By TERESA CEROJANO, Associated Press Writer Thu Oct 5, 2006 5:39 PM ET
MANILA, Philippines
The World Health Organization called on governments
Thursday to improve air quality in their cities, saying
air pollution prematurely kills two million people a year,
with more than half the deaths in developing countries.
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Reducing pollution from particles that are too small to be
filtered in the nose and throat and settle in the lungs
could save as many as 300,000 lives every year, according to
a statement issued by the WHO's regional office in Manila.
Reducing levels of those extremely small particles —
caused primarily by the burning of fossil and other types of
fuel — could cut the deaths from air pollution by about 15
percent, said Maria Neira, the WHO director for public
health and the environment.
It also could cut the global burden of disease from
respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer, she
said.
Particulate matter pollution is considered the biggest
health risk. But the WHO Air Quality Guidelines also
recommended lowering the daily allowed limits for ozone.
That represents a challenge especially for developing
countries with numerous sunny days when ozone concentrations
reach the highest levels, causing respiratory problems and
asthma attacks, WHO said. The guidelines also cut the sulfur
dioxide limits.
Many countries around the world do not have regulations for
air pollution, which makes control virtually impossible.
WHO said the new guidelines, which were established after
worldwide consultation with more than 80 leading scientists,
provide the basis for all countries to build their own air
quality standards and policies supporting health.
WHO Western Pacific Region Office: http://www.wpro.who.int
Wood smoke particle
taken from a human lung enlarged.
(Original picture size 3 7/8 " by 3 3/8"
at 900x enlargement.
"Chest p.1232. Interstitial Lung
Disease and Domestic Wood Burning,
Ramage, Roggli, Bell and Piantadosi.")
Particulate Size Comparisons: US EPA
"Who is suffering? The asthmatic or
his environment? And what precisely is the
nature of his suffering?"
Aaron Lask, Asthma: Attitude and Milieu
"The smoke from burning coal and wood contains substances which are harmful to human health. In residential neighbourhoods, emissions from domestic chimneys become mixed with the air which many people have no choice but to breathe in. The toxins damage the cardiovascular system, cause pulmonary disease, cause certain types of cancer, damage unborn children, cause brain damage and bring on asthma attacks." Simon Francais, UK
"We have learned, that strengthening our
ability to solve disease problems, involves
the paradox involved in strengthening
ourselves... that is... our independence as
both people and countries, is achieved
through consenting to interdependence."
- Dr. William Foege, Gates Fellow