Association of proximity to polluting industries, deprivation and mortality in small areas of the Basque Country (Spain).

Background: The study is aimed at assessing social inequities in the location of polluting industries in the Basque Country, and at exploring if the effect on mortality of living near air polluting industries is modified by economic deprivation.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional ecological study that uses the census sections as analysis units. Mortality from all causes, lung cancer, respiratory diseases and ischaemic heart disease were studied.

[Exposure to lindane, other pesticides and organochlorines in the general population Barakaldo, Spain].

Background: A plant of lindane in Barakaldo produced discharges of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH). Closed in 1987 leaving inside 4500Tm; the problem was not solved until 2002. A judicial process required an epidemiological assessment of the possible contamination The aim of this study is to measure the degree of impregnation of the POPs in the nearby population.

[Health impact evaluation of particle air pollution in five Spanish cities. European APHEIS project].

Background: The health effects of air pollution have been analyzed in numerous studies over recent years, thus having made it possible to quantify the relationship between the two. This study is aimed at analyzing the theoretical benefits which would be achieved by meeting the air quality objectives set forth under EC Directive 1999/30/EC with regard to suspended particles.

Methods: The exposure measurement was taken for Black Smoke (Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia) and suspended particles under 10 microm (PM10) (Bilbao, Madrid y Sevilla).