Particulate air pollution and chronic respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Bangkok.
In this cross-sectional study, the authors examined the relationship between traffic-based air pollution and chronic, nonspecific respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 1,603 policemen who lived and worked in areas that had 3 different levels of airborne particulates were evaluated. The authors used a modified standardized questionnaire to identify nonspecific respiratory disease (NSRD) in participants. The prevalence of NSRD in heavily polluted, moderately polluted, and suburban areas was 13.0%, 10.9%, and 9.4%, respectively. Among nonsmokers, the age-adjusted prevalence of NSRD in the heavily polluted areas was significantly higher than in the suburban control area. Also among nonsmokers, the odds ratio for NSRD for each 10-microg/m3 increase in ambient particulate matter was 1.11. The authors concluded that the increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Bangkok was associated with urban traffic air pollution.
Tamura
Kenji
K
Environmental Health Sciences Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan.
Jinsart
Wanida
W
Yano
Eiji
E
Karita
Kanae
K
Boudoung
Doungrutai
D
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016495:Police; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D001335:Vehicle Emissions