Short-term Effects of Ambient Air Pollution on Emergency Department Visits for Asthma: An Assessment of Effect Modification by Prior Allergic Disease History

Abstract

ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of ambient air pollution on emergency department (ED) visits in Seoul for asthma according to patients’ prior history of allergic diseases.MethodsData on ED visits from 2005 to 2009 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. To evaluate the risk of ED visits for asthma related to ambient air pollutants (carbon monoxide [CO], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], ozone [O3], sulfur dioxide [SO2], and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm [PM10]), a generalized additive model with a Poisson distribution was used; a single-lag model and a cumulative-effect model (average concentration over the previous 1-7 days) were also explored. The percent increase and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each interquartile range (IQR) increment in the concentration of each air pollutant. Subgroup analyses were done by age, gender, the presence of allergic disease, and season.ResultsA total of 33 751 asthma attack cases were observed during the study period. The strongest association was a 9.6% increase (95% CI, 6.9% to 12.3%) in the risk of ED visits for asthma per IQR increase in O3 concentration. IQR changes in NO2 and PM10 concentrations were also significantly associated with ED visits in the cumulative lag 7 model. Among patients with a prior history of allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis, the risk of ED visits for asthma per IQR increase in PM10 concentration was higher (3.9%; 95% CI, 1.2% to 6.7%) than in patients with no such history.ConclusionsAmbient air pollutants were positively associated with ED visits for asthma, especially among subjects with a prior history of allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Skin Diseases Due to Particulate Matter

“…One of the most common components of air pollution is PM, which is classified as PM 10 , fine PM, and ultrafine particles according to the particles’ aerodynamic diameter [ 3 ]. PM 10 (particles of less than 10 μm diameter) is composed of particles from dust, industrial emissions, and traffic emissions; such inhalation of PM 10 is directly related to various respiratory diseases [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. A smaller PM diameter with less than 2.5 μm is defined as fine PM (PM 2.5 ); PM 2.5 is primarily comprised of organic carbon compounds, nitrates, and sulfates [ 4 ].…”

Relationship between emergency care utilization, ambient temperature, and the pollution standard index in Taiwan

“…The results of short-term effects supported the results of previous studies. Increase in concentrations of suspended particulates induced asthma, respiratory diseases, pneumonia, and so on, and increased the number of emergency department visits (Arbex et al 2014;Kashima et al 2014;Michikawa et al 2015;Lim et al 2016;Noh et al 2016). However, with regard to long-term effects, the difference from previous study results was that an increase in TSP concentrations led to a decrease in ECU.…”

Effects of Particulate Matter on Healthy Skin: A Comparative Study Between High and Low-particulate Matter Periods

“…PM 10 is a particle smaller than 10 m in diameter. It comprises dust, industrial emissions, μ and tra c emissions [4]. PM 2.5 , also called ne PM, is a particle with a diameter less than 2.5 m. It is composed of organic carbon compounds, nitrates, and sulfates [4,5].…”

“…It comprises dust, industrial emissions, μ and tra c emissions [4]. PM 2.5 , also called ne PM, is a particle with a diameter less than 2.5 m. It is composed of organic carbon compounds, nitrates, and sulfates [4,5]. Ambient PM pollution, one of the major global cause of disability-adjusted life years, is associated with health disorders.…”