The authors studied the correlation between mean daily levels of several
air pollutants and the number of emergency room visits and inpatient
admissions to a psychiatric hospital in St. Louis during one summer and
fall. Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide showed a positive correlation
with emergency room visits by all patients, and nitrogen dioxide also had a
positive correlation with inpatient admissions of subjects with diagnoses
that were unknown or could not be specified as psychotic. Nitrogen monoxide
showed a negative correlation with inpatient admissions during working days
(but not during weekends and holidays) for all patients, as well as for
those with diagnoses that were unknown or could not be specified as
psychotic.
Abstract Teaser