Ambient Coarse Particulate Matter and Human Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Airborne particles have been linked to increased mortality and morbidity. As most research has focused on fine particles (PM2.5), the health implications of coarse particles (PM10-2.5) are not well understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations for short- and long-term PM10-2.5 concentrations with mortality and hospital admissions. Using 23 mortality and 10 hospital admissions studies, we documented suggestive evidence of increased morbidity and mortality in relation to higher short-term PM10-2.5 concentrations, with stronger relationships for respiratory than cardiovascular endpoints. Reported associations were highly heterogeneous, however, especially by geographic region and average PM10-2.5 concentrations. Adjustment for PM2.5 and publication bias resulted in weaker and less precise effect estimates, although positive associations remained for short-term PM10-2.5 concentrations. Inconsistent relationships between effect estimates for PM10-2.5 and correlations between PM10-2.5 and PM2.5 concentrations, however, indicate that PM10-2.5 associations cannot be solely explained by co-exposure to PM2.5. While suggestive evidence was found of increased mortality with long-term PM10-2.5 concentrations, these associations were not robust to control for PM2.5. Additional research is required to better understand sources of heterogeneity of associations between PM10-2.5 and adverse health outcomes.

Short-term effects of fine particulate matter pollution on daily health events in Latin America: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Our results are partially in accordance with other metaanalysis on the short-term association of PM 2.5 and daily health events in the world (Adar et al 2014;Atinkson et al 2014), pointing out that, while local evidence is scarce, extrapolating evidence from other regions to control particulate pollution in LA might be reasonable.…”

“…Biological evidence supporting plausible mechanisms is clear and includes pulmonary oxidative stress, inflammation and altered cardiac autonomic function (Pope et al 2006). However, evidence in Latin America (LA) is scarce and systematic reviews and meta-analysis (SRMA) on the effects of PM 2.5 on daily health events rarely pool evidence from LA (Adar et al 2014;Shah et al 2015). The World Health Organization (WHO) is updating current ambient Air Quality Guidelines, which establishes standards for pollutants at concentrations considered sufficiently safe for human health (World Health Organization 2015).…”

Vitamin D Counteracts an IL-23–Dependent IL-17A+IFN-γ+ Response Driven by Urban Particulate Matter

“…In particular, there is a substantial body of epidemiological data that detrimentally link both poor air quality and vitamin D deficiency to asthma and COPD (13,14). Exposure to elevated concentrations of ambient particulate matter (PM) has been associated with asthma exacerbations as well as increased hospitalization and medication usage, with emerging evidence supporting a role in the initiation of asthma (15). Importantly, previous epidemiological studies have shown that air pollutiontriggered asthma exacerbations occur with a 2-to 5-day lag, suggesting that the pollution itself may play an indirect role, possibly by perturbing lymphocyte responses rather than by directly inducing bronchoconstriction or immediately triggering innate immune responses (16).…”

Revisão Sistemática Sobre a Epidemiologia Das Doenças Cardiovasculares E Respiratórias E Suas Associações Com a Poluição Do Ar Em Vitória/Es

“…A relação entre material particulado e desfechos respiratórios tornou-se clara na década de 1990, a partir de coortes compostas por grandes amostras 69,70 , que demonstraram aumento significativo da mortalidade por causas respiratórias em indivíduos expostos. Mais recentemente, diversos estudos internacionais têm demonstrado a relação entre aumento dos níveis de MP 10 e aumento de mortalidade ou de hospitalizações por doenças respiratórias [71][72][73] . Em todos esses casos, os níveis mensurados de MP 10 variaram bastante, oscilando entre 3,7 μg/m 3 nos Estados Unidos e 101 μg/m 3 na China.…”