Background: Multicentric studies in Europe are required to gain knowledge on the short-term impacts of
PM2.5 and PM10e2.5. We present an analysis of the short-term associations between particulate matters
(PM10, PM10e2.5 and PM2.5) and mortality by causes, age-groups and seasons in nine French cities.
Methods: The associations between PM and daily mortality were investigated in each city using a
generalized additive Poisson regression model for the 2000e2006 period. The percent increases in the
mortality rate were estimated for a 10 mg/m3 increase and for an interquartile range increase in PM levels
in each city, for the whole year and by season. The models also compared the PM effect observed on
“non-warm” days and on “warm” days.