Abstract This study involved a multi‐city time‐series analysis (2015–2019) of daily all‐cause (non‐accidental) mortality and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM 10 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) in Jordan's three largest cities (Amman, Irbid, Zarqa). City‐specific quasi‐Poisson models estimated percentage increase of risk per 10‐unit increase across single‐day lags (0–6 days) and averaged windows as lag (0–1), lag (2–5), and lag (0–5). Multi‐pollutant models adjusted the primary pollutant for co‐pollutants at lag (0–1). PM 10 means were 68.9, 49.0, and 78.7 μg/m 3 in Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa, respectively. Amman's average concentration was close to the national annual limit of 70 μg/m 3 set by Jordanian air quality standards (JS 1140/2006), while Zarqa's mean level exceeded it. In Amman, PM 10 was positively associated with mortality (lag (0–1): 0.59% 0.22–0.96; lag (0–5): 0.98% 0.40–1.57); Irbid and Zarqa showed no consistent PM 10 associations, and NO 2 /SO 2 were generally null across cities. Adjustment for NO 2 and SO 2 did not attenuate Amman's PM 10 effect (0.60%–1.19%). Stratified analyses indicated short‐lag PM 10 and mortality associations were significant among males and older adults in Amman, and cumulative PM 10 associations among females in Zarqa. This first national time‐series study for Jordan identifies an acute mortality risk from particulate pollution in Amman and suggests inter‐city heterogeneity, likely driven by differences in particle composition, sources, exposure, and standards exceedances. These findings support particulate‐focused control measures and enhanced risk communication for vulnerable groups.
Ramadan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.