Lebanese American University

Department of Arts and Sciences

Environmental Studies

ENV200

Fall 2022

Report Paper

Instructor: Amale Mcheik

Salah Mazloum-202004015

27-10-2022
Current findings on the medical effects of air pollution have revealed that these
effects are already present, even at levels below international norms and
guidelines for air quality. The impacts of moderate and low levels of air pollution
on health have been highlighted in certain nations' well-established
epidemiology, and researchers have worked to establish links between pollutants
and specific local or regional factors... However, in other countries, where
economic, social, and political issues are the main concerns, the research remains
basic. Numerous research has shown links between air pollution and negative
health impacts. Through thorough modeling and data analysis techniques, air
quality research aims to show how regulatory frameworks and a constantly
changing environment brought on by climate change affect air emissions, air
quality, and public health. It also aims to identify the causes of air pollution. air
quality research seeks to demonstrate how regulatory structures and an ever-
dynamic climate change-driven environment impact air emissions, air quality, and
public health and to reveal the contributors to air pollution through
comprehensive modeling and data analysis practices. The rise in mortality and
hospital admissions for respiratory disorders in London in 1952 has been linked to
higher air pollution levels [1-3]. People who passed away during the 1952 smog
outbreak had soot and other particles in their lungs, according to a study of their
lung tissues. According to a recent meta-analysis of sixty research conducted in
thirty-five locations throughout the world, there is a 0.5–1.6% rise in all-cause
mortality for every increase in the number of studies of ten μg/m3 of daily PM10
levels and five μg/m3 for PM2.5 levels [8]. Similarly, and within the framework of
APHEA (Air Pollution and Health: A European Approach multicenter study) [9], it
has been estimated that an increase of PM10 and SO2 is associated respectively
with an increase of 3 % and 2 % in all-cause mortality in Western Europe while
these figures decline for Central Eastern Europe, to reach SO2 and Black Smoke
(BS). Other studies [5, 10, 11] have placed more of an emphasis on vulnerable
populations including the elderly, kids, and infants. For instance, ISAAC
(International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) research conducted in
France revealed a strong correlation between high levels of O3, SO2, and PM10
with the frequency of allergic respiratory symptoms, sensitivity, and bronchial
reaction tests. [10]. A Swiss Study on Childhood Allergy and Respiratory
Symptoms concerning Air Pollution, Climate, and Pollen (SCARPOL) conducted
among children in 10 Swiss cities, has positively associated air pollution (NO2,
SO2, and PM10) The greatest correlation was found for PM10 (adjusted odds
ratios for chronic cough problems) and indeed the number of persistent
respiratory symptoms, such as overnight dry cough and bronchitis the strongest
relationship was observed for PM10 (adjusted odds ratios for chronic cough,
nocturnal dry cough, and bronchitis between the most and the least polluted
community for PM10 were 3.07 [95 % CI: 1.62 to 5.81], 2.88 [95 % CI: 1.69 to
4.89], and 2.17 [95 % CI: 1.21 to 4.89], respectively) [11]. influenza deaths from 21
December 1952 through 28 February 1953 if the estimate generated using the
1953 winter rate from the general medical practice is too low by varying degrees.
The findings indicate that to account for the additional mortality following the
pollution, the case-fatality and incidence rates for influenza would have to be
significantly overstated.
As the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, transportation was reduced
because of social distancing measures such as the suspension of classes and
remote working, resulting in a drop in the level of air pollution. The level of air
pollution returned in 2021 once those restrictions were eased, however, it hasn't
yet reached the levels it had in 2019 before the epidemic. However, if the
government does not take immediate action to curb such a rising trend, public
health will be under threat.
In Lebanon, pollution levels in Beirut and its suburbs reached "smog" levels [12–
18] that were visible to the unaided eye from the visiting hills. There are no major
industries in Beirut, but the growth of the real estate market and the number of
cars on the road has a negative influence on the city's air quality, pollution, and
health consequences. There has been sporadic, insufficient research conducted in
Beirut to attempt and establish a link between air pollution and health impacts
[12, 13]. To examine how air pollution affects health, however, there is currently
no clear comprehensive approach. Given the absence of health system data
surveillance and the unique environmental circumstances that many developing
nations face, we decided to establish the most appropriate procedure to estimate
the health effects of air pollution.
Measurements of air pollution and possible confounders on just a frequent basis,
contaminants are monitored independently. Then, for each pollutant, daily mean
values and daily maximum values are determined in g/m3 and given by station.
Also recorded are periods of malfunction or calibration. The daily average of each
pollutant is then calculated using analysis and validation of the hourly average
data (average of hourly concentration). As a consequence, to compute daily
values in the event of failure, the rule of 75% [20] is used; else, the value would
be absent. Additionally, the quarter's monthly average is used to fill in the gaps
left by the missing information. Every phase of the measuring process includes
the implementation of quality assurance methods and instructions: The Beirut air
pollution surveillance network has its own proprietary data-gathering process
validated by two senior epidemiological experts. Records are kept in hard and soft
copies in two places.
When living in a house that utilized coal or wood for heating, children from rural
South Bavaria in Germany had reduced incidences of hay fever, atopic
sensitization, and bronchospasm compared to children from homes with
alternative heating methods. In the present study, coal or wood as heating fuel
was also associated with a lower risk of atopic sensitization as highlighted by
Braun et. Al 19997. Daily, pollutants are monitored independently. Then, for each
pollutant, daily mean values and daily maximum values are determined in g/m3
and given by station. Also recorded are periods of malfunction or calibration. The
daily average of each pollutant is then calculated using analysis and validation of
the hourly average data (average of hourly concentration). Consequently, in the
event of failure, the 75% rule [20] is used to compute if not, the value will be
missing. daily values. Moreover, the monthly average is used to fill in the missing
numbers.
The objective of the paper conducted was to identify the social expectations
towards the research projects and other research initiatives undertaken to reduce
air pollution induced by low-stack emissions. This objective was achieved using
the method of survey. The research was conducted in three groups, and it turned
out that each of them has different preferences in terms of the desirable
directions of further actions aimed at air quality improvement due to the
liquidation of low-stack emissions. Attention should be paid to the fact that in all
the examined groups this problem is perceived as important (average ranks
ascribed to all the research areas connected with the liquidation of low-stack
emission amounted between 5 and 9 on a 10-point scale). The people actively
acting for low-stack emission liquidation, participating in the Scientific Conference
"Coal and low-stack emission", belonging to the examined group A, considered as
the most important for solving the problem of low-stack emission to be the
development of efficient information and education problems, directed to making
the society aware of the necessity of eliminating the phenomenon of low-stack
emission and propagating pro-ecological attitudes. For the representatives of
local government, the need for changes was vital concerning the legal acts in
force related to the system of heat production, circulation, and utilization as well
as indicating the possible financing sources for the proposed changes aimed at
reducing low-stack emission. Furthermore, the business group clearly mentioned
innovative technological solutions as the most important to solve the problem of
air pollution induced by low-stack emission, indicating the research on new
technologies for particulate matter and gas pollution reduction as well as new
technological solutions concerning the production of heat from renewable
sources.
Schwartz J. Air pollution and daily mortality in Birmingham. Alabama Am J
Epidemiol. 1993; 137:1136–47
Bell ML, Davis DL. Reassessment of the Lethal London fog of 1952: novel
indicators of acute and chronic consequences of acute exposure to air pollution.
Environ Health Perspect. 2001;109 suppl 3:389–94.
Chen B, Hong C, Kan H. Exposures, and health outcomes from outdoor air
pollutants in China. Toxicology. 2004; 198:291–300.
Wong TW, Lau TS, Yu TS, Neller A, Wong SL, Tam W, et al. Air pollution and
hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Honk Kong.
Occup Environ Med. 1999; 56:679–83
Braun-Fahrlander C, Vuille JC, Sennhauser FH, Neu U, Künzle T, Grize L, et al.
Respiratory health, and long-term exposure to air pollutants in Swiss
schoolchildren. SCARPOL Team. Swiss Study on Childhood Allergy and Respiratory
Symptoms with Respect to Air Pollution, Climate and Pollen. Am J Respir Crit Care
Med. 1997; 155:1042–9.