Burden of air pollution exposure on mortality and hospital admissions in Greece by region and urbanization level Burden of air pollution exposure on mortality and hospital admissions in Greece by region and urbanization level

Abstract

Background/AimSeveral air pollutants concentrations in Greece exceed standards and guidelines. We estimated the burden on health from short and long-term exposure to pollutants in Greece, for the 13 administrative Departments, by degree of urbanization.MethodsWe used measurements from fixed monitors operating in 12 cities, for 2012-2018, and modelled concentrations from a nationwide dispersion model for the year 2012. Based on the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG), concentration-response functions from WHO reports or large meta-analysis and baseline rates for health outcomes for the years 2014-16, we calculated the attributable number of events to PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and O3 exposure.ResultsIn major Greek cities daily PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations exceed WHO AQG. The annual average exceeds the AQG in all cities and non-urban areas. NO2 exceeds the WHO AQG only in Athens, whilst O3 concentrations exceedances are observed in many areas outside the city centers. If PM2.5 and PM10 annual levels complied with the WHO AQG, 6487 and 4933 premature deaths annually would be prevented in urban areas respectively, of which 58% and 69% concern the area of Athens and 13% that of Thessaloniki and 2115 and 773 in non-urban areas. In Athens, if NO2 levels were <40 μg/m3 , 159 deaths annually would be prevented. Similar results are provided for hospital admissions and lung cancer incidence. The impact of short-term exposures is also considerable in large cities.ConclusionsParticulate pollution constitutes a major public health problem and policy should target the reduction of concentrations. O3 is a health concern as the sunny climate contributes to its formation and long range transport. NO2 is a problem in urban centers and should be monitored as diesel cars are forming a larger proportion of the car fleet after 2012.Acknowledgement: Supported by the National Center for the Environment and Sustainable Development