Ambient PM2.5 and PM10 Exposure and Respiratory Disease Hospitalization in Kandy, Sri Lanka

A 10 μg/m³ increase in same-day exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with a 1.95% and 1.63% rise, respectively, in respiratory disease hospitalizations in Kandy, Sri Lanka, while asthma hospitalizations increased by 4.67% and 4.04%. The study, using Generalized Additive Models (GAM), found that older adults (65+) were particularly vulnerable, with higher risks during high air pollution periods for COPD and pneumonia admissions. These findings underscore the need for active measures to improve ambient air quality in the region to mitigate health impacts.

Priyankara, S., Senarathna, M., Jayaratne, R., Morawska, L., Abeysundara, S., Weerasooriya, R., Knibbs, L. D., Dharmage, S. C., Yasaratne, D., & Bowatte, G. (2021). Ambient PM2.5 and PM10 Exposure and Respiratory Disease Hospitalization in Kandy, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(18), 9617. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189617