ABSTRACT
Approximately seven million deaths are attributable to air pollution worldwide, mainly ambient particular matter and household air pollution from solid fuels, with large differences across regions. Overall, more than half of all these deaths are attributable to cardiovascular disease, with large proportions also related to chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and respiratory infections. This chapter describes commonly used terms around air pollution and particular matter, including the WHO Air Quality Guidelines, as well as the disease burden attributable to air pollution in different regions and over time. Main interventions in several sectors (e.g. energy, transport and urban planning, food and agriculture) at the household level and the individual level are described. Issues around air pollution and climate change are briefly covered. A number of partnerships and initiatives to address air pollution are described as well as indicators for monitoring and evaluation.
