Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-VILLAMIZAR, Laura Andrea; CASTRO-ORTIZ, Henry  and  REY-SERRANO, Juan Jose. The effects of air pollution on respiratory health in susceptible populations: a multilevel study in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.4, pp. 749-757. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2012000400014.

We conducted a cohort study to investigate the association between exposure to three different levels of outdoor air pollution and incidence of respiratory symptoms in a population with chronic cardiovascular and respiratory disease. We accompanied 756 participants for a period of six months through the maintenance of a daily record of symptoms and clinic visits. The symptoms with highest incidence rates were sneezing and hacking cough. Multivariate analysis showed that incidence of total symptoms was 60% and 74% lower in areas with medium and low levels of pollution compared to areas with high levels of pollution. These results suggest that negative respiratory effects occur at concentrations of particulate matter PM10 > 60ug/m³.

Keywords : Respiratory Signs and Symptoms; Chronic Disease; Air Pollution; Population.