Temporal variation of PM_2.5-associated health effects in Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Abstract

•Annual mean PM_2.5 in Shijiazhuang were 87, 95, and 82 µg/m³ in 2015–2017.

•Health risk of cardiovascular system was higher than respiratory system.

•Premature mortality attributed to PM_2.5 was 5088 people in 2017.

•ΔMort and YLL reduced by 84.2% and 84.6% when PM_2.5 reduced to 10 µg/m³.

•Health risks due to PM_2.5 were severe in Shijiazhuang in 2015–2017.

Shijiazhuang is one of the cities in the North China Plain. In recent decades, this city has experienced high levels of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), which have potentially significant effects on human health. In this study, the health effects of PM_2.5 exposure in Shijiazhuang were estimated by applying an integrated exposure-response model. Premature mortality, years of life lost (YLL), and the mortality benefits linked to reduced levels of PM_2.5 were quantified for the period 2015–2017. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, cerebrovascular diseases caused the highest premature mortality (2432, 2449, and 2483, respectively), followed by ischemic heart diseases (1391, 1479, and 1493, respectively), lung cancer (639,660, and 639, respectively), and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (533, 519, and 473, respectively). Notably, the total number of premature deaths caused by PM_2.5 exposure in Shijiazhuang in 2015, 2016, and 2017 were 4994, 5107, and 5088, respectively. Moreover, the YLL in the same years were 47001, 47880 and 47381, respectively. Interestingly, the YLL per 1000 females was lower than that per 1000 males. Finally, we noted that premature mortality and YLL decreased by 84.2% and 84.6% when the PM_2.5 levels diminished to 10 µg/m³. Overall, the results of this study improve our understanding of how high PM_2.5 concentrations affect human health and suggest the application of more stringent measures in Shijiazhuang to alleviate the associated health risks.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

PM _2.5 / Health effects / Integrated exposure-response model / Shijiazhuang

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