Saharan dust cloud highlights air quality problems

Air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk according to the World Health Organization. Figures released before the recent Saharan dust invasion and subsequent haze hanging over much of the country reported that in 2012 around 7 million people died as a result of air pollution exposure. This equates to one in eight of total global deaths and more than doubles previous estimates. The data reveals a stronger link between both indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure and cardiovascular diseases, as well as between air pollution and cancer. This is in addition to air pollution’s role in respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. “The risks from air pollution are now far greater than previously thought or understood, particularly for heart disease and strokes,” says Dr Maria Neira, Director of WHO’s Department for Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. “Few risks have a greater impact on global health today than air pollution; the evidence signals the need for concerted action to clean up the air we all breathe.” Statistics show that 29,000 premature deaths in the UK are likely to be a result of air pollution, but pass largely unnoticed because cause of death is listed as heart attack, stroke or some other cardiovascular ailment. Jim Mills of Air Monitors believes we need to find a way to improve the detail and visibility of air quality data: “Air quality data needs to be more spatially specific; people need to know which streets are particularly bad so that they can make decisions accordingly; such as choosing a route to work or selecting a school in an area with cleaner air,” he said. “Greater detail and higher visibility of air quality data will also help to motivate politicians to implement measures to improve air quality.” Useful links WHO: 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution WHO: Air pollution Outdoor air pollution-caused deaths – breakdown by disease:

• 40% – ischaemic heart disease;
• 40% – stroke;
• 11% – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• 6% - lung cancer; and
• 3% – acute lower respiratory infections in children.
• 34% - stroke;
• 26% - ischaemic heart disease;
• 22% - COPD;
• 12% - acute lower respiratory infections in children; and
• 6% - lung cancer.

• 34% - stroke;
• 26% - ischaemic heart disease;
• 22% - COPD;
• 12% - acute lower respiratory infections in children; and
• 6% - lung cancer.