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Exploration of the composition and sources of urban fine particulate matter associated with same-day cardiovascular health effects in Dearborn, Michigan

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 25, pages 145–152 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

The objective was to explore associations of chemical components and source factors of ambient fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm; PM2.5) with cardiovascular (CV) changes following same-day exposure to ambient PM2.5. Twenty-five healthy adults living in rural Michigan were exposed to ambient air in an urban/industrial community for 4 to 5 h daily for five consecutive days. CV health outcomes were measured 1–2 h post exposure. Contributing emission sources were identified via positive matrix factorization. We examined associations between PM2.5 mass, composition and source factors, and same-day changes in CV outcomes using mixed-model analyses. PM2.5 mass (10.8±6.8 μg/m3), even at low ambient levels, was significantly associated with increased heart rate (HR). Trace elements as well as secondary aerosol, diesel/urban dust and iron/steel manufacturing factors potentially explained the HR changes. However, trace element analysis demonstrated additional associations with other CV responses including changes in blood pressure (BP), arterial compliance, autonomic balance and trends toward reductions in endothelial function. Two factors were related to BP changes (diesel/urban dust, motor vehicle) and trends toward impaired endothelial function (diesel/urban dust). This study indicates composition of PM2.5 and its sources may contribute to CV health effects independently of PM2.5 mass.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded in part by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), EPA STAR center grant RD83479701, and the National Institutes of Health grants (R01 ES01514 and CTSA UL1RR024986). We thank Salina Elementary School for its support at the study location and MIDEQ for their assistance in site setup and data from continuous PM measurements at the site. We also thank Annette Rohr and Eladio Knipping of EPRI for their comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Masako Morishita & Timothy Dvonch

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Robert L Bard & Robert D Brook

  3. Center for Human Growth and Development and Department of Biostatistics, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Niko Kaciroti

  4. Air Quality Division, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Lansing, Michigan, USA

    Craig A Fitzner

  5. Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

    Jack R Harkema

  6. Davis Heart Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Sanjay Rajagopalan

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  1. Masako Morishita
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Correspondence to Masako Morishita.

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Morishita, M., Bard, R., Kaciroti, N. et al. Exploration of the composition and sources of urban fine particulate matter associated with same-day cardiovascular health effects in Dearborn, Michigan. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 25, 145–152 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2014.35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2014.35

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