[Acute effects of air pollution on health: evidence from epidemiological studies]

Salud Publica Mex. 2001 Nov-Dec;43(6):544-55.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To summarize the evidence of acute health effects from exposure to particulate matter and ozone.

Material and methods: A meta-analysis was performed using random effect models, to summarize the health effects of pollution, published in major international and Mexican journals up to June 2000.

Results: Results were given as percent increase in ten units of PM10 (microgram/m3) and ozone (ppb). PM10 was found to have an effect on mortality (0.96%), hospital admissions (1.39%), emergency room visits (3.11%), respiratory symptoms (7.72%), pulmonary forced vital capacity (1.42%), and restricted activity days (7.74%). Ozone effects were equally significant.

Conclusions: These findings show the great impact that air pollutants may have on the health of populations living in large metropolis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Air Pollutants / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lung / physiology
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Mexico
  • Morbidity*
  • Mortality*
  • Ozone / adverse effects*
  • Respiratory Function Tests

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Ozone