AIR QUALITY IN THE CITY OF KORCA AND IT’S IMPACT ON POPULATION HEALTH

The population of the city during the last years has been exposed to polluted air and has accumulated in the breathing apparatus 90.7 ?gr/m3 PM10, affecting this way the rising of morbidity and mortality of the habitants. The map of WHO ( World Health Organization) for deaths caused by the urban pollution of air classifies Albania among the zones with the risk of 150-200 deaths per year per 1 million inhabitants. Aim: The aim of the study is the identification of the air pollution and the incidence of pathologies of breathing and cardio-vascular apparatus and the identification of the number of pregnancies and births with malformations. Material and method: Type of study: descriptive. The direction of the study was prospective. Was studied the air quality in the city of Korca and it’s impact in morbidity and birth malformations. The study was done during the time period 2003-2012. There were compared the level of the air pollution during the last 10 years as well as the comparison with the allowed rates and the definition of incidences for particular pathologies and for pregnancies with malformations of the babies. The polluters measured are: SO2, NO2, PM10, lead and iron, assessed by taking the active samples,( all in days base) and O3 with passive pipes. The analysis of samples are done in the Institute of Public Health. As well as the assessment in the monitoring fixed stations, set in October 2011 in a part of the city at ‘Raqi Qirinxhi’ school and the Themistokli square. Results and discussions: The results were analyzed separately for all the elements of air pollution and were represented in tables and graphs.