expert reaction to study looking at air pollution exposure and atrial fibrillation risk
expert reaction to study looking at air pollution exposure and atrial ... Science Media Centre
sdgtalks
July 31, 2023
A study published in PNAS looks at air pollution, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of atrial fibrillation.
Prof Anna Hansell, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology; Director of the Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability; and Director of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, University of Leicester, said:
- Investigation of interactions between combinations of genetic factors and air pollution is important to identify those who may be most susceptible to ill effects of air pollution.
- However, given some issues with the way in which air pollution exposure has been estimated in this paper, it is difficult to have confidence in the estimated size of the effects.
- Given known associations of long-term air pollution with heart disease including atrial fibrillation – even at lower concentrations – reduction of air pollution levels is important to improve public health.
- However, more studies are needed before considering targeted medical care for individuals with a particular genetic make-up, in relation to air pollution exposures.
Detailed comments on air pollution exposure estimates:
- Unfortunately, and in common with some other recent studies, the researchers have incorrectly averaged estimates of two different air pollution models in UK Biobank used to estimate exposures at enrolment in the study (the ESCAPE model for 2010 and a European model for 2005-7).
- This may introduce bias as these models are different and were not designed to be combined.
- Results affected are for PM10 and NO2 air pollutant analyses (which are the two pollutants where additive interactions between the air pollutant and the genetic risk score were identified).
- In supplementary analyses, the authors added in a further two different types of exposure models at 1mk and 3km grids to look at impacts of cumulative exposure and short-term exposure respectively.
- They didn’t find effects in these supplementary analyses, but the spatial scale may have resulted in making it more difficult to detect effects due to errors in estimating exposure especially for NO2 pollution, which is much higher along roads (therefore the actual exposures may be diluted if using a 1km average).
- Issues with exposure models and potential impact on results were not discussed in the paper.
- While interactions between air pollution and genetic factors is certainly plausible, further studies exploring these are needed.
‘Air pollution, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of atrial fibrillation: A large prospective cohort study’ by Yudiyang Ma et al. was published in PNAS at 20:00 UK time on Monday 31 July 2023.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302708120
Declared interests
- Prof Anna Hansell: “I do not have conflicts of interest to report. I am Chair of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP), but comments here are in a personal capacity as Professor of Environmental Epidemiology at the University of Leicester.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator: Reduction in the number of deaths and illnesses related to air pollution. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Indicator: Improvement in air quality in cities. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article discusses the relationship between air pollution and the risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart disease. This connects to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of reducing air pollution levels to improve public health, which aligns with SDG 11’s goal of creating sustainable cities and communities.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
The article’s content supports the targets of reducing deaths and illnesses related to air pollution (Target 3.9) and improving air quality in cities (Target 11.6).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Reduction in the number of deaths and illnesses related to air pollution.
- Indicator: Improvement in air quality in cities.
The article implies the need for indicators to measure the reduction in deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution, as well as the improvement in air quality in cities. These indicators can be used to track progress towards the identified targets.
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Source: sciencemediacentre.org
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