Size segregated particle number concentrations and respiratory emergency room visits in Beijing, China

Leitte, A; Schlink, U; Herbarth, O; Wiedensohler, A; Pan, X; Hu, M; Richter, M; Wehner, B; Tuch, T; Wu, Z; Yang, M; Liu, L; Breitner, S; Cyrys, J; Peters, A; Wichmann, H; Franck, U

HERO ID

709918

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2011

Language

English

PMID

21118783

HERO ID 709918
In Press No
Year 2011
Title Size segregated particle number concentrations and respiratory emergency room visits in Beijing, China
Authors Leitte, A; Schlink, U; Herbarth, O; Wiedensohler, A; Pan, X; Hu, M; Richter, M; Wehner, B; Tuch, T; Wu, Z; Yang, M; Liu, L; Breitner, S; Cyrys, J; Peters, A; Wichmann, H; Franck, U
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 119
Issue 4
Page Numbers 508-513
Abstract Background: The link between concentrations of particulate matter and respiratory morbidity has been investigated in numerous studies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the role of different particle size fractions with respect to respiratory health in Beijing, China. Methods: Data on particle size distributions from 3 nm to 1 µm; PM10, NO2, and SO2 concentrations; and meteorological variables were collected daily during March 2004 to December 2006. Concurrently, daily counts of emergency room visits (ERV) for respiratory diseases were obtained from the Peking University Third Hospital. We estimated pollutant effects in single- and two-pollutant generalized additive models, controlling for meteorological and other time-varying covariates. Time-delayed associations were estimated using polynomial distributed lag, cumulative effects, and single lag models. Results: Associations of respiratory ERV with NO2 concentrations and 100 - 1000 nm particle number or surface area concentrations were of similar magnitude, i.e. ~ 5 % increase in respiratory emergency room visits with an interquartile range increase in air pollution concentration. In general, particles < 50 nm were not positively associated with ERV, whereas particles 50 - 100 nm were adversely associated with respiratory ERV, both being fractions of ultrafine particles. Effect estimates from two-pollutant models were most consistent for NO2. Conclusions: Present levels of air pollution in Beijing were adversely associated with respiratory ERV. NO2 concentrations seemed to be a better surrogate for evaluating overall respiratory health effects of ambient air pollution than PM10 or particle number concentrations in Beijing.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.1002203
Pmid 21118783
Wosid WOS:000289065900032
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000289065900032
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword DISEASES;NITROGEN oxides;ENVIRONMENTAL exposure;PARTICULATE matter;RESPIRATORY organs;RISK factors;ANALYSIS of variance;COMPUTER software;HOSPITAL care;HOSPITALS -- Emergency services;MORTALITY;POISSON distribution;REGRESSION analysis;DATA analysis;CHINA
Is Qa No