Almost the entire global population, 99% of people, breathes air that exceeds the quality limits defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). In an alert held this Monday (4), the WHO highlights that the problem affects the health of individuals globally.
A record number of more than 6,000 cities in 117 countries monitor air quality. However, people living in these places still breathe in unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. People in low- and middle-income countries suffer the greatest exposures.
The WHO highlights the importance of reducing the use of fossil fuels and other possible measures to reduce air pollution levels.
This year, the WHO air quality data update features, for the first time, measurements of average annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a common urban pollutant and precursor to particulate matter and ozone. The document also includes measurements of particles with diameters equal to or less than 10 μm (PM10) or 2.5 μm (PM2.5). Both groups of pollutants originate mainly from human activities related to the burning of fossil fuels.
According to the WHO, the new air quality database is the most extensive to date in its coverage of exposure to ground-level air pollution. About 2,000 new cities and human settlements started recording monitoring data for particulate matter, PM10 or PM2.5, compared to the last update. This marks a nearly six-fold increase in reports since the database was launched in 2011.
Meanwhile, the evidence base for the damage that air pollution causes to the human body has been growing rapidly and points to significant impacts from low levels of many air pollutants.
Particulate matter, especially PM2.5, is able to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular (such as stroke), and respiratory impacts. There is significant evidence that particulate matter affects other organs and also causes other diseases.
Nitrogen dioxide is associated with respiratory illnesses, particularly asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing), hospital admissions, and emergency room visits.
What can be done
In 2021, WHO revised its Air Quality Guidelines, increasing the document’s rigor in an effort to assist countries in the local assessment of air condition.
“Current energy concerns highlight the importance of accelerating the transition to cleaner and healthier energy systems,” Tedros Adhanom, WHO director-general, said in a statement. “High fossil fuel prices, energy security and the urgency of tackling the dual health challenges of air pollution and climate change underscore the pressing need to move more quickly towards a world far less dependent on fossil fuels.” completed.
The WHO has indicated a series of measures that governments can take to improve air quality and the health of the population.
The list includes strategies such as adopting, reviewing and implementing national air quality standards in accordance with the entity’s latest guidelines; monitor air quality and identify sources of pollution; support the transition to the exclusive use of clean domestic energy; build safe and accessible public transport systems and pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly networks.
The recommendations also include the implementation of stricter vehicle emission and efficiency standards, the imposition of mandatory inspection and maintenance for vehicles, investment in energy-efficient housing and power generation, as well as improved industrial and municipal waste management.
The document proposes the reduction of the incineration of agricultural residues, forest fires and of some agroforestry activities (such as charcoal production, for example) and the inclusion of air pollution in the curricula of health professionals.
Uneven impact of air pollution
Higher-income countries have less particulate pollution, but most cities have problems with nitrogen dioxide, according to the WHO. In 17% of cities in high-income countries that monitor air quality, air is below guidelines considering PM2.5 or PM10.
In low- and middle-income countries, air quality complies with WHO recommended limits in less than 1% of cities.
Globally, low- and middle-income countries still have higher exposure to unhealthy levels of particulate matter compared to the global average, but nitrogen dioxide patterns are different, showing less difference between high, low, and middle-income countries.
About 4,000 cities or human settlements in 74 countries collect ground-level nitrogen dioxide data. Taken together, the measurements show that only 23% of people in these locations breathe average annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide that meet the levels in the most recent version of the WHO guidelines.
“After surviving a pandemic, it is unacceptable to still have 7 million preventable deaths and countless lost years of good health due to air pollution. That’s what we’re saying when we look at the mountain of air pollution data, evidence and solutions available. However, many investments are still being made in a polluted environment rather than in clean, healthy air,” said Maria Neira, director of the WHO’s Department for Environment, Climate Change and Health in a statement.
monitoring
People living in low- and middle-income countries are the most exposed to air pollution. They are also the least covered in terms of air quality measurement – but the situation is improving according to new WHO data.
Europe and, to some extent, North America continue to be the regions with the most comprehensive air quality data. In many low- and middle-income countries, although PM2.5 measurements are not yet available, they have seen major improvements in measurements between the last database update in 2018 and this one, with an additional 1,500 human settlements in these countries monitoring quality. donate.
The evidence base for the damage caused by air pollution is growing rapidly and points to significant impacts caused by still low levels of many air pollutants. The 2022 database aims to monitor the state of the world’s air and contributes to tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: CNN Brasil
