Health effects of local and transboundary particulate air pollution in Japan: a multi-city study

2023 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10644
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: ウン クリス・フック・シェン 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 准教授 (70620409)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Asian Dust / Particulate Matter / Air Pollution / Transboundary / Mortality / Remote Sensing

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Under this project, we have successfully constructed a database consisting of exposure information on desert dust for Japan, as well as three other locations in Beijing, Seoul, and Taiwan, using the European Union reference method for desert dust quantification. Additionally, we have completed an epidemiological study analyzing the short-term association of desert dust and local air particulate matter (PM) with daily mortality. The findings from this study have been presented at both local and international academic conferences and annual meetings, and the manuscript is expected to be published in near future. Furthermore, several journal publications related to the current topic have also been released in the final year of the project.
The completed work has enabled us to better understand the independent health impacts of desert dust, in addition to local PM pollution. This project has also facilitated collaboration with international researchers and organizations, particularly exposure scientists interested in improving the identification and quantification of desert dust exposure in areas affected by dry deserts worldwide. Currently, there are plans to expand this multi-disciplinary research globally, utilizing newer ensemble-based indicators for desert dust to gain a better understanding of the global health burden related to desert dust exposure.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Long-term trends in mortality risk associated with short-term exposure to air pollution in 10 Japanese cities between 1977 and 2015 (2023)
  • Author(s): Nishikawa Hironori、Seposo Xerxes Tesoro、Madaniyazi Lina、Kim Yoonhee、Tob?as Aurelio、Yamagami Makiko、Kim Satbyul Estella、Takami Akinori、Sugata Seiji、Honda Yasushi、Ueda Kayo、Hashizume Masahiro、Ng Chris Fook Sheng
  • Journal Title: Environmental Research Volume: 219 Pages: 115108
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115108
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Effects of Desert Dust and Sandstorms on Human Health: A Scoping Review (2023)
  • Author(s): Lwin Kaung Suu、Tobias Aurelio、Chua Paul Lester、Yuan Lei、Thawonmas Ramita、Ith Sophearen、Htay Zin Wai、Yu Lin Szu、Yamasaki Lisa、Roqu? Marta、Querol Xavier、Fussell Julia C.、Nadeau Kari Christine、Stafoggia Massimo、Saliba Najat A.、Sheng Ng Chris Fook、Hashizume Masahiro
  • Journal Title: GeoHealth Volume: 7 Pages: e2022GH000728
  • DOI: 10.1029/2022GH000728
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Joint effect of heat and air pollution on mortality in 620 cities of 36 countries (2023)
  • Author(s): Stafoggia Massimo、Michelozzi Paola、Schneider Alexandra、Armstrong Ben、Scortichini Matteo、Rai Masna、et al.
  • Journal Title: Environment International Volume: 181 Pages: 108258～108258
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108258
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Asian dust and daily mortality in East Asian cities: analysis using the European Union Reference Method for decomposing PM10 (2023)
  • Author(s): Chris Fook Sheng Ng, Aurelio Tobias, Jorge Pey, Sara Basart, Massimo Stafoggia, Satbyul Estella Kim, Xerxes Seposo, Lina Madaniyazi, Ho Kim, Haidong Kan, Shih Chun Pan, Yue Liang Leon Guo, Xavier Querol, Masahiro Hashizume
  • Organizer: 35th Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Effect modification of the association between high temperature and Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) risk by PM2.5 in Japan (2023)
  • Author(s): Zhesi Yang, Chris Fook Sheng Ng, Kayo Ueda, Sunao Kojima, Yoshio Tahara, Naohiro Yonemoto, Hiroshi Nonogi, Ken Nagao, Takanori Ikeda, Hiroyuki Tsutsui, Masahiro Hashizume
  • Organizer: 35th Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Modeling smoke haze exposure in epidemiological studies of short-term health effects (2023)
  • Author(s): Aurelio Tobias, Vera Ling Hui Phung, Muhammad Abdul Basit Bin Ahmad Tajudin, Kayo Ueda, Masahiro Hashizume, Chris Fook Sheng Ng
  • Organizer: 2023 International Conference on CMAS-Asia-Pacific, Saitama, Japan
  • Int'l Joint Research