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Original article
Long-term air pollution exposure and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among the elderly in Taiwan
  1. Kai-Jen Chuang1,2,
  2. Yuan-Horng Yan2,3,
  3. Shu-Yi Chiu2,
  4. Tsun-Jen Cheng2
  1. 1Department of Cosmetic Application and Management, St. Mary's Medicine Nursing and Management College, Sanxing Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
  2. 2Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
  3. 3Department of Medical Research, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi City, Taiwan
  1. Correspondence to Professor Tsun-Jen Cheng, National Taiwan University, Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, No. 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei 10055, Taiwan; tcheng{at}ntu.edu.tw

Abstract

Objectives To investigate changes in blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar and haematological markers of inflammation associated with changes in long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants.

Methods We conducted secondary analyses of data on blood pressure and blood biochemistry markers from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study in Taiwan and air pollution data from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration in 2000. Associations of 1-year averaged criteria air pollutants (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters <10 μm (PM10) and <2.5 μm (PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide) with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and neutrophils were explored by applying generalised additive models.

Results After controlling for potential confounders, we observed that increased 1-year averaged particulate air pollutants (PM10 and PM2.5) and NO2 were associated with elevated blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, HbA1c, IL-6 and neutrophils. Associations of increased 1-year averaged O3 with elevated blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, HbA1c and neutrophils were also observed. In particular, our two-pollutant models showed that PM2.5 was more significantly associated with end-point variables than two gaseous pollutants, O3 and NO2.

Conclusions Changes in blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar and haematological markers of inflammation are associated with long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants. This might provide a link between air pollution and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

  • Long-term air pollution
  • blood pressure
  • blood lipids
  • blood sugar
  • inflammation
  • epidemiology
  • public health
  • cardiovascular
  • air pollution
  • PM10-PM2.5-ultrafine

https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2009.052704

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    Footnotes

    • This study is based on data from the 2000 Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study, provided by the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, R.O.C (Taiwan). The descriptions or conclusions herein do not represent the viewpoint of the Bureau

    • Funding This work was supported, in part, by grants (NSC-095-SAF-I-564-602-TMS and NSC-097-EPA-M-002-001) from the Taiwan National Science Council.

    • Competing interests None.

    • Patient Consent Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.