Outdoor air pollution and respiratory health

The need to address the impact of air pollution on healthis reinforced by recent scientific evidence and the 2021WHOAir Quality Guidelines (AQG). Air pollution is anavoidable risk factor causing a high burden for societywith elevated deaths, health disorders, disabilities andhuge socio-economic costs, especially in low- andmiddle-income countries. We have evaluated recentevidence from international reports, systematic reviewsand official websites of international agencies. Growingevidence shows a causal relationship between airpollution exposure and acute lower respiratory infections,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthmaand lung cancer. Exposure to air pollution in both theshort- and long-term has a serious impact on respiratoryhealth. Harmful effects occur even at very low pollutantconcentration levels, and there are no detectablethresholds below which exposure may be consideredsafe. The adverse respiratory health effects of airpollutants, even at low levels, are confirmed by recentepidemiological studies. Scientific respiratory societiesand patient associations, along with other stakeholdersin the health sector, should increase their engagementand advocacy to raise awareness of clean air policies andthe latest WHO AQG.