Research

A comparison of self reported air pollution problems and GIS-modeled levels of air pollution in people with and without chronic diseases

Fredrik Niclas Piro¹ , Christian Madsen² , Øyvind Næss² , Per Nafstad^1,2 and Bjørgulf Claussen¹

¹  Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1130 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway

²  Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway

author email corresponding author email

Environmental Health 2008, 7:9doi:10.1186/1476-069X-7-9

Published:	28 February 2008

Abstract

Objective

To explore various contributors to people's reporting of self reported air pollution problems in area of living, including GIS-modeled air pollution, and to investigate whether those with respiratory or other chronic diseases tend to over-report air pollution problems, compared to healthy people.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the Oslo Health Study (2000–2001) were linked with GIS-modeled air pollution data from the Norwegian Institute of Air Research. Multivariate regression analyses were performed. 14 294 persons aged 30, 40, 45, 60 or 75 years old with complete information on modeled and self reported air pollution were included.

Results

People who reported air pollution problems were exposed to significantly higher GIS-modeled air pollution levels than those who did not report such problems. People with chronic disease, reported significantly more air pollution problems after adjustment for modeled levels of nitrogen dioxides, socio-demographic variables, smoking, depression, dwelling conditions and an area deprivation index, even if they had a non-respiratory disease. No diseases, however, were significantly associated with levels of nitrogen dioxides.

Conclusion

Self reported air pollution problems in area of living are strongly associated with increased levels of GIS-modeled air pollution. Over and above this, those who report to have a chronic disease tend to report more air pollution problems in area of living, despite no significant difference in air pollution exposure compared to healthy people, and no associations between these diseases and NO₂. Studies on the association between self reported air pollution problems and health should be aware of the possibility that disease itself may influence the reporting of air pollution.