Full list of projects 2000

Title of project APHEIS: A EUROPEAN INFORMATION SYSTEM ON AIR POLLUTION AND HEATLH
ORGANISATION: Name: INSTITUT DE VEILLE SANITAIRE Address: 12, rue du Val d'Osne F-94415SAINT MAURICE CEDEX FRANCE Telephone: ( + 33-1 ) 41 79 68.56 Fax: ( + 33-1 ) 41 79 67 68 Contact person: Prof Gilles Brucker g.brucker@invs.sante.fr	PARTNER COUNTRIES: D,DK,E,EL,F,I,IRL,NL,S,UK PL,HU,RO,SI,IL,US
START OF PROJECT: 15/12/2000	END OF PROJECT: 15/12/2001
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: In the research field many studies have been carried out to quantify the effects of air pollution on health. In Europe, the APHEA project is one of the most relevant ones. The experience acquired using a standardised protocol allowed to combine the observed local estimates of the pollution's effects on health in a meta-analytical approach giving global robust estimates. On the other hand, health impact assessment (HIA) is being more and more developed as a routine tool in decision making, extrapolating results of research to populations not covered by detailed studies. The crucial step proposed by APHEIS is to formalise the transfer of expertise from research to air quality management and public health action at the local/national and European levels. On the basis of the recommendations produced by APHEIS in the first year of the programme, the primary objective of this year is to test the feasibility of implementing the Epidemiological Surveillance System on Air Pollution Health Effects in the participating centres of 12 European countries. The main purposes of the Information System are: - to monitor the trends of health risks related to air pollution in Europe over time; - to establish on an ongoing routine basis, observed effect estimates and exposure-response functions for Health Impact Assessment (HIA) which are representative of 32 European cities; - to create a health and air pollution database allowing to test newly generated hypothesis concerning the relation of health to various aspects of air pollution; - to contribute to the evalutaion of the efficiency of regulation policies over time; - to create communication tools that deliver the information on health risks related to air pollution in Europe to professionals, decision-makers and the general public. In APHEIS, we definitely think that the European collaborations have to be strengthened and we stress the need for a co-ordinated approach of the assessment of air pollution health effects in Europe. The framework for a close co-operation with a related project in the programme "pollution-related diseases" (EUROHEIS (UK)) has already been initiated and will be materialised this year through the organisation of a common workshop to establish the links and agenda of collaboration between both projects. APHEIS promotes European networking in various dimensions. The relationships established in the first year between APHEIS and the APHEA network, the European Environmental Agency, the Joint Research Centre, EUROSTAT and the World Health Organisation / European Centre for Environment and Health will be strengthened.
Answering Key questions on air Pollution and Public Health in Europe(1166KB) This paper was produced by the Institut de Veille Sanitaire in France which has developed : A European Information System on health effects of air pollution with the support of the DG Health and Consumer Protection in the context of the "Pollution related diseases Action Programme" and represents their views on the subject. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission's or Health & Consumer Protection DG's views. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.

Title of project EUROPEAN MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIFIC NETWORKS ON INDOOR ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
ORGANISATION: Name: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH Address: Olof Palmes gata 17 S-10352STOCKHOLM SUEDE Telephone: ( +46-8 ) 566 13500 Fax: ( +46-8 ) 566 13505 Contact person: SAVENSTRAND RADO INGER	PARTNER COUNTRIES: B,D,DK,I,NL,S,UK CH,NO
START OF PROJECT: 1/01/2001	END OF PROJECT: 1/01/2002
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: The quality of the indoor environment has a major impact on public health (e.g. allergies, asthma, hypersensitivities like SBS and MCS (Multi Chemical Sensitivity), air-ways infections, cancer, etc.). Because of this there is a strong need for relevant information about risk factors indoors (e.g. pollutants). Due to a limited scientific effort within the area, but also due to the fact that indoor air is a multidisciplinary science, there is an essential lack of knowledge. So far, few multidisciplinary studies have been conducted. Studies are mainly done with emphasis on one or few disciplines, and the peer-review process in scientific journals is also mostly made with expertise from mainly one discipline. Published studies are thus often excellent in one or few disciplines but can have major flaws in other, as important disciplines. As a result different \"truths\" may exist on the same subject in different disciplines. The resulting messages on prevention to the general public may therefore differ depending on what discipline the "expert" knowledge is gathered from. Within the Nordic countries, and during the last year within Europe a method to gather and scrutinise scientific information on indoor environments/health, in a truly multidisciplinary setting, has been tested in so called NORD- and EURO-works. The results are very promising, and the interst internationally is large. The overarching purpose with the now proposed EURO-works is to continue the work within two existing scientific networks (EUROEXPO and EUROVEN), and to start a new network on exposure to particles indoor and health. In short this means that: (1) the total scientific literature on specific topics shall be reviewed by a European multidisciplinary group, (2) the group shall try to come to conclusions regarding the state of the art within the selected area of importance for public health, (3) multidisciplinary scientific European networks shall be created, of importance for coming scientific efforts and for the dissemination of knowledge and preventive measures throughout Europe.

Title of project DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INDICATORS FOR LARGE AIRPORT SYSTEMS IN EUROPE
ORGANISATION: Name: UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT Address: Universiteitssingel 50 NL-6229 ERMAASTRICHT PAYS-BAS Telephone: +31/43/3881096 Fax: +31/43/3670924 Contact person: LEBENS NOËL	PARTNER COUNTRIES: D,I,NL,UK PL
START OF PROJECT: 1/01/2001	END OF PROJECT: 1/01/2002
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: Civil aviation represents a growing industry. It is developing into a truly global industry, with a few conglomerates of airlines serving a world-wide network of large 'hub' airports. Large airports in Europe have several hundred thousands of aircraft movements (landing and takeoffs) and at least a few tens of millions of passengers (arriving, departing or transferring) per year. The local and regional environment of the airport has to cope with the impact of airport and airport-related activities. Even when airports are originally located in remote areas, then over the years the airport region becomes more and more urbanised. The impacts of all these activities on public health are partly specific to the airport system. Aircraft noise, kerosene odour and aircraft crash risk are specific factors. Air pollution, landscape changes by transport infrastructure, road traffic and industrial noise are also encountered in other urbanised and industrialised settings, be it that in the vicinity of airports these factors manifest themselves in a specific way. Aviation affects the environment both globally and locally in a negative sense and consequently has also negative impacts on health. In the vicinity of airports people are exposed to air and road traffic exhausts, noxious odours, aircraft and road traffic noise and urbanisation. Serious accidents, such as aircraft crashes and airport fires do happen and the perceived accident risk does not leave people unaffected. The present project aims to develop environmental health indicators to monitor trends in local health impacts resulting from exposures to environmental risk factors related to the operations of large airports in Europe. The monitoring data can be instrumental to guide public health policy at the regional and national level. The health indicators are also suitable for deciding between alternative options for developments within an airport operations system. In addition this set of environmental health indicators can by used for European Union-wide comparison of health impacts of large airports.

Title of project DEVELOPMENT OF A PESTICIDE USE REPORTING SYSTEM IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
ORGANISATION: Name: PESTIZID AKTIONS-NETZWERK E.V. Address: Nernstweg 32 D-22765HAMBURG ALLEMAGNE Telephone: (+49-40)39919100 Fax: (+49-40)3907520 Contact person: Dipl. WEBER CARINA	PARTNER COUNTRIES: D
START OF PROJECT: 1/10/2000	END OF PROJECT: 1/01/2002
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: High amounts of pesticides are being applied in the European Union. The use of pesticides has been linked to illnesses such as cancer, asthma, neurological disorders and the increase of allergic reactions. However, an analysis of possible connections between pesticide use and health risks caused by pesticide applications in the EU is very difficult, due to the fact that concrete data on pesticide exposure are not available. In order to improve this situation, it is necessary to collect data about the applications of pesticides. Pesticide use reporting systems have already been implemented in the USA and have been used for various epidemiological studies. In the EU, there is no comparable pesticide use reporting system. The goal of the proposed project is therefore to develop a uniform pesticde use reporting system for the European Union.

Title of project A EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR EXPOSURE AND DISEASE MAPPING AND RISK ASSESSMENT (EUROHEIS)
ORGANISATION: Name: IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE Address: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health-Norfolk Place UK-W2 1 PGLONDON ROYAUME-UNI Telephone: ( + 44-207 ) 594 3328 Fax: ( + 44-207 ) 262 1034 Contact person: Ms WESTFOLD-SCOTT SUSANNE	PARTNER COUNTRIES: DK,E,FIN,I,IRL,S,UK
START OF PROJECT: 15/12/2000	END OF PROJECT: 15/12/2001
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: The partners involved in this project have been among the leaders in Europe in developing and applying epidemiological and statistical methods for the appraisal and analyses of disease occurrence in small geographical areas related to point source exposures and to disease mapping. A feasibility study is being conducted within the first year of the EUROHEIS project, which suggests that data are available and suitable for the development of a system for point-source analysis and disease mapping in several of the partner countries. Prototype systems for point-source investigations, including some disease mapping facilities, have already been developed in the UK and Finland. The project aims to improve understanding of the links between environmental exposures, health outcomes and risk through the development of integrated information systems for assessment of relationships between environment and health at a geographical level. Based on the feasibility study performed during the first year of the project, we propose to implement systems for point-source investigations and disease and exposure mapping (incorporating state-of-the-art Bayesian statistical models and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)) in the participating countries, modelled on the system being developed by the UK partner. It is anticipated that a bid would be made for a third year of funding in order to evaluate the systems with a series of case studies. EUROHEIS website: http://www.med.ic.ac.uk/divisions/60/euroheis/homepage.htm

Title of project CHIDREN AND NOISE, PREVENTION OF ADVERSE EFFECTS
ORGANISATION: Name: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH - DENMARK Address: Svanemollevej 25 DK-2100COPENHAGEN DANEMARK Telephone: 45 3920 7777 Fax: 45 3920 8010 Contact person: MADSEN METTE	PARTNER COUNTRIES: D,DK,NL,P,UK
START OF PROJECT: 15/12/2000	END OF PROJECT: 15/12/2001
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: This project "Children and noise, prevention of adverse effects" has as its main base the results of a seminar 19 to 20 June 2000 on "Children and noise, health effects, perceptions of risk and definitions of noise" and the work associated with the seminar, supported by the European Commission by Grant Agreement No S12.143779 (99CVF2-601). The overview of research on the health effects of children's exposure to noise has shown that noise may result in both auditory and non-auditory effects of significance for children's health, wll-being and learning ability. Studies on risk perceptions are essential as a background of strategies for risk communication. Definitions on noise depend on perception of noise and on knowledge on adverse effects of noise, including the vulnerability of children and opportunities for prevention. Some potential adverse effects of noise, such as noise effects on children's sleep, need more research before prevention can be evaluated. But preventive measures in settings such as day-care institutions, schools, hospitals etc. are certainly needed. Lack of knowledge about preventive measures in member states, and interventions of varying quality and effectiveness, require a collection of examples on best practices. Thus there is a basis for this project with the following aims: To contribute to a better public understanding of the role of noise on children's health and well-being. To collect, critically review and disseminate examples (Best Practices) on good preventive public health measures to protect children's health and well-being against adverse effects of noise. To improve selected methods of dissemination of knowledge on prevention of adverse effects o noise among children and young people.

Title of project TRAFFIC NOISE POLLUTION AND HEALTH 2000: A STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW
ORGANISATION: Name: TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY BERLIN, BERLIN CENTRE PUBLIC HEALTH Address: Strasse des 17. Juni 135 D-10623BERLIN ALLEMAGNE Telephone: (+49-30) 314 21371 Fax: (+49-30) 314 21121 Contact person: Ms SCHMIDTBERG ULRIKE	PARTNER COUNTRIES: A,B,D,DK,E,EL,F,FIN,I,IRL,L,NL,P,S,UK
START OF PROJECT: 1/11/2000	END OF PROJECT: 1/11/2001
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: Traffic noise has a major impact on public health and well being. The project aims to improve the understanding of the links between traffic noise and annoyance, distress and resulting cardiovascular sequences (hypertonus and cardiovascular diseases) and their modification by local cultural attitudes against noise and differences in the biorhythms of the populations involved. The project aims to: - collect from various bodies data relating to the epidemiology of traffic noise pollution-related diseases - examine the quality of existing data and identify the areas where data is lacking, in order to improve the existing base and promote the further continuation of Community research - contribute towards improving the comparability of epidemiological data within the Community - make the information collected available and accessible to the public and to individuals - support the exchange of information aimed at achieving better understanding of pollution-related health risks. The planned project represents, as regards content, an ideal connection between two of the projects funded by the Pollution Related Diseases Programme in 1999: "Health Effects of Noise on Children and Perception of the Risk of Noise" (2000/POL/109) and the "Proposal for the Creation of an European Information System on the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in Europe\" (2000/POL/116). The various perceptions of noise as well as negative health effects resulting from noise pollution, not only in relation to children but on the general population as well, will be represented. In particular, they will be researched with regards to cultural differences. Similarly to the above mentioned proposal for the creation of an European information system, a state-of-the-art review of existing data will be developed. Within the European Union there are numerous data banks that at present are barely comparable. This new project can not only close these existing gaps but also establish a basis for more efficient and comparable data collection in the future, through a systematic framework for data collection, comparison and exchange.

Title of project ETUDE COMPARATIVE DE LA RELATION ENTRE DES SYMPTOMES RESPIRATOIRES ET LE SOUCI DE LA POLLUTION: MISE AU POINT D'UN INDICATEUR DE SANTE
ORGANISATION: Name: DELEGACIÓN DE MEDIO AMBIENTE. EXMO AYTO. DE HUELVA Address: Plaza de la constitución 1 E-21001HUELVA ESPAGNE Telephone: (+34-959) 210101 Fax: Contact person: Mr RODRÍGUEZ GONZÁLEZ PEDRO	PARTNER COUNTRIES: E,F
START OF PROJECT: 1/12/2000	END OF PROJECT: 1/12/2001
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTION PLAN: BUT DU PROJET: Mesurer le niveau de relation entre des symptômes respiratoires et diverses perceptions psychologiques de ces symptômes dans le but de mettre au point et de développer ultérieurement un indicateur sanitaire qui permette d'évaluer l'impact psychologique de la pollution sur la perception de symptômes. Cette étude se déroulera selon les objectifs spécifiques suivants: - Evaluer le degré de préoccupation pour la pollution et son association à la manifestation de symptômes respiratoires. - Evaluer le degré de préoccupation pour la santé et son association avec la manifestation de symptômes respiratoires. - Evaluer la perception subjective d'une bronchoconstriction et son association avec la mesure objective d'une bronchoconstriction et la manifestation de symptômes respiratoires. - Evaluer les interactions entre les variables psychologiques et leur relation avec l'apparition de symptômes respiratoires. - Déterminer les symptômes respiratoires les plus fréquemment associés aux variables psychologiques examinées. FONDEMENT SCIENTIFIQUE: Le principal groupe de recherche est le Département de pneumologie de l'Hôpital Juan Ramón Jimenéz de Huelva qui, depuis 1991, effectue de nombreuses études destinées à mieux connaître l'épidémiologie de l'asthme, en collaboration avec l'Estudio Europeo de Salud Respiratoria (ECRHS). La comparaison des données relevées dans plusieurs villes a permis de constater que la population de certaines d'entre elles présentait un taux élevé de symptômes respiratoires, alors que l'hyperréactivité bronchique mesurée dans le test à la méthacholine était inférieure.