Impact of haze event on daily admission of respiratory system patients in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Diseases of the respiratory system, especially in children and the elderly, are significantly related to air pollution. Exposure to air pollution has led to an increase in the number of patients who need hospital treatment. The purpose of this study was to learn about the effects of changes in the levels of major pollutant components on the number of daily hospital admissions of respiratory system patients. The generalised linear lag model is used in this study to demonstrate the lag structure of the exposure-response impacts. The results show that particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3 ) component factors, as well as meteorological factors like wind speed and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, affect the number of hospital admissions of respiratory system patients. The best model is a lag 6 negative binomial regression model. Daily hospital admission is positively correlated with PM10, NO2 , and wind speed, and negatively correlated with CO, O3 , and UV radiation. According to the findings of the study, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), as well as temperature, humidity, and wind direction, are not significantly contributing factors in the number of respiratory system patients admitted to hospitals.