High resolution exposure modelling of heat and air pollution and the impact on mortality

Saskia M. Willers; Marcel F. Jonker; Lisette Klok; Menno P. Keuken; Jennie Odink; Sef van den Elshout; Clive E Sabel; Johan P. Mackenbach; Alex Burdorf

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.013

High resolution exposure modelling of heat and air pollution and the impact on mortality

Saskia M. Willers^*, Marcel F. Jonker, Lisette Klok, Menno P. Keuken, Jennie Odink, Sef van den Elshout, Clive E Sabel, Johan P. Mackenbach, Alex Burdorf

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

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Abstract

Background

Elevated temperature and air pollution have been associated with increased mortality. Exposure to heat and air pollution, as well as the density of vulnerable groups varies within cities. The objective was to investigate the extent of neighbourhood differences in mortality risk due to heat and air pollution in a city with a temperate maritime climate.

Methods

A case-crossover design was used to study associations between heat, air pollution and mortality. Different thermal indicators and air pollutants (PM₁₀, NO₂, O₃) were reconstructed at high spatial resolution to improve exposure classification. Daily exposures were linked to individual mortality cases over a 15 year period.

Results

Significant interaction between maximum air temperature (Ta_max) and PM₁₀ was observed. During “summer smog” days (Ta_max > 25 °C and PM₁₀ > 50 μg/m³), the mortality risk at lag 2 was 7% higher compared to the reference (Ta_max 15 °C and PM₁₀ 15 μg/m³). Persons above age 85 living alone were at highest risk.

Conclusion

We found significant synergistic effects of high temperatures and air pollution on mortality. Single living elderly were the most vulnerable group. Due to spatial differences in temperature and air pollution, mortality risks varied substantially between neighbourhoods, with a difference up to 7%.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	102-109
Number of pages	8
Journal	Environment International
Volume	89-90
Early online date	28 Jan 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.013
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2016

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

Keywords

Air pollution
Case-crossover study
Heat stress
Mortality
Spatial variation
Vulnerable groups

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10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.013

Heat stress air pollution and mortality Rotterdam_EnvInt_R2
This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Elsevier at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412016300137.
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@article{6d47781652a244e2a84095f8521975b3,

title = "High resolution exposure modelling of heat and air pollution and the impact on mortality",

abstract = "BackgroundElevated temperature and air pollution have been associated with increased mortality. Exposure to heat and air pollution, as well as the density of vulnerable groups varies within cities. The objective was to investigate the extent of neighbourhood differences in mortality risk due to heat and air pollution in a city with a temperate maritime climate.MethodsA case-crossover design was used to study associations between heat, air pollution and mortality. Different thermal indicators and air pollutants (PM10, NO2, O3) were reconstructed at high spatial resolution to improve exposure classification. Daily exposures were linked to individual mortality cases over a 15 year period.ResultsSignificant interaction between maximum air temperature (Tamax) and PM10 was observed. During “summer smog” days (Tamax > 25 °C and PM10 > 50 μg/m3), the mortality risk at lag 2 was 7\% higher compared to the reference (Tamax 15 °C and PM10 15 μg/m3). Persons above age 85 living alone were at highest risk.ConclusionWe found significant synergistic effects of high temperatures and air pollution on mortality. Single living elderly were the most vulnerable group. Due to spatial differences in temperature and air pollution, mortality risks varied substantially between neighbourhoods, with a difference up to 7\%.",

keywords = "Air pollution, Case-crossover study, Heat stress, Mortality, Spatial variation, Vulnerable groups",

author = "Willers, \{Saskia M.\} and Jonker, \{Marcel F.\} and Lisette Klok and Keuken, \{Menno P.\} and Jennie Odink and \{van den Elshout\}, Sef and Sabel, \{Clive E\} and Mackenbach, \{Johan P.\} and Alex Burdorf",

year = "2016",

month = apr,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.013",

language = "English",

volume = "89-90",

pages = "102--109",

journal = "Environment International",

issn = "0160-4120",

publisher = "Elsevier Limited",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - High resolution exposure modelling of heat and air pollution and the impact on mortality

AU - Willers, Saskia M.

AU - Jonker, Marcel F.

AU - Klok, Lisette

AU - Keuken, Menno P.

AU - Odink, Jennie

AU - van den Elshout, Sef

AU - Sabel, Clive E

AU - Mackenbach, Johan P.

AU - Burdorf, Alex

PY - 2016/4/1

Y1 - 2016/4/1

N2 - BackgroundElevated temperature and air pollution have been associated with increased mortality. Exposure to heat and air pollution, as well as the density of vulnerable groups varies within cities. The objective was to investigate the extent of neighbourhood differences in mortality risk due to heat and air pollution in a city with a temperate maritime climate.MethodsA case-crossover design was used to study associations between heat, air pollution and mortality. Different thermal indicators and air pollutants (PM10, NO2, O3) were reconstructed at high spatial resolution to improve exposure classification. Daily exposures were linked to individual mortality cases over a 15 year period.ResultsSignificant interaction between maximum air temperature (Tamax) and PM10 was observed. During “summer smog” days (Tamax > 25 °C and PM10 > 50 μg/m3), the mortality risk at lag 2 was 7% higher compared to the reference (Tamax 15 °C and PM10 15 μg/m3). Persons above age 85 living alone were at highest risk.ConclusionWe found significant synergistic effects of high temperatures and air pollution on mortality. Single living elderly were the most vulnerable group. Due to spatial differences in temperature and air pollution, mortality risks varied substantially between neighbourhoods, with a difference up to 7%.

AB - BackgroundElevated temperature and air pollution have been associated with increased mortality. Exposure to heat and air pollution, as well as the density of vulnerable groups varies within cities. The objective was to investigate the extent of neighbourhood differences in mortality risk due to heat and air pollution in a city with a temperate maritime climate.MethodsA case-crossover design was used to study associations between heat, air pollution and mortality. Different thermal indicators and air pollutants (PM10, NO2, O3) were reconstructed at high spatial resolution to improve exposure classification. Daily exposures were linked to individual mortality cases over a 15 year period.ResultsSignificant interaction between maximum air temperature (Tamax) and PM10 was observed. During “summer smog” days (Tamax > 25 °C and PM10 > 50 μg/m3), the mortality risk at lag 2 was 7% higher compared to the reference (Tamax 15 °C and PM10 15 μg/m3). Persons above age 85 living alone were at highest risk.ConclusionWe found significant synergistic effects of high temperatures and air pollution on mortality. Single living elderly were the most vulnerable group. Due to spatial differences in temperature and air pollution, mortality risks varied substantially between neighbourhoods, with a difference up to 7%.

KW - Air pollution

KW - Case-crossover study

KW - Heat stress

KW - Mortality

KW - Spatial variation

KW - Vulnerable groups

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84956761616

U2 - 10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.013

DO - 10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.013

M3 - Article (Academic Journal)

C2 - 26826367

AN - SCOPUS:84956761616

SN - 0160-4120

VL - 89-90

SP - 102

EP - 109

JO - Environment International

JF - Environment International

ER -

High resolution exposure modelling of heat and air pollution and the impact on mortality

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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