Improved methodology for assessing the environmental health indicators

Abstract

Environmental public health indicators (EPHI) are used to assess therelationship between health of individuals and the environment. They may be used to assess the status and trends or build surveillance capacities in different state or local agencies. Indicators are routinely collected,and have well-accepted definitions and data collection standards. However, the development of reliable indicators is challenging as they have to be transparent, testable and science-based. Two frameworks which are presently most commonly used are: (a) DPSIR (driving force-pressure-state-impact-response) framework proposed by the European Environmental Agency, and(b) DPSEEA (driving force-pressure-state-exposure-effect-action) framework proposed by the World Health Organisation. Working on a project, supported by the Serbian Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, to access the influence of air quality on human health in three selected municipalities in Serbia we developed a new methodology. This approach integratesthe two existing frameworks (DPSIR and DPSEEA) and combines the proposed set of indicators. Furthermore, to support the analysis of the information captured within the indicators we used multivariate analyses and GIS asnew tools in this particular field of application. The adopted approach gives an opportunity to examine the interconnection of measured air quality parameters (NO2, SO2, suspended particulates) and meteorological data (precipitation and wind) using multivariate techniques. Furthermore, all collected data were studied and analysed using GIS to determine spatial variability and establish dependences between different indicators, spatial exposure characteristics and spatial characteristics and distribution of pollution sources. With this approach characterisation of pollution sources is easier, and establishing cause-effect relationships between existing health problems and spatial character of pollution is more effective. Most importantly, suggestion of long-lasting solutions to existing environmental health problems is reinforced.