title: Health benefits of traffic-related air pollution reduction in different socioeconomic groups: the effect of low-emission zoning in Rome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few studies have assessed the effects of policies aimed to reduce traffic-related air pollution. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact, in terms of air quality and health effects, of two low-emission zones established in Rome in the period 2001-2005 and to assess the impact by socioeconomic position (SEP) of the population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the effects of the intervention on various stages in the full-chain model, that is, pressure (number and age distribution of cars), emissions, PM(10) and NO(2) concentrations, population exposure and years of life gained (YLG). The impact was evaluated according to a small-area indicator of SEP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the period 2001-2005, there was a decrease in the total number of cars (-3.8%), NO(2) and PM(10) emissions and concentrations (from 22.9 to 17.4 μg/m(3) for NO(2) and from 7.8 to 6.2 μg/m(3) for PM(10)), and in the residents' exposure. In the two low-emission zones, there was an additional decrease in air pollution concentrations (NO(2): -4.13 and -2.99 μg/m(3); PM(10): -0.70 and -0.47 μg/m(3)). As a result of the policy, 264 522 residents living along busy roads gained 3.4 days per person (921 YLG per 100,000) for NO(2) reduction. The gain was larger for people in the highest SEP group (1387 YLG per 100,000) than for residents in the lowest SEP group (340 YLG per 100,000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The traffic policy in Rome was effective in reducing traffic-related air pollution, but most of the health gains were found in well-off residents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Via S. Costanza 53, 00198 Rome, Italy. cesaroni@asplazio.it
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cesaroni
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boogaard
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jonkers
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Porta
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Badaloni
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cattani
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forastiere
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hoek
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001336:Automobiles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D058735:Environmental Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D012384:Rome; D012923:Social Class; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide