Global Overview of Health Impacts from Particulate Matter

Premature Mortality and Particulate Matter: A Critical Challenge in Urban Management - A Global Perspective on Effects, Placed in an Asian Context (57 page pdf slides, Bob O’Keefe, Sixth Regional EST Forum in Asia, New Delhi, India, Nov. 9, 2011)

Today, we review the keynote address to The Sixth Regional EST Forum in Asia,sponsored by the World Health Organization with the Theme: Sustainable Mobility. The author provided highlights of recent research into the health impact associated with air pollution, pointing out the risks of proximity (within 300-500 m) of most urban populations to traffic.



Key Quotes:

*High levels of PM (> 500 μ/m3) known to cause premature death. Studies in US, Europe, elsewhere have found association of PM with mortality at much lower levels (<50μ/m3); No evidence of a “threshold” (safe level)”

“Estimates impact of urban outdoor air pollution worldwide:~795,000 premature deaths per year attributable to PM air pollution in Asian cities”

“• Highest exposures 300-500 meters from major roads - Growing evidence of effects, especially asthma exacerbation in children”

• In Los Angeles, 44% of population live in the maximum zone of impact of major roads
• in Delhi: New HEI Analysis: 55% of the Population within 500 meters of a highway; 50 meters of a major road
• in Beijing: New HEI Analysis: 76% of the Population within 500 meters of a highway; 50 meters of a major road”

“the Panel found:

• Sufficient evidence that exposure to traffic can cause exacerbation of asthma, especially in children
• Suggestive evidence for other health effects (premature mortality, lung function, respiratory symptoms, and others)
• But only limited evidence of effects for: Adult onset asthma; Health care utilization; COPD; Non-asthmatic allergy; Birth outcomes; Cancers”

“Given the large number of people living within 300- 500 meters of a major road, the Panel concluded that exposures to primary traffic generated pollutants are likely to be of public health concern and deserve attention”

“Who is most at risk from premature mortality from PM Exposure?

• Highest effects generally seen among: Older, frail members of society; Those with preexisting heart or lung disease

Highest PM effects for Heart disease (18% - 24% increase in risk per 10 μg/m3PM2.5)”

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