The Association of White Blood Cells and Air Pollutants—A Population-Based Study

Shih-Chiang Hung, Hsiao-Yuan Cheng, Chen-Cheng Yang, Chia-I Lin, Chi-Kung Ho, Wen-Huei Lee, Fu-Jen Cheng, Chao-Jui Li and Hung-Yi Chuang
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Shih-Chiang Hung: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Hsiao-Yuan Cheng: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Chen-Cheng Yang: Departments of Occupational Medicine and Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital and Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Chia-I Lin: Department of Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital and Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Chi-Kung Ho: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Wen-Huei Lee: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Fu-Jen Cheng: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Chao-Jui Li: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
Hung-Yi Chuang: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: The links of air pollutants to health hazards have been revealed in literature and inflammation responses might play key roles in the processes of diseases. WBC count is one of the indexes of inflammation, however the l iterature reveals inconsistent opinions on the relationship between WBC counts and exposure to air pollutants. The goal of this population-based observational study was to examine the associations between multiple air pollutants and WBC counts. This study recruited community subjects from Kaohsiung city. WBC count, demographic and health hazard habit data were collected. Meanwhile, air pollutants data (SO 2 , NO 2 , CO, PM 10 , and O 3 ) were also obtained. Both datasets were merged for statistical analysis. Single- and multiple-pollutants models were adopted for the analysis. A total of 10,140 adults (43.2% males; age range, 33~86 years old) were recruited. Effects of short-term ambient concentrations (within one week) of CO could increase counts of WBC, neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. However, SO 2 could decrease counts of WBC, neutrophils, and monocytes. Gender, BMI, and smoking could also contribute to WBC count increases, though their effects are minor when compared to CO. Air pollutants, particularly SO 2 , NO 2 and CO, may thus be related to alterations of WBC counts, and this would imply air pollution has an impact on human systematic inflammation.

Keywords: air pollutants; white blood cell count (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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