An analysis of some short-term health effects of air pollution in the Washington,D.C. metropolitan area

This study assesses some of the short-term health effects of air pollution in Washington, D.C. Specifically, regression models are formulated to explain health-care visits to a group practice medical care plan. Primary interest is focused on the effects of mobile-source air pollutants, particularly photo-chemical oxidants. Meteorological conditions, as well as other variables thought to influence the consumption of medical services, are included in the models as explanatory variables. The study found only a small effect of air pollution levels on the health-care visits to the group practice.