Long-term air pollution exposure and self-reported morbidity: A longitudinal analysis from the Thai cohort study (TCS)

Abstract

Background Several studies have shown the health effects of air pollutants, especially in China, North American and Western European countries. But longitudinal cohort studies focused on health effects of long-term air pollution exposure are still limited in Southeast Asian countries where sources of air pollution, weather conditions, and demographic characteristics are different. The present study examined the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and self-reported morbidities in participants of the Thai cohort study (TCS) in Bangkok metropolitan region (BMR), Thailand. Methods This longitudinal cohort study was conducted for 9 years from 2005 to 2013. Self-reported morbidities in this study included high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. Air pollution data were obtained from the Thai government Pollution Control Department (PCD). Particles with diameters ≤10 μm (PM 10 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), and carbon monoxide (CO) exposures were estimated with ordinary kriging method using 22 background and 7 traffic monitoring stations in BMR during 2005–2013. Long-term exposure periods to air pollution for each subject was averaged as the same period of person-time. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between long-term air pollution exposure with self-reported high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes. Results of self-reported morbidity were presented as hazard ratios (HRs) per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM 10 , O 3 , NO 2 , SO 2 , and CO. Results After controlling for potential confounders, we found that an IQR increase in PM 10 was significantly associated with self-reported high blood pressure (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.23) and high blood cholesterol (HR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.12), but not with diabetes (HR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.91, 1.21). SO 2 was also positively associated with self-reported high blood pressure (HR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.08, 1.38), high blood cholesterol (HR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.11, 1.30), and diabetes (HR = 1.21, 95%CI: 0.92, 1.60). Moreover, we observed a positive association between CO and self-reported high blood pressure (HR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.15), but not for other diseases. However, self-reported morbidities were not associated with O 3 and NO 2 . Conclusions Long-term exposure to air pollution, especially for PM 10 and SO 2 was associated with self-reported high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes in subjects of TCS. Our study supports that exposure to air pollution increases car...

Long-term exposure to particulate matter on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…(42,44,45,50) reported both morbidity and mortality. Thirty-five studies were conducted in China (6, 7, 17-41, 44-50); 2 studies were performed in Thailand (43,51), and the remaining study (42) used data from 21 different countries.…”

“…Our search yielded 1,978 unique records, of which 224 were potentially eligible and subjected to further full-text review. Ultimately, 38 studies ( 6 , 7 , 17 – 51 ) of long-term PM exposure met the criteria and were chosen for meta-analysis ( Figure 1 ).…”

Carbon monoxide exposures in wildland firefighters in the United States and targets for exposure reduction

“…Short term impacts can include cognitive impairment and headache ( 10 ), and controlled exposure and epidemiologic studies indicate that those with underlying cardiovascular disease may be particularly sensitive ( 27 ). Acute CO exposure is associated with increased emergency department visits and hospital admissions especially during periods of physical activity ( 27 ) while persistent exposure to low levels of CO may also have long-term health consequences ( 28 , 29 ). In addition, CO exposure is correlated with other exposures including particulate matter ( 9 ), which has well-documented adverse health effects ( 30 , 31 ).…”

A transboundary political ecology of air pollution: Slow violence on Thailand's margins

“…In Southeast Asia alone, 2.6 million fatalities annually are linked to outdoor air pollution (Saengmanee, 2021). Accurate data is difficult to obtain; however, due to the delayed release of public information, the limited availability of longitudinal studies, and the dense concentration of monitoring stations in cities, which are the main focus of region‐wide comparative air pollution studies (Paoin et al, 2021; Thomas, 2019). Research on the governance of air pollution in Southeast Asia also tends to either prioritise regional‐level cooperation among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states or studies of individual cities, resulting in a deficit of knowledge about how cross‐border flows of environmental harm (re)shape social and spatial inequalities at other scales of governance within and between countries.…”