Bronchitis-like symptoms and proximity air pollution in French elderly

Summary

Background

Our aim was to explore the association between respiratory health and proximity air quality in elderly.

Methods

The prevalence of respiratory conditions was linked in 2104 individuals aged ≥65 years recruited in Bordeaux (3C Study) to home address concentrations of NO₂, CO, SO₂, fine particles (PM₁₀), VOCs and benzene, estimated through a dispersion model combining data on background air pollution, traffic characteristics, and conditions of topographical and meteorological dispersion of air pollutants.

Results

Mean [minimum; maximum] values of the annual concentrations (μg/m³) of proximity air pollutants were respectively: 28 [18; 72.2] for NO₂, 420 [350; 1337] for CO, 7.5[5; 13.7] for SO₂, 23.1 [19; 51] for PM₁₀, 8.1 [0.01; 116.6] for VOCs and 1.8 [1.5; 6.9] for benzene. Using a binary logistic regression model, PM₁₀ were significantly associated with usual cough (Odds-Ratio = 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.77) for exposed compared to non-exposed) and SO₂ with usual cough (1.55 (1.16–2.08)) and phlegm (1.45 (1.04–2.01)). We found a 10% and a 23% increase in usual cough for a 10 μg/m³ increment in PM₁₀ and a 1 μg/m³ increment in SO₂ respectively, and a 23% increase in usual phlegm for a 1 μg/m³ increase in SO₂. A sensitivity analysis showed similar results when considering 3-year proximity pollution. A more pronounced effect of SO₂ and PM₁₀ on usual cough and phlegm was observed in woman.

Conclusions

Our assessment of exposure to proximity air pollution has shown an increased prevalence of bronchitis-like symptoms in elderly living in areas polluted by SO₂ and PM₁₀.