Air pollution and hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease in Taipei, Taiwan

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine whether there is an association between air pollutants levels and hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Taipei, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for CVD and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period 1997–2001. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case–crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. For the one-pollutant models, on warm days (⩾20°C) statistically significant positive associations were found between levels of particulate matter <10-μm aerodynamic diameter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3). On cool days (< 20°C), all pollutants except O3 and SO2 were significantly associated with CVD admissions. For the two-pollutant models, CO, NO2, and O3 were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days, PM10 remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for CVD.