"Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in Córdoba, Argentina"

MARTÍNEZ, GUSTAVO J.; SANCHO ML; FONTI, M; LERDA, D; PIGNATA, ML; SBARATO, DP; SBARATO, V; ESCALANTE

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; XVI World Congress of Asthma; 1999

The association between air pollution and respiratory symptoms is not well known particularly in South America. The objective of this study is to assess the association between air pollution and respiratory illness in Córdoba, Argentina during 1996 and 1997. 510.023 consultations and 668 emergency calls for Acute Respiratory Symptoms (pneumonia, bronchitis, acute respiratory infections [ARI], asthma) to both Primary Care Centers from the DAMP, and from an Ambulatory Private Emergency System were registered. Temperature and pollutants (SO2, O3, CO, NOx, NO2, PM10, NO) were measured by the Air Monitoring System of the Córdoba Municipality according to EPA (USA).A multiple linear regression analysis was applied in order to evaluate the association. This study found an association between respiratory illness but not asthma, and pollutant levels in the air, as well as the CO content and recurrent wheezing in children. A Correlation was found between asthma and Non-Methanic Hydrocarbons.The main results are summarised in the following table: Resp. Disease /(R 2 ) / * p< 0.01 p- values % pneumonia 0. 473 P< 0.05 PM 10 /P< 0. 05 Temp % A. R. I 0.609 p< 0.005 PM 10 /P< 0. 005Temp % Bronchitis 0.731 P< 0.01 PM 10 /P< 0. 001 Temp % A. R. I< 5 yrs 0.598 P< 0.05 PM 10 /P< 0. 001 Temp Asthma 0.669 P< 0.05 PM 10 /P< 0. 01 Temp The results from an Ambulator y Private Emergency System were analysed assessing the respirator y illness consultations during days of high and low levels of air pollution, in which si gnificant differences were not found. The association of respiratory symptoms and hi gh levels of PM 10 and CO are reported on long term basis and not as a consequence of acute exposure. This results showed that levels of CO and PM 10 arefrequentl y over the levels recommended by the EPA’s normatives.