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 PM2.5 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 PM2.5 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 PM2.5. Every 10 µg/m3 increase in levels of PM2.5 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.