Estimation of Health Effects Attributed to Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure Using the AirQ Model in Tabriz City, Iran

Abstract

Background: Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is produced in a combustion process which takes place mostly in transportation, power stations, heating plants and industrial processes. Nitrogen dioxide can have harmful effects on human health. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the health effects attributed to NO2 exposure using the AirQ model in Tabriz City, Iran. Materials and Methods: In the first stage, NO2 pollutant concentrations were measured using the data collected from air pollution monitoring stations. Sampling was performed in six stations. The chosen stations have been based on the US environmental protection agency (EPA) standards. In the next step, the data were processed using Excel software and information was given to the AirQ model. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: According to the research findings, Rasteh Kocheh and Baghshomal stations had the highest and lowest nitrogen dioxide concentrations, respectively in 2012. The results showed that the annual average of the NO2 concentration in Tabriz City was 51.31 μg/m3. Sum of the total numbers of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular deaths, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs) attributed to NO2 were 16, 33, and 13 cases, respectively in 2012. Conclusions: Results of this study show that with increasing the NO2 concentration to 10 μg/m3, risks of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular deaths and COPDs were increased to 0.36%, 0.2% and 0.38%, respectively. According result this study, because of the lack of population contact with concentrations lower than the 10 μg/m3 health effects related to NO2 was zero.