SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 9, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Air pollution is a major health
risk for patients in Fresno, Calif., who suffer from chronic lung diseases, U.S.
researchers said.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, compared the weekly
rates of those admitted to a hospital emergency room with asthma or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease with air pollution indices for corresponding
weeks.
There were 1,184 emergency room visits in total -- 60 percent by female
patients. Of the total emergency room visits, 79 percent of patients were
admitted and 2 percent were intensive care unit admissions.
The study found an increased ambient particulate matter 2.5 level was associated
with an increase in weekly emergency room visits. However, there was no
association between ambient ozone level and weekly emergency room visits from
respiratory illness.
The researchers concluded air pollution as measured by particulate matter -- a
complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets -- has a
greater impact on patients with chronic airway disease than ambient ozone level.
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of
Chest Physicians in San Diego.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International