Bronte Wells
Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. It is a major threat to health and climate across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 6.7 million people die from air pollution each year, with 4.2 million of those deaths due to outdoor air pollution. In 2021, air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally, becoming the second leading risk factor for death, including for children under five years. According to the WHO, 99% of the world's population lives in areas with air pollution levels that exceed its recommended limits. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, is of particular concern as it can enter the bloodstream through the lungs and affect multiple organ systems, increasing the risk of various non-communicable diseases. Sources of air pollution include household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and forest fires, with low- and middle-income countries experiencing the highest exposures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution is the second leading cause of death globally | 8.1 million deaths in 2021 |
| WHO's role in addressing air pollution | WHO provides technical support to member states, monitors and reports on global trends and changes in health outcomes, and raises awareness about the risks of air pollution and available solutions |
| WHO's interventions and initiatives | Promoting healthy sectoral policies in energy, transport, housing, urban development, and electrification of healthcare facilities |
| WHO's data on air pollution exposure and health impacts | WHO monitors exposure levels and health impacts, including deaths and DALYs, from ambient and household air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels |
| Household air pollution | WHO provides guidance on clean fuels and technologies for household cooking, heating, and lighting |
| Ambient air pollution | Smog, smoke, and pollutants from cars, trucks, factories, power plants, and combustion of fossil fuels |
| Health effects of air pollution | Asthma, lung diseases, heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, and more |
| Vulnerable populations | Children, especially those under five years old, are vulnerable to health effects like premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, and pneumonia |
| Inequities | The air pollution-linked death rate in children under five in Africa is 100 times higher than in high-income countries |
| Climate change impact | Climate change-fueled wildfires and extreme heat are adding to the challenges of protecting public health |
What You'll Learn
- WHO considers air pollution a public health emergency, killing 7 million+ people annually?
- WHO monitors air pollution and its health impacts at the national, regional, and global levels?
- WHO provides technical support to member states for normative guidance and advice on health issues related to air pollution?
- WHO promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies to address key health risks from air pollution?
- WHO's Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model helps policymakers determine household air pollution levels
WHO considers air pollution a public health emergency, killing 7 million+ people annually
Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects people worldwide, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has been taking active measures to address it. WHO considers air pollution a public health emergency, and its data reveals that approximately seven million people worldwide succumb to air pollution each year. This issue is not limited to a specific region or country, as almost the entire global population (99%) is exposed to air pollution levels that elevate their risk of developing various diseases and health complications.
The sources of air pollution are diverse and extensive, encompassing cars, trucks, factories, power plants, incinerators, and engines that combust fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, or natural gas. These emissions contribute to the greenhouse gases warming the planet. Air pollution has severe health consequences. Air pollution is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, pneumonia, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. It also impacts neurological and immune system functions and contributes to reproductive health issues.
The impact of air pollution on vulnerable populations, particularly children, is profound. UNICEF reports that air pollution is responsible for the deaths of over 700,000 children under five years old annually, making it the second-leading risk factor for death globally in this age group. The death rate in children under five in Africa is 100 times higher than in high-income countries. Additionally, air pollution exposure in young children is associated with pneumonia, which is responsible for one-fifth of child deaths worldwide, and asthma, the most prevalent chronic respiratory disease in older children.
WHO has implemented several initiatives to address air pollution and mitigate its health risks. They provide technical support to member states, offering guidance, tools, and advice on health issues related to air pollution. WHO also monitors and reports on global trends and changes in health outcomes associated with actions taken to tackle air pollution at the national, regional, and global levels. Furthermore, they have developed a strategy to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and the available solutions for reducing exposure.
The organization has also introduced the WHO Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model to assist policymakers and program planners in understanding household air pollution levels and making informed decisions. Additionally, the Air Pollution Data Portal provides valuable resources, including Burden of Disease statistics, air quality databases, and modelled exposure and estimates of ambient and household air pollution. These efforts reflect WHO's commitment to addressing air pollution as a critical public health issue and saving millions of lives threatened by this invisible danger.
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WHO monitors air pollution and its health impacts at the national, regional, and global levels
Air pollution, both ambient and household, poses a major threat to health across the globe. Almost 99% of the global population is exposed to air pollution levels that put them at an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and pneumonia. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in monitoring air pollution and its health impacts at various levels.
National Level:
WHO monitors air pollution exposure levels and their health impacts in individual countries. This includes assessing the concentrations of outdoor and indoor air pollution, such as particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide. By collecting data through various means, including low-cost air pollution monitors and sensors, WHO can quantify the health effects of air pollution exposure. These monitors provide valuable data on specific pollutants and environmental factors, helping countries understand the impact of air pollution on their citizens' health.
Regional Level:
WHO also works within regions, monitoring air pollution and its health consequences across multiple countries. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the issue, as air pollution often transcends national borders. Regional assessments help identify areas of concern and prioritize mitigation strategies that consider the unique characteristics and needs of different regions.
Global Level:
At the global level, WHO conducts assessments and issues guidelines to address air pollution and its health impacts worldwide. In 2019, WHO reported that air pollution was the largest environmental risk to health globally. To address this, WHO published health-based guidelines in 2014, promoting clean fuels and technologies for household cooking, heating, and lighting. These guidelines, along with the Air Pollution Data Portal, provide valuable resources for countries working towards Sustainable Development Goals related to energy access, health, and environmental sustainability.
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WHO provides technical support to member states for normative guidance and advice on health issues related to air pollution
Air pollution is a significant environmental health problem that affects people in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. It is the second highest risk factor for non-communicable diseases, causing an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year in 2019, with 68% of these being due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides technical support to its Member States in the development of normative guidance, tools, and the provision of authoritative advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. 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 convening sectors to tackle air pollution.
WHO supports countries by providing evidence, building institutional capacity, and leveraging the health argument to implement policies and actions that protect public health. WHO's Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) offer guidance on thresholds and limits for key air pollutants that pose health risks. These guidelines are developed through a transparent, evidence-based decision-making process and provide interim targets to promote a gradual shift towards lower pollutant concentrations.
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 levels. WHO invites governments, agencies, and organizations to pledge voluntary actions to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 50% by 2040.
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WHO promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies to address key health risks from air pollution
Air pollution is a critical global environmental health risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed and implemented strategies to raise awareness about the health risks of air pollution, as well as solutions to mitigate these risks. WHO promotes interventions and initiatives for healthy sectoral policies, addressing key health risks from both indoor and outdoor air pollution.
WHO provides technical support to its member states, offering guidance, tools, and advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. The organization works across three key areas: knowledge, evidence, and measuring progress; institutional capacity building and technical support; and leadership and coordination. WHO also supports countries in building institutional capacity and leveraging health arguments to convene sectors to tackle air pollution.
WHO's interventions and initiatives focus on various sectors, including energy, transport, housing, urban development, and electrification of healthcare facilities. For instance, policies supporting sustainable land use, cleaner household energy, and transport, as well as energy-efficient housing, can effectively reduce ambient air pollution sources.
Additionally, WHO's Urban Health Initiative (UHI) focuses on building healthy cities by addressing health risks associated with the urban environment, such as air pollution, traffic injuries, and noise stressors. UHI promotes tools and guidance to assess the health impacts of air pollution and the benefits of sustainable practices.
WHO also emphasizes the importance of individual and community-level interventions. These include strategies such as controlling hypertension, lowering lipids, reducing obesity, promoting physical activity, and smoking cessation to reduce the overall burden of diseases associated with air pollution exposure.
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WHO's Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model helps policymakers determine household air pollution levels
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers air pollution a public health emergency. According to WHO data, 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants, and air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide annually. In 2019, household air pollution was the most significant environmental risk to health.
WHO's Household Multiple Emission Sources (HOMES) model helps policymakers and program planners determine household air pollution levels. It is a part of WHO's Clean Household Energy Solutions Toolkit (CHEST), which provides tools for countries and programs to expand access to and use of clean household energy. The HOMES model predicts indoor concentrations and personal exposures to air pollutants associated with fuel combustion for cooking, lighting, heating, and other household energy needs. It allows users to input locally specific information, such as emission rates of combustion devices, time spent using them, ventilation and room volume, and outdoor air pollution levels. The model then estimates kitchen concentrations and personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under the specified conditions.
The HOMES model is designed to represent a range of environmental and operational conditions expected for a given population by using distributions of input parameters to generate a distribution of predicted indoor air pollution concentrations. This approach better reflects reality, as air pollutant levels in homes vary. The model enables users to evaluate the potential implications of various intervention scenarios, helping them understand how different combinations of performance from multiple sources may affect kitchen concentrations and personal exposures. For instance, users can explore the air quality level and exposure resulting from a combination of technical performance and usage, guiding them in program planning and technology recommendations.
At a 2018 workshop in Ghana, local policymakers used the HOMES model to compare the potential impacts of different urban policies on air quality and health. They modelled the exposure and health outcomes resulting from implementing policies seeking to modify fuel and technology choices and time spent using different energy sources. The model helped stakeholders understand how the use of multiple devices, such as charcoal and LPG stoves, would influence the impacts of various policy options. The results informed the development of a strategic master plan for addressing air pollution, emphasizing the need for aggressive policies promoting clean fuels to sustain health improvements alongside population growth.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
The sources of air pollution are multiple and context-specific. Major outdoor pollution sources include residential energy for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry. Indoor sources include gas stoves, toasters, and fuel-burning heating devices.
Air pollution is a major threat to health across the globe. It is linked to respiratory problems, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and pneumonia. According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths annually.
