Air pollution and mortality in elderly urban population

Standard methodology for analysis of air pollution epidemiological time series was used to assess association between air pollution and mortality in elderly population of Zagreb, Croatia. During 1995-1997 general mortality in population aged 75 and older was significantly associated with daily concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and black smoke. However, only for NO₂ the estimated curve showed significant effect within the central 90% of its range of daily concentrations. In comparison to previous results for general population, relative mortality rate for elderly was higher, supporting a hypothesis that this population is more sensitive to air pollution.