Emergency Admissions for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases and the Chemical Composition of Fine Particle Air Pollution

Abstract

BackgroundPopulation-based studies have estimated health risks of short-term exposure to fine particles using mass of PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) as the indicator. Evidence regarding the toxicity of the chemical components of the PM2.5 mixture is limited.ObjectiveIn this study we investigated the association between hospital admission for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and respiratory disease and the chemical components of PM2.5 in the United States.MethodsWe used a national database comprising daily data for 2000–2006 on emergency hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes, ambient levels of major PM2.5 chemical components [sulfate, nitrate, silicon, elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon matter (OCM), and sodium and ammonium ions], and weather. Using Bayesian hierarchical statistical models, we estimated the associations between daily levels of PM2.5 components and risk of hospital admissions in 119 U.S. urban communities for 12 million Medicare enrollees (≥ 65 years of age).ResultsIn multiple-pollutant models that adjust for the levels of other pollutants, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in EC was associated with a 0.80% [95% posterior interval (PI), 0.34–1.27%] increase in risk of same-day cardiovascular admissions, and an IQR increase in OCM was associated with a 1.01% (95% PI, 0.04–1.98%) increase in risk of respiratory admissions on the same day. Other components were not associated with cardiovascular or respiratory hospital admissions in multiple-pollutant models.ConclusionsAmbient levels of EC and OCM, which are generated primarily from vehicle emissions, diesel, and wood burning, were associated with the largest risks of emergency hospitalization across the major chemical constituents of PM2.5.

Air pollution as a risk factor in health impact assessments of a travel mode shift towards cycling

“…*Published emission factors but not reported in text. **Emission factors reported explicitly in text ᴬ Age groups according to health outcomes; ᴯ Such as ≥18 years or ≥30 years; C Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program using the concentration response function from chronic bronchitis [63], acute bronchitis [64], all-cause mortality [65,104], COPD hospitalization (Moolgavgkar 2000a, 2003) [66], asthma emergency room visits [67], work loss days [68], asthma (symptoms) [69], minor-restricted activity days [70], acute MI [71], respiratory disease [72], lower respiratory symptoms [73], and cough among asthmatic children [74]; D Probable, but not specified explicitly in the text; ᴱ Health And Air Pollution Study in New Zealand to estimate the morbidity and mortality health costs associated with traffic emissions [82]; F CVD admission >64 years: [75]; ᴳ Mortality: <75 and >75 years, respiratory disease (65 years) [76], and lung cancer [104] Morbidity: CVD, respiratory disease [76], and lung cancer [104]; H Method of transport emission estimation is quite vague in determination of emission factors; I External cost of energy to estimate the automotive pollution impact on health in Europe [81]; J Cerebrovascular disease and lower respiratory tract infection [77], preterm weight [78], low term weight [79], and CVD (Mustafic 2012) [80]; K Value of a Life Year: calculation of monetary benefits of mortality reduction using a life tables approach. …”

In-Vehicle Exposures to Particulate Matter and Black Carbon

“…The 1-min PM and BC concentrations were matched to the speed of the vehicle during that minute, as recorded by the GPS device. When the relationships between PM 1 , PM [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and BC concentrations and average vehicle speed were examined, no clear differences were observed. Furthermore, when PM and BC concentrations were related to the type of road, road type did not have an effect on in-vehicle PM and BC concentrations.…”

“…In-vehicle PM 1 concentration was significantly associated with ambient PM 2.5 mass concentration (linear regression analysis, r 2 ϭ 0.65, P Ͻ 0.0001). However, in-vehicle PM [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] (linear regression analysis, r 2 ϭ 0.46, P Ͻ 0.0001) and BC (linear regression analysis, r 2 ϭ 0.14 P ϭ 0.022) concentrations were moderately associated with ambient PM 2.5 mass concentrations.…”

“…1 In some studies, particulate matter (PM) less than or equal to 2.5 m in aerodynamic diameter (PM 2.5 ) has been associated with increased hospital admissions, emergency room visits for heart and lung disease, increased respiratory symptoms and disease, and decreased lung function. [2][3][4][5] In-vehicle exposure can be a significant part of personal total exposure to ambient particulates. 6,7 Automobile exhaust is a major source of ambient PM and black carbon (BC), and in-vehicle exposure to PM can be higher than ambient concentration.…”

Differential DNA methylation and PM2.5 species in a 450K epigenome-wide association study

“…1 Nationwide and multiple-community studies report that exposure to PM 2.5 is linked with an increased risk of hospital admissions and mortality in the US, and that certain PM 2.5 species may be more toxic than others. [2][3][4][5] DNA methylation is an epigenetic process in which a methyl group is added to deoxycytosine bases to form deoxymethylcytosine. The literature to date indicates that DNA methylation may be an important pathway linking particulate matter (PM) to health outcomes.…”