Modeling and implementing an agent-based environmental health impact decision support system

This paper presents an approach to the creation of an agent-based system for the assessment of environmental impact upon human health. As indicators of the environmental impact water pollution, indexes of traffic and industrial activity, wastes and solar radiation are assumed. And as human health indicator morbidity is taken. All the data comprise multiple heterogeneous data repositories. The system is logically and functionally divided into three layers, solving the tasks of information fusion, pattern discovery and decision support making, respectively. The outcomes of the system design phase under Prometheus methodology and the complete characteristics of the agents forming the proposal are discussed. The discovered patterns are used as a foundation for real-time decision making, which is of great importance for adequate and effective management by responsible governmental authorities. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.