Air pollution and its health impacts: the changing panorama

T E Kjellstrom; Anne H Neller; Rodney W Simpson

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04982.x

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Air pollution and its health impacts: the changing panorama

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Air pollution and its health impacts: the changing panorama

T E Kjellstrom, Anne H Neller and Rodney W Simpson

Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.177(11-12), pp.604-608

2002

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04982.x

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Abstract

air pollution

health

hospital admissions

Urban air pollution levels are associated with increased mortality and cardiorespiratory morbidity. These health effects occur even at exposure levels below those stipulated in current air-quality guidelines, and it is unclear whether a safe threshold exists. Air pollution in Australia and New Zealand comes primarily from motor vehicle emissions, electricity generation from fossil fuels, heavy industry, and home heating using wood and coal. In individual patients a direct link between symptoms and air pollution exposure may be difficult to establish and may not change their clinical management. However, avoiding exposure during periods of peak pollution may be beneficial. Although there is some evidence that urban air pollution in Australia and New Zealand has been decreasing (through reduced car use, improved emission-control technology and use of more energy-efficient devices in the household and in industry), pollution levels are still unsatisfactory. Further reductions may prevent hundreds of cardiorespiratory hospital admissions and deaths each year.

Details

Title: Air pollution and its health impacts: the changing panorama
Authors: T E Kjellstrom (Author) - Australian National University
Anne H Neller (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Rodney W Simpson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Publication details: Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.177(11-12), pp.604-608
Publisher: Australasian Medical Publishing Company Pty. Ltd.
Date published: 2002
DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04982.x
ISSN: 0025-729X
Copyright note: Copyright © 2002 Medical Journal of Australia. Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449834802621
Output Type: Journal article

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