Short-term effects of fine particulate matter constituents on mortality considering the mortality displacement in Zhejiang province, China

Jingqiao Fu; Fangrong Fei; Shiyi Wang; Qi Zhao; Xuchao Yang; Jieming Zhong; Kejia Hu

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131723

Short-term effects of fine particulate matter constituents on mortality considering the mortality displacement in Zhejiang province, China

J Hazard Mater. 2023 Sep 5:457:131723. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131723. Epub 2023 May 26.

Authors

Jingqiao Fu¹, Fangrong Fei², Shiyi Wang³, Qi Zhao⁴, Xuchao Yang⁵, Jieming Zhong⁶, Kejia Hu⁷

Affiliations

¹ Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310015, China; Department of Big Data in Health Science, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
² Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China.
³ College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
⁴ Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
⁵ Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China. Electronic address: yangxuchao@zju.edu.cn.
⁶ Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China. Electronic address: jmzhong@cdc.zj.cn.
⁷ Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310015, China; Department of Big Data in Health Science, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China. Electronic address: kejiahu@zju.edu.cn.

PMID: 37257377
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131723

Abstract

Background: Evidence linking mortality and short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM_2.5) constituents was sparse. The mortality displacement was often unconsidered and may induce incorrect risk estimation.

Objectives: To assess the short-term effects of PM_2.5 constituents on all-cause mortality considering the mortality displacement.

Methods: Daily data on all-cause mortality and PM_2.5 constituents, including sulfate (SO₄^2-), nitrate (NO₃^-), ammonium (NH₄⁺), organic matters (OM), and black carbon (BC), were collected from 2009 to 2020. The mortality effect of PM_2.5 and its constituents was estimated using a distributed lag non-linear model. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and season.

Results: Per interquartile range increases in SO₄^2-, NO₃^-, NH₄⁺, OM, and BC were associated with the 1.42% (95%CI: 0.98, 1.87), 3.76% (3.34, 4.16), 2.26% (1.70, 2.83), 2.36% (2.02, 2.70), and 1.26% (0.91, 1.61) increases in all-cause mortality, respectively. Mortality displacements were observed for PM_2.5, SO₄^2-, NH₄⁺, OM, and BC, with their overall effects lasting for 7-15 days. Stratified analyses revealed a higher risk for old adults (>65 years) and females, with stronger effects in the cold season.

Conclusions: Short-term exposures to PM_2.5 constituents were positively associated with increased risks of mortality. The mortality displacement should be considered in future epidemiological studies on PM constituents.

Data availability: Data will be made available on request.

Keywords: Harvesting effect; Health risk; PM composition; PM constituent; PM(2.5).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollutants* / toxicity
Air Pollution* / analysis
China / epidemiology
Environmental Exposure
Female
Humans
Particulate Matter / analysis
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Seasons
Soot

Substances

Particulate Matter
Air Pollutants
Soot