This study presents a methodology for conducting a retrospective and indirect health risk assessment in urban areas, due to the long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3). Specifically, the risk of all-causes mortality is investigated.
The methodology combines satellite-based settlement data, model-based air pollution data, land use information, demographic data, and regional-scale mobility patterns. The study examines the impact of population mobility on the population exposure and daily variations in pollutant levels on health risks. The results from the study show that neglecting the mobility patterns and the diurnal cycles of pollutants can lead to an underestimation of the health risk.
The incorporation of satellite and model data makes this methodology scalable to perform a health risk assessment also in remote regions, where local sensors are limited. Additional studies are required to assess the uncertainty in the exposure when using these medium to- low resolution data.
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