Abstract
Background and Objectives: Many epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between black carbon (BC) and the exacerbation of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. However, none of the studies in Serbia examined this relationship yet. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between BC and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma in the Užice region of Serbia. Materials and Methods: A time-stratified case-crossover design was applied to 523 ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation that occurred in the Užice region of Serbia between 2012–2014. Data regarding ED visits were routinely collected in the Health Center of Užice. The daily average concentrations of BC were measured by automatic ambient air quality monitoring stations. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for the potential confounding influence of weather variables (temperature, humidity, and air pressure). Results: Statistically significant associations were observed between ED visits for allergic rhinitis and 2-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.20; CI = 1.00–10.18; p = 0.049) and allergic asthma and 3-day lagged exposure to BC (OR = 3.23; CI = 1.05–9.95; p = 0.041). Conclusion: Exposure to BC in the Užice region increases the risk of ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma, particularly during the heating season.
Highlights
According to the Joint World Health Organization (WHO)/Convention Task Force on HealthAspects of Air Pollution, black carbon (BC) is a universal indicator of a variable mixture of particulate matter (PM) from a large variety of combustion sources, such as combustion engines, residential burning of wood and coal, and power stations using heavy oil or coal [1]
Taking into consideration all limitations, our study supports the association between exposure to BC and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma in the Užice region of Western Serbia
The analysis of the short-term effect of outdoor BC on allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma exacerbation in the Užice region may significantly contribute to the establishment of relevant public policy in Western Serbia
Summary
According to the Joint World Health Organization (WHO)/Convention Task Force on HealthAspects of Air Pollution, black carbon (BC) is a universal indicator of a variable mixture of particulate matter (PM) from a large variety of combustion sources, such as combustion engines, residential burning of wood and coal, and power stations using heavy oil or coal [1]. Many epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between black carbon (BC) and the exacerbation of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between BC and emergency department (ED) visits for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma in the Užice region of Serbia. Materials and Methods: A time-stratified case crossover design was applied to 523 ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation that occurred in the Užice region of Serbia between 2012−2014. The daily average concentrations of BC were measured by automatic ambient air quality monitoring stations. Odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for the potential confounding influence of weather variables (temperature, humidity, and air pressure). Conclusion: Exposure to BC in the Užice region increases the risk of ED visits for allergic rhinitis and asthma, during the heating season
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