Highlights

• Exposure to PM_2.5 increased CVD mortality in a nationally representative cohort.
• We provided one of the very few evidence on long-term CVD effects of PM_2.5 constituents.
• BC, OM, NO₃^–, NH₄⁺ and SO₄²⁻ showed appreciably larger risks than PM_2.5 total mass.
• Soil dust showed no cardiovascular risks.

Abstract

Background

Few studies have evaluated long-term cardiovascular effects of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and its constituents in countries with high air pollution levels. We aimed to investigate the associations of long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and constituents with cardiovascular mortality in China.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 90,672 adults ≥ 18 years from 2010 to 2017 in 161 districts/counties across China. The residential annual-average exposure to PM_2.5 and 6 main components from 2011 to 2017 were estimated by satellite-based and chemical transport models. Associations of PM_2.5 and constituents with cardiovascular mortality were analyzed by competing-risk Cox proportional hazards regression.

Read more...