Publications

While studies on ambient fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) exposure effect on child health are available, the differential effects, if any, of exposure to  PM(2.5) species are unexplored in lower and middle-income countries. Using  multiple logistic regression, we showed that for every 10 μg m(-3) increase in  PM(2.5) exposure, anaemia, acute respiratory infection, and low birth weight  prevalence increase by 10% (95% uncertainty interval, UI: 9-11), 11% (8-13), and  5% (4-6), respectively, among children in India. NO(3)(-), elemental carbon, and  NH(4)(+) were more associated with the three health outcomes than other PM(2.5)  species. We found that the total PM(2.5) mass as a surrogate marker for air  pollution exposure could substantially underestimate the true composite impact of  different components of PM(2.5). Our findings provide key indigenous evidence to  prioritize control strategies for reducing exposure to more toxic species for  greater child health benefits in India.