Public-health impact of outdoor air pollution for 2nd air pollution management policy in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea

• Published in: Annals of occupational and environmental medicine Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 1 - 18
• Main Authors: Leem, Jong Han, Kim, Soon Tae, Kim, Hwan Cheol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 27.02.2015; BioMed Central; 대한직업환경의학회
• Subjects: Air pollution; Analysis; Bronchitis; Environmental health; Health aspects; Public health; 예방의학
• ISSN: 2052-4374; 2052-4374
• DOI: 10.1186/s40557-015-0058-z

Objectives Air 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. Methods Epidemiology-based exposure-response functions for a 10 [mu]g/m3 increase in particulate matter (PM.sub.2.5 and PM.sub.10) were used to quantify the effects of air pollution. Cases attributable to air pollution were estimated for mortality (adults [greater than or equai to] 30 years), respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions (all ages), chronic bronchitis (all ages), and acute bronchitis episodes ([less than or equai to]18 years). Environmental exposure (PM.sub.2.5 and PM.sub.10) was modeled for each 3 km x 3 km. Results In 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 2.sup.nd 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. Conclusion 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 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. Keywords: Public health assessment, Air pollution, PM.sub.2.5, PM.sub.10, Mortality