Quantifying the effect of air pollution and temperature on hospitalization costs for chronic lower respiratory diseases

A significant association was observed between increased air pollutant concentrations and the hospitalization costs of patients with CLRDs, with heterogeneity among different populations. Specifically, the effects of SO₂ and NO₂ were more pronounced, particularly in the 15-59 age group. Moreover, an increase in particulate matter concentration had a greater effect on children and older population. Extreme low-temperature weather significantly affected the hospitalization costs of older population and women with CLRDs.