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Particulate Matter (PM) air pollution is a serious concern in the northern Moravia region of the Czech Republic. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the risk of acute hospital admissions for cardiovascular (CVD) and respiratory diseases and PM2.5 concentrations using a geographic information system (GIS). The data on acute hospital admissions for cardiovascular (I00-99 according to ICD-10) and respiratory (J00-99) diseases was assigned to 77 geographical units (population of 601,299) based on the residence. The annual concentrations of PM2.5 in the period from 2013–2019 were assigned to these units according to the respective concentration iso-shapes. The Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each concentration category and then compared with the reference category. Statistical analyses were performed using SW STATA v.15. In 2013, approx. half of the population (56%) belonged to the PM2.5 category 34–35 µg·m−3, and 4% lived in PM2.5 concentrations ≥ 38 µg·m−3. During the analysed period, the average concentrations decreased from 30.8 to 21.4 µg·m−3. A statistically significant risk of acute hospitalization for CVD causes was identified in categories ≥ 36 µg·m−3, and for respiratory causes from 34–35 µg·m−3. With increasing concentrations, the risk of both acute cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a serious concern in the city of Ostrava. Thus, in 2018, a project entitled "Validation of the relationships between PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 concentrations, and morbidity and mortality, in the heavily polluted region in the Czech Republic," was launched. The relationship between hospital admissions and mortality in the said region is based primarily on short-term PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations and indicative PM 1 measurement. The analysis of spatiotemporal variations and the relationship between PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 data from 3 measurement sites within the city of Ostrava is presented., Material and Methods: The analysis was based on the daily average PM concentrations for 5 and 6 months at 2 sites, and on the annual average values (2018-2019) at the baseline station. The correlations of and variability between PM fractions, seasonal differences and explanation of the differences found were the objectives of a detailed analysis. Especially, the potential PM 1 variability and its causes were analyzed with respect to the location of the site., Results: The study findings confirmed good correlations between the PM fractions. Compared to PM 10 , PM 2.5 concentrations were more predictive for PM 1 concentrations. The annual means of PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 reached 37.5, 29.9 and 27.1 μg/m 3 in 2018, respectively, and 25.8, 19.9 and 17.9 μg/m 3 in 2019, respectively. The concentration levels in the non-heating season were significantly lower than in the heating season in the 2 years under consideration. The levels of PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 were significantly correlated (the correlation coefficient, r > 0.96). The levels of PM 2.5 represented about 0.82-0.86 of PM 10 , and the levels of PM 1 about 0.92-0.93 of PM 2.5 . These ratios were found to differ in the heating and non-heating seasons, with the PM 2.5 -PM 10 ratio ranging 0.61-0.63 in the non-heating seasons., Conclusions: The correlations found will be used for indicative PM 1 measurements in other areas of the region. Seasonal variability should be taken into account as well. Med Pr. 2021;72(3):249-58., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)