Relationship between cause-specific mortality and temperature inversions in the Salt Lake Valley

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Title Relationship between cause-specific mortality and temperature inversions in the Salt Lake Valley
Publication Type thesis
School or College School of Medicine
Department Family & Preventive Medicine
Author Feldkamp, Marcia L.
Date 1986-12
Description During winter months the Salt Lake Valley can be covered by a thick dense fog, known as a temperature inversion, for a few days to several weeks. Cold temperatures remain trapped on the valley floor while warmer air circulates above the cold mass. This study examined the relationships between (a) air pollutants and temperature inversions and (b) cause-specific mortality and temperature inversions. No previous investigation of this type has been accomplished for Salt Lake Valley. This investigation will add to the understanding of air quality during temperature inversions and whether a mortality burden accompanies such events in the Salt Lake Valley. Daily data were collected on clearing index (a quantitative measurement for temperature inversion) and four major pollutants measured by the Bureau of Air Quality - Utah Department of Health from January 1, 1981 to December 31, 1983. During the same time period, mortality data were collected, from the Bureau of Vital Statistics Utah Department of Health, on all pulmonary or cardiovascular deaths. Of the four pollutants investigated, carbon monoxide was found to increase during temperature inversions. It was, however, difficult to determine how much influence this increase of carbon monoxide has on the health of individuals breathing the air during these inversions. Of greatest import to this investigation is the consistent relationship found between monthly mortality density ratios (greater than 1) and average monthly clearing index (less than 500 - indicative of a temperature inversion). Five of the 36 months demonstrated this relationship, whereas the remainder (31 months) had a mortality density ratio less than 1 and an average clearing index greater than 500. This relationship strongly implies cause-specific mortality is directly linked to temperature inversions or an entity of an inversion.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Utah; Adverse Effects; Salt Lake Valley; Temperature Inversions
Subject MESH Smog; Weather; Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Climate
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MPH
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "The Relationship between cause-specific mortality and temperature inversions in the Salt Lake Valley." Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library. Print version of "The Relationship between cause-specific mortality and temperature inversions in the Salt Lake Valley." available at J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collection. QC 3.5 1986 F44.
Rights Management © Marcia L. Feldkamp.
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 1,493,262 bytes
Identifier undthes,4701
Source Original: University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (no longer available).
Master File Extent 1,493,325 bytes
ARK ark:/87278/s6251m0p
Setname ir_etd
ID 190978
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6251m0p
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