Cardiovascular Risks from Fine Particulate Air Pollution

More than a decade ago, prospective epidemiologic studies showed that mortality was increased among people living in communities with elevated concentrations of fine particulate air pollution.1,2 Subsequent research has shown that particulate air pollution is statistically and mechanistically linked to increased cardiovascular disease.3 New data are beginning to shed light on which persons are at heightened risk.In this issue of the Journal, Miller et al.4 report on data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) observational study, which greatly expands our understanding of how fine particulate pollution affects health. Earlier long-term prospective cohort studies showed an association between levels . . .