LongTerm Exposure to Fine Particulate and Health - Research Proposal Example

Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate and Health Table of Contents ment of the Research Problem 3 2.Literature Review 5 3.Nature and Design of the Project 7 4.Methodology 8 5.Required Resources and Clearances 9 6.Time Table 9 7.Works Cited 11 1. Statement of the Research Problem Dust storms are considered to be the most detrimental environmental related problems in certain parts of the world. It has been apparently observed that the regions such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf and Sudan reported the maximum incidences of dust storms. In this similar context, the problem of dust storms periodically occurs in the region of Saudi Arabia due to the results of climate change and divergence in the levels of rainfall. There are various crucial problems that might arise due to the occurrence of dust storms. One of the imperative problems related with the occurrence of dust storms is the increased level of traffic accidents (Akbari, “Dust storms, Sources in the Middle East and Economic Model for Survey It s Impacts”). Furthermore, the other problems include diminished soil fertility, damage to crops as well as telecommunication systems, lessening of solar radiation, increased air pollution and most significantly augmented respiratory or cardiovascular diseases (Kutiel and Furman, “Dust Storms in the Middle East: Sources of Origin and their Temporal Characteristics”). In relation to the incident of dust storms, it has been viewed that dust storms are regarded to be one of the major kinds of tropospheric aerosol which significantly affects both terrestrial as well as solar radiation (Washington, Todd, Middleton and Goudie, “Dust-Storm Source Areas Determined by the Total Ozone Monitoring Spectrometer and Surface Observations”). Moreover, dust storms are also considered to be a natural risk that can broadly affect the daily life of an individual by a considerable level. With regard to the short-term impact of the dust storms, in recent times a large proportion of respiratory problems and asthmatics have been observed in certain parts of Saudi Arabia. The region experienced the occurrence of a strong dust storm in the year 2009 that severely affected the air quality as well as visibility and caused significant damages to several buildings and power poles (Maghrabi, Alharbi and Tapper, “Impact Of the March 2009 dust event in Saudi Arabia on aerosol optical Properties, Meteorological Parameters, Sky temperature and emissivity”). This particular proposed research focuses upon the interrelation between long-term exposure to fine particulate from dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. In relation to the problem statement, it can be affirmed that the fine particulate emerging from the incidence of dust storms ultimately gives rise to increased level of air pollution which in turn results in cardiovascular diseases in Saudi Arabia. The chief reasons for occurrence of dust storms and augmented level of cardiovascular diseases especially in the region of Saudi Arabia include lack of suitable plant coverage, reduction in air humidity as well as precipitation, destruction of the forest areas and varying air pressure. Moreover, the other important reasons comprise incessant climate change, existence of large number of deserts and differences in the levels of rainfall. These major reasons ultimately create dust storms which in turn results in occurrence of traffic accidents and environmental problems in Saudi Arabia (Maghrabi, Alharbi and Tapper, “Impact Of the March 2009 dust event in Saudi Arabia on aerosol optical Properties, Meteorological Parameters, Sky temperature and emissivity”). 2. Literature Review According to Al-Dabbas, Abbas and Al-Khafaji, dust storms are persistent problems in Saudi Arabia. These dust storms impose adverse effect upon the heath of human life that can cause various severe diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and lung as well as cardiovascular diseases by a significant level due to its carrying of fine sharp edged particles and micro-organisms. Al-Dabbas, Abbas and Al-Khafaji further identified that the prevalence of asthma had augmented enormously between the year 1973 and 2004 in Saudi Arabia due to the presence of concentrated fine particulates in the dust storms (Al-Dabbas, Abbas and Al-Khafaji, “The Mineralogical and Micro-Organisms Effects of Regional Dust Storms over Middle East Region”). As stated by Pope III, Burnett, Thurston, Thun, Calle, Krewski and Godleski, considerable number of epidemiological evidences suggest that fine particulates present in dust storms largely affect humans’ health. This particular risk factor i.e. fine particulates cause cardiovascular diseases through the aid of different mechanisms such as accelerated atherosclerosis and systemic as well as pulmonary inflammation among others (Pope III, Burnett, Thurston, Thun, Calle, Krewski and Godleski, “Cardiovascular Mortality and Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution: Epidemiological Evidence of General Pathophysiological Pathways of Disease”). The incidence of dust storms in Saudi Arabia fundamentally imposes significant environmental as well as financial impact upon the region considerably. As noted by Al-Dabbas, Abbas and Al-Khafaji, dust storms increase the level of air pollution and severely affect the local economy along with the quality of life of the entire population of Saudi Arabia. The concentration of heavy metals in the fine particulates has been typically recognized as a prime indicator of causing air pollution (Miller, Siscovick, Sheppard, Shepherd, Sullivan, Anderson and Kaufman, “Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution and Incidence of Cardiovascular Events in Women”). Moreover, as the dust storms decrease the visibility and make the air hazy, different navigation and transportation safety risks are also viewed in the affected areas of Saudi Arabia. The long-term exposure towards the fine particulates which are present in the dust storms has ultimately increased the incidence of various severe diseases such as asthma and cardiovascular disease amid the human beings. From the perspective of financial impact, Al-Dabbas, Abbas and Al-Khafaji identified that the occurrence of dust storms largely reduces agricultural productivity as it causes soil loss by eliminating organic matter as well as nutrient-rich particles. Additionally, the other unfavorable effects of dust storms upon the economy comprise diminished visibility affecting road transportation, decreased sunlight reaching into the surface and most significantly deteriorated human heath by causing harmful diseases (Al-Dabbas, Abbas and Al-Khafaji, “The Mineralogical and Micro-Organisms Effects of Regional Dust Storms over Middle East Region”). According to Marmot and Elliott, air pollution is viewed to be a heterogeneous and an intricate combination of various gases, fine particulate matters and liquids. In accordance with several epidemiological studies, there lies a strong interrelation between long-term exposures to fine particulate from dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. This is due to the reason that the various air pollutants like fine particles, ozone, carbon monoxide and lead are linked with enlarged hospitalization as well as mortality due to the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (Marmot and Elliott 486-487). As noted by Marmot and Elliott, the dust particles or the fine particulates which are present in dust storms generally vary in different sizes that ranges from coarse or non-inhalable to fine or inhalable. In this regard, the coarse or the non-inhalable dust or fine particulates that are present in dust storms can generally reach into the nose, throat and mouth of the individuals. Conversely, the fine or the inhalable fine particulates can enter much deeper particularly in the sensitive regions such as in the respiratory tracts or lungs of the human beings which ultimately leads towards the incidence of various severe diseases such as asthma and cardiovascular diseases by a considerable level. In order to recognize the interrelation between long-term exposure to fine particulates from dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, it can be stated that the tiny pointed edged particles or the fine particles which are present in dust storms diminish the visibility as well as make the air to appear unclear. Moreover, it is quite able to travel deeply into the respiratory tracts along with lungs which in turn results in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases amid the human beings (Marmot and Elliott 486-487). On the basis of the above discussion, it can be affirmed that there lies a strong interrelation between long-term exposure to fine particulates from dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in various dust storms affected areas such as Saudi Arabia. 3. Nature and Design of the Project It has been apparently observed that dust storms frequently occur in Saudi Arabia due to the consequences of climate change and dissimilarities in the levels of rainfall. The prevalence of dust storms poses significant impact upon the physical health of the human beings belonging to Saudi Arabia by causing large proportion of severe illnesses like asthma and cardiovascular diseases among others (Kutiel and Furman, “Dust Storms in the Middle East: Sources of Origin and their Temporal Characteristics”). In relation to the above discussion, the project goal would be to determine the interrelation between long-term exposure to fine particulates that are present in dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia. This project would be completed by collecting data from different medical practitioners by conducting questionnaires through the use of Skype or video-conferencing. The project will be completed in the region of Saudi Arabia. The hypothesis for this project has been provided hereunder: Null Hypothesis (H0): There does not lay any interrelation between long-term exposure to fine particulates from dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia. Alternative Hypothesis (H1): There exist an interrelation between long-term exposure to fine particulates from dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia. On the basis of the above discussion, the expected outcome can be the existence of strong interrelation between long-term exposure to fine particulates from dust storms and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia. 4. Methodology The information regarding the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia due to the exposure of fine particulates from dust storms would be collected. In addition, other crucial information which includes major causes behind the occurrence of dust storms and its impact upon the economy of Saudi Arabia would also be gathered. This sort of valuable information would ultimately support the project to fulfill its research objective by a greater extent. In order to collect data, questionnaires through the execution of Skype or video-conferencing would be served to different medical practitioners of Saudi Arabia as respondents. Moreover, secondary sources like academic journals, library materials and textbooks would be employed in order to collect essential information relating to this project. 5. Required Resources and Clearances In order to complete this project, adequate funding is required. The funds can be availed from any sort of personal funds. The availability of certain important facilities such as the usage of a computer and a lab or office space are duly required for smooth conduct of the research. Moreover, the accessibility of the consultants in the project field for assistance is also needed for successful completion of the research. Most importantly, it is quite necessary to possess a thorough knowledge as well as experience about the background course work relating to the project. This ability would ultimately facilitate to conduct the research efficiently. In order to collect valuable information about the project, it is necessary to obtain certain important documents which include consent forms and clearances from the respondents along with letters of introduction from research director. 6. Time Table The project will take nearly three months to complete. The anticipated start date of the project would be 25th November 2012 and the probable end date would be 24th February 2013. The necessary project related activities with possible durations have been provided hereunder: Project Activities Duration Identification and Short Research about the Identified Project (Fieldwork) 1 week Approval of Project 2 weeks Identification of Research Objective and Conduct of Literature Review 3 weeks Data Collection and Data Analysis 4 weeks Write Up the Findings of the Results and Discussion 2 weeks Total Estimated Duration Approximately 12 weeks (3 months) 7. Works Cited A. Maghrabi, B. Alharbi, and N. Tapper. Impact of the March 2009 dust event in Saudi Arabia on aerosol optical Properties, Meteorological Parameters, Sky temperature and emissivity. Accepted Manuscript, 28 Jan. 2011. Web. 19 Nov 2012. Akbari, Simin. Dust Storms, Sources in the Middle East and Economic Model for Survey It s Impacts. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 5(2011): 227-33. Print. C. Arden Pope III, Richard T. Burnett, George D. Thurston, Michael J. Thun, Eugenia E. Calle, Daniel Krewski, and John J. Godleski. Cardiovascular Mortality and Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution: Epidemiological Evidence of General Pathophysiological Pathways of Disease. Circulation, 15 Dec. 2003. Web. 19 Nov 2012. Kutiel, Haim, and Furman, Hadar. Dust Storms in the Middle East: Sources of Origin and their Temporal Characteristics. Indoor Built Environ 12(2003): 419-26. Print. Kristin A. Miller, David S. Siscovick, M.P.H., Lianne Sheppard, Kristen Shepherd, Jeffrey H. Sullivan, M.H.S., Garnet L. Anderson, and Joel D. Kaufman. Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution and Incidence of Cardiovascular Events in Women. The New England Journal of Medicine 356(2007): 447-58. Print. Moutaz Al-Dabbas, Mohammed Ayad Abbas, and Raad Al- Khafaji. The Mineralogical and Micro-Organisms Effects of Regional Dust Storms over Middle East Region. International Journal of Water Resources and Arid Environments 1(2011): 129-41. Print. M. G. Marmot, and Paul Elliott. Coronary Heart Disease Epidemiology: From Aetiology to Public Health. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print. Richard Washington, Martin Todd, Nicholas J. Middleton, and Andrew S. Goudie. Dust-Storm Source Areas Determined by the Total Ozone Monitoring Spectrometer and Surface Observations. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 93(2003): 297-319. Print. Read More