M Mrad Nakhlé1, W Farah, N Ziade, M Abboud, J Gerard, R Zaarour, N Saliba, G Dabar, T Abdel Massih, A Zoghbi, M-L Coussa-Koniski, I Annesi-Maesano. 1. Département de biologie, FS, université Saint-Joseph, campus des sciences et technologies, Mar Roukos, Mkalles, BP 11-514 Riad el Solh, Beyrouth 11072050, Liban; EPAR UMR-S 707 Inserm & UPMC Paris 6, faculté de médecine Saint-Antoine, bureaux 803-4-6, 8(e) étage, 27, rue de Chaligny, 75571 Paris cedex 12, France. Electronic address: myriam.mrad@usj.edu.lb.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The effects of air pollution on human health have been the subject of much public health research. Several techniques and methods of analysis have been developed. Thus, Beirut Air Pollution and Health Effects (BAPHE) was designed to develop a methodology adapted to the context of the city of Beirut in order to quantify the short-term health effects of air pollution. METHODS: The quality of data collected from emergency units was analyzed in order to properly estimate hospitalizations via these units. This study examined the process of selecting and validating health and pollution indicators. RESULTS: The different sources of data from emergency units were not correlated. BAPHE was therefore reoriented towards collecting health data from the emergency registry of each hospital. A pilot study determined the appropriate health indicators for BAPHE and created a classification methodology for data collection. CONCLUSION: In Lebanon, several studies have attempted to indirectly assess the impact of air pollution on health. They had limitations and weaknesses and offered no recommendations regarding the sources and quality of data. The present analysis will be useful for BAPHE and for planning further studies.
BACKGROUND: The effects of air pollution on human health have been the subject of much public health research. Several techniques and methods of analysis have been developed. Thus, Beirut Air Pollution and Health Effects (BAPHE) was designed to develop a methodology adapted to the context of the city of Beirut in order to quantify the short-term health effects of air pollution. METHODS: The quality of data collected from emergency units was analyzed in order to properly estimate hospitalizations via these units. This study examined the process of selecting and validating health and pollution indicators. RESULTS: The different sources of data from emergency units were not correlated. BAPHE was therefore reoriented towards collecting health data from the emergency registry of each hospital. A pilot study determined the appropriate health indicators for BAPHE and created a classification methodology for data collection. CONCLUSION: In Lebanon, several studies have attempted to indirectly assess the impact of air pollution on health. They had limitations and weaknesses and offered no recommendations regarding the sources and quality of data. The present analysis will be useful for BAPHE and for planning further studies.