[Impact of the Air Quality on Health - Analysis of the activity of a SAMU-Center 15 in Paris area - the IQUASS Study].
Presse medicale (Paris, France · 2018-01-01 · Observational study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The atmospheric pollution is a growing public health problem. The highly urbanized regions such as Paris area seem particularly exposed. However, the overall health impact is poorly documented. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of air quality degradation on the demand for primary care. METHOD: Site: medical dispatching center SAMU 93-Center 15. Related population: 1.6 million inhabitants. DATA: daily number of medical regulation records (DRM) and daily air quality index (AQI) using the Airparif® database from January 2014 to February 2017. The AQI is classified into five levels. Level 4 corresponds to the threshold of information and recommendations to reduce certain sources of polluting emissions and level 5 to the alert threshold setting up measures of restriction or suspension of the activities contributing to the pollution including vehicles circulation. RESULTS: The analysis covered 1134 consecutive days and a total of 639,576 DRM. Average daily DRM number: 564 (507-643). IQA≥4 for 56 (5%) days and≥5 for 4 (0.4%) days. The number of DRM was very closely correlated with the IQA (R2=0.91); the daily median varied from 502 (494-621) for an IQA of level 1 to 650 (540-704) for an IQA≥4. CONCLUSION: Degradation of air quality was significantly correlated with demand for primary care. The environmental alert is also a health alert. The impact was major (DRM +30%) considering all pathologies, all the pollutants on a departmental scale.