In this study, the sensitivity of the public health and activity indexes to changes in air pollutant concentration is evaluated in Finland, a country with a nationally low level of air pollution. The comparison was done for four cities: Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, and Rovaniemi. The cities are chosen to be a representation of two distinct environments: 1) the more urban cities in slightly warmer environments in the South of Finland (Helsinki and Tampere), and 2) the less urban cities of the North, located in or near the Arctic Circle (Oulu and Rovaniemi). The weekly air pollutant concentration for particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), as well as the health and activity parameters in several categories were the main two indicators used to make conclusions in this study, using the simultaneously collected meteorological variables as contextual support. AccuWeather was used as the main source of information, from which the data was derived in the period of autumn 2024, late spring, summer, and the beginning of autumn 2025. The findings in this study revealed that even though air pollution in Finland is still considered ideal and of a lower level compared to many developed nations, some level of difference is observed in air pollutant concentrations and consequently health symptoms between cities in the south and those in the north. The health indicators, such as asthma, sinus pressure, and migraines, are more common in regions with a high level of air pollutant concentration, whereas the common cold and the flu are more common in northern regions, likely for the reason of the colder climate conditions. The findings in this study confirmed that even in regions of lower air pollution, even a minor variation in concentration or climate can affect people's well-being and conditions for numerous activities.

air pollutants, health effects, allergens, low-pollution environments, urbanization, regional difference, Finland

biology

Presentation: oral presentation