A relational analysis of acute wheezing and air pollution

Senanayake, Manouri P; Samarakkody, R P; Sumanasena, Samanmali P; Kudalugodaarachchi, J; Jasinghe, S R; Hettiarachchi, A.P

doi:10.4038/sljch.v30i3.847

Cited by 12 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Pollution is often not confined to one pollutant, and synergic effects of pollutants could be more damaging to health than one. Our own studies on health effects established a link between air pollution and wheezing in children in Colombo [2]. In 1998 we observed a concomitant increase in oxides of nitrogen and SO 2 and increased incidence of acute wheezy episodes in December to January.…”

mentioning

confidence: 65%

Rising SO<sub>2</sub> levels in ambient air

Senanayake

2008

Ceylon Med. J.

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For several weeks running now, increasing concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO 2) have been recorded on air quality monitors in Colombo. It is pertinent that the medical profession is made aware that the Sri Lanka Air Quality Index has recorded SO 2 levels entering the "unhealthy" category [1]. Burning of diesel produces SO 2 , and more fossil fuels are burnt now to meet our increasing energy needs.

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confidence: 65%

Rising SO<sub>2</sub> levels in ambient air

Senanayake

2008

Ceylon Med. J.

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“…(Karunasekara et al, 2001(Karunasekara et al, , 2005Lankathilaka et al, 2000;Premaratna et al, 2002). Senanayake et al (2001) include the effectiveness of analysing the particulate matter (PM 10 , PM 2?5 ) and elemental analysis (Senevirathne, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the transport-induced pollutants that taint urban air, fine particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides pose the most widespread and acute health risks in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Senanayake et al, 2001). Unfortunately, urban planning regulations in Sri Lanka have historically contributed to misallocation of land use and led to the growth of an urban form not necessarily conducive to economic development or air quality improvement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban air pollution and mitigation options in Sri Lanka

Perera¹,

Emmanuel

Nandasena

2010

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Urban Desig

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This paper reports on a study carried out to examine human exposure to street-level air pollutants in Sri Lanka and explores the effectiveness of mitigation options. Baseline air pollution and health risk assessment data were collated and a free-ware computer model (Envi-met) was then applied to a selected urban area to test the effectiveness of air pollution mitigation options. Model variables included changes to street vegetation, soil conditions and building geometry. Background aerosol (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) exposure was found to be significantly different for urban and rural populations. More greenery and reduced vehicular traffic on roads entering main traffic arteries resulted in a decreased particulate matter concentration, whereas the presence of high-rise buildings resulted in an increase. On the basis of the research findings, the paper suggests a 'best case' with a marked decrease in particulate matter concentration compared with the current situation. The possibility of using this methodology in the schematic planning stages of new developments and the regeneration of existing neighbourhoods is highlighted.

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“…We found that the daily counts of patients nebulized at the OPD of THK was the most practical indicator of daily exacerbation of acute wheezing in the population catered by THK for a retrospective study. This indicator had been used in the past in similar studies done in Colombo, Sri Lanka and in other countries [10,16,17]. Therefore, our specific objective was to study the correlation between daily counts of patients nebulized at the OPD of THK and daily local meteorological parameters.…”

Section: Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the above background, only a few studies were done in Sri Lanka and in other parts of South Asia on the correlation between wheezing and atmospheric conditions [9,10]. Those Sri Lankan studies were also concerned only with air pollution (meteorological parameters were not considered).…”

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confidence: 99%

The association between local meteorological changes and exacerbation of acute wheezing in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Ehelepola

Ariyaratne

Jayaratne

2018

Global Health Action

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Background: Severe wheezing is a common medical emergency. Past studies have demonstrated associations between exacerbation of wheezing and meteorological factors and atmospheric pollution. There are no past studies from Sri Lanka that analyzed correlation between daily multiple meteorological variables and exacerbation of wheezing. Objectives: To determine the correlations between daily counts of patients nebulized at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Teaching Hospital -Kandy (THK) and local meteorological variables, and to explore the utility of that information. Design: We considered daily counts of patients nebulized at the OPD of THK as an indicator of exacerbations of wheezing in the population catered to by this hospital. We determined the correlations between daily counts of patients nebulized at OPD and the following meteorological variables for four years: daily rainfall, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, diurnal temperature range, difference between maximum temperature and the temperature at 1800 hours, daytime humidity, nighttime humidity, barometric pressure and visibility. We utilized wavelet time series method for data analysis. Results: All nine meteorological parameters studied were correlated with the daily counts of patients nebulized with average lag periods ranging from 5 to 15 days. Peaks of daily rainfall, maximum temperature, diurnal temperature range, difference between maximum temperature and the temperature at 1800 hours and daytime humidity were followed by peaks of counts of patients nebulized (positive correlations). Troughs of minimum temperature, nighttime humidity, barometric pressure and visibility were followed by peaks of patients nebulized (negative correlations). Conclusions: The THK shall expect more patients with acute wheezing after extremes of weather. Minimum temperature has been consistently correlated with the exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in the past studies in other countries as well. Hence, prescribing the inhalation of more drugs on unusually cold days (prophylactically) may help prevent acute exacerbation of wheezing in patients on treatment for asthma and COPD.

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A relational analysis of acute wheezing and air pollution

Cited by 12 publications

References 12 publications

Rising SO<sub>2</sub> levels in ambient air

Rising SO<sub>2</sub> levels in ambient air

Urban air pollution and mitigation options in Sri Lanka

The association between local meteorological changes and exacerbation of acute wheezing in Kandy, Sri Lanka

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