SAD air study

About the project

The relationship between air pollution and medical conditions including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases has been repeatedly established. Moreover, there is a growing body of literature that recognizes a relationship between air pollution and mental health conditions. Two important contributors to air pollution are studded tires and cruise ships, yet no study so far investigated whether the source of air pollution is associated with distinctive health factors and perceptions.

Akureyri offers ideal conditions to fill this research gap. Thus, within this study, we would like to investigate how the air quality in Akureyri, with particulate matter as the main proxy, differs between three different periods: spring (“studded tires period”), summer (“cruise ship period”), and autumn (“control period”). During each period N>=100 participants will be asked to fill in an online questionnaire containing questions about their mental health as well as questions about their current perception of the severity of air pollution

Further information and the survey for participation can be found here.

Members

• Yvonne Höller – University of Akureyri
• Ragnar P. Ólafsson – University of Iceland
• Lárus Steinþór Guðmundsson - University of Iceland
• Lada Zelinski - University of Akureyri
• Leon Daði Sesseljasson
• Ara Dan Pálmadóttir

Publications

• Rannsaka samband heilsufarsáhrifa og loftmengunar frá skemmtiferðaskipum og nagladekkjum
• Segir aðgerða þörf vegna svifryksmengunar á Akureyri
• Er Akureyri að búa til kynslóð fólks sem fær lungnakrabbamein?