Global, Regional, and National Burden Attributed to Particulate Matter Pollution, 1990–2021: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

<i>Background:</i> Particulate matter pollution (PMP), both ambient (APMP) and household (HPMP), significantly contributes to global health issues, affecting mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across different populations. This study aims to analyze the temporal and spatial trends of deaths and DALYs attributable to APMP and HPMP from 1990 to 2021, stratified by age, sex, and SDI, to understand the evolving global health burden. <i>Method:</i> In this study, data on deaths, DALYs, and population attributable fractions due to overall PMP, APMP, and HPMP from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The counts, rates per 100,000 population, and their estimated annual percentage changes, with 95% uncertainty intervals, were reported for each estimate. <i>Results:</i> This study reveals that the global PMP-attributable deaths increased, driven by the doubling of APMP-attributable deaths. Rates attributable to overall PMP and HPMP decreased with rising SDI, while APMP-attributable rates followed an inverted U-shaped pattern, from 1990 to 2021. In 2021, the highest age-specific death and DALY rates occurred in infants and the elderly, with males consistently exhibiting higher rates than females. Regionally, North Africa and the Middle East, and Oceania had the highest rates attributable to APMP and HPMP, respectively, while South Asia showed the largest increase in APMP-attributable rates. The leading PMP-attributable diseases were cardiovascular diseases, maternal and neonatal disorders, and respiratory infections. APMP primarily contributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease, and stroke, while HPMP had the greatest impact on lower respiratory infections, COPD, and neonatal disorders. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study revealed that the burden of different PMP-attributable diseases varied by region, gender, and age. In addition, APMP-attributable deaths and DALYs doubled, with significant regional, gender, and age disparities, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and control strategies.