Assessment of health effects in epidemiologic studies of air pollution

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3431671· OSTI ID:508367

Samet, J M ^[1]; Speizer, F E ^[2]

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1. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (United States)

As we increasingly recognize the complexity of the pollutants in indoor and outdoor microenvironments, a broad array of inhaled mixtures has assumed scientific, public health, and regulatory importance. Few adverse effects of environmental pollutants are specific, that is, uniquely associated with a single agent; the adverse effects that might be considered in an investigation of the consequences of exposure to an inhaled complex mixture are generally nonspecific. In the context of this paper, we will refer to binary mixtures as complex, though we realize that a more precise definition of complexity would restrict the term to mixtures of three or more constituents. Their causes potentially include not only pollutant exposures through the medium of inhaled air but other environmental agents, such as infectious organisms and radiation, and inherent characteristics of the exposed persons, such as atopy. We review the outcome measures that have been used in epidemiologic studies of the health effects of single pollutants and complex mixtures. Some of these outcome measures have been carefully standardized, whereas others need similar standardization and modification to improve sensitivity and specificity for investigating the health effects of air pollution. 52 refs., 1 tab.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 508367
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal Issue: Suppl.4 Vol. 101; ISSN EVHPAZ; ISSN 0091-6765
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
BINARY MIXTURES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DISEASE INCIDENCE
INHALATION
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
NITROGEN OXIDES
OZONE
PUBLIC HEALTH
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SENSITIVITY
SMOKES