The short-term effects of air pollution on daily mortality on four Australian cities
Authors
Rod Simpson
Gail Williams
Anna Petroechevsky
Trudi Best
Geoff Morgan
Lynn Denison
Andrea Hinwood, Edith Cowan University
Gerard Neville
Anne Neller
Document Type
Journal Article
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Natural Sciences / Centre for Ecosystem Management
RAS ID
3416
Abstract
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 NO2), and on respiratory mortality (RR=1.0022 per 1ppb increase in O3). No significant differences between cities were found, but the NO2 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/m3 increase in PM10 concentration, and 0.9% (-0.7% to 2.5%) for a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration. Conclusions: Air pollutants in Australian cities have significant effects on mortality.
DOI
10.1111/j.1467-842X.2005.tb00758.x
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
Simpson, R., Williams, G., Petroeschevsky, A., Best, T., Morgan, G., Denison, L., ... & Neller, A. (2005). The short-term effects of air pollution on daily mortality in four Australian cities. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 29(3), 205-212. Available here