help button home button
AJRCCM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Published ahead of print on January 19, 2006, doi:10.1164/rccm.200503-443OC
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Online Supplement
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
200503-443OCv1
173/6/667    most recent
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Laden, F.
Right arrow Articles by Dockery, D. W.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Laden, F.
Right arrow Articles by Dockery, D. W.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 173. pp. 667-672, (2006)
© 2006 American Thoracic Society
doi: 10.1164/rccm.200503-443OC

Original Article

Reduction in Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Mortality

Extended Follow-up of the Harvard Six Cities Study

Francine Laden, Joel Schwartz, Frank E. Speizer and Douglas W. Dockery

Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health; and Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Francine Laden, Sc.D., Channing Laboratory, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston MA 02115. E-mail: Francine.laden{at}channing.harvard.edu

Rationale: A large body of epidemiologic literature has found an association of increased fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) with acute and chronic mortality. The effect of improvements in particle exposure is less clear.

Objectives: Earlier analysis of the Harvard Six Cities adult cohort study showed an association between long-term ambient PM2.5 and mortality between enrollment in the mid-1970s and follow-up until 1990. We extended mortality follow-up for 8 yr in a period of reduced air pollution concentrations.

Methods: Annual city-specific PM2.5 concentrations were measured between 1979 and 1988, and estimated for later years from publicly available data. Exposure was defined as (1) city-specific mean PM2.5 during the two follow-up periods, (2) mean PM2.5 in the first period and change between these periods, (3) overall mean PM2.5 across the entire follow-up, and (4) year-specific mean PM2.5. Mortality rate ratios were estimated with Cox proportional hazards regression controlling for individual risk factors.

Measurements and Main Results: We found an increase in overall mortality associated with each 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 modeled either as the overall mean (rate ratio [RR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.26) or as exposure in the year of death (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.22). PM2.5 exposure was associated with lung cancer (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.96–1.69) and cardiovascular deaths (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13–1.44). Improved overall mortality was associated with decreased mean PM2.5 (10 µg/m3) between periods (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57–0.95).

Conclusion: Total, cardiovascular, and lung cancer mortality were each positively associated with ambient PM2.5 concentrations. Reduced PM2.5 concentrations were associated with reduced mortality risk.

Key Words: air pollution • cohort studies • follow-up studies • mortality




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PubliusHome page
N. D. Woods, D. M. Konisky, and A. OM. Bowman
You Get What You Pay For: Environmental Policy and Public Health
Publius, December 1, 2009; 39(1): 95 - 116.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CirculationHome page
C. A. Pope III, R. T. Burnett, D. Krewski, M. Jerrett, Y. Shi, E. E. Calle, and M. J. Thun
Cardiovascular Mortality and Exposure to Airborne Fine Particulate Matter and Cigarette Smoke: Shape of the Exposure-Response Relationship
Circulation, September 15, 2009; 120(11): 941 - 948.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur Respir JHome page
J. G. Ayres, B. Forsberg, I. Annesi-Maesano, R. Dey, K. L. Ebi, P. J. Helms, M. Medina-Ramon, M. Windt, F. Forastiere, and on behalf of the Environment and Health Committee
Climate change and respiratory disease: European Respiratory Society position statement
Eur. Respir. J., August 1, 2009; 34(2): 295 - 302.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Postgrad. Med. J.Home page
I A Yang, K M Fong, P V Zimmerman, S T Holgate, and J W Holloway
Genetic susceptibility to the respiratory effects of air pollution
Postgrad. Med. J., August 1, 2009; 85(1006): 428 - 436.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BiostatisticsHome page
D. Lee, C. Ferguson, and R. Mitchell
Air pollution and health in Scotland: a multicity study
Biostat., July 1, 2009; 10(3): 409 - 423.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
C. Schindler, D. Keidel, M. W. Gerbase, E. Zemp, R. Bettschart, O. Brandli, M. H. Brutsche, L. Burdet, W. Karrer, B. Knopfli, et al.
Improvements in PM10 Exposure and Reduced Rates of Respiratory Symptoms in a Cohort of Swiss Adults (SAPALDIA)
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., April 1, 2009; 179(7): 579 - 587.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NEJMHome page
C. A. Pope III, M. Ezzati, and D. W. Dockery
Fine-Particulate Air Pollution and Life Expectancy in the United States
N. Engl. J. Med., January 22, 2009; 360(4): 376 - 386.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NEJMHome page
D. Krewski
Evaluating the Effects of Ambient Air Pollution on Life Expectancy
N. Engl. J. Med., January 22, 2009; 360(4): 413 - 415.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am J EpidemiolHome page
R. C. Puett, J. Schwartz, J. E. Hart, J. D. Yanosky, F. E. Speizer, H. Suh, C. J. Paciorek, L. M. Neas, and F. Laden
Chronic Particulate Exposure, Mortality, and Coronary Heart Disease in the Nurses' Health Study
Am. J. Epidemiol., November 15, 2008; 168(10): 1161 - 1168.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Immunol.Home page
M. A. Williams, T. Rangasamy, S. M. Bauer, S. Killedar, M. Karp, T. W. Kensler, M. Yamamoto, P. Breysse, S. Biswal, and S. N. Georas
Disruption of the Transcription Factor Nrf2 Promotes Pro-Oxidative Dendritic Cells That Stimulate Th2-Like Immunoresponsiveness upon Activation by Ambient Particulate Matter
J. Immunol., October 1, 2008; 181(7): 4545 - 4559.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Am Coll CardiolHome page
B. Z. Simkhovich, M. T. Kleinman, and R. A. Kloner
Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Injury: Epidemiology, Toxicology, and Mechanisms
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 26, 2008; 52(9): 719 - 726.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
S. K. Park, M. S. O'Neill, P. S. Vokonas, D. Sparrow, A. Spiro III, K. L. Tucker, H. Suh, H. Hu, and J. Schwartz
Traffic-related Particles Are Associated with Elevated Homocysteine: The VA Normative Aging Study
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., August 1, 2008; 178(3): 283 - 289.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol.Home page
E. Tamagawa, N. Bai, K. Morimoto, C. Gray, T. Mui, K. Yatera, X. Zhang, L. Xing, Y. Li, I. Laher, et al.
Particulate matter exposure induces persistent lung inflammation and endothelial dysfunction
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, July 1, 2008; 295(1): L79 - L85.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ThoraxHome page
I A Yang, K M Fong, P V Zimmerman, S T Holgate, and J W Holloway
Genetic susceptibility to the respiratory effects of air pollution
Thorax, June 1, 2008; 63(6): 555 - 563.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JAMAHome page
R. D. Brook
Potential health risks of air pollution beyond triggering acute cardiopulmonary events.
JAMA, May 14, 2008; 299(18): 2194 - 2196.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Epidemiol. Community HealthHome page
E G Knox
Atmospheric pollutants and mortalities in English local authority areas
J Epidemiol Community Health, May 1, 2008; 62(5): 442 - 447.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Epidemiol. Community HealthHome page
F. Ballester, S. Medina, E. Boldo, P. Goodman, M. Neuberger, C. Iniguez, N. Kunzli, and on behalf of the Apheis network
Reducing ambient levels of fine particulates could substantially improve health: a mortality impact assessment for 26 European cities
J Epidemiol Community Health, February 1, 2008; 62(2): 98 - 105.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CirculationHome page
R. D. Brook
Letter by Brook Regarding Article, "Residential Exposure to Traffic Is Associated With Coronary Atherosclerosis"
Circulation, January 22, 2008; 117(3): e16 - e16.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NEJMHome page
S. H. Downs, C. Schindler, L.-J. S. Liu, D. Keidel, L. Bayer-Oglesby, M. H. Brutsche, M. W. Gerbase, R. Keller, N. Kunzli, P. Leuenberger, et al.
Reduced Exposure to PM10 and Attenuated Age-Related Decline in Lung Function
N. Engl. J. Med., December 6, 2007; 357(23): 2338 - 2347.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Bio.Home page
M. Porter, M. Karp, S. Killedar, S. M. Bauer, J. Guo, D. Williams, P. Breysse, S. N. Georas, and M. A. Williams
Diesel-Enriched Particulate Matter Functionally Activates Human Dendritic Cells
Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., December 1, 2007; 37(6): 706 - 719.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ThoraxHome page
J. G Ayres
Long-term exposures to air pollution
Thorax, December 1, 2007; 62(12): 1037 - 1038.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ThoraxHome page
P. Elliott, G. Shaddick, J. C Wakefield, C. d. Hoogh, and D. J Briggs
Long-term associations of outdoor air pollution with mortality in Great Britain
Thorax, December 1, 2007; 62(12): 1088 - 1094.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur Respir JHome page
G. Viegi, F. Pistelli, D. L. Sherrill, S. Maio, S. Baldacci, and L. Carrozzi
Definition, epidemiology and natural history of COPD
Eur. Respir. J., November 1, 2007; 30(5): 993 - 1013.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am J EpidemiolHome page
F. Dominici, R. D. Peng, S. L. Zeger, R. H. White, and J. M. Samet
Particulate Air Pollution and Mortality in the United States: Did the Risks Change from 1987 to 2000?
Am. J. Epidemiol., October 15, 2007; 166(8): 880 - 888.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
J. D. Kaufman
Air Pollution and Mortality: Are We Closer to Understanding the How?
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., August 15, 2007; 176(4): 325 - 326.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Occup. Environ. Med.Home page
K. Toren, I. A Bergdahl, T. Nilsson, and B. Jarvholm
Occupational exposure to particulate air pollution and mortality due to ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease
Occup. Environ. Med., August 1, 2007; 64(8): 515 - 519.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NEJMHome page
R. D. Brook, S. Rajagopalan, M. Jerrett, R. T. Burnett, J. D. Kaufman, K. A. Miller, and L. Sheppard
Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Events
N. Engl. J. Med., May 17, 2007; 356(20): 2104 - 2106.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
S. Dubey and C. A. Powell
Update in Lung Cancer 2006
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., May 1, 2007; 175(9): 868 - 874.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
T. S. Nawrot, A. Nemmar, and B. Nemery
Update in Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2006
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., April 15, 2007; 175(8): 758 - 762.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur Respir JHome page
I. Annesi-Maesano, F. Forastiere, N. Kunzli, B. Brunekref, and on behalf of the Environment and Health Committee
Particulate matter, science and EU policy
Eur. Respir. J., March 1, 2007; 29(3): 428 - 431.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Eur Heart JHome page
B. Brunekreef
Traffic and the heart
Eur. Heart J., November 2, 2006; 27(22): 2621 - 2622.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Circ. Res.Home page
A. Bhatnagar
Environmental Cardiology: Studying Mechanistic Links Between Pollution and Heart Disease
Circ. Res., September 29, 2006; 99(7): 692 - 705.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
J. F. Gamble and M. J. Nicolich
Comments on the updated harvard six cities study.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 15, 2006; 174(6): 722 - 722.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
F. Laden, J. Schwartz, F. E. Speizer, and D. W. Dockery
Comments on the Updated Harvard Six Cities Study
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 15, 2006; 174(6): 722a - 724.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am J EpidemiolHome page
J. Schwartz
Invited Commentary: Ripeness Is All
Am. J. Epidemiol., September 1, 2006; 164(5): 434 - 436.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
B. Brunekreef
A tale of six cities.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 15, 2006; 173(6): 581 - 582.
[Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proc. Am. Thorac. Soc. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol.
Copyright © 2006 American Thoracic Society 		  ATS Clinical Skills Tests