Cardiopulmonary mortality; Lung function; Ambient air pollution; Survival analysis

Air pollution has been identified as a global health threat which extensively contributes to lung function decline and shortening of life expectancy. We investigated the association of long-term air pollution exposure and reduced lung function on cardiopulmonary mortality. Methods: We used data from the SALIA (Study of the effect of Air pollution on Lung function, Inflammation and Aging) study cohort of elderly women (aged 55 years at baseline) with a 22-year follow-up to cardiopulmonary mortality as indicated on the death certificate. Lung function was determined by FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC measurements performed at baseline (1985 - 1994).