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Abstract #149935

Yu-Chun Wang, PhD, Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road 15F, Taichung, 404, Taiwan, 886-910273596, d91844001@ntu.edu.tw and Fung-Chang Sung, PhD, Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.

Greater risk for cardiopulmonary diseases resulted from pneumonia and influenza (P&I) infection and/or air pollution has been observed in many studies. But, there are limited investigations focusing on the interaction between atmospheric condition and airway infections. This study analyzed the association between clinic visits of P&I and ambient atmosphere condition by Poisson regression in three major metropolitans (Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung) in Taiwan. Prevalence of P&I is the lowest in the capital of Taiwan (Taipei) and the highest in the city of petrochemical industries (Kaohsiung). In studying the association between atmospheric environment and the clinic visit rates of P&I, we observed a greater health impact of ambient temperature in Taipei than in Kaohsiung. When air pollutants were included in the multivariate model, significant risk for the infection associated with nitrogen oxides (NOx) was especially noted in the 3 metropolitans. The relative risks of pneumonia and influenza for 1 ppb increase of NOx were1.004 (95% CI: 1.001-1.007) in Taipei, 1.005 (95% CI: 1.002-1.008) in Taichung and 1.011 (95% CI: 1.007-1.015) in Kaohsiung. The risk for P&I morbidity associated with 1 microgram per cubic meter increase of PM10 was also significant (RR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.002-1.004) in Taipei. These findings show that the air pollution from mobile source not only has impact on P&I infection but also has an indirect association with cardiopulmonary diseases, and the relative importance of these risks need further study.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the association between air pollution and pneumonia and influenza infection.

Keywords: Air Pollutants, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.