Researchers from KU Leuven and UHasselt have found that residents of a neighbourhood with less particulate matter in the air visit their GP ten per cent less than residents in neighbourhoods with dirtier air. And we may live in green Limburg, yet the fine dust problem is almost as big here.
The Independent Health Insurance Funds conducted the study together with researchers from KU Leuven, UHasselt and the Interregional Cell for the Environment. "The researchers were able to analyse fine dust pollution in ambient air down to the level of 20,000 neighbourhoods. That data was linked to the doctor visits of more than 1 million Belgian young people and adults affiliated to the Independent Health Insurance Funds. That research shows that people living in an area with low levels of fine dust pollution visit their GP ten per cent less," said Christan Horemans, environment and health expert at the Independent Health Insurance Funds. "Particulate matter is linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and also has an impact on mental health. It is caused by industry, transport and wood-burning stoves."
Want to know more? Read the full article on the Newswire.
