Initial Assessment of Air Pollution and Emergency Ambulance Calls in 35 Israeli Cities

Abstract

Statistical analysis was done for correlations between chronic exposure to ambient air pollution concentrations and emergency ambulance calls in 35 Israeli cities between 2007 and 2012. A second analysis was done between the rate of acute exposure through the rate of extreme events (at least 2 standard errors over the national mean) over the same time period and in the same cities. This study is unique by assessing this association by looking at emergency calls' locations rather than the hospital location. The importance of such study is twofold. First, it facilitates the consideration of environmental conditions in the process of emergency services staffing, allowing for a better utilization of professional personnel and improving overall service. Second, it may shed new light on air pollutants and their correlations to specific medical emergency conditions.