Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong Kong
High temperatures and ozone pollution are recognized as significant risk factors for human health, but their combined effects have been less studied, particularly in densely populated Hong Kong. In this study, daily mortality, meteorological, and air pollution data in Hong Kong were collected from M...
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Environment International |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025003460 |
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| author | Yawen Wang Changqing Lin Alexis Kai Hon Lau Jimmy Chi Hung Fung Ka Chun Chong Chao Ren |
| author_facet | Yawen Wang Changqing Lin Alexis Kai Hon Lau Jimmy Chi Hung Fung Ka Chun Chong Chao Ren |
| author_sort | Yawen Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | High temperatures and ozone pollution are recognized as significant risk factors for human health, but their combined effects have been less studied, particularly in densely populated Hong Kong. In this study, daily mortality, meteorological, and air pollution data in Hong Kong were collected from March to November for the years 2000 to 2021. Compound heat-ozone events were identified and categorized into same-day events, overlapping events, and successive events. The effects of compound heat-ozone exposure and the additive interactions between heat and ozone on mortality risk were estimated. Compared to non-event days, same-day events were associated with an increased risk of non-external mortality (relative risk [RR]: 1.05, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.10), respiratory mortality (RR: 1.13, 95 % CI: 1.03–1.23), and pneumonia-related mortality (RR: 1.12, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.24). Both overlapping and successive events were linked to heightened mortality risks as well, except for cardiovascular mortality. The impact of compound events, particularly same-day events, on mortality risk was more pronounced among females (RR: 1.07, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.13) and the elderly (RR: 1.11, 95 % CI: 1.06–1.17). Furthermore, an additive interaction effect between heat and ozone exposure was notably observed among the elderly, especially in overlapping event scenarios. In summary, same-day and overlapping compound heat-ozone events were associated with increased mortality risks, whereas the effect of successive compound event was limited to specific causes of death. These findings underscore the importance of clarifying the definition of compound event in order to develop targeted public health strategies and mitigate the effects of combined exposure more efficiently. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e43818669f0a471f9fadc20fe75a5b5b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0160-4120 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environment International |
| spelling | doaj-art-e43818669f0a471f9fadc20fe75a5b5b2025-08-20T02:37:05ZengElsevierEnvironment International0160-41202025-07-0120110959510.1016/j.envint.2025.109595Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong KongYawen Wang0Changqing Lin1Alexis Kai Hon Lau2Jimmy Chi Hung Fung3Ka Chun Chong4Chao Ren5Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaAnhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230000, ChinaDivision of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, ChinaDivision of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, China; Department of Mathematics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, ChinaJockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaDivision of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Corresponding author at: Division of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Room 612, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.High temperatures and ozone pollution are recognized as significant risk factors for human health, but their combined effects have been less studied, particularly in densely populated Hong Kong. In this study, daily mortality, meteorological, and air pollution data in Hong Kong were collected from March to November for the years 2000 to 2021. Compound heat-ozone events were identified and categorized into same-day events, overlapping events, and successive events. The effects of compound heat-ozone exposure and the additive interactions between heat and ozone on mortality risk were estimated. Compared to non-event days, same-day events were associated with an increased risk of non-external mortality (relative risk [RR]: 1.05, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.10), respiratory mortality (RR: 1.13, 95 % CI: 1.03–1.23), and pneumonia-related mortality (RR: 1.12, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.24). Both overlapping and successive events were linked to heightened mortality risks as well, except for cardiovascular mortality. The impact of compound events, particularly same-day events, on mortality risk was more pronounced among females (RR: 1.07, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.13) and the elderly (RR: 1.11, 95 % CI: 1.06–1.17). Furthermore, an additive interaction effect between heat and ozone exposure was notably observed among the elderly, especially in overlapping event scenarios. In summary, same-day and overlapping compound heat-ozone events were associated with increased mortality risks, whereas the effect of successive compound event was limited to specific causes of death. These findings underscore the importance of clarifying the definition of compound event in order to develop targeted public health strategies and mitigate the effects of combined exposure more efficiently.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025003460Climate changeCompound eventHeatOzoneHealth |
| spellingShingle | Yawen Wang Changqing Lin Alexis Kai Hon Lau Jimmy Chi Hung Fung Ka Chun Chong Chao Ren Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong Kong Environment International Climate change Compound event Heat Ozone Health |
| title | Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong Kong |
| title_full | Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong Kong |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong Kong |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong Kong |
| title_short | Assessing the impact of compound heatwave-ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in Hong Kong |
| title_sort | assessing the impact of compound heatwave ozone event with varied definitions on mortality risk in hong kong |
| topic | Climate change Compound event Heat Ozone Health |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025003460 |
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