Public-health impact of outdoor and traffic-related air pollution: a European assessment

P. Filliger, M. Herry, F. Horak, V. Puybonnieux-Texier, P. Quenel (), J. Schneider, R.K. Seethaler, J.C. Vernaud, H. Sommer, N. Künzli, R. Kaiser (), S. Medina, M. Studnicka and Olivier Chanel
Additional contact information
P. Filliger: Swiss Agency for the Environment - BUWAL
M. Herry: Consultancy Dr Max Herry - Consultancy Dr Max Herry
F. Horak: University Children's Hospital Vienna - University Children's Hospital Vienna
V. Puybonnieux-Texier: UPD7 - Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7
H. Sommer: ECOPLAN - ECOPLAN
N. Künzli: Institute for Social and Preventive Medecine - Unibas - Université de Bâle = University of Basel = Basel Universität
R. Kaiser: INVS - Département Santé Travail - Institut national de veille sanitaire
S. Medina: INVS - Département Santé Travail - Institut national de veille sanitaire
M. Studnicka: Center for Pulmonary Disease - Center for Pulmonary Disease

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Abstract: Background: Air pollution contributes to mortality and morbidity. We estimated the impact of outdoor (total) and traffic-related air pollution on public health in Austria, France, and Switzerland. Attributable cases of morbidity and mortality were estimated. Methods: Epidemiology-based exposure-response functions for a 10 μg/m3 increase in particulate matter (PM10) were used to quantify the effects of air pollution. Cases attributable to air pollution were estimated for mortality (adults \textgreater30 years), respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions (all ages), incidence of chronic bronchitis (adults \textgreater25 years), bronchitis episodes in children (\textless15 years), restricted activity days (adults \textgreater20 years), and asthma attacks in adults and children. Population exposure (PM10) was modelled for each km2. The traffic-related fraction was estimated based on PM10 emission inventories. Findings: Air pollution caused 6% of total mortality or more than 40 000 attributable cases per year. About half of all mortality caused by air pollution was attributed to motorised traffic, accounting also for: more than 25 000 new cases of chronic bronchitis (adults); more than 290 000 episodes of bronchitis (children); more than 0·5 million asthma attacks; and more than 16 million person-days of restricted activities. Interpretation: This 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 considerable. Traffic-related air pollution remains a key target for public-health action in Europe. Our results, which have also been used for economic valuation, should guide decisions on the assessment of environmental health-policy options.

Keywords: Economie; quantitative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (105)

Published in The Lancet, 2000, 356 (9232), pp.795--801. ⟨10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02653-2Shareonmendeley⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01462907

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02653-2Shareonmendeley

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