Thursday 18 February 2016

Air pollution - research the real facts

Last week the shocking fact that air pollution causes 5.5 million deaths was reported in the media.
For official data look at the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory. It has data by region and for different age groups.
The data quoted in the news coverage was taken from the Global Burden of Disease survey.
 the largest and most comprehensive effort to date to measure epidemiological levels and trends worldwide. The most recent dataset for 2013 can be downloaded from the website.
This includes some estimates on air pollution.
Also reports on risk in Europe
Further fact sheets on air quality and health can also be downloaded from the WHO website.
Eurostat has data for European nations.

For discussion of the position in the UK
Defra has an air quality twitter account which tweets the latest data. The government also produces regular emissions data and statistics.
Environmental Protection is a charity  that 'provides expert policy analysis and advice on air quality, land quality, waste and noise and their effects on people and communities'. Its website has numerous sections on air pollution laws, regulation and monitoring as well as campaigns.These include the Healthy Air Campaign which highlights recent reports and news stories.
Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants - 
provides independent advice to government departments and agencies on how air pollution impacts on health. Its website includes minutes of meetings and publications.


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