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. 2014 Aug 6:12:110.
doi: 10.1186/s40201-014-0110-x. eCollection 2014.

Effects of dust storm events on emergency admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Sanandaj, Iran

Seyyed Jamal Aldin Ebrahimi  1 , Leila Ebrahimzadeh  1 , Akbar Eslami  2 , Farzam Bidarpoor  3
Affiliations

Effects of dust storm events on emergency admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Sanandaj, Iran

Seyyed Jamal Aldin Ebrahimi et al. J Environ Health Sci Eng. .

Abstract

Background: In recent years, increasing dust storms from western neighboring countries of Iran influenced western and central parts of the country. In this case, level of concentration of atmospheric particulate matter greater than 10 μm (PM10) remained higher for several days compared to the levels before the event. Accordingly, Suspended particulate matters of dust storms in western Iran have caused PM10 pollution in Sanandaj (capital of the Iranian province of Kurdistan) and other Iranian cities. The present study aimed to evaluate possible effects of dust storms on incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases among residents of Sanandaj.

Materials and methods: Dust storm events defined based on the Environmental Protection Administration and Meteorological Announcements, 21 March 2009 to 21 June 2010. Data related to the dust events associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were obtained from the Center for Disaster and Emergency Medicine of Sanandaj, Iran. PM10 concentration and air quality data were obtained from air quality monitoring agency of Kurdistan Provincial Directorate of Environment Protection. Daily PM10 measurements were performed automatically according to β-ray absorption. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Also, linear regression model was used to investigate the relationship between variables.

Results: The average PM10 levels during dust episodes (187 μg/m(3)) were significantly higher than the other days (48.7 μg/m(3)). In addition, correlation coefficient between PM10 level and number of cardiovascular and emergency service during dust events were equal to 0.48 (P <0.05) and 0.19 (P >0.05) respectively.

Conclusion: Our findings showed significant increase in emergency admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases during dust storms episode in Sanandaj. Although correlation between respiratory diseases and dust storm events were statistically insignificant (0.19), numbers of cardiovascular diseases were significantly correlated with dust storm events (0.48).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trend of dust storms in Sanandaj City over 1995–2009 period.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dust is observed in pink with a tone more intensive the higher the dust content in the atmospheric column. (A) 16 June and 2008, (B) 17 June 2008, 10:30.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Location of Sanandaj and Kurdistan province in Iran.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The concentration of PM 10 in the days of dust events in the spring.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The number of patients with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases received medical emergency services on dust events in spring.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The concentration of PM 10 and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases on dust events.
Figure 7
Figure 7
The concentration of PM 10 and the occurrence of respiratory diseases on dust events.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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