[Acute effects of air pollution on health: evidence from epidemiological studies].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the evidence of acute health effects from exposure to particulate matter and ozone.


METHODS
A meta-analysis was performed using random effect models, to summarize the health effects of pollution, published in major international and Mexican journals up to June 2000.


RESULTS
Results were given as percent increase in ten units of PM10 (microgram/m3) and ozone (ppb). PM10 was found to have an effect on mortality (0.96%), hospital admissions (1.39%), emergency room visits (3.11%), respiratory symptoms (7.72%), pulmonary forced vital capacity (1.42%), and restricted activity days (7.74%). Ozone effects were equally significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show the great impact that air pollutants may have on the health of populations living in large metropolis.
Rosales-Castillo
J A
JA
Dirección General de Salud Ambiental, Secretaría de Salud, México, D.F., México.
Torres-Meza
V M
VM
Olaiz-Fernández
G
G
Borja-Aburto
V H
VH
D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008800:Mexico; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010126:Ozone