Effect of ambient air pollution on daily mortality in Katowice Conurbation, Poland

The impact of air pollution on human health is subject to extensive research. Most evidence concerns the effect of exposure to airborne PM10 and PM2.5 on daily mortality and hospital admissions. However; less is known about the effects of SO2. Our study (time-series analysis) investigates the effects of 24-hour concentrations of PM10, SO2 and NOX on daily mortality over 2001-2002 in 14 cities of the Katowice Conurbation. Results of the study suggest that SO2 is the major air pollutant affecting the daily mortality profile in Katowice Conurbation. Sulphur dioxide effect is apparent in relation to both general and cardiovascular or respiratory mortality, particularly in the elderly. The effect of PM10 concentration is also statistically significant but only to the general mortality pattern.