The impact of air pollution on paediatric hospital admissions for acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during Hajj events.

Association Between Air Quality and Major Respiratory Diseases in Relation to Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5) and Gaseous Pollutants in Iğdır, Türkiye

This study examines the long-term associations between ambient air pollutants and the burden of major respiratory and infectious diseases in this geographically sensitive region. A retrospective analysis was conducted using ICD-10-coded hospital records of patients diagnosed with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and tuberculosis from January 2020 to June 2026. These data were integrated with in situ air quality measurements, including PM10, PM2.5, and SO2, as well as satellite-derived Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from MODIS. Disease incidence was stratified by year, sex, and age groups (0–85+ years) to assess demographic susceptibility patterns. Respiratory diseases constituted a substantial public health burden over the study period. Asthma showed a marked female predominance (≈29,700 females vs. ≈16,000 males) and a bimodal age distribution with peaks in early childhood (0–5 years) and mid-adulthood (35–50 years). COPD was predominantly observed in males (≈8300 males vs. ≈5500 females), with a higher median age range (≈67–70 years). Bronchitis exhibited a similar bimodal pattern, disproportionately affecting both pediatric and elderly populations, while overall case numbers declined over time. Tuberculosis incidence was approximately threefold higher in males than females, with notable age-related divergence, affecting younger females (≈30–32 years) and middle-aged males (≈42–45 years). The findings suggest a spatial–temporal correspondence between elevated pollutant concentrations and respiratory disease prevalence in the Iğdır Basin. The observed sex- and age-specific disparities underscore the potential value of region-specific environmental health strategies, strengthened air quality management, and continuous epidemiological surveillance in enclosed basin environments.

Assessment of PM2.5 exposure and respiratory health risks for vulnerable populations in urban underpass: a predictive MLR approach in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Association between air pollution and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hebei Province

Short-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO was associated with increased AECOPD hospitalization risk, with nonlinear, lagged, and cumulative effects, and older adults and females may be more susceptible to ambient air pollution.

Associations Between Air Pollution and Hospitalization of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Kashi, China: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study

PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO exposures were associated with COPD hospitalization in Kashi, precautionary measures should be taken with a focus on vulnerable subgroups, to control hospitalization for COPD associated with air pollutants.

Models Estimating the Effects of Changes in the Concentration of Specific Climatic Pollutants and Temperature on the Prevalence of Acute Ophthalmic Inflammatory Conditions: A Retrospective Cross‐Sectional Observational Study

Background Air pollution is a major environmental health risk linked to systemic and ocular diseases, including conjunctivitis, keratitis, and dry eye disease. Pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and diesel exhaust particles have been associated with an increased prevalence of acute ophthalmic inflammatory conditions (AOICs). Identifying key pollutants may help reduce the prevalence of AOICs. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between atmospheric pollution and AOICs by identifying pollutants with the most consistent impact on AOIC prevalence, developing predictive models to estimate their composite effect, and assessing model accuracy. Methods This retrospective study analyzed cases of AOICs from the Eye Emergency Department in Katowice (2011–2019). Diagnoses were classified into subgroups using ICD‐10 codes and ophthalmologic evaluation. Annual prevalence was correlated with average pollutant levels and temperature via linear and multiple regression. Significant associations informed predictive models, assessed for accuracy using limits of agreement (±1.96 × SD), with p < 0.05 as the significance threshold. Results Between 2011 and 2019, over 60,000 cases of AOICs were identified among nearly 95,000 emergency visits. The most frequent diagnoses included conjunctivitis (46.8%), keratitis (26.4%), and blepharitis (14.1%). Multiple regression analyses revealed that the prevalence of several AOIC subtypes was significantly associated with mean annual concentrations of specific pollutants and/or temperature. Conclusion Formaldehyde, CO, SO2, PM2.5, and PM10 were significantly linked to inflammatory ocular conditions, with stronger associations after excluding noninflammatory cases and conjunctivitis. These findings highlight the role of environmental monitoring in predicting or reducing serious eye inflammation, supporting further large‐scale research.

Indoor air pollutant exposure and respiratory health risk assessment in urban healthcare facilities: a comparative study of public and private sectors

Aim: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical component of occupational health in hospitals, where healthcare workers face exposure to particulates and clinical chemical vapours. Prolonged exposure to these environments is linked to an increased incidence of chronic respiratory conditions. This study aimed to quantify the indoor concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), formaldehyde (HCHO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) in public and private tertiary healthcare facilities in Benin City, Nigeria, and to evaluate the associated non−carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks for personnel. Methods: IAQ was monitored in triplicate at high-occupancy sampling points over an eight-week period using handheld digital monitors. Health risks were assessed using hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) models. Additionally, a structured questionnaire was administered to 152 hospital workers to correlate environmental data with self-reported respiratory symptoms. Results: The PM2.5 and TVOC levels frequently exceeded the WHO guidelines in both facilities. The private facility exhibited alarming HCHO concentrations, particularly in the emergency (HQ = 10.04) and laboratory (HQ = 8.86) units, indicating risks up to ten times the safety threshold. Similarly, the ILCR exceeded the 1.0 × 10−4 threshold at the highest exposure site, reaching a peak of 1.49 × 10−4. Coughing (78.3%) was the most prevalent symptom. Notably, compared with workers in the private sector, workers in public hospitals faced significantly greater respiratory burdens, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 3.009 (95% CI: 1.277–7.088) for persistent cough and an AOR of 2.681 (95% CI: 1.093–6.578) for chest pain. Conclusions: Hospital indoor air poses severe toxicological and carcinogenic risks. Immediate implementation of advanced mechanical ventilation and specialized filtration is needed to safeguard healthcare personnel.