EXCESS MORTALITY AS AN INDICATOR OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

Journal/Book: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH VOI. 56 NO. 11 November 1966. 1966;

Abstract: James McCarroll M.D. F.A.P.H.A. and William Bradley D.M. The authors were affiliated with the Division of Epidemiologic Research Department of Public Health Cornell University Medical College (1300 York Ave.) New York N. Y. 10021. Dr. MeCarroll is now professor of preventive medicine and director Division of Environmental Health University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle Wash. This paper was presented before the Epidemiology Section of the American Public Health Association at the Ninety-Third Annual Meeting in Chicago Ill. October 19 1965. Summary Examination of total deaths in New York City by day of occurrence shows periodic peaks in mortality which are associated with periods of high air pollution. These peaks are usually associated with periods of low wind speed and temperature inversion conditions which permit air pollution to build up to high levels. Unlike the experience of London fog is not a necessary part of this picture and therefore the presence of these episodes is often not apparent at the time to most inhabitants. A characteristic feature of these episodes is the immediate rise in mortality occurring an the same day as the peaks of pollution. A second characteristic is their frequent influence an death rates in the 45- to 64-year age group as well as in those over 65. These characteristics suggest that if these excess deaths are related to air pollution (as we believe to be highly likely) the mechanism is probably protean and pervasive affecting the course of a variety of different diseases through a basic physiologic effect.

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