The association of specific industry-related air pollution with occurrence of chronic diseases: A register-based study

• Published in: Environmental research 2022-06, Vol.209, p.112872-112872, Article 112872
• Main Authors: Bergstra, Arnold D., Been, Jasper V., Burdorf, Alex
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Air pollution; Air Pollution - adverse effects; Air Pollution - analysis; Chronic Disease - epidemiology; Chronic diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; diabetes mellitus; Dispensed medication; drug therapy; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - analysis; exposure duration; Heavy industry; Humans; industry; Netherlands; Netherlands - epidemiology; nitrogen; Nitrogen Dioxide - adverse effects; Nitrogen Dioxide - analysis; Particulate Matter - adverse effects; Particulate Matter - analysis; particulates; regression analysis; sulfur dioxide; volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112872

Air pollution may contribute to onset and progression of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Most studies have focused on the contribution of traffic-related exposure to PM10 or PM2.5. Our aim was to investigate the association of different components of industry-related air pollution on the occurrence of chronic diseases. A register-based repeated cross-sectional study was conducted among 89,714 subjects (2012) with 536,599 annual observations (2012–2017) living in the vicinity of a large industrial area in the Netherlands. Information from the dispensed medication registration was linked with a dispersion model to characterize annual individual-level exposure of all subjects at place of residence. Associations between annual exposure (concentration and duration) to particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) with annual dispensed medication for cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory conditions were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis with generalized estimating equations (GEE) while controlling for confounders. Exposure to PM10 and to NOX (per μg/m3) were significantly associated with medication for cardiovascular diseases (OR 1.06, 95CI% 1.06–1.06 and OR 1.01, 95%CI 1.01–1.01 respectively). Exposures to PM10 and SO2 (per μg/m3) were significantly associated with medication for inflammatory conditions (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.00–1.09 and OR 1.07, 95%CI 1.01–1.14 respectively). Exposure to SO2 was inversely associated with respiratory diseases (OR 0.91, 95%CI 0.86–0.97). Except for inflammatory conditions, exposure duration (years) was significantly associated with the other three chronic diseases (OR varying from 1.01 to 1.03). This study indicates that specific air pollution components caused by industry may contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory conditions. •Studies about effects of industrial air pollution on chronic diseases are scarce.•A register-based study was conducted among subjects in the vicinity of industry.•Exposure of PM10, NOX, SO2, and VOC were estimated with a dispersion model.•Industrial air pollution may contribute to the occurrence of chronic diseases.