Air Pollution, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Admissions in Klang Valley, Malaysia - Finding the Effects

Abstract

This study aims to determine the association and risk of daily fluctuations of air pollution parameters in Klang Valley, Malaysia, with cardiovascular and respiratory admissions. The data on admissions and air pollution concentrations were obtained from various government agencies in Malaysia. The associations were estimated using a time series analysis of Poisson regression. The effects for every 10μ/m3 increase in pollutants were reported as Relative Risk (RR). SO2 showed the highest association with immediate effects at lag 0 for all cardiovascular admissions followed by NO2. Gaseous pollutants of SO2 and NO2 showed a higher risk among elderly more than 60 years old. Immediate effects were found in both genders, with higher risks observed in males. NO2 continues to be suggestively associated with all respiratory admissions. Children less than 9 years old presented a higher risk of NO2 at various lag times with the highest value at lag0, followed by PM10. Stratified analysis showed an incremental risk of respiratory admissions for males exposed to NO2 compared to females. We found noteworthy associations for overall and age-specific admissions of cardiovascular and respiratory with the pollutants. Compared to particulates pollutant, gaseous pollutants showed a higher risk in both admissions.