Circulatory disease mortality rates in the elderly and exposure to PM2.5 generated by biomass burning in the Brazilian Amazon in 2005

Karine Vila Real Nunes,Eliane Ignotti,Sandra De Souza Hacon

doi:10.1590/s0102-311x2013000300016

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the exposure to fine particulate matter and circulatory disease mortality rates in the elderly living in the Brazilian Amazon. An ecological study of circulatory disease, acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease mortality rates in micro areas of the Brazilian Amazon was carried out. The environmental exposure indicator used was percentage hours of PM2.5 concentrations > 25µg/m³ divided by the total number of estimated hours of PM2.5 in 2005. The association between exposure and circulatory disease mortality rates was strongest in the oldest age group. No significant statistical association was found between cerebrovascular disease mortality rates and exposure. Circulatory disease mortality rates in the elderly living in the Amazon have been influenced by atmospheric pollution from emissions caused by forest fires.

Highlights

Atmospheric pollution causes approximately 800,000 deaths each year worldwide, 35,000 of which occur in Latin America 1
The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the exposure to fine particulate matter and circulatory disease mortality rates in the elderly living in the Brazilian Amazon
No statistically significant association was found in any of the age groups with respect to exposure and cerebrovascular disease. These results show that mortality from cardiovascular disease and acute myocardial infarction in the Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation matrix for circulatory diseases, acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease, annual percentage of hours of PM2.5 exposure, coverage of Family Health Units (FHU), number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds per capita

Summary

Introduction

Atmospheric pollution causes approximately 800,000 deaths each year worldwide, 35,000 of which occur in Latin America 1. Scientific evidence reveals the effects of exposure to particulate matter on the circulatory system [2,3,4]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to elevated levels of atmospheric pollution is associated with an increase in circulatory disease morbidity and mortality 1. Airborne particulates that are harmful to human health consist of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds 5. They can be characterized by their physical attributes, which influence their transport and deposition, and their chemical composition, which influences their effect on health 6. When particulate matter is inhaled it reaches the lungs where it causes inflammation in the respiratory system, which in turn may induce cardiovascular problems. Ultrafine particles may penetrate directly into the bloodstream leading to changes in the systemic system [7,8]

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