Reduced exposure to air pollution results in substantial health improvements

Air pollution is an issue that requires urgent redressal if environmental degradation is to be halted from progressing further. Though, on an individual scale, reduction in air pollution has been observed to have dramatic positive effects on the health of people.

The study 'Health Benefits of Air Pollution Reduction' published in the American Thoracic Society's journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society, by the Environmental Committee of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), has reviewed interventions that have reduced air pollution at its source.

The lead author of the study Dr Dean Schraufnagel, MD, ATSF, said: "We knew there were benefits from pollution control, but the magnitude and relatively short time duration to accomplish them was impressive."

"Our findings indicate almost immediate and substantial effects on health outcomes followed by reduced exposure to air pollution. It's critical that governments adopt and enforce WHO guidelines for air pollution immediately," added Dr Schraufnagel.

In addition to the city-wide policies, reducing air pollution within the home also led to health benefits. In Nigeria, families who had clean cookstoves that reduced indoor air pollution during a nine-month pregnancy term saw higher birthweights, greater gestational age at delivery, and less perinatal mortality.

Emissions of the major pollutants -- particulate matter (PM), sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and lead -- were reduced by 73 per cent between 1990 and 2015 while the US gross domestic product grew by more than 250 per cent.

Dr Schraufnagel said: "Fortunately, reducing air pollution can result in prompt and substantial health gains. Sweeping policies affecting a whole country can reduce all-cause mortality within weeks. Local programs, such as reducing traffic, have also promptly improved many health measures.