Introduction: Ambient air pollution (AP), particularly from fine particulate matter <2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) is a big public health problem especially in low and middle-income countries. Because of apparent high population growth rate (3%) and economic development in Uganda, ambient AP appears to be rising. As such, we are monitoring ambient PM2.5 concentrations in Kampala City in a series of studies about the effect of AP on health. This work is part of research and training objectives of the Global Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOHealth) Hub for Eastern Africa. Methods: Using a Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM) 1022, we prospectively measured ambient PM2.5 concentration for 2 years. This equipment was installed at Makerere University School of Public Health building rooftop (about 15 meters high). The BAM 1022 generated real-time data on PM2.5, relative humidity and ambient temperature. Results: For the last two years (October 2017 to September 2019), the annual mean of PM2.5 concentrations were 41.3µg/m3 and 39.2µg/m3 respectively. Our two-year data consistently show that dry seasons (January, February, June, July and August) have higher monthly mean PM2.5 concentrations (46.6µg/m3) compared to the wet seasons of March, April, May, September-, October, November and December (35.7µg/m3). We observed that for two years the highest PM2.5 concentration in typical day was between 06.00hrs and 10.00hrs (peak being at 08.00hrs -PM2.5 61.3µg/m3). However, nights were more polluted between 19.00hrs to 04.00hrs (peak being at 23.00hrs (PM2.5 71.2 µg/m3). Further, when we divided the day (07.00hrs-18.00hrs) and night (19.00-06.00hrs), the average PM2.5 concentrations for the two years were 34.5µg/m3 and 46.9µg/m3 respectively.Conclusion: Ambient AP is higher in the dry season. Besides, there is more PM2.5 concentration at night compared to daytime. These results present an opportunity for further studies on AP and its effect on health using hospital mortality and morbidity data.

Background Scientific evidence reveals that exposure to small particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5) is very detrimental to health thus resulting in increased risks of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and cancers. There are three factors that have important effect on PM2.5 mass concentration: domestic pollutant emission sources, external sources outside of the country, and the meteorological conditions. We aimed assessing the effect of relative humidity and temperature on PM2.5 concentrations from 2018 to 2019 using the Beta Attenuation monitor 1022. Methods We measured the relative humidity, temperature, ambient PM2.5 concentrations prospectively from October 2017 to December 2019 using the Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM) 1022 (Met One Instruments, Inc) at the Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub air quality monitoring station, that installed at Makerere University School of Public Health Roof top building at height of 15 metres above the ground level, Kampala Uganda. Results The findings showed that annual averages of PM2.5, Ambient Temperature (AT) and Relative Humidity (RH) in 2018 was 41.3 µg/m3, 23.10C and 72.0% and in 2019 was 38.5 µg/m3, 23.80C and 71.9% respectively. The results showed that the annual averages for PM2.5, Ambient Temperature (AT) and Relative Humidity (RH) in 2018 and 2019 was about the same. The findings also revealed that every unit increase in relative humidity increased PM2.5 concentrations by 29.3% and every unit increase in ambient temperature reduced PM2.5 concentrations by 2.14). Notably also in 2018 and 2019 the daily PM2.5 average concentrations decreased when RH reached high a threshold 80%. Conclusion The daily PM2.5 average concentrations decreased when the relative humidity reached a high threshold of 80% in 2018 and 2019 in Kampala Uganda. Funding Sources: NIH Fogarty International Center, NIEHS, CDC/NIOSH, Canada's IDRC, GACC Grant # 5R24 TW009552 [AAU]; 5R24 TW009548 [USC]; 1U01TW010094 [AAU]; 1U2RTW010125 [USC]

Background Worldwide, 93% of the world’s children under 15 years of age are exposed to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels above WHO defined air quality standards of 25 μg/m3 (24-hour mean). In low- and middle-income countries around the world, 98% of all children under 5 are exposed to PM2.5 levels above WHO suggested three interim air quality targets. In comparison, in high-income countries, 52% of children under 5 are exposed to levels above WHO air quality guidelines. We measured daily levels of ambient PM2.5 concentrations, temperature, relative humidity in public primary schools in Kampala City Uganda. Methods We conducted the Ambient PM2.5 Concentration measurements using the E-samplers centrally installed in four public primary schools in divisions of Kawempe, Central, Makindye and Lubaga in Kampala City, Uganda. The E-Samplers generated real-time, data for PM2.5 concentrations, Relative Humidity and Ambient Temperature. Data analysis was done using Excel 2016 to generate daily averages of PM2.5 concentrations for the Month of June 2018. Results The results showed the lowest and highest average daily PM2.5 concentrations for St. Paul Primary School Minimum 17 µg/m3 and Maximum 44 µg/m3); Central - Buganda Rd. Primary School Minimum 14 µg/m3 and Maximum 45 µg/m3); Makindye - Kibuli Demonstration Primary School Minimum 9 µg/m3 and Maximum 46 µg/m3); Rubaga - Queen of Peace Primary School Minimum 9 µg/m3 and Maximum 110 µg/m3). Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 concentrations results increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Conclusions There was an observed increase in ambient PM2.5 Concentration beyond World Health Organization defined limit of 25 μg/m3 and US EPA 35 μg/m3 (24-hour mean). Funding Sources: NIH Fogarty International Center, NIEHS, CDC/NIOSH, Canada’s IDRC, GACC Grant # 5R24 TW009552 [AAU]; 5R24 TW009548 [USC]; 1U01TW010094 [AAU]; 1U2RTW010125 [USC]

The redox-inert transition metal Zn is a micronutrient that plays essential roles in protein structure, catalysis, and regulation of function. Inhalational exposure to ZnO or to soluble Zn salts in occupational and environmental settings leads to adverse health effects, the severity of which appears dependent on the flux of Zn2+ presented to the airway and alveolar cells. The cellular toxicity of exogenous Zn2+ exposure is chazracterized by cellular responses that include mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated production of reactive oxygen species, and loss of signaling quiescence leading to cell death and increased expression of adaptive and inflammatory genes. Central to the molecular effects of Zn2+ are its interactions with cysteinyl thiols, which alters their functionality by modulating their reactivity and participation in redox reactions. Ongoing studies aimed at elucidating the molecular toxicology of Zn2+ in the lung are contributing valuable information about its role in redox biology and cellular homeostasis in normal and pathophysiology.

"Longitudinal Studies of Active and Passive Smoking." American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 154(6_pt_2), pp. S257–S265

P>The scientific literature through 2005 on the effects of ventilation rates on health in indoor environments has been reviewed by a multidisciplinary group. The group judged 27 papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals as providing sufficient information on both ventilation rates and health effects to inform the relationship. Consistency was found across multiple investigations and different epidemiologic designs for different populations. Multiple health endpoints show similar relationships with ventilation rate. There is biological plausibility for an association of health outcomes with ventilation rates, although the literature does not provide clear evidence on particular agent(s) for the effects. Higher ventilation rates in offices, up to about 25 l/s per person, are associated with reduced prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. The limited available data suggest that inflammation, respiratory infections, asthma symptoms and short-term sick leave increase with lower ventilation rates. Home ventilation rates above 0.5 air changes per hour (h-1) have been associated with a reduced risk of allergic manifestations among children in a Nordic climate. The need remains for more studies of the relationship between ventilation rates and health, especially in diverse climates, in locations with polluted outdoor air and in buildings other than offices.Practical ImplicationsVentilation with outdoor air plays an important role influencing human exposures to indoor pollutants. This review and assessment indicates that increasing ventilation rates above currently adopted standards and guidelines should result in reduced prevalence of negative health outcomes. Building operators and designers should avoid low ventilation rates unless alternative effective measures, such as source control or air cleaning, are employed to limit indoor pollutant levels.

Objectives, The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and character of policy sta statements in epidemiologic reports. Methods, The first author followed a standardized protocol and reviewed a random sample of articles selected from the American Journal of Epidemiology., Annals of Epidemiology;and , and Epidemiology The:second author reviewed all articles with policy statements and a 10% sample without such statements. Results. Overall, 23.8% of the articles contained policy statements, Annals of Epidemiology and the American Journal of Epidemiology had similar frequencies of articles with policy statements (30% and 26.7%, respectively), while Epidemiology evidenced the lowest frequency (8.3%). The majority of policy statements (55%) pertained to public health practice; 27.5% involved clinical practice, and the remainder (17.5%) focused on corporate policies, regulatory actions, or undefined arenas. The frequency of policy statements differed according to first author's affiliation, type of publication, area of research, research design, and study population. Conclusions. Although a minority of publications included policy statements, the inclusion of a statement. seemed to be influenced by specific study characteristics.