Presentation description

This research project aims to understand whether the health risks of air pollution vary by occupation and occupational factors. Specifically, we examine how occupational group moderates the associations between the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and the prevalence and incidence of respiratory disease. We also investigate occupational factors (i.e., job strain, outdoor work environment, occupational status) as potential moderators in the associations. We used two-wave data from the MIDUS (Midlife in the U.S.) study, which collected longitudinal information on health and the aging process on a national sample of adults in the U.S. Our sample consisted of employed adults between the ages of 30 and 64. Exposure to PM2.5 concentration was determined based on the annual average of PM2.5 in the census tract of residence from 2001-2005 and 2006-2010. Regarding occupational groups, based on participants' self-reports, we classified occupations into 1) Professional and Managerial, 2) Administrative, 3) Sales, 4) Services, and 5) Manual. Linear probability models were used to examine the research questions. Our findings indicate that, relative to professionals, participants in administrative occupations had a lower incidence of respiratory diseases. Additionally, the association between PM2.5 and the incidence of respiratory diseases was stronger for participants in sales and service occupations compared to professionals. While increased job strain was associated with a greater risk of prevalent respiratory disease, we found that the effect of PM2.5 on respiratory diseases did not vary by occupational factors. Finally, occupational factors did not predict different levels of respiratory disease outcomes, although greater job strain was associated with increased prevalence.