546 – Are Fine Particulates Killing Californians?
Particulate Matter Is Not Killing Californians
James E. Enstrom
University of California at Los Angeles
There is now overwhelming epidemiologic evidence that particulate matter (PM), both fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and course particulate matter (PM10), is not related to total mortality in California. I will examine all the long-term PM epidemiologic cohort studies in California, and discuss the ways the findings from these studies have be used and/or ignored. I will discuss the limitations of these studies: lack of access to key databases; the ecological fallacy; failure to consider other pollutants; failure to satisfy causality criteria; and failure to consider other competing health risks. Also, ethical issues underlying much of PM2.5 epidemiology will be discussed. I will make a strong case that PM2.5 is not killing Californians and that there is not a scientific or public health basis for the many of the existing and proposed regulations designed to reduce PM levels in California.
