Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Wiley IV, Thomas James
URN	etd-11052004-114545
Title	An Analysis of Cardiovascular and Respriatory Mortality as a Function of Ambient Ozone and Fine Particulate Matter in the Baton Rouge Air Quality Control Region
Degree	Master of Science (M.S.)
Department	Environmental Studies
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Vincent L. Wilson Committee Chair John Pine Committee Member Michael Wascom Committee Member
Keywords	respiratory cardiovascular mortality particulate Baton Rouge ozone
Date of Defense	2004-11-02
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The Baton Rouge Air Quality Control Region has come under fire due to difficulties in reaching attainment of one-hour daily ozone limitations and its general perception as being a polluted place to live. Ozone is a reactive oxygen species which has been shown to result in damage to biological molecules and is detrimental to human physiology, especially in regards to cardio-respiratory structure and function. In the last decade, fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in mean aerodynamic diameter have been identified as a possible pollutant that is affecting public health at levels lower than the EPA’s established limits. PM2.5 has also been linked to adverse cardiovascular and respiratory health affects. The intent of this study was to examine the air quality of Baton Rouge and the surrounding five parishes and compare these concentrations to mortality cases for cardiovascular and respiratory causes of death. Poisson regression analysis found that PM2.5 had no significant effect on mortality frequency. Ozone was found to have a negative relationship; as ozone levels increased, mortality rates decreased. Multiple regression of both pollutants confirmed the results obtained individually, with no indications of synergistic or antagonistic effects.
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