The effects of fine particulate air pollution on daily mortality: a case-crossover study in a subtropical city, Taipei, Taiwan.
This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between PM2.5 levels and daily mortality in Taipei, Taiwan, the largest metropolitan city with a subtropical climate. Daily mortality, air pollution, and weather data for Taipei were obtained for the period from 2006-2008. The relative risk of daily mortality was estimated using a time-stratified case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. For the single pollutant model, PM2.5 showed association with total mortality both on warm (>23 °C) and cool days (<23 °C). There is no indication of an association between PM2.5 and risk of death due to respiratory diseases both on warm and cool days. PM2.5 had effects on the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases only on cool days. In the two-pollutant models, PM2.5 remained effects on the risk of mortality for all cause and cardiovascular disease after the inclusion of SO2 and O3 both on warm and cool days. This study provides evidence that short-term exposure to PM2.5 increased the risk of death for all cause and cardiovascular disease.
Department of Healthcare Administration, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan. sionghak@isu.edu.tw.
Shang-Shyue
SS
Tsai
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan. chang3@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Chih-Ching
CC
Chang
Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli 350, Taiwan. shliou@nhri.org.tw.
Saou-Hsing
SH
Liou
Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli 350, Taiwan. chunyuh@kmu.edu.tw.
Chun-Yuh
CY
Yang
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D002947:Cities / Q000453:epidemiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D012306:Risk; D012621:Seasons; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health; D014887:Weather
D052638:Particulate Matter