Air pollution spikes linked to higher hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses in Istanbul
A study by Istanbul Technical University finds that hospital visits for asthma, bronchitis and COPD rise during periods of elevated air pollution, especially among older adults.
Istanbul Technical University’s Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences analyzed about 3.94 million hospital admissions between 2013 and 2017 for asthma, acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By comparing these records with air-quality measurements, the team found a clear link between higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter and a rise in respiratory-related hospital visits. The impact was strongest among people aged 65 and older, though children and individuals with pre-existing conditions also experienced increased risk.
The researchers noted that health effects may not be immediate, sometimes emerging days after a pollution peak. Seasonal patterns showed the worst pollution in winter, with lower levels in summer. The study recommends reducing vehicle emissions and shifting heating sources to improve air quality.
