HR: 1330h
AN: U32A-0025    [PDF]
TI: Partitioning the Effects of Weather and Air Pollution on Human Mortality in Santiago, Chile: 1988-1996
AU: * Grass, D S
EM: dgrass@ldeo.columbia.edu
AF: Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University Box 1000, Palisades, NY 10964 United States
AU: Cane, M A
EM: mcane@ldeo.columbia.edu
AF: Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University Box 1000, Palisades, NY 10964 United States
AB: The "synergistic" or "interactive" nature of the combined impacts of weather and air pollution on human health has been the topic of much speculation, but few epidemiological studies have measured whether their combined effects are antagonistic, additive, or non-linear. The present study uses a synoptic climatological approach to identify regional weather patterns associated with poor air quality and elevated mortality in the Central Valley of Chile during the winters of 1988-1996. Two offensive weather classes were identified: extratropical low pressure systems and days with cold, dry, high pressure conditions. The offensive pollution classes had mild weather conditions best described as a surface coastal low. Offensive weather and offensive pollution conditions were both associated with a 4% increase in the risk of mortality. Surprisingly nitrogen oxide (NO) was more consistently associated with elevated mortality than fine or coarse fraction particulates. On days in which offensive weather and offensive pollution conditions coincided, the risk of mortality increased 10%, suggesting that during the winter in Santiago, the effects of weather and pollution on mortality are additive and independent.
DE: 0305 Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801)
DE: 0345 Pollution--urban and regional (0305)
DE: 3364 Synoptic-scale meteorology
DE: 9360 South America
SC: U
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting