Correlation between particulate matter concentrations and COPD hospitalization rates in Massachusetts

As air pollution becomes a greater problem in modern society, it becomes necessary to learn exactly how this pollution affects human health. Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is an air pollutant that has become prevalent due to emissions from factories and cars. We sought to examine the correlation between PM_2.5 concentration and hospitalization rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a widespread respiratory disease accounting for millions of deaths across the world. We hypothesized that a strong positive correlation would exist between PM_2.5 concentration and COPD hospitalization rates. In order to examine the correlation between PM_2.5 concentration and COPD hospitalization rate, we utilized Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published data regarding PM_2.5 concentrations and age-adjusted COPD hospitalization rates by county in Massachusetts. We used the CDC data to determine the strength of the correlation between PM_2.5 concentrations and COPD hospitalization rates. We found strong evidence of a positive correlation between PM_2.5 concentration and COPD hospitalization rates in Massachusetts counties when average PM_2.5 concentration was 8.50 µg/m³; however, we found minimal evidence of correlation between the two variables when average PM_2.5 concentration was 6.4946 µg/m3. Based on this, we concluded that the correlation between PM_2.5 concentration and COPD hospitalization rate does not exist at relatively lower PM_2.5 concentrations as there may not be enough PM_2.5 to induce a symptomatic outcome.