Resumen

ESTARLICH, Marisa et al. The spatial distribution of population exposure to outdoor air pollution in Valencia (Spain) and its association with a privation index. Gac Sanit [online]. 2013, vol.27, n.2, pp.143-148. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2012.05.010.

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/m³ 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/m³ 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.

Palabras clave : Air pollution; Nitrogen dioxide; Population exposure; Deprivation index.

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