Short-Term Exposure Effect of Ambient Fine Particulate Matter, Ozone and Cold Temperature on Emergency Room Visits for Asthma Patients

(1) Background: The acute effects of ozone, cold temperature and particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) in size related to asthma attacks are well known worldwide. The adverse effects of ozone and cold temperature on asthma morbidity in Taiwan are still inconclusive. (2)...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chun-Gu Cheng, Shang-Yih Yen, Chih-Chun Hsiao, Yen-Yue Lin, Yin-Han Chang, Yu-Hsuan Chen, Chun-An Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Toxics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/2/94
Description
Summary:(1) Background: The acute effects of ozone, cold temperature and particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) in size related to asthma attacks are well known worldwide. The adverse effects of ozone and cold temperature on asthma morbidity in Taiwan are still inconclusive. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included patients who had asthma emergency room visits (ERVs) from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019 in a regional hospital in Taiwan. The short-term negative effects were estimated using Distributed Lag Non-Linear Models (DLNMs) for the relative risks (RRs) of asthma ERVs associated with PM<sub>2.5</sub>, ozone and cold temperature exposures within 5 days. (3) Results: There was a significant association between a 10 ppm increase in PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure and asthma ERVs at a 2-day lag (RR 1.166, 95% confidence interval (C.I.): 1.051–1.294). There was a significant association between ozone and asthma ERVs at a 1-day lag (RR 1.179, 95% C.I.: 1.034–1.345). The ambient temperature in cold weather compared with the temperature of minimum asthma ERV showed an RR of 1.214, 95% C.I.: 1.009–1.252 at a 1-day lag. (4) Conclusions: This study provides evidence that short-term exposure to fine suspended particulates, ozone and inverse temperature is associated with asthma exacerbation.
ISSN:2305-6304