Further Assessing the Effects of Air Pollution on Mortality
There is substantial evidence linking air pollution to increased mortality. Natural experiments comparing populations with similar socioeconomic status but different levels of air pollution have demonstrated that the effects are not solely due to wealth disparities. The consensus is that the interaction between particulates and lung tissue leads to greater systemic inflammatory signaling, which accelerates the progression of common fatal age-related conditions.
This study aimed to assess ambient air pollutant levels in comparison to WHO Air Quality Guidelines and analyze the joint effects of multiple air pollutants on longevity, focusing on the oldest-old demographic. The findings revealed that the levels of PM2.5 and O3 exceeded the WHO guidelines, and the mortality risk from air pollution was higher in areas with higher annual average temperatures. It also emphasized the importance of considering multiple pollutants coexposure, confounding, and modification of district economic and climate factors in the association between air pollution and mortality.
