DETERMINATION OF HEALTH IMPACTS IN URBAN REGIONS EXPOSED TO ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS

Abstract

A simple method for relating urban health responses to ambient air pollution levels is outlined. The methhod requires daily values of concentrations for the most common atmospheric irritant and respiratory complaint statistics from an adjacent medical clinic. The data need to be quality controlled and of sufficient length to be statistically screened using various thresholds. The method is limited in scope, so historical evidence is needed to guide the survey to the relevant time of year and most exposed place. In the example given for Richards Bay - South Africa, health responses achieve maximum variance (27.4%) with respect to peak values of S0₂ on (he same cdy over a 40 day period in the winter of 1998. The correlation function for various thresholds indicates that 30 ppb is a critical heallh sensitivity level. The economic implications are computed and interpretations address how the results can be used 10 modify town planning efforts.