New WHO global air quality guidelines: more pressure on nations to reduce air pollution levels

Abstract Objectives More than 90% of the global population live in areas exceeding the PM2.5 air quality guidelines (AQGs). We provide an overview of the ambient PM2.5-related burden of disease (BoD) studies along with scenario analysis in the framework of the WHO AQG update on the estimated reduction in the BoD if AQGs were achieved globally. Methods We reviewed the literature for large-scale studies for the BoD attributed to ambient PM2.5. Moreover, we used the latest WHO statistics to calculate the BoD at current levels and the scenarios of aligning with interim targets and AQG levels. Results The most recent BoD studies (2010 onwards) share a similar methodology, but there are differences in the input data which affect the estimates for attributable deaths (2.9–8.9 million deaths annually). Moreover, we found that if AQGs were achieved, the estimated BoD would be reduced by up to 50% in total deaths worldwide. Conclusions Understanding the BoD across countries, especially in those that do not align with the AQGs, is essential in order to inform actions to reduce air pollution globally.

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Opinion: Insights into updating Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50EC)

10.5194/acp-2021-854 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joel Kuula ◽

Hilkka Timonen ◽

Jarkko V. Niemi ◽

Hanna Manninen ◽

Topi Rönkkö ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Ambient Air ◽

World Health ◽

Ambient Air Quality ◽

Adverse Health Effects ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Health Organization ◽

Air Quality Guidelines

Abstract. As the evidence for the adverse health effects of air pollution continues to increase, World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its latest edition of the Global Air Quality Guidelines. Although not legally binding, the guidelines aim to provide a framework in which policymakers can combat air pollution by formulating evidence-based air quality management strategies. In the light of this, European Union has stated its intent to revise the current Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC) to resemble closer to that of the newly published WHO guidelines. This article provides an informed opinion on selected features of the air quality directive that we believe would benefit from a reassessment. The selected features include discussion about 1) air quality sensors as a part of hierarchical observation network, 2) number of minimum sampling points and their siting criteria, and 3) new target air pollution parameters for future consideration.

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Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia in Association with Air Pollution at Levels below Current Air Quality Guidelines

Environmental Health Perspectives ◽

10.1289/ehp.1205736 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 121 (4) ◽

pp. 488-493 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Ebba Malmqvist ◽

Kristina Jakobsson ◽

Håkan Tinnerberg ◽

Anna Rignell-Hydbom ◽

Lars Rylander

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Air Quality Guidelines

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Application of the WHO air quality guidelines to address ambient air pollution exposures in India: The need to address outdoor and household sources

ISEE Conference Abstracts ◽

10.1289/isee.2013.s-3-19-01 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 (1) ◽

pp. 5790

Author(s):

Kalpana Balakrishnan ◽

Suresh Dhaniyala ◽

Santu Ghosh ◽

Sankar Sambandam ◽

Krishnendu Mukhopadhyay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Air Quality Guidelines

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in association with air pollution at levels below current air quality guidelines.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.717999929.793474722 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Sally Perreault Darney

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Air Quality Guidelines

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Effect of PM2.5 Levels on Respiratory Pediatric ED Visits in a Semi-Urban Greek Peninsula

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126384 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6384

Author(s):

Nikolaos Kanellopoulos ◽

Ioannis Pantazopoulos ◽

Maria Mermiri ◽

Georgios Mavrovounis ◽

Georgios Kalantzis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

World Health ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Ed Visits ◽

The Mean ◽

Air Quality Guidelines

Ambient air pollution accounts for an estimated 4.2 million deaths worldwide. Particulate matter (PM)2.5 particles are believed to be the most harmful, as when inhaled they can penetrate deep into the lungs. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PM2.5 daily air concentrations and pediatric emergency department (ED) visits for respiratory diseases in a Greek suburban area. All pediatric ED visits for asthma-, pneumonia- and upper respiratory infection (URI)-related complaints were recorded during the one-year period. The 24-h PM2.5 air pollution data were prospectively collected from twelve fully automated air quality monitoring stations. The mean annual concentration of PM2.5 was 30.03μg/m3 (World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) Annual mean concentration: 10 μg/m3). PM2.5 levels rose above the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) 24-h concentrations (25 μg/m3)), 178 times (48.6% of the study period). When PM2.5 levels were above the daily limit, an increase of 32.44% (p < 0.001) was observed in daily pediatric ED visits for respiratory diseases and the increase was much higher during spring (21.19%, p = 0.018). A 32% (p < 0.001) increase was observed in URI-related visits, when PM2.5 levels were ≥ 25 μg/m3, compared to the mean daily visits when PM2.5 levels were < 25 μg/m3. Air pollution levels were associated with increased pediatric ED visits for respiratory-related diseases.

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66Adverse birth outcomes associated with ambient air pollution at levels below air quality guidelines

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.431 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shannon Melody ◽

Karen Wills ◽

Luke Knibbs ◽

Jane Ford ◽

Alison Venn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Air Quality ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Fetal Growth Restriction ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Ambient Air Pollution ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

Air Quality Guidelines

Abstract Background Gaps exist concerning the relationship between maternal exposure to air pollution and birth outcomes, including the importance of low-level exposure. We aimed to explore the association between maternal exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and selected birth outcomes in Victoria, Australia. Methods We included all births occurring in Victoria, Australia from 1st March 2012 to 31st December 2015 using routinely collected government data. Outcomes included birthweight, small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (tLBW), large for gestational age, and spontaneous preterm birth. Annual ambient NO2 and PM2.5 was assigned to maternal residence at birth. Maternal, meteorological and temporal variables were included in final log-binomial models. Results There were 285,594 births. Average annual ambient NO2 exposure was 6.0 parts per billion (ppb, IQR 3.9 ppb) and PM2.5 was 6.9 µg/m3 (IQR 1.3). IQR increases in ambient NO2 and PM2.5 were associated with fetal growth restriction, including decrements in birth weight, increased risk of SGA and tLBW. Women with gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had greater decrements in birth weight associated with exposure. Conclusions Maternal exposure to low-level ambient air pollution at levels below national and international air quality guidelines was associated with fetal growth restriction. Key messages Exposure to low-level ambient air pollution was associated with fetal growth restriction and women with obstetric complications were more susceptible. These findings may inform iterative revisions of air quality guidelines.

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