Analysis of the association between galactic cosmic ionization, air pollution and mortality in U.S. cities since 1990

• Grant number: 15/03893-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: June 12, 2015
• End date: June 11, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva
• Grantee: Carolina Letícia Zilli Vieira
• Supervisor: Petros Koutrakis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/15154-3 - Analysis of the association between solar radiation activities and galactic cosmic rays during the solar cycles of 11 years and the incidence of mortality in São Paulo since 1930, BP.PD

Abstract

Different intensities of cosmic rays (CR), including galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), are frequently observed during solar cycles in the Earth atmosphere. GCR are a kind of ionized radiation, originated from stellar remnants around the universe. These high energetic particles penetrate daily in the atmosphere, hitting and ionizing aerosols, changing their behavior and promoting their recombination. GCR ionized displace orbital electrons in aerosols, and especially in air pollutants, this shock can make them more poisonous for the environment and human health. GCR and air pollution seem to lead to ozone layer destruction, climate change, as well as changes in the chemical and biological aspects of all life beings on the planet. Objectives: Observing the effects of galactic cosmic radiation ionized in the atmosphere and its consequences in aerosols, this study aims to evaluate the correlation between daily data of galactic cosmic rays ionized, air pollutants, and mortality rate by ICD code in U.S. cities since 1990. Cities of interest will be selected based on the availability of daily mortality, and PM2.5 mass. Methods: The association between the variables described above will be made initially through the descriptive analysis of the data collected and, subsequently, by building multiple regression models using SPSS 17 and R statistical programs. The analysis will be performed by associating daily records of GCR ionized and air pollution, with the mortality rate from the governmental database, with records since 1990. The data of GCR ionized will be obtained at the Sodankyla Geophysical Observatory (Oulu unit)- FINLAND. (AU)