Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter and Incidence of Major Cardiovascular Diseases: A Prospective Study of 0.5 Million Adults in China

Abstract

Few cohort studies explored the long-term effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) on incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially in countries with higher levels of air pollution. We aimed to evaluate the association between long-term exposure to PM 2.5 and incidence of CVD in China. We performed a prospective cohort study in ten regions that recruited 512,689 adults during 2004–2008, with follow-up until 2017. Annual PM 2.5 concentrations were estimated using a satellite-based model with national coverage and 1 x 1 km spatial resolution. Time-varying Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cause-specific CVDs associated with PM 2.5 , adjusting for conventional covariates. During 5.08 million person-years of follow-up, 148,030 incident cases of CVD were identified. Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 showed positive and linear association with incidence of CVD, without a threshold below any concentration. The adjusted HRs per 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 was 1.04 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.07) for total CVD. The risk estimates differed between certain population subgroups, with greater HRs in men, in household with higher income, and in people using unclean heating fuels. This prospective study of large Chinese population provided essential epidemiological evidence for CVD incident risk associated with PM 2.5 .

Fine Particulate Matter Exposure, Genetic Susceptibility, and the Risk of Incident Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Increasing studies have reported the association between long-term PM 2.5 exposure and the development of stroke. 3,18–21 Despite some null findings, most of the studies supported that chronic PM 2.5 exposure was a risk factor for incident stroke events. A recent meta-analysis pooling effects of 14 studies among 7 million participants reported that each 10-µg/m 3 increment of PM 2.5 concentrations was associated with a 13% (95% CI, 11%–15%) higher risk of incident stroke.…”

Clustering of Environmental Parameters and the Risk of Acute Ischaemic Stroke

“…Another reason could be a reduced residual confounding effect from a strong risk factor, such as smoking on AIS risk and air pollution exposure. A plausible biological explanation could be that similar oxidative stress and inflammation pathways of smoking and air pollution exposure for AIS resulted in no further enhanced effects from air pollution exposure in existing smokers [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. We found it more difficult to justify our findings for IHD/AF/VHD/PVD.…”

System Integration of an Optimally Designed Virtual Impactor with a QCM Sensor as a One-Stop PM2.5 Classification and Detection Platform

“…Airborne particulate matter has attracted significant attention due to its adverse effects on humans and the environment. − The toxicity of PM depends mostly on its size and composition, such as chemical or trace element content, acid and sulfate content, etc. − The PM size is often of major importance. PM pollution, especially PM 2.5 particles, which have an aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to 2.5 μm (called fine particles), poses a serious threat to human health, as they can penetrate the human respiratory system and cause alveolar inflammation or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. − Besides, PM 2.5 particles can transport bacteria, fungi, and heavy metals, increasing the possibility of instigating and transmitting diseases. − Except for health risks, these fine particles can affect the earth’s radiative balance by scattering and absorbing solar radiation and causing reduced visibility. , Therefore, from the point of view of protecting the environment and human health, it is particularly important to monitor the PM 2.5 concentration.…”