Acute effects of black carbon and PM2.5 on children asthma admissions: A time-series study in a Chinese city

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.02.070
• Publication Date: 2014-03-15T05:30:46Z
• Authors: Jing Hua; Yong Yin; Li Peng; Li Du; Fuhai Geng; Liping Zhu
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences; 3. Good health

Epidemiologic evidence for an association between black carbon (BC) and health outcomes is limited. We estimated associations and exposure-response relationships between childhood asthma admission and concentration of BC and PM2.5 (particle less than 2.5mm in aerodynamic diameter) in ambient air in Shanghai using a lag distributed model. The PM2.5 and the BC were significantly associated with childhood asthma admissions in single-pollution model. However, the effects of BC on asthma attacks were slightly stronger than those of PM2.5 after adjusting or not adjusting for NO2 and SO2. In conclusion, our study suggests combustion-associated particles are important in China. Black carbon should be considered as one of the air quality indicators in China.