Ambient ozone and emergency department visits due to lower respiratory condition

Abstract

Objectives: Ambient ozone (O 3 ) exposure is associated with a variety of health conditions. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of increased daily concentrations of ozone on emergency department (ED) visits due to lower respi ratory diseases (LRD), such as acute or chronic bronchitis, in Edmonton, Canada. Materials and Methods: Data concer ning 10 years (1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002) were obtained from 5 Edmonton hospital Emergency Departments. Odds ratios (ORs) for ED visits associated with the increased ozone levels were calculated employing a case-crossover technique with a time-stratified strategy to define controls. In the constructed conditional logistic regression models, adjustments were made for daily num ber of influenza ED visits and weather variables using natural splines. ORs and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported in relation to an increase in the interquartile range (IQR = 17.9 ppb) of the ground-level ozone. Results: Over all, 48 252 ED visits due to LRD were identified, of which 53% were made by males. The presentations peaked in December (12%) and February (11.7%) and were the lowest in August (5.6%). Positive and statistically significant results were obtained for acute bronchitis: for same day (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.13, lag 0) and for lag 2, lag 3-7 and 9 days; for chronic bronchi tis: for lag 6, 7, and lag 9 days (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.18, lag 9). For all ED visits for LRD, lag 0, lag 1, and lag 3-9 days showed positive and statistically significant associations (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.09, lag 0). Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis concerning positive associations between ozone and the ED visits due to LRD.

The Effects of Air Pollution and Temperature on COPD

“…In addition, a meta-analysis of 18 studies of PM 10 and exacerbations found a 10 μg/m 3 increase in daily PM 10 was associated with a 2.7% increase in COPD hospitalizations (29). The data linking air pollution with COPD exacerbations for O 3 is also convincing as higher O 3 concentrations have been shown to increase hospital and emergency department visits for lower respiratory disease, including COPD (36–38). …”

Emergency department visits for asthma in relation to the Air Quality Health Index: A case-crossover study in Windsor, Canada

“…1,2,[16][17][18][19] With specific regard to Windsor, Ontario, for 1 day lagged exposures in certain subgroups, Lavigne et al also reported statistically significant associations between ambient air pollution levels and emergency visits for asthma. 20 Exposure to ambient air pollution in Windsor increases the risk of ED visits for asthma.…”

Correlation Between Occurrence and Deterioration of Respiratory Diseases and Air Pollution Within the Legally Permissible Limits

“…Several studies report on O 3 to be associated with asthma 22,23,25,34,38 , acute and chronic bronchitis 39 , URTI 22 , and all respiratory visits 27,29,30,38 . Tamayo-Uria et al report that O 3 is negatively associated with COPD 28 .…”