This article is a critical analysis of a study published in the *European Respiratory Journal*, 2003;21:suppl.40, 28s–33s. The objective of this study is to estimate the short-term effects of particulate matter smaller than 10 μm (PM10) on mortality among people over the age of 65 in order to verify this population’s greater sensitivity to air pollution. It also aims to identify the factors explaining the heterogeneity of results across cities. The results show that the increased risk of death associated with higher levels of PM10 or black smoke is greater among people aged 65 and older than in the general population. It also highlights that the health effects of PM10 and black smoke are comparable. These results are similar to those obtained in other studies. This article provides a good overview of the APHEA program: its history and objectives. It is particularly interesting in terms of its findings, as it has made it possible, on the one hand, to identify people over 65 as a population more sensitive to air pollution and, on the other hand, to highlight factors explaining the heterogeneity of results across cities. This work therefore represents a significant step forward compared to the first phase of the APHEA project. (Excerpts from the article)