Since the beginning of HIA (Health Impact Assessment) development, environmental risk factors have been one of the targeted groups of health determinants—besides the social ones. In this commentary, we would like to discuss some methodological aspects and potential uses of the quantitative estimation of the health impact of outdoor air pollution.

There is increasing concern about the potential effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on the developing brain. The impact of TRAP exposure on childhood behavior is not fully understood due to limited epidemiologic studies. The objective of the study was to explore the association between early life exposure to TRAP using the surrogate, elemental carbon attributed to traffic (ECAT), and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms at age seven.

Few studies have investigated the independent health effects of different size fractions of particulate matter (PM), in multiple locations, especially in Europe. The researchers estimated the short-term effects of PM with aerodynamic diameter less than 10μm (PM10), less than 2.5μm (PM2.5), and between 2.5 and 10μm (PM2.5-10) on all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality in 10 European Mediterranean metropolitan areas within the MED-PARTICLES project.

50 cases detected in state in past few years, patients put on high-level medication

More than 50 multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases have been detected in the state in the past few years and the patients have been put on high-level medication. Though the state has a full-fledged anti-TB wing which has in recent years curbed the mortality rate among patients, the new strain has caught the health workers by surprise and could adversely affect the success of schemes implemented to eradicate the disease.

81 people under treatment for dengue fever in various government hospitals

Pre-monsoon showers have heightened the dengue fever threat in Pathanamthitta, especially in the hilly tracts of the district. District Medical Officer Gracy Ithaq told The Hindu that as on Thursday, 81 people were undergoing treatment for dengue fever in various government hospitals in the district.

Draft identifies it as a major health problem in State

The draft nutrition policy being finalised by the State government identifies anaemia as a major health problem in the State, especially among women and children. More women and children have anaemia in 2005-06 than in 1999-99, the draft compares figures from the National Family Health Surveys held those years.

High incidence of Hepatitis A in two grama panchayats

A study conducted by the district unit of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project into the reported high incidence of Hepatitis A infection in Thrikovilvattam and Mayyanad grama panchayats on the outskirts of Kollam city found that the disease spread from a common source-contaminated pipeline water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority. Ninety-two persons of Thrikovilvattam and 27 of Mayyanad were diagnosed with the disease last week.

Corporation does not have authority to measure side effects’

There are 11 mobile towers illegally built on schools and nursing homes under the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. Of the 11, seven have been erected atop educational institutions and four on nursing homes located in Shahdara . These facts were part of the answers given to queries raised by Sanjay Kaushik, Deputy Chairman Standing Committee of the Corporation, on Thursday.

KOTTAYAM: Around 50 cases of dengue fever were reported at the Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday.

Units ordered to close many times, but reopened soon after

It is now the seventh year of protest. But, for the residents of Kenchanakuppe, Dasappana Doddi, Kallagopahalli and Thammanadoddi coming under Kenchanakuppe Gram Panchayat, next to Bidadi, the struggle to get the stone quarrying and crushing units closed continues. About 70 stone crushing units dot these areas and licences for these were cancelled in 2007 and 2009, but the activities in some units continue relentlessly.

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