WHO gives a global wake-up call to control air pollution

October 6, 2006: In the light of statistics that says air pollution alone is responsible for more than two million deaths in the world, World Health Organization, for the first time, has decided to go strict with permissible limits of pollutants, the world over. The new measures were decided after consultation with more than 80 leading acientists around the world. According to WHO, PM10, particulate matter that contains substances smaller than 10 micrometers is the biggest pollutant that comes mainly from the burning of fossil and other types of fuels. Because of the smaller size of its particle, PM10 that comprises soot and dirt particles do not get filtered in the nose and throat, and settle in the lungs where they cause various health problems and respiratory failure.New guidelines suggest that reducing the levels of PM10 alone, to lower than 20 micrograms, would prevent 300,000 premature deaths every year. Currently, in most cities, the average annual levels of PM10 exceed 70 micrograms.WHO has also substantially lowered recommended levels of other pollutants like ozone and sulfur dioxide.Ozone is found to be another anti-health factor. Although it is the layer that filters the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun to earth, ozone at ground level is essentially a harmful pollutant, often experienced as urban smog. Ground level ozone is reported to have made major contribution to the number of premature deaths in many cities. “Even modest exposure to ozone can cause healthy individuals to experience chest pains, nausea, and pulmonary congestion. In much of the US, a warming of four degrees (F) could increase ozone concentrations by about 5 percent (US EPA),” says a website, www.climate.org. As per new standards, the permissible limit of ozone per day has been lowered to 100 micrograms per cubic meter, as against the current limit of 120 micrograms. Besides PM10 and ozone, studies have shown that lead emissions from gasoline damage intelligence of children. Sulfur dioxide emissions may place asthmatics and others with respiratory disease at risk. "By reducing air pollution levels, we can help countries to reduce the global burden of disease from respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer which they otherwise would be facing," said Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and Environment, WHO.As per reports by WHO, although air pollution is found to be very high in cities of developing countries, even European and North American cities suffer from dirty air. Experts doubt how much control the new standards can bring about since many countries lack any regulation for air pollution in the first place.