# Long-term Exposure to $$PM_{2.5}$$ and Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction

 Title: Long-term Exposure to $$PM_{2.5}$$ and Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction Author: Madrigano, Jaime; Kloog, Itai; Goldberg, Robert; Coull, Brent Andrew; Mittleman, Murray A.; Schwartz, Joel David Note: Order does not necessarily reflect citation order of authors. Citation: Madrigano, Jaime, Itai Kloog, Robert Goldberg, Brent A. Coull, Murray A. Mittleman, and Joel Schwartz. 2013. Long-term exposure to pm2.5 and incidence of acute myocardial infarction. Environmental Health Perspectives 121(2): 192-196. Full Text & Related Files: 3569684.pdf (575.2Kb; PDF) Abstract: Background: A number of studies have shown associations between chronic exposure to particulate air pollution and increased mortality, particularly from cardiovascular disease, but fewer studies have examined the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution and specific cardiovascular events, such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Objective: We examined how long-term exposure to area particulate matter affects the onset of AMI, and we distinguished between area and local pollutants. Methods: Building on the Worcester Heart Attack Study, an ongoing community-wide investigation examining changes over time in myocardial infarction incidence in greater Worcester, Massachusetts, we conducted a case–control study of 4,467 confirmed cases of AMI diagnosed between 1995 and 2003 and 9,072 matched controls selected from Massachusetts resident lists. We used a prediction model based on satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements to generate both exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM$$_{2.5}$$) at the area level (10 × 10 km) and the local level (100 m) based on local land use variables. We then examined the association between area and local particulate pollution and occurrence of AMI. Results: An interquartile range (IQR) increase in area PM$$_{2.5}$$ (0.59 μg/m$$^3$$) was associated with a 16% increase in the odds of AMI (95% CI: 1.04, 1.29). An IQR increase in total PM$$_{2.5}$$ (area + local, 1.05 μg/m$$^3$$) was weakly associated with a 4% increase in the odds of AMI (95% CI: 0.96, 1.11). Conclusions: Residential exposure to PM$$_{2.5}$$ may best be represented by a combination of area and local PM$$_{2.5}$$, and it is important to consider spatial gradients within a single metropolitan area when examining the relationship between particulate matter exposure and cardiovascular events. Published Version: doi:10.1289/ehp.1205284 Other Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3569684/pdf/ Terms of Use: This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#LAA Citable link to this page: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11011815 Downloads of this work: