SHORT NOTE OF MEETING 18th FEBRUARY 2005
Minutes of the last meeting
1. The minutes of the last meeting were agreed with minor changes.
Report on Air Pollution and Heart Disease
2. There was detailed discussion of all chapters of the report.
3. Points discussed included:
- the interpretation of results from the small number of panel studies/case
cross-over studies which were available compared with the results from
time series (the former have less statistical power),
- the results of multi-pollutant models looking at associations with
PM10 adjusted for nitrogen dioxide and vice versa,
- whether the use of relatively recent concentrations rather then historical
concentrations in the long term effect studies would lead to an overestimation
or underestimation of the effect. Factors such as wider differences
between cities historically, changes in the composition of the pollution
mixture over time and measurement error were discussed.
- The relative amount of mechanistic evidence available on different
pollutants,
- Mechanisms of clotting and plaque rupture in blood vessels,
- What advice could be given to patients.
4. There was a limited amount of work on certain sections still outstanding
and written comments would be sought from Members unable to attend the
meeting. A final version incorporating these amendments would then be
circulated to the Committee for clearance.
Date of next meeting
5. The next meeting would be held on Friday 24th June 2005.
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