Table of contents

Foreword and preface

Executive Summary

 
1. Introduction
2. Air Quality and Health
2.1 Basic facts
2.1.1 Physico-chemical aspects of air pollution and units used to describe concentrations of air pollutants
2.1.2 Sources of air pollutants
2.1.3 Factors affecting the concentrations of air pollutants
2.1.4 Exposure to air pollutants
2.1.5 Health significance of air pollution
2.2        Air pollutant concentrations, and factors affecting susceptibility
2.2.1 Concentrations of classical pollutants in ambient air
2.2.2 Concentrations and factors affecting susceptibility to indoor air pollution
2.2.3 Meteorological factors 
2.2.4 Demographic factors
2.2.5 Socio-economic factors
2.2.6 Effects of differing levels of disease in the population
2.2.7 Specific differences in prevalent levels of air pollutants
2.3        Exposure to air pollutants
Sulphur dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Ozone
Particulate matter
Lead
Other air pollutants
2.4 The role of guidelines and standards
2.4.1 The 1987 WHO Air Quality Guidelines for Europe
2.4.2 Development of the guideline setting process
2.4.3 Exposure-response relationship
2.4.4 Moving from guidelines to standards
2.4.5 Factors to be considered in setting air quality standards
2.4.6 Uncertainty factors
2.4.7 Cost-benefit analysis and other factors
         References

3. Health-based Guidelines
3.1. Key air pollutants
Sulphur dioxide
Short-period exposures (less than 24-h)
Exposure over a 24-h period
Long-term exposure
Guidelines
Nitrogen dioxide
Short-term exposure effects
Long-term exposure effects
Guidelines
Carbon monoxide
Guidelines
Ozone and other photochemical oxidants
Guidelines
Suspended particulate matter
Guidelines
Lead
Guidelines
3.2 Other air pollutants
Guidelines based on non-carcinogenic health endpoints
Guidelines based on carcinogenic health endpoints
3.3 Classical air pollutants: Applicability of the WHO Air Quality Guideline for Europe on a world wide scale
3.4 Studies of effects of air pollutants on health in WHO regions
Sulphur dioxide
Latin 
Mediterranean Region
Western Pacific Region
South East Asia
Africa
Nitrogen dioxide
Latin 
Western Pacific Region
South East Asia
Carbon monoxide
Mediterranean Region
Western Pacific Region
Ozone and other photochemical oxidants
Latin 
Western Pacific Region
South East Asia
Suspended particulate matter
Latin 
Mediterranean Region
Western Pacific Region
South East Asia
Lead
Latin 
Africa

 

4. Indoor Air Quality
4.1 Indoor air pollution in developed countries
4.1.1 Important Indoor air pollutants and their sources
4.1.2 Concentrations of indoor air pollutants
4.1.3 Health effects and symptoms
4.2 Indoor air quality in less developed countries
4.2.1 Emissions
4.2.2 Concentrations
4.2.3 Exposures
4.2.4 Health effects
4.3 Measurement techniques

 

5. Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and Assessment
5.1 Assessment tools and functions
5.2 Monitoring objectives
5.3 Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
5.4 Network design
5.4.1 Resource constraints and issues
5.4.2 Site numbers and selection
5.4.3 Sampling strategies and systems
5.5 Instrumental issues
Passive samples
Active samplers
Automatic analysers
Remote sensors
General advice on instrument selection
5.6 Turning data into information
5.7 Key pollutants and measurement methods
Sulphur dioxide
Passive samplers
Active samplers
Automatic analysers
Remote sensors
Nitrogen dioxide
Passive samplers
Active samplers
Automatic analysers
Remote sensors
Carbon monoxide
Passive samplers
Active samplers
Automatic analysers
Remote sensors
Ozone
Passive samplers
Active samplers
Automatic analysers
Remote sensors
Suspended particulate matter
Active samplers
Automatic analysers
Lead
Active samplers
References

 

6. Air Quality Management
Basic principles in air quality management
Air quality management strategy
6.1 Strategies for ambient air quality management
6.1.1 Stages in the development of ambient air quality management
6.1.2 Source emission inventories
6.1.3 Meteorology and mathematical models
6.1.4 Emissions control approaches
Command-and-control
Economic instruments
Co-regulation
Self-regulation
6.1.5 Evaluation of control options
Technical
Financial
Social
Health and environment
Effect-oriented and source-oriented principles
6.1.6 Control of point sources
Siting and planning
Source emissions reduction
Management and operational changes
Process optimisation
Combustion modification
Fuel modifications
Emissions control
6.1.7 Control of mobile sources
6.1.8 Control of area sources
6.1.9 "Non-classical" air pollutants
6.1.10 Education and communication
6.1.11 International air quality management
References
6.2 Management of indoor air quality
6.2.1 Strategies for indoor air quality management in developed countries
6.2.1.2 Strategies for indoor air quality control and improvement
Design considerations
Site
Building envelope design
Ventilation
Commissioning
Material selection
Combustion appliances
6.2.1.3 Indoor air pollution control
Management of pollutants sources
Operation and maintenance of ventilation systems
Air cleaning
6.2.1.4 Resolving indoor air quality problems
Addressing occupant complaints and symptoms
Building diagnostic procedures
6.2.1.5 Government policy
Guidance/education
Research support
Problem assessment and surveys
Standard/protocol development
6.2.2 Management of indoor air quality in developing countries
6.2.2.1 Improved ventilation
6.2.2.2 Improved stoves-chimneys
6.2.2.3 Improved stoves-combustion
6.2.2.4 Fuel
6.2.2.5 Conclusion: Simple exposure indicators

 

7. Priority setting in Air Quality Management
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Legal aspects
7.3 Adverse effects on health
7.4 Population at risk
7.5 Exposure-response relationships
7.6 Exposure characterisation
7.7 Risk assessment
7.8 Acceptability of risk
7.9 Cost-benefit analysis
7.10 Review of standard setting
7.11 Enforcement of air quality standards: Clean air implementation plans
References

Appendix 1 Bibliographical References
Appendix 2 Acronyms
Appendix 3 Glossary 
Appendix 4 Environmental Health Criteria documents
Appendix 5 Participant list