Challenges in Air Pollution Management and the Role of WHO
Public Lecture by Dr Dietrich Schwela (WHO, Geneva)

1. In the year 1995-96 120,000 to 470,000 people died prematurely worldwide due to high levels of suspended particulate matter only.

2. Calcutta and Delhi show PM10 levels exceeding 250m g/m3, the highest among 100 cities analysed by WHO worldwide.

3.While there is increasing medical evidence that exposure to fine and ultra fine particulate matter produced primarily by diesel, have grave health implications WHO says that there are no safe levels for them.

It was a day to take stock of air pollution management efforts going on all round the world. The emphasis was on the role being played by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr Dietrich Schwela, Air Pollution Scientist with the Department of Protection of Human Environment, WHO Geneva said " According to a recent study by WHO about 1.5 billion people are exposed to the increased ambient air pollutant concentrations of suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and ozone." With the population exposed to air pollution increasing each day, the entire concept of air pollution management has assumed immense importance. Anil Agarwal, Director, Centre for Science and Environment, who jointly addressed the lecture said "Delhi’s air pollution equals four Bhopals each year. While 2500 people died in Bhopal in 1984, nearly 10,000 die every year from air pollution in Delhi."

Dr Schwela has been managing WHO’s Healthy Cities Air Pollution Management System (AMIS) said that both particulate matter and sulphur dioxide have registered notorious increase in major Asian countries like China, India and Nepal. He however said " There is increasing scientific and medical evidence that exposure to fine (smaller than 2.5m m) and ultra fine (smaller than 0.1m m) particulate matter could have relatively more significant health implications than exposure to larger particles or other air borne pollutants." This is in contrast to the trend observed in Central and South American countries where a considerable decline in these levels is evident. He also indicated that increasing pollutant concentrations are evident in regions that have witnessed an alarming rise in vehicle population.

"When it comes to a deadly disease like cancer, it matters where you live. Cancer data from India shows that one out of every 10-15 people living in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore will get cancer in his or her lifetime. This means every second to third family in these cities will face the trauma of cancer." Said Mr Agarwal

The "Air Quality Guidelines for Europe" had been published by the WHO Regional office in Europe in 1987. In a recent meeting the new Air Quality Guidelines for Europe were extended to become globally applicable through consideration of findings in non-European regions. These Guidelines have several objectives including protection of public health from adverse effects of pollutants, elimination or reduction to a minimum of air contaminant concentrations, provision of background information for making risk management decisions, provision of guidance to governments in setting standards and assistance in implementing local, regional, national action plans. Using the air pollution data provided by AMIS and the PM10 air quality guidelines within a simple model the annual number of premature deaths caused by suspended particulate matter has been estimated to range globally between 120,000 and 470,000.

Absence of research in the right direction has impeded air pollution management in many regions specially in developing countries. Dr Schwela echoed similar feelings. "Epidemiological investigations in countries where health effects of air pollutants have not been extensively studied previously are of particular importance. This information would be of value in characterising the mortality and morbidity due to ambient and indoor air pollution in these countries." he said. Monitoring and assessment of exposure should be intensified in order to be able to reliably and in a representative way assess how it affects public health in developing countries. "Deaths due to air pollution and the daily worsening scenario can be prevented and that is what we need to do. Environmentalists love to paint gloom and doom. But this is an effort to avert the doom and generate hope and action." Indicated Mr Agarwal.

If pollution results in greater amounts of chemicals getting into our bodies, especially in small but sustained quantities we cannot even be sure of what will hit us. They may not kill us in a day but will lead to diseases that we don’t even know today.

Note: For more information please contact Leena Chakrabarti  at the Health and Environment Unit,
Centre for Science and Environment Tel: +91 (011)-29955124, 29955125, 29956394, 29956401, 29956399