Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause various health outcomes. Therefore, the short-;and long-term public health consequences of air pollution exposure should be carefully assessed, in particular the impacts of fine particles which penetrate deep into the lung passageways and pose a significant threat to public health. Increased health risks, such as respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, can severely affect people who are already ill, such as children, the elderly, and poor people.
Furthermore, poor air quality increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and neurological conditions such as cognitive impairment and dementia. In 2019, air pollution caused about 6.7 million deaths.
Of these, almost 85% are attributable to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. This makes air pollution the second leading cause of NCDs globally after tobacco. Solutions to air pollution are everybody's responsibility to protect public health.
We all need to do more--a lot more--swiftly and proactively to reduce air pollution. Coordinated efforts with active involvement of all sectors are crucial. This includes governments (on national, state, and local levels), cities, communities, and individuals.
To national governments : Reduce emissions and set national standards that meet WHO air quality guidelines. Invest in research and education about.