Robert Dales
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View article: Associations between airborne algae, ambient air pollution and lung function in a cross-sectional canadian population-based study
Associations between airborne algae, ambient air pollution and lung function in a cross-sectional canadian population-based study Open
Airborne algae have been associated with respiratory illness in the setting of coastal harmful algae blooms but little is known about their effects in urban populations distributed across a country, and whether ambient air pollution is an …
View article: The association between neighbourhood walkability and blood lipids: a Canadian population study
The association between neighbourhood walkability and blood lipids: a Canadian population study Open
We examined the association between walkability and blood lipids in a nationally representative sample of 29,649 participants aged 3–79 years who participated in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) cycles 1 to 6. We focused on seven…
View article: Ambient air pollution exposure and COVID-19 related hospitalizations in Santiago, Chile
Ambient air pollution exposure and COVID-19 related hospitalizations in Santiago, Chile Open
Morbidity and mortality from several diseases are increased on days of higher ambient air pollution. We carried out a daily time-series analysis with distributive lags to study the influence of short-term air pollution exposure on COVID-19…
View article: The association between the Canadian active living environments index and glucose metabolism in a Canadian national population study
The association between the Canadian active living environments index and glucose metabolism in a Canadian national population study Open
Biomarkers of glucose metabolism may reflect insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Neighborhoods conducive to a physically active lifestyle have the potential to improve these biomarkers. We exami…
View article: Associations between paediatric obesity, chemical mixtures and environmental factors, in a national cross‐sectional study of Canadian children
Associations between paediatric obesity, chemical mixtures and environmental factors, in a national cross‐sectional study of Canadian children Open
Summary Background Whilst single chemical exposures are suspected to be obesogenic, the combined role of chemical mixtures in paediatric obesity is not well understood. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the potential associations between che…
View article: Air pollution, weather and positive airway pressure treatment adherence in adults with sleep apnea: a retrospective community‐based repeated‐measures longitudinal study
Air pollution, weather and positive airway pressure treatment adherence in adults with sleep apnea: a retrospective community‐based repeated‐measures longitudinal study Open
Summary We assessed the relation between air pollution, weather, and adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in a retrospective community‐based repeated‐measures study of adults with obstructive sleep apnea who purchased PAP de…
View article: Does urban greenness reduce loneliness and social isolation among Canadians? A cross-sectional study of middle-aged and older adults of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
Does urban greenness reduce loneliness and social isolation among Canadians? A cross-sectional study of middle-aged and older adults of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Open
Objectives Urban greenness has been shown to confer many health benefits including reduced risks of chronic disease, depression, anxiety, and, in a limited number of studies, loneliness. In this first Canadian study on this topic, we inves…
View article: Does ambient air pollution influence biochemical markers of liver injury? Findings of a cross-sectional population-based survey
Does ambient air pollution influence biochemical markers of liver injury? Findings of a cross-sectional population-based survey Open
These findings suggest that ambient air pollution may have a relatively small impact on the liver, but these changes may have significant impact from a population health perspective, considering the ubiquitous nature of air pollution, or f…
View article: Do blood metals influence lipid profiles? Findings of a cross-sectional population-based survey
Do blood metals influence lipid profiles? Findings of a cross-sectional population-based survey Open
Dyslipidemia, an imbalance of lipids and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been associated with elevated blood and urine levels of several heavy metals. Using data from a Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), we tested …
View article: Investigation of the relationship between multiple environmental exposures and pediatric obesity in a national cross-sectional study of Canadian children
Investigation of the relationship between multiple environmental exposures and pediatric obesity in a national cross-sectional study of Canadian children Open
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pediatric obesity rates in Canada have nearly tripled in the last 30 years, leading to increased rates of morbidity. While environmental exposures are suspected to be obesogenic, data are lacking and mostly employ a sin…
View article: The association between blood PFAS concentrations and clinical biochemical measures of organ function and metabolism in participants of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS)
The association between blood PFAS concentrations and clinical biochemical measures of organ function and metabolism in participants of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) Open
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous and may persist in human tissue for several years. Only a small proportion of PFAS have been studied for human health effects. We tested the association between human blood levels …
View article: Increased urban greenness associated with improved mental health among middle-aged and older adults of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
Increased urban greenness associated with improved mental health among middle-aged and older adults of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Open
These findings suggest that residential greenness has mental health benefits, and that interventions to increase urban greenness can help reduce social inequalities in mental health.
View article: Respiratory Symptoms Are Associated With Frailty in Older Adults With Normal Spirometry, Independent of Smoking, in the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging
Respiratory Symptoms Are Associated With Frailty in Older Adults With Normal Spirometry, Independent of Smoking, in the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging Open
Our data show that respiratory symptoms, regardless of smoking history, were a significant correlate of frailty in older adults with normal spirometry. Hence, they should not be simply regarded as a benign by-product of aging.
View article: Urban Greenness and Mental health among participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA)
Urban Greenness and Mental health among participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA) Open
BACKGROUND AND AIM: In Canada, an estimated 6.7 million people suffer from mental health disorders in any given year. An increasing number of recent studies have suggested links between greenspaces and improved health. Few Canadian studies…
View article: Association between urban greenness and sleep measures in Canadian adults: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging
Association between urban greenness and sleep measures in Canadian adults: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging Open
BACKGROUND AND AIM: A series of epidemiological studies have found that urban greenness may confer several health benefits, including improved sleep quality. In this study we explore the association between greenness and sleep quality amon…
View article: Demographics, Sleep Apnea and Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Treatment-Related Characteristics Associated with PAP Adherence: A Large Retrospective Community-Based Longitudinal Observational Study
Demographics, Sleep Apnea and Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Treatment-Related Characteristics Associated with PAP Adherence: A Large Retrospective Community-Based Longitudinal Observational Study Open
Despite many years of research, multiple factors have inconsistently shown to be associated with positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence. We conducted a retrospective observational study to evaluate the association between selected demogr…
View article: The association between air pollution and COVID-19 related mortality in Santiago, Chile: A daily time series analysis
The association between air pollution and COVID-19 related mortality in Santiago, Chile: A daily time series analysis Open
This study provides evidence that daily increases in air pollution increase the risk of dying from COVID-19, especially in the elderly.
View article: Associations between air pollution and cardio-respiratory physiological measures in older adults exercising outdoors
Associations between air pollution and cardio-respiratory physiological measures in older adults exercising outdoors Open
We examined whether exercising indoors vs. outdoors reduced the cardio-respiratory effects of outdoor air pollution. Adults ≥55 were randomly assigned to exercise indoors when the Air Quality Health Index was ≥5 and outdoors on other days …
View article: The association between air pollution and hospitalization for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Chile: A daily time series analysis
The association between air pollution and hospitalization for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Chile: A daily time series analysis Open
Genetic and environmental factors are thought to influence the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but relatively little is known about the effects of ambient air pollution. Using pollution data from air monitoring stations in …
View article: Associations between blood volatile organic compounds, and changes in hematologic and biochemical profiles, in a population-based study
Associations between blood volatile organic compounds, and changes in hematologic and biochemical profiles, in a population-based study Open
This study provides evidence that VOCs in blood, at levels found in the Canadian population, may influence blood cell counts and indicators of liver and kidney function, including an inverse association between serum VOC and creatinine. Th…
View article: Associations between air pollution and cardio-respiratory physiological measures in older adults exercising outdoors
Associations between air pollution and cardio-respiratory physiological measures in older adults exercising outdoors Open
We examined whether exercising indoors vs. outdoors reduced the cardio-respiratory effects of outdoor air pollution. Adults ≥55 were randomly assigned to exercise indoors when the Air Quality Health Index was ≥5 and outdoors on other days …
View article: Associations between air pollution and cardio-respiratory physiological measures in older adults exercising outdoors
Associations between air pollution and cardio-respiratory physiological measures in older adults exercising outdoors Open
We examined whether exercising indoors vs. outdoors reduced the cardio-respiratory effects of outdoor air pollution. Adults ≥55 were randomly assigned to exercise indoors when the Air Quality Health Index was ≥5 and outdoors on other days …
View article: The Oakville Oil Refinery Closure and Its Influence on Local Hospitalizations: A Natural Experiment on Sulfur Dioxide
The Oakville Oil Refinery Closure and Its Influence on Local Hospitalizations: A Natural Experiment on Sulfur Dioxide Open
Background: An oil refinery in Oakville, Canada, closed over 2004–2005, providing an opportunity for a natural experiment to examine the effects on oil refinery-related air pollution and residents’ health. Methods: Environmental and health…
View article: Cardiovascular and inflammatory mechanisms in healthy humans exposed to air pollution in the vicinity of a steel mill
Cardiovascular and inflammatory mechanisms in healthy humans exposed to air pollution in the vicinity of a steel mill Open
These findings suggest that air pollutants in the proximity of steel mill site can influence inflammatory and vascular mechanisms. Use of mask and multiple biomarker data can be valuable in gaining insight into source emission-related heal…
View article: Cardiorespiratory Effects of Air Pollution in a Panel Study of Winter Outdoor Physical Activity in Older Adults
Cardiorespiratory Effects of Air Pollution in a Panel Study of Winter Outdoor Physical Activity in Older Adults Open
Acute subclinical effects of air pollution were observed in older adults exercising outdoors in winter.
View article: Air pollution and emergency department visits for respiratory diseases: A multi-city case crossover study
Air pollution and emergency department visits for respiratory diseases: A multi-city case crossover study Open
Increasing evidence suggests that ambient air pollution is a major risk factor for both acute and chronic respiratory disease exacerbations and emergencies. The objective of this study was to determine the association between ambient air p…