science
Australian Study Finds Association Between Air Pollution Levels and Cardio-Respiratory Hospitalisations
A study released on 2026-05-11 found higher exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 consistently linked with increased cardio-respiratory hospitalisations. Researchers from five Australian universities examined 2016 pollution estimates and 2016-2017 hospital data from 1,155 public health areas.
May 11, 3:16 PM·2m read1 source
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A study linking air pollution to cardio-respiratory hospitalisations was released on 2026-05-11. 5 and NO2 was consistently linked with increases in cardio-respiratory hospitalisations, according to Abc reported. Those in the top fifth percentile of exposure had much higher risk for cardio-respiratory hospitalisations than those in the bottom quartile of exposure, Clare Walter said.
The study was carried out by researchers from Deakin University, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland and The University of Sydney. It used national air pollution estimates from 2016 and hospitalisation data from 1,155 public health areas between 2016 and 2017.
The link between air pollution and hospitalisations extended across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.
Air pollution contributed to breathing difficulties, heart problems and stroke. The report acknowledged emerging links between pollution and neurological disorders like dementia. 5 was below the nationally set standard, though the report could not provide a national average for nitrogen dioxide due to limited data and reporting methods.
The report found air pollution caused roughly the same amount of disease in Australia as sun exposure. It recommended banning wood heaters, phasing out the sale of new diesel vehicles and improving bushfire control to reduce cardio-respiratory hospital admissions. Clare Walter coordinates the Sustainable Health and Environment Network at Deakin University.
"There is no safe level of exposure to vehicle pollution," she said. " "We would never say the road toll is good, even if it was a year where there'd been a comparatively better road toll," Walter added. She recommended installing air filters in all childcare centres, moving schools and childcare centres away from busy roads, increasing green barriers between roads and play areas and stopping vehicles from idling at drop-off.
