Short-term effects of ambient ozone on stroke risk in South Carolina

Abstract

Recent reports have suggested that exposure to ozone is associated with stroke events; however, findings have been inconsistent. Utilizing a case-crossover study design, we explored the association between acute ozone exposure (maximum 8-hour daily average) and risk of stroke hospitalization among South Carolina residents and effect modification by race and gender. For total stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic combined), a 10 ppb increase in ozone exposure on the day of hospitalization was associated with an increased risk of stroke hospitalization (OR: 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06, 1.11). Effects were similar for other lag days; however, the association was strongest for lag days 0-6 (OR: 1.20; 95% CIs 1.16, 1.24). We observed subtle differences in total stroke risk by gender, with females having a slightly lower risk than males, although CIs overlapped considerably. For hemorrhagic stroke, there was evidence of effect modification by race for all time periods of ozone exposure considered.