PM2.5 is one of the major environmental hazards responsible for deaths and illnesses worldwide. It is well known that older adults are most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of PM2.5 and, therefore, an aging population makes the issue more problematic. This paper investigates the long-term effect of PM2.5 on the risk of death from environmental diseases among older adults (65 years and older) in Seoul. Applying the Cox proportional hazard model to the cohort database of the National Health Insurance Service (2007-2015), the level of PM2.5 exposure and the mortality rate from environmental diseases among older adults are associated. One of the main findings is that the total number of premature deaths among older adults in Seoul due to PM2.5 was 1,162 in 2015 and is projected to increase to 2,130 in 2030 unless more stringent policy measures are taken to address air pollution. Policy suggestions are provided.

[Key Words] PM2.5, aging population, environmental health, premature death, environmental diseases