A pilot study for health effects of the sand climate on exposed population in Inner Mongolia of China

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between sand climate and the health effects of the population. METHODS: 1362 students from 2 primary schools and 2618 adults were investigated in Baotou City by the questionnaires in sand climates. Meanwhile, the concentrations of SO2, , NO2, CO and PM10 were also monitored during the sand climate. RESULTS: The highest incidence rates of the related respiratory diseases and symptoms were found at the day when the sand climates broke out, and lower incidence rates were found after the breakout day. The concentrations of PM10 increased obviously in the sand climates, and then decreased rapidly. A positive relationship was observed between the concentration of PM10 and the incidence rate of cough and acute irritate symptoms in the exposed population. CONCLUSION: (1) The health effects of the sand climates may be acute without delayed action. (2) The concentrations of PM10 increased significantly in sand climates and may be positively associated with the incidence rate of the cough and acute irritate symptoms of the exposed population.