The effect of primary organic particles on emergency hospital admissions among the elderly in 3 US cities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fine particle (PM2.5) pollution related to combustion sources has been linked to a variety of adverse health outcomes. Although poorly understood, it is possible that organic carbon (OC) species, particularly those from combustion-related sources, may be partially responsible for the observed toxicity of PM2.5. The toxicity of the OC species may be related to their chemical structures; however, few studies have examined the association of OC species with health impacts.

Methods

We categorized 58 primary organic compounds by their chemical properties into 5 groups: n-alkanes, hopanes, cyclohexanes, PAHs and isoalkanes. We examined their impacts on the rate of daily emergency hospital admissions among Medicare recipients in Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL (2006-2009)

SUBMITTER: Kioumourtzoglou MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3765898 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature