WHO's Global Air Quality Guidelines
On 22 September 2021 WHO updated the Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs). These new AQGs provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at concentrations even lower than previously understood. The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which also contribute to climate change. The guidelines’ executive summary is available here.
Air Pollution in Africa
In the African region, the population lives in cities that already exceeded the 2005 WHO AQGs, and data released by WHO in 2018 show that the health burden attributable to exposure to atmospheric pollutants is serious. Efforts are being made to reduce emissions in the region, but more than 90 million people still rely on polluting fuels for cooking and heating.
Around 7 million people die every year from diseases and infections related to indoor and outdoor air pollution worldwide. In 2016, about 425,000 deaths were attributable to ambient air pollution in the African region. WHO has frequently highlighted that ambient air pollution is one of the strategic focal areas to combat root causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide.
Recommendations for Specific Air Pollutants
In this context, the 2021 WHO AQGs are a set of evidence-informed recommendations for specific air pollutants developed to help countries achieve air quality that protects public health. As part of the capacity-building activities on air quality and health, WHO will host a virtual session on 02 November 2021 from 10:00 am - 11:15 am (Ghana time) to inform key actors and the public on the 2021 WHO AQGs.
This event will be part of a series of planned activities and webinars on air quality and health for the African region. The language of the webinar is English.
Recording
Agenda
Moderator
- Pierpaolo Mudu, Technical Officer, WHO
Opening Remarks
- Guy Mbayo Kakumbi, Technical Officer, WHO, Republic of the Congo (Regional Office for Africa)
2021 WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs): What is new?
- Emmanuel Appoh, Acting Director, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana
- Roman Perez Velasco, Technical Officer, WHO Regional Office for Europe
Questions & Answers
- Moderator: Sophie Gumy, Technical Officer, WHO
Confirmed Speakers
Guy Mbayo Kakumbi, Technical Officer, WHO, Republic of the Congo, Regional Office for Africa Holder of a master's degree in environmental engineering and project management (University of Leeds - MSc. Environmental Engineering and Project Management), Mr. Mbayo facilitated several workshops and conferences serving various
audiences. He conducted feasibility studies and designed, and implemented water and sanitation interventions, demonstrating strong analytical, problem solving and of decision-making for more than 30 years of international experience
in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. He provided communities, refugees and displaced persons with emergency or development assistance, short, medium and long-term responses through the rehabilitation of basic services in harsh areas
emerging from armed conflicts as well as the construction of infrastructure (integrated community projects) managing several projects of, including adaptation and mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change. | |
Emmanuel Appoh, Acting Director & Head, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Mr. Emmanuel Appoh holds BSc. and MSc. degrees in Biological Sciences and Environmental Science respectively. He is responsible for management of air and motor vehicle emissions issues. He is air quality focal point officer including Urban Health Initiative, World Bank Pollution Management and Environmental Health programmes, Temporal Technical advisor to WHO air quality Guideline Development Group, UN Environment Sustainable Low Transport emissions, representative for ECOWAS/Ghana sulphur in fuel reduction programme, resource person for the development of a 5-year Roadmap for the Implementation of the 2009 West and Central Africa Region Framework Agreement on Better Air Quality, Accra Mega City Air Quality Management and Communication Planning. | |
Roman Perez Velasco, Technical Officer, WHO Regional Office for Europe Roman Perez Velasco has been working on public health issues at national and international levels for over 15 years. At the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, he works on health aspects of air quality and environmental noise. Before joining the WHO in 2017, he worked at several public health institutes, with a main focus on translating evidence into policy and practice. | |
Sophie Gumy, Technical Officer, WHO | |
Pierpaolo Mudu, Technical Officer, WHO |