Title
Health benefits of traffic-related air pollution reduction in different socioeconomic groups: The effect of low-emission zoning in Rome
Author
Cesaroni, G.
Boogaard, H.
Jonkers, S.
Porta, D.
Badaloni, C.
Cattani, G.
Forastiere, F.
Hoek, G.
Publication year
2012
Abstract
Few studies have assessed the effects of policies aimed to reduce traffic-related air pollution. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact, in terms of air quality and health effects, of two low-emission zones established in Rome in the period 2001-2005 and to assess the impact by socioeconomic position (SEP) of the population. We evaluated the effects of the intervention on various stages in the full-chain model, that is, pressure (number and age distribution of cars), emissions, PM10 and NO2-concentrations, population exposure and years of life gained (YLG). The impact was evaluated according to a small-area indicator of SEP. During the period 2001-2005, there was a decrease in the total number of cars (-3.8%), NO2- and PM10-emissions and concentrations (from 22.9 to 17.4 ?g/m 3 for NO2 and from 7.8 to 6.2 ?g/m 3 for PM10), and in the residents' exposure. In the two low-emission zones, there was an additional decrease in air pollution concentrations (NO2: -4.13 and -2.99 ?g/m 3; PM10: -0.70 and -0.47 ?g/m 3). As a result of the policy, 264.522 residents living along busy roads gained 3.4 days per person (921 YLG per 100 000) for NO2-reduction. The gain was larger for people in the highest SEP group (1387 YLG per 100.000) than for residents in the lowest SEP group (340 YLG per 100.000). The traffic policy in Rome was effective in reducing traffic-related air pollution, but most of the health gains were found in well-off residents.
Subject
Earth & Environment
UES - Urban Environment & Safety
EELS - Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences
Energy / Geological Survey Netherlands
Emission Climate
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1829ef63-04fd-473a-a832-c822b0ebdcd1
TNO identifier
446400
ISSN
1351-0711
Source
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 69 (2), 133-139
Document type
article