Ozone Mortality Effect is Evident Even During Heat Wave
Numerous studies have reported positive associations between both ozone and high temperatures on short-term mortality. This study attempted to tease out the relative contribution of heat and ozone air pollution during the August 2003 heat wave in Europe through advanced statistical analysis of nine French cities. The authors conclude: “These results confirmed that in urban areas O3 levels have a non-negligible impact in terms of public health.”
Filleul, L, Cassadou S, Médina S, Fabres P, Lefranc A, Eilstein D, Le Tertre A, Pascal L, Chardon B, Blanchard M, Declercq C, Justot J-F, Prouvost H, Ledrans M. The Relation Between Temperature, Ozone, and Mortality in Nine French Cities During the Heat Wave of 2003. Environ Health Perspec 2006; 114:1344-1347.
The NIEHS [www.ehponline.org] offers the full article online.
