Environmental pollution and health in Chilean older adults: Impact on quality of life and functional autonomy

Abstract

Background and aims: Due to increased urbanization and industry, environmental pollution is a serious public health concern. Globally, the quality of life is particularly lowered by exposure to high amounts of particulate matter (PM). Chile has five industrial zones with high pollution levels, called "sacrifice zones." However, the effect of polluted air on the quality of life and functional autonomy (FA) of older people living in industrial zones with high pollution levels is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the quality of life and FA differences between Chilean older women (OW) living in areas with lower and higher PM levels.

Materials and methods: Seventy-two OW volunteered for this study. The sample was divided into Zone 1 (PM_2.5 ≤ 15 µg/m³, n = 36) and Zone 2 (PM_2.5 > 15 µg/m³, n = 36). The variables were quality of life-assessed through the SF-36v2.0 questionnaire, and FA-assessed through the GDLAM protocols. Differences between zones were tested by Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test, both for independent samples (p < 0.05).

Results: All eight dimensions of quality of life were lower in Zone 2, of which the role emotional (RE) showed significant differences between zones (p < 0.05). Performance on the GDLAM protocols and the FA index were lower in Zone 2 (p ˃ 0.05).

Conclusion: OW in Zone 2 showed lower quality of life and FA. PM could affect the older population's physical and mental health and, therefore, the quality of life.

Keywords: environmental pollution; mental health; older people; physical health; quality of life.

Figure 1

Research design. GDLAM protocol, Latin American Group for Maturity protocol; PTS, to put on and take off a T‐shirt; SCMA, to sit and get up from the chair and move around the house; SPP, standing up from the prone position; SSP, stand up from sitting position; W10 m, walk 10 m; Zone 1, low‐pollution coastal cities; Zone 2, high‐pollution coastal cities (sacrifice zone).

Figure 2

Percentages and differences in quality of life between Zone 1 and Zone 2. BP, bodily pain; GH, general health; MH, mental health; ns, not significant; PF, physical functioning; RE, role emotional; RP, role physical; SF, social functioning; VT, vitality; Zone 1, low‐pollution coastal cities (particulate matter [PM]_2.5  ≤ 15 µg/m³); Zone 2, coastal city with high pollution (PM > 15 µg/m³). *p < 0.05.