Effects of fine particulate matter and its constituents on emergency room visits for asthma in southern Taiwan during 2008–2010: a population-based study

Abstract

This population-based study evaluated the short-term association between fine particulate matter (PM) concentrations and its constituents and hospital emergency room visits (ERVs) for asthma in southern Taiwan during the period 2008-2010. Data on hospital ERVs for asthma and ambient PM levels and its constituents were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research database and the Environmental Protection Administration, respectively. The quasi-Poisson generalized additive model was used to explore the associations between PM and hospital ERVs for asthma. During the study period, the average daily number of ERVs for asthma and mean 24-h average level of PM was 20.0 and 39.4 μg m, respectively. The estimated effects of PM on asthma ERVs fluctuated with increasing tendencies after adjusting for O and attenuating tendencies after adjusting for NO, SO, and CO. Children were more susceptible than other age groups to the effects of PM exposure on asthma ERVs, with the relative risks (RRs) for every 10 μg m increase in PM being 1.016 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.002-1.030] and 1.018 (95% CI = 1.002-1.034), respectively, at a lag 0 day (i.e., no lag days) and lag 0-1 days. The effect of PM concentrations on asthma ERVs was similar in male and female. Furthermore, asthma ERVs was significantly associated with concentrations of nitrate (NO), with the RR for each 1 μg m increase in NO concentrations being 1.004 (95% CI = 1.001-1.007) at lag 0 day. In conclusion, both PM concentrations and its chemical constituents are associated with ERVs for asthma; moreover, children were more susceptible to the effects of PM in southern Taiwan. PM constituent, nitrate, is more closely related to ERVs for asthma.

Effects of particulate matter on allergic respiratory diseases

“… 8 Many epidemiological studies worldwide have addressed the correlation between the concentrations of PM and hospital visits due to respiratory diseases ( Table 1 ). 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”

Vitamin D protects against particles‐caused lung injury through induction of autophagy in an Nrf2‐dependent manner

“…Currently, it is a well‐known air pollutant threatening public health. Clinical studies reported that long‐term exposure to the particles associated with reduction in pulmonary function, exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and increased incidence and mortality of lung cancer . Epidemiological studies revealed an inverse relationship between the particles inhalation and human average life span .…”

Characterization of Atmospheric PM2.5 Inorganic Aerosols Using the Semi-Continuous PPWD-PILS-IC System and the ISORROPIA-II

“…[1] due to its chronic adverse human health effects [2]. Some previous studies [3,4] have revealed that PM 2.5 constituents such as sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium were responsible for these effects. Sulfate (SO 4 2− ), nitrate (NO 3 − ), and ammonium (NH 4 + ) are the major water-soluble inorganic (WSI) species, which represent very large fractions in PM 2.5 depending on source emissions, human activities, chemical reactions, and meteorological conditions [5].…”