The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69666

Lie H. Chen, MSPH¹, Synnove F. Knutsen, MD, MPH, PhD², W. Lawrence Beeson, MSPH¹, Mark Ghamsary, MS, PhD², Floyd F. Petersen, MPH¹, and David Abbey, PhD¹. (1) Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, 24785 Stewart Street, Evans Hall, Room 215, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (909) 558-4268 x42208, lchen@sph.llu.edu, (2) Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Hill Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354

A cohort of 6,338 nonsmoking, white subjects was followed for 15 years to assess the risk of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) associated with ambient air pollution. Subjects without prevalent CHD at baseline were included in the study after completing a detailed lifestyle questionnaire. Fatal CHD (ICD: 410-414) was ascertained through matching with death certificates. Mean monthly concentrations of ambient air pollutants (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, Ozone, SO₂, NO₂) were obtained from the California Air Resource Board monitoring stations. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate relative risks (RR) of fatal CHD. The analyses were controlled for age, pack-years of past cigarette smoking, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, BMI, years of education, and total exercise level. Results: Increased risk of fatal CHD was found for an interquartile increase in mean ambient air pollution of all pollutants. The relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in males were - SO₂: RR= 2.93, 95% CI=2.39-3.59; PM_2.5: RR= 2.19, 95% CI=1.29-3.71; NO₂: RR=1.82, 95% CI=1.36-2.44; PM₁₀: RR=1.43, 95% CI=1.11-1.84; Ozone: RR=1.33, 95% CI=1.02-1.74. For females, the values were somewhat lower - SO₂: RR= 2.18, 95% CI=1.85-2.58; PM_2.5: RR= 1.65, 95% CI=1.08-2.52; NO₂: RR=1.42, 95% CI=1.14-1.77; PM₁₀: RR=1.18, 95% CI=0.97-1.43; Ozone: 1.02, 95% CI=0.84-1.23. Conclusion: Significantly increased risk of fatal CHD was found for both particulate and gaseous pollutants, most strongly in males. The magnitude of the associations is large enough to warrant public health concerns. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings from this study before any public policies should be considered.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Describe the relationship between the five air pollutants and coronary heart disease;
• Recognize the objectives and findings of the AHSMOG Study.

Keywords: Heart Disease, Air Pollutants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: EPA Grant