Future impacts of O on respiratory hospital admission in the UK from current emissions policies.

Exposure to ambient ozone (O) O is associated with impacts on human health. O is a secondary pollutant whose concentrations are determined inter alia by emissions of precursors such as oxides of nitrogen (NO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and thus future health burdens depend on policies relating to climate and air quality. While emission controls are expected to reduce levels of PM and NO and their associated mortality burdens, for secondary pollutants like O the picture is less clear.

Impacts of emissions policies on future UK mortality burdens associated with air pollution.

Air pollution is the greatest environmental risk to public health. Future air pollution concentrations are primarily determined by precursor emissions, which are driven by environmental policies relating to climate and air pollution. Detailed health impact assessments (HIA) are necessary to provide quantitative estimates of the impacts of future air pollution to support decision-makers developing environmental policy and targets.

A systematic review on solid fuel combustion exposure and respiratory health in adults in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Epidemiological studies performed in low- and middle-income countries have shown a positive association between solid fuel burning exposure and adverse health effects, including respiratory effects in adults. However, the evidence is less clear in other countries. We performed a systematic review of epidemiological studies conducted in Europe, North America (Canada and USA only), Australia and New Zealand on the association between outdoor and indoor exposure to solid fuel (biomass and coal) combustion and respiratory outcomes in adults.

Exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution from solid fuel combustion and respiratory outcomes in children in developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between exposure to outdoor and indoor solid fuel combustion and adverse health effects. We reviewed the epidemiological evidence from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand on the association between outdoor and indoor exposure to solid fuel combustion and respiratory outcomes in children. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Using epidemiology to estimate the impact and burden of exposure to air pollutants.

This paper focuses on the use of results of epidemiological studies to quantify the effects on health, particularly on mortality, of long-term exposure to air pollutants. It introduces health impact assessment methods, used to predict the benefits that can be expected from implementation of interventions to reduce emissions of pollutants. It also explains the estimation of annual mortality burdens attributable to current levels of pollution.