Search

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between air pollutant levels and increased hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (MI) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for MI and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period 1996-2006. The relative risk of hospital admissions was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (>25 degrees C), statistically significant positive associations were found in all pollutants except particulate matter (PM(10)) and sulfur dioxide (SO(2)). On cool days (<25 degrees C), all pollutants were significantly associated with MI admissions except for ozone (O(3)). For the two-pollutant model, O(3) and carbon monoxide (CO) were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days, nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient air pollutants increase the risk of higher frequency of hospital admissions for MI.

In spring, windblown dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China travel to Taipei city. These occurrences are known as Asian dust storm (ADS) events. The objective of this study was to assess the possible associations of constituents of ADS with hospital pneumonia admissions of residents in Taipei, Taiwan, during the period 1996-2001. Fifty-four dust storm episodes were identified and were classified as index days. Daily pneumonia admissions on the index days were compared with admissions on comparison days. Two comparison days for each index day, 7 d before the index days and 7 d after the index days, were selected. The study results indicated a statistically significant association between ADS events and daily pneumonia admissions 1 d after the event. It is worthwhile to pay more attention to ADS events and health in the future based on the findings in this investigation.

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between air pollutant levels and hospital admissions for pneumonia in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for pneumonia and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period of 1996-2004. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (= 25 degrees C) statistically significant positive associations were found for all pollutants. On cool days (< 25 degrees C), all pollutants were also significantly associated with number of pneumonia admissions. For the two-pollutant model, O3 and CO were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days, PM10 and NO2 remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient air pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for pneumonia. The effects of air pollutants on hospital admissions for pneumonia were temperature dependent.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between indoor environmental factors and atopic eczema in a subtropical area. A case-control study was performed using participants from a survey that included 144 school children with atopic eczema and 144 age- and gender-matched controls. The study was confined to 4,164 primary school children aged 6-12 yr attending 8 primary schools in Kaohsiung rural municipalities who participated in the study. Cases of atopic eczema were ascertained by asking whether a physician had ever diagnosed this condition in the child. Information regarding the home environment was obtained using a structured written questionnaire, completed by the parents of the children. Of the many indoor environmental factors included in this study, such as dampness and smoking, none was found to be associated with atopic eczema.

The relationship between mortality from breast cancer and the levels of calcium and magnesium in drinking water was examined using an ecological design. The study area consisted of 2.52 municipalities in Taiwan. Data on the levels of calcium and magnesium in drinking water were collected from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The age-standardized mortality rate (ASR) for breast cancer ( 1982-1991) was compared among municipalities with different levels of magnesium and calcium in drinking water. Weighted multivariate regression analysis was used, and after adjusting for fertility rates and urbanization, there was a significant inverse relationship between the levels of calcium and magnesium in drinking water and risk of death from breast cancer.

The possible association between the increased risk of prostate cancer and the levels of calcium and magnesium in drinking water from municipal supplies was investigated in a matched cancer case-control study in Taiwan. All eligible prostate-cancer deaths (682 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1987 through 1993 were compared with deaths from other causes (682 controls). The levels of calcium and magnesium in the drinking water of these residents were also determined. Data on calcium and magnesium levels in drinking water throughout Taiwan were obtained from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The control group consisted of people who died from other causes, and the controls were pair-matched to the cases by year of birth and death. The adjusted odds ratios for prostate cancer death for those with higher magnesium levels in their drinking water, as compared to the lowest tertile, were 0.73 (95% CI = 0.51-1.03) and 0.64 (95% CI = 0.43-0.96), respectively. The adjusted odd ratios for the relationship between calcium levels in drinking water and prostate cancer were not statistically significant. The results of the present study show that there may be a significant protective effect of magnesium intake from drinking water and other dietary sources against the risk of prostate cancer development.

The possible association between the risk of pancreatic cancer mortality and hardness levels in drinking water from municipal supplies was investigated in a matched case-control study in Taiwan. All eligible pancreatic cancer deaths (883 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1990 through 1994 were compared with deaths from other causes (883 controls), and the hardness levels of the drinking water used by these residents were determined. Data on water hardness throughout Taiwan was collected from Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The control group consisted of people who died from other causes and were pair matched to the cancer cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. The results show that there is a 39 % excess risk of mortality from pancreatic cancer in relation to the use of soft water. Trend analyses showed an increasing odds ratio for pancreatic cancer with decreasing levels of hardness in drinking water. This is an important finding for the Taiwan water industry and human health.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between indoor environmental factors and acute otitis media in a subtropical area. A case-control study was performed using participants from a prevalence survey that included 219 school children with acute otitis media and 219 age- and gender-matched controls. The study was confined to 4164 primary school children aged 6-12 yr attending 8 primary schools in Kaohsiung rural municipalities who participated in a prevalence study of the health effects of an indoor environment. An acute otitis media case was defined as a child with acute symptoms (presenting with earache, fever, irritability, and/or discharge from the ear) diagnosed by a physician in the previous year. Controls selected from the same school did not have chronic or acute respiratory illness or an ear-related illness during the same period. Information regarding the home environment was obtained using a structured written questionnaire, completed by the parents of the children. Of the many indoor environmental factors included in this study, only living in a home with indications of dampness (mold, flooding, home dampness) showed an association with acute otitis media. It was concluded that dampness in the home is a new public health issue in subtropical areas.