Managing Multiple Pollutants and Multiple Effects on Health

Managing Multiple Pollutants and Multiple Effects on Human Health

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 1 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --

International scientist Professor Judith Chow will present the multiple complex relationships between several pollutants and their effects on our health. There is no simple way to manage multiple pollutants for multiple effects.

Professor Judith Chow is a keynote speaker at the 20th International Clean Air and Environment Conference hosted by the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre.

Traditional air quality management treats pollutants individually. But Professor Judith Chow states that "air pollution consists of a mixture of substances and the effects may be greater than the sum of the parts".

Regulation of single pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matter, and lead has been successful in reducing human exposure and improving public health.

However, recent emerging knowledge shows that there are other pollutants that adversely affect our health, such as ultra fine particles, hazardous air pollutants, and toxic components of suspended particles. Other important pollutant effects, aside from health, include visibility degradation, climate change, material damage and ecosystem damage. These involve health-related and non-health related emissions.

Most sources emit more than one important pollutant. Some pollution controls that reduce one pollutant or effect may actually increase other pollutant emissions or effects. There is a conceptual basis for multi-pollutant air quality management, but practical mechanisms are still under development.

Professor Judith Chow holds the Research Chair in Entrepreneurialism and Science in the Division of Atmospheric Sciences at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada, USA. She has 34 years of experience in atmospheric, air quality, and environmental health research and education and has published hundreds of scientific papers.

CASANZ is committed to the long-term improvement of the environment through the advancement of knowledge and practical experience of environmental and air quality management.

ENDS

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