Epidemiological studies likely need to consider PM_2.5 composition even if total outdoor PM_2.5 mass concentration is the exposure of interest.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Outdoor fine particulate air pollution, <2.5 µm (PM_2.5) mass concentrations can be constructed through many different combinations of chemical components that have varying levels of toxicity. This poses a challenge for studies interested in estimating the health effects of total outdoor PM_2.5 (i.e., how much PM_2.5 mass is present in the air regardless of composition) because we must consider possible confounders of the version of treatment-outcome relationships.

Methods

We evaluated the extent of possible bias in mortality hazard ratios for total outdoor PM_2.5 by examining models with and without adjustment for sulfate and nitrate in PM_2.5 as examples of potential confounders of version of treatment-outcome re

SUBMITTER: Weichenthal S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11254114 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature