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Recent epidemiologic studies have consistently reported increased daily mortality associated with exposures to particulate air pollution. Currently, particulate mass is measured as particles smaller than 10 \im (PM10). Fine (PM2 s) and coarse (PM10 - PM2 s) mass and sulfate particle concentrations were measured in six eastern U.S. cities for eight years, and aerosol acidity concentrations were measured for approximately one year. Daily mortality for these metropolitan areas was combined with particulate air pollution and weather measurements. City-specific associations with each measure of particle pollution were estimated by Poisson regression, adjusting for time trends and weather by nonparametric methods. Combined effect estimates were calculated as the inverse variance weighted mean of the city-specific estimates. PM10, PM2 5, and SO4= were each significantly associated with increased daily …