PROXY EXPOSURE INDICATORS FOR INDOOR AIR POLLUTION, HEALTH IMPACT AND DEPRIVATION IN THE MARCHE REGION, ITALY

Abstract

Literature supports the correlation between worse indoor air quality, lower socio-economic status and disease, such as asthma, Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis (EAA) and Carbon Monoxide Intoxication (COI). In order to determine the extent of the phenomenon in the Marche Region, hospitalization risk for asthma, EAA and CO intoxication was assessed in association with Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) air concentration and socio-economic Deprivation Index (DI). Hospital discharge records of residents of the Marche Region with diagnosis of asthma, EAA and COI were analysed between 20062013. We then identified DI value and average PM2.5 levels for each municipality, using atmospheric modelling systems. Association between these proxy indicators of indoor air quality and relative risk (Confidence Interval CI 90%) of hospitalization for the considered health outcomes was evaluated. Data analysis shows a higher number of hospitalizations for asthma with the increase of PM2.5 concentration quintiles and suggests a possible correlation between socio-economic deprivation and EAA and CO intoxication.