Avoidable mortality due to long-term exposure to PM2.5 in Colombia 2014-2019

Objective: To compare estimates of spatiotemporal variations of surface PM2.5 concentrations in Colombia from 2014 to 2019 derived from two global air quality models, as well as to quantify the avoidable deaths attributable to the long-term exposure to concentrations above the current and projected Colombian standard for PM2.5 annual mean at municipality level. Methods: We retrieved PM2.5 concentrations at the surface level from the ACAG and CAMSRA global air quality models for all 1,122 municipalities, and compare 28 of them with available concentrations from monitor stations. Annual mortality data 2014-2019 by municipality of residence and pooled effect measures for total, natural and specific causes of mortality were used to calculate the number of annual avoidable deaths and years of potential life lost (YPLL) related to the excess of PM2.5 concentration over the current mean annual national standard of 25 mu g/m(3) and projected standard of 15 mu g/m(3). Results: Compared to surface data from 28 municipalities with monitoring stations in 2019, ACAG and CAMSRA models under or overestimated annual mean PM2.5 concentrations. Estimations from ACAG model had a mean bias 1,7 mu g/m(3) compared to a mean bias of 4,7 mu g/m(3) from CAMSRA model. Using ACAG model, estimations of total nationally attributable deaths to PM2.5 exposure over 25 and 15 mu g/m(3) were 142 and 34,341, respectively. Cardiopulmonary diseases accounted for most of the attributable deaths due to PM2.5 excess of exposure (38%). Estimates of YPLL due to all-cause mortality for exceeding the national standard of 25 mu g/m(3) were 2,381 years. Conclusion: Comparison of two global air quality models for estimating surface PM2.5 concentrations during 2014-2019 at municipality scale in Colombia showed important differences. Avoidable deaths estimations represent the total number of deaths that could be avoided if the current and projected national standard for PM2.5 annual mean have been met, and show the health-benefit of the implementation of more restrictive air quality standards.

Automated summary

This study compares estimates of surface PM2.5 concentrations in Colombia from 2014 to 2019 derived from two global air quality models, as well as quantifies the avoidable deaths attributable to long-term exposure to concentrations above the current and projected national standard. The results show important differences between the two models and highlight the health benefits of implementing more restrictive air quality standards.