Effectiveness of residential wood-burning regulation on decreasing particulate matter levels and hospitalizations in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin

P.-S. Yap and Carmelo García

American Journal of Public Health, 2015, vol. 105, issue 4, 772-778

Abstract: Objectives. We examined the impact of Rule 4901, aimed at reducing residential wood burning, on particulate matter levels and hospitalizations in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB). Methods. Using general linear mixed models and generalized estimating equation models, we compared levels of particulate matter and of hospital admissions (age groups = 45-64 and ≥ 65 years) in the SJVAB for cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during the burn seasons before (2000-2003) and after (2003-2006) implementation. Results. After implementation, we observed reductions of 12%, 11%, and 15% in particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller (PM2.5), and 8%, 7%, and 11% in coarse particles, in the entire SJVAB and in rural and urban regions of the air basin, respectively. Among those aged 65 years and older, Rule 4901 was estimated to prevent 7%, 8%, and 5% of CVD cases, and 16%, 17%, and 13% of IHD cases, in the entire SJVAB and in rural and urban regions, respectively. Conclusions. The study suggests that Rule 4901 is effective at reducing wintertime ambient PM2.5 levels and decreasing hospital admissions for heart disease among people aged 65 years and older. © 2015, American Public Health Association Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: air pollutant; particulate matter, aged; air pollutant; air pollution; analysis; Cardiovascular Diseases; demography; exposure; female; hospitalization; human; legislation and jurisprudence; male; middle aged; particulate matter; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; season; statistics and numerical data; United States; wood, Aged; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; California; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Middle Aged; Particulate Matter; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Residence Characteristics; Seasons; Wood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.302360_5

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302360

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