Respiratory and general health complaints in subjects exposed to sandstorm at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Meo, Sultan Ayoub; AlKheraiji, Mohammad F; Alfaraj, Ziyad Fahad; Alwehaibi, Nasser Abdulaziz; Aldereihim, Ahmad Adnan

doi:10.12669/pjms.292.3065

Cited by 38 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Thus, based on size and morphology, the fungi contained in sandstorm dust can potentially cause allergenic respiratory problems with those who are exposed to sandstorm dust. These tallies with a recent study from the KSA, which reported that people exposed to a sandstorm for duration of 24 min developed various respiratory complaints including asthma [7]. The report from KSA reaffirms that sandstorms carry numerous allergens through the air and with 70% of Saudi Arabian asthmatics already suffering from allergies, the risk of respiratory complications due to sandstorms is extremely high.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Inhalation exposure of fungal spore and hyphal fragments can cause allergic, infectious, and toxic diseases to humans. Infants, children, and elderly people with A study of airborne fungal allergens in sandstorm dust in Al-Zulfi, central region of Saudi Arabia respiratory conditions are more vulnerable compared with the general population [7,8]. Prolonged exposure to airborne dust fungi can lead to chronic breathing and lung problems, and possibly heart disease.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the study of dust storm material has attracted many researchers globally, little work has been undertaken in the KSA [7,9]. Furthermore, there has been no published work performed in relation to the central region of the Arabian Desert.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A study of airborne fungal allergens in sandstorm dust in Al-Zulfi, Central region of Saudi Arabia

Vijayakumar¹,

Aboody²,

Alturaiki³

et al. 2017

J Environ Occup Sci

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Background: The impact of sandstorm dust events on local air quality and public health are becoming a greater concern in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Among sandstorm dust particles, airborne fungal spores cause serious respiratory ailments to those who are exposed to the dust. Although the study of dust storm material has attracted research interest, little work has been carried out in Saudi Arabia and no major study has been conducted in the Al-Zulfi, Riyadh province region. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate airborne fungal allergen concentrations in sandstorm dust in the Al-Zulfi city, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: During the study period, 12 sandstorm dust samples and 3 control samples were collected from various locations (educational campus, people gathering, and recreational places) by gravitational plate exposure method using Sabouraud dextrose agar. Following incubation, the fungal colonies were identified by microscopic and morphological identification. Results: A total of 2590 fungal isolates were identified among 36 exposures of sandstorm dust samples. From the samples dematiaceous fungi and hyaline fungi were observed, divided 56.2%, 43.8%, respectively. The incidences of predominant fungal genera were Fusarium (21%), Cladosporium (15.8%), Ulocladium (11.1%), Aspergillus (10.9%), and Alternaria (8.6%). Conclusion: Our observations infer that some of the most important allergenic fungal spores are predominantly observed in sandstorm dust samples and incidences of dematiaceous fungi are higher than hyaline fungi. This study highlights the need for precautionary safety measures to protect the public against sandstorm dust exposures.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A study of airborne fungal allergens in sandstorm dust in Al-Zulfi, Central region of Saudi Arabia

Vijayakumar¹,

Aboody²,

Alturaiki³

et al. 2017

J Environ Occup Sci

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“…The PM 10 and PM 2.5-10 pollutants contained in the Saharan dust increased the risk of visiting the health emergency department by 9.1% and 4.5%, respectively, for children with asthma in Guadeloupe [74]. Meo et al [75] reported the effect of sandstorms on acute asthma attacks in volunteers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; they found that subjects exposed to sandstorms developed asthma and that the prevalence was prominent in 20.9% of cases. Thalib and Al-Taiar [76] investigated the impact of dust storms on daily emergency asthma admissions, finding an 8.4% increase over a period of five years in Kuwait, which was particularly evident among children.…”

Section: Desert Dust Associated With Asthma and Rhinitismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Global Desert Dust and Associated Human Health Effects

et al. 2016

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Dust storms and sandy dust events originating in arid and semi-arid areas can transport particulate material, pollutants, and potential transport long distances from their sources. Exposure to desert dust particles is generally acknowledged to endanger human health. However, most studies have examined anthropogenic particulate sources, with few studies considering contributions from natural desert dust. A systematic literature review was undertaken using the ISI Web of Knowledge and PubMed databases with the objective of identifying all studies presenting results on the potential health impact from desert dust particles across the world. This review reveals an imbalance between the areas most exposed to dust and the areas most studied in terms of health effects. Among the human health effects of dust storms are mortality and morbidity, arising from respiratory system, circulatory system, and other diseases. We summarize the quantitative results of current scientific health research and possible pathological mechanisms, and describe some of the many challenges related to understanding health effects from exposures to desert dust particles. Overall, for respiratory and circulatory mortality, both positive and negative associations have been reported for PM 10 of desert dust, but only a positive relationship was reported between PM 2.5-10 and mortality, and a positive relationship was also reported between PM 2.5 and human mortality. Future pathological studies should continue to focus on those mechanisms causing the most harmful effect of desert dust on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. More attention should also be paid to the association between desert dust and the morbidity of other diseases, such as those affecting the reproductive system and nervous system.

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“…The problem of O 3 is generally of concern in large cities due to its role in the formation of photochemical smog, and the city of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia is no exception. Recent studies show the declining trend of air quality [29] [30] [31], and Riyadh is reported to be one of the top 10 cities in the world with urban smog problems. In Riyadh, ACTM can be implemented to evaluate various air pollution strategies to control O 3 and its precursors and to improve air quality in Riyadh and its vicinity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studying the Effect of Different Gas-Phase Chemical Kinetic Mechanisms on the Formation of Oxidants, Nitrogen Compounds and Ozone in Arid Regions

Shareef¹,

Husain²,

Alharbi³

2019

JEP

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CMAQ was implemented in the central region of Saudi Arabia and the effect of simulating models using various chemical mechanisms on selected oxidants, nitrogen species, and O 3 was investigated. CB05TUCL predicted OH, MEPX, and NO z about 7%, 7.7%, and 8% more than CB05E51 respectively; however, there was no observable difference in the O 3 predictions. The differences in variations of SAPRC07 mechanism (SAPRC07TB, SAPRC07TC, and SAPRC07TIC) for all parameters were less than 1%. RACM2 produced the highest OH and H 2 O 2 concentrations. RACM2 enhanced OH production in the range of 24% -32% and H 2 O 2 by 9% over other mechanisms; these are comparatively less than the findings of other studies. Similarly, CB05 produced over 40% more PAN concentration than CB05. Moreover, PAN concentrations produced by all mechanisms were very high compared to other studies. SAPRC07 produced approximately 3% more mean surface O 3 concentration than RACM2 and approximately 10% more than CB05. RACM2 O 3 predictions were higher than CB05 by 7%. The predicted O 3 concentrations by CB05, RACM2, and SAPRC07 were 6%, 11%, and 15% more than the average observed concentrations, which indicate that closest predictions to the observed values were by CB05. This study concludes that there is a wide variation of mechanisms with respect to the predictions of oxidants and nitrogen compounds; however, less variation is noticed in predictions of O 3 . For any air pollution control strategies and photochemical modeling studies in the current region or in any other arid regions, the CB05 mechanism is recommended.

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Respiratory and general health complaints in subjects exposed to sandstorm at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Cited by 38 publications

References 17 publications

A study of airborne fungal allergens in sandstorm dust in Al-Zulfi, Central region of Saudi Arabia

A study of airborne fungal allergens in sandstorm dust in Al-Zulfi, Central region of Saudi Arabia

A Systematic Review of Global Desert Dust and Associated Human Health Effects

Studying the Effect of Different Gas-Phase Chemical Kinetic Mechanisms on the Formation of Oxidants, Nitrogen Compounds and Ozone in Arid Regions

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