An association between PM2.5 components and respiratory infectious diseases: A China's mainland-based study
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Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Composition and Distribution Analysis of Bioaerosols Under Different Environmental Conditions
Published on: January 7, 2019
Donghua Li1, Tianshan Shi1, Lei Meng2
1School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province 730000, China.
Abstract:
The particulate matter with diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is an important risk factor for respiratory infectious diseases, such as scarlet fever, tuberculosis, and similar diseases. However, it is not clear which component of PM2.5 is more important for respiratory infectious diseases. Based on data from 31 provinces in mainland China obtained between 2013 and 2019, this study investigated the effects of different PM2.5 components, i.e., sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), and organic matter (OM), and black carbon (BC), on respiratory infectious diseases incidence [pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), scarlet fever (SF), influenza, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), and mumps]. Geographical probes and the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were used to investigate correlations, single-component effects, joint effects, and interactions between components, and subgroup analysis was used to assess regional and temporal heterogeneity. The results of geographical probes showed that the chemical components of PM2.5 were associated with the incidence of respiratory infectious diseases. BKMR results showed that the five components of PM2.5 were the main factors affecting the incidence of respiratory infectious diseases (PIP>0.5). The joint effect of influenza and mumps by co-exposure to the components showed a significant positive correlation, and the exposure-response curve for a single component was approximately linear. And single-component modelling revealed that OM and BC may be the most important factors influencing the incidence of respiratory infections. Moreover, respiratory infectious diseases in southern and southwestern China may be less affected by the PM2.5 component. This study is the first to explore the relationship between different components of PM2.5 and the incidence of five common respiratory infectious diseases in 31 provinces of mainland China, which provides a certain theoretical basis for future research.
Insights
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) components like organic matter and black carbon significantly impact respiratory infections. Southern and southwestern China show less impact, suggesting regional variations in PM2.5
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Atmospheric Chemistry
Background:
- Particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) is a known risk factor for respiratory infectious diseases.
- The specific components of PM2.5 driving these disease incidences remain unclear.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different PM2.5 components (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic matter, black carbon) on the incidence of five common respiratory infectious diseases.
- To analyze single-component effects, joint effects, and interactions among PM2.5 components.
- To assess regional and temporal heterogeneity in these associations across mainland China.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 31 provinces in mainland China (2013-2019).
- Employed geographical probes and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models.
- Conducted subgroup analysis for regional and temporal variations.
Main Results:
- Geographical probes indicated associations between PM2.5 chemical components and respiratory infectious disease incidence.
- BKMR confirmed five PM2.5 components as main factors affecting disease incidence (PIP>0.5).
- Organic matter (OM) and black carbon (BC) emerged as potentially the most influential components; southern/southwestern China showed less impact.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to link specific PM2.5 components to five common respiratory infectious diseases in China.
- Organic matter and black carbon are identified as key drivers of respiratory infectious disease incidence.
- Findings provide a theoretical basis for targeted air quality management strategies.
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