The Short-Term Effects of Ambient Air Pollutants on Childhood Asthma Hospitalization in Taiwan: A National Study

Abstract

This investigation determined the effects of air pollution on childhood asthma hospitalization in regions with differing air pollution levels in Taiwan over a long time period. Data of childhood hospital admissions for asthma in patients aged 0–18 years and air quality in eight regions for the period 2001–2012 in Taiwan were collected. Poisson generalized linear regression analysis was employed to identify the relative risks of hospitalization due to asthma in children associated with exposure to varying levels of air pollutants with a change in the interquartile range after adjusting for temperature and relative humidity. Particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), were positively associated with childhood asthma hospitalization, while O3 was negatively associated with childhood asthma hospitalization. SO2 was identified as the most significant risk factor. The relative risks for asthma hospitalization associated with air pollutants were higher among children aged 0–5 years than aged 6–18 years and were higher among males than females. The effects of air pollution on childhood asthma were greater in the higher-level air pollution regions, while no association was observed in the lower-level air pollution regions. These findings may prove important for policymakers involved in implementing policies to reduce air pollution.

The Role and Potential Pathogenic Mechanism of Particulate Matter in Childhood Asthma: A Review and Perspective

“…However, an investigation from Taiwan determined that particulate matter ≤ 2:5 μm (PM 2.5 ), particulate matter ≤ 10 μm (PM 10 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) were positively associated with childhood asthma hospitalization rate, while ozone (O 3 ) was negatively associated with childhood asthma hospitalization rate. In addition, SO 2 turned to be the most significant risk factor [21]. Lovinsky-Desir et al from New York also drew an almost same conclusion.…”

Tasas Regionales de hospitalización y mortalidad por asma infantil en Chile

“…Otro estudio realizado en Taiwan, durante un año calendario, evaluó si existía correlación entre los niveles de contaminación ambiental en las distintas regiones del país con las hospitalizaciones por asma en el mismo período. Se observó que esta asociación era más intensa en aquellas regiones con niveles más altos de contaminación mientras, que era débil en las regiones con bajos niveles 12 . Las refinerías de petróleo son fuente de muchos contaminantes especialmente PM 10, SO2 y NO2.…”

Association between Ambient Air Pollution and Hospital Length of Stay among Children with Asthma in South Texas

“…A study focusing on children in Vietnam found that short-term exposure to air pollutants including NO 2 were statistically significant with increased daily counts of hospitalizations due to asthma and bronchitis [18]. A recent study conducted in Taiwan also reported that air pollutants, including PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and SO 2 , were positively associated with hospitalizations among children with asthma [19].…”