Open AccessThe short‐term effects of air pollution on daily mortality in four Australian cities
Author(s) -
Simpson Rod,
Williams Gail,
Petroeschevsky Anna,
Best Trudi,
Morgan Geoff,
Denison Lyn,
Hinwood Andrea,
Neville Gerard,
Neller Anne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.2005.tb00758.x
Subject(s) - air pollution , demography , air pollutants , medicine , environmental health , relative risk , pollution , geography , confidence interval , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry , sociology , biology
Objective:To examine the short‐term health effects of air pollution on daily mortality in four Australian cities (Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney), where more than 50% of Australians reside.Methods:The study used a similar protocol to APHEA2 (Air Pollution and Health: A European Approach) study and derived single‐city and pooled estimates.Results:The results derived from the different approaches for the 1996‐99 period showed consistent results for different statistical models used. There were significant effects on total mortality, (RR=1.0284 per 1 unit increase in nephelometry [10 ‐4. m ‐1 ], RR=1.0011 per 1ppb increase in NO 2 ), and on respiratory mortality (RR=1.0022 per 1ppb increase in O 3 ). No significant differences between cities were found, but the NO 2 and particle effects may refer to the same impacts. Meta‐analyses carried out for three cities yielded estimates for the increase in the daily total number of deaths of 0.2% (‐0.8% to 1.2%) for a 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 10 concentration, and 0.9% (‐0.7% to 2.5%) for a 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 concentration.Conclusions:Air pollutants in Australian cities have significant effects on mortality.