The association between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and air pollution-related respiratory disease at the pollution control zone of Rayong Province, Thailand

This study investigated the association between ambient PM2.5 concentrations and respiratory diseases at the pollution control zone of Rayong Province in Thailand during 2020–2023. Daily PM2.5 data were obtained from air quality monitoring stations, and hospital records of pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were analyzed. Spearman rank correlation and time-lag analyses (lags 0–7 days) were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Significant positive correlations were observed between PM2.5 concentrations and bronchitis (r = 0.276, p < 0.05) and asthma (r = 0.283, p < 0.05), with lag effects detected up to three days following exposure. Weaker or non-significant associations were found for COPD. These findings suggest that short-term exposure to elevated PM2.5 levels may increase the risk of acute respiratory conditions. Continuous air quality monitoring and early warning systems are therefore essential to mitigate health impacts in industrial regions.