title: Public-health impact of outdoor air pollution for 2(nd) air pollution management policy in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Air pollution contributes to mortality and morbidity. We estimated the impact of outdoor air pollution on public health in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea. Attributable cases of morbidity and mortality were estimated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Epidemiology-based exposure-response functions for a 10 μg/m3 increase in particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) were used to quantify the effects of air pollution. Cases attributable to air pollution were estimated for mortality (adults ≥ 30 years), respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions (all ages), chronic bronchitis (all ages), and acute bronchitis episodes (≤18 years). Environmental exposure (PM2.5 and PM10) was modeled for each 3 km × 3 km.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2010, air pollution caused 15.9% of total mortality or approximately 15,346 attributable cases per year. Particulate air pollution also accounted for: 12,511 hospitalized cases of respiratory disease; 20,490 new cases of chronic bronchitis (adults); 278,346 episodes of acute bronchitis (children). After performing the 2(nd) Seoul metropolitan air pollution management plan, the reducible death number associated with air pollution is 14,915 cases per year in 2024. We can reduce 57.9% of death associated with air pollution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This assessment estimates the public-health impacts of current patterns of air pollution. Although individual health risks of air pollution are relatively small, the public-health consequences are remarkable. Particulate air pollution remains a key target for public-health action in the Seoul metropolitan area. Our results, which have also been used for economic valuation, should guide decisions on the assessment of environmental health-policy options.
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, 27 Inhang road Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-711 South Korea.
authors: Jong Han
authors: JH
authors: Leem
authors: Division of Environmental Engineering, Ajou University Woncheon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-749 South Korea.
authors: Soon Tae
authors: ST
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, 27 Inhang road Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-711 South Korea.
authors: Hwan Cheol
authors: HC
authors: Kim
keywords: Air pollution; Mortality; PM10; PM2.5; Public health assessment