This chapter examines some of the epidemiological evidence of health risks in relation to transport patterns, the associated research difficulties, and how to use research results to predict the aggregate health risk in other populations. It focuses on health hazards from cars, which dominate the world's urban transport. Adverse health impacts from cars include those resulting from air pollution from exhaust emissions, road trauma from accidents, noise, and the disruption of social relations and neighbourhoods. The adverse health effects of photochemical smog (ozone and nitrogen dioxide) and carbon monoxide are described. Methodological issues in estimating risks to health from air pollution are discussed, with special reference to acute and long-term health effects. A chart displays the role of epidemiological research and quantitative risk assessment (QRA) as an input to making policy about assessing and managing public risk. A four-point approach to QRA is outlined. Two examples of the application of QRA are discussed: (1) air pollution and lung cancer; and (2) the health impact of exposure to lead in the air.
Abstract