Lemke, Lawrence D., Lamerato, Lois E., Xu, Xiaohong, et.al, “Geospatial relationships of air pollution and acute asthma events across the Detroit–Windsor international border: Study design and preliminary results” J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol, 2014 Jul; 24(4): 346–357. Published online 2013 Nov 13. doi: __10.1038/jes.2013.78__ Authors: Lawrence D. Lemke, Professor at Wayne State University, Michigan. Areas of Expertise include Geostatistics and Air Toxics and Air Dispersion Modeling. Lois E. Lamerato is a researcher with Henry Ford Health Services, also in Michigan. Areas of Expertise include disease epidemiology and public health sciences. Xiaohong Xu, Professor at the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Areas of Expertise include Air quality modeling, Exposure assessment, Emission control and Measurement and parameterization of air-surface exchange of air pollutant. Xiaohong Xu, Noor-A-Faiza Barsha, Jia Li. 2008. Analyzing regional influence of particulate matter on the city of Beijing, China. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 8 (1) 78-93. Main Findings: Intraurban air quality variations were related to negative asthma related effects. Amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total amounts of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) had a positive correlation with the number of acute asthma events in Detroit in 2008. In Windsor, NO2, VOC, PM10 levels had a positive correlation with asthma events in 2008. Cross-boundary measurements are important to gain a full view of the air pollution situation in a given region. Support: The study produced maps by zip code of amounts of individual pollutants and also of acute asthma events in 2008 (Figures 3 and 4). These maps can be used to make predictions about the relationship between each pollutant and health in each zip code region. One can also see the variation of pollutants in different parts of each city and the surrounding areas. Quotes: “The significance of monitoring resolution is emphasized by findings that urban NO2 concentrations measured 50 m apart can vary by as much as 300% and that traffic-related pollutants fall off to background levels within 300 m of major roadways.” This quote explains why the researchers used their measuring system of 100 sites for NO2, SO2 and VOC and 50 sites for PM and PAH. Accuracy and spatial awareness are key in this study. Hewitt CN. Spatial variations in nitrogen-dioxide concentrations in an urban area. Atmos Environ B-Urb. 1991;25:429–434; Zhu YF, Hinds WC, Kim S, Shen S, Sioutas C. Study of ultrafine particles near a major highway with heavy-duty diesel traffic. Atmos Environ. 2002;36:4323–4335. “Few studies, however, have evaluated the spatial and temporal variability of air quality and its effects on health conditions between adjacent international cities sharing a common airshed. The international context of this study provides unique opportunities to compare population health outcomes in response to environmental conditions in adjoining cities with different environmental regulations, public health policies, and health-care delivery systems.” This quote shows how this research is unique in comparing two international sites. It is also of note that they share a common airshed, so there are many common factors between the city that provide for diverse comparison. “Our approach is motivated by the expectation that correlations among mappable environmental attributes and health indicators can be used to better understand and manage urban community health. “ This is the reason that this research was done. Importantly, mappable data is desired so that effects can be measured in different spaces at different times. Methods: A geospatial database was constructed using public information like topography and road maps, from Canadian and American government sources. Air pollution data was gathered with 150 total sensors, over two, two-week periods in September 2008 and June 2009. Asthma events were recorded using data from national databases and from Henry Ford Medical Center in Detroit and Windsor Regional Hospital and Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor. Subjects from 5-89 years were studied. Health Disparities: Health disparities were mentioned when the ethnic makeup of each city was described. Detroit’s population is almost 80% African American, while only 4% of Windsor’s residents are black, and a total of 17% from other minority racial groups. This is major difference in population between the two cities. Referenced: This article has been referenced in the following study: __Cytotoxic and inflammatory potential of size-fractionated particulate matter collected repeatedly within a small urban area__ Errol M. Thomson, Dalibor Breznan, Subramanian Karthikeyan, Christine MacKinnon-Roy, Jean-Pierre Charland, Ewa Dabek-Zlotorzynska, Valbona Celo, Prem Kumarathasan, Jeffrey R. Brook, Renaud Vincent Part Fibre Toxicol. 2015; 12: 24. Published online 2015 July 16. doi: 10.1186/s12989-015-0099-z
Bibliography: This study has cited many articles linking air pollution to health and traffic levels. This study is focused on the health effect of air pollution, which varies based on where and when a patient may be. Further: Research into the first three authors showed that they all worked in the Detroit-Windsor area and were highly involved in the study of air pollution. Lemke and Xu were very involved in mapping of different pollutants in their other research and Lamerato worked for Henry Ford Health Services, and likely helped gather data there. Addendum: Through government open data sources and international collaboration, this study was able to be done. The shared airshed between Detroit and Windsor is a key element in the comparison of the two cities.
The tools, methods and findings of air pollution research travel broadly, forming an international community that may be consolidating into an “epistemic community” (Hass 1990).
Open data initiatives are enabling air pollution research and action.
Scientific capacity to link air pollution to health impacts has grown dramatically in recent years, although much of this research has yet to be translated into policy.
There is a growing need for capacity to characterize pollutants from distant (sometimes international) sources; enhanced capacity for this will in turn create complex transboundary governance challenges.
Published online 2013 Nov 13. doi: __10.1038/jes.2013.78__
Authors:
Lawrence D. Lemke, Professor at Wayne State University, Michigan. Areas of Expertise include Geostatistics and Air Toxics and Air Dispersion Modeling.
Lois E. Lamerato is a researcher with Henry Ford Health Services, also in Michigan. Areas of Expertise include disease epidemiology and public health sciences.
Xiaohong Xu, Professor at the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Areas of Expertise include
Air quality modeling, Exposure assessment, Emission control and Measurement and parameterization of air-surface exchange of air pollutant.
Xiaohong Xu, Noor-A-Faiza Barsha, Jia Li. 2008. Analyzing regional influence of particulate matter on the city of Beijing, China. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 8 (1) 78-93.
Main Findings:
Intraurban air quality variations were related to negative asthma related effects. Amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total amounts of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) had a positive correlation with the number of acute asthma events in Detroit in 2008. In Windsor, NO2, VOC, PM10 levels had a positive correlation with asthma events in 2008. Cross-boundary measurements are important to gain a full view of the air pollution situation in a given region.
Support:
The study produced maps by zip code of amounts of individual pollutants and also of acute asthma events in 2008 (Figures 3 and 4). These maps can be used to make predictions about the relationship between each pollutant and health in each zip code region. One can also see the variation of pollutants in different parts of each city and the surrounding areas.
Quotes:
“The significance of monitoring resolution is emphasized by findings that urban NO2 concentrations measured 50 m apart can vary by as much as 300% and that traffic-related pollutants fall off to background levels within 300 m of major roadways.” This quote explains why the researchers used their measuring system of 100 sites for NO2, SO2 and VOC and 50 sites for PM and PAH. Accuracy and spatial awareness are key in this study.
Hewitt CN. Spatial variations in nitrogen-dioxide concentrations in an urban area. Atmos Environ B-Urb. 1991;25:429–434; Zhu YF, Hinds WC, Kim S, Shen S, Sioutas C. Study of ultrafine particles near a major highway with heavy-duty diesel traffic. Atmos Environ. 2002;36:4323–4335.
“Few studies, however, have evaluated the spatial and temporal variability of air quality and its effects on health conditions between adjacent international cities sharing a common airshed. The international context of this study provides unique opportunities to compare population health outcomes in response to environmental conditions in adjoining cities with different environmental regulations, public health policies, and health-care delivery systems.” This quote shows how this research is unique in comparing two international sites. It is also of note that they share a common airshed, so there are many common factors between the city that provide for diverse comparison.
“Our approach is motivated by the expectation that correlations among mappable environmental attributes and health indicators can be used to better understand and manage urban community health. “ This is the reason that this research was done. Importantly, mappable data is desired so that effects can be measured in different spaces at different times.
Methods:
A geospatial database was constructed using public information like topography and road maps, from Canadian and American government sources. Air pollution data was gathered with 150 total sensors, over two, two-week periods in September 2008 and June 2009. Asthma events were recorded using data from national databases and from Henry Ford Medical Center in Detroit and Windsor Regional Hospital and Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor. Subjects from 5-89 years were studied.
Health Disparities:
Health disparities were mentioned when the ethnic makeup of each city was described. Detroit’s population is almost 80% African American, while only 4% of Windsor’s residents are black, and a total of 17% from other minority racial groups. This is major difference in population between the two cities.
Referenced:
This article has been referenced in the following study:
__Cytotoxic and inflammatory potential of size-fractionated particulate matter collected repeatedly within a small urban area__
Errol M. Thomson, Dalibor Breznan, Subramanian Karthikeyan, Christine MacKinnon-Roy, Jean-Pierre Charland, Ewa Dabek-Zlotorzynska, Valbona Celo, Prem Kumarathasan, Jeffrey R. Brook, Renaud Vincent
Part Fibre Toxicol. 2015; 12: 24. Published online 2015 July 16. doi: 10.1186/s12989-015-0099-z
Bibliography:
This study has cited many articles linking air pollution to health and traffic levels. This study is focused on the health effect of air pollution, which varies based on where and when a patient may be.
Further:
Research into the first three authors showed that they all worked in the Detroit-Windsor area and were highly involved in the study of air pollution. Lemke and Xu were very involved in mapping of different pollutants in their other research and Lamerato worked for Henry Ford Health Services, and likely helped gather data there.
Addendum:
Through government open data sources and international collaboration, this study was able to be done. The shared airshed between Detroit and Windsor is a key element in the comparison of the two cities.