Time to harmonize national ambient air quality standards.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The World Health Organization has developed ambient air quality guidelines at levels considered to be safe or of acceptable risk for human health. These guidelines are meant to support governments in defining national standards. It is unclear how they are followed.

Methods

We compiled an inventory of ambient air quality standards for 194 countries worldwide for six air pollutants: PM_2.5, PM₁₀, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. We conducted literature and internet searches and asked country representatives about national ambient air quality standards.

Results

We found information on 170 countries including 57 countries that did not set any air quality standards. Levels varied greatly by country and by polluta

SUBMITTER: Kutlar Joss M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5397445 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature