An estimation of COPD cases and respiratory mortality related to Ground-Level Ozone in the metropolitan Ahvaz during 2011

Background & Aims of the Study: Ground-Level Ozone (GLO) is the component of one ofgreatest concern that threatened human health in both developing as well as developedcountries. The GLO mainly enters the body through the respiration and can causedecrements in pulmonary complications, eye burning, shortness of breath, coughing, failureof immune defense, decreases forced vital capacity, reduce lung function of the lungs andincrease rate of mortality. Ahwaz with high emission air pollutants because of numerousindustries is one of the metropolitan Iranian polluted. The aim of this study is evaluate toChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and respiratory mortality related to GLOin the air of metropolitan Ahvaz during 2011.Materials & Methods: We used the generalized additive Air Q model for estimation ofCOPD and respiratory mortality attributed to GLO pollutant. Data of GLO were collectedin four monitoring stations Ahvaz Department of Environment. Raw data processing byExcel software and at final step they were converted as input file to the Air Q model forestimate number of COPD Cases and respiratory mortality.Results: According to result this study, The Naderi and Havashenasi had the highest andthe lowest GLO concentrations. The results of this study showed that cumulative cases ofCOPD and respiratory mortality which related to GLO were 34 and 30 persons,respectively. Also, Findings showed that approximately 11% COPD and respiratorymortality happened when the GLO concentrations was more than 20 μg/m3.Conclusions: exposure to GLO pollution has stronger effects on human health in Ahvaz.Findings showed that there were a significant relationship between concentration of GLOand COPD and respiratory mortality. Therefore; the higher ozone pollutant value can depictmismanagement in urban air quality.

Keywords:

Ground-Level Ozone , Chronic ObstructivePulmonary Disease , respiratory mortality , Ahwaz , Iran