Air Pollution: Our Goals For Clean Air

Air pollution is a pressing global issue, with 99% of the world's population exposed to air pollution levels that put them at an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively monitoring air pollution exposure levels and their health impacts at the national, regional, and global levels. WHO's efforts are directed towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and promote sustainable development worldwide. These goals recognize the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental factors in human well-being and emphasize the urgency of comprehensive actions.

WHO monitors air pollution exposure and its health impacts, including premature deaths

The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors the exposure levels and health impacts (i.e., deaths, DALYs) of air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels from ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution. WHO estimates that in 2019, about 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year were caused by outdoor air pollution, with 68% due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke, 14% due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 14% due to acute lower respiratory infections, and 4% due to lung cancers.

WHO's Air Quality and Health Unit works in three cross-cutting areas: knowledge, evidence, and measuring progress; institutional capacity building and technical support; and leadership and coordination. The unit provides technical support to WHO's member states in developing normative guidance, tools, and authoritative advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. It also leads monitoring and reporting on global trends and changes in health outcomes associated with actions taken to address air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels.

WHO has developed the Air Pollution Data Portal, which includes Burden of Disease statistics, air quality databases, and modelled exposure and estimates of both ambient and household air pollution. This data is used for official reporting, such as world health statistics and the Sustainable Development Goals. WHO also provides interim targets to promote a gradual shift from high to lower concentrations, with associated health benefits. For example, through the achievement of interim target one (35 µg/m3), around 300,000 deaths would be saved worldwide annually.

WHO also recognizes the impact of household air pollution, which can contribute significantly to ambient air pollution levels. In some areas, up to fifty percent of outdoor air pollution is caused by household sources. WHO uses statistical adjustments in its estimates to avoid double-counting, arriving at an estimate of almost 7 million premature deaths per year due to combined ambient and household air pollution.

WHO's global assessments provide evidence of links between exposure to air pollution and various health impacts, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and cancer. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a significant driver of health problems and premature mortality, with exposure linked to heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, asthma, decreased lung function, and increased irritability of airways.

The organisation provides technical support and advice to member states on health issues related to air pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides technical support and advice to its member states on health issues related to air pollution. WHO monitors the exposure of air pollution and its health impacts, such as deaths and DALYs (disability-adjusted life years), at the national, regional, and global levels. This includes both ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution. WHO uses ground measurements, satellite data, chemical transport models, and population information to derive population-weighted concentrations of particulate matter, which is a key indicator of air pollution. The organization also provides tools and resources for countries to develop clean household energy policies and programs, as well as planning tools to calculate the costs and benefits of transitioning to cleaner energy.

WHO has developed and implemented strategies to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and the available solutions. Through digital outreach and partnerships, WHO has helped various stakeholders, including health and environment ministries and city governments, understand the value of addressing air pollution. The organization also promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies, such as energy, transport, housing, and urban development, to mitigate the health risks associated with air pollution.

WHO's work in this area is closely linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). WHO monitors and tracks progress on health indicators related to air pollution, such as SDG3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By addressing air pollution, WHO contributes to the achievement of other SDGs, including SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG5 (Gender Equality), SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG15 (Life on Land).

WHO also provides specific guidelines and recommendations to reduce air pollution. For example, they promote clean technologies that reduce industrial smokestack emissions, improved management of urban and agricultural waste, access to affordable clean household energy solutions, and the use of cleaner modes of power generation and transportation. WHO recognizes that addressing air pollution requires concerted action by local, national, and regional policymakers, as most sources of outdoor air pollution are beyond the control of individuals.

WHO promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies to address health risks from indoor and outdoor air pollution

The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies to address the health risks posed by indoor and outdoor air pollution. Almost the entire global population (99%) is exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, which increases the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and pneumonia. Outdoor air pollution alone caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019, with 68% of these being due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke.

WHO provides technical support to its member states, offering guidance, tools, and advice on health issues related to air pollution. This includes monitoring and reporting on global trends and changes in health outcomes associated with actions taken to address air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels. The organization also works to ensure that health-relevant indicators of household and ambient pollution exposure are included in the formal system of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators. For example, WHO uses ground measurements, satellite data, and population information to derive the annual air pollution levels in cities for SDG 11. Additionally, the WHO global household energy database tracks energy use for cooking, heating, and lighting to measure progress toward achieving SDG 7.

WHO promotes policies and investments that support cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, power generation, industry, and better municipal waste management to reduce outdoor air pollution. They also advocate for access to clean household energy solutions for cooking, heating, and lighting, which can significantly reduce ambient air pollution in some regions. Furthermore, WHO has developed guidelines on clean fuels and technologies for household use, such as the 2014 guidelines on clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating, and lighting.

WHO also provides tools and resources to countries to develop clean household energy policies and programs. For example, the Air Pollution Data Portal includes Burden of Disease statistics, air quality databases, and modeled exposure estimates of ambient and household air pollution. Additionally, the AirQ+ tool allows for the quantification of the health effects of exposure to air pollution, including estimates of the reduction in life expectancy. WHO also supports countries by providing evidence, building institutional capacity, and leveraging the health argument to convene sectors to tackle air pollution.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and promote sustainable development

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals designed to address some of the most pressing issues facing the world today. These goals aim to tackle poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, while also promoting sustainable development and a better future for all.

Poverty Eradication

SDG 1 aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030. This includes addressing issues such as unemployment, social exclusion, and vulnerability to disasters and diseases, which can trap people in poverty. COVID-19, for example, has caused a setback in poverty alleviation, emphasizing the need for strong social protection systems and inclusive economic growth.

Reducing Inequalities

Reducing inequality within and among countries is another key focus of the SDGs. This involves ensuring universal access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation, and more. Policies should be inclusive and pay attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations to promote equality and social cohesion.

Environmental Degradation and Climate Change

The SDGs recognize the importance of addressing environmental degradation and climate change. This includes sustainably managing natural resources, such as forests, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss. The burning of fossil fuels, a major contributor to air pollution, is also a key driver of climate change, emphasizing the need for a transition to renewable and cleaner energy sources.

Promoting Sustainable Development

The SDGs promote sustainable development through various means, including improving health and education, ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture, promoting gender equality, and providing access to clean water and sanitation. Additionally, building resilient infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization are also part of the agenda.

The SDGs serve as a blueprint for a sustainable future, addressing global challenges and recognizing the interconnectedness of these goals. Achieving them requires collaboration and commitment from all countries, with the shared aim of creating a better world for present and future generations.

Air pollution is linked with many SDGs, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

Air pollution is a critical global health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO's air quality limits, putting them at an increased risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and pneumonia.

To address this issue, WHO has integrated air pollution into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, WHO's work links air pollution with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

SDG 3 aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. Air pollution is a critical component of this goal, as it is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. By reducing air pollution, the mortality and morbidity rates associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases can be substantially decreased, thus improving overall health and well-being.

SDG 7 focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This includes promoting the use of clean energy technologies and improving energy efficiency. WHO's work in this area includes providing guidelines on clean fuels and technologies for household cooking, heating, and lighting, as well as tracking energy use through its global household energy database. This database helps monitor progress towards achieving SDG 7 by providing insights into the adoption of clean energy practices.

Additionally, WHO utilizes various tools, such as ground measurements, satellite data, and chemical transport models, to assess population-weighted concentrations of particulate matter contributing to air pollution. This data is crucial for monitoring air quality in cities, as outlined in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By combining information from SDG 7 and SDG 11, WHO can derive the overall disease burden attributed to air pollution, which directly contributes to the health targets of SDG 3.

Overall, WHO's efforts to integrate air pollution into the SDGs demonstrate the organization's commitment to addressing this global health challenge. By linking air pollution with SDG 3 and SDG 7, WHO provides a framework for countries to improve health outcomes and access to clean energy, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and improved well-being.

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