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Review
. 2019 Sep;6(3):105-115.
doi: 10.1007/s40572-019-00235-7.

Low Levels of Air Pollution and Health: Effect Estimates, Methodological Challenges, and Future Directions

Georgia Papadogeorgou  1 , Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou  2 , Danielle Braun  3 , Antonella Zanobetti  4
Affiliations
Review

Low Levels of Air Pollution and Health: Effect Estimates, Methodological Challenges, and Future Directions

Georgia Papadogeorgou et al. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Fine particle (PM2.5) levels have been decreasing in the USA over the past decades. Our goal was to assess the current literature to characterize the association between PM2.5 and adverse health at low exposure levels.

Recent findings: We reviewed 26 papers that examined the association between short- and long-term exposure to PM2.5 and cardio-respiratory morbidity and mortality. There is evidence suggesting that these associations are stronger at lower levels. However, there are certain methodological and interpretational limitations specific to studies of low PM2.5 levels, and further methodological development is warranted. There is strong agreement across studies that air pollution effects on adverse health are still observable at low concentrations, even well below current US standards. These findings suggest that US standards need to be reevaluated, given that further improving air quality has the potential of benefiting public health.

Keywords: Air pollution; Concentration-response; Fine particles, PM2.5; Hospital admissions; Low levels; Mortality.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
List of the studies conducted at low levels. The results are presented as percent increase in the outcome for 1 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
List of the studies that restrict analyses at low levels. The results are presented as percent increase in the outcome for 1 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 for the full population (Full) and when restricting to levels below NAAQS (Restricted)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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      Largest national study of the association between long-term PM2.5 and mortality. Estimated both effects at low concentrations and the concentration-response function at low concentrations.

    1. Di Q, Dai L, Wang Y, Zanobetti A, Choirat C, Schwartz JD, et al. Association of short-term exposure to air pollution with mortality in older adults. JAMA - J Am Med Assoc. 2017;318:2446–56. - PMC - PubMed
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