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Biomedical subjects

D Fairley

Publications and source records attributed to D Fairley.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Daily mortality and air pollution in Santa Clara County, California: 1989-1996.

Since the last revision of the national particulate standards, there has been a profusion of epidemiologic research showing associations between particulates and health effects--mortality in particular. Supported by this research, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promulgated a national standard for particulate matter [less than/equal to] 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)). Nevertheless, the San Francisco Bay Area of California may meet this new standard. This study investigates the relationship between daily mortality and air pollution in Santa Clara County (a Bay Area county) using techniques similar to those utilized in earlier epidemiologic studies. Statistically significant associations persist in the early 1990s, when the Bay Area met national air pollution standards for every criteria pollutant. Of the various pollutants, the strongest associations occur with particulates, especially ammonium nitrate and PM(2.5). The continuing presence of associations between mortality and air pollutants calls into question the adequacy of national standards for protecting public health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Rethinking the ozone standard.

Six properties appear desirable for any set of ozone attainment criteria: (1) sufficient stringency to protect public health, (2) simplicity and understandability, (3) sensitivity to real changes in air quality, (4) stability against meteorological fluctuations, (5) use of as much data as possible, and (6) equivalence between the stringency the criteria appear to mandate, and what they actually mandate. We consider how the federal attainment criteria might be improved with respect to Properties 4 through 6 while being equally strong on 1 through 3. Whether the federal standard meets Property 1 has been the subject of debate, but our analysis would apply also to a modified standard. We show that there are subtleties in how improvements might be made. In particular, basing the attainment status on a statistic with low variance may not lead to a more stable criterion, and although it is easy to find a criterion that makes it hard for a district with bad air to reach attainment, or a district with good air to get out of attainment, it is hard to find a criterion that does both. This suggests using different criteria for districts that are out of attainment from districts that are in attainment. Initially the burden of proof would be on the district to prove that its air is of attainment quality. However, once the district has achieved attainment the burden of proof would shift; the district would remain in attainment unless there was strong evidence to the contrary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1990

The relationship of daily mortality to suspended particulates in Santa Clara County, 1980-1986.

This paper explores the relationship between daily mortality and suspended particulates in Santa Clara County, CA, for years 1980 to 1986. An association was found between high particulate concentrations and increased mortality. This association persists after adjustment for temperature, relative humidity, year, and seasonality. Contrary to expectation, the magnitude of the particulate effect appears the same or larger than that estimated for London, despite Santa Clara County's cleaner air. The persistence of an effect at these lower particulate concentrations suggests that the particulate variable may be acting as a surrogate for some constituent particles, such as acid aerosols.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

A study of oak-pollen production and phenology in northern California: prediction of annual variation in pollen counts based on geographic and meterologic factors.

To assess the characteristics of oak-pollen production and dispersal, 9 years of weekly volumetric air sampling, with modified swing-shield rotoslide pollen samplers, were obtained in San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. The Mediterranean climate of coastal California supports 9 million acres of oaks of nine different species. The major pollen contributors in the two sampling areas are coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia Neé) and valley oak (Quercus lobata neé). Sampling data indicate that grains may be wind transported at least 16 km (10 miles). A strong correlation exists between pollen capture and total rainfall a full year before pollen release. The correlation is statistically significant, based on a Spearman rank test. A positive regression line slope demonstrates that the greater the precipitation, the stronger the stimulus for pollen production. The median count can be predicted within a factor of two with high probability a full year before release. During most seasons, the peak pollen collection from coast live oak and valley oak occurs in early April. A second peak production period, in mid-May, represents the conglomerate of other oak-pollen types. However, there are major yearly differences in the relative amounts of pollen released during these two periods. Consequently, individual oak pollinosis may depend as much on variable production by the major species as on the total quantity of airborne oak pollen. These data will help clinicians predict and prepare for the intensity of the oak-pollen season and explain seasonal variations in clinical symptoms from year to year. The question of cross-reacting and specific allergens among oak species can be answered by RAST-inhibition studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗
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Care to take away.

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Female↗
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Follow the leader?

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Humans↗