The 10-Year Study of the Impact of Particulate Matters on Mortality in Two Transit Cities in North-Eastern Poland (PL-PARTICLES)

The detrimental influence of air pollution on mortality has been established in a series of studies. The majority of them were conducted in large, highly polluted cities-there is a lack of studies from small, relatively clean regions. The aim was to analyze the short-term impact of particulate matters (PMs) on mortality in north-eastern Poland. Time-stratified case-crossover design was performed for mortality in years 2008-2017. Daily concentrations of PM2.5 (28.4 µg/m3, interquartile range (IQR) = 25.2) vs. (12.6 µg/m3, IQR = 9.0) and PM10 (29.0 µg/m3, IQR = 18.0) vs. (21.7 µg/m3, IQR = 14.5) were higher in Łomża than Suwałki (p < 0.001). Impact of PM2.5 on mortality was recorded in Łomża (odds ratio (OR) for IQR increase 1.061, 1.017-1.105, p = 0.06, lag 0) and Suwałki (OR for IQR increase 1.044, 1.001-1.089, p = 0.004, lag 0). PM10 had an impact on mortality in Łomża (OR for IQR increase 1.028, 1.000-1.058, p = 0.049, lag 1). Cardiovascular mortality was affected by increase of PM2.5 in Łomża (1.086, 1.020-1.156, p = 0.01) and Suwałki (1.085, 1.005-1.171, p = 0.04). PM2.5 had an influence on respiratory mortality in Łomża (1.163, 1.021-1.380, p = 0.03, lag 1).

What are the main findings of our work?


In the whole studied region despite differences in air quality, the influence of PMs on all-cause mortality was observed. This effect was prolonged up to one and two days after the exposure. Cardiovascular mortality in both of the cities was influenced by PM2.5 on lag 0, whereas PM10 was associated only with higher mortality rate in Suwałki. Pulmonary mortality rate was associated with increase in PM2.5concentrations only in Łomża on lag 1. Implementation of strategies aimed at reducing exposure to traffic-derived air pollution will contribute to the improvement of cardiovascular and respiratory health.

The full article can be accessed at DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113445

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33120927/

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