PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A. Faustini
AU  - M. Stafoggia
AU  - G. Berti
AU  - L. Bisanti
AU  - M. Chiusolo
AU  - A. Cernigliaro
AU  - S. Mallone
AU  - R. Primerano
AU  - C. Scarnato
AU  - L. Simonato
AU  - M.A. Vigotti
AU  - F. Forastiere
AU  - on behalf of the EPIAIR collaborative Group
TI  - The relationship between ambient particulate matter and respiratory mortality: a multi-city study in Italy
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00093710
DP  - 2011 Jan 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - erj00937-2010
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2011/01/13/09031936.00093710.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2011/01/13/09031936.00093710.full
AB  - The association of air pollutants with natural and respiratory mortality has been consistently reported. However, several aspects of the relationship between particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micrometers (PM10) and respiratory mortality require further investigation.To assess the PM10 - respiratory mortality association in Italy and to examine potentially susceptible groups.All natural (n. 276,205) and respiratory deaths (n. 19,629) occurring among 35-plus-year-olds in ten northern, central and southern Italian cities in 2001–2005 were selected. Data for 10-micron particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone were obtained. A time-stratified case-crossover analysis was carried out. Different cumulative lags were selected to analyse immediate, delayed, prolonged and best-time effects of air pollution. The shape of the exposure-response relationship was analysed. Age, gender, chronic conditions and death site were investigated as potential effect modifiers.We found a 2.29% (IC95%=1.03; 3.58) increase in respiratory mortality at 0–3 lags. The increase in respiratory mortality was higher in summer (7.57%). The exposure-response curve had a linear shape without any threshold. Gender and chronic diseases modified the relationship between particulate matter and respiratory mortality.The effect of particulate on respiratory mortality was stronger and more persistent than that on natural mortality. Females and chronic disease sufferers were more likely to die of a respiratory disease caused by air pollution than males and healthy people.