Information on Environmental Burdens
Environmental Health Effects
Research focus of the KORA studies is the role of air quality.
It could be proven that not only the number of lung diseases but also of cardiovascular diseases increase on days with high concentrations of air pollutants. The KORA studies showed that the burden of the present concentrations of fine particles is still health relevant.
This is the reason why an aerosol measurement station is run in Augsburg where air pollutants can be characterized with new measurement methods (see also Website of the Institute of Epidemiology II of the Helmholtz Zentrum München).
Current KORA studies investigate which subgroups in particular are affected by the present concentrations of particulate matter, which are the main sources, which provisions can improve air quality, and which particulate matter components are to be controlled more effectively. Results have already influenced the World Health Organization’s (WHO) evaluation of particulate matter.
These studies have been conducted in collaboration with the University Augsburg, the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, the Central Hospital of Augsburg, and further partners at national and international universities, research institutions and environmental authorities.
Moreover, the effects of noise on health, and in particular, on the cardiovascular system are being researched to completely assess the noise burden of the population from road traffic.
With the climate change already taking place the KORA data is increasingly being used for researching the impact caused by temperature fluctuations and weather change. The objective is to conduct a risk assessment of the forecasted changes and to identify those population subgroups that will be particularly affected and to find adequate preventive measures.