Abstract:

The effects of exposure to air pollution have been investigated for many years. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the particulate matter (PM) pollution in Thrace between 2015-2017 and to calculate the preventable deaths with AirQ program. Methods: Our research is a descriptive, ecological study. Provincial and district centers measuring air quality in Edirne, Tekirdağ and Kırklareli, which are the three provinces in the TR21 sub-grouping of TURKSTAT, were included in our study. Between 01.01.2015-31.12.2017, hourly PM10 measurement data, which has taken from the website of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, www.havaizleme.gov.tr, was used to calculate the annual PM average. With the AirQ, the number of deaths that can be avoided in cities is calculated, if pollution is reduced to WHO limits. Results: Annual average at all stations are at least 2 times the WHO upper limit (20 μg/m3). In the calculations made for the province with AirQ; in Edirne, in 2015, 655 (19.45%), in 2016, 518 (16.06%) and in 2017, 544 (16.15%); In Kirklareli, in 2015, 333 (11.79%), in 2016, 392 (14.83%) and in 2017, 363 (12.98%); in Tekirdağ, in 2015, 870 (18.38%), in 2016, 995 (20.37%) and in 2017, 831 (16.75%) natural deaths above 30 years of age are attributed to air pollution. Conclusion: PM pollution is serious in the Region Thrace and causes many preventable deaths. To fully assess all health risks, the health effects of air pollutants should be further investigated at the individual level.

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