PM2.5 trends, mortality risks, and health benefits under air quality improvement scenarios in Northern Thailand

Information from the abstract

Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution remains a persistent air quality problem in northern Thailand, where seasonal biomass burning and regional meteorological conditions frequently lead to elevated concentrations. This study quantified exposure to PM 2.5 and associated health risks in the upper northern region of Thailand and evaluated potential health benefits under different PM 2.5 reduction scenarios. Daily PM 2.5 concentrations from 14 air quality monitoring stations during 2020–2024 were analyzed to derive annual mean exposure levels. Health impacts among adults aged ≥30 years were estimated using established concentration–response relationships to calculate relative risk (RR) and attributable fraction (AF) for cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality. The regional annual mean PM 2.5 concentration was 40.42 μg m -3 , substantially exceeding international air quality guideline levels. Under baseline exposure conditions, estimated RR values were 1.44 (95% CI: 1.14 - 1.81) for cardiopulmonary mortality and 1.72 (95% CI: 1.22 - 2.42) for lung cancer mortality. Corresponding AF estimates indicated that 30.56% (95% CI: 12.28 - 44.75) and 41.86% (95% CI: 18.03 - 58.68) of cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality risk, respectively, were attributable to PM 2.5 exposure. Scenario analyses showed progressive reductions in RR and AF with decreasing PM 2.5 concentrations, with the most stringent reduction scenario yielding mean AF reductions exceeding 20% for both health outcomes. These results indicate a consistent pattern between PM 2.5 concentration scenarios and mortality outcomes and suggest potential reductions in estimated health risks associated with lower PM 2.5 concentrations.

Why this record is monitored

This record has an Impact Signal of 74/100 based on recency, source, collaboration, and bibliographic signals. It prioritizes monitoring and is not a judgment of research quality.

Related topics: Air Quality and Health Impacts · Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols · Energy and Environment Impacts