SUSCEPTIBILITY TO AIR POLLUTION

Although the association between daily mortality and ambient fine particulate matter (particles <2.5 μm in diameter (PM_2.5)) is well recognised, less is known about the effects in potentially susceptible sub-populations. Ostro et al1 have now explored associations of daily cardiovascular mortality with PM_2.5 and its chemical constituents, including elemental carbon, organic carbon, nitrates, sulphates, potassium, copper and iron, using data from 6 Californian counties during 2000 to 2003. In most cases, significantly greater health impacts on mortality were found among those with low educational attainment and those with Hispanic origin than in other groups. It seems that …