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Project title

ESRI Phase V - Primary Project

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI)

Lead Applicant

Anne Nolan

Project Abstract

Most of the existing literature linking air pollution with health outcomes uses data on ambient (i.e., outdoor) air pollution concentration levels at individuals’ residences to proxy personal exposure to air pollution. However, personal exposure to air pollution is influenced by the different microenvironments or activities an individual experiences (e.g., time in traffic, indoor sources, second-hand tobacco smoke, occupational exposure, and degree of penetration of ambient air pollution into homes, etc.) (Brook et al., 2010; Lleras-Muney, 2010). Apart from their home, evidence from time use diaries shows that the location in which people spend the next highest number of daily hours is their work (Koehler et al., 2019; Office for National Statistics, 2023). Previous research has shown that variation across the day in personal exposure to various types of air pollution was actually greater than variation between individuals (Koehler et al., 2019), highlighting the importance of understanding the relative contribution of different activities to personal air pollution exposures. Using micro-data from the 2022 Census of Population Place of Work, School, College or Childcare (POWSCAR), which records the small area of each individual usually resident in the state who is employed or in education , matched to air pollution data at small-area level (PM2.5, NO2), this project would assess the relationship between exposure to air pollution at home and at work, school or college. For example, are those who are exposed to relatively higher levels of air pollution at home also exposed to relatively higher levels of air pollution at work? Are there particular population groups whose home exposure is relatively low, but whose work exposure is relatively high (and vice versa)? Where possible, data from the 2016 POWSCAR will be used to investigate the extent to which these patterns have changed with increased adoption of remote working since the COVID-19 pandemic. Contribution of this study As noted, most analyses of personal exposure to air pollution (or other environmental exposures) proxy personal exposure with ambient air pollution levels at an individual’s primary residence. This study will provide a richer characterisation of personal exposure to air pollution among the Irish population by incorporating measurements at individuals’ place of work, school and college. A variety of data sources will be used to characterise air pollution exposures, including from the EPA Life Emerald and MapÉire projects, and from international networks

Grant Approved

€1,172,000.00

Research Hub

Delivering a Healthy Environment

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

02/12/2024

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/12/2026