The Influence of Haze on Respiratory Health among the Elderly in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Keywords:
Particulate matter, haze, pulmonary function, airway inflammationAbstract
This study aims to evaluate the impact of annual short-term haze exposure on respiratory health in elderly individuals residing in Chiang Rai Province.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 46 elderly volunteers living in Chiang Rai province to examine the impact of haze on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). The study compared measurements taken at the beginning of the haze season and after one month of exposure. Results: The study revealed that FeNO levels increased significantly after exposure to haze, with values of 23.65±16.69 ppb and 27.93±17.81 ppb (p<.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength measurements one month after exposure. The baseline air quality level averaged PM2.5 at 67.98 μg/m3 and PM10 at 134.84 μg/m3, while the follow-up measurements after one month showed an average PM2.5 of 149.43 μg/m3 and PM10 of 321.13 μg/m3. Conclusion: Elevated levels of fine particulate matter contribute to increased airway inflammation in elderly, as detected by FeNO. However, this level of inflammation does not significantly affect pulmonary function or respiratory muscle strength.
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