Exposure to Black Carbon (BC) and Secondary Aerosol (p-SO42- and p-NO3-) Components of PM2.5, and Cardiopulmonary Morbidity in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
HAIDER KHWAJA, Shedrack Nayebare, Omar Aburizaiza, Azhar Siddique, David Carpenter, Mirza M. Hussain, Jahan Zeb, Abdullah Aburiziza, University at Albany
Abstract Number: 403
Working Group: Health-Related Aerosols
Abstract
This is the first study to assess cardiopulmonary risk from BC, p-SO42- and p-NO3- exposure in Jeddah. The relative risk (RR) for CVDs and RDs were computed in a single pollutant generalized linear model (GLM) time-series model using moving averages (MAs). Emergency room visits were more frequent than hospitalizations. RDs were highest in younger age-groups with the age-group 0–14 years being the most frequent, while CVD visits were highest in age-groups above 30 years. BC: RDs risk was highest in outpatient females 0–14 years at all MAs; 1.48 (1.04, 2.12) to 2.50 (1.52, 4.11), and males 31–45 years; 1.76 (1.13, 2.73) to 1.90 (1.14, 3.15) at MAs 5–7. CVDs risk was highest in age-group 61–75 years but with marginal statistical significance in both genders. p-SO42–: RDs risk was highest in males 31–45 years; 1.17 (1.07, 1.29) to 1.26 (1.13, 1.40) at MAs_3–7.
Overall CVDs risk was also highest in age-group 31–45 years; 1.08 (1.00, 1.16) to 1.09 (1.01, 1.18), with higher risk estimates in males; 1.08 (0.99, 1.19) to 1.12 (1.01, 1.24) at MAs 4–7. p-NO3‒: No significant risk was observed for RD morbidity. The overall CVDs risk was significant in outpatients age-group 61–75 years at all MAs; 1.204 (1.01, 1.43) to 1.32 (1.10, 1.58); for females, 1.22 (0.99, 1.51) to 1.43 (1.12, 1.82); and for males, 1.21 (1.02, 1.42) to 1.26 (1.05, 1.51).
Elevated levels of air pollutants increased the risk of seeking health care in all age-groups, reflecting the effects of elevated air pollution in Saudi Arabia. Overall, females 0–14 years were more at risk for RD morbidity. CVD morbidity risk was relatively higher in males in age-groups above 30 years.