Key Event

Episode of particulate matter pollution: summary of health data from Thursday, March 13, through Tuesday, March 18, 2014, inclusive. In light of the episodes of air pollution observed in recent days across the region, the Institute for Health Surveillance conducted a daily analysis of syndromic indicators calculated using data transmitted by emergency departments participating in the Oscour® network and data from SOS Médecins associations. At the national and regional levels, including Midi-Pyrénées, no particular increase was observed in either hospital emergency room activity or that of the SOS Médecins associations; both remain within values consistent with what was observed last year for the same period. Any variations observed in the use of hospital emergency departments or SOS Médecins for conditions potentially linked to air pollution (asthma, chronic bronchitis and COPD, dyspnea and respiratory failure, heart failure, myocardial ischemia, headaches, and fainting spells), regardless of age, remained within expected ranges. As of March 19, 2014, the main observations concerned the Île-de-France region, where, following an increase in the number of emergency room visits for asthma between March 13 and 17 inclusive, emergency room visits for asthma across all age groups decreased on March 18. This decrease mainly concerned children under 5 years of age and adults aged 15 to 44. An increase in the number of visits was still observed among 5- to 14-year-olds on March 18. Regarding the interpretation of the data, it is important to note that asthma attacks have multiple "triggering" factors.