Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) has been associated with adverse health outcomes, even at low exposure levels (<10µg/m3). Burden of disease assessments can quantify these associations; however, their sensitivity to methodological choices limits comparability between studies.
This study, which included BEST-COST partners, aimed to quantify the impact of methodological choices on disease burden attributable to low levels of ambient PM2.5, using Norway as a case study.
Key methodological choices included:
- Population exposure data,
- Concentration-response curves,
- Population health data.
Attributable burden estimates for PM2.5 are highly sensitive to key methodological choices, particularly at low exposure levels. Consequently, transparent reporting of the methodological choices and data sources are required for improved comparability and to facilitate interpretations of the burden estimates.
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