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Open Access 01-07-2015 | Original Article

Quantifying the health impacts of ambient air pollutants: recommendations of a WHO/Europe project

Authors: Marie-Eve Héroux, H. Ross Anderson, Richard Atkinson, Bert Brunekreef, Aaron Cohen, Francesco Forastiere, Fintan Hurley, Klea Katsouyanni, Daniel Krewski, Michal Krzyzanowski, Nino Künzli, Inga Mills, Xavier Querol, Bart Ostro, Heather Walton

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 5/2015

Abstract

Objective

Quantitative estimates of air pollution health impacts have become an increasingly critical input to policy decisions. The WHO project “Health risks of air pollution in Europe—HRAPIE” was implemented to provide the evidence-based concentration–response functions for quantifying air pollution health impacts to support the 2013 revision of the air quality policy for the European Union (EU).

Methods

A group of experts convened by WHO Regional Office for Europe reviewed the accumulated primary research evidence together with some commissioned reviews and recommended concentration–response functions for air pollutant–health outcome pairs for which there was sufficient evidence for a causal association.

Results

The concentration–response functions link several indicators of mortality and morbidity with short- and long-term exposure to particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. The project also provides guidance on the use of these functions and associated baseline health information in the cost–benefit analysis.

Conclusions

The project results provide the scientific basis for formulating policy actions to improve air quality and thereby reduce the burden of disease associated with air pollution in Europe.

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Title: Quantifying the health impacts of ambient air pollutants: recommendations of a WHO/Europe project
Authors: Marie-Eve Héroux
H. Ross Anderson
Richard Atkinson
Bert Brunekreef
Aaron Cohen
Francesco Forastiere
Fintan Hurley
Klea Katsouyanni
Daniel Krewski
Michal Krzyzanowski
Nino Künzli
Inga Mills
Xavier Querol
Bart Ostro
Heather Walton
Publication date: 01-07-2015
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0690-y

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Springer Medicine

Quantifying the health impacts of ambient air pollutants: recommendations of a WHO/Europe project

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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