DHAKA: WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh in a media statement urged the nations to address the worsening urban air quality as a priority.
“Improving air quality must be a top health and development priority in countries of WHO South-East Asia Region as increasing air pollution levels are putting the health of billions of people at risk.”
According to her, a new global report on trends in air quality shows that the levels of urban air pollution in the Region have increased by over 5% in more than two-thirds of our cities, says a press release on Thursday (May 12).
More and more cities are now measuring air quality levels, which in itself is an indication that governments are recognizing air pollution as a problem, she added.
The WHO official said, “Monitoring air quality is a critical step for taking corrective action. Nine of the 11 countries in the Region have accessible data on air quality in the global report, with India having data from 122 cities”.
“We have overwhelming evidence of the impact of air pollution on stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases. Globally, in 2012 air pollution in urban areas is estimated to have caused 3.7 million deaths with more than one-third reported from the South-East Asia Region.”
She further said though awareness is rising, there is an urgent need to address the problem and implement evidence-based interventions.
“Transportation, power plants, biomass burning and ambient dust are major contributors to particulate air pollution. In an urban setting, vehicular emissions are an important consideration, particularly with populations living in close proximity to roads.”
“The problem of air pollution can only be addressed through multi-sectoral cooperation. Increasing use of clean energy such as LPG, renewable power sources like solar and wind, and prioritizing public transportation, walking and cycling amenities in cities are among a number of affordable strategies that can be adopted.”
The energy, transport, environmental and health sectors need to intensify their work together to prevent further impact, she added.
WHO is committed to enhancing the global response to adverse health effects of air pollution with a coordinated set of actions at global, regional, national and city levels to change the trajectory of adverse effects of air pollution on health, Poonam stated.
BDST: 1734 HRS, MAY 12, 2016
MN/RR
