Abstract
This study assessed the relationships between levels of <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> and hospitalization rates for asthma among children from 2003 to 2005 at four major cities in Korea. In addition, we estimated the reduced number of asthma hospitalization associated with an ambient <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> improvement to the acceptable levels as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was used to estimate the relative risks (RR) of asthma hospitalization associated with changes in <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> The RRs of children's asthma hospitalization for every <TEX>$10{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX> increment in <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> were 1.009(95% CI = 1.004-1.014) in Seoul, 1.013(95% CI = 1.006-1.021) in Incheon, 1.009(95% CI = 1.002-1.016) in Busan, and 1.021(95% CI = 1.005-1.037) in Ulsan. We assessed <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> related health benefits from implementing the WHO's guidelines (24-hour average <TEX>$50{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX>) using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program. The estimated benefits were 439(95% CI = 216-666) reduced asthma hospitalization in Seoul, 720(95% CI = 304-1,151) in Incheon, 260(95% CI = 66-459) in Busan, and 126(95% CI = 30-228) in Ulsan. It was concluded that improving <TEX>$PM_{10}$</TEX> condition to the WHO guideline would make a significant contribution to the reduction in asthma hospitalization among children. Therefore, public health measures are still needed to improve air quality in Korea.
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