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Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters
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Clean air in the Anthropocene.
1Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany. jos.lelieveld@mpic.de.
Faraday Discussions
|July 14, 2017
Summary
Air pollution significantly impacts atmospheric chemistry, the biosphere, and human health, causing millions of deaths annually. Establishing clean air as a human right is crucial for sustainable development and global well-being.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing interest in the complex interactions between air pollution, biosphere, and human health.
- Anthropocene pollution has profoundly altered atmospheric composition, affecting biogeochemical cycles, air quality, and climate.
- Outdoor air pollution is a leading environmental risk factor for global mortality and morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical impact of air pollution on environmental and health systems.
- To emphasize the potential of strict air quality standards in reducing health burdens.
- To advocate for clean air as a fundamental human right and a key United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding in atmospheric chemistry and environmental science.
- Analysis of global mortality and morbidity data related to air pollution.
- Examination of the relationship between air quality and sustainable development goals.
Main Results:
- Air pollution significantly alters atmospheric composition and biogeochemical cycles globally.
- Outdoor air pollution is responsible for an estimated 4.33 million deaths per year.
- Strict air quality standards can substantially decrease illness and death rates.
Conclusions:
- Clean air is fundamental to human health and essential for achieving sustainable development.
- Clean air should be recognized as a human right.
- Adopting "clean air" as a sustainable development goal is recommended.
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