(Press-News.org) A first-of-its kind study conducted in Canada’s two largest cities by McGill-led researchers has linked about 1,100 premature deaths per year to an unregulated air pollutant.
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) primarily come from vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Canada’s federal and provincial governments have not set concentration limits for UFPs, as they have for larger fine particles known as PM2.5.
“Ultrafine particles are incredibly small, allowing them to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Increasing evidence suggests these pollutants may contribute to heart and lung diseases, as well as certain forms of cancer,” said Principal Investigator Scott Weichenthal, an Associate Professor in McGill’s Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health. “However, until now, studies have not examined the impacts of UFPs on mortality in Canada.”
High-tech tools detect deadly pollution
The research team tracked air-pollution levels from 2001 to 2016 in neighbourhoods in Montreal and Toronto that were home to 1.5 million adults. Using state-of-the-art models that combine machine learning methods with ground-level measurements, land use information and aerial images, the researchers estimated how many of the tiny particles were in the air at various times. Then, they used statistical methods to calculate the connection between exposure and the risk of death.
The findings, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, associate long-term exposure to UFPs with a 7.3 per cent increase in the risk of non-accidental death. Respiratory deaths saw the highest increase, at 17.4 per cent, followed by a 9.4 per cent rise in deaths from coronary artery disease.
Weichenthal said the size of particles is important when assessing their health impacts.
"Previous studies that did not take particle size into account might have missed or underestimated the serious health risks associated with them,” he added.
A call for clean air
The researchers said environmental regulations have successfully reduced air pollution in North America, but ultrafine particles are slipping through the regulatory cracks. In New York, UFP levels have risen, even as PM2.5 levels dropped.
"Our research shows a clear link between long-term UFP exposures and increased mortality risk, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory actions targeting these particles,” said Weichenthal. “As urban areas continue to grow, addressing air pollution is increasingly crucial for the health and well-being of city dwellers.”
The study, a collaboration between McGill University, the University of Toronto, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, Health Canada and Statistics Canada, was funded by the United States Health Effects Institute.
END
Ultrafine particles linked to over 1,000 deaths per year in Canada’s two largest cities
Canada’s two largest cities Study points to an urgent public-health need for tighter environmental regulations
2024-08-05
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Physicists develop new method to combine conventional internet with the quantum internet
2024-08-05
Four researchers from the Institute of Photonics at Leibniz University Hannover have developed a new transmitter-receiver concept for transmitting entangled photons over an optical fiber. This breakthrough could enable the next generation of telecommunications technology, the quantum Internet, to be routed via optical fibers. The quantum Internet promises eavesdropping-proof encryption methods that even future quantum computers cannot decrypt, ensuring the security of critical infrastructure.
"To make the quantum Internet a reality, we need to transmit entangled photons via fiber optic networks,” says Prof. Dr. Michael Kues, Head of the Institute ...
Don't drink raw milk. But what about raw milk cheese? (video)
2024-08-05
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2024 — A lot of people on the internet have been telling our host Alex to drink raw milk. This is a bad idea — a particularly bad one actually. So she wanted to make a video about why it’s such a bad idea to consume raw milk, then she realized she’s been eating raw milk without even knowing it via cheese. That’s when things got complicated.
Reactions is a video series produced by the American Chemical Society and PBS Digital Studios. Subscribe to Reactions and follow us on X, formerly Twitter @ACSReactions.
The American Chemical Society ...
Does transparency help or hurt businesses dominated by one-time transactions
2024-08-05
DALLAS (SMU) – It’s a relevant question for business owners with few repeat customers, such as contract workers or real estate agents: Does being transparent about past business transactions change the odds of making a sale that benefits both buyer and seller?
The answer matters because mutually beneficial sales ensure that these kinds of transactions will continue, keeping the economy strong.
A new study published in the journal American Economic Review suggests the answer depends on a variety of factors.
A mutually beneficial sale is defined from two points of view: The seller values the money they receive more than ...
Insufficient evidence to recommend low-dose CT screening in never smokers lung cancer screening: new insights and ongoing debates
2024-08-05
(Denver, Colo.—August 5, 2024) – Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Detecting this disease in its early stages significantly improves survival rates, making low-dose CT screening an essential component in the fight against lung cancer. Recent studies, particularly from Asia, have sparked a debate on whether these screening benefits extend to non-smokers and those with minimal smoking histories.
However, according to an article published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, there is currently insufficient evidence to support ...
Early childhood screen use contexts and cognitive and psychosocial outcomes
2024-08-05
About The Study: The findings of this study show small to moderate effect sizes that highlight the need to consider screen use contexts (i.e., type, content, co-use, and purpose of use) when making recommendations for families, clinicians, and educators beyond screen time limits; including encouraging intentional and productive screen use, age-appropriate content, and co-use with caregivers.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Sumudu Mallawaarachchi, PhD, email sumudu@uow.edu.au.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/
(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.2620)
Editor’s ...
COVID-19 pandemic school disruptions and acute mental health in children and adolescents
2024-08-05
About The Study: In this cross-sectional study of 13,000 pediatric emergency department visits at nine university hospitals in Italy, school opening following a COVID-19 pandemic–related school disruption was associated with an increase in acute psychiatric emergencies. The findings of this study suggest that school may be a major source of stress for youths; factors mediating school-associated mental health disturbances in youth should be investigated.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Benedetto Vitiello, ...
Estimated exposure to 6 potentially hepatotoxic botanicals in U.S. adults
2024-08-05
About The Study: In this survey study, an estimated 15.6 million U.S. adults consumed at least one botanical product with liver liability within the past 30 days, comparable with the number of people who consumed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a commonly prescribed hypolipidemic drug. Turmeric was most frequently reported, followed in order by green tea, ashwagandha, Garcinia cambogia, red yeast rice, and black cohosh products. Given a lack of regulatory oversight on the manufacturing and testing of botanical products, clinicians should be aware of possible adverse events from consumption of ...
Expanding student-journalists' access to EurekAlert!
2024-08-05
In an effort to give aspiring journalists hands-on practice in the science news ecosystem and help prepare them for a successful professional career, EurekAlert! is expanding journalist-memberships to applicants working at student news publications, such as campus newspapers and radio stations.
EurekAlert! has historically granted journalist-memberships to full-time journalism students, interns, and fellowship recipients who work at accredited media outlets under the guidance of experienced members. All approved journalist-members receive the same access to embargoed materials.
"As the advisor to MIT's ...
Planting some tree species may worsen, not improve, NYC air, says new study
2024-08-05
In line with longstanding initiatives to expand its green spaces, New York City is planting tens of thousands of trees each year. They provide shade, lower surface temperatures by releasing moisture, absorb a surprising amount of airborne carbon, scrub out soot and other floating pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat along with just plain beauty. What could go wrong?
Actually, something could go wrong, according to a new study. Oaks and sweetgums, which currently account for a majority of the city’s trees, produce huge amounts of volatile compounds called isoprenes. Harmless by themselves, isoprenes interact rapidly with polluting nitrogen oxides emitted by vehicles, ...
Ben-Gurion University scientist uses state-of-the-art microscopy to discover drug candidates for cancer
2024-08-05
BEER-SHEVA, Israel, August 5, 2024 – Microscopy has been making leaps and bounds in recent years. Science that was inconceivable a few years ago has become a matter of programming state-of-the-art microscopes to process reams of data. Dr. Gabriel Frank quickly realized the potential of cryo-electron microscopy to discover the molecular structures at levels heretofore unobservable. When he joined Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, he pushed for the University to enter the field, culminating in the establishment of the Guzik Center for Advanced Microscopy and the purchase of a new more advanced electron microscope. Using this microscope, Dr. ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Remote telemedicine tool found highly accurate in diagnosing melanoma
New roles in infectious process for molecule that inhibits flu
Transforming anion exchange membranes in water electrolysis for green hydrogen production
AI method can spot potential disease faster, better than humans
A development by Graz University of Technology makes concreting more reliable, safer and more economical
Pinpointing hydrogen isotopes in titanium hydride nanofilms
Political abuse on X is a global, widespread, and cross-partisan phenomenon, suggests new study
Reintroduction of resistant frogs facilitates landscape-scale recovery in the presence of a lethal fungal disease
Scientists compile library for evaluating exoplanet water
Updated first aid guidelines enhance care for opioid overdose, bleeding, other emergencies
Revolutionizing biology education: Scientists film ‘giant’ mimivirus in action
Genetic variation enhances cancer drug sensitivity
Protective genetic mutation offers new hope for understanding autism and brain development
Colombia's Dr. Natalia Acosta-Baena uncovers critical link between brain development and degeneration
How can we reduce adolescent pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries?
When sun protection begets malnutrition: vitamin D deficiency in Japanese women
Cannabis use can cause chromosomal damage, increasing cancer risk and harming offspring
Survey finds many Americans apply misguided and counterproductive advice to combat holiday weight gain
New study reveals half a century of change on Britain’s iconic limestone pavements
Green flight paths could unlock sustainable aviation, new research suggests
Community partners key to success of vaccine clinic focused on neurodevelopmental conditions
Low-carbon collaborative dual-layer optimization for energy station considering joint electricity and heat demand response
McMaster University researchers uncover potential treatment for rare genetic disorders
The return of protectionism: The impact of the Sino-US trade war
UTokyo and NARO develop new vertical seed distribution trait for soybean breeding
Research into UK’s use of plastic packaging finds households ‘wishcycle’ rather than recycle – risking vast contamination
Vaccine shows promise against aggressive breast cancer
Adverse events affect over 1 in 3 surgery patients, US study finds
Outsourcing adult social care has contributed to England’s care crisis, argue experts
The Lancet: Over 800 million adults living with diabetes, more than half not receiving treatment, global study suggests
[Press-News.org] Ultrafine particles linked to over 1,000 deaths per year in Canada’s two largest citiesCanada’s two largest cities Study points to an urgent public-health need for tighter environmental regulations