Socioeconomic factors increase the adverse effects of air pollution and temperature on mortality.

Poliany Cristiny De Oliveira Rodrigues,Sandra De Souza Hacon,Eliane Ignotti

doi:10.1590/1980-549720190011

Poliany Cristiny De Oliveira Rodrigues, Sandra De Souza Hacon + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-549720190011

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Abstract

To verify the effects of PM2.5 and temperature on mortality due to cardiovascular diseases according to socioeconomic status and traffic proximity. Time series were used, using the generalized additive models with the Poisson regression option, at 5% significance level. Interactionbetween proximity of traffic and socioeconomic status was analyzed through stratification. The proximity to the traffic was divided into distances up to 150m or over 150m. Socioeconomic status in the residential environment was categorized as high and low based on the median (3.9%). The relative risk percentage (%RR) of cardiovascular disease deaths was calculated for each linear increase of 10 µg/m3 at PM2.5 and 1ºC at the maximum temperature. Mortality due to cardiovascular diseases presented %RR 1.64 (95%CI -0.03; 3.33), related to the maximum temperature and %RR 4.60 (95%CI 0.78; 8.56) related to PM2.5, in areas with high traffic exposure. In areas with poor living conditions, %RR 1.34 (95%CI -0.31; 3.01) was observed, related to maximum temperature and RR% 3.95 (95%CI -0.27; 8.34) associated with PM2.5. Areas with poor living conditions and high-exposure to vehicular traffic had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality related to high temperature and PM2.5.

Highlights

Socioeconomic factors can modify the effects of exposure to particulate matter (PM) and temperature on human health[1]
The first is related to differential exposure, i.e., the fact that groups with worse socioeconomic conditions may be more exposed to air pollution and extreme temperatures; the second refers to differential susceptibility, i.e., groups with precarious living conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution and temperature, because they have more overlapping risk factors, as well as difficulty in accessing health; and the third hypothesis suggests a multiplicative interaction of the first two factors, i.e., the combination of increased exposure and susceptibility 1,5
Our results show a higher relative risk of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with PM2.5 and temperature in areas with low socioeconomic status in the residential environment and in areas up to 150 m away from vehicular traffic

Summary

Introduction

Socioeconomic factors can modify the effects of exposure to particulate matter (PM) and temperature on human health[1]. Populations with worse living conditions are more affected by various health problems and are more exposed to worse environmental conditions 2,3. The first is related to differential exposure, i.e., the fact that groups with worse socioeconomic conditions may be more exposed to air pollution and extreme temperatures; the second refers to differential susceptibility, i.e., groups with precarious living conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution and temperature, because they have more overlapping risk factors, as well as difficulty in accessing health; and the third hypothesis suggests a multiplicative interaction of the first two factors, i.e., the combination of increased exposure and susceptibility 1,5. Differential exposure may explain, in part, why the adverse effects of temperature and air pollution on the health of the population may differ according to the place of residence. The exposure to vehicular traffic can be a source of differential exposure to air pollution and temperature in the urban zone due to the high rate of paving and concrete constructions and the high emission of different pollutants 6,7

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