A review of low-level air pollution and adverse effects on human health: implications for epidemiological studies and public policy

Authors

  • Neide Regina Simoes Olmo Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Pathology; Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution
  • Paulo Hilário do Nascimento Saldiva Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Pathology; Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution
  • Alfésio Luís Ferreira Braga Catholic University of Santos; Community Health Post-Graduation Program
  • Chin An Lin Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Pathology; Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution
  • Ubiratan de Paula Santos Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina; Department of Pathology; Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution
  • Luiz Alberto Amador Pereira Catholic University of Santos; Community Health Post-Graduation Program

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000400025

Keywords:

Air pollution, adverse effects, human health, publication bias, public policies, systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to review original scientific articles describing the relationship between atmospheric pollution and damage to human health. We also aimed to determine which of these studies mentioned public policy issues. Original articles relating to atmospheric pollution and human health published between 1995 and 2009 were retrieved from the PubMed database and analyzed. This study included only articles dealing with atmospheric pollutants resulting primarily from vehicle emissions. Three researchers were involved in the final selection of the studies, and the chosen articles were approved by at least two of the three researchers. Of the 84 non-Brazilian studies analyzed, 80 showed an association between atmospheric pollution and adverse effects on human health. Moreover, 66 showed evidence of adverse effects on human health, even at levels below the permitted emission standards. Three studies mentioned public policies aimed at changing emission standards. Similarly, the 29 selected Brazilian studies reported adverse associations with human health, and 27 showed evidence of adverse effects even at levels below the legally permitted emission standards. Of these studies, 16 mentioned public policies aimed at changing emission standards. Based on the Brazilian and non-Brazilian scientific studies that have been conducted, it can be concluded that, even under conditions that are compliant with Brazilian air quality standards, the concentration of atmospheric pollutants in Brazil can negatively affect human health. However, as little discussion of this topic has been generated, this finding demonstrates the need to incorporate epidemiological evidence into decisions regarding legal regulations and to discuss the public policy implications in epidemiological studies.

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Published

2011-01-01

Issue

Section

Review

How to Cite

Olmo, N. R. S., Saldiva, P. H. do N., Braga, A. L. F., Lin, C. A., Santos, U. de P., & Pereira, L. A. A. (2011). A review of low-level air pollution and adverse effects on human health: implications for epidemiological studies and public policy . Clinics, 66(4), 681-690. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000400025