[Particulate Matters and Non-accidental Emergency Visits in West China Hospital: a Time-Series Study].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the short-term effect of particulate matter of <2.5 μm (PM) and particulate matter of <10 μm (PM) on non-accidental emergency visits.

METHODS

A time-series study analysis with generalized additive model was performed to establish the associations between air pollution (indicated by PM and PM) and non-accidental emergency visits in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University over the period from 2014 to 2016, categorized by age (<65 and ≥65 yr.).

RESULTS

From January 1, 2014 to November 30, 2016, the Chengdu urban area had an annual average concentration of 66.47 μg/m PM and 109.35 μg/m PM, respectively. The peak short-term effect of particulate matters on non-accidental emergency visits appeared one day after the exposure, with a daily increase of 10 μg/m for PM and PM resulting in an increase of 0.634% (95%: 0.273%-0.997%) and 0.413% (95%: 0.166%-0.660%) non-accidental emergency visits, respectively. For those ≥65 yr., a daily increase of 10 μg/m for PM and PM resulted in 1.439% (95%:0.599%-2.287%) and 1.150% (95%:0.566%-1.738%) increase in non-accidental emergency visits, respectively, after adjustment for all gaseous pollution.

CONCLUSION

High levels of PM and PM are associated with increased non-accidental emergency visits. Older people (over 65 years) are more sensitive to the acute health damage associated with PM and PM.