| Health Effects of Particulate Air Pollution: Time for Reassessment?
C. Arden Pope III,1
David V. Bates,2
and Mark E. Raizenne3
1Economics Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602 USA;
2Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada;
3Environmental Health Center, Health Canada, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A OL2, Canada Abstract
Numerous studies have observed health effects of particulate air pollution. Compared to early studies that focused on severe air pollution episodes, recent studies are more relevant to understanding health effects of pollution at levels common to contemporary cities in the developed world. We review recent epidemiologic studies that evaluated health effects of particulate air pollution and conclude that respirable particulate air pollution is likely an important contributing factor to respiratory disease. Observed health effects include increased respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, increased hospitalizations and other health care visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, increased respiratory morbidity as measured by absenteeism from work or school or other restrictions in activity, and increased cardiopulmonary disease mortality. These health effects are observed at levels common to many U.S. cities including levels below current U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate air pollution. Key words: air pollution, particulate pollution, health effects, respiratory disease. Environmental Health Perspect 103:472-480 (1995)
Address correspondence to C. A. Pope III, 142 FOB, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 84602 USA. This work was done partially while C.A.P. was on leave as a visiting scientist at the Environmental Epidemiology Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. This work was supported in part by the Department of National Health and Welfare, Canada, contract no. 3237, project no. K281225 and project no. K281235. Received 7 July 1994 ; accepted 23 February 1995.
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