The World Health Organisation says it is working out strategies to better combat air pollution and its effect on health, especially lung cancer, as it causes over seven million deaths globally every year.
The WHO disclosed this at the weekend on its website.
It also revealed it would hold a conference on Air Pollution and Health in response to a World Health Assembly mandate to combat air pollution , one of the world’ s most significant causes of premature deaths .
The UN body noted that presently, air pollution in most cities exceeded recommended WHO Air Quality levels, adding that household air pollution was a leading killer in poor rural and urban homes.
Air pollution also causes one in nine deaths worldwide
According to WHO, one-third of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease is due to air pollution.
It said, “Air pollution also causes one in nine deaths worldwide. Affordable strategies exist to reduce key pollution emissions from the transport, energy, agriculture, waste and housing sectors.
“Health- conscious strategies can reduce climate change and support Sustainable Development Goals for health, energy and
cities.
“Let ’ s act together because the cost is far too high; air pollution claims seven million lives every year, it is a major driver of the Non- communicable Disease epidemic and it accelerates climate change.
“The solution to air pollution, however, is affordable. Clean urban, transport, waste and household energy strategies and the health, environment and development sectors can lead the way to change.’’
WHO said that it would hold the three days conference from October 30 to November 1 in Geneva, Switzerland, with the theme: “Improving Air Quality, Combating Climate Change – Saving
Lives.”
