The Effects of Particulate Matter Sources on Daily Mortality: A Case-Crossover Study of Barcelona, Spain

Ostro, B; Tobias, A; Querol, X; Alastuey, A; Amato, F; Pey, J; Pérez, N; Sunyer, J

HERO ID

786506

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2011

Language

English

PMID

21846610

HERO ID 786506
In Press No
Year 2011
Title The Effects of Particulate Matter Sources on Daily Mortality: A Case-Crossover Study of Barcelona, Spain
Authors Ostro, B; Tobias, A; Querol, X; Alastuey, A; Amato, F; Pey, J; Pérez, N; Sunyer, J
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 119
Issue 12
Page Numbers 1781-1787
Abstract Background: Dozens of studies link acute exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution to premature mortality and morbidity, but questions remain about which species and sources in the vast PM mixture are responsible for the observed health effects. While a few studies exist on the effects of species and sources in U.S. cities, European cities, which have a higher proportion of diesel engines and denser urban populations, have not been well characterized. Information on the effects of specific sources could aid in targeting pollution control and in articulating the biological mechanisms of PM. Objectives: Our study examines the effects of various PM sources on daily mortality for 2003 to 2007 in Barcelona, a densely populated city in the northeast corner of Spain. Methods: Source apportionment for both PM2.5 and PM10 (PM less than 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter) using positive matrix factorization identified eight different factors. Case-crossover regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of each factor. Results: Several sources of PM2.5, including vehicle exhaust, fuel oil combustion, secondary nitrate/organics, mineral, secondary sulfate/organics and road dust had statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Also, in some cases relative risks for a respective interquartile range increase in concentration were higher for specific sources than for total PM2.5 mass. Conclusions: These results along with those from our multi-source models suggest that traffic, sulfate and construction dust are important contributors to the adverse health effects linked to PM.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.1103618
Pmid 21846610
Wosid WOS:000297711200033
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword cardiovascular; mortality; particulate matter; PM(2.5); sources
Is Qa No