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Effect of particulate matter, atmospheric gases, temperature, and humidity on respiratory and circulatory diseases’ trends in Lisbon, Portugal

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Abstract

This study addresses the significant effects of both well-known contaminants (particles, gases) and less-studied variables (temperature, humidity) on serious, if relatively common, respiratory and circulatory diseases. The area of study is Lisbon, Portugal, and time series of health outcome (daily admissions in 12 hospitals) and environmental data (daily averages of air temperature, relative humidity, PM10, SO2, NO, NO2, CO, and O3) have been gathered for 1999–2004 to ascertain (1) whether concentrations of air pollutants and levels of temperature and humidity do interfere on human health, as gauged by hospital admissions due to respiratory and circulatory ailments; and (2) whether there is an effect of population age in such admissions. In general terms, statistically significant (p < 0.001) correlations were found between hospital admissions and temperature, humidity, PM10, and all gaseous pollutants except CO and NO. Age appears to influence respiratory conditions in association with temperature, whereas, for circulatory conditions, such an influence likely involves temperature as well as the gaseous pollutants NO2 and SO2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reactor-ITN, Technological and Nuclear Institute, E.N. 10, 2686-953, Sacavém, Portugal

    M. C. Freitas

  2. CERENA-IST, Technical University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal

    A. M. G. Pacheco

  3. Department of Radiation, Radionuclides and Reactors, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 15, 2629 JB, Delft, The Netherlands

    T. G. Verburg & H. T. Wolterbeek

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  1. M. C. Freitas
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  2. A. M. G. Pacheco
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  3. T. G. Verburg
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  4. H. T. Wolterbeek
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Correspondence to A. M. G. Pacheco.

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Freitas, M.C., Pacheco, A.M.G., Verburg, T.G. et al. Effect of particulate matter, atmospheric gases, temperature, and humidity on respiratory and circulatory diseases’ trends in Lisbon, Portugal. Environ Monit Assess 162, 113–121 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0780-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0780-5

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