The Global Burden of Air Pollution on Mortality
Author Information
Author(s): Anenberg Susan C., West J. Jason, Horowitz Larry W., Tong Daniel Q.
Primary Institution: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hypothesis
The use of chronic ozone mortality relative risk estimates from Jerrett et al. (2009) is justified for estimating the global burden of outdoor ozone and fine particulate matter on human mortality.
Conclusion
The study estimates that approximately 362,000 annual global premature cardiopulmonary deaths are attributable to ozone, which is about 50% of the previously calculated 700,000 premature deaths.
Supporting Evidence
- Using chronic RR estimates for ozone has only a minor effect on mortality estimates.
- National risk estimates are more applicable globally than city-specific estimates.
- Using earlier PM2.5 data yields similar mortality associations.
Takeaway
This study shows that air pollution from ozone can cause a lot of deaths, but it's not as bad as pollution from tiny particles called PM2.5.
Methodology
The study used chemical transport models to estimate global mortality from outdoor air pollution.
Limitations
The evidence for chronic ozone mortality is more limited compared to short-term ozone exposure.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% posterior interval, 173,000–551,000
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website