[PM.sub.2.5] and [PM.sub.[10-2.5]] exposures, mortality, and CHD.

There is growing evidence that fine particulate matter air pollution [< 2.5 [micro]m in diameter ([PM.sub.2.5])] increases mortality and cardiovascular disease, but less is known about coarse PM [2.5-10 [micro]m ([PM.sub.[10-2.5]])]. Puett et al. (p. 1697) evaluated chronic [PM.sub.2.5] and [PM.sub.[10-2.5]] in association with all-cause mortality and fatal and nonfatal incident coronary heart disease (CHD) among 66,250 Nurses' Health Study participants living in metropolitan areas of the northeastern and midwestern United States. Exposures were estimated according to current residence using geographic information systems--based spatial smoothing models. [PM.sub.2.5] exposure was positively associated with all-cause mortality and fatal CHD, both before and after adjusting for individual- and community-level confounders, but adjusted estimates did not support associations with [PM.sub.[10-2.5]]. The authors note that stronger associations with exposures in the prior 12 months than exposures in the more distant past suggest that reducing [PM.sub.2.5] air pollution could lead to relatively rapid improvements in human health.