Annual Particulate Matter Concentrations Research Articles

The mediating effect of TyG-related indicators between long-term exposure to particulate matter and cardiovascular disease: evidence from a national longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundAmbient particulate matter (PM) exposure is recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the extent to which PM exposure is associated with CVD via triglyceride glucose (TyG)-related indicators remains unknown. This study examines the relationship between long-term PM exposure and CVD events, further assessing whether TyG-related indicators mediate this association.MethodsThis cohort study involved 7,532 individuals aged at least 45 years who were not diagnosed with CVD in 2011 from the China Longitudinal Study of Health and Retirement (CHARLS) and were followed up for the occurrence of CVD until 2020. The annual PM concentration data at the city level, with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 1 μm (PM1), ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), and ≤ 10 μm (PM10), were obtained from the ChinaHighAirPollutants (CHAP). The average concentration of PM in the 3 years before the baseline survey in 2011 was defined as the long-term exposure level of the individual. The relationship between PM exposure and CVD incidence was examined via Cox proportional hazards models, with a focus on probing the role of TyG-related indicators through mediation analysis.ResultsA total of 1,865 individuals with CVD were diagnosed over the span of a 7.4-year follow-up period. The 3-year average concentrations before baseline were 31.29 µg/m³ for PM1, 56.03 µg/m³ for PM2.5, and 95.73 µg/m³ for PM10. In fully adjusted model, the Cox proportional hazards models revealed that an increase of 10 µg/m³ in the PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 exposure concentrations corresponded to elevated CVD risk, with HRs (95% CI) of 1.135 (1.078–1.195), 1.092 (1.062–1.123), and 1.075 (1.059–1.090), respectively. Mediation analyses further suggested that the correlation between PM exposure and CVD could be partly mediated via TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR, with mediation proportions varying from 5.54 to 15.30%.ConclusionA significant correlation was observed between long-term PM exposure and increased CVD risk, with TyG-related indicators, such as TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR, partially mediating this relationship.

Ambient air pollution and incidence, progression to multimorbidity and death of hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease: A national prospective cohort

BackgroundThe link between ambient air pollution and the incidence of hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been widely studied. However, the associations of air pollution with the dynamic progression to multimorbidity and mortality of these diseases are unknown. MethodsThis study included 162,334 participants from the UK Biobank. Multimorbidity was defined as the coexistence of at least two of hypertension, diabetes, and CKD. Land use regression was used to estimate annual concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5), PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Multi-state models were used to assess the association between ambient air pollutants and the dynamic progression of hypertension, diabetes, and CKD. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 11.7 years, 18,496 participants experienced at least one of hypertension, diabetes, and CKD, 2216 experienced multimorbidity, and 302 died afterwards. We observed differential associations of four air pollutants on different transitions from healthy status to incident disease (hypertension, diabetes, or CKD), to multimorbidity, and to death. The hazard ratios (HRs) of each IQR increment in PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and NOx for the transition to incident disease were 1.07 [95 % confidence intervals (CI): 1.04, 1.09], 1.02 (1.00, 1.03), 1.07 (1.04, 1.09), and 1.05 (1.03, 1.07), but the associations with the transition to death were significant for NOx only [HR: 1.04 (95 % CI: 1.01, 1.08)]. ConclusionsAir pollution exposure might be one important determinant for the incidence and dynamic progression of hypertension, diabetes, and CKD, suggesting that more attention should be paid to ambient air pollution control in the prevention of hypertension, diabetes, and CKD, as well as their progression.

Long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 severity: A cohort study in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Exposure to outdoor air pollution may affect incidence and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this retrospective cohort based on patient records from the Greater Manchester Care Records, all first COVID-19 cases diagnosed between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2022 were followed until COVID-19 related hospitalization or death within 28 days. Long-term exposure was estimated using mean annual concentrations of particulate matter with diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), ≤10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and benzene (C6H6) in 2019 using a validated air pollution model developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The association of long-term exposure to air pollution with COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality were estimated using multivariate logistic regression models after adjusting for potential individual, temporal and spatial confounders. Significant positive associations were observed between PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, benzene and COVID-19 hospital admissions with odds ratios (95% Confidence Intervals [CI]) of 1.27 (1.25–1.30), 1.15 (1.13–1.17), 1.12 (1.10–1.14), 1.16 (1.14–1.18), and 1.39 (1.36–1.42), (per interquartile range [IQR]), respectively. Significant positive associations were also observed between PM2.5, PM10, SO2, or benzene and COVID-19 mortality with odds ratios (95% CI) of 1.39 (1.31–1.48), 1.23 (1.17–1.30), 1.18 (1.12–1.24), and 1.62 (1.52–1.72), per IQR, respectively. Individuals who were older, overweight or obese, current smokers, or had underlying comorbidities showed greater associations between all pollutants of interest and hospital admission, compared to the corresponding groups. Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with developing severe COVID-19 after a positive SARS-CoV-2 infection, resulting in hospitalization or death.

Long-term exposure to air pollution and incidence of coronary heart diseases and stroke in the longitudinal metropolitan studies (LMS) network: the BIGEPI project

to assess the potential of using longitudinal metropolitan studies (LMS) to study the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and the incidence of acute coronary events and stroke. closed cohort. subjects aged >=30 years, who took part in the 2011 census, residents in 5 cities (Turin, Bologna, Rome, Brindisi and Taranto). Annual concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and warm-season ozone (O3) (annual O3 in Taranto and Brindisi), estimated through satellite (Turin, Bologna, Rome) or photochemical models (Taranto and Brindisi) with a spatial resolution of 1 km2, were assigned to the census address. incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke until 31.12.2018 (2019 in Bologna). Cohort-specific Hazard Ratios (HRs), estimated using Cox regression models progressively adjusting for individual and contextual covariates, were pooled with random-effect meta-analysis. there were 71,872 incident CHD cases and 43,884 incident cases of stroke in almost 18 million person-years. No association was observed between the exposures studied and incidence of CHD and stroke, except for an increase in the incidence of CHD associated with warm-season O3 exposure (HR 1.034 per 5 μg/m3 increase). Some positive associations were found in specific cities (both outcomes in Brindisi with PM10 exposure and in Taranto with NO2 exposure, stroke in Rome with both PM10 and PM2.5), although estimates were not significant in some instances. LMS are a high potential tool for the study of comparative medium- and long-term effects of air pollution. Their further development (different definitions of exposure, outcomes, characteristics of the urban areas and extension to other LMS) may make them even more valuable tools for monitoring and planning public health interventions.

Ambient air pollution exposure and depressive symptoms: Findings from the French CONSTANCES cohort

Background and AimFew studies have reported the association between air pollution exposure with different dimensions of depression. We aimed to explore this association across different dimensions of depressive symptoms in a large population. MethodsData from the enrollment phase of the French CONSTANCES cohort (2012–2020) were analyzed cross-sectionally. Annual concentrations of particulate matter with a diameter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from the land-use regression models were assigned to the residential addresses of participants. Total depressive symptoms and its four dimensions (depressed affect, disturbed interpersonal relations, low positive affect, somatic complaints) were measured using Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression questionnaire (CES-D). We reported results of negative binomial regression models (reported as Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure), for each pollutant separately. Stratified analyses were performed by sex, income, family status, education, and neighborhood deprivation. ResultsThe study included 123,754 participants (mean age, 46.50 ± 13.61 years; 52.4 % women). The mean concentration of PM2.5, BC and NO2 were 17.14 µg/m3 (IQR = 4.89), 1.82 10-5/m (IQR = 0.88) and 26.58 µg/m3 (IQR = 17.41) respectively. Exposures to PM2.5, BC and NO2 were significantly associated with a higher CES-D total (IRR = 1.022; 95 % CI = 1.002: 1.042, IRR = 1.027; 95 % CI = 1.013: 1.040, and IRR = 1.029; 95 % CI = 1.015: 1.042 respectively), and with depressed affect, and somatic complaints. For all pollutants, a higher estimate was observed for depressed affect. We found stronger adverse associations for men, lower-income participants, low and middle education groups, those living in highly deprived areas, and single participants. ConclusionOur finding could assist the exploration of the etiological pathway of air pollution on depression and also considering primary prevention strategies in the areas with air pollution.

Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity and the Key Influencing Factors of PM2.5 and PM10 in Heilongjiang, China from 2014 to 2018.

Particulate matter (PM) degrades air quality and negatively impacts human health. The spatial–temporal heterogeneity of PM (PM2.5 and PM10) concentration in Heilongjiang Province during 2014–2018 and the key impacting factors were investigated based on principal component analysis-based ordinary least square regression (PCA-OLS), PCA-based geographically weighted regression (PCA-GWR), PCA-based temporally weighted regression (PCA-TWR), and PCA-based geographically and temporally weighted regression (PCA-GTWR). Results showed that six principal components represented the temperature, wind speed, air pressure, atmospheric pollution, humidity, and vegetation cover factor, respectively, contributing 87% of original variables. All the local models (PCA-GWR, PCA-TWR, and PCA-GTWR) were superior to the global model (PCA-OLS), and PCA-GTWR has the best performance. PM had greater temporal than spatial heterogeneity due to seasonal periodicity. Air pollutants (i.e., SO2, NO2, and CO) and pressure were promoted whereas temperature, wind speed, and vegetation cover inhibited the PM concentration. The downward trend of annual PM concentration is obvious, especially after 2017, and the hot spot gradually changed from southwestern to southeastern cities. This study laid the foundation for precise local government prevention and control by addressing both excessive effect factors (i.e., meteorological factors, air pollutants, vegetation cover) and spatial-temporal heterogeneity of PM.

Assessing outdoor air quality vertically in an urban street canyon and its response to microclimatic factors

The vertical distribution of air pollutants in urban street canyons is closely related to residents’ health. However, the vertical air quality in urban street canyons has rarely been assessed using field observations obtained throughout the year. Therefore, this study investigated the seasonal and annual concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), CO, NO2, SO2, O3, air quality index, and their responses to microclimatic factors at three height levels (1.5, 27, and 69 m above street level) in an urban street canyon. The PM concentration was higher at 27 m than at 1.5 m in winter, whereas the situation was reversed in other seasons. It was found that photochemical pollutants such as NO2 and O3 were the primary pollutants in the urban street canyon. The days on which O3 was the primary pollutant at the height of 1.5 m accounted for 81.07% of the entire year. The days on which NO2 was the primary pollutant at the height of 27 and 69 m accounted for 82.49% and 72.33% of the entire year, respectively. Substantially higher concentrations of NO2 and O3 were found at the height of 27 m than at 69 m. In-canyon concentrations of NO2 and O3 were strongly correlated with air temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, which played important roles in photochemical reactions and pollutant dispersion.

Estimating Associations Between Annual Concentrations of Particulate Matter and Mortality in the United States, Using Data Linkage and Bayesian Maximum Entropy.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an established risk factor for human mortality. However, previous US studies have been limited to select cities or regions or to population subsets (e.g., older adults). Here, we demonstrate how to use the novel geostatistical method Bayesian maximum entropy to obtain estimates of PM2.5 concentrations in all contiguous US counties, 2000-2016. We then demonstrate how one could use these estimates in a traditional epidemiologic analysis examining the association between PM2.5 and rates of all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory, and (as a negative control outcome) accidental mortality. We estimated that, for a 1 log(μg/m3) increase in PM2.5 concentration, the conditional all-cause mortality incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 1.029 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.006, 1.053). This implies that the rate of all-cause mortality at 10 µg/m3 would be 1.020 times the rate at 5 µg/m3. IRRs were larger for cardiovascular mortality than for all-cause mortality in all gender and race-ethnicity groups. We observed larger IRRs for all-cause, nonaccidental, and respiratory mortality in Black non-Hispanic Americans than White non-Hispanic Americans. However, our negative control analysis indicated the possibility for unmeasured confounding. We used a novel method that allowed us to estimate PM2.5 concentrations in all contiguous US counties and obtained estimates of the association between PM2.5 and mortality comparable to previous studies. Our analysis provides one example of how Bayesian maximum entropy could be used in epidemiologic analyses; future work could explore other ways to use this approach to inform important public health questions.

Air pollution, physical activity and ischaemic heart disease: a prospective cohort study of interaction effects

ObjectiveTo assess a possible interaction effect between physical activity and air pollution on first incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD).DesignProspective cohort study.SettingUmeå, Northern Sweden.ParticipantsWe studied 34 748 adult participants of...

Associations of long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide with lung function: A cross-sectional study in China

BackgroundFew studies have evaluated the effects of ambient air pollution exposure on lung function, especially in areas with high air pollution levels. ObjectivesTo investigate the associations of annual concentrations of particulate matter with diameters < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with adult lung function in Shanghai, China. MethodsWe included 5276 permanent residents aged ≥ 20 years. Annual residential exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was estimated by validated satellite-based and land use regression models, respectively. The effects of PM2.5 and NO2 on lung function were estimated separately using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders. ResultsHigher exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was significantly associated with lower forced vital capacity (FVC), inspiration capacity (IC), and vital capacity (VC). An increase of 10 μg/m3 in the annual average PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 45.83 ml (95% CI: −82.59, −9.07) lower FVC, 1.36 (95% CI: −2.42, −0.29) lower FVC of % predicted (FVC%pred), 121.98 ml (95% CI: −164.38, −79.57) lower IC, and 89.12 ml (95% CI −124.94, −53.3) lower VC. For NO2, an increase of 10 μg/m3 in the annual average concentration was associated with 26.65 ml (95% CI: −46.29, −7.00) lower FVC, 0.70 (95% CI: −1.27, 0.13) lower FVC%pred, 65.26 ml (95% CI: −87.76, −42.76) lower IC, and 45.88 ml (95% CI: −65.03, −26.73) lower VC. The estimated effects on FEV1 were −10.25 ml (95% CI: −40.92, 20.42) and −0.29% (95% CI: −1.40, 0.82) per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and −0.74 ml (95% CI: −17.13, 15.65) and 0.01% (95% CI: −0.58, 0.61) per 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2, which were not statistically significant. Stratified analysis showed that the estimated effects of PM2.5 were greater in the healthy subgroup than the COPD patients. Obese individuals were more susceptible to adverse effects of PM2.5 and NO2 on lung function. Education level showed no or only weak evidence of modification of the associations between air pollution and lung function. ConclusionIn this study, long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants was significantly associated with impaired lung function, presenting as restrictive ventilatory patterns.

Quantifying the impact of particle matter on mortality and hospitalizations in four Brazilian metropolitan areas

Air quality management involves investigating areas where pollutant concentrations are above guideline or standard values to minimize its effect on human health. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most studied pollutants, and its relationship with health has been widely outlined. To guide the construction and improvement of air quality policies, the impact of PM on the four Brazilian southeast metropolitan areas was investigated. One-year long modeling of PM10 and PM2.5 was performed with the WRF-Chem model for 2015 to quantify daily and annual PM concentrations in 102 cities. Avoidable mortality due to diverse causes and morbidity due to respiratory and circular system diseases were estimated concerning WHO guidelines, which was adopted in Brazil as a final standard to be reached in the future; although there is no deadline set for its implementation yet. Results showed satisfactory representation of meteorology and ambient PM concentrations. An overestimation in PM concentrations for some monitoring stations was observed, mainly in São Paulo metropolitan area. Cities around capitals with high modelled annual PM2.5 concentrations do not monitor this pollutant. The total avoidable deaths estimated for the region, related to PM2.5, were 32,000 ± 5,300 due to all-cause mortality, between 16,000 ± 2,100 and 51,000 ± 3,000 due non-accidental causes, between 7,300 ± 1,300 and 16,700 ± 1,500 due to cardiovascular disease, between 4,750 ± 900 and 10,950 ± 870 due ischemic heart diseases and 1,220 ± 330 avoidable deaths due to lung cancer. Avoidable respiratory hospitalizations were greater for PM2.5 among ‘children’ age group than for PM10 (all age group) except in São Paulo metropolitan area. For circulatory system diseases, 9,840 ± 3,950 avoidable hospitalizations in the elderly related to a decrease in PM2.5 concentrations were estimated. This study endorses that more restrictive air quality standards, human exposure, and health effects are essential factors to consider in urban air quality management.

A Decade of Air Quality in Bogotá: A Descriptive Analysis

In this work we apply a rigorous and reproducible data analytics process for validation and analysis of the historical data from Bogota (Colombia) air quality monitoring network since 1998. The reasons for addressing this research study stem from the lack of a consistent approach for cleaning, validating and reporting air quality data. By analyzing the whole dataset, we are aiming at providing citizens and the city authorities with a clear view of the current situation of air quality and of its historical evolution. Without any loss of generality, we focus our analysis on both respirable and fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations, which in Bogota and worldwide are source of concern for their negative impacts on human health. We develop a reproducible and flexible data cleaning methodology for particulate matter concentration data reported by the local authorities, which allows customizing and applying configurable validation rules. Then, we present statistical descriptive analyses by providing intuitive data visualizations, characterizing historical and spatial change of air pollutant levels. Results raise concerns for the high percentage of invalid data, as well as the high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 ambient concentrations as observed in the valid portion of the available data, which frequently exceed national and international air quality standards. The data exhibit encouraging signs of air quality improvement, particularly for PM10. However, the analyses indicate that significant differences exist across Bogota, and particularly in the south-west zone of the city annual concentrations of particulate matter are up to three or four times the WHO recommendations. We are confident on the methodology and results from our analysis are useful both for local environmental authority and the general public to help in obtaining consistent conclusions from the available data.

Analysis of Particulate Matter Concentration Variability and Origin in Selected Urban Areas in Poland

The work presents the results of research and analyses related to measurements of concentration and chemical composition of three size fractions of particulate matter (PM), PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0. The studies were conducted in the years 2014–2016 during both the heating and non-heating season in two Polish cities: Wrocław and Poznań. The studies indicate that in Wrocław and Poznań, the highest annual concentrations of particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10) were observed in 2016, and the mean concentrations were respectively equal to 18.16 μg/m3, 30.88 μg/m3 and 41.08 μg/m3 (Wrocław) and 8.5 μg/m3, 30.8 μg/m3 and 32.9 μg/m3 (Poznań). Conducted analyses of the chemical composition of the particulate matter also indicated higher concentrations of organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and water-soluble ions in a measurement series which took place in the heating season were studied. Analyses with the use of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated a dominating percentage of fuel combustion processes as sources of particulate matter emission in the areas considered in this research. Acquired results from these analyses may indicate the influence of secondary aerosols on air quality. In the summer season, a significant role could be also played by an influx of pollutants—mineral dust—originating from outside the analyzed areas or from the resuspension of mineral and soil dust.

Health effects of particulate matter in major Indian cities

ABSTRACT Background: Particulate matter (PM) is one among the crucial air pollutants and has the potential to cause a wide range of health effects. Indian cities ranked top places in the World Health Organization list of most polluted cities by PM. Objectives: Present study aims to assess the trends, short- and long-term health effects of PM in major Indian cities. Methods: PM-induced hospital admissions and mortality are quantified using AirQ+ software. Results: Annual PM concentration in most of the cities is higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards of India. Trend analysis showed peak PM concentration during post-monsoon and winter seasons. The respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions in the male (female) population are estimated to be 31,307 (28,009) and 5460 (4882) cases, respectively. PM2.5 has accounted for a total of 1,27,014 deaths in 2017. Conclusion: Cities with high PM concentration and exposed population are more susceptible to mortality and hospital admissions.

Support for Emissions Reductions Based on Immediate and Long-term Pollution Exposure in China

Reducing power sector emissions in China is a critical step toward mitigating climate change and lowering health damages from air pollution. We conduct a discrete choice survey (N = 1060) among urban residents from 10 Chinese cities, assessing how individuals compare electricity source, cost, and reduction of emissions related to climate change or air pollution. Using observed air quality data, we also evaluate how pollution levels affect respondents' support for different types of emissions reductions. We find that reductions targeting both climate change and human health benefits have stronger support than those which address only one of the two. Furthermore, respondents in cities with the highest annual concentrations of particulate matter are willing to pay 30% more to clean up the air when compared to individuals living in less polluted cities. The analysis suggests that the public values co-optimizing mitigation policy across climate and health objectives, and that making available information on long-term air quality may encourage sustained support for cleaner energy.

Ambient Air Pollution and Type 2 Diabetes: Do the Metabolic Effects of Air Pollution Start Early in Life?

The adverse health effects of ambient (outdoor) air pollution have been recognized since increased mortality due to smog was reported in London in 1952 (1). Suspended particles (particulate matters) from soot were associated with increased mortality and morbidity related to both respiratory and cardiovascular disorders (1). Since then, great efforts have been made to control ambient air pollution on a national level. For example, the Clean Air Act in the U.S. resulted in improvements in ambient air quality. Between 1990 and 2015, annual concentrations of particulate matter <10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) dropped by 39% in the U.S. (2). Nonetheless, ambient air pollution is still one of the leading causes of global disease burden (3,4). In fact, the World Health Organization has estimated that ambient air pollution is responsible for more than 3 million deaths, representing 5.4% of total deaths in 2012 (5). Recently, scientific communities have suggested that ambient air pollution may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Animal models have provided convincing evidence and suggested potential mechanisms including particle-mediated alterations in glucose homeostasis, inflammation in visceral adipose tissue, endoplasmic reticulum stress in liver and lung, mitochondrial dysfunction and brown adipose tissue dysfunction, inflammation mediated through Toll-like receptors and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors, and inflammatory signaling in key regions of the hypothalamus (6). Although the evidence is still limited, epidemiological studies have also supported the hypothesis that ambient air pollution exposure is associated with elevated risk for type …

Cancer Mortality Risks from Long-term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particle.

Few studies have assessed long-term effects of particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) on mortality for causes of cancer other than the lung; we assessed the effects on multiple causes. In Hong Kong, most people live and work in urban or suburban areas with high-rise buildings. This facilitates the estimation of PM2.5 exposure of individuals, taking into account the height of residence above ground level for assessment of the long-term health effects with sufficient statistical power. We recruited 66,820 persons who were ≥65 in 1998 to 2001 and followed up for mortality outcomes until 2011. Annual concentrations of PM at their residential addresses were estimated using PM2.5 concentrations measured at fixed-site monitors, horizontal-vertical locations, and satellite data. We used Cox regression model to assess the HR of mortality for cancer per 10 μg/m(3) increase of PM2.5 RESULTS: PM2.5 was associated with increased risk of mortality for all causes of cancer [HR, 1.22 (95% CI, 1.11-1.34)] and for specific cause of cancer in upper digestive tract [1.42 (1.06-1.89)], digestive accessory organs [1.35 (1.06-1.71)] in all subjects; breast [1.80 (1.26-2.55)] in females; and lung [1.36 (1.05-1.77)] in males. Long-term exposures to PM2.5 are associated with elevated risks of cancer in various organs. This study is particularly timely in China, where compelling evidence is needed to support the pollution control policy to ameliorate the health damages associated with economic growth. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(5); 839-45. ©2016 AACR.

Exposure to Particulate Matter and Long-term Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality in Japan: NIPPON DATA80

It remains uncertain whether chronic exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with increased mortality in Japan because Japan has a different distribution pattern of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors compared to Western countries. We investigated the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) and cardiovascular mortality risk using a representative Japanese cohort. A total of 7,250 participants aged 30 years and older from 232 districts throughout Japan were followed from 1980 to 2004. We linked the averaged annual concentrations of PM from 1985 to 2004 to each cohort participant who resided in the district at the time of the baseline survey. Study participants were divided into quintiles of average PM concentration. We applied the Cox proportional hazard model adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose, smoking categories, drinking categories, and the municipality population size. During follow-up, there were 1,716 deaths from all causes; 571 from cardiovascular disease, 116 from coronary heart disease, and 250 from stroke. Hazard ratios were not different among the quintiles and those for trend per 10 µg/m3 increase in annual PM concentration were 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.04) for all-cause mortality and 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.81-1.00) for cardiovascular mortality. Long-term exposure to PM was not associated with increased cardiovascular mortality risk in this population-based cohort in Japan.

Airborne particulate matter and premature deaths in urban Europe: the new WHO guidelines and the challenge ahead as illustrated by Spain

Twenty first century epidemiological publications on urban air pollution are confirming that inhalation of fine, airborne particulate matter (PM) has serious chronic human health effects and is a major cause of premature death worldwide. Recently updated recommendations by WHO identify three "Interim Targets" for the stepped reduction in PM levels within world cities in the quest to achieve an annual mean Air Quality Guideline (AQG) concentration of 20 mug/m(3) for particles less than 10 microns in size (PM(10)). In this paper we offer a perspective from Spain, a country with the longest record of reporting pollution data from large numbers of urban traffic sites to a central European database (AIRBASE). We can demonstrate that average annual PM concentrations at urban traffic monitoring stations in many European cities continue to be 50-100% above the WHO AQG, a situation exacerbated by high urban PM(2.5/10) ratios which indicate a dominance of finer, more deeply inhalable particles potentially more detrimental to health. Given that WHO has estimated in 2000 there were well over 250,000 premature deaths in Europe attributable to PM inhalation, such continuing high urban pollution levels are placing a huge burden on European medical resources.

95/05299 Estimating the health effects of air pollutants: A method with an application to Jakarta

To develop efficient strategies for pollution control, it is essential to assess both the costs of control and the benefits that may result. These benefits will often included improvements in public health, including reductions in both morbidity and premature mortality. Until recently, there has been little guidance about how to calculate the benefits of air pollution controls and how to use those estimates to assign priorities to different air pollution control strategies. The author describes a method for quantifying the benefits of reduced ambient concentrations of pollutants (such as ozone and particulate matter) typically found in urban areas worldwide. The author then applies the method to data on Jakarta, Indonesia, an area characterized by little wind, high population concentration (8 million people), congested roads, and ambient air pollution. The magnitude of the benefits of pollution control depend on the level of air pollution, the expected effects on health of the pollutants (dose-response), the size of the population affected and the economic value of these effects. The results for Jakarta suggest that significant benefits result from reducing exposure to both outdoor and indoor air pollutants. For example, if annual concentrations of particulate matter were reduced to the midpoint of the World Health Organization guideline (and former U.S. ambient standard), the estimates indicate a reduction per year of 1,400 premature deaths (with a range of 900 to 1,900), 49,000 emergency room visits, 600,000 asthma attacks, 7.6 million restricted activity days (including work loss), 124,000 cases of bronchitis in children, and 37 million minor respiratory symptoms. In the case of Jakarta, the methodology suggests that reducing exposure to lead and nitrogen dioxide should also be a high priority. An important consequence of ambient lead pollution is a reduction in learning abilities for children, measured as I.Q loss. Apart from that, reducing the proportion of respirable particles can reduce the amount of illness and premature mortality. Clearly, air pollution represents a significant public health hazard to residents of Jakarta and other cities consistently exposed to high levels of air pollution, such as Bangkok, Mexico City, and Santiago, Chile.