99% of the world’s population breathes air that exceeds the quality limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).. While a record number of cities in more than 6,000 countries in 117 countries are currently monitoring air quality, the people living in them continue to monitor air quality. breathing in unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxideCitizens of low- and middle-income countries face the highest risks.
These data have led WHO to emphasize the importance of: restrict the use of fossil fuels and to take other concrete steps reduce air pollution levels.
The most comprehensive 2022 update of the WHO air quality database to date introduces ground-based air quality measurements for the first time. annual average nitrogen dioxide concentrations (NO2) is a common urban pollutant and a precursor to particulate matter and ozone.
It also includes measurements of particles 10 microns (PM10) or 2.5 microns (PM2.5) or less in diameter. Both groups of pollutants originate mainly from human activities. fossil fuel combustion.
“Evidence based on the damage that air pollution causes to the human body is growing rapidly and points to: significant damage can even be caused by low levels of many air pollutants,” he warns WHO.
this particulate matterPM2.5, in particular, has the ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and reach the bloodstream, affecting the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular (stroke) and respiratory systems. There is increasing evidence that particulate matter affects other organs and causes other diseases as well.
respiratory diseases
Associated with NO2 respiratory diseases, especially asthmarespiratory symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath), hospital admissions, and emergency room visits.
High-income countries have lower particulate pollution, but most cities have problems with nitrogen dioxide.
“Current energy problems, accelerating the transition to cleaner and healthier energy systems”, says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general.
“High fossil fuel prices, energy security and The urgency of confronting the dual health challenge of air pollution and climate change Adhanom underlines the urgent need to move faster towards a world that is much less dependent on fossil fuels,” adds Adhanom.
WHO outlined nine actions governments can take to improve air quality and health:
- To adopt o Review and implement air quality standards in accordance with WHO guidelines.
- monitor air quality and identifying sources of pollution.
- To support Transition to the use of clean energy specifically in homes for cooking, heating and lighting.
- To create networks for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as safe and affordable public transport systems.
- To apply stricter regulations on vehicle emissions and efficiency.
- to invest in homes and efficient power generation systems.
- to be better management of industrial and municipal waste.
- To reduce burning of agricultural residues, forest fires and charcoal production.
- Add Air pollution in the curriculum of health professionals.
Seven million preventable deaths
Regarding the 117 countries monitoring air quality, 17% of cities in high-income regions are below the thresholds set in WHO’s PM guidelines.2,5 y deputy10.
Against this, In low- and middle-income countries, less than 1% of cities have air quality that meets WHO recommended thresholds.
Low- and middle-income countries continue to be more exposed to unhealthy PM levels compared to the global average, but NO2 patterns are less marginally different from high-income countries.
Nearly 4,000 cities in 74 countries collect ground-level NO2 data. Measurements show that only 23% of residents of these places breathe average annual NO concentrations2nd meeting the levels recommended by WHO.
“After surviving a pandemic, It is unacceptable that there are still 7 million preventable deaths and countless years lost due to air pollution. However there continues to be a lot of investment in a polluted environment instead of clean, healthy airMaria Neira, director of the WHO Environment, Climate Change and Health Department.
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, Major developments since 2018because there are 1,500 more human settlements monitoring air quality.
WHO report: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/air-pollution/who-air-quality-database