevelopmental disorders," said Deborah Cory-Slechta,Ph.D., professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester and lead author of the study.
Air Pollution Tied To Hardening Of Arteries
MNT: "Over time, increased exposure to air pollution is linked to faster "hardening" of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Conversely, exposure to reduced levels of air pollution is linked to slowed progression of atherosclerosis. These are the findings of a new study from the US published this week in PLOS Medicine. "
Futurity.org – Arsenic from coal ash pollutes water sources
Scientists have found arsenic and other toxic elements—in levels beyond EPA guidelines for safe drinking water—in lakes and rivers downstream from coal-fired power plants’ settling ponds.
Short-term exposure to most major air pollutants associated with increased risk of heart attack
Short-term exposure (for up to 7 days) to all major air pollutants, with the exception of ozone, is significantly associated with an increased risk of heart attack, according to a review and meta-analysis of previous studies appearing in the February 15 issue of JAMA.Short-term exposure (for up to 7 days) to all major air pollutants, with the exception of ozone, is significantly associated with an increased risk of heart attack, according to a review and meta-analysis of previous studies appearing in the February 15 issue of JAMA.
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