Lag effects of size-fractionated particulate matter pollution on outpatient visits for respiratory diseases in Lanzhou, China

Abstract

Introduction.A large body of evidence suggests that an increase in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) concentrations will lead to an increase in morbidity due to adverse health conditions, such as respiratory diseases (RESD). Lanzhou is located in northwest China, central Gansu Province. Due to limited research and data, the impact of PM on human health have not been systematically acknowledged. Objective. The aim of the study is to investigate the association between size-fractionated PM pollution and outpatients visits for RESD. Materials and method. Data on outpatient visits for RESD, air pollutants and meteorological indices in Lanzhou were collected from 1 February 2014 -31 December 2017, and the associations of three types of PM (PM 2.5 , PM C , and PM 10 ) with outpatient visits for RESD were evaluated using generalized additive models (GAMs). Results. Findings showed that PM 2.5 and PM C had the most significant impact on outpatient visits for RESD at seven cumulative lag days. PM 10 was not significantly associated with outpatient visits for RESD. In subgroup analysis, the impact of atmospheric PM on outpatient visits for RESD was significantly modified by gender and age; men, and children aged 0-5 years old, were more sensitive to PM 2.5 pollution. Conclusions. Increased atmospheric PM concentration is associated with an increase in outpatient visits for RESD, and it has a lag effect. The increase in outpatient visits for RESD appears to be driven by increased PM 2.5 concentrations. The results obtained may provide reference values for formulating preventive strategies to protect the population from the adverse impact of PM pollution.

Lagged acute respiratory outcomes among children related to ambient pollutant exposure in a high exposure setting in South Africa

“…7 Compared with the earlier studies, particularly those with cross-sectional designs, recent epidemiologic studies have provided evidence for lagged effects of exposure among children. 1,8,9 Understanding the lag response provides an opportunity for more appropriate interventions to protect vulnerable individuals. However, the duration of the lag and the intensity of the dose-response effect across these lags vary across studies.…”