Short-term effects of sulphur dioxide pollution on mortality in two French cities.

To assess the short-term effects of sulphur dioxide (SO2) atmospheric pollution on mortality a study was conducted in two large French cities, using daily measures of pollution and mortality. A statistically significant association between daily SO2 pollution and respiratory deaths up to 10 days later was shown in both cities for both male and female populations together in the age group 65 years and over. No coherent results were found between SO2 pollution and cardiovascular deaths, or between suspended particulates and either respiratory or cardiovascular deaths. Particular emphasis was put on the use of correct statistical procedures using time series analysis and on the comparison of the part played by SO2 or suspended particulates on mortality.