Incorporating Ambient Air Pollution as a Risk Factor for Tuberculosis Mortality in Delhi, India

Among 61,925 adults initiating tuberculosis treatment in Delhi, India, higher ambient PM2.5 exposure during the 30 days before treatment was independently associated with increased mortality, most pronounced at the highest exposures. These findings highlight short-term air-pollution exposure as an underrecognized, modifiable risk factor for tuberculosis mortality in high-burden urban settings.