At the time of writing, the topic of lead pollution is the subject of an intense and sometimes heated debate. The argument centres upon possible adverse health effects arising from exposure of children to current environmental levels of lead. Such arguments now appear little closer to resolution than they did five years ago, although the development of ever more sophisticated biochemical and epidemiological techniques may eventually provide an answer. Over the past five to ten years, as the general public has become aware of the lead issue, pressure has been put upon governments to limit emissions of lead, and hence limit or reduce the exposure of the population to the metal. Govern ments and governmental agencies have responded in several ways, varying between those who prefer to take little or no action on the basis that they see no cause for concern, and those who have taken firm action after concluding that the scientific and medical evidence warrants this approach. Any effective control strategy for lead requires knowledge of the sources of environmental exposure and an understanding of the pathways of this metal in the environment. This book aims to provide such information and to explain the methods available for limiting emissions of lead from the most important sources. To put this information in context a chapter on the routes of human exposure to lead and the health effects is included.

The main objective of these updated global guidelines is to offer health-based air quality guideline levels, expressed as long-term or short-term concentrations for six key air pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. In addition, the guidelines provide interim targets to guide reduction efforts of these pollutants, as well as good practice statements for the management of certain types of PM (i.e., black carbon/elemental carbon, ultrafine particles, particles originating from sand and duststorms). These guidelines are not legally binding standards; however, they provide WHO Member States with an evidence-informed tool, which they can use to inform legislation and policy. Ultimately, the goal of these guidelines is to help reduce levels of air pollutants in order to decrease the enormous health burden resulting from the exposure to air pollution worldwide.

This book presents WHO guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. The substances considered in this review, i.e. benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, naphthalene, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (especially benzo[a]pyrene), radon, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, have indoor sources, are known in respect of their hazardousness to health and are often found indoors in concentrations of health concern. The guidelines are targeted at public health professionals involved in preventing health risks of environmental exposures, as well as specialists and authorities involved in the design and use of buildings, indoor materials and products. They provide a scientific basis for legally enforceable standards.

Concern about the impact of air pollution has led governments and local authorities across the world to regulate, among other things, the burning of fossil fuels, industrial effluence, cigarette smoke, and aerosols. This legislation has often followed dramatic findings about the impact of pollution on human health. At the same time there have been significant developments in our ability to detect and quantify pollutants and a proliferation of urban and rural air pollution networks to monitor levels of atmospheric contamination.Air Pollution and Health is the first fully comprehensive and current account of air pollution science and it impact on human health. It ranges in scope from meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, and particle physics to the causes and scope of allergic reactions and respiratory, cardiovascular, and related disorders. The book has substantial international coverage and includes sections on cost implications, risk assessment, regulation, standards, and information networks. The multidisciplinary approach and the wide range of issues covered makes this an essential book for all concerned with monitoring and regulating air pollution as well as those concerned with its impact on human health. - Only comprehensive text covering all the important air pollutants and relating these to human health and regulatory bodies - Brings together a wide range of issues concerning air pollution in an easily accessible format - Contributions from government agencies in the US and UK provide information on public policy and resource networks in the areas of health promotion and environmental protection

"This publication represents the views and expert opinions of an IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans, which met in Lyon, 8-15 October 2013."