Decadal Trends in Ambient Air Pollutants and Their Association with COPD and Lung Cancer in Upper Northern Thailand:...

Air pollution in upper northern Thailand raises health concerns. This study examined trends and associations between air pollutants and respiratory diseases, focusing on COPD and lung cancer during haze (December-May) and non-haze (June-November) seasons in upper northern Thailand from 2013 to 2022. This study utilized data from the Pollution Control Department and Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health. The key air pollutants included PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃. Respiratory disease data included fatality rates for lung cancer and COPD and the re-admission rate for COPD. Results indicated peak air pollutant levels and COPD re-admission rates in March, with PM_2.5 concentrations exceeding air quality standards from January to April. During haze periods, COPD fatality and re-admission rates significantly increased (mean difference: 0.43 and 4.23 per 1000-case population, respectively; p < 0.001), while lung cancer fatality rates were higher without statistical significance. Pearson correlation analysis found positive correlations between PM₁₀, PM_2.5, O₃, and NO₂ concentrations and COPD re-admission and fatality rates at 0-1 month lag times, with a declining trend observed at subsequent lag intervals of 2 to 3 months. Overall, this study highlights the predictable pattern of air pollution in the region, correlating with higher COPD fatality and re-admission rates.