Submicrometer particles and their effects on the association between air temperature and mortality in Brisbane, Australia

Environ Res. 2014 Jan:128:70-7. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2013.11.001. Epub 2013 Dec 27.

Abstract

Air temperature and pollution can jointly affect human health. Submicrometer particles appearing to have particularly harmful effects compared with the coarse ones. However, little is known about how the association between temperature and mortality is affected by these particles. This study examined the association between air temperature and mortality before and after adjustment for particle concentrations among different age and disease groups from 1995 to 2000 in Brisbane, Australia. The monitoring of particle size distribution within the 15-750nm range was carried out by a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. Corresponding climate and air pollutant data were collected from relevant government agencies. The association between temperature and mortality was quantified using a Poisson time-series model within a distributed lag non-linear modelling framework. The results showed that the effects of air temperature on mortality were lower among the elderly and people with respiratory diseases, and greater among people with cardiovascular diseases after controlling for submicrometer particle concentrations. Submicrometer particles seem to be an important confounder for the temperature-mortality relationship, particularly among vulnerable groups, and should be taken into account when assessing the impacts of air temperature on human health.

Keywords: ICD; Mortality; PN(120–250); PN(15–25); PN(250–750); PN(25–50); PN(50–120); Submicrometer particles; Temperature; The elderly; particle concentration of 120–250nm; particle concentration of 15–25nm; particle concentration of 250–750nm; particle concentration of 25–50nm; particle concentration of 50–120nm; the International Classification of Diseases.

Publication types

  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Air Pollution* / statistics & numerical data
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Particle Size
  • Particulate Matter / adverse effects*
  • Queensland / epidemiology
  • Respiration Disorders / mortality*
  • Temperature*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Particulate Matter