Epidemiological evidence of effects of coarse airborne particles on health

Studies on health effects of airborne particulate matter (PM) have traditionally focused on particles 2.5 microm, has only been studied recently. These particles have different sources and composition compared with PM2.5. This paper is based on a systematic review of studies that have analysed fine and coarse PM jointly and examines the epidemiological evidence for effects of coarse particles on health. Time series studies relating ambient PM to mortality have in some places provided evidence of an independent effect of coarse PM on daily mortality, but in most urban areas, the evidence is stronger for fine particles. The few long-term studies of effects of coarse PM on survival do not provide any evidence of…

• N
  Naturvårdsverket
• SG
  St. George's, University of London