Synoptic weather patterns and modification of the association between air pollution and human mortality

Abstract

To assess whether meteorological conditions modify the relationship between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and mortality, an examination of air pollution and human mortality associations (ecologic) using hybrid spatial synoptic classification procedures was conducted. Concentrations of air pollutants and human mortality from all non-accidental and cardiorespiratory causes were examined according to typical winter and summer synoptic climatologies in Toronto, Canada, between 1981 and 1999. Air masses were derived using a hybrid spatial synoptic classification procedure associating each day over the 19-year period with one of six different typical weather types, or a transition between two weather types. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to assess the risk of mortality from air pollution within specific air mass type subsets. Mortality follows a distinct seasonal pattern with a maximum in winter and a minimum in summer. Average air pollution concentrations were similar in both seasons with the exception of elevated sulfur dioxide levels in winter and elevated ozone levels in summer. Subtle changes in meteorological composition can alter the strength of pollutant associations with health outcomes, especially in the summer season. Although there does not appear to be any systematic patterning of modification, variation in pollutant concentrations seems dependent on the type of synoptic category present.

Estimating Trends of Mean Monthly Ozone Emission in Urbanised Areas of Malaysia

“…For example, high level of sulphur dioxide has been reported in the winter while higher ozone concentration has been found mostly in the summer (Rainham et al, 2005). Cold weather, higher relative humidity, lower wind (calm) speed could lead to the build-up of ozone in the athmosphere (USDA, 2011) because of the reduction in the atmospheric dispersion and degradation of the pollutants…”

A methodology to leverage cross-sectional accelerometry to capture weather’s influence in active living research

“…To match the accelerometry period, detailed Saskatoon-specific weather data for the days between April 28 and June 11, 2010 were obtained from Environment Canada. 22 On the basis of previous evidence, [7][8][9][10][11][12]23 extensive exploration of the weather data was conducted to identify daily values of key weather variables corresponding to the accelerometry period: maximum temperature, precipitation, speed of maximum wind gust and hours of illumination. Descriptive analyses were conducted to understand the distribution (i.e.,mean, median, standard deviation [SD]) of daily values of the selected weather variables during the 45 days of accelerometry in question (Table 3).…”

Association of weather and air pollution interactions on daily mortality in 12 Canadian cities

“…Given the variety of weather elements affecting pollution levels, a synoptic approach is well-suited to study city-specific pollution variations [3,13]. Inconsistencies in results also necessitate further research into air pollution and interactive effects relating synoptic climatology to mortality [13].…”

“…Given the variety of weather elements affecting pollution levels, a synoptic approach is well-suited to study city-specific pollution variations [3,13]. Inconsistencies in results also necessitate further research into air pollution and interactive effects relating synoptic climatology to mortality [13]. Accordingly, the goal of this study is to conduct a large-scale investigative analysis, using 28-years of data, and examining the short-term effects of the air pollutants NO 2 , O 3 , SO 2 , and PM 2.5 on the relative risk of mortality (RR).…”