Linear Relationship between PM and Mortality Reported in Multi-City European Study
This study investigated the exposure-response relationship in the 22 European cities participating in the APHEA (Air Pollution and Health–A European Approach) project.
The study concludes that the association between ambient particles and mortality can be adequately estimated using the linear model, confirming results previously reported for Europe and the United States.
Different statistical models were used to explore the potential for a threshold level at 20 and 10 µg/m3 but the linear models assuming no threshold gave a better fit. Thresholds for effects in individuals and subgroups may differ according to their sensitivity, and cannot be identified with the methodology used in this study.
Investigators believe that measures focusing on lowering annual average pollution concentrations will have greater public health benefits than those focusing on a few days with the highest concentrations.
Samoli E, Analitis A, Touloumi G, Schwartz J, Anderson HR, Sunyer J, Bisanti L, Zmirou D, Vonk JM, Pekkanen J, Goodman P, Paldy A, Schindler C, Katsouyanni K. Estimating the Exposure-Response Relationships between Particulate Matter and Mortality within the APHEA Multicity Project. Environ Health Perspect 2005; 113:88-95.
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