PM_2.5 Constituents and Hospital Emergency-Room Visits in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Although ambient PM2.5 has been linked to adverse health effects, the chemical constituents that cause harm are largely unclear. Few prior studies in a developing country have reported the health impacts of PM2.5 constituents. In this study, we examined the short-term association between PM2.5 constituents and emergency room visits in Shanghai, China. We measured daily concentrations of PM2.5, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and eight water-soluble ions between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012. We analyzed the data using overdispersed generalized linear Poisson models. During our study period, the mean daily average concentration of PM2.5 in Shanghai was 55 μg/m(3). Major contributors to PM2.5 mass included OC, EC, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium. For a 1-day lag, an interquartile range increment in PM2.5 mass (36.47 μg/m(3)) corresponded to 0.57% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13%, 1.01%] increase of emergency room visits. In all the three models used, we found significant positive associations of emergency room visits with OC and EC. Our findings suggest that PM2.5 constituents from the combustion of fossil fuel (e.g., OC and EC) may have an appreciable influence on the health impact attributable to PM2.5.

Estimation of Satellite-Based SO42− and NH4+ Composition of Ambient Fine Particulate Matter over China Using Chemical Transport Model

“…As shown in Figure 1, green triangles denote the data available for SO4 2− and blue open circles denote the data available for NH4 + ; these data were used to evaluate our estimation. 4 2− and NH 4 + , respectively. Three black boxes denote the regions on which our study focused.…”

“…National PM 2.5 air-quality monitoring networks were not established in China until 2013; monitoring of chemical components (such as SO 4 2− and NH 4 + ) was conducted by only a few institutes, with data unavailable over China, before that year. Thus, PM 2.5 data for the period 2004-2012 and measurements of the chemical components of PM 2.5 during that study period were collected from previous studies; the relevant data are summarized in Table S1.…”

“…A number of studies show that PM 2.5 , originating from direct emission and secondary conversion, is a complex compound containing secondary sulfate (SO 4 2− ), ammonium (NH 4 + ), nitrate (NO 3 − ), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and other components. As such, PM 2.5 has a strong effect on the hydroscopic nature and acidity of aerosols [3].…”

“…As such, PM 2.5 has a strong effect on the hydroscopic nature and acidity of aerosols [3]. Several studies have shown that short-term human exposure to the various chemical components of PM 2.5 has led to increased hospital admissions [4,5], cardiovascular and respiratory problems as well as all-cause mortality [6,7]. The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) has begun to carry out routine monitoring of PM 2.5 total mass concentration since a national network for PM 2.5 monitoring was established in January 2013.…”

“…2017, 9, 817 3 of 21 In this study, using CTM output to represent local conversion factors between PM 2.5 and its components, we first estimated chemical components of PM 2.5 based on satellite-derived data, using SO 4 2 …”