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Emergency room visits associated with particulate concentration and Asian dust storms in metropolitan Taipei

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 26, pages 189–196 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

This study evaluated risks of emergency room visits (ERV) for all causes, circulatory diseases, and respiratory diseases associated with concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and Asian dust storms (ADS) from 2000 to 2008 in metropolitan Taipei. Cumulative 4-day (lag 0–3) relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) of cause-specific ERV associated with daily concentrations of PM10 or PM2.5 and ADS based on study period (ADS frequently inflicted period: 2000–2004 and less-inflicted period: 2005–2008) were estimated using a distributed lag non-linear model with Poisson distribution. Risks associated with ADS-inflicted season (winter and spring), strength (ratio of stations with Pollutant Standard Index above 100 is <0.5 or ≥0.5), and duration (ADS lasting for 1–3 days or ≥4 days) were especially evaluated. In non-linear models, an increase in PM10 from 10 μg/m3 to 50 μg/m3 was associated with increased risk of ERV for all causes and respiratory disease with cumulative 4- day RR of 1.18 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.24) and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.23, 1.54), respectively. From 2005 to 2008, the cumulative 4-day RR for an ERV related to an increase in PM2.5 from 5 μg/m3 to 30 μg/m3 is 1.21 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.41) for respiratory diseases, and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.22) for all causes. In comparison with normal days, elevated ERV of all causes and respiratory diseases was also associated with winter ADS (with corresponding RRs of 1.10 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.13) and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.21)) and shorter and less area-affected ADS (with corresponding RRs of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.10) and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.14)) from 2000 to 2004. Results of this study demonstrate that population health risk varies not only with PM concentration, but also with the ADS characteristics.

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Abbreviations

ADS:

Asian dust storms

CI:

confidence interval

DLNM:

distributed lag non-linear model

ERV:

emergency room visits

Flu:

influenza

PM10:

particulate matter <10 μm in aerodynamic diameter

PM2.5:

particulate matter <2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter

RH:

relative humidity

RR:

relative risk

WS:

wind speed.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan EPA, and Taiwan Central Weather Bureau for providing research data. The interpretation and conclusions contained herein do not necessarily represent the views of these agencies. This study was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 103-2621-M-033-001, MOST 103-2633-M-033-002, NSC 102-2621-M-033-001, and NSC 102-EPA-F-005-001) of Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Welfare, University of Taipei College of City Management, Taipei, Taiwan

    Yu-Kai Lin

  2. Department of Natural Resources, Chinese Culture University, Yang-Ming-Shan, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chi-Feng Chen & Hui-Chung Yeh

  3. Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Zhongli, Taiwan

    Yu-Chun Wang

  4. Research Center for Environmental Risk Management, Chung Yuan Christian University, Zhongli, Taiwan

    Yu-Chun Wang

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  1. Yu-Kai Lin
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Correspondence to Yu-Chun Wang.

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Lin, YK., Chen, CF., Yeh, HC. et al. Emergency room visits associated with particulate concentration and Asian dust storms in metropolitan Taipei. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 26, 189–196 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2015.70

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