Association between PM and hypertension among the floating population in China: a cross-sectional study.

Few studies have investigated the association between PM and hypertension among floating populations. We therefore examined the relationship using binary logistic regression. Each grade of increment in the annual average PM (grade one: ≤15 µg/m; grade two: 15-25 µg/m; grade three: 25-35 µg/m [Excluding 25]; grade four: ≥35 µg/m) was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.081, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.034-1.129). Among the female floating population (OR = 1.114, 95% CI: 1.030-1.204), those with education level of primary school and below (OR = 1.140, 95% CI: 1.058-1.229), construction workers (OR = 1.228, 95% CI: 1.058-1.426), and those living in the eastern region of China (OR = 1.241, 95% CI: 1.145-1.346) were more vulnerable to PM. These results indicate that PM is positively associated with hypertension in floating populations. Floating populations who are female, less educated, construction workers, and living in the eastern region of China are more vulnerable to the adverse impacts of PM.