Young infants' morbidity and exposure to fine particles in a region with two power plants.
This study investigated the effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air on hospital admissions and emergency room (ER) visits among young children (0-3 yr) residing in 4 communities in southern Israel, within an area 5-25 km from the 2 power plants, which operate within 25 km of each other. Daily records of hospitalizations and ER visits for respiratory diseases at the 3 hospitals serving the region were examined for 9 mo, October 1, 2000-June 30, 2001. Mean PM2.5 concentrations for the four communities ranged from 11.6 to 28.1 microg/m3. Time series analysis revealed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the numbers of hospitalizations and ER visits for respiratory symptoms and concentrations of PM2.5. This effect was evaluated for 0-3 lag days, directly, and for interactions with temperatures and seasonal parameters. The respiratory health of young children may be affected by 24 hr concentrations of PM2.5 < 60 microg/m3, the threshold proposed by both Israel and the United States.
Peled
Ronit
R
Health Systems Management Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. ronitpeled@yahoo.com
Pilpel
Dina
D
Bolotin
Arkadi
A
Epstein
Leon
L
Bibi
Haim
H
Friger
Michael
M
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D010316:Particle Size; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011210:Power Plants; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature
D000393:Air Pollutants