Personal-level actions to reduce air pollution exposure
Practical advice
Overview
Air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk in the WHO European Region, and contributes to numerous adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. While the main focus to reduce air pollution exposure should be on reducing emissions at public policy level, the WHO Regional Office for Europe also examined various strategies to minimize personal exposure to air pollution, supported by a literature review and expert consultation.
This collection of briefs, based on the report Personal-level actions to reduce air pollution exposure in the WHO European Region, distils complex considerations into practical, actionable advice on:
- reducing time spent in air-polluted outdoor environments
- physical activity and air pollution
- portable air cleaners and air pollution
- central air cleaners and air pollution
- respirators and air pollution
- face masks and air pollution
- active transportation, routes and air pollution
- driving styles, vehicle settings and air pollution
The main aims are to empower individuals to make informed decisions to protect their health and providing a foundation for understanding the suggested actions. National public health authorities or specialists can also use the briefs as the basis for locally relevant communication materials.
Related
Personal-level actions to reduce air pollution exposure in the WHO European Region
