Yurie Maher

Attention to ambient particulate matter has been increasing in recent years in the public health sphere. Analyzing the pollutant's health impacts has often proved challenging due to a lack of reliable air pollution and health data, especially in developing countries. This paper investigates associations between particulate matter and human health using nation-wide air pollution data and questionnaire based health data, while utilizing spatial analysis methods to minimize data limitations. The study revealed a strong and significant correlation between the pollutant and the prevalence of pneumonia, with a higher impact on younger children. Spatial analysis methods were employed to predict unknown health data values at locations that lack sampled points and investigate the geographical clustering patterns of the pollutant and different diseases. The results of this research demand urgent action to improve the country's environmental protection policies. Further research is needed on this important topic.