PM10 exposure causes a multitude of health effects

In its Report on Health Effects on Air Pollution of 2003, the WHO concluded that there is a causal relationship between PM exposure and adverse health effects. The present information shows that fine particles are strongly associated with mortality, especially premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Other endpoints associated with PM exposure include hospitalization for cardio-pulmonary disease, increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, difficulties in breathing, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat and non-fatal heart attacks.

As indicated by ENHIS, current exposure to PM from anthropogenic sources leads to the loss of 8.6 months of life expectancy, as an average for Europe. The total nuber of premature deaths attributed to PM exposure amounts to around 348.000 annually in the EU-25 countries.

Children, elderly, urban populations people with lung diseases are especially vulnerable

People with heart or lung diseases, young children and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure. However, even if you are healthy, you may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of particle pollution. For more information, see background document on Susceptible groups.

With respect to children, information given by ENHIS indicates that throughout the WHO European region, around 700 deaths annually from acute respiratory infections in children 0-4 years can be attributed to PM10 exposure. As to morbidity, a preliminary analysis indicates that a reduction of exposure to PM10 to 20 ug/m3 would be associated with a 7% decrease in the incidence of coughs and lower respiratory symptoms in children under 15 years.

Studies have consistently shown that urban populations in cities throughout the world, both in developed and developing countries, suffer adverse health effects from exposure to PM-10.

There is no threshold for health effects of particulate matter

The risk of suffering adverse health effects has been shown to increase with exposure and there is little evidence for a threshold below which no adverse health effects would be anticipated. In fact, the lower range of concentrations at which adverse health effects have been demonstrated is not greatly above the background concentration. Epidemiological evidence shows adverse effects of particles after both short-term and long-term exposures. Current scientific evidence indicates that guidelines cannot be proposed that will lead to complete protection against adverse health effects of particulate matter, as thresholds have not been identified. For updated information, see the WHO Air Quality Guidelines.

Outdoor air pollution is responsible for a substantial part of total mortality and morbidity

In a recent WHO estimate, outdoor air pollution was found to account for approximately 1.4% of total mortality, 0.5% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and 2% of all cardiopulmonary disease (WHO, 2002h). Such an estimate can be calculated at the level of a country or city, according to locally available exposure and health data, and can be used as input to decision-making regarding, for example, transport options or standard setting in air quality.

This WHO estimate was calculated at the level of urban populations living in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants and national capitals. The estimated PM10 levels in those cities and yhe calculated attributable yearly mortality can be found on the WHO website.

The CAFE Programme aims to develop a longterm, strategic and integrated policy advice for ‘achieving levels of air quality that do not give rise to significant negative impacts on and risks to human health and the environment’. In this context, the programme has produced estimates of various health endpoints for 2000 and 20020. For details, see the CAFE programme.