Air quality

The air we breathe contains emissions from motor vehicles, industry, heating and commercial sources, as well as tobacco smoke and household fuels. Air pollution harms human health, particularly in those already vulnerable because of their age or existing health problems.

Promoting cycling can save lives and advance health across Europe through improved air quality and increased physical activity 03-06-2021

On World Bicycle Day, celebrated on 3 June, WHO highlights a new master plan that calls countries to acknowledge cycling as an equal mode of transport and to double the level of cycling by 2030.

Tools for health impact assessment of air quality: the AirQ+ software

Estimating how many diseases or deaths are caused by air pollution in a given population is the starting point to develop or adjust policies and measures that protect people's health. AirQ+ calculates the magnitude of several health effects associated to exposure to the most significant air pollutants.

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Publications

Evolution of WHO air quality guidelines: past, present and future More publications

WHO air quality guidelines

The WHO air quality guidelines for outdoor air pollution represent the most widely accepted and up-to-date assessment of health effects of air pollution, recommending targets for air quality at which health risks are significantly reduced.

Air quality guidelines. Global update 2005. Particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide

In countries

Health effects of particulate matter. Policy implications for countries in eastern Europe, Caucasus and central Asia

Air pollution

Data and statistics

One year of life expectancy is lost for every person in the WHO European Region due to exposure to particulate matter (PM). This is mostly due to the increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and lung cancer.

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