A study on the relationship between air pollution and pulmonary tuberculosis based on the general additive model in Wulumuqi, China

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of atmospheric pollutants on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB), and provide new ideas for the prevention and control of TB in the future.

Methods: It explored the relationship between air pollutants and meteorological factors, as well as between air pollutants and heating through Spearman correlation analysis and rank sum test. Additionally, it analyzed the relationship between air pollutants and TB incidence using the general additive model. Statistical analysis results at the p<0.05 level were considered significant.

Results: Three months after exposure to air pollutants (PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂, and CO) TB incidence increased. However, TB incidence increased 9 months after exposure to PM₁₀. The single pollutant model showed when concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃ increased by 1μg/m³ (or 1mg/m³), the number of TB cases increased by 0.09%, 0.08%, 0.58%, 0.42%, 6.9%, and 0.57%, respectively. The optimal multi-pollutant model was a two-factor model (PM₁₀+NO₂).

Conclusion: Air pollutants including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃ increased the risk of TB. Few studies have been conducted in this area of research, especially regarding the mechanism. The results of this study should contribute to the understanding of TB incidence and prompt additional research.

Keywords: Air pollutants; General additive model; Tuberculosis.