Air pollution monitoring and health inequalities using PM10 data in Girona (Catalonia)

Background

Air pollution is a major environmental determinant of health and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Monitoring spatial and social inequalities in exposure is essential to support public health policies and environmental justice.

Objectives

To present an interactive public health dashboard for monitoring PM10 air pollution and related health inequalities across the province of Girona.

Methods

An interactive dashboard was developed using PM10 air quality data aggregated at municipal, county and provincial levels. The tool provides descriptive analysis of temporal trends and spatial distribution of air pollution. It also includes stratified analyses by age group (young and older populations), social class and nationality, allowing the assessment of social inequalities in exposure. Additionally, the dashboard incorporates estimates of attributable health risk associated with PM10 exposure across sociodemographic groups and territories. Access link is provided for the tool: https://observatori.shinyapps.io/ATMOSFERA_PM10/.

Results

The dashboard shows spatial and temporal variability in PM10 concentrations across the province of Girona. Differences are mainly driven by geographic and urban–peri-urban patterns, with higher levels observed in more densely populated areas. Social stratification analyses show limited and heterogeneous differences across social groups, depending on territorial context and time-period. The tool enables the identification of areas and periods with higher exposure levels, supporting environmental health surveillance and equity-oriented interpretation.

Conclusions

This PM10 dashboard is a useful tool for monitoring air pollution and identifying environmental and social inequalities in exposure. By integrating spatial, temporal and sociodemographic analyses, it supports evidence-based public health and environmental policies aimed at reducing health inequalities and improving air quality.

Key messages

• PM10 levels show clear spatial variability across Girona, with higher exposure in urban and peri-urban areas.

• The dashboard enables monitoring of air pollution and exploration of social inequalities in environmental exposure.