Evaluating the Effects of Ambient Air Pollution on Life Expectancy

Abstract

Air pollution is an important determinant of population health. In this issue of the Journal, Pope et al.1 provide data that once again reinforce this fundamental concept. In an analysis that correlates reductions in fine particulate matter (i.e., particles less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter, or PM2.5) in the air with life expectancies, the investigators found that a decrease in the concentration of PM2.5 of 10 μg per cubic meter is associated with an increase in life expectancy of 0.77 year. Their analysis is based on correlating reductions in particulate air pollution over the past several . . .