In this case-only study, we identified several subpopulations
particularly vulnerable to air pollution. Elder and economically
inactive subjects were especially susceptive to particulate matter
(PM10 or PM2.5), NO2 and SO2 exposure; never married, widowed
and divorced subjects were less pronounced to PM and SO2 exposure
than married; females were a little more sensitive to PM
exposure than males. Regarding specific causes of death, cardiorespiratory
deaths showed a higher susceptibility to air pollution
exposure, which was particularly noticeable for cardiac arrest
deaths. Besides this, the increase in pollution associated deaths was
higher for subjects dying from congestive heart failure, myocardial
infarction, stroke, COPD and pneumonia.