PM2.5 air pollution and cause-specific cardiovascular disease mortality

Abstract

Background Ambient air pollution is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, yet uncertainty remains about the size of risks at lower levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure which now occur in the USA and elsewhere. Methods We investigated the relationship of ambient PM2.5 exposure with cause-specific cardiovascular disease mortality in 565 477 men and women, aged 50 to 71 years, from the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. During 7.5 x 106 person-years of follow up, 41 286 cardiovascular disease deaths, including 23 328 ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and 5894 stroke deaths, were ascertained using the National Death Index. PM2.5 was estimated using a hybrid land use regression (LUR) geostatistical model. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Each increase of 10 μg/m3 PM2.5 (overall range, 2.9–28.0 μg/m3) was associated, in fully adjusted models, with a 16% increase in mortality from ischaemic heart disease [hazard ratio (HR) 1.16; 95% CI 1.09-1.22] and a 14% increase in mortality from stroke (HR 1.14; CI 1.02-1.27). Compared with PM2.5 exposure <8 μg/m3 (referent), risks for CVD were increased in relation to PM2.5 exposures in the range of 8–12 μg/m3 (CVD: HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.08), in the range 12–20 μg/m3 (CVD: HR 1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.13) and in the range 20+ μg/m3 (CVD: HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.10-1.28). Results were robust to alternative approaches to PM2.5 exposure assessment and statistical analysis. Conclusions Long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution is associated with ischaemic heart disease and stroke mortality, with excess risks occurring in the range of and below the present US long-term standard for ambient exposure to PM2.5 (12 µg/m3), indicating the need for continued improvements in air pollution abatement for CVD prevention.

Impact of Long-Term Air Pollution on the Case Fatality Rate of COVID-19

“…It's well known that PM2.5 affect the airways and the cardiovascular system, it can penetrate deep into lung tissue, causing immune and in ammation response [23][24][25]. Long-time exposure has been correlated with increased risks of chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that can develop into lung cancer [26,27]. In addition, short-term exposure to PM2.5 is robust associate with increased mortality from various cardiopulmonary diseases, from a nationwide analysis in 272 chinese cities [28].…”

Influence of COVID-19 Event on Air Quality and their Association in Mainland China

“…Severe air pollution is a major health risk and can lead to large premature mortality (Schraufnagel et al, 2019). Previous studies have shown that PM 2.5 has an adverse impact on human health and long-term exposure to high PM 2.5 concentration environment will lead to various respiratory diseases because -PM 2.5 carries lots of harmful matters and viruses and can go directly into our lungs (Hayes et al, 2019;McGuinn et al, 2019). As reported in the 6 th Edition of COVID-19 Treatment Regimen (Trial Implementation) published by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, COVID-19 is mainly transmitted by direct contact and droplet transmission, and aerosol transmission is also a potential way (Wang and Du, 2020).…”

Toxic Assessment of Heavily Traffic-related Fine Particulate Matter Using an in-vivo Wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans Model

“…The risks that entail PM 2.5 or fine particulate have threatened the mortality of human lives and the adverse health effects associated with PM 2.5 made it as a major indicator of air particle pollution by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2005). Reports have shown that worldwide exposure to outdoor PM 2.5 contributed to 4.1 million deaths connected with heart disease and stroke, lung cancer, chronic lung disease, and respiratory infections (Orru et al, 2011;HEI, 2018;Li et al, 2018;Hayes et al, 2019). The increasing epidemiological studies indicate that cardiopulmonary morbidity due to PM 2.5 exposure play a part in the development of diabetes mellitus and adverse birth outcomes (Hu, 2009;Crouse et al, 2012;Kloog et al, 2012;Chen et al, 2013;Burnett et al, 2014;Zanobetti et al, 2014).…”