Air pollutants and morbidity of cardiopulmonary diseases in a semi-urban Greek peninsula

AimTo access the relationship between the frequency of hospitalizations due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and air pollution.Material-methodTime series study during a seven year period (2001–2007) in a semi-urban tourist Greek peninsula. Data were collected from the computerized database of Volos General Hospital and included on a daily basis all emergency admissions of adults (>14 years old) which required hospitalization due to respiratory or cardiovascular problems. Daily concentrations of ambient pollutants [particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 mm (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, NOX) and ozone (O3)] were obtained from three monitoring stations. The impact of air pollutants on morbidity was studied through time series analysis. The effects of time trend, season, and other cyclical factors, temperature, and humidity were accounted for. Autocorrelation and overdispersion were corrected.ResultsThere were significant associations between hospitalizations and all indicators of air pollution. Daily elevations in the concentrations of PM10, NO, CO and O3 increased significantly the number of hospitalizations for respiratory/cardiovascular causes both on the same day and at the next day (p < 0.05). Combined increase of CO and O3 and of PM10 and CO was associated with even higher hospitalization rates.ConclusionOur findings suggest a significant relationship between morbidity burden of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and the levels of air pollution; these results underline that reinforcement of measures which target to control ambient pollution, is necessary.

► Environmental study in a Greek semi-urban peninsula with tourist activity.
► Elevations in PM10, NO and CO increased respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity.
► Combined increase in levels of CO and O3 causes the greatest impact in admissions.