Assessment of meteorological factors and air pollution impact on cardiovascular mortality using random forest analysis 2017 to 2020

Air pollution, a global health hazard, significantly impacts mortality, cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and overall human health. This study aimed to investigate the impact of air pollution and meteorological factors on cardiovascular mortality rates in Mashhad City, northeastern Iran in 2017–2020. We utilized a Random Forest (RF) model in this study. We gathered daily meteorological data (pressure, humidity, temperature, solar radiation) from 2017 to 2020, pollutant levels (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO), and cardiovascular mortality data from the Health System Registration (Sina). The RF model was then applied in Excel and Python to analyze the interplay between these variables. we found that time, air pressure, and temperature significantly impacted cardiovascular mortality. Among pollutants, NO₂ and SO₂ were the most influential. Overall, meteorological factors had a greater impact than pollutants.

Furthermore, we discovered that cardiovascular mortality increased with time, higher air pressure, colder seasons, and higher temperatures. Among pollutants, CO, NO₂, SO₂, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5 significantly impacted mortality rates. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the relationship between diseases, climatic factors, and pollution. Environmental factors like climate change and air pollution play a significant role in cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, it is vital for individuals, especially those with heart conditions, to pay attention to weather alerts.