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1.
OBJECTIVE: To assess predictors of poor anthropometric status among infants and young children.DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.SETTING: The rural subsistence agricultural district of Hoima, western Uganda.SUBJECTS: Seven hundred and twenty children aged 0-23 months with their mothers/carers.METHODS: Participants were recruited in September 2002, using a two-stage cluster sampling methodology. A structured questionnaire was administered to mothers in their home settings. Information on health, household socio-economic status, child feeding practices and anthropometric measurement was gathered. Conditional logistic regression analysis was applied taking into account the hierarchical relationships between potential determinants of poor anthropometric status.RESULTS: The mean Z-score for weight-for-height was -0.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.1, -0.7), for height-for-age was -1.1 (95% CI -1.2, -0.9) and for weight-for-age was -0.7 (95% CI -0.8, -0.6). Wasting was independently associated only with a history of fever in the 2 weeks prior to the survey (odds ratio (OR)=4.4, 95% CI 1.5, 13), while underweight was associated with a history of fever (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.3, 4.4) and cough (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.3, 6.8). Stunting was positively associated with a wider range of factors, including: history of a fever episode (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.0, 2.9), lack of a latrine in the household (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.5, 4.9), failure to de-worm children 12 months or older (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.8), and being born to a non-formally educated mother compared with mothers educated above primary school (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.1, 4.0).CONCLUSIONS: In analyses guided by the hierarchical interrelationships of potential determinants of malnutrition, wasting and underweight turned out to be independently predicted by morbidity (proximal) factors. Stunting, however, was predicted by socio-economic (distal), environmental and health-care (intermediate) factors in addition to morbidity. Strategies aimed at improving the growth of infants and young children in rural communities should address morbidity due to common childhood illness coupled with environmental and socio-economically oriented measures. 相似文献
2.
OBJECTIVE: To define the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children resident in mountain areas, rural areas and urban areas.Design, setting and subjectsThe sample (n = 12 832; 50.7% boys) included 9- and 11-year-old children of the Veneto Region of north-east Italy. Overweight and obesity status were determined using the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points for body mass index. The prevalence of overweight and obese subjects was calculated with a confidence interval of 95%. The Mantel-Haenszel method was used to compare the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among children resident in mountain areas, rural areas and urban areas. RESULTS: Among boys the prevalence of overweight was 21.06%, while obesity prevalence was 5.92%; among girls overweight prevalence was 21.30%, while obesity prevalence was 5.15%. The prevalence was higher among 11-year-old boys (odds ratio (OR) = 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.33) and 9-year-old girls (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01-1.26). Children resident in rural areas presented a higher risk of overweight and obesity compared with children resident in mountain areas (Mantel-Haenszel OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.13-1.42; chi2 = 17.55; P < 0.0001) and in urban areas (Mantel-Haenszel OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.07-1.31; chi2 = 10.39; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A relevant prevalence of overweight and obesity was found; the excess weight concerns one child in four. There are differences linked to different geographical areas that must be further investigated. 相似文献
3.
Of the oxidants and nitrogenous compounds found in ambient air, O3 and NO2 are among those most thoroughy investigated. Large health data bases have been compiled in air quality criteria documents, which serve as the basis for review of primary (health) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for each pollutant. When comparisons can be made, O3 is generally more toxic than other photochemical oxidant species at or near ambient levels, although NO2 does not appear to be of more concern with respect to carcinogenesis. Public health effects of concern for O3 range from acute symptoms (e.g. cough) and decreased lung function to persistent functional changes and permanent scarring of lung tissue, a possible precursor to chronic lung disease. Impairment of immune defenses and increased susceptibility to lung infection have also been associated with O3 exposure. Populations at greatest risk include exercising healthy persons, children, and those with preexisting lung disease. Nitrogen dioxide exhibits similar health effects but at higher concentrations. These effects include acute symptoms and lung function impairment, increased susceptibility to acute respiratory infection, and possibly conditions leading to chronic lung disease. Populations potentially at risk include children, asthmatics, and individuals who exercise in the presence of NO2. Health effects data for O3 and NO2 are under consideration in the current review of both primary NAAQS. 相似文献
4.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and identify the predictors of food insecurity among households in Los Angeles County with incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level. METHODS: The Six-Item Short Form of the US Department of Agriculture's Household Food Security Scale was used as part of a 1999 county-wide, population-based, telephone survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of food insecurity was 24.4% and was inversely associated with household income. Other independent predictors of food insecurity included the presence of children in the household (odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-2.3) and a history of homelessness in the past five years (OR 5.6, 95% CI 3.4-9.4). CONCLUSION: Food insecurity is a significant public health problem among low-income households in Los Angeles County. Food assistance programmes should focus efforts on households living in and near poverty, those with children, and those with a history of homelessness. 相似文献
5.
OBJECTIVE: To measure rates of hunger and food insecurity among young US-born Latino children with Mexican immigrant parents (Latinos) compared with a non-immigrant non-Latino population (non-Latinos) in a low-income clinic population. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A repeated cross-sectional survey of 4278 caregivers of children < 3 years of age in the paediatric clinic of an urban county hospital for a 5-year period from 1998 to 2003. A total of 1310 respondents had a US-born child with at least one parent born in Mexico. They were compared with a reference group comprised of non-Latino US-born participants (n = 1805). Child hunger and household food insecurity were determined with the US Household Food Security Scale. RESULTS: Young Latino children had much higher rates of child hunger than non-Latinos, 6.8 versus 0.5%. Latino families also had higher rates of household food insecurity than non-Latinos, 53.1 versus 15.6%. Latino children remained much more likely to be hungry (odds ratio (OR) = 13.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.9-28.7, P < 0.01) and in household food-insecure households (OR = 6.6, 95% CI = 5.2-8.3, P < 0.01) than non-Latinos after controlling for the following variables in multivariate analysis: child's age, sex, maternal education level, single-headed household status, family size, young maternal age ( < 21 years), food stamp programme participation, TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or 'welfare') programme participation and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) usage, and reason for clinic visit (sick visit versus well-child). CONCLUSION: Young children in Mexican immigrant families are at especially high risk for hunger and household food insecurity compared with non-immigrant, non-Latino patients in a low-income paediatric clinic. 相似文献
6.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between food poverty and food consumption, health and life satisfaction among schoolchildren. DESIGN: Analysis of the 2002 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a cross-sectional survey that employs a self-completion questionnaire in a nationally representative random sample of school classrooms in the Republic of Ireland. SUBJECTS: A total of 8424 schoolchildren (aged 10-17 years) from 176 schools, with an 83% response rate from children. RESULTS: Food poverty was found to be similarly distributed among the three social classes (15.3% in the lower social classes, 15.9% in the middle social classes and 14.8% in the higher social classes). It was also found that schoolchildren reporting food poverty are less likely to eat fruits, vegetables and brown bread, odds ratio (OR) from 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45-0.87) to 0.81 (95% CI 0.63-0.99); more likely to eat crisps, fried potatoes and hamburgers, OR from 1.20 (95% CI 1.00-1.40) to 1.62 (95% CI 1.39-1.85); and more likely to miss breakfast on weekdays, OR from 1.29 (95% CI 0.33-1.59) to 1.72 (95% CI 1.50-1.95). The risk of somatic and mental symptoms is also increased, OR from 1.48 (95% CI 1.18-1.78) to 2.57 (95% CI 2.33-2.81); as are negative health perceptions, OR from 0.63 (95% CI 0.43-0.83) to 0.52 (95% CI 0.28-0.76) and measures of life dissatisfaction, OR from 1.88 (95% CI 1.64-2.12) to 2.25 (95% CI 2.05-2.45). Similar results were found for life dissatisfaction in an international comparison of 32 countries. All analyses were adjusted for age and social class. CONCLUSIONS: Food poverty in schoolchildren is not restricted to those from lower social class families, is associated with a substantial risk to physical and mental health and well-being, and requires the increased attention of policy makers and practitioners. 相似文献
7.
Air pollution control is one of the most important issues in thecities of the developing countries. Based on an analysis of the local economic and technological development the paper puts forward 9 air pollution control schemes. They are 4 briquette schemes, 2 coal gas schemes, 1 centralized heating system and 2 comprehensive schemes. A comprehensive diffusion model combined with a 3-D advection-diffusion equation and the Gaussian puffmodel is developed and verified. According to the calculation ofpotential reduction of pollutant discharge and the correspondingair quality improvement made by each air pollution controlscheme, the paper then works out a feasible and comprehensiveair pollution control scheme, which is characterized by lowinvestment and better environmental benefits. When the scheme isefficiently carried out, 19.3% SO2 and 24.4% sootdischarge is to be reduced annually in the city. There is aclear descent of air pollution concentration. The daily mean concentration of SO2 and TSP declines 24.6–75.4%and 10.4–45.4%, respectively. SO2 concentation of the whole city does not exceed the second grade of the Ambient Air Quality Standard of China except at a few grid points. 相似文献
8.
Mamabolo RL Alberts M Steyn NP Delemarre-van de Waal HA Levitt NS 《Public health nutrition》2005,8(5):501-508
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of stunting, wasting and overweight and their determinants in 3-year-old children in the Central Region of Limpopo Province, South Africa. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Rural villages in the Central Region of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty-two children who were followed from birth were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic characteristics of the children were recorded. RESULTS: Height-for-age Z-scores were low, with a high prevalence of stunting (48%). The children also exhibited a high prevalence of overweight (22%) and obesity (24%). Thirty-one (19%) children were both stunted and overweight. Gaining more weight within the first year of life increased the risk of being overweight at 3 years by 2.39 times (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96-4.18) while having a greater length at 1 year was protective against stunting (odds ratio (OR) 0.41; 95% CI 0.17-0.97). Having a mother as a student increased the risk for stunting at 3 years by 18.21 times (95% CI 9.46-34.74) while having a working mother increased the risk for overweight by 17.87 times (95% CI 8.24-38.78). All these factors also appeared as risks or as being protective in children who were both overweight and stunted, as did living in a household having nine or more persons (OR 5.72; 95% CI 2.7-12.10). CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight the importance of evaluating anthropometric status in terms of both stunting and overweight. Furthermore, it is important to realise the importance of normal length and weight being attained at 1 year of age, since these in turn predict nutritional status at 3 years of age. 相似文献
9.
OBJECTIVE: Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem. We have examined the association between sociodemographic profile and eating and physical activity patterns with overweight among primary-school students in Athens, Greece. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Eleven primary schools in the greater Athens area, Greece. SUBJECTS: A total of 633 children aged 10-12 years (50 % boys, 50 % girls) were interviewed in person during spring 2003. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between eating and physical activity patterns and overweight (> or =85th sex- and age-specific BMI centile). Results are presented as odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. RESULTS: Overweight was more common among girls than among boys (OR=1.73; 95% CI 1.11, 2.69) and substantially less common among children born outside Greece (OR=0.46; CI 0.22, 0.95). Reported physical activity (per 1.5 h per day) was unrelated to overweight (OR=0.97; CI 0.85, 1.12) but patent physical inactivity, operationalised as time spent watching television or working/playing with the computer (per 1.5 h per day) was a highly significant predictor of overweight (OR=1.20; CI 1.05, 1.36). Composition of diet was unrelated to overweight but the daily number of eating occasions, controlling for total energy intake, was significantly inversely associated with overweight (OR=0.61; CI 0.48, 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: The principal factor underlying overweight among children in Athens appears to be the extended inactivity imposed by modern childhood lifestyles. An intriguing finding is that spreading a given energy intake over several eating occasions was inversely associated with the likelihood of childhood obesity. 相似文献
10.
A Yasuhara T Shibamoto 《Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists》1989,72(6):899-902
A new method for the determination of trace levels of formaldehyde in air was developed and validated. The method is based on the reaction of formaldehyde with cysteamine to form thiazolidine. Air samples containing trace levels of formaldehyde were prepared from paraformaldehyde. The percent yield of formaldehyde from paraformaldehyde was 85.1 +/- 1.14%. Air samples were bubbled into an aqueous cysteamine trap. Thiazolidine formed from formaldehyde and cysteamine in the trap was determined by gas chromatography with a fused silica capillary column and a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD). The lowest detection level for thiazolidine was 17.2 pg, equivalent to 5.80 pg formaldehyde. The recovery efficiency of trace gas phase formaldehyde in air was greater than 90%. Formaldehyde levels in ambient laboratory air were 48.9-56.2 ppb (v/v). 相似文献
11.
OBJECTIVE: To identify individual and contextual factors associated with the practice of exclusive breast-feeding (EBF). METHODOLOGY: We analysed 34 435 children under 6 months of age living in 111 municipalities in the state of S?o Paulo, south-eastern Brazil, who participated in a survey investigating feeding practices during the first year of life, carried out during the 1999 national vaccination campaign. The questionnaire employed included questions on the consumption, in the last 24 h, of breast milk, water, tea, other types of milk and other foods, in addition to mother and child characteristics. Information on the pro-breast-feeding measures implemented in the municipalities was also collected. The effects of individual and contextual characteristics on EBF were analysed using multilevel models. RESULTS: The final model showed a greater chance of EBF in women with tertiary education (odds ratio (OR) = 1.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75-2.06); women aged between 25 and 29 years (OR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.41-1.63); multiparae (OR = 1.42; 95% CI 1.33-1.49); female babies (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.05-1.18); birth weight > or = 3000 g (OR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.49-1.97); child follow-up in the private health-care network (OR = 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.18); and municipalities with four or five pro-breast-feeding measures (OR = 2.4; 95% CI 2.19-2.88). An analysis of the interactions between individual and contextual variables showed that the presence of at least four pro-breast-feeding measures in the municipality attenuated the risk of early termination of EBF associated with low maternal schooling and low birth weight, and transformed child follow-up in the public network into a protective factor against the early termination of breast-feeding. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of measures aimed at protecting, promoting and supporting breast-feeding in the municipality had a positive influence on EBF and attenuated the impact of risk factors for the termination of breast-feeding. 相似文献
12.
OBJECTIVE: Paternal smoking is highly prevalent in Asia, and tobacco may account for a large proportion of household expenditures among poor families. We sought to characterise the relationship between paternal smoking, child malnutrition and food expenditures. DESIGN: Data on smoking, household expenditures and child malnutrition were examined in a stratified multistage cluster sample of households in the Indonesia nutrition surveillance system. Main outcome measures were child wasting (weight-for-height Z-score < - 2), underweight (weight-for-age Z-score < - 2) and stunting (height-for-age Z-score < - 2), and severe wasting, underweight and stunting (defined by respective Z-scores < - 3). SETTING: In total, 175,583 households from urban slum areas in Indonesia. SUBJECTS: Children 0-59 months of age. RESULTS: The prevalence of paternal smoking was 73.8%. After adjusting for child gender and age, maternal age and education, and weekly per capita household expenditures, paternal smoking was associated with child stunting (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.14, P < 0.0001), severe wasting (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.33, P = 0.018) and severe stunting (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.15, P < 0.001). In households where the father was a smoker, tobacco accounted for 22% of weekly per capita household expenditures, with less money spent on food compared with households in which the father was a non-smoker. CONCLUSIONS: Among poor families in urban slum areas of Indonesia, paternal smoking diverts household money from food to tobacco and exacerbates child malnutrition. 相似文献
13.
Wang K.-Y. Shallcross D.E. Hadjinicolaou P. Giannakopoulos C. 《Water, air, and soil pollution》2004,156(1-4):29-55
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Continuous ambient monitoring data of major air pollutants such as CO, NOx and NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons) for the 1994–2001 period were analysed to... 相似文献
14.
Type of kindergarten and other potential determinants of overweight in pre-school children 总被引：3，自引：0，他引：3
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the relationship of various types of kindergarten differing in length of care and food availability with the development of overweight in pre-school children. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2002 in Stuttgart, Germany, as part of the school entrance examination. Height and weight of 2140 children (participation 70.2%) were measured and information on type of kindergarten and other potential determinants of overweight was collected by a parental questionnaire. Change in relative body mass index (BMI) position between the ages of 4 and 6 years was assessed using medical records. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight or change in relative BMI position did not differ according to the type of kindergarten. For the prevalence of overweight in German children, adjusted odds ratios (OR) comparing institutions that open only in the morning with those opening in the morning and afternoon or for the full day were 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40, 1.83) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.25, 1.58), respectively. Parental BMI and duration of television watching were positively associated, and maternal educational status and duration of breast-feeding were negatively associated, with overweight and/or change in relative BMI position. The prevalence of overweight was substantially higher among non-German than among German children (adjusted OR 2.17 (95% CI 1.53, 3.07)). CONCLUSIONS: These data show no association between different types of kindergarten and the development of overweight in early childhood. Duration of television watching and breast-feeding, as well as the relatively high prevalence of overweight in ethnic minorities, deserve further attention. 相似文献
15.
AIM: To document the epidemiological features and influencing factors of obesity in the north-west of Iran, to provide baseline information for setting up a regional population-based centre to control and prevent obesity-related disorders in the area. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 300 subjects were selected/studied in Tabriz, one of the major cities in Iran. Data on basic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary assessment and physical activity were collected. Obesity was defined as body mass index > or =30 kg m(-2) for both women and men. RESULTS: Total prevalence of obesity in the area was 22.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.0-27.6). The prevalence of obesity was 24% (95% CI: 18.5-31.4) for women and 18% (95% CI: 12.5-25.6) for men. For both women and men obesity prevalence showed a positive association with age (P<0.001), while there was a negative correlation of obesity with education and income (P<0.001). Fruit consumption decreased the risk of obesity in both women and men (odds ratio (OR)=0.60, 95% CI: 0.49-0.71 vs. OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.51-0.74, respectively). The same significant pattern was observed for the consumption of green vegetables (OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.57-0.63 vs. OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.98 for women and men, respectively), legumes (OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84 vs. OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.66-0.91 for women and men, respectively) and dairy products (OR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.61-0.91 vs. OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.63-0.93 for women and men, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that educational attainment, higher income and consumption of certain food groups (i.e. vegetables, fruits, legumes and dairy products) may decrease the risk of obesity. Our findings also indicate the crucial necessity of establishing a population-based centre for obesity in the area. The essential information is now achieved to propose to local health authorities to act accordingly. However, more population-based investigations on dietary choices are needed to develop effective preventive strategies to control overweight and obesity disorders in different regions. 相似文献
16.
Galina N. Koptsik Serguei V. Koptsik Dan Aamlid 《Water, air, and soil pollution》2001,130(1-4):929-934
Air pollution induced changes in pine needle chemistry were observed at sample sites in the surroundings of the Pechenganikel smelter. Close to the smelter, elevated concentrations of Ni, Cu and S were found (Ni: 0.7–1 mmol/kg, Cu: 0.4–0.5, and S 40–60 mmol/kg). Close to the pollution source, needles were enriched in Ni and Cu by needle age. Correlation and principal component analyses show that changes in the element composition of pine needles depended on air pollution and on natural factors as well. The contribution from air pollution increased with needle age. Besides direct input of pollutants from atmosphere, soil contamination and nutritional disturbance contributed significantly to the observed changes. 相似文献
17.
Sprince NL Zwerling C Lynch CF Whitten PS Thu K Logsden-Sackett N Burmeister LF Sandler DP Alavanja MC 《Journal of agricultural safety and health》2003,9(1):5-18
The purpose of this case-control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study was to assess risk factors for agricultural injury among a large group of Iowa farmers. A questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers identified 431 cases who had a farm work-related injury requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year and 473 controls who had no injury in the previous year. We assessed several potential risk factors for injury. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between farm work-related injury and weekly farming work hours (> or = 50 hours/week) (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.23-2.21), the presence of large livestock (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.24-2.51), education beyond high school (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.21-2.12), regular medication use (OR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.04-1.96), wearing a hearing aid (OR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.07-5.20), and younger age. These results confirm the importance of risk factors identified in previous analytic studies and suggest directions for future research in preventive intervention strategies to reduce farm work-related injuries. 相似文献
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19.
Alpine ecosystems at high altitudes and latitudes are notably sensitive to climatic warming and the Tibetan Plateau is a widely distributed alpine ecosystem. The magnitude of climatic warming on the Tibetan Plateau is expected to be considerably greater than the global average. However, a synthesis of the experimental warming soil carbon and nitrogen data is still lacking and whether forest soils are more sensitive to warming than grassland soils remains unclear. In this study, we used a meta-analysis approach to synthesise 196 observations from 25 published studies on the Tibetan Plateau. Warming significantly increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC) by 14.3% (95% CI: 2.9–24.6%), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) by 20.1% (95% CI: 2.0–45.1%), net nitrogen mineralization by 49.2% (95% CI: 38.1–62.3%) and net nitrification by 56.0% (95% CI: 51.4–66.1%), but did not significantly affect soil carbon (95% CI: −13.9 to 2.7%) or nitrogen (95% CI: −12.4 to 2.6%). The mean annual air temperature was negatively correlated with the warming effects on MBC and MBN. Grasslands exhibited significant MBC and MBN responses to warming. Specifically, soil microbial biomass was more responsive to warming in colder environments. Moreover, forest soils are not always more sensitive to warming than grassland soils as previous studies have suggested. These findings indicate that clarifying the effect of warming on alpine soils need consider ecosystem types and their local climate. 相似文献
20.
Chad Shouquan Cheng Monica Campbell Qian Li Guilong Li Heather Auld Nancy Day David Pengelly Sarah Gingrich David Yap 《Water, air, and soil pollution》2007,182(1-4):117-130
Using within-weather-group air pollution prediction models developed in Part I of this research, this study estimates future air pollution levels for a variety of pollutants (specifically, carbon monoxide – CO, nitrogen dioxide – NO2, ozone – O3, sulphur dioxide – SO2, and suspended particles – SP) under future climate scenarios for four cities in south-central Canada. A statistical downscaling method was used to downscale five general circulation model (GCM) scenarios to selected weather stations. Downscaled GCM scenarios were used to compare respective characteristics of the weather groups developed in Part I; discriminant function analysis was used to allocate future days from two windows of time (2040–2059 and 2070–2089) into one of four weather groups. In Part I, the four weather groups were characterised as hot, cold, air pollution-related, and other (defined as relatively good air quality and comfortable weather conditions). In estimating future daily air pollution concentrations, three future pollutant emission scenarios were considered: Scenario I – emissions decreasing 20% by 2050, Scenario II – future emissions remaining at the same level as at the end of the twentieth century, and Scenario III – emissions increasing 20% by 2050. The results showed that, due to increased temperatures, the average annual number of days with high O3 levels in the four selected cities could increase by more than 40–100% by the 2050s and 70–200% by the 2080s (from the current areal average of 8 days) under the three pollutant emission scenarios. The corresponding number of low O3 days could decrease by 4–10% and 5–15% (from the current areal average of 312 days). For the rest of the pollutants, future air pollution levels will depend on future pollutant emission levels. Under emission Scenarios II and III, the average annual number of high pollution days could increase 20–40% and 80–180%, respectively, by the middle and late part of this century. In contrast, under Scenario I, the average annual number of high pollution days could decrease by 10–65%. 相似文献