Assessment of the Respiratory Disease Mortality Risk from Single and Composite Exposures to PM and Ozone - Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China, 2018-2021.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Fine particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O) are prevalent pollutants in the atmosphere, which threaten human health, especially the respiratory system. Typically, people are exposed to a mixture of various pollutants in the environment. Thus, the single and combined effects of both pollutants need to be investigated.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: PM and O increase the risk of death from lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory diseases, with their lagged and cumulative effects analyzed, indicating an acute effect. In addition, combined exposure to both pollutants can significantly affect disease deaths.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: This study provides further evidence of the single and combined effects of PM and O on respiratory diseases, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts in air pollution control, with greater attention to the synergistic management of air pollutants.