The three-day Consultation included presentations on the current review of evidence, methods and applications. There was significant time for discussion, identification of data gaps, research needs, and the next steps to derive expert suggestions in a consistent and harmonized approach, while providing elements of guidance in the form of specific and practical advice.
Participants were experts on health effects of air pollution, risk communication, personal protection, protective devices (e.g. air filters and masks), and benefits of physical activity.
Background
Health effects of air pollution from particulate matter are well known, and worldwide efforts are being made to reduce both air pollution peaks and long-term exposure to harmful levels. However, air pollution episodes and sustained high levels still occur in various parts of the world.
As part of the “Road Map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution” as it has been agreed in 2016 by the World Health Assembly in 2016 (WHA69), WHO activities aim to address the urgent public health need to respond to the effects associated with air pollution. Key activities include informing policy-makers and the broad public on the extent of population exposure to and health impacts from poor air quality, and strengthening the health sector with knowledge and tools to engage with other sectors and respond to air pollution episodes. In particular, it is important to provide evidence-based recommendations on the best ways to communicate potential risks to the public, to health care workers and to patients, and to offer indications on how to reduce air pollution exposure.
Consultation objectives
The objectives of this consultation were to agree on the best ways to communicate potential risks to the public, to health care workers and to patients, and to offer indications on how to reduce peoples' exposure to air pollution. Program details here.
To formulate the recommendations, the Consultation:
- Discussed the best approaches to communication about health risks of pollution from various sources.
- Reviewed the available evidence on the use of the air pollution index (API) or air quality index (AQI) and the limitation of current approaches to communicate the status of the air and the health risks.
- Reviewed the available evidence to identify categories at risk and susceptible individuals and define which individuals are most likely to benefit from exposure reduction and personal interventions.
- Reviewed the evidence on exposure reduction by avoiding places and times with high levels of air pollutants and discuss practical advice.
- Reviewed the evidence on the benefit of physical activity versus the harms of air pollution, also in relation to population specific characteristics and discuss practical advice.
- Reviewed the current use of air filters, the evidence of possible benefits, and discussed practical advice.
- Reviewed the current use of face masks, the evidence of possible benefits, and discussed practical advice.
- Discussed activities and reviews that would be needed to better inform the Secretariat and which could be presented at the next meeting of the Global Air Pollution and Health – Technical Advisory Group (GAPH–TAG), scheduled for 1–3 July 2019.