Data Sheet 1_Impact of sand and dust storms on mortality in Jinan City, China.docx

BackgroundSand and dust storms (SDSs) cause considerable health risks worldwide. China is a country seriously affected by SDSs, however only few studies researched the risk of SDS in China. The insufficient evidence on SDS hampers effective measures to mitigate its harm.
ObjectiveTo reveal the mortality risks associated with SDSs in Jinan City and identify sensitive populations vulnerable to these events.
MethodsFor this time-stratified case-crossover study, we collected daily data on all-cause, circulatory, and respiratory deaths, as well as air pollution and meteorological information from Jinan City in China between January 1, 2013, and November 30, 2022. We initially utilized a time-stratified case-crossover design and logistic regression model to examine the short-term relationship between SDSs and mortality risks, adjusting for specific variables such as mean temperature, humidity, wind speeds, and holidays. Subsequently, we conducted stratified analyses by age, gender, and season.
ResultsA total of 53 SDSs were observed, lasting for 88 days during the study period, which accounted for 2% of the study period. The excess mortality risks associated with SDSs were 13% (95% CI: 4–22%), 4% (95% CI: 1–8%), and 3% (95% CI: 1–6%) for respiratory, circulatory, and all-cause death, respectively. Females and people over 65 years of age are vulnerable to respiratory deaths caused by SDSs.
ConclusionShort-term exposure to SDSs caused the significantly elevated risks of respiratory, circulatory and all-cause death. Females and individuals over the age of 65 are particularly vulnerable to the effects of SDSs.

背景：全球范围内，沙尘暴（Sand and dust storms, SDSs）会造成严重的健康风险。中国是受沙尘暴影响较为严重的国家之一，但目前针对中国境内沙尘暴健康风险的研究数量极少。由于相关研究证据不足，难以制定有效的防控措施以减轻沙尘暴带来的危害。
研究目的：阐明济南市沙尘暴相关的死亡风险，并识别易受此类事件影响的敏感人群。
研究方法：本研究采用时间分层病例交叉研究设计，收集了2013年1月1日至2022年11月30日期间济南市的全因死亡、循环系统疾病死亡、呼吸系统疾病死亡数据，以及空气污染与气象信息。研究首先运用时间分层病例交叉设计与逻辑回归模型，探究沙尘暴与死亡风险之间的短期关联，并对平均气温、相对湿度、风速及节假日等混杂变量进行校正。随后，基于年龄、性别与季节开展分层分析。
研究结果：研究期间共观测到53次沙尘暴事件，累计持续88天，占研究总时长的2%。沙尘暴相关的超额死亡风险分别为：呼吸系统疾病死亡13%（95%置信区间：4%~22%）、循环系统疾病死亡4%（95%置信区间：1%~8%）、全因死亡3%（95%置信区间：1%~6%）。女性及65岁以上人群更易受到沙尘暴引发的呼吸系统疾病死亡的影响。
研究结论：短期暴露于沙尘暴环境会显著升高呼吸系统疾病、循环系统疾病及全因死亡风险。女性与65岁以上人群尤其容易受到沙尘暴的健康影响。