BACKGROUND: Much of the evidence on the health effects of airborne particles is based on mortality and hospital admissions, while the evidence from other morbidity indicators is still limited. OBJECTIVE: To measure the relationship between particles with diameter below 10 microm (PM10) and emergency ambulance dispatches (EAD). METHODS: Daily EAD for six towns of the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) were obtained from a database collecting real-time data. Time series analyses were performed, and city-specific estimates were combined using meta-analytic techniques. RESULTS: We found a significant percentage change of EAD associated with a 10 microg/m3 increase of PM10 for non-traumatic diseases (0.86%, 95% CI: 0.61,1.1%). A positive relationship was also found for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases without reaching statistical significance. The risks were much higher in the warm (April-September) than in the cold season (January-March and October-December). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency ambulance dispatches provide useful insight into the health effects of air pollution and may be useful to establish surveillance systems.
BACKGROUND: Much of the evidence on the health effects of airborne particles is based on mortality and hospital admissions, while the evidence from other morbidity indicators is still limited. OBJECTIVE: To measure the relationship between particles with diameter below 10 microm (PM10) and emergency ambulance dispatches (EAD). METHODS: Daily EAD for six towns of the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) were obtained from a database collecting real-time data. Time series analyses were performed, and city-specific estimates were combined using meta-analytic techniques. RESULTS: We found a significant percentage change of EAD associated with a 10 microg/m3 increase of PM10 for non-traumatic diseases (0.86%, 95% CI: 0.61,1.1%). A positive relationship was also found for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases without reaching statistical significance. The risks were much higher in the warm (April-September) than in the cold season (January-March and October-December). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency ambulance dispatches provide useful insight into the health effects of air pollution and may be useful to establish surveillance systems.
Authors: Roger D Peng; Francesca Dominici; Roberto Pastor-Barriuso; Scott L Zeger; Jonathan M Samet Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2005-03-15 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Fay H Johnston; Farhad Salimi; Grant J Williamson; Sarah B Henderson; Jiayun Yao; Martine Dennekamp; Karen Smith; Michael J Abramson; Geoffrey G Morgan Journal: Epidemiology Date: 2019-01 Impact factor: 4.822