Environmental and public health, air pollution and the. Air pollution is one of the great killers of our age. The world health report 2002 reducing risks, promoting healthy life. This is a very motivating piece of work for any undergraduate student who has an interest in air pollution research. Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the uk, as longterm exposure to air pollution can cause chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory. Apr 19, 2017 historically, a key problem in understanding air quality and its influence on public health in african nations has been the absence of reliable data. However, if local air pollution problems and solutions are considered in the context of wider health determinants, and air pollution mitigation and public health interventions are aligned and targeted in areas where health needs are highest, greater health gains reduced health risks and inequalities can be achieved. Air pollution and public health sciencebased medicine. Exposure to pollutants such as airborne participate matter and ozone has been associated with increases in mortality and hospital admissions due to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Welcome to the latest edition of health matters, phes professional resource, which for this edition focuses on the sources and health impacts of air pollution, as well as the actions that local government, healthcare professionals and the public can take to reduce exposure and improve air quality. The impact of air pollution on health, econom y, environment and agricultural sources 12 t o g i v e r i s e t o e x p o s u r e d u r i n g u s e, m a intenance, renovation, repairs, removal and. A tool kit pdf icon pdf 726 kb heart health and air pollution.
Among them, particulate matter pm, particles of variable but very small diameter, penetrate the respiratory system via. Air and noise pollution from transport cause a wide range of health problems, with road transport and diesel vehicles in particular the biggest contributors. These effects have been found in shortterm studies, which relate daytoday variations in air pollution and health, and. In 20, the world health organization concluded that outdoor air pollution is carcinogen to humans. From a practical point of view, however, it is critical to recognize that measures to reduce air pollution are cost effective. These toolkits can help you communicate with consumers about public health issues related to air pollution. Air pollution is one of the worlds largest killers, responsible for 6. One of our eras greatest scourges is air pollution, on account not only of its impact on climate change but also its impact on public and individual health due to increasing morbidity and mortality. This report summarizes the latest evidence on the health impacts of air pollution and discusses how these health impacts affect how long, and how well, people live. We dont even have to make an economic trade off or sacrifice. Air pollution in teran healt costs sources and policies 3 for health and economic effects by a large margin. Impact of air pollution on public health 5 traffic, heavy industry have lower iq and score worse memory tests than children from the cleaner environments.
Acute respiratory effects of particulate air pollution. A public health perspective conveys the most comprehensive, recent and sound knowledge to undergraduate students. The world health organization who is among other sources measuring and evaluating air pollution, particularly as urban centers are rapidly expanding. Addressing the main sources of air pollution, energy production and automobiles, is a public health concern. Air pollution and climate change are inherently interlinked within a complex system, with air pollution both driving and limiting global warming. This is more than the number of deaths from aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Air pollution, climate and health who world health.
There are challenges however that preclude high quality research on the health effects of air pollution from being. In the second section, the consequences of air pollution on health are documented. And reducing tailpipe emissions also reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The impact of fine particles and ozone executive summary air pollution is a leading environmental threat to the health of urban populations overall and specifically to new york city residents. Although the deleterious effects of air pollution from fossilfuel combustion have been demonstrated in many. A tool kit pdf icon pdf 3 mb you can also share this podcast with tips for avoiding the harmful health effects of poor air quality. Sixty years after the clean air act, air pollution is back in the headlines.
Polluted air was responsible in 2015 for 64 million deaths worldwide. Indoor air pollution from solid fuel use and urban outdoor air pollution are estimated to be responsible for 3. This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. The toolkit offers practical tips on how to best engage the public on the subject. The health consequences of air pollution are considerable. Estimating the public health benefits of proposed air. There are many pollutants that are major factors in disease in humans. The world health organization estimates that 2 billion children live in areas where outdoor air pollution exceeds. The government has been accused of a failure to act while drivers of diesel cars, who were encouraged to believe they were doing the environment a favour, are now categorised as polluters in chief. Steps you can take to reduce health effects from air pollution epa childrens respiratory health. This toolkit is designed to help you speak about the health impacts of air pollution and. The european union and its member states are taking a series of measures to reduce the impact of transport on health with some success. Indoor air pollution can be reduced by making sure that a building is wellventilated and cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of agents like dust and mold. Air quality and public health international affairs usepa.
Historically, a key problem in understanding air quality and its influence on public health in african nations has been the absence of reliable data. Download a pdf of air pollution, the automobile, and public health by the national research council for free. Testament to the importance of pm is that all three global flagship reports on health and air pollution in 2016by the world bank, world health organization who, and organization for eco. Estimating the public health benefits of proposed air pollution regulations. Health impacts of air pollution environmental defense fund. These include stroke and heart disease, respiratory illness and cancers. Moreover, air pollution contributes significantly to respiratory disease in children. Anticipated increases in natural threats like wildfires and increased ozone pollution with a warming climate raise concern for future public health. Air quality air quality resources for professionals cdc. The reported associations between increased respiratory and. Tightening pollution controls and enforcing already existing environmental laws could improve air quality and save thousands of lives every year. Concerns about potential public health problems due to indoor air pollution are based on evidence that urban residents typically spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. Definitions and classifications used in the study of air pollution are introduced. Transport and public health european environment agency.
Reducing exposure to air pollution has important benefits, but cutting emissions at the source is the most powerful tool for protecting peoples health over the long term. Henschel s1, atkinson r, zeka a, le tertre a, analitis a, katsouyanni k, chanel o, pascal m, forsberg b, medina s, goodman pg. A tool to help local authorities estimate the burden of air pollution on the health care system. In recent years, asia has experienced rapid economic growth and a deteriorating environment caused by the increasing use of fossil fuels. The respiratory and cardiovascular effects of air pollution are well documented. Clean air laws and regulations have improved the air quality in new york and most other large cities, but. Indoor air pollution can be reduced by making sure that a building is wellventilated and cleaned. While the epidemiological evidence for the health impacts of air pollution in india is strong, strengthening it in several aspects as outlined in this report would aid in more informed policymaking. Air quality a guide for directors of public health. This paper presents the issue of air pollution and discusses the latest findings of fundamental research with regard to its consequences on human health. Among the main elements of this road map are the monitoring and reporting of air pollution, and enhanced systems, structures and processes for monitoring and reporting health trends associated with air pollution and its sources. There is extensive evidence about the health impacts of air pollution, growing media and public interest and an indicator on mortality attributed to particulate matter pm air pollution in the public health outcomes framework. More than half of the global burden of disease from air pollution is borne. Innovative solutions and local action can improve the situation further.
Air pollution is now fully acknowledged to be a significant public health problem, responsible for a growing range of health effects that are well documented from the results of an extensive research effort conducted in many regions of the world. The air pollution control board shall advise the department of public health and the board of health on all matters pertaining to the control of air pollution and shall make reasonable regulations, not contrary to a statute or ordinance or to the regulations of the board of health. Air pollution interventions and their impact on public health. Public health opportunities to address the health effects of. May 22, 2018 a tool to help local authorities estimate the burden of air pollution on the health care system. Children and teens may be more sensitive than adults to the health effects caused by air pollution especially children with asthma. How can i reduce my risk for air pollution exposure. Millions of americans live in areas where urban smog, particle pollution, and toxic pollutants pose serious health concerns. Air pollution and health from smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. Air pollution and the impact on public health in africa. Although official efforts to control air pollution have traditionally focused on outdoor air, it is now apparent that elevated contaminant concentrations are common inside some private and public buildings. The health effects of air pollution have been subject to intense study in recent years. Nov 25, 2016 air pollution is one of the great killers of our age.
Air pollution now kills 29 000 people a year in the uk, according to the headlines. Health effects of pm air pollution mortality the ultimate effect of air pollution on public health is to bring about premature death. As public health gains, low air pollution levels were observed before the cwg due to effective washout by monsoonal rain and during cwg under policyinduced air quality measures could increase the. Air pollution in ghana cannot be deferred to tomorrows agenda, as existing standards have failed to protect public health. Health professionals should help government officials and the public recognize how the health benefits associated with clean air, including reduced hospital visits and fewer missed days at school and work due to illness, far outweigh the costs of air pollution control. The combined effects of ambient outdoor and household air pollution cause about 7 million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute.