[The spatial distribution of population exposure to outdoor air pollution in Valencia (Spain) and its association with a privation index].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate spatial variation in exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution in the city of Valencia, Spain, and its association with socioeconomic deprivation and age.


METHODS
Census tract population data were obtained from the National Statistics Institute of Spain. Outdoor NO2 was monitored in 100 sites in the study area, through the use of passive samplers, in three campaigns between 2002 and April 2004. Land use regression (LUR) was used to obtain a map of NO2 levels. The LUR predictions were compared with the NO2 level obtained by: a) the nearest sampler of the monitoring network, b) the nearest passive sampler, c) the mean distance-weighted levels of the samplers in the neighborhood, and d) the NO2 level obtained by using Kriging. For each census tract, the NO2 levels were obtained. The association of NO2 air pollution exposure with population age (≥65 years) and the 5-category deprivation index was analyzed.


RESULTS
The LUR models showed less error than the other prediction methods. The safety levels proposed by the World Health Organization were exceeded in more than 99% of the population. An inverse relationship was found between NO2 levels and the deprivation index (β = -2.01μg/m(3) in the most deprived quintile compared with lower deprivation, 95%CI: -3.07; -0.95) and a direct relationship was found with age (β = 0.12μg/m(3) per unit increase in percentage of the population ≥ 65 years, 95%CI: 0.08; 0.16).


CONCLUSIONS
The method allowed pollution maps to be obtained and the association between NO2 levels and sociodemographic characteristics to be described.
CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), España. estarlich_mar@gva.es
Marisa
M
Estarlich
Carmen
C
Iñiguez
Ana
A
Esplugues
Enrique
E
Mantilla
Oscar
O
Zurriaga
Andreu
A
Nolasco
Ferran
F
Ballester
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide