Respiratory Effects of Air Pollutants among Asthmatics in Central Taiwan

Abstract

The authors investigated the relationship between respiratory effects and air pollutants among asthmatics in central Taiwan. A total of 12,926 subjects were selected from 8 junior high schools. Data about monthly hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses were collected over a period of 1 yr from the National Insurance Bureau. Data included how frequently subjects purchased medication and the respiratory symptoms recorded by clinic and hospital personnel. Pulmonary function tests were administered to 20% of the total study population, which was selected randomly. Data about monthly levels of air pollutants (i.e., particulate matter 10 μm and less [PM₁₀], ozone [O₃], sulfur dioxide [SO₂], and nitrogen dioxide [NO₂]) were provided by Taiwan's Environmental Protection Agency. The prevalence rates of asthma were correlated significantly with NO₂ (r = .63) and O₃ (r= .51) concentrations. Levels of NO₂ and PM₁₀ were correlated significantly with monthly hospital admissions. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, and peak expiratory flow for asthmatics in central Taiwan were 6–11 % lower than normal predicted values for the general Taiwanese student population, adjusted for age, height, and weight. In conclusion, the increased risk of asthma and the frequency of monthly hospital admissions among asthmatics may be correlated positively with pollution levels—especially NO₂ and PM₁₀.

Key Words:

• air pollutants
• asthma
• monthly hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses