Effects of fine particulate matter and its chemical constituents on influenza-like illness in Guangzhou, China

Keyi Wu; Weidong Fan; Jing Wei; Jianyun Lu; Xiaowei Ma; Zelin Yuan; Zhiwei Huang; Qi Zhong; Yining Huang; Fei Zou; Xianbo Wu

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117540

Effects of fine particulate matter and its chemical constituents on influenza-like illness in Guangzhou, China

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024 Dec 16:290:117540. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117540. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Keyi Wu¹, Weidong Fan¹, Jing Wei², Jianyun Lu³, Xiaowei Ma⁴, Zelin Yuan¹, Zhiwei Huang¹, Qi Zhong¹, Yining Huang¹, Fei Zou⁵, Xianbo Wu⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), No.1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China.
² Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
³ Guangzhou Baiyun Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou City, Guangdong 510440, China.
⁴ Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou City, Guangdong 510440, China.
⁵ Department of Occupational Health and Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), No.1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39689457
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117540

Abstract

Background: Although the link between fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and influenza-like illness (ILI) is well established, the effect of the chemical constituents of PM_2.5 on ILI remains unclear. This study aims to explore this effect in Guangzhou, China.

Methods: Daily data on ILI cases, PM_2.5 levels, and specific PM_2.5 constituents (black carbon [BC], chlorine [Cl^-], ammonia [NH₄⁺], nitrate [NO₃^-], and sulfate [SO₄^2-]) in Guangzhou, China, were collected for the period of 2014-2019. Additionally, data on gaseous pollutants and meteorological conditions were obtained. By using quasi-Poisson regression models, the association between exposure to PM_2.5 and its constituents and ILI risk was estimated. Stratified subgroup analyses were performed by gender, age, and season to explore in depth the effects of these factors on disease risk.

Results: Single-pollutant modeling results showed that an increase of one interquartile range (IQR) in Cl^-, SO₄^2-, PM_2.5, NH₄⁺, BC, and NO₃^- corresponded to relative risks of ILI of 1.046 (95 % CI: 1.004, 1.090) (lag03), 1.098 (95 % CI: 1.058, 1.139) (lag01), 1.091 (95 % CI: 1.054, 1.130) (lag02), 1.093 (95 % CI: 1.049, 1.138) (lag02), 1.111 (95 % CI: 1.074, 1.150) (lag03), and 1.103 (95 % CI: 1.061, 1.146) (lag03), respectively. Notably, the association between ILI and BC remained significant even after adjusting for PM_2.5 mass. Subgroup analyses indicated that individuals aged 5-14 and 15-24 years may exhibit higher sensitivity to BC and Cl^- exposure than other individuals. Furthermore, stronger associations were observed during the cold season than during the warm season.

Conclusions: Results showed that the mass and constituents of PM_2.5 were significantly correlated with ILI. Specifically, the carbonaceous fractions of PM_2.5 were found to have a pronounced effect on ILI. These findings underscore the importance of implementing effective measures to reduce the emission of specific sources of PM_2.5 constituents to mitigate the risk of ILI. Nevertheless, limitations such as potential exposure misclassification and regional constraints should be considered.

Keywords: Air pollution; Influenza-like illness; PM(2.5) constituents; Short-term effects.