Review Article

A Review of the Epidemiological Methods Used to Investigate the Health Impacts of Air Pollution around Major Industrial Areas

Table 4

Studies investigating mortality.

ReferenceCountryIndustrial backgroundHealth outcomeEpidemiological designExposure assessment

Hodgson et al., 2007 [60]United KingdomRuncorn: chlor alkali plant, power stationsMortality from renal diseasesStandardised mortality ratioDispersion of mercury (ADMS)
Hodgson et al., 2004 [63]United KingdomRuncorn: chlor alkali plant, power stationsMortality, hospital admissions for kidney diseasesStandardised mortality ratio, standardized admissions rateDistance
Dolk et al., 1999 [62]United KingdomCoke workMortality for cardiovascular and respiratory causesStandardised mortality ratioDistance (2 km, 7.5 km, bands of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4.6, 5.7, 6.7, and 7.5 km).
Triolo et al., 2008 [64]Italy Industrial settlementMortality (all causes, cancers, cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes, injuries, etc.)Standardised mortality ratioDistance: 3 concentric zones of 5 km around the industries, dispersion model (CMPM98) for SO2, O3, and SO2 measurements
Cambra et al., 2011 [24]Spain284 industries declaring the EPER emissions of pollutantsMortality all causes, ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic lower respiratory tract diseases Standardised mortality ratioDistance (<2 km, >2 km).
Sarov et al., 2008 [61]Israel17 plants: chemical, pharmacochemical, and heavy industryPerinatal mortalityStandardised mortality ratioDistance up to 20 km based on odors complaints
Bhopal et al., 1994 [12]
Bhopal et al., 1998 [13]
United KingdomCoke ovens (66 from 1980)MortalityAge and sex standardised rates and ratios, Questionnaires (6399 adults, 1888 children) Time seriesPerceived exposure areas (criteria not specified), modeled exposure (model not specified) 24 hour mean daily measures of SO2 and smoke over 56 months (1987–91)