Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2009. / Härtill 5 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.

This study’s purpose is to examine the potential relationships between MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and environmental outdoor air pollutants in GA (Georgia). We used secondary, cross-sectional data received from the member’s list of the National Multiples Sclerosis Society’s GA chapter (NMSS-GA), the U.S. census, and scorecard.org, a database based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory (to 2002) and National Emissions Inventory (1999) data. The study population was 9,072,576 including 6,247 self-reported MS cases from NMSS-GA. Using stepwise multivariate linear regression of census and EPA data, the best predictive model in GA for female or total prevalence rates used per capita income and coarse particles (PM-10); male prevalence rates included only per capita income. The relationship between MS and PM-10 could be facilitated by influences of PM-10 on the systemic immune response and inflammation. More exposure and basic and clinical research are needed to understand environmental influences on MS.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Feb. 11, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-97).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-93).

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaf 44.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-120).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2006. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 153 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis examines the spatial and temporal variation in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in Guernsey and the impacts on pre-existing asthmatics. Whilst air quality in Guernsey is generally good, the levels of NO2 exceed UK standards in several locations. The evidence indicates that people suffering from asthma have exacerbation of their symptoms if exposed to elevated levels of air pollutants including NO2, although this research has never been carried out in Guernsey before. In addition, exposure assessment of individuals is rarely carried out and research in this area is limited due to the complexity of undertaking such a study, which will include a combination of exposures in the home, the workplace and ambient exposures, which vary depending on the individual daily experience. For the first time in Guernsey, this research has examined NO2 levels in correlation with asthma patient admissions to hospital, assessment of NO2 exposures in typical homes and typical workplaces in Guernsey. The data showed a temporal correlation between NO2 levels and the number of hospital admissions and the trend from 2008-2012 was upwards. Statistical analysis of the data did not show a significant linear correlation due to the small size of the data sets. Exposure assessment of individuals showed a spatial variation in exposures in Guernsey and assessment in indoor environments showed that real-time analysis of NO2 levels needs to be undertaken if indoor micro environments for NO2 are the be assessed adequately. There was temporal and spatial variation in NO2 concentrations measured using diffusion tubes, which provide a monthly mean value, and analysers measuring NO2 concentrations in real time. The research shows that building layout and design are important factors for good air flow and ventilation and the dispersion of NO2 indoors. Environmental Health Officers have statutory responsibilities for ambient air quality, hygiene of buildings and workplace environments and this role needs to be co-ordinated with healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes for asthmatics. The outcome of the thesis was the development of a risk management framework for pre-existing asthmatics at work for use by regulators of workplaces and an information leaflet to assist in improving health outcomes for asthmatics in Guernsey.

Grandes cidades, como São Paulo, são afetadas de forma significante pela poluição atmosférica. É de grande importância a caracterização das fontes emissoras da poluição atmosférica, não somente nas regiões centrais, mas também nas regiões periféricas, pois a composição da poluição pode não ser homogênea em toda a extensão da cidade. Neste estudo foram caracterizados os componentes da poluição atmosférica em quatro regiões dentro cidade de São Paulo. Para este fim foram Coletados Material Particulado (PM2.5) durante vinte dias no período de inverno de 2011 e vinte dias durante o período de verão de 2011. O material foi coletado através de filtros de policarbonato com 24 h de exposição, e foi submetido a análises gravimétricas, determinação da concentração de Black Carbon por refletância e determinação da composição elementar por Fluorescência de Raios-X. A identificação das diferentes fontes geradoras de material particulado foi baseada na análise de Componentes Principais (ACP). A variação da concentração da massa do material particulado fino (PM2.5) em g/m3 não teve diferença significativa entre os locais amostrados, mas mostrou diferença entre as estações do ano, sendo maior no período do inverno em todos os locais. A proporção do Black Carbon teve um comportamento diferente da massa. O Black Carbon não variou significantemente entre as estações do ano, porém apresentou diferença entre os locais amostrados, destacando-se no Parque do Ibirapuera e na Zona Leste. Foram encontrados 3 Fatores que explicam 75% da variabilidade. O Fator 1 é constituído pelos elementos Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb, P, S Cr e K e foi atribuído como sendo associado à ressuspensão de solo e emissões veiculares, O Fator 2 é composto por V, P, BC, e S e foi interpretado como sendo representativo de emissões veiculares de combustíveis com alto teor de enxofre. O Fator 3 é 7 associado aos elementos BC e Ni e foi interpretado como sendo produzido por emissões veiculares em geral / Large cities such as São Paulo are significantly affected by air pollution. It is of great importance to characterize the emission sources of air pollution, not only in the central regions of the city of São Paulo, but also in peripheral regions, do to the fact that the composition of pollution may not be homogeneous across the city area. This study shows the Characterized the components of air pollution in four different areas of the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Particulate matter (PM 2.5) was collected during the winter of 2011 and summer of 2011. It was collected 24-h PM2.5 samples, employing gravimetry to determine PM2.5 mass concentrations; reflectance to quantify black carbon concentrations and X-ray fluorescence to characterize elemental composition. A receiver model based on principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the involvement of the different sources for the generation of particulate matter. The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in g/m3 did not differ significantly among the locations. However, the results collected showed differences according the seasons evaluation, being higher in the winter for all regions sampled. The proportion of Black Carbon behaves differently than the mass. It does not vary significantly between the seasons, but between the different regions. The proportion of Black Carbon was higher in Ibirapuera Park and the East Zone. Was found 3 factors explaining 75% of the variability. Factor 1 consists of the elements Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb, P, S Cr e K and was related to crustal emission (soil) and vehicle emissions, Factors 2 consists of the elements V, P, BC, e S and can be related to vehicular emissions of fuels with high sulfur content. Factor 3 consists of the elements BC and Ni was associated to vehicle emission