The Impact of Components of Fine Particulate Matter on Cardiovascular Mortality in Susceptible Subpopulations

¹ California Environmental Protection, United States
² University of California, Davis, United States
³ California Ofiice of Environmental Health HAzard Assessment, United States
⁴ Universityof California, San Francisco, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: bostro{at}oehha.ca.gov.

Accepted 8 February 2008

	Abstract

Background: Several studies have demonstrated associations between daily mortality and ambient particulate matter lessthan 2.5 microns in diameter (fine particles or PM2.5). Few, however, have examined the relative toxicities of PM2.5 constituents, including elemental and organic carbon (EC and OC), nitrates and transition metals. There is also little information about whether associations between PM2.5 constituents and mortality are modified by socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Aim: To examine associations of daily cardiovascular mortality with PM2.5 and 13 of its constituents after stratification by gender, race/ethnicity and education, using data from six California counties for 2000 through 2003.

Methods: The association of daily counts of cardiovascular mortality with PM2.5 components was analyzed using time-series regression analyses. Poisson models with natural splines were used to control for time-varying covariates such as season and weather. Separate models were run after stratification by gender, race/ethnicity (White, Hispanic, Black) and education (high school graduation or not). Models were run for each county and results were combined using random effects meta-analysis.

Results: Daily counts of cardiovascular mortality were associated with PM2.5 and several of its species including EC, OC, nitrates, sulfates, potassium, copper and iron. For many of these species, there were significantly higher effect estimates among those with lower educational attainment and for Hispanics. For example, while essentially no association was observed for individuals who graduated high school, an interquartile change in several of the components of PM2.5 was associated with a 3 to 5% increase in daily mortality.

Conclusion: There is evidence that exposure to several of the constituents of PM2.5 are important contributors to cardiovascular mortality. Many of these constituents are generated by motor vehicles, especially those with diesel engines, and by residential wood combustion. In addition, factors associated with low educational attainment appear to significantly increase the susceptibility of the population.