ABSTRACT
"Air pollution and population health" is one of the most important environmental and public health issues. Economic development, urbanization, energy consumption, transportation/motorization, and rapid population growth are major driving forces of air pollution in large cities, especially in megacities. Air pollution levels in developed countries have been decreasing dramatically in recent decades. However, in developing countries and in countries in transition, air pollution levels are still at relatively high levels, though the levels have been gradually decreasing or have remained stable during rapid economic development. In recent years, several hundred epidemiological studies have emerged showing adverse health effects associated with short-term and long-term exposure to air pollutants. Time-series studies conducted in Asian cities also showed similar health effects on mortality associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and ozone (O(3)) to those explored in Europe and North America. The World Health Organization (WHO) published the "WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs), Global Update" in 2006. These updated AQGs provide much stricter guidelines for PM, NO(2), SO(2) and O(3). Considering that current air pollution levels are much higher than the WHO-recommended AQGs, interim targets for these four air pollutants are also recommended for member states, especially for developing countries in setting their country-specific air quality standards. In conclusion, ambient air pollution is a health hazard. It is more important in Asian developing countries within the context of pollution level and population density. Improving air quality has substantial, measurable and important public health benefits.
ABSTRACT
Objective To get comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of the impact of ambient air pollution on human health. Methods The approach recommended in this paper is a quantitative estimate on the health impact from exposure to air pollutants based on the internationally accepted quantitative risk assessment framework and the per unit increase in mortality or morbidity due to per unit increase of air pollutants levels. Results A schematic diagram of health-based risk assessment on air pollutants is presented. Calculation for excess deaths and excess disease cases is also provided. Conclusion This approach could be used for comparing the health effects associated with exposure to air pollutants of various Chinese cities in different time periods and is also useful in the priority setting of air pollution intervention and improvement measures and health-based cost benefit analysis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To get the quantitative result of the impact of air sulfur dioxide on human health in the urban districts of Shanghai. Methods The approach recommended in this paper is based on the internationally accepted quantitative risk assessment framework and the unit increase in mortality or morbidity per unit increase of air pollutant level. Results In 1990,1998,the air sulfur dioxide caused 450～2 400,30～170 attributable deaths,accounting also for 54 600,4000 of chronic bronchitis,515 800,32 200 of outpatient visits of internal medicine,157 000～7 000 of outpatient visits of paediatrics medicine, 101 900～334 600, 6 600～23 200 of emergency room visits,23.3%,1.6% increase of cough,53.3%,3.6% increase of out of breath. Conclusion The impact of air sulfur dioxide in the urban districts of Shanghai on public health is considerable,although there is a decline trend.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the association of air pollution with daily mortality among residents of Zhabei district in Shanghai. Methods Case,crossover analysis and conditional Logistic regression model were used to analyze the association of air pollution with daily mortality of residents in Zhabei district of Shanghai from June 2000 to December 2002. Results Using a symmetric bi,directional control sampling approach, the results obtained from a conditional logistic regression model with four reference periods after controlling for weather conditions showed that the OR of non,accidental mortality associated with each 10 ?g/m3 increment of PM10, SO2 and NO2 over a 48,hr moving average were 1.007(95%CI 1.003-1.011),1.011(95%CI 1.001-1.021),1.010(95%CI 1.000-1.020)respectively. Similar associations were observed between mortality of cardiovascular diseases and PM10, mortality of respiratory diseases and NO2. Also, PM10 was associated with mortality in a sensitivity analysis. Conclusion The acute effect of air pollution on mortality of the general population was established in Zhabei district of Shanghai.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the epidemiological data on air particulate matter and adverse health outcomes in China, and to estimate the exposure_response relationships. Methods An electronic search of relevant literature was conducted to determine the exposure_response relationship for each health outcome associated with exposure to air particulate matter, and the approach of Meta_analysis was used when there were several studies describing the same health endpoint. Results For each health outcome from morbidity to mortality changes, the relative risks were estimated when the concentration of air particulate matter increased some certain units. Conclusion The exposure_response relationships described here might be further applied to health risk assessment of air particulate matter in China.