Air Pollution: Who's Fight For Clean Air

Air pollution is a major global health hazard, causing 8.1 million premature deaths annually. It is the second-leading cause of death in young children, after malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that 99% of people breathe air that exceeds its guideline limits, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures. WHO monitors and reports on global trends and changes in health outcomes associated with actions taken to address air pollution at the national, regional and global levels. WHO also provides technical support to its member states in the development of normative guidance, tools and provision of authoritative advice on health issues related to air pollution.

WHO monitors air pollution exposure and health impacts at national, regional, and global levels

Air pollution is a major threat to health across the globe. Almost 99% of the global population is exposed to air pollution levels that put them at increased risk for diseases, including heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, pneumonia, and acute respiratory infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors air pollution exposure levels and their health impacts at national, regional, and global levels.

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 organization supports reducing air pollution levels and protecting populations from health risks. Member States and sub-national entities are responsible for implementing and monitoring policies to promote air quality for health. WHO also works with other UN agencies and non-state actors to ensure synergies and maximize impact on the ground.

WHO uses various methods and modelling approaches to monitor air pollution levels, including machine learning and geostatistical data fusion. These methods combine air quality measurements and simulation modelling into a statistical model. The organization also utilizes reference-grade monitors that enable the monitoring of long-term air pollution exposures, which are critical for health studies and evaluating interventions or sectoral policies. WHO's Air Pollution Data Portal includes Burden of Disease statistics, air quality databases, and modelled exposure and estimates of both ambient and household air pollution.

WHO releases country estimates on air pollution exposure and health impacts, providing the most detailed outdoor (or ambient) air pollution-related health data by country. The model is based on data derived from satellite measurements, air transport models, and ground station monitors for more than 3000 locations, both rural and urban. The organization also provides technical support to its Member States, offering normative guidance, tools, and authoritative advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. WHO leads monitoring and reporting on global trends and changes in health outcomes associated with actions taken to address air pollution at different scales.

WHO provides technical support and guidance to member states on health issues related to air pollution

Air pollution is a significant environmental health problem affecting people in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. It is the greatest environmental threat to health and a leading cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 7 million premature deaths every year due to the combined effects of outdoor and household air pollution.

Recognizing the urgency of the problem, WHO Member States approved resolution A68.8, "Health and the Environment: addressing the health impact of air pollution," at the World Health Assembly in 2015. As the coordinating authority on international health, WHO supports countries in protecting public health through evidence-based policies and actions. WHO's Air Quality and Health Unit works in three cross-cutting areas to reduce air pollution levels and protect populations from health risks:

• Knowledge, evidence, and measuring progress: WHO integrates scientific evidence on air pollution's health impacts and monitors countries' air quality progress. The WHO Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model helps policymakers understand household air pollution levels, and the WHO Air Quality, Energy, and Health Science and Policy Summaries (SPS) provide concise overviews of current knowledge and evidence on air quality, energy, and health topics.
• Institutional capacity building and technical support: WHO provides technical support to its Member States in developing normative guidance, tools, and authoritative advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. The WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) offer global guidance on thresholds and limits for key air pollutants, along with interim targets to promote gradual improvements.
• Leveraging the health argument to convene sectors: WHO supports countries by providing evidence and building institutional capacity. The organization invites governments, agencies, and organizations to pledge voluntary actions to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 50% by 2040.

WHO 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 scales. The Scientific Advisory Group on Air Pollution and Health (SAG) provides independent technical guidance and advises WHO on programmatic issues related to ambient and household air pollution and health. Additionally, the SDG 11.6.2 Working Group, convened by WHO in 2021, supports reporting and monitoring of air quality in cities.

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

Air pollution is a pressing issue that poses a major threat to health and climate across the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds the recommended limits and contains high levels of pollutants. This is especially true for low- and middle-income countries, which suffer the highest exposures. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide.

To address this critical issue, WHO promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies to mitigate the health risks associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution. These policies encompass various sectors, including energy, transport, housing, urban development, and the electrification of healthcare facilities. By providing technical support and guidance to its member states, WHO helps develop evidence-based policies and actions to tackle air pollution effectively.

One of the key interventions promoted by WHO is the adoption of clean household energy practices. This includes the use of clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating, and lighting. In 2019, WHO released tools and resources to assist countries in developing clean household energy policies and programs. Additionally, the organization offers a web model that predicts indoor pollutant concentrations and personal exposure levels from cooking, heating, or lighting activities. This model empowers individuals to make informed decisions and take preventive actions to reduce their exposure to indoor air pollutants.

WHO also emphasizes the importance of sustainable land use, cleaner transportation, energy-efficient housing, and improved waste management practices to reduce ambient air pollution. By supporting policies and investments in these areas, WHO aims to address key outdoor pollution sources, such as residential energy use, vehicles, power generation, agriculture, and waste incineration. Furthermore, WHO's Air Quality and Health Unit works across three critical areas: knowledge and evidence, institutional capacity building, and leadership and coordination. This multi-pronged approach ensures that countries have the necessary tools, evidence, and capacity to implement effective policies and promote air quality for the well-being of their citizens.

Through its global influence and initiatives, WHO plays a pivotal role in raising awareness about the risks of air pollution and the potential solutions. By collaborating with health and environment ministries, city governments, and stakeholders from high-emission sectors, WHO helps enrich the value proposition of addressing air pollution. This coordinated effort across sectors and geographical scales is essential for effective policy formulation and implementation, ultimately safeguarding public health and mitigating the adverse impacts of air pollution on our planet.

WHO data shows that 99% of the global population breathes air exceeding WHO guideline limits

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds its air-quality limits. This means that almost everyone is exposed to air pollution levels that put them at an increased risk of various diseases, including heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, pneumonia, and asthma. These diseases can be caused by the inhalation of fine particulate matter, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Fossil fuels are responsible for most of the harmful emissions that are linked to acute and chronic sickness.

WHO has been monitoring the exposure levels and health impacts of air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels since at least 2019. Their data shows that low- and middle-income countries suffer from the highest exposures to air pollution, with the poorest air quality found in the WHO's eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia regions, followed by Africa. In 2022, a record number of over 6,000 cities in 117 countries were monitoring air quality, but the people living in them were still breathing unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.

To address this issue, WHO has developed and implemented strategies to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and the available solutions. They have also provided technical support to their member states and digital outreach to various stakeholders to enrich the value proposition of addressing air pollution. Additionally, WHO has issued guidelines and recommendations for clean fuels and technologies for household cooking, heating, and lighting, as well as tools and resources for countries to develop clean household energy policies and programs.

WHO's data and efforts have prompted the organization to highlight the importance of curbing fossil fuel use and taking other tangible steps to reduce air pollution levels. They have called for more action to reduce the use of fossil fuels, which generate pollutants that cause respiratory and blood-flow problems and lead to millions of preventable deaths each year. WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths worldwide each year are due to avoidable environmental causes, with 4.2 million linked specifically to outdoor air pollution and 3.8 million to household smoke.

Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to health, causing 8.1 million premature deaths annually

Air pollution is a familiar environmental health hazard. The brown haze that settles over cities, the exhaust from a busy highway, or the plume from a smokestack are all visible reminders of air pollution. However, some air pollution is invisible, only detectable by its pungent smell. Air pollution is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.

It is a major threat to global health and prosperity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the largest environmental risk to health, causing approximately 8.1 million premature deaths annually. This figure has increased over the past two decades, with air pollution now killing more people than tobacco worldwide. The State of Global Air report, released in June 2024, found that air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, making it the second leading risk factor for death, including for children under five years old.

The primary sources of human-made air pollution include vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas used for heating homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation (especially coal-fueled power plants), and fumes from chemical production. Nature also contributes to air pollution through smoke from wildfires (often caused by people), ash and gases from volcanic eruptions, and gases like methane emitted from decomposing organic matter in soils.

The health impacts of air pollution are significant. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and contribute to serious health problems. PM2.5 is approximately 30 times thinner than a human hair and, once inhaled, can remain in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, affecting multiple organ systems. This increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to physical health impacts, air pollution has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including premature birth and low birth weight.

Addressing air pollution is crucial for both human health and the environment. Policies that support sustainable land use, cleaner household energy, improved municipal waste management, and energy-efficient housing and transport can effectively reduce ambient air pollution. Additionally, interventions that address indoor air pollution, such as promoting clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating, and lighting, are essential.

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