EPA Particulate Matter Data -- Analyses using Local Control Strategy

Abstract

Statistical Learning methodology for analysis of large collections of cross-sectional observational data can be most effective when the approach used is both Nonparametric and Unsupervised. We illustrate use of our NU Learning approach on 2016 US environmental epidemiology data that we have made freely available. We encourage other researchers to download these data, apply whatever methodology they wish, and contribute to development of a broad-based ``consensus view'' of potential effects of Secondary Organic Aerosols (volatile organic compounds of predominantly biogenic or anthropogenic origin) within PM2.5 particulate matter on circulatory and/or respiratory mortality. Our analyses here focus on the question: ``Are regions with relatively high air-borne biogenic particulate matter also expected to have relatively high circulatory and/or respiratory mortality?''