Estimation of Diseases and Mortality Attributed to NO2 pollutant in five metropolises of Iran using AirQ model in 2011-2012

Background and Weather is one of the essential needs of human. Due to increasing of the air pollution, air pollution is one of the most important challenges of human life, in the last decades. Air pollutants, including NO2 can have significant adverse health effects on the human. Therefore, evaluation of the health effects of this pollutant is necessary for its control. The aim of this study was evaluation of health effects of NO2 on the human in Mashhad, Tabriz, Shiraz, Isfahan and Arak metropolises of Iran in 2011-2012. The necessary data was obtained from Environmental Protection Agencies of related metropolises. The validity of data was evaluated according to the WHO criteria. The valid data entered into the AirQ software and the results were obtained. Isfahan with the annual concentration of 128 µg/m3 has the highest concentration of NO2. In all cities, the average concentration was higher than the national standard. For total mortality, cardiovascular death and hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary, Mashhad had the greatest number, with 286, 161 and 43 cases, respectively. the most adverse health effect of NO2 was in Mashhad and Isfahan cities, respectively. It can be explained by increasing the number of vehicles, traffic and fuel consumption and high levels of temporary and permanent population in the religious and tourist sites.