Epidemiology
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Although damage to the respiratory system from air pollutants has been recognized, research on susceptibility to air pollution in patients with chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) has produced contradictory results. We studied the short-term effects of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) on cardiac and respiratory mortality in a COPD cohort. We assessed age, sex, and previous diseases as effect modifiers. ⋯ COPD patients are more susceptible to air pollutants, especially PM10 and NO2. These results suggest a need for more protective air pollution standards for susceptible groups.