Application of Multivariate Geostatistics in Environmental Epidemiology: Case Study from Houston, Texas

Abstract

This study represents an example of investigating the associations between the joint exposure to ozone (O3) and particulate matter of sizes less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) emergency room (ER) visits and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ER visits using multivariate geostatistics in Houston, Texas, from 2004 to 2009. Analyses showed lack of strong pair-wise association among the predictors of O3, PM2.5, wind speed, relative humidity, and temperature. Whereas CVD and COPD ER visits exhibited a strong positive correlation. Both outcomes drastically increased from 2006 possibly due to immigration from neighboring locations. Parametric testing showed that the data differed significantly between the years. Multivariate multiple regression results on the 2009 data showed that PM2.5, relative humidity, and temperature were significant to both CVD and COPD ER visits. Codispersion coefficients were constant which justified the assumption of intrinsic correlation. That is, our predictors had strong influence on the spatial variability of CVD and COPD ER visits. This multivariate geostatistics approach predicted an increase of 34% in CVD ER visits and 24% increase in COPD ER visits, which calls for more attention from policy makers. The use of multivariate geostatistics analyses enabled us to successfully detect the effects of risk factors on both outcomes.

Effect of Sea Level Rise and Groundwater Withdrawal on Seawater Intrusion in the Gulf Coast Aquifer: Implications for Agriculture

“…Ordinary least squares with spatial dependence regression analyses were conducted. Spatial weights matrix was formed using wells longitude and latitude data [11] [29]- [31]. The spatial regression performed has the equation [Cl] = intercept + longitude + latitude +distance to the Gulf of Mexico + sea level + groundwater withdrawals + spatial residual.…”

“…These lead to socioeconomic effects including displacement, evacuations, and public health issues. These impacts combined with other issues facing coastal communities in Texas and other places in the world, makes it more complicated to mitigate and manage the issues [11]- [18]. Disparity of impacts affect groups of lower income, non-English speakers, and vulnerable age groups (65 years or older, 5 years or younger) [14].…”

The WRF-CMAQ Simulation of a Complex Pollution Episode with High-Level O3 and PM2.5 over the North China Plain: Pollution Characteristics and Causes

“…Although O 3 in the stratosphere benefits life on Earth by filtering out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, O 3 and PM 2.5 can have adverse effects on human health on the ground. The level of simultaneous exposure Atmosphere 2024, 15,198 2 of 23 to PM 2.5 and O 3 is highly correlated with an increased risk to human health, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases [9][10][11].…”

The Effect of Air Pollutants and Socioeconomic Status on Asthma in Texas

“…Moreover, studies focusing on the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on asthma have demonstrated varying degrees of associations with factors like income, college education attainment, and living in urban or rural areas. These associations varied with demographic factors such as age and ethnicity [5] [7] [12] [13]. The effect of SES on asthma morbidity and mortality is attributed to factors such as living conditions, working environment, proximity to air pollutant discharge, and psychosomatic stress [7] [14].…”