“High levels of PM10 are associated with consultations for respiratory symptoms in Cordoba, Argentina”

SANCHO, M.L.; FONTI, M.; MARTÍNEZ, GUSTAVO J.; ML PIGNATA; V. SBARATO; CE BAENA-CAGNANI

Sidney, Australia

Congreso; XVII International Congress of Allergology and Clinical Immunology; 2000

Iternational Asociation of Allergology and Clinical Inmunology (Interasma).

The Municipal Environment Observatory performs systematic air monitoring that has started in 1995. Previously, it has been shown that high content of PM10 and CO could induce Acute Respiratory Symptoms (ARS) affecting public healh services. The aim of this epidemiological study is to assess the association between elevated levels of PM10 and CO and ARS in Córdoba during 1996-1997. Air pollution was measured by the Aire Monitory System according to Environment Protection Agency (USA) Physician diagnosis was made in 510,023 consultations for ARS (Lower Respiratory Illness, LRI; pneumonia, bronchitis, recurrent wheezing, RW, and asthma ) in 2 gropus of patients aged: i) more than 5 yr and ii) less than 5 yr. All patients were clinically evaluated at Municipal Primary Care Centres. Multiple linear regresssion analysis was used in order to evaluate the association between ARS and the monthly average conten of PM10 and CO after controlling meteorological independent variables. PM10 and CO measurements were over the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and consultations for ARS, except RW, were significantly associated with high levels of PM10. In contrast only RW were significantly associated with elevated air concentrations of CO. This study suggests that high levels of PM10 could be harmful fo Cordoba population1s respiratory health. In addition, a risk for ARS could be expected when PM10 concentration is over the PSI during the dry winter season (between July and September).