Health Effects of air Pollution on Bronchodilator Inhalers’ Patients in Mab Ta Phut Pollution Control Area, Rayong Province

Abstract

Mab Ta Phut, Rayong province was polluted and influenced high morbidity rate. In this descriptive
study, data was collected to seek association of air pollution daily concentrations and its
attack rate on bronchodilator inhaler patients. Secondary data were collected from medical records
of Mab Ta Phut hospital and health centers amounting to 4,092 and 627 visits respectively in 2010-
2012; records of Air Quality Index Stations measured in community by Mab Ta Phut Industrial
Estate Authority (including air pollutants: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, oxides of
nitrogen, total hydrocarbon, PM 10). In addition, primary data (questionnaire and spirometry) were
collected in 54 patients visiting Easy Asthma Clinic in Mab Ta Phut hospital. Pearson’s correlation
were used for data analysis.
It was shown that number of daily patients visiting Mab Ta Phut hospital receiving nebulized
bronchodilator agents had significant positive Pearson’s Correlation coefficient with daily sulphur
dioxide concentrations at Wat Krok Yai Cha Air Quality Index Station (No day lag, 1 day lag, 2 day
lag) and Wat Ta Kuan Air Quality Index Station (No day lag, 1 day lag, 3 day lag). It was shown the
number of patients visiting the health centers were nebulized with bronchodilator agents had significant
positive Pearson’s Correlation coefficient with daily sulphur dioxide concentrations in Wat
Krok Yai Cha Air Quality Index Station (No day lag, 1 day lag, 2 day lag, 3 day lag) and Wat Ta
Kuan Air Quality Index Station (No day lag, 1 day lag, 2 day lag, 3 day lag).
Sulphur dioxide had health effect on bronchodilator inhalers patient, so an public alert should
be displayed widely regarding of Wat Krok Yai Cha Air Quality Index Station and Wat Ta Kuan Air
Quality Index Station and further research should be designed for active surveillance in the area.
Key words: asthma, bronchodilator inhalers patients, air pollution, Mab Ta Phut Pollution Control Area