An urgent health problem of indoor air pollution: results from a 15-years carbon monoxide poisoning observed study in Jinan City

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a public health concern in developing countries especially in China with a high disease burden. We aimed to focus on non-occupational CO poisoning caused by household coal heating secular trends based on registry data in Jinan, China, and we aim to provide further evidence and suggestions for public health policy. We analyzed the occurrence and development trend and assess the spatial–temporal epidemiological characteristics of non-occupational CO poisoning caused by household coal heating in Jinan between 2007 and 2021. Among total of 6588 CO poisoning, 5616 cases (85.25%) and 180 deaths caused by household coal heating was identified during study period. The cumulative incidence rate was 5.78 per 100,000 person-years and the mortality rate was 0.19 per 100,000 person-years. The incidence in urban areas (6.55 per 100,000 person-years) was higher than rural areas (5.04 per 100,000 person-years), and there was a statistical difference between urban and rural (P < 0.001) (P < 0.001). The poisoning time point mainly occurs in the sleep stage. In Jinan, socioeconomic status, accessibility to health services and rural status are determinants for CO poisoning incidence and mortality. Implementation of urban and rural central heating renovation is an effective way to further reduce the disease burden of CO poisoning in the future.