title: Health effects of dust storms: subjective eye and respiratory system symptoms in inhabitants in Mongolia.
abstract: The cross-sectional study described here aimed to investigate potential health effects associated with dust storms in Mongolia. The authors surveyed the subjective symptoms of the eyes (e.g., bloodshot eyes) and respiratory system (e.g., coughing) among inhabitants in different living environments (urban and desert) immediately after a dust storm. The subjects studied lived either in an urban area (n = 36 residents), or a desert area (n = 87 nomads). Information concerning eye and respiratory system symptoms was obtained by face-to-face household interviews. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed on the relationships between the subjective symptoms and the different living environments adjusting for age, gender, and smoking status. The occurrence of lacrimation, an eye symptom, was higher among the desert area participants compared to those residing in the urban area. Results suggest that the occurrence of eye lacrimation is related to dust storms.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Administration and Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan. muhs@med.tottori-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Haosheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Badgar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Battsetseg
authors.forename: Takehiko Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Otani
authors.forename: Kazunari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onishi
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurozawa
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003889:Desert Climate; D004391:Dust; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008986:Mongolia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust