A 10-year time-series analysis of respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity in Nicosia Cyprus: the effect of short-term changes in air pollution and dust storms

摘要

Background To date, a substantial body of research has shown adverse health effects of short-term changes in levels of air pollution. Such associations have not been investigated in smaller size cities in the Eastern Mediterranean. A particular feature in the region is dust blown from the Sahara a few times a year resulting in extreme PM10 concentrations. It is not entirely clear whether such natural phenomena pose the same risks.