Daily respiratory mortality and PM10 pollution in Mexico City: importance of considering place of death

Abstract

Daily respiratory mortality and PM10 pollution in Mexico City: importance of considering place of death. M.M. Te Âllez-Rojo, I. Romieu, S. Ruiz-Velasco, M-A. Lezana, M. Herna Ândez-Avila. #ERS Journals Ltd 2000. ABSTRACT: Significant associations have been reported between particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 mm (PM10) and ozone ambient concentrations, and daily number of deaths from respiratory causes. The aim of the present study was to assess such associations among elderly ($65 yrs) residents of Mexico City.Ambient air pollution data were provided by the Metropolitan Monitoring Network. During the study period, the average daily PM10 ranged 23.4±175.3 mg . m -3 , and ozone 1 h daily maximums ranged 39.4±216.7 ppb. Information was compiled on the primary and underlying causes of death. The analyses were conducted separately according to place of death (within or out of a hospital unit) using time-series methodology.The total number of deaths from all respiratory causes and mortality for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) were significantly related to PM10 over different lags: an increase of 10 mg . m -3 was related to a 2.9% (95% (CI): 0.9±4.9%) increase and to a 4.1% (95% CI: 1.3%±6.9%) increase with a 3-day lag when death occurred out of medical units, respectively. For deaths occurring in medical units, a longer lag and smaller risk estimate was observed. An interactive effect between PM10 and ozone was detected.This study confirms that there is an important impact of PM10 on respiratory morbidity among elderly subjects. It also indicates that accounting for primary and underlying causes of death, and considering place of death may reduce misclassification and provide more accurate estimates of the adverse impact of PM10 on mortality.

Daily respiratory mortality and PM10pollution in Mexico city

“…We read with great interest the recent paper by Tèllez-Rojo et al [1] concerning the importance of considering place of death in daily respiratory mortality related to particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 mm (PM10) pollution in Mexico City. Other studies have reported associations between daily concentrations of PM10 and daily deaths [2].…”

“…The authors report a significant difference in relative risk (RR) between deaths in medical units and deaths out of medical units for an increase of 10 mg?m -3 in the daily PM10. Tèllez-Rojo et al [1] hypothesized that those who died in medical units had received treatment and been isolated from outdoor pollution. But what was the nature of the association between air pollution and place of death?…”

“…Tellez-Rojo et al [1] studied deaths occurring with various lag times ranging from 1 -5 days after exposure to the high levels of air pollution. The risk of dying from a respiratory disorder outside of a hospital was higher for delay periods of 1 -4 days.…”

Estudios ecológicos

“…22 En la ciudad de México se han realizado varios análisis de series de tiempo para evaluar este efecto. [23][24][25][26] La figura 2 muestra el comportamiento de la mortalidad en la zona suroeste de la ciudad. Como se puede observar se presenta un componente estacional en el número de muertes, con picos en los meses fríos, de la misma manera que se comporta temporalmente la concentración de material particulado respirable.…”

Síntomas respiratorios y función pulmonar en niños de 6 a 14 años de edad y su relación con la contaminación por material particulado PM10 en Santa Marta-Colombia

“…Otras investigaciones han encontrado asociación positiva entre la mortalidad por eventos cardiorespiratorios y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva con la variación temporal de la concentración de PM 10 y PM 2.5 [14][15][16] . En Santa Marta, Colombia, se encuentran estudios de caracterización de la contaminación que identificaron concentraciones de material particulado en niveles superiores a las establecidas en la normatividad 17,18 .…”