Poluição atmosférica e internações por pneumonia em Salvador, Bahia - no período de 2014 a 2015

Abstract

Introduction: Air pollution is seen as a public health problem, in Brazil and worldwide, whose effect is associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases. Objective: To describe the concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm (MP10), the meteorological parameters and the hospitalizations for pneumonia in the city of Salvador, State of Bahia, from 2014 to 2015. Methodology: Descriptive and observational study on air pollution and hospitalizations for pneumonia (ICD-10: J12-18.9), in the city of Salvador, Bahia. The data was obtained from the Center for the Treatment of Liquid Effluents and the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System, provided by the Department of Information of the Unified Health System, respectively; tabulated and treated in Microsoft Excel® and R Statistical Software. Results: The minimum concentration recorded was 0.2 µg/m3 and the maximum was 969.4 µg/m3 for MP10 (Itaigara Station). The Av. Barros Reis Station showed the highest daily average concentrations. The number of hospitalizations for pneumonia added up to 9,362. Hospitalizations were prevalent in males (52.5%); and at the extremes of the age group, children from zero to 12 years of age (54.4%) and elderly, individuals aged 65 years or older (24.6%). On average, there were around 13 hospitalizations per day, with the month of June being the most frequent period. The most frequent diagnosis was bacterial pneumonia (J15.9). Conclusion: The average daily concentrations of PM10 are in accordance to the limits established by national guidelines. The amount of hospitalizations is decreasing, except for children, which remains high.