METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH IN AIR POLLUTION HEALTH EFFECTS STUDIES

Number of scientific studies linking possible effects of air pollution on health are increasing. However, the disparity in the effect estimated from different studies and recognizing important determinants of these diversity are essential . We have explained the types and sources of air pollution, and the common terms in epidemiological studies of air pollution. Then we reviewed the study design and critically evaluated methodological approach to estimate association between air pollution and health with deep insight into dispersion model. The quality of exposure measurement is critical determinant in an environmental epidemiology study. However, the available exposure data and feasible methods for its collection are often the determinant of the design to be used. Beside vast development in this field, epidemiological approaches to find out the risks of exposure to air pollutants is still challenging.