Improving air quality should be top priority: WHO

With over 80 per cent of the world's city dwellers breathing poor quality air, WHO today asked Southeast Asia countries and India to make improving air quality their "top" priority as increasing air pollution is putting the health of billions at risk.
"Improving air quality must be a top health and development priority in countries of WHO South-East Asia Region as increasing air pollution levels are putting the health of billions of people at risk," said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.
WHO today released a report which said hj over 80 per cent of the world's city dwellers breathe poor quality air, increasing their risk of lung cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

According to the report based on data collected between 2008 and 2013, New Delhi was the 11th most-polluted city while four other Indian cities - Gwalior (2), Allahabad (3), Patna (6) and Raipur (7) - figured in the top seven cities with worst air pollution.
Singh said that the new global report shows that the level of urban air pollution in the South East Asian Region have increased by over five per cent in more than two-thirds of its cities.
"More and more cities are now measuring air quality levels, which in itself is an indication that governments are recognising air pollution as a problem. Monitoring air quality is a critical step for taking corrective action.

"Nine of the 11 countries in the region have accessible data on air quality in the global report, with India having data from 122 cities. We have overwhelming evidence of the impact of air pollution on stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases," she said.

She said globally, in 2012 air pollution in urban areas is estimated to have caused 3.7 million deaths with more than one-third reported from the South-East Asia Region.
"Though awareness is rising, there is an urgent need to address the problem and implement evidence-based interventions. Transportation, power plants, biomass burning and ambient dust are major contributors to particulate air pollution.

"In an urban setting, vehicular emissions are an important consideration, particularly with populations living in close proximity to roads. The problem of air pollution can only be addressed through multi-sectoral cooperation," she said.
She said that increasing use of clean energy such as LPG, renewable power sources like solar and wind, and prioritising public transportation, walking and cycling amenities in cities are among a number of affordable strategies that can be adopt]ed.
"The energy, transport, environmental and health sectors need to intensify their work together to prevent further impact," she added.