Regional dust storm modeling for health services: The case of valley fever

Sprigg, William A.; Ničković, Slobodan; Galgiani, John N.; Pejanović, Goran; Petkovic, Slavko; Vujadinović, M.; Vuković, Ana; Dacić, Milan; DiBiase, Scott; Prasad, Anup K.; El-Askary, Hesham

doi:10.1016/j.aeolia.2014.03.001

Cited by 86 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…While this study is limited by time and location, it is evident that dust frequency alone is insufficient to fully explain the variability of Valley fever infection in the area where the disease is most prevalent. Contracting Valley fever is a complicated process, controlled by a variety of environmental factors to which dust cannot be a sole indicator [ Sprigg et al ., 2014]. Hence, further studies are warranted to confirm that there is more than a casual relationship between dust storms and Valley fever.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The incidence of Valley fever has increased eightfold from 1998 to 2011 in the endemic areas (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) [ CDC , 2013]. Although little is known of the underlying forces, previous studies have concluded that the overall increasing trend in Valley fever incidence is not explainable through changes in medical practice, disease surveillance, land use, climate, or weather variability alone [ Zender and Talamantes , 2006; Comrie , 2005; Park et al ., 2005; Sprigg et al ., 2014]. …”

Section: Dust Storms and Valley Fevermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intensified dust storm activity and Valley fever infection in the southwestern United States

Tong

Wang

Gill

et al. 2017

Geophysical Research Letters

195

170

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Climate models have consistently projected a drying trend in the southwestern United States, aiding speculation of increasing dust storms in this region. Long‐term climatology is essential to documenting the dust trend and its response to climate variability. We have reconstructed long‐term dust climatology in the western United States, based on a comprehensive dust identification method and continuous aerosol observations from the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network. We report here direct evidence of rapid intensification of dust storm activity over American deserts in the past decades (1988–2011), in contrast to reported decreasing trends in Asia and Africa. The frequency of windblown dust storms has increased 240% from 1990s to 2000s. This dust trend is associated with large‐scale variations of sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean, with the strongest correlation with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. We further investigate the relationship between dust and Valley fever, a fast‐rising infectious disease caused by inhaling soil‐dwelling fungus (Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii) in the southwestern United States. The frequency of dust storms is found to be correlated with Valley fever incidences, with a coefficient (r) comparable to or stronger than that with other factors believed to control the disease in two endemic centers (Maricopa and Pima County, Arizona).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Dust Storms and Valley Fevermentioning

confidence: 99%

Intensified dust storm activity and Valley fever infection in the southwestern United States

Tong

Wang

Gill

et al. 2017

Geophysical Research Letters

195

170

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…An aggregate risk index is a useful tool to identify the additive effects of short-term exposure of the main air pollutants, including PM 10 and PM 2.5 [11]. Although fine particles below PM 2.5 comprise the greatest health concern, since they are more likely to penetrate deep into the alveoli sacs of the lungs, the PM 10 course particles represent the predominant part of dust in dust storms and cover most of the respiratory health issues, as large particles become trapped in the nasal passages, nose hair follicles and upper respiratory tract [12]; in contrast, fine particles decline due to high wind speed and long travel distances of dust storms [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Impact Assessment Associated with Exposure to PM10 and Dust Storms in Kuwait

et al. 2018

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Abstract:Little information is available on the assessment of health impact concerning the Middle Eastern dust storms and PM 10 concentration levels despite the aridity of the region and frequent dust storms occurring in this part of the world. A prospective study was conducted to determine the association between dust particles and morbidity and mortality rates for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Kuwait. Spearman and Pearson's correlations were used to identify such associations. Results revealed a significant correlation between dust storms, suspended dust and rising dust (p < 0.01). Correlation between the occurrence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and dust storms showed that PM 10 concentrations were significantly correlated with bronchial asthma at the 0.05 level (Pearson r = 0.292). Significant correlations at the 0.01 level were shown between bronchial asthma and both acute lower respiratory tract infection (r = 0.737) and acute upper respiratory tract infection (r = 0.839). Respiratory and cardiovascular mortality rates were both equal to 0.62 per 10,000 persons, each corresponding to 8.7% proportionate mortality rate. This study provides a good evidence of the consistent relationship between dust storm events, PM 10 concentration levels, and respiratory diseases.

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“…For instance, particle absorption characteristics are used in assessing aerosol emission sources, types, and interaction phases . Aerosol categorization also helps identify dominant aerosol types over a certain geographic location, while climatology effects due to aerosols' spatial and temporal distribution is carried out by examining aerosol sizes along with their absorption characteristics using modeling, satellites, and ground-based measurements (El-Askary, 2006;Kaskaoutis et al, 2012;Aboel Fetouh et al, 2013;Vukovic et al, 2014;Sprigg et al, 2014). It is noteworthy that Figure 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of aerosol absorption properties and transport over North Africa and the Middle East using AERONET data

et al. 2016

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Abstract. In this paper particle categorization and absorption properties were discussed to understand transport mechanisms at different geographic locations and possible radiative impacts on climate. The long-term Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data set (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) is used to estimate aerosol optical depth (AOD), single scattering albedo (SSA), and the absorption Ångström exponent (α abs ) at eight locations in North Africa and the Middle East. Average variation in SSA is calculated at four wavelengths (440, 675, 870, and 1020 nm), and the relationship between aerosol absorption and physical properties is used to infer dominant aerosol types at different locations. It was found that seasonality and geographic location play a major role in identifying dominant aerosol types at each location. Analyzing aerosol characteristics among different sites using AERONET Version 2, Level 2.0 data retrievals and the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model (HYSPLIT) backward trajectories shows possible aerosol particle transport among different locations indicating the importance of understanding transport mechanisms in identifying aerosol sources.

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Regional dust storm modeling for health services: The case of valley fever

Cited by 86 publications

References 36 publications

Intensified dust storm activity and Valley fever infection in the southwestern United States

Intensified dust storm activity and Valley fever infection in the southwestern United States

Health Impact Assessment Associated with Exposure to PM10 and Dust Storms in Kuwait

Analysis of aerosol absorption properties and transport over North Africa and the Middle East using AERONET data

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