About this Research Topic

Background

About 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures. Air pollution primarily affects those who live in urban areas of the world, as traffic emissions contribute the most to air pollution. Toxic emissions from industrial and mining sites can be devastating to populations in neighboring communities. Many factors influence pollution dispersion, the most important of which are air stability and wind speed.

About half of the world's population lacks access to clean fuels or technologies (e.g., stoves, lamps), and the air we breathe becomes dangerously polluted. Since the 1980s many cities especially those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have experienced rapid industrialization and population growth, and their population is expected to double by 2100. Sources of air pollution and sensitive receptors are converging and increasing. Data on ambient air pollution and associated adverse health effects are scarce because of a lack of routine air quality monitoring and sparse health outcomes data. However, the development of low-cost sensors in recent years has in some developing countries led to the creation of innovative air quality monitoring networks. Additionally, health record infrastructures have recently been developed in several developing countries as part of the rollout of national health insurance schemes aimed at equitable access to health care. Air pollution researchers can take advantage of these emerging data sources.

Air pollution health impact assessments have typically been based commonly on estimates from the WHO and Global Burden of Disease collaborators. However, exposure data for these estimates use surrogate measures or short-term air pollution exposure data. Additionally, exposure-response relationships derived primarily from high-income country data may not be valid in LMIC cities. Thus, is unclear how well these health impact assessments capture local realities. Equally important is the generation of evidence on the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce air pollution at scale. An understanding of the sources of air pollution coupled with robust measurement of air pollution exposures and their influence on air quality and health is needed to advance research and to build the knowledge needed to inform effective mitigation strategies and knowledge-based action.

This Research Topic aims to publish articles that provide an understanding of the air pollution challenges faced by many countries, associated health risks, and practical solutions to address the problem.

Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Exploration of the current state and trend in ambient air pollution;
• Suggestions for improvement in exposure measurement, including personal and micro-environment monitoring as well as the application of novel biomonitoring tools;
• Health studies linking exposure to risk and burden of disease;
• Policy instruments for managing and controlling ambient air pollution.

Keywords: Air Pollution, Human Health, Interventions, Policy

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