title: Effectiveness of residential wood-burning regulation on decreasing particulate matter levels and hospitalizations in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the impact of Rule 4901, aimed at reducing residential wood burning, on particulate matter levels and hospitalizations in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using general linear mixed models and generalized estimating equation models, we compared levels of particulate matter and of hospital admissions (age groups = 45-64 and ≥ 65 years) in the SJVAB for cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during the burn seasons before (2000-2003) and after (2003-2006) implementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After implementation, we observed reductions of 12%, 11%, and 15% in particulate matter  2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller (PM2.5), and 8%, 7%, and 11% in coarse particles, in the entire SJVAB and in rural and urban regions of the air basin, respectively. Among those aged 65 years and older, Rule 4901 was estimated to prevent 7%, 8%, and 5% of CVD cases, and 16%, 17%, and 13% of IHD cases, in the entire SJVAB and in rural and urban regions, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that Rule 4901 is effective at reducing wintertime ambient PM2.5 levels and decreasing hospital admissions for heart disease among people aged 65 years and older.
authors.affiliation: Poh-Sin Yap and Cynthia Garcia are with the Air Resources Board, Research Division, Health and Exposure Assessment Branch, Population Studies Section, Sacramento, CA.
authors.forename: Poh-Sin
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yap
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002140:California; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012621:Seasons; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter