Hidden danger: The long-term effect of ultrafine particles on mortality and its sociodemographic disparities in New York State

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 471; p. 134317
• Main Authors: Qi, Quan, Yu, Fangqun, Nair, Arshad A., Lau, Sam S.S., Luo, Gan, Mithu, Imran, Zhang, Wangjian, Li, Sean, Lin, Shao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 05.06.2024
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Cardiovascular Diseases - mortality; Child; Child, Preschool; Demographic disparity; Difference-in-difference; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Long-term effect; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality - trends; New York - epidemiology; Particle Size; Particulate Matter - toxicity; Seasons; Sociodemographic Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Total non-accidental and cause-specific mortality; Ultrafine particles; Young Adult; New York; Ultrafine particles; Total non-accidental and cause-specific mortality; Difference-in-difference; Long-term effect; Demographic disparity
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134317

Although previous studies have shown increased health risks of particulate matters, few have evaluated the long-term health impacts of ultrafine particles (UFPs or PM0.1, ≤ 0.1 µm in diameter). This study assessed the association between long-term exposure to UFPs and mortality in New York State (NYS), including total non-accidental and cause-specific mortalities, sociodemographic disparities and seasonal trends. Collecting data from a comprehensive chemical transport model and NYS Vital Records, we used the interquartile range (IQR) and high-level UFPs (≥75 % percentile) as indicators to link with mortalities. Our modified difference-in-difference model controlled for other pollutants, meteorological factors, spatial and temporal confounders. The findings indicate that long-term UFPs exposure significantly increases the risk of non-accidental mortality (RR=1.10, 95 % CI: 1.05, 1.17), cardiovascular mortality (RR=1.11, 95 % CI: 1.05, 1.18) particularly for cerebrovascular (RR=1.21, 95 % CI: 1.10, 1.35) and pulmonary heart diseases (RR=1.33, 95 % CI: 1.13, 1.57), and respiratory mortality (borderline significance, RR=1.09, 95 % CI: 1.00, 1.18). Hispanics (RR=1.13, 95 % CI: 1.00, 1.29) and non-Hispanic Blacks (RR=1.40, 95 % CI: 1.16, 1.68) experienced significantly higher mortality risk after exposure to UFPs, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Children under five, older adults, non-NYC residents, and winter seasons are more susceptible to UFPs’ effects. [Display omitted] •Long-term UFPs exposure significantly increased total non-accidental mortality.•Mortalities for cardiovascular diseases were associated with UFP exposure.•Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks experienced higher UFP-related mortalities.•Young children, older adults, and non-NYC residents had higher UFP-Mortality risks.•Exposure to UFPs during winter season further elevated the mortality risk.