Epidemiological Indexes Attributed to Particulates With Less Than 10 Micrometers in the Air of Ahvaz City During 2010 to 2013

Particulates have a wide range of effects, frequently on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Exposure to such particles for a long period of time will lead to increase in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the association between epidemiological indexes attributed to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases with PM10 pollutant in the air of Ahvaz city during 2010 to 2013. In this epidemiological study, data were taken from Ahvaz Department of Environment (ADoE). Sampling was performed for 24 hours in 4 stations. Method of sampling and analysis were performed according to EPA guideline. In this study, 140160 (4 × 24 × 365 × 4) samples of Ahvaz’s air was taken during 2010 to 2013. Pollutant concentrations of PM10 were measured using GRIMM. Raw data processing was performed by Excel software and converted as input file to the Air Q model. Finally, health-effects of PM10 exposure were calculated. Results showed an increase in annual concentration of the pollutant PM10 in Ahvaz since 2010 till 2013. The concentration of particulates in the air of Ahvaz was up to 917.12 μg/m3 in 2013. Maximum annual concentration was 10,000 μg/m3, which was observed in the summer 2012. Estimated parts attributed to deaths due to cardiovascular diseases during 2010-2013 was 12.69%, 18.65%, 21.88% and 19.16%, respectively. By considering update base equal to 66 per 100,000 people for respiratory diseases, accumulative number of mortality due to such diseases during 2010-2013 was 115, 164, 189 and 168 people, respectively. Cardiovascular and respiratory problems mortality, as well as referrals to hospitals due to such diseases, was increased since 2010 till 2012. In 2013, however, the death toll was less than what had been in 2012, in spite of more concentration. The reason is that Ahvaz had 160 days with concentration more than 400 μg/m3 in 2013 whereas this was 198 days in 2012. Also, every 10 μg.m-3 increase in the concentration of PM10 in Ahvaz resulted in the increase in the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory tract diseases and referrals to hospital due to respiratory and heart problems by 0.8%, 1.2%, 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively.