Health effects of PM10 air pollution in a low-income country: the case of Algiers.
METHODS
Although there are proven risk factors related to air pollution, the prevalent situation in low-income countries is not well known.


OBJECTIVE
To quantify the health impacts associated with particulate air pollution in the city of Algiers.


METHODS
Descriptive study to evaluate a health impact assessment (HIA) approach based on a dose-response curve from the literature. A study area was defined around an air quality monitoring site in Algiers. Daily health data were obtained from a network of physicians practising in out-patient health centres.


RESULTS
Over the period studied, the number of consultations for respiratory reasons attributable to PM10 exposure was 439, representing 4.5% of all health events observed. Different scenarios were examined, showing that a reduction in ambient levels of PM10 would be accompanied by important public health gains.


CONCLUSIONS
The study allowed us to test the applicability of the HIA approach in a low-income country and to confirm the interest of the approach. Although the estimation of dose-response functions obeys a complex methodology, the HIA is an alternative that constitutes an important decision-making tool.
Laïd
Y
Y
Service d'lnformation Sanitaire/Unite Sante Environnement, Institut National de Santé Publique, Algiers, Algeria. youceflaid@yahoo.fr
Atek
M
M
Oudjehane
R
R
Filleul
L
L
Baough
L
L
Zidouni
N
N
Boughedaoui
M
M
Tessier
J F
JF
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000397:Air Pollution; D000462:Algeria; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity*; D011203:Poverty; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014504:Urban Health
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter