[Effects on health of particulate air pollution in Denmark--a quantitative assessment].

INTRODUCTION: Ambient air pollution is a risk factor for mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to quantify the health effects related to particulate matter (PM10) in Denmark.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used relative risk estimates in relation to PM10 based on the epidemiological literature. Population exposure to PM10 was calculated. Cases attributable to PM10 were estimated for mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions, chronic bronchitis, acute bronchitis, restricted activity days, and asthma attacks. Moreover, we attempted to estimate health-related gains from equipping all heavy-duty vehicles in Denmark with particle filters.

RESULTS: We estimated the average population PM10 exposure to be about 22 micrograms/m3, about one third of which can be attributed to natural (not man-made) PM10. The number of cases per year attributable to the estimated exposure included about 5,000 deaths, about 5,000 hospital admissions, about 5,000 cases of chronic bronchitis, about 17,000 cases of acute bronchitis, about 200,000 asthma attacks, and about three million restricted activity days. The health-related gains from installing particle filters on all heavy-duty vehicles in Denmark are uncertain; the estimates for mortality ranged from 22 to 1,250, depending on the assumptions.

DISCUSSION: Although air pollution constitutes only a minor risk factor on the individual level, it seems to be a major public health problem. The particle characteristics responsible for the estimated health effects are not well understood. The ultrafine particle fraction may cause a much greater impact on health than indicated by the mass.