Abstract:
Background The health effects of PM2.5 have been widely reported, but previous studies tend to focus on areas with high concentrations, and more studies should focus on areas with low concentrations.
Objective This study aims to explore the impact of low-concentration PM2.5 exposure on the elderly population mortality in Fuzhou, Fujian.
Methods Daily environmental and meteorological data during January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018 from Fuzhou Environmental Protection Bureau and Fuzhou Meteorological Bureau were collected, as well as daily counts of total mortality, circulatory mortality, respiratory mortality. The generalized additive model was used to analyze the impacts of PM2.5 exposure on total and cause-specific mortalities in Fuzhou.
Results The average daily concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 in Fuzhou were (26.2±13.8), (49.7±23.8), and (27.6±11.3) μg·m-3, respectively, and the average O3-8 h concentration was (86.8±34.1) μg·m-3. The average daily temperature, relative humidity, and air pressure were (21.3±7.0)℃, (73.1±11.6)%, and (1 008.6±8.3) Kpa, respectively. The average daily total mortality was (30.1±7.2) cases, and the average daily mortalities of respiratory and circulatory diseases were (2.4±1.7) and (11.3±4.0) cases, respectively. The single pollutant model analysis results showed that the effect of PM2.5 exposure on population mortality was strongest on lag1. For every 10 μg·m-3 increase in PM2.5 concentration, the ERs (95% CI) of total mortality and circulatory mortality in the population at the age of 65 years and above were 1.5% (0.5%-2.5%) and 2.5% (0.2%-4.8%), respectively. The two-pollutant model analysis results showed that after separately introducing PM10, NO2, or O3-8 h to the model, the effects of PM2.5 on mortality in the population at the age of 65 years the ERs (95% CI) of total mortality in the population at the age of 65 years and above were 1.3%(0.8%-2.5%), 1.2% (-0.1%-2.4%), and 1.2% (0.1%-2.3%), respectively. The three-pollutant model analysis results also showed that the ERs (95% CI) of total mortality and circulatory mortality in the population at the age of 65 years and above were 1.3% (0.3%-2.3%) and 1.7% (0.1%-3.2%), respectively.
Conclusion Exposure to low-concentration PM2.5 can increase the risk of death in the elderly people at the age of 65 years and above in Fuzhou.