Air pollution

[Doc Alan]

A few people, including me, might be surprised to find that World Health Organization / WHO places Baguio before Manila and Cebu for polluted air .


See Jake’s separate thread (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ed-than-Manila ).



WHO used one measure of air quality – levels of particulate matter ( PM ). These are particles found in the air including dust, dirt, soot, smoke and liquid droplets. Measures of fine PM 2.5 micrometers or less and / or PM 10 or less are used, because these are inhaled deep into lung passages. PM2.5 is about 1/30th the width of a human hair. There are others such as sulphur dioxide ( from coal ), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds ( from petrol and diesel engine motor vehicles ). Modern motor vehicles may have more efficient, safer, engines … but they’re increasing in numbers.


WHO has upwardly revised their figures for hazardous air pollution, which they call the world’s single largest environmental health risk – linking poor air quality to lung problems including cancer, heart disease and other conditions. Most cities exceed WHO safety levels. They estimate about 7 million deaths occurred as a result of outdoor and indoor air pollution in 2012. Asia and Western Pacific Regions are by far the worst affected. Indoor / household pollution is as serious, if not more so, than outdoors, in these regions and probably Africa ( where figures are less reliable ) .


China indeed has a problem with outdoor and indoor pollution. It accounts for half the world’s total coal consumption. Half of its population live in urban areas. Air pollution is mostly caused here by coal, motor vehicles and industrial dust. Smoking rates have declined but lung cancer cases have increased. But the rural population still relies on solid fuel ( wood, coal, charcoal, crop waste ) for cooking and heating.


No matter whether PM2.5 or PM10 levels are measured, China does have levels far exceeding WHO safety limits in over 19 cities . Levels for PM2.5 may soar to 500 micrograms/ cubic metre. Cities in India and Pakistan may show similar levels.


Life in the UK is indeed greener by comparison . Here motor vehicles – especially with diesel engines – are the main culprits. PM10 levels are mostly between 15 ( Edinburgh ) and 25 ( Nottingham ).



Of course there are other risk factors for health which add to the effects of outdoor and indoor air pollution. These include active and passive smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise. It’s therefore only possible to estimate ill effects of air pollution. But it certainly puts the numbers affected by SARS ( severe acute respiratory syndrome ) and MERS ( Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ) into perspective !


http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/...ir-quality/en/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/...-pollution/en/

http://www.who.int/phe/health_topics...abase-2014.pdf

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...044-X/fulltext

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...427-X/fulltext

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...693-8/fulltext

http://www.theguardian.com/environme...llution-levels

[Michael Parnham]

A few people, including me, might be surprised to find that World Health Organization / WHO places Baguio before Manila and Cebu for polluted air .


See Jake’s separate thread (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ed-than-Manila ).



WHO used one measure of air quality – levels of particulate matter ( PM ). These are particles found in the air including dust, dirt, soot, smoke and liquid droplets. Measures of fine PM 2.5 micrometers or less and / or PM 10 or less are used, because these are inhaled deep into lung passages. PM2.5 is about 1/30th the width of a human hair. There are others such as sulphur dioxide ( from coal ), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds ( from petrol and diesel engine motor vehicles ). Modern motor vehicles may have more efficient, safer, engines … but they’re increasing in numbers.


WHO has upwardly revised their figures for hazardous air pollution, which they call the world’s single largest environmental health risk – linking poor air quality to lung problems including cancer, heart disease and other conditions. Most cities exceed WHO safety levels. They estimate about 7 million deaths occurred as a result of outdoor and indoor air pollution in 2012. Asia and Western Pacific Regions are by far the worst affected. Indoor / household pollution is as serious, if not more so, than outdoors, in these regions and probably Africa ( where figures are less reliable ) .


China indeed has a problem with outdoor and indoor pollution. It accounts for half the world’s total coal consumption. Half of its population live in urban areas. Air pollution is mostly caused here by coal, motor vehicles and industrial dust. Smoking rates have declined but lung cancer cases have increased. But the rural population still relies on solid fuel ( wood, coal, charcoal, crop waste ) for cooking and heating.


No matter whether PM2.5 or PM10 levels are measured, China does have levels far exceeding WHO safety limits in over 19 cities . Levels for PM2.5 may soar to 500 micrograms/ cubic metre. Cities in India and Pakistan may show similar levels.


Life in the UK is indeed greener by comparison . Here motor vehicles – especially with diesel engines – are the main culprits. PM10 levels are mostly between 15 ( Edinburgh ) and 25 ( Nottingham ).



Of course there are other risk factors for health which add to the effects of outdoor and indoor air pollution. These include active and passive smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise. It’s therefore only possible to estimate ill effects of air pollution. But it certainly puts the numbers affected by SARS ( severe acute respiratory syndrome ) and MERS ( Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ) into perspective !


http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/...ir-quality/en/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/...-pollution/en/

http://www.who.int/phe/health_topics...abase-2014.pdf

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...044-X/fulltext

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...427-X/fulltext

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...693-8/fulltext

http://www.theguardian.com/environme...llution-levels

Yet another excellent thread Alan, keep them coming, all good sound advice and information!

[KeithD]

I'm glad I live in the Welsh countryside.

[jake]

It seems China and other emerging Economies are doing what the West did until recently.

http://www.theglobalist.com/london-b...le-two-cities/