GENEVA - Stricter air quality rules could dramatically reduce the two million deaths which are caused in polluted cities every year, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday.
The UN health agency urged governments around the world to do more to protect urban dwellers, and unveiled Air Quality Guidelines which set new benchmarks for cutting pollution.
The WHO said it believes that reducing levels of one particular type of pollutant, known as PM10, could reduce deaths in polluted cities by as much as 15 percent every year.
The guidelines, which also substantially lower the recommended permissible limits of ozone and sulphur dioxide, provide uniform global targets for air quality, said the WHO.
"These targets are far tougher than the national standards currently applied in many parts of the world, and in some cities would mean reducing current pollution levels" by more than three-quarters, said the agency.
Air pollution is estimated to cause approximately 2 million premature deaths worldwide per year, with more than half of this burden borne by people in developing countries.
In many cities, the average annual levels of PM10 -- the main source of which is the burning of fossil and other types of fuels -- exceed 70 micrograms per cubic metre, said the WHO.
The guidelines say that to prevent ill health the levels should be lower than 20 micrograms per cubic metre.
"By reducing air pollution levels, we can help countries to reduce the global burden of disease from respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer which they otherwise would be facing," said Dr Maria Neira, head of the WHO`s public health and environment division.
"Moreover, action to reduce the direct impact of air pollution will also cut emissions of gases which contribute to climate change and provide other health benefits," she said.
Many countries lack regulations on air pollution, making control of this important risk factor for health virtually impossible, said the WHO.
"The national standards which do exist vary substantially, and do not ensure sufficient protection for human health," it added.
The WHO said that it accepted the need for governments to set national standards according to their own particular circumstances, but noted that the guidelines indicate levels of pollution at which the risk to health is minimal.
10/05/2006 10:41 GMT