Summary

Background Most prospective studies on the health effects of particulate ambient air pollution exposure have focused on high-income countries, which have much lower pollutant concentrations than low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and different sources of pollution. We aimed to investigate the cardiorespiratory health effects of particulate ambient air pollution exposure in LMICs exclusively.

Methods For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, LILACS, Global Health, and Proquest for studies published between database inception and Nov 28, 2016, investigating the cardiorespiratory health effects of particulate ambient air pollution exposure in LMICs. Data were extracted from published studies by one author, and then checked and verified by all authors independently. We pooled estimates by pollutant type (particulate matter with a diameter of <2·5 μm [PM 2·5 ] or 2·5–10 μm [PM 10 ]), lag, and outcome, and presented them as excess relative risk per 10 μg/m3 increase in particulate ambient air pollution. We used a random-effects model to derive overall excess risk. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016051733.

Findings Of 1553 studies identified, 91 met the full eligibility criteria. Only four long-term exposure studies from China were identified and not included in the meta-analysis. A 10 μg/m3 increase in same-day PM 2·5 was associated with a 0·47% (95% CI 0·34–0·61) increase in cardiovascular mortality and a 0·57% (0·28–0·86) increase in respiratory mortality. A 10 μg/m3 increase in same-day PM 10 was associated with a 0·27% (0·11–0·44) increase in cardiovascular mortality and a 0·56% (0·24–0·87) increase in respiratory mortality.

Interpretation Short-term exposure to particulate ambient air pollution is associated with increases in cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality in LMIC's, with apparent regional-specific variations.