ABSTRACT

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 500 000 people die prematurely each year because of exposure to ambient concentrations of airborne particulate matter. In the UK alone, this figure is around 10 000 people. World Health Organisation also estimated the annual health cost of air pollution in Austria, France and Switzerland as £30 billion, corresponding to 6% of the total mortality; about half this figure was due to vehicle pollution. In the US, the annual health cost of high particle concentrations has been estimated at £23 billion. Clearly, we are paying a high price, both in lives and money, for polluting the atmosphere.