Exposure to fine particulate matter and acute upper- and lower-respiratory tract infections (AURI and ALRI) in children under five years of age in India

As one of the world’s polluted regions, we assessed the association between ambient PM_2.5 levels and acute lower and upper respiratory infection in India. We assessed 55,118 children from the 2015–2016 Demographic Health Survey in India using the information on levels of PM_2.5 in 2015 and 2016 from the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group. We used the generalized estimating equation for the analysis reported as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for every 10 µg/m³ increase and quartiles in PM_2.5. Every 10 µg/m³ increase in levels of PM_2.5 associated with acute upper respiratory infection (OR 1.02, 95%CI: 1.02–1.03) and acute lower respiratory infection (OR 1.05, 95%CI: 1.03–1.06). This association was confirmed by quartile exposure assessments. Mitigation efforts must be continued implementing higher restrictions in India to ensure safe levels of air.