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HEALTH COSTS OF AIR POLLUTION DAMAGES: A STUDY OF HOSPITALIZATION COSTS
Citation:
Carpenter, B., D. LeSourd, J. Chromy, AND W. Bach. HEALTH COSTS OF AIR POLLUTION DAMAGES: A STUDY OF HOSPITALIZATION COSTS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/5-77/006 (NTIS PB268636), 1977.
Description:
An investigation of the hospitalization costs of exposure to air pollution in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania was conducted to determine whether persons exposed to air pollution incurred higher incidences of hospitalization or additional costs for treatment. A hospitalization data-base comprising 37,818 total admissions for respiratory, suspect circulatory diseases, and control diseases was tested in a cross-section type analysis for relationships between rates of hospitalization, length of stay, and levels of air quality in the neighborhoods of patients' residence. Air quality was identified using data from 49 monitoring stations. Corrections were made in the analysis for race, age, sex. Respiratory and suspect circulatory system disease showed statistically significant increased hospitalization rates and lengths of stay for those exposed to higher levels of S02 and particulates compared to those from neighborhoods meeting air quality standards.