Category Archives: indoor air pollution

WHO describes air pollution as single largest environmental health risk

Posted on March 26, 2014 by tbach

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), some 7 million people died in 2012 due to air pollution.  The majority of these deaths, from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer, resulted from indoor smoke from cook stoves.  Air pollution is … Continue reading →

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Africa on track to contribute majority of global particulate matter

Posted on March 12, 2014 by tbach

A study co-authored by researchers from France and Cote d’Ivoire concludes that Africa will contribute as much as 55% of the world’s particle pollutants by 2030.  In 2005, the continent accounted for 5% of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions and … Continue reading →

Posted in air pollution, cardiovascular disease, climate change and health, coal, Fine Air Particulates, global health, indoor air pollution, soot, WHO | Comments Off on Africa on track to contribute majority of global particulate matter

Addressing asthma in the U.S.

Posted on October 15, 2013 by tbach

Yesterday’s NYT special report on asthma, The Soaring Cost of a Simple Breath, chronicles how the disease drives pharmaceutical costs.  Asthma is the most common chronic disease in the U.S., affecting some 40 million adults and children.  Medical research has … Continue reading →

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Enviro Health Writ Large and Young

Posted on March 16, 2013 by tbach

Links between human health and environmental degradation were the main themes of a week-long conference organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in mid-February.  The 2013 TUNZA (a Kiswahili word meaning ‘to treat with care or affection’) International Youth … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change and health, drinking water, environmental health, indoor air pollution, intergenerational equity, international law, precautionary principle, Rio +20, UNEP | Comments Off on Enviro Health Writ Large and Young