Open research questions in Air Quality and Health Impacts
1,382 gap statements mined from Air Quality and Health Impacts papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 6,041 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.
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What the literature leaves open
The lack of integrated earth observation and geospatial analysis for monitoring industrial air quality in West Bengal. The need for robust industrial air-quality monitoring to support evidence-based mitigation. The gap in current research on characterizing spatial and temporal variability in industrial air quality.
Industrial air quality monitoring in west bengal through integrated earth observation and geospatial analysis · 2026 · DOIThere is a lack of rigorous evaluations of symptoms, lung function, and incident respiratory disease among kiln workers. The human side of zigzag kilns is under-examined. There is a need to investigate the relationship between occupational air pollutant exposure and respiratory outcomes.
Occupational air pollutant exposure and seasonal variation in respiratory outcomes among brick kiln workers · 2026 · DOIEpidemiological studies in workers are very scarce despite high concentrations of particles in many occupational settings. There is a lack of evidence on the impacts of occupational particle exposure on metabolic diseases. The study aims to fill this gap by investigating the association between occupational particle exposure and type 2 diabetes.
Occupational particle exposure and diabetes: a cohort study in Swedish construction workers · 2026 · DOIThe study aims to address this gap by analyzing the association between PM exposure and elevated LDL-C levels in Korean adults. The paper provides new insights into the relationship between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.
Associations of short-, mid-, and long-term particulate matter exposure with elevated LDL-C levels in Korean adults: analysis of KNHANES 2016–2022 · 2026 · DOIThe lack of studies investigating the associations between coexposure to indoor solid fuels, outdoor air pollution, and heatwave and the risk of CMM and its core component diseases. The need to identify modifiable environmental factors associated with CMM. The importance of implementing comprehensive interventions targeting these factors.
Association of coexposure to indoor solid fuels, outdoor air pollution, and heatwave with the risk of Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity among middle-aged and older Chinese adults · 2026 · DOIPrevious studies have assumed stable PM2.5-related mortality risk over time. There is a need to evaluate the health benefits of the Clean Air Action, considering temporal changes in short-term mortality risk. The impact of changes in air pollutant mixtures, PM2.5 composition, and population susceptibility on PM2.5-related mortality risk is not well understood.
Temporal changes in short-term PM2.5-cardiorespiratory mortality associations and implications for the health benefits of the clean air action in the Sichuan Basin, 2014–2022 · 2026 · DOIThe effects of nanoscale iron-chlorobenzene mixtures on pulmonary injury in rat pups are not well understood. There is a need to investigate the toxicity of these mixtures and their potential impact on human health.
Impact of a Nanoscale Iron–Chlorobenzene Mixture on Pulmonary Injury in Rat Pups: Extending Exposure Knowledge Using Network Technology · 2025 · DOIThe study also highlights the need to investigate the effects of biomass smoke exposure on COPD in women in developing countries.
Biomass Smoke Exposure Reduces DNA Methylation Levels in PRSS23 (cg23771366) in Women with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease · 2025 · DOIThere is a need to monitor early health impacts of environmental exposure using biomarkers. The current study aims to address the gap in understanding the associations between PAHs exposure and early health biomarkers.
Health Symptoms Related to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Exposure in Chiang Mai, Thailand: Associations with Biomarkers of Exposure and Oxidative Stress · 2025 · DOIThere is a lack of knowledge on the applicability of levoglucosan and its isomers as biomarkers of wood smoke exposure. The research gap includes the need to identify the sources of the background level of levoglucosan.
Prior studies have concentrated on economically developed areas, such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta. There is a lack of understanding of air pollution in other regions, including Yining City. The study aims to fill this gap by investigating air pollution in Yining City using an integrated WRF-HYSPLIT modeling approach.
Air Pollution in a Northwest Chinese Valley City (2020–2024): Integrated WRF-HYSPLIT Modeling of Pollution Characteristics, Meteorological Drivers, and Transport Pathways in Yining · 2025 · DOIThere is a need for research focused on exposure assessment and effective mitigation strategies for solid fuel combustion emissions. The paper identifies a gap in understanding the molecular and cellular pathways through which VOCs exert harmful effects. There is a lack of epidemiological studies on the topic of household fuel combustion or air pollution and human health.
Particulate Matter and Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions and Their Health Impact: Spotlight on Solid Fuel Combustion · 2025 · DOIThere is a lack of information regarding the effects of exposure to relatively low ozone concentrations in daily life. There is a need to evaluate the health effects of ozone exposure, particularly in areas with high ozone concentrations. Personal ozone exposure measurements are important for evaluating health effects, but are not often used.
Short-Term Effects of Exposure to Atmospheric Ozone on the Nasal and Respiratory Symptoms in Adolescents · 2025 · DOIFurther analysis of the relationship between air pollution and human health, - Investigation of the impact of industrial activities on air quality, - Development of more accurate models for predicting air…
Industrial air quality monitoring in west bengal through integrated earth observation and geospatial analysis · 2026 · DOIInvestigate the long-term health implications of air pollution-induced epigenetic modifications, - Explore the relationships between TRAP exposure, DNAm, and respiratory health outcomes, - Examine the effects of air pollution on epigenetic changes in genes related to immune regulation and pollutant…
DNA methylation as an epigenetic marker of children’s exposure to traffic-related air pollution in the Klang Valley, Malaysia · 2026 · DOIFuture longitudinal cohort studies are warranted to confirm causality and to track the progression of respiratory impairment over time - incorporate personal exposure monitoring and more diverse populations to build upon the foundational findings of our…
Occupational air pollutant exposure and seasonal variation in respiratory outcomes among brick kiln workers · 2026 · DOIRecord screening and data extraction were limited, - Electronic database indexing lag affected publication counts, - The study only included articles published between 2015…
Sugarcane burning: a systematic review of emissions, monitoring approaches, and environmental and health impacts · 2026 · DOIIntegration of high-resolution multi-sensor satellite observations, - Localised crop-specific emission factors, - Rural health surveillance to address air quality monitoring…
Sugarcane burning: a systematic review of emissions, monitoring approaches, and environmental and health impacts · 2026 · DOIInvestigation of the relationship between PRSS23 and particulate matter, - Study of the effects of biomass-burning smoke exposure on lung function in men, - Examination of the role of PRSS23 in regulating immune cells…
Biomass Smoke Exposure Reduces DNA Methylation Levels in PRSS23 (cg23771366) in Women with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease · 2025 · DOISpectral overlaps can pose a challenge when measuring BTEX compounds using Me-DOAS - Interference from the vehicle's exhaust emissions - Limited availability of official domestic inspection or calibration system for Me-DOAS…
Spatiotemporal Analysis of BTEX and PM Using Me-DOAS and GIS in Busan’s Industrial Complexes · 2025 · DOILimited public attention to hazardous pollutants emitted from industrial complexes - Lack of real-time monitoring and management plans for hazardous air pollutants - Need for spatiotemporal data collection and analysis…
Spatiotemporal Analysis of BTEX and PM Using Me-DOAS and GIS in Busan’s Industrial Complexes · 2025 · DOIFurther studies should focus on identifying the sources of the background level, - Combining levoglucosan with other indicators in well-controlled exposure…
Elucidating the molecular and cellular pathways through which VOCs exert harmful effects - Exploring the differences in emissions from different types of biomass and coal - Adopting a holistic approach, integrating data from different disciplines to better understand the full scope of the risks associated…
Particulate Matter and Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions and Their Health Impact: Spotlight on Solid Fuel Combustion · 2025 · DOIFurther studies are needed to investigate the effects of O3 exposure on nasal and respiratory symptoms in different populations, - Studies should consider the assessment of personal exposure levels to evaluate the health effects of O3 exposure, - Research should be conducted to develop strategies to reduce O3 exposure and mitigate its health…
Short-Term Effects of Exposure to Atmospheric Ozone on the Nasal and Respiratory Symptoms in Adolescents · 2025 · DOIInvestigating the impact of air pollution on mental disorders, - Elucidating the role of PM2.5 in the development of depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar…
Assessing the Impact of Aviation Emissions on Air Quality at a Regional Greek Airport Using Machine Learning · 2025 · DOI
Most-cited papers in Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Lung Cancer, Cardiopulmonary Mortality, and Long-term Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution · JAMA · 2002 · 6,483 citations
- An Association between Air Pollution and Mortality in Six U.S. Cities · New England Journal of Medicine · 1993 · 5,990 citations
- Estimates and 25-year trends of the global burden of disease attributable to ambient air pollution: an analysis of data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2015 · The Lancet · 2017 · 5,665 citations
- The contribution of outdoor air pollution sources to premature mortality on a global scale · Nature · 2015 · 5,117 citations
- The Lancet Commission on pollution and health · The Lancet · 2017 · 3,774 citations
- Air pollution and health · The Lancet · 2002 · 3,409 citations
- Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Hospital Admission for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases · JAMA · 2006 · 2,193 citations
- Fine-Particulate Air Pollution and Life Expectancy in the United States · New England Journal of Medicine · 2009 · 1,875 citations
- Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Mortality in 20 U.S. Cities, 1987–1994 · New England Journal of Medicine · 2000 · 1,839 citations
- Ultrafine particulate pollutants induce oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. · Environmental Health Perspectives · 2003 · 1,730 citations
Most recent work
- Toxic Effects of Sulfur Dioxide: A Review · Toxics · 2026
- Oxidative Potential of Atmospheric Particulate Matter: A Review of the Role of Metal−Organic Interactions, Mechanistic Insights, and Key Determinants · Environmental Science & Technology · 2026
- Association Between Living Environmental Factors and Stroke in Middle‐Aged and Older Chinese Adults: A Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study · Journal of the American Heart Association · 2026
- Photoaging-Driven Transformation of Tire Wear Particles: Unraveling the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Persistent Free Radicals and Their Phytotoxic Impact · Environmental Science & Technology · 2026
- Mortality and long-term exposure to source-specific PM2·5: evidence from a national cohort study in China · The Lancet Planetary Health · 2026
- Short-Term PM2.5 Exposure and Cardiovascular Mortality · JACC · 2026
- Short-Term Exposure to Air Pollution Increases Mortality From Hypertension and its Multiorgan Complications · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2026
- Health Risk and Pathogenesis of PM2.5 in Human Systems · Toxics · 2026
- The impact of environmental pollution and climate change on hypertension: a position paper by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Working Group on Environment in Hypertension · Cardiovascular Research · 2026
- Airborne particulate matter and the lung-brain axis: unraveling the neuroinflammatory cascade from alveolar irritation to microglial activation · Journal of Neuroinflammation · 2026
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