Exposure to particulate air pollution at different living locations and respiratory symptoms in Hong Kong – an application of satellite information

Abstract

Respiratory ill-health effects due to particulate air exposure at different geographical locations in Hong Kong that aggregate individual living locations were estimated based on satellite information. We assessed the presence of respiratory symptoms of a frequent cough or sputum in school students aged 11–20 years old (n = 9,881). Daily particulate air pollution levels at students' living locations were derived from the surface extinction coefficients measured by satellite and measurements from the air pollutant monitoring stations at ground level. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% CI] of respiratory symptoms was 1.047 [1.005, 1.091] per 10 μg m⁻³ increase in PM₁₀ concentration. Specificity tests showed that adjusted OR of having other symptoms is not significant (p = 0.20–0.94). Exposures to PM₁₀ at different geographical locations is associated with increased odds of having respiratory symptoms (cough or sputum) but not with other symptoms unrelated to air pollution.