Contaminación del aire en la Florida (Talca, Chile): Beneficios económicos en salud por la reducción de los niveles PM10 / Hypothetical health and economic benefits associated with a reduction in air pollution in a Chilean city (Talca)
Rev. méd. Chile
; 138(11): 1395-1402, nov. 2010. graf, tab
Article
in Es
| LILACS
| ID: lil-572957
Responsible library:
CL1.1
ABSTRACT
Background:
Environmental air pollution is associated with a higher incidence of respiratory diseases, absenteeism and costs.Aim:
To model the health related economic benefits associated to a reduction in air pollution and the resulting lower prevalence of respiratory diseases, in a Chilean city. Material andMethods:
A time series model for year 2006 was elaborated. The dependent variable was the number of consultations for respiratory disease. The independent variables were air pollution expressed as particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less (PM10), minimum and maximum environmental temperatures, environmental humidity and number of consultations for chronic diseases.Results:
The variables that best explained the number of consultations for respiratory diseases were PM10, minimal environmental temperatures and preexisting respiratory diseases. In a hypothetical scenery of a 67 percent reduction in PM10, 69 percent of medical consultations for respiratory diseases would be avoided. This would result in a net saving of US$ 345,000 per year.Conclusions:
The reduction in PM10 emissions would result in an important reduction in consultations for respiratory diseases and monetary savings.Key words
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS
Main subject:
Respiratory Tract Diseases
/
Temperature
/
Air Pollution
/
Particulate Matter
/
Humidity
Type of study:
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Chile
Language:
Es
Journal:
Rev. méd. Chile
Journal subject:
MEDICINA
Year:
2010
Type:
Article