[A pilot study for health effects of the sand climate on exposed population in Inner Mongolia of China].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between sand climate and the health effects of the population.


METHODS
1362 students from 2 primary schools and 2618 adults were investigated in Baotou City by the questionnaires in sand climates. Meanwhile, the concentrations of SO2, , NO2, CO and PM10 were also monitored during the sand climate.


RESULTS
The highest incidence rates of the related respiratory diseases and symptoms were found at the day when the sand climates broke out, and lower incidence rates were found after the breakout day. The concentrations of PM10 increased obviously in the sand climates, and then decreased rapidly. A positive relationship was observed between the concentration of PM10 and the incidence rate of cough and acute irritate symptoms in the exposed population.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) The health effects of the sand climates may be acute without delayed action. (2) The concentrations of PM10 increased significantly in sand climates and may be positively associated with the incidence rate of the cough and acute irritate symptoms of the exposed population.
Liu
Ying
Y
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
Li
Bao-Dong
BD
Peng
Rui-Ling
RL
Wang
Su-Hua
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D052638:Particulate Matter; D012822:Silicon Dioxide