Evaluating the long-term consequences of air pollution in early life: geographical correlations between coal consumption in 1951/1952 and current mortality in England and Wales. Issue 4 (27th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phillips, David I W; Osmond, Clive; Southall, Humphrey; Aucott, Paula; Jones, Alexander; Holgate, Stephen T
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 8:Issue 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-04-27
• Subjects: air pollution -- mortality -- developmental origins of health and diseasee; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To evaluate associations between early life air pollution and subsequent mortality. Design: Geographical study. Setting: Local government districts within England and Wales. Exposure: Routinely collected geographical data on the use of coal and related solid fuels in 1951–1952 were used as an index of air pollution. Main outcome measures: We evaluated the relationship between these data and both all-cause and disease-specific mortality among men and women aged 35–74 years in local government districts between 1993 and 2012. Results: Domestic (household) coal consumption had the most powerful associations with mortality. There were strong correlations between domestic coal use and all-cause mortality (relative risk per SD increase in fuel use 1.124, 95% CI 1.123 to 1.126), and respiratory (1.238, 95% CI 1.234 to 1.242), cardiovascular (1.138, 95% CI 1.136 to 1.140) and cancer mortality (1.073, 95% CI 1.071 to 1.075). These effects persisted after adjustment for socioeconomic indicators in 1951, current socioeconomic indicators and current pollution levels. Conclusion: Coal was the major cause of pollution in the UK until the Clean Air Act of 1956 led to a rapid decline in consumption. These data suggest that coal-based pollution, experienced over 60 years ago in early life, affects human health now by increasing mortality from a wide variety of diseases.