Health risks of air pollution in Europe: HRAPIE-2 project: updated guidance on concentration–response functions for health risk assessment of air pollution in the WHO European Region

Overview

Air pollution remains the leading environmental health risk both regionally and globally, contributing to reduced life expectancy and a wide range of noncommunicable diseases. Health risk assessment is a critical tool for quantifying the effects of air pollution and informing evidence-informed clean air and climate change mitigation policies. This document updates the 2013 Health risks of air pollution in Europe report and provides up-to-date guidance on concentration–response functions and associated information for key pollutants (particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide) and health outcomes to support the assessments of effects from different exposure durations. Based on comprehensive systematic reviews and other evidence syntheses, it includes guidance for a large number of mortality and morbidity outcomes, thus enabling more comprehensive assessments. Although this guidance is intended for the WHO European Region, its evidence base and suggestions can be considered broadly relevant to other WHO regions. This work supports WHO regional and global policy frameworks, including the Budapest Declaration on Environment and Health, by enhancing Member States’ capacity to assess the health effects and economic costs of air pollution and take action.