Exposure to particulate matter and carbon monoxide and cause-specific Cardiovascular-Respiratory disease mortality in Ahvaz

Abstract

Recently the short term effects of air pollutants on cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality has attracted the attention of many researchers. This study comprehensively examined the association between short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO), on non-accidental mortality, and mortality due to respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases. Daily death and air pollutants data including PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and CO from 2008 to 2017 was inquired. A time-series study using modified linear distributed lag models, combined with quasi-Poisson regression was conducted for evaluating the effect of pollutants on mortality up to 7 days lag; adjusted for day of the week, temperature and relative humidity. A significant and direct relation was seen between PM_2.5 and non-accidental, and respiratory deaths. For every 10 $\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{g}$/m³ increase in PM_2.5, the risk of non-accidental deaths increased 0.1% after 2 and 6 days lag, and the risk of respiratory deaths increased 0.4% after 5 days lag. Also, for every 10 $\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{g}$/m³ increase in PM₁₀, hypertension related death increased 0.2% after 4 days lag. Ultimately, for every 10 $\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{g}$/m³ increase in CO, hypertension related death increased 30.5%, ischemic heart disease deaths increased 21.1%, and cerebrovascular disease related deaths increased 42.6%; after 7, 1, and 4 days lag respectively. Short-term encounter with PM and CO is associated with increased mortality. Urban and rural residents should avoid polluted air especially during dust storms. More serious air pollution control is needed in Ahvaz.

Keywords:

• Air pollution
• particulate matter
• cardiovascular disease
• respiratory disease
• mortality

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Ms. Mahin Abdipouri for her kind assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to this project equally and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded and supported by Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Grant No: 180, Ethical Code: IR.DUMS.REC.1396.12.