Effect of Particular Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) on Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Abstract

Abstract Air pollution can cause many health problems such as respiratory problems. This study aimed to investigate the association between PM2.5 and acute upper respiratory tract infection (acute URTI). Retrospective data analysis of patients in 2017–2019 who visited outpatient department in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand with acute URTI was performed. The data of 104,739 patients with acute URTI and also the daily data of PM 2.5, PM 10, O₃, NO₂ temperature, and humidity were collected. The highest level of PM 2.5 each year was in January-February, the results were also the same for PM 10, O₃, and NO₂. We found that PM 2.5 had a significant correlation with number of acute respiratory infection patients R = 0.17 (p < 0.001) which meant higher level of PM 2.5 was associated with higher number of patients. The results were also the same for PM 10, O₃, and NO₂ but the higher the temperature and humidity, the fewer patients observed that day. We also found the regression question which was every 1 point higher of PM 2.5, there were going to be 19% more patients that day.