Abstract: This study assessed the association between hospital
admissions and fine particulate pollution (PM10) in Utah Valley
during the period April 1985-February 1988. This time period
included the closure and reopening of the local steel mill, the primary
source of PM1o. An association between elevated PM1o levels and
hospital admissions for pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, and asthma
was observed. During months when 24-hour PM10 levels exceeded
150 ,ug/m3, average admissions for children nearly tripled; in adults,
the increase in admissions was 44 per cent. During months with mean
PM1o levels greater than or equal to 50 ,ug/m3 average admissions for
children and adults increased by 89 and 47 per cent, respectively.
During the winter months when the steel mill was open, PM1o levels
were nearly double the levels experienced during the winter months
when the mill was closed. This occurred even though relatively
stagnant air was experienced during the winter the mill was closed.
Children's admissions were two to three times higher during the
winters when the mill was open compared to when it was closed.
Regression analysis also revealed that PM1o levels were strongly
correlated with hospital admissions. They were more strongly
correlated with children's admissions than with adult admissions and
were more strongly correlated with admissions for bronchitis and
asthma than with admissions for pneumonia and pleurisy. (Am J
Public Health 1989; 79:623-628.)