SERIES EDITORIAL
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Air pollution and lung health: An epilogue
Article first published online: 26 DEC 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02229.x
© 2012 The Authors. Respirology © 2012 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
AIR POLLUTION: A GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUE
Air pollution remains a major, global, public health issue. The World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution contributes to 5% of death worldwide (1.3 million deaths per year) and indoor air pollution contributes to 2 million premature deaths in developing countries.1 While legislation to control air pollution has vastly improved air quality in many regions of the world, there still remain many countries with heavily polluted cities and increasing vehicle exhaust emissions. Key outdoor air pollutants of concern are particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. In many developing countries, biomass fuels commonly used for cooking and heating lead to indoor air pollution and similarly pose a major risk to respiratory health.
To address this global health concern, Respirology commissioned a series of eight reviews of air pollution and lung health in 2012. We thank the authors of these reviews who have provided valuable insight into the pathogenesis of air pollution effects on the lung, impact on respiratory diseases and avenues for preventing the harmful effects of air pollution.
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