Health impact assessment of PM10 and EC in 1985-2008 in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

The health impact assessment (HIA) PM10 and elemental carbon (EC) was investigated in the period 1985-2008 in the city of Rotterdam. The spatial distribution of the concentrations was modelled by the URBIS model. The modelling results for 2008 were validated by PM10 and EC measurements at various locations in Rotterdam. This paper describes the HIA related to improved air quality in the period 1985-2008: at urban background locations 18 μg.m-3 PM10 and 2 μg.m-3 EC. The gain in life years saved due to long-term exposure to PM10 and EC in this period was, respectively, 13 and 12 months per person. The similar health impacts for PM10 and EC suggests that a reduction of combustion aerosol was important for the reduction in health impact of PM10. It is concluded that EC is a more adequate indicator for HIA of traffic measures than PM10. © 2011 WIT Press.