Mining airpollution data to learn stroke incidence

Abstract

Stroke is a major cause of death not only in the USA but also in many other countries. The objective of this study was to examine the relation between air pollution and stroke mortality. The data for 1999 were provided from the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Environmental Profile websites. Stroke mortality for all Texas counties was collected. The variables from the websites included carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, PM2.5, PM10 and volatile organic compounds. We studied whether a level of these pollutants affected stroke mortality. Carbon monoxide, PM2.5 and PM10 were found significant factors affecting stroke mortality. There was an increased risk of 0.9999 (95% CI 0.9998 to 1.0001) of stroke mortality for an increase in carbon monoxide air pollutant level, 0.9996 (95% CI 0.9995 to 0.9998) of stroke mortality for an increase in PM2.5 air pollutant level, and 1.0001 (95% CI 1.0001 to 1.0002) of stroke mortality for an increase in PM10 air pollutant level. High carbon monoxide, PM2.5 and PM10 levels were associated with excess risk of stroke mortality levels in Texas counties for the year 1999.