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Particulate air pollution and daily mortality: a synthesis
1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460.
Public Health Reviews
|January 1, 1991
Summary
High levels of airborne particles, measured as total suspended particulates (TSP) or PM10, significantly increase daily mortality. This association persists even at lower concentrations, suggesting a causal link between air pollution and public health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Historical episodes of high particulate air pollution correlated with increased mortality.
- Previous studies demonstrated links between daily air pollution fluctuations and mortality.
- Current pollution measurement techniques differ from historical optical-based measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gravimetrically measured airborne particles and daily mortality across multiple studies.
- To determine if associations persist at lower particle concentrations.
- To assess the causality of the observed relationship.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of seven independent studies using Poisson regression.
- Control for confounding factors including weather, time trends, and serial correlation.
- Examination of total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM10 concentrations.
Main Results:
- Significant associations found between TSP/PM10 and daily mortality in all studies.
- A 100 µg/m³ increase in daily TSP was linked to a 6% rise in mortality.
- No evidence of a threshold effect was observed down to 40 µg/m³.
Conclusions:
- Gravimetrically measured airborne particles (TSP, PM10) are significantly associated with daily mortality.
- The association appears causal and independent of sulfur dioxide (SO2).
- Public health interventions targeting particulate air pollution are warranted.