Air pollution and respiratory diseases in conurbated cities in the state of São Paulo

TL;DR

This study examines how exposure to PM10 air pollution is linked to hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in children in three cities in São Paulo.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence on PM10's impact on children's respiratory health in conurbated areas of São Paulo.

Findings

Significant associations between PM10 exposure and hospital admissions were observed at most lags.

The total hospitalization cost due to PM10 exposure was approximately US$ 800,000.

Excess hospitalizations linked to PM10 exposure cost around US$ 80,000.

Abstract

To estimate the association between exposure to particulate matter with less than 10u of aerodynamic diameter (PM10) and hospital admissions due to acute respiratory diseases in children.

This is an ecological time series study with data on hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in children living in the conurbated cities of Taubaté, Tremembé, and Pindamonhangaba located in the Vale do Paraíba in São Paulo. Hospital admission data refer to the period between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019. Information on hospital admissions was obtained from the DATASUS database, and concentration values (μg/m3) of the pollutant PM10, temperature, and humidity relative air were obtained from the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo. Negative binomial regression was used. Population attributable fraction and hospitalization costs were estimated.

A total of 1,291 hospitalizations were identified in the conurbated municipalities with a daily average of 0.88 standard deviation (±) 1.06, varying between 0–7 hospitalizations. Significant exposures to PM10 can be observed at all lags, except the four-day lag (Lag 4). The total cost of hospitalizations was around US$ 800,000.00 and the excess number of hospitalizations (135) represented an expense of around US$ 80,000.00.

Studies with conurbated cities are easily applicable, extending the study area. The results reinforce the harmful role of exposure to air pollutants in children’s health.

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