When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution
This review of the epidemiological literature on fugitive dust indicates the likelihood of significant public health impacts from both short- and long-term exposure to both fine and coarse dust. These impacts are observed in populations that are bo...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2021
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/undefined/918051630707070934/When-the-Dust-Settles-A-Review-of-the-Health-Implications-of-the-Dust-Component-of-Air-Pollution http://hdl.handle.net/10986/36267 |
| id |
okr-10986-36267 |
|---|---|
| recordtype |
oai_dc |
| spelling |
okr-10986-362672021-09-15T05:11:01Z When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution Ostro, Bart Awe, Yewande Sanchez-Triana, Ernesto DUST AIR POLLUTION DUST STORM HEALTH EFFECT PM2.5 PARTICULATE MATTER CLIMATE CHANGE This review of the epidemiological literature on fugitive dust indicates the likelihood of significant public health impacts from both short- and long-term exposure to both fine and coarse dust. These impacts are observed in populations that are both near to and distant from the original dust sources. However, given the difficulties in measuring exposures to fugitive dust and the lack of health and exposure data in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), additional studies are warranted. This requires careful monitoring of ground-level ambient air quality, as well as high-quality data on both mortality and morbidity. Pending further studies, global and local quantification of health impacts of outdoor air pollution should not exclude the contribution of dust from the measurement of particulate-matter concentrations. However, it is reasonable to provide a sensitivity analysis to the impact assessment that excludes the contribution of dust. Unless or until additional evidence is forthcoming, it is reasonable to assume that the health risk per microgram of dust is generally similar to that of other constituents of particulate matter with the exceptions of sulfates and elemental carbon, for which there is fairly good evidence of greater effects than other constituents. The existing evidence indicates that countries affected by dust and dust storms should provide appropriate warnings, shelter, and other actions to prevent and treat exposure to fugitive dust. Other actions could include educating and providing medical intervention for those at particular risk including infants, young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing heart and lung disease, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, there could be a focus on providing proper ventilation, including systems with high-efficiency filters, to schools and other public buildings. Additional proactive measures to mitigate dust storms, such as land restoration or desertification-management programs, could be considered. Decision-making in selecting specific measures or interventions should be informed by the analysis of the economic effectiveness of alternatives. 2021-09-14T20:20:59Z 2021-09-14T20:20:59Z 2021-09-03 Report http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/undefined/918051630707070934/When-the-Dust-Settles-A-Review-of-the-Health-Implications-of-the-Dust-Component-of-Air-Pollution http://hdl.handle.net/10986/36267 English CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo World Bank World Bank, Washington, DC Economic & Sector Work Economic & Sector Work :: Other Environmental Study Middle East and North Africa Middle East |
| repository_type |
Digital Repository |
| institution_category |
Foreign Institution |
| institution |
Digital Repositories |
| building |
World Bank Open Knowledge Repository |
| collection |
World Bank |
| language |
English |
| topic |
DUST AIR POLLUTION DUST STORM HEALTH EFFECT PM2.5 PARTICULATE MATTER CLIMATE CHANGE |
| spellingShingle |
DUST AIR POLLUTION DUST STORM HEALTH EFFECT PM2.5 PARTICULATE MATTER CLIMATE CHANGE Ostro, Bart Awe, Yewande Sanchez-Triana, Ernesto When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution |
| geographic_facet |
Middle East and North Africa Middle East |
| description |
This review of the epidemiological
literature on fugitive dust indicates the likelihood of
significant public health impacts from both short- and
long-term exposure to both fine and coarse dust. These
impacts are observed in populations that are both near to
and distant from the original dust sources. However, given
the difficulties in measuring exposures to fugitive dust and
the lack of health and exposure data in low- and
middle-income countries (LMICs), additional studies are
warranted. This requires careful monitoring of ground-level
ambient air quality, as well as high-quality data on both
mortality and morbidity. Pending further studies, global and
local quantification of health impacts of outdoor air
pollution should not exclude the contribution of dust from
the measurement of particulate-matter concentrations.
However, it is reasonable to provide a sensitivity analysis
to the impact assessment that excludes the contribution of
dust. Unless or until additional evidence is forthcoming, it
is reasonable to assume that the health risk per microgram
of dust is generally similar to that of other constituents
of particulate matter with the exceptions of sulfates and
elemental carbon, for which there is fairly good evidence of
greater effects than other constituents. The existing
evidence indicates that countries affected by dust and dust
storms should provide appropriate warnings, shelter, and
other actions to prevent and treat exposure to fugitive
dust. Other actions could include educating and providing
medical intervention for those at particular risk including
infants, young children, the elderly, and those with
pre-existing heart and lung disease, particularly chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, there
could be a focus on providing proper ventilation, including
systems with high-efficiency filters, to schools and other
public buildings. Additional proactive measures to mitigate
dust storms, such as land restoration or
desertification-management programs, could be considered.
Decision-making in selecting specific measures or
interventions should be informed by the analysis of the
economic effectiveness of alternatives. |
| format |
Report |
| author |
Ostro, Bart Awe, Yewande Sanchez-Triana, Ernesto |
| author_facet |
Ostro, Bart Awe, Yewande Sanchez-Triana, Ernesto |
| author_sort |
Ostro, Bart |
| title |
When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution |
| title_short |
When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution |
| title_full |
When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution |
| title_fullStr |
When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution |
| title_full_unstemmed |
When the Dust Settles : A Review of the Health Implications of the Dust Component of Air Pollution |
| title_sort |
when the dust settles : a review of the health implications of the dust component of air pollution |
| publisher |
World Bank, Washington, DC |
| publishDate |
2021 |
| url |
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/undefined/918051630707070934/When-the-Dust-Settles-A-Review-of-the-Health-Implications-of-the-Dust-Component-of-Air-Pollution http://hdl.handle.net/10986/36267 |
| _version_ |
1764484903652556800 |