Effects of air pollution on health: A mapping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Fábio Hech Dominski; Joaquim Henrique Lorenzetti Branco; Giorgio Buonanno; Luca Stabile; Manuel Gameiro da Silva; Alexandro Andrade

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111487

Effects of air pollution on health: A mapping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Environ Res. 2021 Oct:201:111487. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111487. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Authors

Fábio Hech Dominski¹, Joaquim Henrique Lorenzetti Branco¹, Giorgio Buonanno², Luca Stabile², Manuel Gameiro da Silva³, Alexandro Andrade⁴

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Sport and Exercise Psychology (Lape) - College of Health and Sport Science of the Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
² Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, FR, Italy.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
⁴ Laboratory of Sport and Exercise Psychology (Lape) - College of Health and Sport Science of the Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. Electronic address: alexandro.andrade.phd@gmail.com.

PMID: 34116013
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111487

Abstract

Background: There has been a notable increase in knowledge production on air pollution and human health.

Objective: To analyze the state of the art on the effects of air pollution on human health through a mapping review of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs and MAs).

Methods: The systematic mapping review was based on the recommendations for this type of scientific approach in environmental sciences. The search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cinahl, and Cochrane Library databases, from their inception through June 2020.

Results: Among 3401 studies screened, 240 SRs and MAs satisfied the inclusion criteria. Five research questions were answered. There has been an overall progressive increase in publications since 2014. The majority of the SRs and MAs were carried out by researchers from institutions in China, the US, the UK, and Italy. Most studies performed a meta-analysis (161). In general, the reviews support the association of air pollution and health outcomes, and analyzed the effects of outdoor air pollution. The most commonly investigated health outcome type was the respiratory (mainly asthma and COPD), followed by cardiovascular outcomes (mainly stroke). Particulate matter (with a diameter of 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) and 10 μm (PM₁₀) or less) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were the most widely investigated pollutants in the reviews. The general population was the most common sample in the reviews, followed by children, and adults. The majority of the reviews investigated health outcomes of respiratory diseases in children, as well as cardiovascular diseases in all ages. Combining health outcomes and air pollutants, PM_2.5 was included in a higher number of reviews in eight health outcomes, mainly cardiovascular diseases.

Discussion: The majority of SRs and MAs showed that air pollution has harmful effects on health, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes. Future studies should extend the analysis to psychological and social aspects influenced by air pollution.

Keywords: Air pollutants; Cardiovascular diseases; Harmful effects; Nitrogen dioxide; Particulate matter; Respiratory diseases.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollutants* / toxicity
Air Pollution* / adverse effects
Air Pollution* / analysis
Child
Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Humans
Nitrogen Dioxide / analysis
Particulate Matter / analysis
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Systematic Reviews as Topic

Substances

Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter
Nitrogen Dioxide