Emergency Medical Interventions in Areas with High Air Pollution: A Case Study from Małopolska Voivodeship, Poland

Air pollution poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in urban and industrialized regions. This study investigates the relationship between air quality and the frequency of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls in the Małopolska Voivodeship of Poland between 2020 and 2023. Data from over 190 air quality sensors (PM10) were spatially aggregated using both hexagonal grids and administrative boundaries, while EMS call records were filtered to focus on cardiovascular and respiratory incidents. During 2020–2023, a total of 305,142 EMS calls were analyzed, and months with PM10 exceedances showed an average of 1.50 respiratory calls per 1000 residents compared to 1.19 in months without exceedances. Statistical analyses, including Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and Pearson correlation, were applied to explore temporal and spatial associations. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in EMS calls during periods of elevated air pollution, with the strongest correlation observed for respiratory-related incidents. Comparative analyses between high- and low-pollution municipalities supported the observed relationships. Further analysis indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic may have partially confounded these associations, particularly for respiratory cases, though significant patterns remained even after accounting for pandemic peaks. While limitations related to data gaps and seasonal biases exist, the findings suggest that real-time air pollution data could inform better EMS resource allocation. This research highlights the potential of integrating environmental data into public health strategies to improve emergency response and reduce health risks in polluted regions.