2025/09/26 by Seoyeong Ahn, Jieun Oh, Hyewon Yun +8 · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Social Sciences · #Air Quality and Health Impacts #Climate Change and Health Impacts #Health disparities and outcomes
paper · pdf · doi:10.1029/2024gh001214
openalex publication_date 2025/09/26 · openalex created_date 2025/09/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Abstract Numerous studies have reported that short‐term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is associated with mortality risk; however, results on high‐risk populations and regions have been mixed. This study performed a nationwide time‐stratified case‐crossover study to assess the association between short‐term PM 2.5 and mortality in South Korea (2015–2019) by each cause of death and age group. A machine‐learning ensemble PM 2.5 prediction model was used to cover unmonitored districts. We estimated the excess mortality and Years of Life Lost (YLL) attributable to PM 2.5 and non‐compliance with the 2021 WHO guidelines (>15 μg/m 3 ). We examined the effect modifications by district‐level accessibility to green spaces and medical facilities in the living sphere. In the total population, PM 2.5 was positively associated with mortality for non‐accidental causes (OR: 1.008 with 95% CI: 1.006–1.010), circulatory diseases (1.007, 95% CI: 1.003–1.011), and respiratory diseases (1.007, 95% CI: 1.001–1.013). Based on the point estimates, the association was generally greater in younger age groups (0–59 or 60–69 years) than in older age groups (70–80 and 80 years or older), and this pattern was pronounced in mortality for cerebrovascular diseases and pneumonia. The excess mortality fraction and YLL due to non‐compliance with WHO guidelines were 0.80% and 186,808.52 years. Our findings suggest high risk populations and benefits for establishing stricter PM 2.5 standards and action plans.