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MEASURING THE HEALTH COSTS OF POLLUTION (pp 782, 795)
August 30, 2000Research in this week's issue of THE LANCET concludes that the public-health consequences of air pollution are considerable, with traffic-related air pollution remaining a key target for public-health action in Europe.
Previous research over the past two decades has shown that air pollution contributes to death and illness, with some effects related to short-term exposure and some effects to long-term exposure. Nino Künzli and colleagues estimated the impact of outdoor (total) and traffic-related air pollution on public health in Austria, France, and Switzerland, by estimating attributable cases of illness and death. The effects of air pollution were quantified by measuring a specific increase in concentration of inhalable (less than 10 mm diameter) particulate matter (PM10)
6% of deaths (or more than 40000 deaths per year) in the three countries studied was caused by air pollution; half of these deaths were attributed to motorised traffic. Pollution from motorised traffic also accounted for more than 25 000 new cases of chronic bronchitis, more than 0.5 million asthma attacks, and more than 16 million person-days of restricted activities.
Nino Künzli comments: "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".
In an accompanying Commentary (p 782), Stephanie J London and Isabelle Romieu explain that this research should raise public awareness of the substantial health costs of air pollution, and express hope that these results will open the debate to a wider forum.
Contact: Dr Nino Künzli, Institut fur Sozial-und Praventivmedizin der, Universitat Basel, Steinengraben 49, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; T) +41 61 267 6066; F) +41 61 267 6190; E) Nino.Kuenzli@unibas.ch
NB Contact details between 30 August and 1 September - c/o Hotel Centro, Florence, Italy; T) +39 055 230 2901 (between 1800 and 1900 H 30/8 and 31/8); F) +39 055 230 2902; 1/9 c/o +39 05 777 461 121.
Dr Stephanie London, National Institute of Environmental Sciences, PO Box 12233 South Campus, Building 101, 111 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA; T) +1 919 541 5772; F) +1 919 541 2511; E) london2@niehs.nih.gov
Lancet
Nino Künzli comments: "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".
In an accompanying Commentary (p 782), Stephanie J London and Isabelle Romieu explain that this research should raise public awareness of the substantial health costs of air pollution, and express hope that these results will open the debate to a wider forum.
Contact: Dr Nino Künzli, Institut fur Sozial-und Praventivmedizin der, Universitat Basel, Steinengraben 49, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; T) +41 61 267 6066; F) +41 61 267 6190; E) Nino.Kuenzli@unibas.ch
NB Contact details between 30 August and 1 September - c/o Hotel Centro, Florence, Italy; T) +39 055 230 2901 (between 1800 and 1900 H 30/8 and 31/8); F) +39 055 230 2902; 1/9 c/o +39 05 777 461 121.
Dr Stephanie London, National Institute of Environmental Sciences, PO Box 12233 South Campus, Building 101, 111 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA; T) +1 919 541 5772; F) +1 919 541 2511; E) london2@niehs.nih.gov
Lancet
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