Temperature-Modified Acute Effects of Ozone on Human Mortality — Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Hebei Province, and Surrounding Areas, China, 2013–2018

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? Ozone (O3) is a weather-driven photochemical ambient pollutant, and its harm to human health may be affected by meteorological factors such as temperature. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether temperature can modify the effects of ozone on health. What is added by this report? Short-term exposure to O3 in the Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Hebei Province, and surrounding areas was associated with an increased risk of human mortality and that association was positive modified by relatively higher (>75th 24 h-average temperature) or extreme cold temperature (<10th 24 haverage temperature). Under extreme temperatures (>90th 24 h-average temperature) modification, the associations were further increased. Cardiopulmonary diseases, as vulnerable diseases of air pollution, their mortality risks associated with O3 were markedly strengthened by uncomfortable temperatures. What are the implications for public health practice? This study suggests that policymakers should pay attention to the synergistic effect between ozone and heat or extreme cold on human health, as well as provide evidence for establishing an integrated earlywarning system to protect the public against both uncomfortable temperature and air pollution.