Short-term effects of air pollution on daily asthma-related emergency department visits in an industrial city.

Background Epidemiological studies from Europe and North America have provided evidence that exposure to air pollution can aggravate symptoms in asthmatic patients. Methods Daily number of AEDv, air pollution levels (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂ and CO) and meteorological variables was obtained from Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia, for the period of 2007–11. Data were analyzed using a time-series approach. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using Poisson regression. Results The associations between AEDv and PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ remained positive and statistically significant after mutual adjustment in the multi-pollutant model. The RR of AEDv increased by 5.4, 4.4, 3.4 and 2.2% per an inter-quartile range increase in SO₂ (2.0 ppb), PM_2.5 (36 μg/m³), NO₂ (7.6 ppb) and PM₁₀ (140 μg/m³), respectively. No significant associations between AEDv and CO were found. Conclusions Current levels of ambient air pollution are associated with AEDv in this industrial setting in the Middle East. Greater awareness of environmental health protection and the implementation of effective measures to improve the quality of air in such settings would be beneficial to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]