Geology topics

Zahra Soleimani

Publications and source records attributed to Zahra Soleimani.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2020

An overview of bioaerosol load and health impacts associated with dust storms: A focus on the Middle East

Dust storms are an important environmental problem worldwide. The main sources of dust storms include the Sahara, the Middle East, and central and northeastern Asia. Dust storms originating from these regions can be dispersed across oceans and in some cases globally. They occur throughout the year and vary in frequency and intensity. The biological agents (e.g., fungi, bacteria and viruses) and the mineral and chemical compositions of dust may have adverse effects on human health and quality of life. Desert dusts may cause respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cardiopulmonary diseases, mental health issues, injuries and death from transport accidents caused by poor visibility. This paper presents dust storm human health research conducted in the Middle East in both indoor and outdoor environments. Results illustrate that particle concentration and bioaerosol types in the atmosphere are affected by climate change and meteorological factors. Recent data trends indicate that annual dust aerosol concentrations have increased worldwide. According to studies conducted in the Middle East, the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular mortality and hospital visits have increased dramatically following dust storm exposures but very few have demonstrated a regional causation. National and international collaborative efforts are needed to advance our understanding of the global implications of dust storms and what may be the most effective means of mitigation.

Middle East↗

USGS2019

Short-term effects of ambient air pollution and cardiovascular events in Shiraz, Iran, 2009 to 2015

Air pollution and dust storms are associated with increased cardiovascular hospital admissions. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and CVD (cardiovascular disease) events in a long-term observational period. The study included the events of cardiovascular diseases (namely coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and pneumo thrombo embolism) within the population of Shiraz, from March 21, 2009 to March 20, 2015. Also, each patient’s demographics were recorded. Main meteorological variables and five ambient pollutants (CO, O 3 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and PM 10 ) were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using linear regression (GLM) and a generalized additive model (GAM) estimating Poisson distribution and adjusted for the main risk factors and ambient meteorological variables. A mild prevalence (51.5%) of coronary artery disease (CAD) was registered in 6425 events. In GLM analysis, we observed an association among the pollutants with the coronary artery disease hospital admissions which was in the order of CO, NO 2 , and PM 10 . The highest association of each pollutant with hospital admission was observed as PM 10 at lag 4 (RR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.02, 1.14 and p < 0.05), NO 2 at lag 0 (RR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.00, 1.48), and CO at lag 0 (RR = 1.52 95% CI = (1.16, 1.99)). However, on dusty days, there were significantly higher numbers of referrals of cardiovascular patients (mean = 7.54 ± 4.44 and p = 0.002,) than on non-dusty days. According to these data, dust storms and some types of pollutants in the air are responsible for more admissions to hospitals for cardiovascular problems.

Shiraz↗

USGS2019

Air pollution and respiratory hospital admissions in Shiraz, Iran, 2009 to 2015

Air pollution has been identified as one of the most challenging health issues in urban areas worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and respiratory disease over a long-term period in Shiraz, one of the largest cities in Iran. Methods: hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases (asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and pleural effusion) in residents of Shiraz between March 21, 2009 and March 20, 2015 were included. Demographics for each patient and meta data to include principal meteorological variables (temperature and relative humidity) and five ambient pollutants (CO, O 3 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and PM 10 ) were also included. Statistical analysis was performed by Poisson regression in single-pollutant generalized linear model with principal component analysis (GLPCA) to analyze the relationship between pollutants and hospital admissions at the 0–9 cumulative lag day period. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the relationship between different pollutants, temperature and humidity. Results It was found that the highest increase in asthma admission was related to PM 10 (relative risk (RR) = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.47). For COPD, the rate of hospital visits significantly increased with the increase in NO 2 concentration (RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.09.1.27). In the children's hospital, O 3 (RR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.47) and SO 2 (RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.28) affected the asthma admissions and all contaminants (highest RR observed was for NO 2 (RR = 1.28 95% CI = 1.18, 1.40) affected pneumonia admissions on cumulative lag days of 0–9. Conclusions: These data confirm an association between ambient air pollutants and hospital admissions due to respiratory disease.

Shiraz↗