Long-term exposure to moderate fine particulate matter concentrations and cause-specific mortality in an ageing society.
Int J Epidemiol
; 49(6): 1792-1801, 2021 01 23.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33079997
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Long-term exposure to particulate matter <2.5 µm in size (PM2.5) is considered a risk factor for premature death. However, only a few studies have been conducted in areas with moderate PM2.5 concentrations. Moreover, an ageing society may be more susceptible to environmental exposure and future burden of mortality due to PM2.5.METHODS:
This study estimates hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality from long-term exposure to moderate PM2.5 concentrations in the elderly populations of seven cities in South Korea. We also projected nationwide elderly mortality caused by long-term exposure to PM2.5, accounting for population ageing until 2045. Mortality in 1 720 230 elderly adults aged ≥65 years in 2008 was monitored across 2009-16 and linked to modelled PM2.5 concentrations.RESULTS:
A total of 421 100 deaths occurred in 2009-16, and the mean of annual PM2.5 concentration ranged between 21.1 and 31.9 µg/m3 in most regions. The overall HR for a 10 µg/m3 increase in a 36-month PM2.5 moving average was 1.024 (95% confidence intervals 1.009, 1.039). We estimated that 11 833 all-cause nationwide elderly deaths were attributable to PM2.5 exposure. Annual death tolls may increase to 17 948 by 2045. However, if PM2.5 is reduced to 5 µg/m3 by 2045, the tolls may show a lower increase to 3646.CONCLUSIONS:
Long-term exposure to moderately high levels of PM2.5 was associated with increased mortality risk among the elderly. Thus, PM2.5 reduction in response to the projected ageing-associated mortality in South Korea is critical.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Air Pollutants
/
Air Pollution
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Epidemiol
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: