Exposure to Airborne Particulate Matter in Regional Environments of Bangladesh and Its Effects on Respiratory Health: A Narrative Review

The Impact of Air Pollution on Human Health in Africa: A Critical Narrative Review

Air pollution has emerged as one of the most consequential, yet historically under-examined, environmental health threats confronting the African continent. Rapid urbanisation, continued reliance on solid biomass fuels for domestic energy, expanding vehicle fleets composed largely of imported used vehicles, gas flaring, open waste burning, and seasonal Saharan dust intrusions combine to expose hundreds of millions of Africans to concentrations of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants that routinely exceed international health-based guidelines. This critical review synthesises evidence published over the past decade on the sources, distribution and health consequences of ambient and household air pollution across Africa, with particular attention to respiratory, cardiovascular, maternal, perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes, as well as the disproportionate burden borne by women, children and informal-sector workers. The review further considers the continent's air quality monitoring infrastructure, the substantial economic costs associated with pollution-related morbidity and mortality, and the fragmented policy and regulatory landscape that currently governs air quality across African states. Evidence indicates that household air pollution from solid fuel combustion remains the dominant exposure pathway for the majority of the population, while ambient pollution from transport, industry and waste burning is rising sharply in urban centres. Both exposure pathways are associated with substantial burdens of lower respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and premature mortality, with the heaviest toll falling on children under five years of age and on women engaged in domestic cooking. Air quality monitoring infrastructure remains sparse relative to other world regions, constraining both the precision of exposure assessment and the capacity of governments to design and enforce effective mitigation policy. The review concludes that integrated investment in clean energy transition, strengthened monitoring networks, and harmonised regional air quality governance represents an urgent and achievable public health priority for the continent.

Health impacts and prevention strategies of urban air pollution

The findings indicate that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a significant increase in the risk of chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and premature mortality, and integrated prevention strategies-combining policy measures, planning solutions, and technological innovations have proven effective in reducing ambient pollutant levels and associated health burdens.

Significance of Inhaled Particulate Matter and Volatile Compounds with their Related Effects on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: A Review

Air pollution poses a significant global public health concern, with previous studies linking respiratory infections (RI) to exposure to air pollutants. The health consequences of air pollution vary according to the composition and sources of pollutants, which differ from country to country, season to season, and time to time. Air pollutants include outdoor ambient air pollutants, such as particulate matter, ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb), and indoor pollutants such as CO, NO2, PM2.5, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Particulate matter in ambient air is a major air pollutant, consisting of a combination of particles of varying sizes and chemical constituents. This review examines the association between respiratory diseases and air pollutants, with a particular focus on PM2.5 and other occupational air pollutants. Furthermore, the review elaborates on the interlink between air pollutants and virus transmission, especially SARS-CoV-1 (SARS), during the recent pandemic. To conclude, this review addresses the existing knowledge gap and recommends crucial avenues for further investigation.

Association of ambient particulate matter pollution and stroke in Indonesia 2011-2020: Insights from the global burden of disease study 2021

Background: Ambient particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) is a major environmental health risk contributing to global morbidity and mortality. Although its link with cardiovascular diseases is well established, evidence on the stroke burden attributable to PM2.5 exposure remains limited in Indonesia. Methods: This ecological study used Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data to analyze the association between PM2.5 exposure and stroke burden, including incidence, prevalence, and mortality, across 34 Indonesian provinces from 2011 to 2020. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) were assessed using a linear mixed model, with year as a repeated measure and province as a random effect to account for spatial and temporal variations. Findings: Mean PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 16.96 to 20.10 µg/m³, exceeding WHO and national air quality standards. Despite minor annual fluctuations in PM2.5, stroke mortality attributable to air pollution showed an increasing trend. Higher PM2.5 levels were significantly associated with ischemic stroke (IS) incidence (β = -0.117, p <0.001) and mortality (β = 0.152, p <0.001), as well as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) incidence (β = 0.017, p = 0.015), prevalence (β = 1.641, p <0.001), and mortality (β = 0.773, p = 0.004). The effect of PM2.5 exposure was greater for ICH than for IS. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is significantly associated with stroke burden in Indonesia, particularly for ICH. Strengthening air quality management and stroke prevention policies is crucial, especially in high-risk regions. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study is the first to comprehensively assess the long-term association between PM2.5 and stroke subtypes using national-level GBD data across all Indonesian provinces, providing spatially and temporally robust evidence for public health policy in low- and middle-income tropical settings.

East African Journal of Information Technology

Air Filtration Technology in Reducing the Risk of Public Health Disorders

Background: Air pollution is a major environmental and public health concern resulting from industrial activities, transportation, and fossil fuel combustion. Increasing population growth and economic development contribute to higher emissions of pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. Exposure to these pollutants is associated with respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and impaired cognitive function, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of air filtration technologies in reducing exposure to air pollutants and mitigating associated health risks. Methods: A literature review was conducted using journal articles, research reports, and secondary data from international and national health organizations. Relevant studies on air pollution and filtration technologies were systematically analyzed. Results: The review indicated that both outdoor and indoor air pollution significantly affect public health. Air filtration technologies, including HEPA filters, electrostatic filtration systems, and optimized ventilation designs, reduced airborne pollutant concentrations by up to 90–95% in industrial and healthcare settings. Their effectiveness depends on appropriate design, maintenance, and operational practices. Conclusion: Air filtration technology is an effective strategy for reducing pollution-related health risks. However, its successful implementation requires supportive policies, public awareness, and multisectoral collaboration to achieve sustainable environmental health outcomes. Keywords: air pollution, air filtration technology, public health, pollutants, literature review