Review suggested improving air quality indices to include information on health risks and vulnerable groups & alerts on NO2 peak pollution levels
Representative photo: iStock. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can have a significant impact on health. The air pollutant can lead to premature death from respiratory and circulatory illness, confirmed a new scientific review.
It can also deteriorate the health of people living with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, stated the review commissioned by Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), a European non-profit.
Also read: India witnessed worst levels of human-induced air pollution during 2018-2021: Study
“NO2 exposure can lead to respiratory and circulatory premature death (from both short- and long-term exposure), to the development of asthma in children and adults, to bronchitis in children,” it added.
The review, recently published on HEAL website, also observed that the knowledge about the health effects of NO2 has increased significantly over the last 10-15 years.
In addition, studies are now able to distinguish between health impacts caused by NO2 and that by other pollutants, including particulate matter or PM2.5, it further stated.
“Numerous scientific studies conducted recently indicate the harmful health effects of exposure to NO2 at concentrations often found in cities, with road transport and diesel engines in particular, as the main source,” Michal Krzyzanowski, visiting professor at the Imperial College London, who authored the review, was quoted as saying in the report.
Other sectors of NO2 emissions include energy production and agriculture, as well as industry and utility service. The briefing also zooms in on Poland, one of the most polluted countries in Europe. NO2 pollution here has been leading to a high health burden.
Given the urgency to act on the large health burden from air pollution, HEAL advocated for a change in the legally binding limit of NO2 to 10 micrograms per cubic metre (μg / m3) annual average for the maximum concentration by 2030. This aligns with the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2021, WHO redefined the threshold of NO2 and made it more stringent. The annual NO2 guideline is now four times tighter than the 2005 limit of 40 μg / m3.
The review also advocated improved information dissemination by sending out alerts on NO2 peak pollution levels and associated health risks, as well as regular information on the health effects of NO2.
Also read: ‘Nitrogen dioxide pollution is a growing issue for South Asian cities’
Moreover, it suggested improving air quality indices to include information on health risks and vulnerable groups. The review also recommended monitoring of smaller geographic areas and locations frequented by vulnerable groups (such as children) and air pollution hotspots.
Including regular reviews of the evidence on the health effects of NO2 and other air pollutants in independent WHO reviews can help address the issue.
The following article on NO2 impacts in India by Down To Earth, citing a 2023 study is crucial in the wake of the new findings.
High levels of NO2 were observed in seven Air Quality Index monitoring stations of Kolkata: 102 in 2018, 48 in 2019, 26 in 2020 and 98 in 2021. Delhi also recorded high NO2 variations; 99 in 2018, 49 in 2019, 37 in 2020), and 107 in 2021.
The primary pollutants of concern are NO2, carbon monoxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide and methane.
In India, anthropogenic activities and human health-related problems are increasing gradually. This triggers health issues and pollution-related diseases like asthma, respiratory disease, lung cancer, as well as skin-related diseases, the article added.
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