Public Health Global Conference

Air quality can have a direct relation to the health of the public in terms of rates of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, immune system strength, and well-being, and the presence of pollutants such as PM, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃ is related to health effects from these substances, especially in highly polluted urban settings. Public health concerns should be addressed through pollution reduction, monitoring, and prevention measures to protect communities.

Poor-quality air has acute and chronic health effects. Acute exposure causes irritation in the eyes and leads to coughing and breath shortness, especially among sensitive groups, such as children, elderly, or those who already have respiratory conditions. Chronic exposure enhances the risk of diseases such as asthma, COPD, and heart disease. Exposure to PM2.5 has been indirectly identified to deteriorate lung function and even increase mortality levels.

Public health work striving to better the quality of air supports tougher emissions standards, promotes clean energy sources, and encourages more urban green spaces that help to filter out pollutants. Policies targeted to reduce emissions through the vehicle sector, industries, and agriculture have proven to be important for reducing all harmful emissions and sustaining public health protection. In addition, the promotion of alternative transport, such as cycling and public transit besides electric vehicles, reduces vehicular emissions, which account for significant air pollution emissions.

Increasing public awareness and quality of air monitoring also becomes important. Real-time data allows communities to make decisions on their activities on certain days when pollution is high. Health advisories that accompany public education on indoor reduction by not smoking in the home and the use of purifiers can also reduce exposure.

Discussions on sustainable practices, public health policies, and a cleaner environment will ease the communities' pollution-related health risks.