Respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to particulate matter in the environment ; Morbilidad respiratoria asociada con la exposición a material particulado en el ambiente

Introduction: it is assumed that prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants in the areas where people live or work can affect their respiratory systems. In order to demand for control measures aimed at protecting the community’s health, it is necessary to provide evidence for this claim. Methods: the respiratory morbidity of people living or working in urban areas of Medellín was analyzed (high particulate matter pollution. The average of PM10 is 60 µg/m3 ) and then compared with the respiratory morbidity of a matched sample of inhabitants living in the municipalities located in eastern Antioquia (low pollution. The average of PM10 is 30 µg/m3 ). Results: the groups that were compared were similar with respect to sociodemographic and other potential confounding variables. Upon comparing the two groups, a higher risk of respiratory signs and symptoms can be observed for subjects from the urban areas of Medellín. Nasal congestion, respiratory distress, and cough are the symptoms that occur in sharper contrast with relative risk of 2.60 95% CI (1.93, 3.62); 2.22 95% CI (1.56, 3.15) and 2.14 95% CI (1.63, 2.81) respectively. Conclusion: high pm10 levels as an indicator of air pollution in urban environments where people live and work contribute to a higher risk of respiratory disease. This implies adverse consequences both in economic and social terms. The control of such a situation hence becomes a social and professional priority. ; Se supone que la exposición prolongada a material particulado en el aire en los lugares donde se vive o trabaja puede afectar las vías respiratorias. La provisión de evidencias locales en este sentido se hace necesaria para demandar medidas de control que busquen proteger la salud de las personas. Métodos: se estudia la morbilidad respiratoria en personas que habitan o trabajan en las zonas urbanas de Medellín (alta contaminación por material particulado, promedio de PM10 60 µg/m3 ) y se contrasta con la morbilidad respiratoria de una muestra comparable de habitantes de los municipios ...