[Effects of ambient air pollution on acute respiratory diseases and symptoms among adults in three cities in the Yangtze River Delta in 2015].

Objective: To understand the effects of ambient air pollution on the prevalence of acute respiratory diseases and symptoms among adults in three cities in the Yangtze River Delta.

Methods: During September to November 2015, 4144 permanent residents aged 18 years and above from four investigation sites in three cities in the Yangtze River Delta were randomly surveyed by questionnaire. Daily concentrations of air pollutants, including PM_(2. 5), NO_2、O_3、CO and SO_2 nearest to the investigation sites were collected from the department of environmental protection. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between air pollution and acute respiratory diseases and symptoms after other risk factors were adjusted.

Results: The prevalence of acute respiratory diseases and symptoms in two weeks among adults were 0. 99% and 3. 88%, respectively. Chemicals related to air pollution(OR=2. 339, 95%CI 1. 156-4. 734) and allergy(OR=4. 857, 95%CI 2. 279-10. 350) were the risk factors of acute respiratory diseases in two weeks among adults while occupational hazards such as toxic chemicals and high temperature(OR=1. 796, 95%CI 1. 220-2. 644), family history of respiratory diseases(OR=2. 670, 95%CI 1. 865-3. 823) and allergy(OR=3. 703, 95%CI 2. 395-5. 725) were the risk factor of respiratory symptoms in two weeks among adults. In addition, the average exposure level of PM_(2. 5)in two weeks was associated with acute respiratory diseases(OR=1. 014, 95%CI 1. 000-1. 028) and symptoms(OR=1. 025, 95%CI 1. 018-1. 033) in two weeks among adults.

Conclusion: The increases of the prevalence of acute respiratory diseases and symptoms among adults are associated with ambient air pollution in three cities in the Yangtze River Delta.