Return to Article

Add to Personal Archive

PowerPoint Help

Figure 1. Level of Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and the Risk of Death from Cardiovascular Causes in Women.

The graphs demonstrate the observed relationship between the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and the level of particulate matter of less than 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5), including both definite and possible deaths from coronary heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. Panel A shows the overall relationship between the PM_2.5 level and death, Panel B the effects between metropolitan areas, and Panel C the effects within metropolitan areas, with an indicator variable used to adjust for each city. These results suggest a generally linear relationship between exposure and risk, though the 95% confidence intervals (shaded areas) are wide at the extremes of exposure. Risk is depicted in comparison with a reference value of 11 µg per cubic meter. The histogram in each panel illustrates the density of exposure distribution for air pollution. All estimates are adjusted for age, race or ethnic group, educational level, household income, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, body-mass index, and presence or absence of a history of diabetes, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia.