The relationship between air pollutants and respiratory diseases for the western Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the effects of air pollutants on respiratory diseases were investigated for the western Turkey. Daily PM10 and SO2 concentrations of four air quality monitoring stations were used, and hospital admission records of Canakkale province were provided by 18 Mart University Hospital for each age group for 2014–2018 period. The highest PM10 and SO2 concentration values during the winter season were found in Can district. Among all air quality station records in Canakkale, PM10 and SO2 values of Can Station exceeded the daily threshold limits set by WHO in 68% and 79% of the days, respectively.It was found that local and large-scale emission sources cause the highest PM10 concentrations in the cold season under low wind speed/calm weather conditions and during southerly winds that exceed 8 m/s. In terms of SO2 concentrations, the highest values were also recorded in Can district and under low wind speed conditions or during calm days, only local emission sources increase the pollutant levels. This pollution is mainly caused by thermal power plants located in Can district. Analysis on relationship between air pollutants and respiratory diseases shows that, Asthma symptoms in children (0–14) were found to be positively correlated with both SO2 concentrations (OR = 1.37; 95% Cl: 0.95–1.98) at lag 6 and PM10 concentrations (Odds ratio [OR] = 3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.96–5.95). In addition, the OR value between PM10 (SO2) and COPD was found positively significant (p < 0.01) at lag6 (lag5) in adults (elderly).