Correlation of Indoor Air Quality with Respiratory Diseases in Rural Areas

Objective To investigate the influence of heating in the inside of a room on the indoor air quality, and to explore the correlation of indoor air quality with respiratory diseases. Methods The investigation was carried out by questionnaire in 432 patients hospitalized for respiratory diseases, these patients were residents in Dongbao district, the rural area of Jingmen City; and 210 patients were selected as subjects of the study to analyze the correlation of using stove for heating and respiratory diseases. The indoor air quality of 42 patients and 40 healthy volunteers, matched with conditions and selected by random sampling, were tested. Results There was a close correlation between using coal for heating and respiratory diseases. The cumulative time of using coal for heating was also correlated with respiratory diseases (P < 0.05). Moreover, the air quality was influenced by heating in living room; the humidity was decreased, the total bacteria counts and the suspended particulates were increased significantly, especially under the condition of using coal for heating (P < 0.05). Conclusions The indoor air quality could be influenced by heating in the inside of a room; and there was a close correlation between the indoor air quality and respiratory diseases, especially the harm of using coal for heating in the inside of living room.