Abstract
ObjectivesAir pollution contributes to mortality and morbidity. We estimated the impact of outdoor air pollution on public health in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea. Attributable cases of morbidity and mortality were estimated.MethodsEpidemiology-based exposure-response functions for a 10 μg/m3 increase in particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) were used to quantify the effects of air pollution. Cases attributable to air pollution were estimated for mortality (adults ≥ 30 years), respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions (all ages), chronic bronchitis (all ages), and acute bronchitis episodes (≤18 years). Environmental exposure (PM2.5 and PM10) was modeled for each 3 km × 3 km.ResultsIn 2010, air pollution caused 15.9% of total mortality or approximately 15,346 attributable cases per year. Particulate air pollution also accounted for: 12,511 hospitalized cases of respiratory disease; 20,490 new cases of chronic bronchitis (adults); 278,346 episodes of acute bronchitis (children). After performing the 2nd Seoul metropolitan air pollution management plan, the reducible death number associated with air pollution is 14,915 cases per year in 2024. We can reduce 57.9% of death associated with air pollution.ConclusionThis assessment estimates the public-health impacts of current patterns of air pollution. Although individual health risks of air pollution are relatively small, the public-health consequences are remarkable. Particulate air pollution remains a key target for public-health action in the Seoul metropolitan area. Our results, which have also been used for economic valuation, should guide decisions on the assessment of environmental health-policy options.
Highlights
Fine PM (PM2.5) air pollution and mortality were linked in the Six Cities Study, which reported an association between PM2.5 and all cause, cardiopulmonary, and lung cancer mortality [1,2]
We selected only PM2.5 or PM10 in order to derive the attributable cases because PM2.5 and PM10 are useful indicators of several sources of outdoor air pollution such as fossilfuel combustion
Three data components are required for estimation of the number of cases attributed to outdoor air pollution in a given population: the exposureresponse function; the frequency of the health outcome and the level of exposure
Summary
Air pollution accompanied by urbanization and industrialization has already become a major risk factor threatening human health. Fine PM (PM2.5) air pollution and mortality were linked in the Six Cities Study, which reported an association between PM2.5 and all cause, cardiopulmonary, and lung cancer mortality [1,2]. Research conducted during the past 20 years in the US, EU, and Asian countries has confirmed that outdoor air pollution contributes to morbidity and mortality [3,4,5]. Some effects may be related to short-term exposure [6,7], others have to be considered as contributions of longterm exposure. The mechanisms have not been fully explained, epidemiological evidence suggests that outdoor air pollution is a contributing cause of morbidity and mortality [8]
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