Epidemiological time series studies of PM2.5 and daily mortality and hospital admissions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Short-term exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter (particles with a median aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5)) air pollution has been associated with adverse health effects. Existing literature reviews have been limited in size and scope.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive, systematic review and meta-analysis of 110 peer-reviewed time series studies indexed in medical databases to May 2011 to assess the evidence for associations between PM2.5 and daily mortality and hospital admissions for a range of diseases and ages. We stratified our analyses by geographical region to determine the consistency of the evidence worldwide and investigated small study bias.

Results

Based upon 23 estimates for all-cause mortality, a 10 µg/m(3) increment in PM2.5 was

SUBMITTER: Atkinson RW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4078677 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature