AIR POLLUTION AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN BEIJING, CHINA

Background: Particulate Matter (PM) air pollution is critical in Beijing, China, due to very high population density, rapid increase in the number of vehicles, and limited control of industrial emissions. PM effects on blood pressure (BP) have been investigated as a mechanism mediating cardiovascular risks, but results have been inconsistent. Methods: The Beijing Truck Driver Air Pollution Study (BTDAS) was conducted shortly before the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (June 15-July 27, 2008) and included 60 truck drivers and 60 office workers in Beijing. PM2.5 measured during work hours using portable small-sized monitors and post-work BP measurements were obtained on two different days, separated by 1-2 weeks. We used ambient PM10 data averaged for the 5 days before the study from 27 monitoring stations operating in Beijing. Mixed-effect regression models were used to examine associations of exposures (occupational group, personal PM2.5, or ambient PM10) with BP controlling for age, gender, BMI, day of the wee...