Components of Particulate Air Pollution and Emergency Department Visits in Chile

Cakmak S., Dales R. E., GÜLTEKİN T., Vidal C. B., Farnendaz M., Rubio M. A., ...More

ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, vol.64, no.3, pp.148-155, 2009 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 64 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/19338240903240228
  • Journal Name: ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.148-155
  • Keywords: air pollution, elderly, environment, epidemiology, infants, morbidity, SOURCE-APPORTIONMENT, AMBIENT AIR, TIME-SERIES, MORTALITY, PARTICLES, SANTIAGO, AEROSOL, PM10, ASSOCIATIONS, NICKEL
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the association between several elements of particulates and Emergency Department (ED) visits in a general population sample. Daily time-series analyses tested the association between daily ED visit and air pollutants and components of particulates measured in Santiago Centro. a municipality, which includes downtown Santiago during the period from 2001 to 2006. The strongest individual effect was seen for elemental carbon. A 4.76 mu g/m(3) increase was associated with a relative risk (RR) of 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10- 1.14) increase in total ED visits, and a RR of 1.18 (95% CI = 1.16-1.21) for respiratory ED visit. Using factor analysis, the authors determined that traffic combustion-related particulates were significantly associated with ED visits. Among all the sources identified, traffic combustion-related particulates had the strongest association with ED visits. A factor indicating soil-sourced particles had a weaker but statistically significant observed morbidity effect. Of the many components of particulate air pollution, those from motor vehicle exhaust had the greatest observed effect on morbidity.