Fine particulate matter constituents and cardiopulmonary mortality in a heavily polluted Chinese city

Background: Although ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5; particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter) has been linked to adverse human health effects, the chemical constituents that cause harm are unknown. To our knowledge, the health effects of PM_2.5 constituents have not been reported for a developing country.Objectives: We examined the short-term association between PM_2.5 constituents and daily mortality in Xi’an, a heavily polluted Chinese city.Methods: We obtained daily mortality data and daily concentrations of PM_2.5, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and 10 water-soluble ions for 1 January 2004 through 31 December 2008. We also measured concentrations of fifteen elements 1 January 2006 through 31 December 2008. We analyzed the data using over-dispersed generalized linear Poisson models.Results: During the study period, the mean daily average concentration of PM_2.5 in Xi’an was 182.2 µg/m³. Major contributors to PM_2.5 mass included OC, EC, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium. After adjustment for PM_2.5 mass, we found significant positive associations of total, cardiovascular, or respiratory mortality with OC, EC, ammonium, nitrate, chlorine ion, chlorine, and nickel for at least 1 lag day. Nitrate demonstrated stronger associations with total and cardiovascular mortality than PM_2.5 mass. For a 1-day lag, interquartile range increases in PM_2.5 mass and nitrate (114.9 and 15.4 µg/m³, respectively) were associated with 1.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8%, 2.8%] and 3.8% (95% CI: 1.7%, 5.9%) increases in total mortality.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PM_2.5 constituents from the combustion of fossil fuel may have an appreciable influence on the health effects attributable to PM_2.5 in Xi’an.     

Short-term impact of particulate matter (PM(2.5)) on respiratory mortality in Madrid

Objectives: This paper sought to quantify the particulate matter (PM_2.5) pollutant's impact on short-term daily respiratory-cause mortality in the city of Madrid.

Methods: As our dependent variable, we took daily mortality registered in Madrid from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005, attributed to all diseases of the respiratory system as classified under heads J00–J99 of the ICD 10 and broken down as follows: J12–J18, pneumonia; J40–J44, chronic diseases of the respiratory system except asthma; J45–J46, asthma; and J96, respiratory failure.

Results: The relative risk (RR) for daily overall respiratory mortality was RR 1.0281 (1.0043–1.0520), with a proportional attributable risk (PAR) of 2.74%. This effect occurred in lag 1; respiratory failure, RR 1.0816 (1.0119–1.1512) and PAR 7.54% at lag 5; and pneumonia, RR 1.0438 (1.0001–1.0875) and PAR 4.19% at lag 6.

Conclusions: Our results reflect the association that exists between PM_2.5 concentrations and daily respiratory-cause mortality.     

Income inequality and infant mortality in New York City

A series of studies have demonstrated that people who live in regions where there are disparities in income have poorer average health status than people who live in more economically homogeneous regions. To test whether such disparities might explain health variations within urban areas, we examined the possible association between income inequality and infant mortality for zip code regions within New York City using data from the 1990 census and the New York City Department of Health. Both infant mortality and income inequality (percentage of income received by the poorest 50% of households) varied widely across these regions (range in infant mortality: 0.6–29.6/1,000 live births: range in income inequality: 12.7–27.3). An increase of one standard deviation in income inequality was associated with an increase of 0.80 deaths/1,000 live births (P<.001), controlling for other socioeconomic factors. This finding has important implications for public health practice and social epidemiological research in large urban areas, which face significant disparities both in health and in social and economic conditions. Data collection and initial analyses for this project were supported in part by an Investigator Award in Health Policy Research from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not imply endorsement by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.     

Saharan dust and associations between particulate matter and daily mortality in Rome, Italy

Background: Outbreaks of Saharan-Sahel dust over Euro-Mediterranean areas frequently induce exceedances of the Europen Union''s 24-hr standard of 50 μg/m³ for particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤ than 10 μm (PM₁₀).Objectives: We evaluated the effect of Saharan dust on the association between different PM fractions and daily mortality in Rome, Italy.Methods: In a study of 80,423 adult residents who died in Rome between 2001 and 2004, we performed a time-series analysis to explore the effects of PM_2.5, PM_2.5–10, and PM₁₀ on natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory mortality. We defined Saharan dust days by combining light detection and ranging (LIDAR) observations and analyses from operational models. We tested a Saharan dust–PM interaction term to evaluate the hypothesis that the effects of PM, especially coarse PM (PM_2.5–10), on mortality would be enhanced on dust days.Results: Interquartile range increases in PM_2.5–10 (10.8 μg/m³) and PM₁₀ (19.8 μg/m³) were associated with increased mortality due to natural, cardiac, cerebrovascular, and respiratory causes, with estimated effects ranging from 2.64% to 12.65% [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–25.42%] for the association between PM_2.5–10 and respiratory mortality (0- to 5-day lag). Associations of PM_2.5–10 with cardiac mortality were stronger on Saharan dust days (9.73%; 95% CI, 4.25–15.49%) than on dust-free days (0.86%; 95% CI, –2.47% to 4.31%; p = 0.005). Saharan dust days also modified associations between PM₁₀ and cardiac mortality (9.55% increase; 95% CI, 3.81–15.61%; vs. dust-free days: 2.09%; 95% CI, –0.76% to 5.02%; p = 0.02).Conclusions: We found evidence of effects of PM_2.5–10 and PM₁₀ on natural and cause-specific mortality, with stronger estimated effects on cardiac mortality during Saharan dust outbreaks. Toxicological and biological effects of particles from desert sources need to be further investigated and taken into account in air quality standards.     

Association between ambient particulate matter and daily cause-specific mortality in Tanggu,Tianjin Binhai New Area,China

The aim of the study was to determine whether the area of Tanggu, Tianjin Binhai New Economic Developing Area, China, is subject to similar effects of ambient particulate matter less than 10 micrometres in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) similar to other areas of China. This study was designed to investigate cause-specific mortality risks associated with air pollution in this geographical region. The present study used a time-series analysis to explore the relationship between PM10 and the cause-specific mortalities for non-accidental, cardiovascular, and cardiopulmonary mortality from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010. A 10 μg/m³ increment of PM10 was associated with a 1.02% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48, 1.56) increase in cardiovascular mortality, and a 0.88% (95% CI: 0.36, 1.39) increase in cardiopulmonary mortality. In addition, the effects from PM10 appear to be consistent with multi-pollutant models. The results show that there are strong associations between daily cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary mortality and ambient PM10 exposure.     

Particulate matter exposures, mortality, and cardiovascular disease in the health professionals follow-up study

Background: The association of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes with air pollution exposures has been well established in the literature. The number of studies examining chronic exposures in cohorts is growing, with more recent studies conducted among women finding risk estimates of greater magnitude. Questions remain regarding sex differences in the relationship of chronic particulate matter (PM) exposures with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes.Objectives: In this study we explored these associations in the all-male Health Professionals Follow-Up Study prospective cohort.Methods: The same spatiotemporal exposure estimation models, similar outcomes, and biennially updated covariates were used as those previously applied in the female Nurses’ Health Study cohort.Results: Among 17,545 men residing in the northeastern and midwestern United States, there were 2,813 deaths, including 746 cases of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). An interquartile range change (4 µg/m³) in average exposure to PM ≤ 2.5 µm in diameter in the 12 previous months was not associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87–1.00] or fatal CHD (HR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.87–1.13) in fully adjusted models. Findings were similar for separate models of exposure to PM ≤ 10 µm in diameter and PM between 2.5 and 10 µm in diameter and for copollutant models.Conclusions: Among this cohort of men with high socioeconomic status living in the midwestern and northeastern United States, the results did not support an association of chronic PM exposures with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in models with time-varying covariates. Whether these findings suggest sex differences in susceptibility or the protective impact of healthier lifestyles and higher socioeconomic status requires additional investigation.     

Altered heart rate variability in spontaneously hypertensive rats is associated with specific particulate matter components in Detroit, Michigan

Background

Exposure to fine particulate matter [aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5)] is linked to adverse cardiopulmonary health effects; however, the responsible constituents are not well defined.

Objective

We used a rat model to investigate linkages between cardiac effects of concentrated ambient particle (CAP) constituents and source factors using a unique, highly time-resolved data set.

Methods

Spontaneously hypertensive rats inhaled Detroit Michigan, CAPs during summer or winter (2005–2006) for 13 consecutive days. Electrocardiogram data were recorded continuously, and heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics were derived. Extensive CAP characterization, including use of a Semicontinuous Elements in Aerosol Sampler (SEAS), was performed, and positive matrix factorization was applied to investigate source factors.

Results

Mean CAP exposure concentrations were 518 μg/m³ and 357 μg/m³ in the summer and winter, respectively. Significant reductions in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) in the summer were strongly associated with cement/lime, iron/steel, and gasoline/diesel factors, whereas associations with the sludge factor and components were less consistent. In winter, increases in HR were associated with a refinery factor and its components. CAP-associated HR decreases in winter were linked to sludge incineration, cement/lime, and coal/secondary sulfate factors and most of their associated components. Specific relationships for increased root mean square of the standard deviation of successive normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD) in winter were difficult to determine because of lack of consistency between factors and associated constituents.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that specific modulation of cardiac function in Detroit was most strongly linked to local industrial sources. Findings also highlight the need to consider both factor analytical results and component-specific results when interpreting findings.     

Myocardial infarction deaths after high level exposure to particulate matter

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the short term effects of raised concentrations of air pollutants on myocardial infarction deaths, the authors measured if incidence rate ratios increased after the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) reached various critical values and were sustained for various periods of time. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a database, which contained hourly SPM concentrations and myocardial infarction deaths. METHODS: The rate of death (events/1000 hours) attributable to myocardial infarction was compared among SPM categories. SPM categories were classified by five different critical values that measured high SPM levels, and by the hours of exposure (exposure window) after reaching the critical SPM level. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The adjusted incidence rate ratios in the various SPM categories were compared with the reference category (0-99 microg/m(3)) to determine the incidence rate ratio. SETTING: Tokyo Metropolitan area, Japan. Patients/ PARTICIPANTS: 14,950 people who died of myocardial infarction in the Tokyo Metropolitan area from 1990 to 1994. MAIN RESULTS: When the exposure window was one hour, the adjusted incidence rate ratio in each category were 1.13 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.20) in the 100-149 microg/m(3) category, 1.17-1.24 in the intermediate categories, and 1.40 (1.00 to 1.97) in the highest (300 microg/m(3) over) category. When the exposure window was one to six hours, increased rate ratios were seen in the highest category (1.17 (four hours) to 1.40 (one hour)). Gradual increases in the incidence rate ratio were seen as the SPM category increased when the exposure window was less than six hours. CONCLUSION: An increased rate ratio of myocardial infarction deaths was seen within a few hours after reaching a high concentration of SPM. When the exposure window was less than six hours, there was a gradual increase in the incidence rate ratio as the SPM concentration increased.     

The control of mosquito-borne diseases in New York City

Mosquito control began in New York City in 1901. Large-scale efforts to drain marshlands occurred through the 1930s, and aerial application of pesticide occurred as early as 1956. Components of early mosquito-borne disease control were reimplemented in 1999–2000 in response to an outbreak of West Nile virus, and included promoting public and health professional awareness regarding disease causation and prevention, providing free government laboratory testing, case reporting, mapping of mosquito breeding sites and their elimination or application of larvicide to them, and adult mosquito control. Because a potential for various mosquito-borne diseases in New York City persists, continued efforts are warranted to limit mosquito breeding, to monitor adult mosquito populations for the presence of human pathogens, and to establish protocols and capacity for adult mosquito control.     

Ambient carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter in relation to preeclampsia and preterm delivery in western Washington State

Background

Preterm delivery and preeclampsia are common adverse pregnancy outcomes that have been inconsistently associated with ambient air pollutant exposures.

Objectives

We aimed to prospectively examine relations between exposures to ambient carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter [≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5)] and risks of preeclampsia and preterm delivery.

Methods

We used data from 3,509 western Washington women who delivered infants between 1996 and 2006. We predicted ambient CO and PM_2.5 exposures using regression models based on regional air pollutant monitoring data. Models contained predictor terms for year, month, weather, and land use characteristics. We evaluated several exposure windows, including prepregnancy, early pregnancy, the first two trimesters, the last month, and the last 3 months of pregnancy. Outcomes were identified using abstracted maternal medical record data. Covariate information was obtained from maternal interviews.

Results

Predicted periconceptional CO exposure was significantly associated with preeclampsia after adjustment for maternal characteristics and season of conception [adjusted odds ratio (OR) per 0.1 ppm = 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.13]. However, further adjustment for year of conception essentially nullified the association (adjusted OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.91–1.06). Associations between PM_2.5 and preeclampsia were nonsignificant and weaker than associations estimated for CO, and neither air pollutant was strongly associated with preterm delivery. Patterns were similar across all exposure windows.

Conclusions

Because both CO concentrations and preeclampsia incidence declined during the study period, secular changes in another preeclampsia risk factor may explain the association observed here. We saw little evidence of other associations with preeclampsia or preterm delivery in this setting.     

Associations between recent exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and blood pressure in the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) may be implicated in associations observed between ambient particulate matter and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study examined cross-sectional associations between short-term ambient fine particles (particulate matter 相似文献   

The New York City fire epidemic as a toxic phenomenon

Summary Reductions in the fire service in New York City from 1972 to 1976 appear to have caused a disproportionate increase in fire-fighter work load through several unexpected mechanisms of fire contagion. In turn, the work load increase has itself had a disproportionate physiologic impact: A classic dose-response relation has been observed between a composite measure of per capita structural fire work load and the percentage of the fire-fighting work force retiring under conditions of disability. After 1974, the increase in work load seems to have caused entry to the linear portion of the dose-response curve.Implications of this synergism are explored for both New York City and other American urban areas now suffering fiscal crises or planning fire service reductions.     

Residential Segregation and Latino, Black and White Mortality in New York City

Although racial segregation is associated with health status, few studies have examined this relationship among Latinos. We examined the effect of race/ethnic group concentration of Latinos, blacks and whites on all-cause mortality rates within a highly segregated metropolitan area, New York City (NYC). We linked NYC mortality records from 1999 and 2000 with the 2000 U.S. Census data by zip code area. Age-adjusted mortality rates by race/ethnic concentration were calculated. Linear regression was used to determine the association between population characteristics and mortality. Blacks living in predominantly black areas had lower all-cause mortality rates than blacks living in other areas regardless of gender (1616/100,000 vs. 2014/100,000 for men; 1032/100,000 vs. 1362/100,000 for women). Amongst whites, those living in predominantly white areas had the lowest mortality rates. Latinos living in predominantly Latino areas had lower mortality rates than those in predominantly black areas (1187/100,000 vs.1950/100,000 for men; 760/100,000 vs. 779/100,000 for women). After adjustment for socioeconomic conditions, whites, older blacks, and young Latino men experienced decreasing mortality rates when living in areas with increasing similar race/ethnic concentrations. Increasing residential concentration of blacks is independently associated with lower mortality in older blacks; similarly, increasing residential concentration of Latinos and whites is associated with lower mortality in young Latino men and whites, respectively.Inagami and Asch are with the Veterans Affairs, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Division of General Internal Medicine (111G), 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA; Borrell is with the Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 600 West 168th Street, PH 18-331, New York, NY 10032, USA; Wong, Shapiro, and Asch are with the Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 911 Broxton Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1736, USA; Fang is with the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy. NE, MS K-47, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA; Asch is with the RAND Health, Division of General Internal Medicine (111G), 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.     

Prevalence of Hepatitis C Infection in New York City, 2004

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. Accurate hepatitis C prevalence estimates are important to guide local public health programs but are usually unavailable to local health jurisdictions. National surveys may not reflect local variation, a particular challenge for urban settings with disproportionately large numbers of residents in high-risk population groups. In 2004, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted the NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a population-based household survey of non-institutionalized NYC residents ages 20 and older. Study participants were interviewed and blood specimens were tested for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV); positive participants were re-contacted to ascertain awareness of infection and to provide service referrals. Of 1,786 participants with valid anti-HCV results, 35 were positive for anti-HCV, for a weighted prevalence of 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5% to 3.3%). Anti-HCV prevalence was high among participants with a lifetime history of injection drug use (64.5%, 95% CI 39.2% to 83.7%) or a lifetime history of incarceration as an adult (8.4%, 95% CI 4.3% to 15.7%). There was a strong correlation with age; among participants born between 1945 and 1954, the anti-HCV prevalence was 5.8% (95% CI 3.3% to 10.0%). Of anti-HCV positive participants contacted (51%), 28% (n = 5) first learned of their HCV status from this survey. Continued efforts to prevent new infections in known risk behavior groups are essential, along with expansion of HCV screening and activities to prevent disease progression in people with chronic HCV.     

Trial to evaluate effects of ambient particulate matter on health: A preliminary study using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Objectives Particulate air pollution is a serious problem all over the world, and the development of a method to evaluate the health effects of ambient particles is necessary. In this study, cells cultured in vitro were exposed to particles sampled at the side of a main road, and their protein expression levels were examined. Methods Ambient particles were collected at the side of a main road using a high-volume air sampler. Some of the collected particles (crude particles) were treated with an organic solvent to remove chemical components, and the resulting residues were used as residual particles. Cells from the mouse alveolar epithelial cell line LA-4 were inoculated into tissue-culture dishes at 1.4×10⁴/cm², exposed to each type of particle or artificial carbon particles (Printex 90) that were dispersed using an ultrasonic homogenizer by mixing in the medium twice at 24 and 48 hours, and incubated for up to 72 hours after the start of inoculation. After exposure, the number of cells and intracellular dehydrogenase activity were measured. Proteins extracted from the cells were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with isoelectric focusing at pHs 4–7 using a 10% acrylamide gel, and their expression levels were analyzed after fluorescent staining. Results The intracellular dehydrogenase activity of the cells significantly decreased as a result of exposure to the residual (0.70-fold) and crude (0.84-fold) particles compared with that of the control, but it showed no change as a result of exposure to Printex 90. The protein expression levels in the cells exposed to the particles increased or decreased similarly, but different expression levels were also observed. There were differences in the effects observed between the cells exposed to the artificial carbon particles and those exposed to particles collected from ambient air. Conclusion This study indicates that protein expression levels in cells change in response to exposure to particles collected from ambient air. To evaluate the effects of particles on health, it is considered necessary to use particles collected from ambient air.     

Ambient particulate matter air pollution and venous thromboembolism in the Women's Health Initiative Hormone Therapy trials

Background

The putative effects of postmenopausal hormone therapy on the association between particulate matter (PM) air pollution and venous thromboembolism (VTE) have not been assessed in a randomized trial of hormone therapy, despite its widespread use among postmenopausal women.

Objective

In this study, we examined whether hormone therapy modifies the association of PM with VTE risk.

Methods

Postmenopausal women 50–79 years of age (n = 26,450) who did not have a history of VTE and who were not taking anticoagulants were enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Hormone Therapy trials at 40 geographically diverse U.S. clinical centers. The women were randomized to treatment with estrogen versus placebo (E trial) or to estrogen plus progestin versus placebo (E + P trial). We used age-stratified Cox proportional hazard models to examine the association between time to incident, centrally adjudicated VTE, and daily mean PM concentrations spatially interpolated at geocoded addresses of the participants and averaged over 1, 7, 30, and 365 days.

Results

During the follow-up period (mean, 7.7 years), 508 participants (2.0%) had VTEs at a rate of 2.6 events per 1,000 person-years. Unadjusted and covariate-adjusted VTE risk was not associated with concentrations of PM < 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) or < 10 μm (PM₁₀)] in aerodynamic diameter and PM × active treatment interactions were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) regardless of PM averaging period, either before or after combining data from both trials [e.g., combined trial-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) per 10 μg/m³ increase in annual mean PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, were 0.93 (0.54–1.60) and 1.05 (0.72–1.53), respectively]. Findings were insensitive to alternative exposure metrics, outcome definitions, time scales, analytic methods, and censoring dates.

Conclusions

In contrast to prior research, our findings provide little evidence of an association between short-term or long-term PM exposure and VTE, or clinically important modification by randomized exposure to exogenous estrogens among postmenopausal women.     

常州市大气细颗粒物对老年人死亡影响的时间序列研究

目的 分析常州市大气细颗粒物(PM2.5)暴露对老年人死亡的影响。方法 收集常州市2015年1月1日至2017年12月31日的居民全死因个案资料和同期常州市大气污染物浓度及气象监测资料,采用广义线性模型(GLM)在控制长期趋势、星期几效应及气象因素等混杂因素的基础上,分析PM2.5对老年人(≥65岁)死亡的影响。结果 2015-2017年常州市大气PM2.5浓度均值为50.0μg/m³,超标天数共178天,老年人每日非意外总死亡54.6例,其中呼吸系统疾病日死亡7.7例,循环系统疾病日死亡22.1例。在单污染物模型中,大气PM2.5浓度(lag04)每增加10μg/m³时,老年人日非意外总死亡、呼吸系统疾病和循环系统疾病日死亡数分别增加0.92%(95%CI:0.29%～1.56%)、1.66%(95%CI:0.10%～3.31%)和1.22%(95%CI:0.24%～2.22%)。多污染物模型中,单独调整SO2、NO2或同时调整SO2和NO2后,PM2.5对老年人非意外总死亡、呼吸系统疾病和循环系统疾病死亡的影响效应消失(P>0.05)。结论 常州市大气PM2.5污染对老年人死亡影响有一定的时间滞后性,显著增加老年人日非意外总死亡、呼吸系统疾病和循环系统疾病死亡数。     

Secular Changes in Mortality Disparities in New York City: A Reexamination

Previously published analyses showed that inequalities in mortality rates between residents of poor and wealthy neighborhoods in New York City (NYC) narrowed between 1990 and 2000, but these trends may have been influenced by population in-migration and gentrification. The NYC public housing population has been less subject to these population shifts than those in other NYC neighborhoods. We compared changes in mortality rates (MRs) from 1989–1991 to 1999–2001 among residents of NYC census blocks consisting entirely of public housing residences with residents of nonpublic housing low-income and higher-income blocks. Public housing and nonpublic housing low-income blocks were those in census block groups with ≥50% of residents living at <1.5 times the federal poverty level (FPL); nonpublic housing higher-income blocks were those in census block groups with <50% of residents living at <1.5 times the FPL. Information on deaths was obtained from NYC’s vital registry, and US Census data were used for denominators. Age-standardized all-cause MRs in public housing, low-income, and higher-income residents decreased between the decades by 16%, 28%, and 22%, respectively. While mortality rate ratios between low-income and higher-income residents narrowed by 8%, the relative disparity between public housing and low-income residents widened by 21%. Diseases amenable to prevention including malignancies, diabetes, and chronic lung disease contributed to the increased overall mortality disparity between public housing and lower-income residents. These findings temper previous findings that inequalities in the health of poor and wealthier NYC neighborhood residents have narrowed. NYC public housing residents should be a high-priority population for efforts to reduce health disparities.

Asthma exacerbation is associated with particulate matter source factors in children in New York City

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is linked with asthma exacerbation; however, the role played by specific PM sources is not well understood. Our objective was to investigate the associations between daily cough and wheeze symptoms in a panel of asthmatic children and PM source factors determined by receptor modeling using positive matrix factorization (PMF). We studied 36 children with moderate-to-severe asthma in New York City over both a warm and a cold season. Exposure to ambient air pollutants, including PM_2.5 elements and elemental and organic carbon fractions, was characterized. The mean ambient PM_2.5 concentration for the study periods was 12.0?±?6.7 μg/m³. Six factors were resolved using PMF, including oil, road dust, ships, regional, salt, and traffic. When adjusted for ozone, cough and wheeze symptoms were most strongly associated with the regional and salt factors. Results using tracer elements (as determined from PMF analyses) showed some inconsistency, with two tracers for road dust (K and Si) showing associations in opposite directions to each other. Positive associations were also observed for S, which is a tracer of regional PM. Significant negative associations were observed for the oil factor and one of its tracers (Zn). Mostly nonsignificant associations were found for carbon fractions, with the exception of pyrolized carbon and two elemental carbon fractions. Our results indicate that asthma symptoms are associated with regional and salt factors. In this study, the regional factor was comprised of sulfate as well as carbon-containing PM, the latter which is likely derived from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources.     

Risk of nonaccidental and cardiovascular mortality in relation to long-term exposure to low concentrations of fine particulate matter: a Canadian national-level cohort study

Background: Few cohort studies have evaluated the risk of mortality associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter [≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5)]. This is the first national-level cohort study to investigate these risks in Canada.Objective: We investigated the association between long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and cardiovascular mortality in nonimmigrant Canadian adults.Methods: We assigned estimates of exposure to ambient PM_2.5 derived from satellite observations to a cohort of 2.1 million Canadian adults who in 1991 were among the 20% of the population mandated to provide detailed census data. We identified deaths occurring between 1991 and 2001 through record linkage. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for available individual-level and contextual covariates using both standard Cox proportional survival models and nested, spatial random-effects survival models.Results: Using standard Cox models, we calculated HRs of 1.15 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.16) from nonaccidental causes and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.27, 1.35) from ischemic heart disease for each 10-μg/m³ increase in concentrations of PM_2.5. Using spatial random-effects models controlling for the same variables, we calculated HRs of 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.15) and 1.30 (95% CI: 1.18, 1.43), respectively. We found similar associations between nonaccidental mortality and PM_2.5 based on satellite-derived estimates and ground-based measurements in a subanalysis of subjects in 11 cities.Conclusions: In this large national cohort of nonimmigrant Canadians, mortality was associated with long-term exposure to PM_2.5. Associations were observed with exposures to PM_2.5 at concentrations that were predominantly lower (mean, 8.7 μg/m³; interquartile range, 6.2 μg/m³) than those reported previously.