Mortality and morbidity due to exposure to ambient particulate matter

The aim of this study was to investigate spatial variation and health risk of the exposure to PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less) and PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less) in Sabzevar, Iran. PM2.5 and PM10 were measured during three campaigns from April to November 2017, in 26 sampling points. Spatial analysis was performed using kriging and autocorrelations (Moran's index) model in Arc GIS software. Relationship between exposure to the PM2.5 and PM10 and their health impacts were investigated by AirQ 2.2.3 software. The mean concentrations (and standard deviation) of PM 2.5 and PM10 over the entire study period were 32.54 (37.28) and 42.61 (47.76) μg/m3, respectively, which were higher than the guideline of World Health Organization. According to the spatial analysis, the maximum concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were around the main highway (beltway) which placed all over the south of Sabzevar. According to the Moran's index, the emission patterns for PM2.5 (Z-score = 2.53; P-value = 0.011) and PM10 (Z-score = 2.82; P-value = 0.004) were clustered. The attributable percentage (AP) of total mortality related to PM2.5 and PM10 were 3.544% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.623-4.447%) and 2.055% (95% CI: 1.379-2.721%) per increasing each 10 μg/m3 of these pollutants, respectively. According to observed results, it is suggested that the beltway and other pollution sources, such as industries, should be placed at a greater distance from the city, to reduce PM amounts in residential areas.