Ambient Air Quality and Human Health: Current Concepts—Part 1

Tee L Guidotti

doi:10.1155/1995/917523

Abstract

There is a fundamental reevaluation of the association between air quality and human health taking place. This reevaluation is motivated by several recent developments: increasing interest in air quality as an environmental issue; interest in the unanswered questions regarding the epidemiology of asthma; and the reduced prevalence of the principal hazard to respiratory health, cigarette smoking, the control of which invites interest in second-order determinants of health. This article attempts to provide a framework for understanding air quality issues that pertain to human health. The objective is to provide the specialist in respiratory medicine with an overview that will assist in educating patients and in responding to their inquiries, and to equip the physician to respond to requests for assistance or interpretation when called upon to comment on public policy issues involving air pollution. The implications of setting air quality standards or objectives to meet arbitrary levels of risk of health effects are examined. The current state of the art does not support risk-based air quality standards. A policy of continuous improvement is most protective of both human health and the environment.

Highlights

In the 1950s and 1960s, the identification of outdoor. or ' ambient', air qual ity as a possible ri sk factor for respiratory disease initiated a new field of investigation in air quality studies (7-1 2)
In short the che mical properties of this, and all other, air pollutants define their to xicity, but the effects obse rved at low conce ntrations characte ristic of ambient air quality are not necessarily the same or weake r versions of the same effects anticipated at high level exposures [60]
The most common e xample o f an interact ive effect, especially in the past, has been the ·sulphate-particulate complex ·, prod ucing the enhanced respiratory irritation observed in e xcess of the combined p redic t d e ffects of sul phur dioxide and particulates taken individually. These exposures cha racteristic o f reducing air pollution have been largely brought under control w ith the exception ot' developing countries

Summary

Introduction

In the 1950s and 1960s, the identification of outdoor. or ' ambient' , air qual ity as a possible ri sk factor for respiratory disease initiated a new field of investigation in air quality studies (7-1 2). Resulting in an atmosphere with significant concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, aldehydes and organic nitrates Specific to source of emission. Air pollution is caused by the emission of sulphur diox ide and particulates.

Results

Conclusion