Ground-Level Ozone as a Factor of Increase in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Rate in Moscow in Warm Seasons

Abstract

Community-acquired pneumonia is among the most common acute infectious diseases. According to official statistics, pneumonia accounted for up to 50% of respiratory-disease mortality in the Russian Federation in 2005–2017. Ground-level ozone, being a key component of urban smog, is one of little-studied risks of community-acquired pneumonia. This work studies the effect of ground-level ozone on the rate of community-acquired pneumonia among Moscow residents in the warm season over a five-year period (2006–2009 and 2011). The study results have enabled us to conclude that ground-level ozone contributes to an increase in the community-acquired pneumonia rate among Moscow residents in summer. Daily average concentrations of ground-level ozone of 60–80 μg/m³ can increase the community-acquired pneumonia rate by 30% compared to low-ozone periods, especially in combination with unfavorable weather conditions, such as high air temperature and low humidity. The results will help human ecologists and health care professionals to make the urban air safer.