Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution exposure is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of death among American Indians (AIs). PM2.5 estimates for AIs, however, remain largely unknown due to sparse monitoring. We describe ambient PM2.5 concentrations and regional/temporal trends in the Strong Heart Study (SHS) communities (Arizona [AZ], Oklahoma [OK], and North and South Dakota [ND and SD]) from 2001–2003 and 2006–2009. METHODS: We used SHS phase IV (2001-2003, n=2,769) and phase V (2006-2009, n=2,478) data. We used an ensemble-based model of daily mean PM2.5 concentrations at a 1km2 resolution and estimated participants’ mean 30-day ambient exposure at the ZIP code-level. We performed descriptive analyses to depict how population-based concentrations of PM2.5 vary over the three SHS regions and two phases. RESULTS:There were significant differences in 30-day PM2.5 exposure between study sites. The overall median 30-day PM2.5 exposure in the different study sites were as follows: 9.2 μg/m3 (IQR: 2.1) in AZ, 9.1 μg/m3 (IQR: 2.4) in OK, and 5.5 μg/m3 (IQR: 2.8) in ND and SD. We did not detect a seasonal effect on PM2.5 exposure in AZ; however, PM2.5 in the wintertime was slightly higher in OK and substantially higher in ND and SD. These trends hold over both visit periods and all study sites. Annual median PM2.5 remained stable between phases IV and V for the OK and ND and SD regions; in AZ, PM2.5 first declined in phase V relative to phase IV but began to increase in 2008-2009. CONCLUSIONS:Understanding regional and temporal trends in ambient PM2.5 concentrations, which vary across tribal populations, may help to understand environmental exposures and CVD in AIs. This abstract does not reflect EPA policy. KEYWORDS: air pollution, American Indian, cardiovascular disease
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call