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Association of Air Pollution and Weather Factors with Traffic Injury Severity: A Study in Taiwan

Author

Listed:
  • Ta-Chien Chan

    (Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
    Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan)

  • Chih-Wei Pai

    (Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan)

  • Chia-Chieh Wu

    (Emergency Department, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan
    Department of Emergency, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan)

  • Jason C. Hsu

    (International PhD Program in Biotech and Healthcare Management, College of Management, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 10675, Taiwan
    Clinical Data Center, Office of Data Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 10675, Taiwan
    Research Center of Data Science on Healthcare Industry, College of Management, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 10675, Taiwan)

  • Ray-Jade Chen

    (Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
    Professional Master Program in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 10675, Taiwan)

  • Wen-Ta Chiu

    (Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
    AHMC Health System, Alhambra, CA 91801, USA)

  • Carlos Lam

    (Emergency Department, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan
    Department of Emergency, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan)

Abstract

Exposure to air pollutants may elevate the injury severity scores (ISSs) for road traffic injuries (RTIs). This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between air pollution, weather conditions, and RTI severity. This retrospective study was performed in Taiwan in 2018. The location of each road traffic accident (RTA) was used to determine the nearest air quality monitoring and weather station, and the time of each RTA was matched to the corresponding hourly air pollutant concentration and weather factors. Five multiple logistic regression models were used to compute the risk of sustaining severe injury (ISS ≥ 9). Of the 14,973 patients with RTIs, 2853 sustained severe injury. Moderate or unhealthy air quality index, higher exposure to particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter, bicyclists or pedestrians, greater road width, nighttime, and higher temperature and relative humidity were significant risk factors for severe injury. Exposure to nitrogen oxide and ozone did not increase the risk. Auto occupants and scene-to-hospital time were the protective factors. Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results between air pollutants and the risk of severe injury. Poor air quality and hot and humid weather conditions were associated with severe RTIs. Active commuters were at higher risk of sustaining severe RTI.

Suggested Citation

  • Ta-Chien Chan & Chih-Wei Pai & Chia-Chieh Wu & Jason C. Hsu & Ray-Jade Chen & Wen-Ta Chiu & Carlos Lam, 2022. "Association of Air Pollution and Weather Factors with Traffic Injury Severity: A Study in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7442-:d:841302
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Aleksandar Aleksić & Milan Ranđelović & Dragan Ranđelović, 2023. "Using Machine Learning in Predicting the Impact of Meteorological Parameters on Traffic Incidents," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-30, January.
    2. Heng-Yu Lin & Jian-Sing Li & Chih-Wei Pai & Wu-Chien Chien & Wen-Cheng Huang & Chin-Wang Hsu & Chia-Chieh Wu & Shih-Hsiang Yu & Wen-Ta Chiu & Carlos Lam, 2022. "Environmental Factors Associated with Severe Motorcycle Crash Injury in University Neighborhoods: A Multicenter Study in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Douglas Gonçalves & Regina Maura de Miranda & Celio Daroncho & Janini de Oliveira Dias da Silva & Fabrício Rodrigues Teixeira & João Augusto Dunck Dalosto & Pedro José Pérez-Martínez, 2024. "Speed Limits in São Paulo and the Actions for Road Safety and Air Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-21, September.

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