HEALTH-EFFECTS OF PARTICULATE AIR-POLLUTION - TIME FOR REASSESSMENT

Numerous studies have observed health effects of particulate air pollu tion. Compared to early studies that focused on severe air pollution e pisodes, recent studies are more relevant to understanding health effe cts of pollution at levels common to contemporary cities in the develo ped world. We review recent epidemiologic studies that evaluated healt h effects of particulate air pollution and conclude that respirable pa rticulate air pollution is Likely an important contributing factor to respiratory disease. Observed heath effects include increased respirat ory symptoms, decreased lung function, increased hospitalizations and other heath care visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, in creased respiratory morbidity as measured by absenteeism from work or school or other restrictions in activity, and increased cardiopulmonar y disease mortality, These heath effects are observed at levels common to many U.S. cities including levels below current U.S. National Ambi ent Air Quality Standards for particulate air pollution.