# Air Quality Index as a Predictor of Respiratory Morbidity in At-Risk Populations

## TL;DR

Poor air quality in the Mon Valley is linked to increased respiratory issues, especially asthma, in vulnerable groups like children and those with public insurance.

## Contribution

This study extends the understanding of air quality impacts to include bronchitis and COPD exacerbations and identifies vulnerable subgroups.

## Key findings

- Higher AQI scores, mainly from PM2.5 and SO2, are significantly linked to same-day asthma exacerbations.
- Children and individuals with public insurance are most affected by poor air quality.
- Bronchitis exacerbations show a delayed response to SO2 exposure.

## Abstract

The Mon Valley near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consistently reports some of the poorest air quality in the United States. Recent studies have linked air pollution in this region to poor asthma outcomes but did not examine the impact on other respiratory conditions or vulnerable populations. This retrospective study examined the relationship between the air quality index (AQI) and respiratory exacerbations of asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Mon Valley between January 2018 and February 2020. We linked daily Air Quality Index (AQI) values for ozone, PM2.5, SO2 and NO2, plus temperature and wind speed to healthcare utilization for these conditions. Using a Poisson generalized linear model, we quantified the association between pollutant levels and same-day exacerbation rates, stratified analyses by age, sex, and insurance type to identify vulnerable subgroups. Results indicated that higher AQI scores, driven primarily by PM2.5 and SO2, were significantly associated with increased asthma exacerbations on the day of exposure. Children and individuals with public insurance experienced the greatest impact. Bronchitis exacerbations showed a delayed response to SO2. Our findings affirm PM2.5 and SO2 as key drivers of acute asthma events in the Mon Valley and extend this observation to include impacts on bronchitis and vulnerable populations. They also demonstrate the AQI’s value for public health surveillance and underscore the importance of tailored interventions such as issuing timely air quality alerts, strengthening emissions regulations, and improving access to preventive care to protect at-risk populations from adverse air pollution effects.