Artículo original

 

Effect of particulate matter less than 10µm (PM₁₀) on mortality in Bogota, Colombia: a time-series analysis, 1998-2006

 

Efecto del material particulado menor a 10µm (PM₁₀) sobre la mortalidad en Bogotá, Colombia: un análisis de series de tiempo 1998-2006

 

Luis Camilo Blanco-Becerra, MC,⁽¹⁾ Víctor Miranda-Soberanis, MC,⁽²⁾ Leticia Hernández-Cadena, DC,⁽²⁾Albino Barraza-Villarreal, DC,⁽²⁾ Washington Junger, DC,⁽³⁾ Magali Hurtado-Díaz, MC,⁽²⁾ Isabelle Romieu MD, MPH, ScD.⁽²⁾

 

(1) Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS). Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia.

(2) Nutrition and Metabolism section, International Agency of Research on Cancer. France.

(3) Rio de Janeiro State University. Brasil.

 

Corresponding author

 

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Abstract

Objective. To analyze the association between daily mortality from different causes and acute exposure to particulate matter less than 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀), in Bogota, Colombia.

Materials and methods. A time-series ecological study was conducted from 1998 to 2006. The association between mortality (due to different causes) and exposure was analyzed using single and distributed lag models and adjusting for potential confounders.

Results. For all ages, the cumulative effect of acute mortality from all causes and respiratory causes increased 0.71% (95%CI 0.46-0.96) and 1.43% (95%CI 0.85-2.00), respectively, per 10µg/m³ increment in daily average PM₁₀ with a lag of three days before death. Cumulative effect of mortality from cardiovascular causes was -0.03% (95%CI -0.49-0.44%) with the same lag.

Conclusions. The results suggest an association between an increase in PM₁₀ concentrations and acute mortality from all causes and respiratory causes.

Key words: air pollution; mortality; respiratory tract diseases; particulate matter; time series studies; Colombia.

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Resumen

Objetivo. Analizar la asociación entre la mortalidad diaria debida a distintas causas y la exposición aguda a partículas menores de 10 micras de diámetro aerodinámico (PM₁₀), en Bogotá, Colombia.

Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio ecológico de series de tiempo (1998-2006). La asociación entre mortalidad y exposición se analizó ajustando modelos de retraso simple y retraso distribuido para diferentes causas de mortalidad.

Resultados. En todas las edades, el riesgo acumulado en la mortalidad aguda por todas las causas y causa respiratoria aumentó 0.71% (IC95% 0.46-0.96) y 1.43% (IC95% 0.85-2.00), respectivamente, por incremento de 10µg/m³ en el promedio diario de PM₁₀, tomando un retraso de tres días anteriores al deceso, mientras el riesgo acumulado en la mortalidad por causa cardiovascular fue de -0.03% (IC95% -0.49-0.44), para el mismo retraso.

Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren asociación entre el incremento de las concentraciones de PM₁₀ y la mortalidad aguda por todas las causas y causa respiratoria.

Palabras clave: contaminación atmosférica; mortalidad; enfermedad respiratoria; material particulado; series de tiempo; Colombia.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mortality attributable to urban air pollution in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is seven deaths per 100 000 inhabitants,¹ with exposure to particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM₁₀) being one of the principal components in creating this problem.² Over the past several years, the urban centers of some LAC cities have experienced unplanned development, their population increasing to more than 5 million inhabitants;³ it is estimated that more than 110 million persons in LAC live in zones where air quality criteria are continually exceeded.²

Epidemiological studies conducted in different countries around the developed and developing world have reported increases in mortality from all causes, and particularly due to cardiopulmonary causes as a result of air pollution.^4–14 Dockery et al.⁴ reported a relative risk of 1.27 (95%CI 1.08-1.47) for general mortality from exposure to PM₁₀ when comparing cities with higher particulate levels to those with lower levels. For general mortality for all ages in LAC, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)² reported an increase of 0.6% (95%CI 0.16-1.07) per 10µg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ concentrations.

In Colombia, 2 700 deaths are attributed to air pollution each year.¹⁵ Bogota, the capital district (DC, abbreviation in Spanish), represents one of the large urban centers in LAC with air pollution problems.¹⁶ Its population was estimated to be 6 840 116 inhabitants in the year 2005, of which those less than 5 and over 65 years of age represented 14% of the total population.¹⁷ It is located at a latitude of 4° 35' 56" North and a longitude of 74° 4' 51" West, with an elevation of 2 630 meters above sea level. This city is divided into 20 administrative units, or localities. It has an average daily temperature of 14°C, which can vary between 9 and 22°C.¹⁸

The Bogota District Secretary of Health (DSH) determined that the annual average deaths between 1998 and 2006 were 25 466 – 28.4% of which was from cardiovascular causes and 10.5% from respiratory causes. In addition, the Bogota District Secretary for the Environment (DSE) determined that annual average PM₁₀ constantly exceeded annual guidelines recommended by the WHO during the period 1998 to 2007,¹⁶ with industry and vehicular transportation being the principal sources of contamination.^19,20

While the above provides evidence of the potential effect of air pollution on mortality in America, Bogota does not yet have a study that includes these characteristics. Therefore, the objective of this investigation is to evaluate the association between acute PM₁₀ exposure and daily mortality from all causes, respiratory tract and cardiovascular diseases in Bogota, Colombia.

 

Materials and methods

Study Design: An ecological study was conducted in the city of Bogota, DC using a time-series analysis for the period April 1998 to December 2006. This investigation was performed based on the methodology used by the project titled "Multi-City Study of Air Pollution and Health Effects in Latin America," which studied the effect of ozone (O₃) and PM₁₀ on mortality in cities located in Brazil, Chile and Mexico.²¹

Information gathering

Mortality data: Information was obtained for total daily deaths registered in Bogota, DC based on death certificates. Information was used of those who at the moment of their death were residents of DC. The outcomes analyzed were all causes of death (ICD: A00-T98), respiratory causes (ICD: J00-J98) and cardiovascular causes (ICD: I00-I99), according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), version 10.

Meteorological and air pollution data: Hourly data on atmospheric pollutants were obtained from the Bogota Air Quality Monitoring Network (RMCAB, abbreviation in Spanish), which has 14 stations distributed across the entire city (figure 1) and monitor PM₁₀ using the Beta-Attenuation Method (BAM). Temperature and relative humidity (RH) registries were obtained from the RMCAB as well as Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM, abbreviation in Spanish) stations.

Evaluation of exposure: Daily (24-hr) averages of PM₁₀ were calculated for all the monitoring stations. The criteria for sufficiency was 75% of data, which indicates that of the 24 registries obtained each day, there must be at least 18 valid data sets in order to calculate the average for a particular day. Later, to assign exposure, daily average PM₁₀ and 8-hr averages for O₃ (between 10am and 6pm) were calculated city-wide. With regard to temperature and RH information, the daily (24 hr) average was calculated for each parameter, also with 75% of data as the criteria for sufficiency.

Statistical analysis: Since the analysis encompasses nine years, time trends and seasonality were controlled using natural spline functions (ns), with 1 to 5 degrees of freedom (df) per year. This number varied according to whether the models showed a better fit to the data. The Generalized Additive Model (GAM) with Poisson regression²² was used to model the relation between the daily number of deaths and PM₁₀ levels. Short-term fluctuations were controlled using variables that indicated the days of the week, long weekends and holidays. With respect to the adjustment of meteorological factors, temperature and RH variables were taken into account, including functions, considering the effect on the daily average with a 1-day lag, and with 4 and 2 df per year, respectively.

The baseline was as follows:

Where Yt is the number of deaths in a day t, DF_national and DF_religious are holidays categorized as national and religious, DS is the days of the week, FS long weekends, ns natural smooth functions of temperature (Temp), RH (Hum) and time (time), and g_i is the df for each function.

An independent model was generated for each cause of death studied, according to the groups all ages and over 65 years old. The diagnostic of the models was performed by evaluating the over dispersion parameter; detecting autocorrelation and over fitting with partial autocorrelation functions (PACF); influence analysis by means of Cook's distances; determining normality of residuals, and evaluating the parsimony of the models using Akaike information criteria (AIC).

To calculate the percentage change in risk of mortality for a 10µg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ levels, single lag models (SLM) and distributed lag models (DLM) were used; SLM were adjusted with a lag factor of 0 to 3 days, and DLM evaluating cumulative periods of 3 and 5 days prior to the event, taking into account a polynomial structure of degree 2.^23-26 A maximum lag of five days before the deaths was chosen for the exposure variable using DLM.^24,26 The statistical analysis was performed using Stata software version 9.0 and R version 2.8.1 (R Project for Statistical Computing, http://www.r–project.org), using the ares library for the ESCALA Project (Multi-city Study of Air Pollution and Health effects in Latin America).²⁷

 

Results

A total of 229 199 deaths were registered during the study period, 21 398 (9%) of which were eliminated due to incomplete information (sex, locality and/or direct cause of death). A total of the 207 801 deaths were evaluated, from which there was a daily average of 65 deaths (Standard Deviation (SD) = 9.57) due to all causes. Regarding respiratory mortality-all ages, there was a daily average of 12 deaths and 7 deaths for those over 65 years old (table I); 53.5% (n=111 178) were men and 52.8% (n=109 802) were over 65 years of age. Death due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases represented 18.7% (n=39 024) and 27.6% (n=57 371) of total mortality, respectively.

The mean daily average of PM₁₀ was 63.2µg/m³ (SD=17.9), with a maximum value of 179.1µg/mm³, which exceeds daily guidelines established by the WHO. The 8-hr average O₃ concentration was 21.2 ppb (SD=11.6) (table II), which does not exceed WHO guidelines.²⁸

A statistically significant association was observed between acute mortality –due to all causes and respiratory causes, for all ages and for the group over 65 years old– and a 10µg/m³ increase in the daily average of PM₁₀. The percentage change in risk of mortality from all causes for all ages was 0.57% (95%CI 0.25-0.89) per 10µg/m³ increase in average PM₁₀ levels on the same day of the event (lag 0). The calculation of mortality from all causes for those over 65 years old was similar to that observed for all ages. A significant change in risk was observed with respect to respiratory causes for all ages and those over 65 —1.22% (95%CI 0.48-1.97) at lag 0 and 1.05% (95%CI 0.12-1.98) at lag 0, respectively. With respect to mortality from cardiovascular disease, no significant association was found (figures 2 and 3).

When using DLM for the period of three days prior to death (DLM0-3), it was observed that the cumulative effect on total mortality tends to increase and then decrease for the period of five days before death. It was estimated that, with a 10µg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ concentrations (24-hr average) for the DLM0-3 period, the risk of total mortality for all ages increased 0.71% (95%CI 0.46-0.96). For mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular causes for all ages, with every 10µg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ levels for the DLM0-3 period, a cumulative effect of 1.43% (95%CI 0.85-2.00) and -0.03% (95% CI -0.49-0.44) was observed, respectively.

 

Discussion

This 9-year study in Bogota suggests a statistically significant association between daily mortality for all causes of death and respiratory diseases and daily PM₁₀ concentrations, but not for cardiovascular diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the association between different causes of death and PM₁₀ in Bogota. The percentage change in risk estimated for daily mortality for all causes –all ages was 0.57% at lag 0 and 0.62% for the DLM0-5 period. The effects found in our study are similar to those reported by Stieb²⁹– 0.65% worldwide, 0.6% for Europe,³⁰ 0.5% for the United States³⁰ (US) and 0.49% for Asia.² Other studies differ slightly from our findings. Vichit et al.³¹ found that when PM₁₀ levels increase 10µg/m³, risk increases 1.2% at lag 0; in the USA, Dockery et al.⁴ and Schwartz^6,32 found changes of 2.6% (lag 0), 0.8% for the 2-day moving average (MA01) and 0.35% (lag 0), respectively.

With respect to LAC, the PAHO² estimated a change of 0.6%, similar to that found in the study herein; nevertheless, changes greater than our results have been registered. Ostro⁹ and Castillejos et al.¹⁰ reported changes of 0.75% (lag 1) and 1.83% for the five day moving average (MA04), respectively; all were statistically significant. These studies have focused on countries such as Chile and Mexico, which is why the percentage change in risk for Bogota may differ given the unique characteristics of the city (aerodynamic diameter, chemical³³ and biological³⁴ composition of the particulates, location with respect to the equatorial axis, altitude and meteorological conditions), which can have an influence on mortality, the duration of thermal inversion layers and, therefore, exposure.

In terms of respiratory mortality for all ages, the change in risk was 1.22% at lag 0 and 1.43% for the DLM0-3; these were statistically significant. Ostro⁹ and Vichit³¹ observed changes in risk of 1.28% (lag 0) and 1.3% (lag 3), respectively. Other investigators have reported greater changes, for example, Castillejos¹⁰ and Sanhueza et al.¹¹ reported changes in risk of 3.85% for the MA04 and 2.36% at lag 0, respectively. For those over 65 years old, our study estimated a change in risk of 1.05% at lag 0 and 1.68% for the DLM0-3, showing a greater effect on this group compared to the general population when using DLM0-3. Also for persons over 65 years, Gouveia¹² estimated a change in risk of 0.60% at lag 1, while Sanhueza,¹¹ Martins¹³ and Téllez¹⁴ reported changes of 2.78% (lag 0), 5.4% and 3.7% for the MA02, respectively.

In general, an acute effect of PM₁₀ on total and respiratory mortality was observed using SLM and DLM. Some of this effect can be attributed to PM₁₀ being composed of fine particulates (PM_2.5), in addition to chemical and biological compounds that present greater health risks.^4,10,28,33 Experimental data show that air pollutants can increase the risk of infection, especially from pathogenic bacteria.³⁵ Lambert et al.³⁶ suggest possible interactions between the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which infects alveolar epithelial cells and ultrafine black carbon (BC) particulates. Becker et al.³⁷ found that particulates in outside air seem to alter the ability of alveolar macrophages to produce chemokines which attract inflammatory cells and are needed to inhibit the spread of the infection. It is possible that this alteration plays a fundamental long-term role in the effects of particulates on vulnerable individuals.

Although the daily average of deaths for cardiovascular diseases was higher compared with respiratory diseases, in this study did not show an increase in risk for cardiovascular disease mortality using either SLM or DLM. In contrast, Ostro,⁹ Sanhueza¹¹ and Gouveia¹² reported changes in risk of 0.76% (lag 0), 1.76% (lag 0) and 0.58% (lag 0), respectively. The difference in our results may be due to the time lag exposure used in this study; an analysis carried out using a DLM (data not shown) in a period of 15 days before the event, found an increased risk of 0.46% in cardiovascular mortality for all ages; Schwartz argued that if a heart attack is avoided in a given day, the expected displacement in mortality will be higher in the following days or months, which would explain absence of increase in risk in the studied population.²⁵ Nevertheless, it is important to be able to evaluate other Andean cities located near the equatorial axis, thereby determining whether the lack of risk of this disease is constant or differs throughout this zone.

The strengths of our study were: 1. The use of GAM modeling, widely employed in studies on air pollution,²² allowed for adjust linear and non-linear associations, as well as to short-term and long-term associations; 2. The calculation of percentage changes in risk using DLM evaluated the effect of acute exposure over periods of 3 and 5 days; this resulted in estimates of mortality risks similar to those obtained by cohort studies.^26,38

The possible limitations of the study were: 1. Average daily PM₁₀ exposure was assigned for the entire city. Considering variations in pollutant concentrations by zone, this could suggest the existence of measurement error in our study, generating a possible underestimation of the effect in these zones. Nevertheless, when dividing the city into east and west zones (analysis not shown), the daily average value obtained for each was 50.02 and 79.18 µg/m³, respectively, where the concentration of 63.2µg/m³ (daily average in our study) represented an average value for Bogota, thus minimizing the probability of an error in measuring exposure. 2. Although the inclusion criteria adopted for mortality was subjects who resided in one of the localities at the time of death, it was not possible to establish how long a person had lived in Bogota and, therefore, the effect cannot be attributed to acute exposure. This could cause a possible overestimation in our results. However, these effects can only be attributed to acute exposure. The farthest exposure we are looking at is five days. So, how long a person resided in the city in terms of years or even months is not important, because some people enter the population whilst others leave. 3. The completion of death certificates by non-medical personnel may conceal the real pathological status at the time of death, which could cause information bias. 4. The time-series for O₃ presented a change in the value of its 8-hr average concentration beginning in 2002, the year in which the RMCAB underwent maintenance. Since it was not possible to determine whether or not the measurements registered before or after 2002 were corrected, it was decided not to adjust for this pollutant; nevertheless, the estimators were calculated with and without adjustments for O₃, observing no significant difference in values. 5. Although our study did not evaluate the socioeconomic position (SEP) of the population, this is important to explore since localities that have neighborhoods (locality divisions) with fewer socioeconomic resources are located in areas with significant higher concentrations of the pollutant. This could show an effect of SEP as a possible modifier of the relationship studied, overestimating the effect of air pollution on mortality.

Finally, our analysis showed an association between PM₁₀ and mortality in a Latin American city with topographical and climatic characteristics different than those previously studied.^2,21 The acute effect on general mortality and from respiratory causes differs from that found for cardiovascular causes, which did not show an effect. The results obtained will strengthen programs for vehicular maintenance, reduction in emissions and improvement of combustibles, led by the District Secretary for the Environment. It also will determine health promotion and disease prevention activities for persons over 65 years old, directed by the District Secretary of Health. Nevertheless, it is crucial to conduct studies in cities in the Andes as well as in coastal zones and valleys located near the equatorial axis, which present meteorological conditions that could affect the relationship between air pollution and mortality.

 

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank IDEAM, the District Secretary for the Environment and the District Secretary of Health for supplying the information to conduct this work, and Irma Soyachi Salgado for her administrative work. The principal author dedicates this work to the memory of Orlando Blanco Casteñeda (R.I.P.), loving, exemplary and dedicated father, whose teachings laid the ethical, educational and personal foundations of this investigator. Thank you Dad.

 

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Received on: November 14, 2011
Accepted on: January 14, 2013

 

Corresponding author:
Dra. Isabelle Romieu.
Nutrition and Metabolism section,
International Agency for Research on Cancer.
150, cours Albert Thomas,
69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
E-mail: iromieu@gmail.com; romieui@iarc.fr.

 

Declaration of conflict of interests. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.