1. 10.6.2009
The Coalition For Public Health: "Past,
Present and Future; what awaits the kids
in the Haifa–bay area?"
Taken on summer
22.6.2006
Ella Nave
Ella Nave, M.P.H - Coalition for Public Health
James Krikun, PhD.- Coalition for Public Health
Special Thanks to Dr. Moshe Shirav Schwartz and Dr. Ziona Haklai
Dr. James Krikun and Neveen Matar Dahdal
3. In the past…Research
Even though this, Associations are found in the 80's between high
pollution areas and several respiratory diseases, compared with low
pollution areas. For Instance, a local research found elevated risks for more
than 3 colds per year, Bronchitis, and suptum without cold.)
Goren A.I. et al. 1990 Prevalence of Respiratory Conditions among Schoolchildren Exposed to Different levels of
Air Pollutants in the Haifa Bay Area, Israel.
Another research: “The effects of exposure to air pollution (defined by levels of
SO2) were also studied in a representative sample of over 3,500 households in
the greater Haifa area.. The sample was drawn from 16 high and low pollution
neighborhoods .... A very significant relationship was found between
levels of pollution in residential and work areas and self-reported
respiratory symptoms and diseases…
Epstein et al. 1991 Air pollution and morbidity in the Haifa region Area, Israel. Harefuah 1991 Jun 16;120(12):709-14.
4. In the past…Research
Also found in the 80's – are high levels of blood lead in high pollution
areas compared with low pollution areas.
Richter ED, Berant M, et al. Blood zinc protoporphyrin levels in the children and
wives of lead battery workers: a preliminary report. Isr. J. Med Sci. 1985
Sep;21(9):761-4.
Richter ED, Berant M, et al. Zinc protoporphyrin levels in children in Haifa: a
pilot study. Sci. Total Environ. 1986 Jan; 48(1-2):109-21.
.
5. Are kids more vulnerable?
YES. The Embryo, child and teenager is more affected by environmental pollution, and
specifically, by air pollution. Some reasons for that are:
1. Embryos have exposure windows, when exposure to environmental pollutants
would be more harmful than at different timing, For instance: when bronchi or brain
are developed.
2. Lungs - babies have less alveoli than 4 year old kids. Also, the ratio of Surface to
body mass is greater in kids, enabling them to breath 50% more air per kg than
adults ! If lung functions are decreased due to air pollution, the heart might be also
affected.
3. The body tissues of a child are still developing, and therefore are more
vulnerable to pollutants harming DNA etc.
4. A child's Immune system as not yet developed at birth, and so more affected by
environmental toxins than in adulthood.
5. Liver Enzymes less effective than at adulthood, therefore- detoxifying toxins is
more of a challenge to them.
6. Epidemiology at Present…
Exposure ? Morbidity ?
Are kids in Haifa-bay area
still exposed? Are kids in Haifa-bay area
any sicker than in other
places?
Only hints will be given, your answer is needed !
7. Are kids in Haifa-bay area
still exposed?
YES.
These Pictures were taken April 2009…
Fact is that this is NOT a dust storm.
01/04/09 14:30 PM2.5 level were 67micrograms/m3 in Neve Shannan, 55 in K. Tivon and 41 in Ahuza
8. Are kids in Haifa-bay area
still exposed after 2000?
YES . How do we know?
1. Data from Monitoring Stations of Haifa District Municipal Association
for the Environment– 80’s-2009 showing Long term exposure to high
levels of particulate matter and other pollutants. According to these,
Industry and Electricity production are the major polluters of Haifa
Bay area with Particulates, and VOC’s, which we know today is the
more problematic fraction of air pollution.
2. Data from Geological Surveys – 2007 (validating long term exposure to
transition metals, as detected by high anthropogenic attributed ground
levels)
3. Data from The Israeli Environmental Protection Agency – 4 samples
in 20 spots were carried out in 2007-2008, some air samples showing
exceeding levels of carcinogens in schools, residential neighbourhoods, etc.
9. 1. Rate of Particulate Matter Emission (PM10) from
Industries and Electricity Production in Comparison to
Mobile Sources years 2002-2007 Ton/year – Haifa area
,
( 7002-2002 ) ,
5.2
0081
4951
0061 0141 7341 4.4
0041 5031 8
0021 2101
209 469
0001
008 666 536
165
006
/
004 822
002 97
0
2002 3002 4002 5002 6002 7002
ניתן לראות: יחסי הפליטות תחבורה לתעשיה הן לרעת התעשיה ויצור החשמל. התעשייה ויצור החשמל באזור
מפרץ חיפה פולטים יותר חלקיקים מסוג 01 PMמאשר סה"כ כל סקטור התחבורה בשנים 7002-2002. בין
השנים 2002 ל-7002 הייתי ירידה בקצב פליטות החומר החלקיקים בשני הסקטורים. )מקור: דוח"ות איגוד ערים
חיפה לשנים 7002-8991(
-8991
Source: Annual reports, Haifa District Municipal Association for the Environment
10. 1. Rate of Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions from
Industries and Electricity Production in Comparison to Mobile
Sources years 2002-2007 Ton/year -Haifa area
, )(VOC's ¯ 2
( 7002-2002 ) ,
1.3
VOCs
00041 37431 37431 37431 37431 1.3
,Industry
Electriciy
58.1
production
00021 5.23901
6989
00001 9388
0008 1727 1147
1366
VOCs 0006 4435
/
Transportation 0004 5.1253
0002
2002 3002 4002 5002 6002 7002
ניתן לראות: יחסי הפליטות תחבורה לתעשיה הן לרעת התעשיה ויצור החשמל. התעשייה ויצור
החשמל באזור מפרץ חיפה פולטים כמעט פי 2 יותר תרכובות אורגניות נדיפות מאשר סה"כ כל
סקטור התחבורה בשנים 7002-4002. אפשר להתייחס לירידה בסקטור התעשיה ויצור החשמל
בין השנים 4002 ל-7002 כאל ירידה ממצב גרוע מאוד, למצב גרוע. )מקור: דוח"ות איגוד
-2002
ערים חיפה לשנים 7002-2002(
11. Just for general knowledge….
Does any of you know what weighs 13,000 tons?
Answer: 1 bus without passengers is ~13 tons.
Imagine 1000 buses – this is the weight of
VOC’s spreading in yearly between 2002-2005
on your hometowns.
Remember, that some Volatiles show no
threshold limit for causation of cancer…
12. 1. Annual averages of Particulate Matter Emission (PM10)
concentrations - Comparison between different areas of the
bay - years 2006-2007
2007 2006 (PM10) ¯
micrograms/m3
70
59
60 55 53
48 49 50 48
¯
50 42 42
39
2006 40
2007 30
P M 10
20
10
0
' -
13. 2. Validation of
Environmental Exposure to
Transition Metals
From Soil Sampling
Manganese/Iron Ratio
Anthropogenic
= = *
¯
15. 3. Data from The Israeli Environmental Protection Agency –
Benzene Concentrations in several educational institutions and
schools carried out in 2007-2008,
K. Haim, K. Binyamin (Ata), Neve Shannan, Kfar Hasidim
20
18.373
19
18
16.495 16.24
17 16.006
16
15 13.67
( " )
¯
¯
14
13
" 12
10.485
11
10
9
8
6.519
7
" /
6
( )
5
4
3
0.44
2 0.404
0.523
0.559
1 0.382 0.499 0.356 0.318
0 0.162 0.097 0.083 0.153 0.153
0
07- 07- 08 08-
= *
some air samples showing exceeding levels of carcinogens in schools, residential
neighborhoods, etc.
16. 3. Data from The Israeli Environmental Protection Agency –
Formaldehyde Concentrations in several educational institutions,
and schools carried out in 2007-2008,
K. Haim, K. Binyamin (Ata), Kfar Hasidim
6
4.94
¯
5
( " )
¯ 3.81
4
" 3.328
2.99
3 2.74 2.63 2.829 2.939 2.765 2.862
2.554
2.19
1.891
( ) 2 1.722
1.516 1.64 1.549
" /
1
0
07- 08 08
= *
= *
all air samples shown exceed levels of carcinogens allowed. Don’t forget, these are
schools, residential neighborhoods, etc.
17. 3. Data from The Israeli Environmental Protection Agency –
Dioxins Concentrations in several educational institutions, and
schools carried out in 2007-2008,
K. Haim (almost 60 phemtograms),
K. Binyamin (Ata) – 60-70 phemtograms
0.08
0.07
0.06
¯
( " ) 0.05
¯ 0.04
" 0.03
" /
0.02
0.01
( ) 0
2007 2007 2008 2008
= *
These are considered in the world literature high levels of Dioxins.
18. What does the World Health Organization
declare about air pollution and Causality?
“Effects for which evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship
with exposure to air pollution
There is now substantial evidence on the adverse effects of air pollution on different pregnancy
outcomes and infant health. The evidence shows that air pollution, with concentrations typical of many
European cities, increases the risk of death from respiratory causes in the postneonatal period.
The evidence also shows a relationship between exposure to ambient air pollutants and adverse effects
on the development of lung function. Reversible lung function deficits, chronically reduced lung
growth rates and lower lung function levels are associated with exposure to air pollution. Moreover,
the evidence shows clearer relationships for particulate matter and traffic-related air
pollution (indicated by nitrogen dioxide) than for other pollutants. Based on current knowledge, air
pollutants seem to interact with other environmental factors, such as allergens, viruses and diet, that
influence the overall impact of air pollutants on children's health.
The report concludes that there is a causal relationship between exposure to air
pollutants and aggravation of asthma. The evidence is also sufficient to
assume a causal link between exposure to particulate matter and increased
prevalence and incidence of cough and bronchitis.
In particular, such environmental contaminants as certain heavy metals and persistent
organic pollutants show significant adverse effects on the development of the
nervous system and behaviour in children. Also, there is sufficient evidence of a causal
relationship between exposure to lead and neurobehavioral deficits in children, in terms of cognitive
impairment."
http://www.euro.who.int/HEN/Syntheses/short/20060224_1?PrinterFriendly=1&who
19. There are also good news:
We also know that….
Reduction of particulate air pollution levels
improves the health and lung functions of
children and adults, and saves from mortality.
(Laden et al., Pope et al., Avol et al.)
This is a scientifically approved fact (see WHO
report).
20. Epidemiology at Present…
Morbidity ?
Are kids in Haifa-bay area
any sicker than in other
places?
Only hints will be given, your answer is needed !
21. General Hospitalizations of Children ages 0-4
presented at precentage above/under the country’s ,
average (o line) at several cities and districts in
years 1998-2002.
Source: Lamas
22. ( )
Hospitalizations due to Aggravation of Asthma of
Children 0-4 presented at rate/100,000 in several
nafot in years 2004-2006.
1800
1600
1400
1200
2004
1000
2005
800
2006 600
400
100,000
200
0
¯
¯
-
-
Source: Ministry of Health, at request
23. This is not the whole picture…
Innovative Studies
New Air Pollution Cohorts
► Effects on Children’s Cognition through the
Olfactory nerve and circulation to brain.
► Effects on Obesity (PCB’s)
► Effects on the risk of developing Asthma in 1st
year of life.
► Effects on DNA methylation
(BAMSE) - •
24. what awaits the kids
in the Haifa–bay area?
It’s in our hands to decide!
Change Policy-altogether with
?שאלות
better Research !
