将健康融入空气污染解决方案：卫生部门的行动（英）

Breathing Health into Solutionsfor Air Pollution: Actions for KEY POINTS •Ninety-two percent ofpeople living in Asia andthe Pacific are exposedto dangerous levels of air Eduardo BanzonDirectorHuman and Social Development Brian RileyHealth SpecialistHuman and Social Development •Across Asia and the Pacific,countries face obstaclesin effectively tacklingair pollution, includinglimited financial resourcesfor pollution controltechnologies and cleanenergy infrastructure; weakregulatory frameworks and Benjamin CoghlanConsultant INTRODUCTION Air quality is one of the biggest environmental health risks in Asia and the Pacific.A total of 4 billion people—an alarming 92% of those living in the region—are exposedto air pollution levels that endanger their health. Without action, the health impacts of A health-focused multisectorapproach for clean aircan result in better healthoutcomes that, in turn, fueleconomic productivity. In middle-income countries of South Asia and East Asia, high ambient air pollutionlevels have been a by-product of rapid economic growth and industrialization. However,economic and social development can be achieved without impacting on the qualityof the air people breathe.2Technologies, policies, and investments can all be employedto tackle air pollution and to ensure safe and clean air. A health-focused multisector Promising solutionsinclude sustainable urbandevelopment, clean Notes:In this publication, “$” refers to United States dollars. ADB recognizes “China” as the People’sRepublic of China. ISBN 978-92-9277-827-9 (print)ISBN 978-92-9277-828-6 (PDF)ISSN 2071-7202 (print)ISSN 2218-2675 (PDF)Publication Stock No. BRF260238-2 IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION This creates additional economic benefits through improvedfood supplies and tourism, as well as reduced climate-related In Asia and the Pacific, air pollution comes from many differentsources.Air pollution in the region is characterized by high levelsof particulate matter,4ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, andsulfur dioxide. The pollution is made up of emissions from industry,cars and coal-fired power plants; road and construction dust; Importantly, the benefits of clean air quickly become evidentonce air pollution control measures are implemented and arelasting.Within weeks, improvements in symptoms, hospital andschool attendances, mortality, and premature births have all beenobserved. Over the longer term, significant gains in life expectancy The health consequences of poor air quality are significant.The high level of exposure to unclean air in Asia and the Pacific CHALLENGES IN ADDRESSING results in about 4 million premature deaths each year, primarilybecause of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratoryinfections. This constitutes almost half of all premature deathsfrom air pollution globally (8.1 million deaths in 2021), of which58% were because of pollution from particulate matter less than Progress in improving air quality has been demonstrated in someparts of the world, but significant challenges remain in developingcountries with limited resources and where air quality is theresponsibility of two or more countries. Controlling and reducingair pollution—and improving air quality—require a multiprongedapproach encompassing policies, programs, financing mechanisms,and rigorous monitoring and evaluation. Key monitoring elements aremissing in many low- and middle-income countries; these elements 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), 38% from household airpollution, and the rest from ozone. In the same year, air pollution THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CLEAN AIR Reducing air pollution can generate health-related economicbenefits.These benefits include the following: (i)Health care costs related to numerous health conditions,including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratorydiseases, can be reduced.(ii)There are fewer premature deaths from these illnesses andpeople are healthier, with improved cognitive function.(iii)The workforce is maintained, people perform better at work, Box 1: Challenges in Addressing Air Pollutionin Asia and the Pacific •Limited financial resources for pollution control technologiesand clean energy infrastructure•Weak regulatory frameworks and enforcement capacity•Inadequate air quality monitoring systems•Lack of public awareness and political will•Competing development priorities Together, these factors lead to greater productivity andimproved economic growth over the long term. The WorldBank estimates that welfare losses from air pollution costSouth Asian countries the equivalent of 7.4% of their gross Sources: Verma R. L., et al. (2023). Air quality management status andneeds of countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. APN ScienceBulletin, 13(1), 130–152. doi:10.30852/sb.2023.2222.World Bank. Striving for clean air: air pollution and public health in South Breathing Health into Solutions for Air Pollution Climate change and air pollution are interconnectedenvironmental chall