Short-term exposure to indoor PM2.5 on depressive symptoms: Ko-CHENS Mom study

Abstract

Background/Aim The results of previous studies evaluating the associations between short-term PM exposure and depressive symptoms were inconsistent. However, no studies have evaluated on the relationship between indoor particulate matters and depressive symptoms in housewives. Most housewives spend a lot of time at home and do housework, which can generate indoor particulate matter, such as cleaning and cooking. Therefore, we investigated the impact of short-term exposure to indoor PM on depressive symptoms among Korean housewives in Ko-CHENS Mom study. Methods We recruited a total of 306 housewives (from January 2018 to February 2020) in Seoul and Ulsan, Republic of Korea. The indoor PM concentrations of each participant were measured by sensors for consecutive 7-days before completing health questionnaire. In addition, indoor PM concentration, two days before completing health questionnaire, was measured by gravimetric analysis. The Korean version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (KCES-D) was used to evaluate depressive symptom during the study. The CES-D cut-off score was 16 or higher. We analyzed the association between indoor PM and CES-D by logistic regression adjusting for BMI, income level, education level, regions, smoking status, job status, time of stay at home and meteorological data (daily mean temperature and relative humidity). Results A total of 138 housewives included in this study. The average (SD) indoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations was 27.6 (17.4) μg/m3 and 43.8 (23.9) μg/m3. 26 (18.8%) out of total housewives were a CES-D score of 16 or higher. The 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of indoor PM2.5 (OR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.88) measured by gravimetric analysis was statistically associated with in CES-D. Exposure-response curve was used to capture linear relationship between indoor PM and depressive symptom. Conclusion Our study has found evidence that short-term exposure to indoor PM2.5 levels is related to the depressive symptoms in housewives.